"But Qiu Nian…"
"Didn't you say you had something you needed to deal with?"
Paimon asked, puzzled.
"Haha…"
"How could I solve something that hasn't even happened yet?"
"When the time comes, I'll deal with it then."
After leaving behind a cryptic remark that left Lumine and Paimon confused, Qiu Nian began walking toward the Golden House.
The two of them exchanged glances, still puzzled, but quickly followed.
After quite some time, the three finally arrived at the Golden House.
Before them stood a massive building.
A long road stretched toward it, flanked by large ponds on both sides.
Trees and decorative plants surrounded the structure.
Outside the Golden House, several Millelith soldiers lay unconscious on the ground.
Qiu Nian walked over and crouched beside one of them to check his condition.
No fatal injuries… just knocked out?
"Looks like Childe is already inside the Golden House."
Qiu Nian stood up and said to Lumine and Paimon.
"Let's go in!"
Lumine immediately ran toward the building.
After climbing a short flight of stairs, she pushed open the massive doors of the Golden House.
Inside—
Mora stretched endlessly across the floor.
It was scattered everywhere like sand.
The entire interior resembled the palace of some ancient emperor, with golden lamps standing ahead.
And deep within the hall rested the Exuvia of Rex Lapis.
It appeared as a creature half-dragon, half-serpent.
"Wow! It already looked impressive outside, but inside it's even more luxurious!"
"And… there's Mora everywhere!"
Paimon flew forward, eyes sparkling.
"Since all the Mora in Teyvat is minted here…"
"Would anyone even notice if a little bit went missing?"
Paimon's thoughts began to wander.
If all this Mora belonged to her, she'd never have to worry about food or money again.
The more she imagined it, the more excited she became.
"If it were really that easy…"
"Everything would've descended into chaos long ago."
Lumine replied, though she also felt tempted.
"The Traveler is right."
"But even just looking at this much Mora is quite pleasing."
Qiu Nian said with a light smile.
"If I could, I'd love to lie down in it and take a nap!"
"Using Mora as a blanket… my dreams would definitely be sweeter!"
Paimon giggled.
"Let's first confirm the condition of the Exuvia."
"From outside, something already felt strange."
"Where is Childe?"
Lumine frowned slightly.
She, Qiu Nian, and Paimon walked toward the Exuvia.
"Your role as guides has already been fulfilled."
"So why come here and cause trouble?"
Just as they reached the Exuvia, a familiar voice sounded behind them.
The three turned.
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
It was none other than the Fatui Harbinger, Tartaglia—Childe.
"If you were Fatui agents…"
"You might have earned a generous reward from Her Majesty the Tsaritsa."
"But now, you're nothing more than worthless obstacles."
Childe approached them arrogantly.
"As for Mr. Qiu Nian…"
"Though I heard you defeated five Debt Collectors in an instant…"
"But I'm not the same as them."
Childe looked at Qiu Nian with blazing battle intent.
"What?!"
"Qiu Nian defeated five Debt Collectors instantly?!"
Paimon shouted in shock.
Lumine also stared at Qiu Nian in disbelief.
"Seems even you two didn't know."
"I didn't expect Mr. Qiu Nian to hide his abilities so well."
"One moment he vanished…"
"And the next, five Debt Collectors were already unconscious."
"What terrifying skill…"
Childe smiled.
It was the confident smile of someone who trusted completely in his own strength.
"No way… Qiu Nian is that strong?!"
"So he took down five Fatui in two seconds?"
Xuehua stared wide-eyed at the screen.
[Holy crap, that's insane]
[Two seconds, five enemies—legend]
[When did that happen?]
[Qiu Nian's identity definitely isn't simple]
"…"
Qiu Nian said nothing, his expression calm as ever.
"Though I should thank you."
"You saved me the trouble of finding this hidden place."
"But trying to stop me now?"
"Don't waste your effort."
Childe said confidently.
"Hah… stopping the minting of Mora just to hide the Exuvia."
"The Qixing really went all out."
He chuckled.
"As for Mr. Qiu Nian…"
"You must be working for the Qixing, correct?"
Childe continued.
"And what of it?"
"You're planning to search the Exuvia for the Gnosis, aren't you?"
Qiu Nian asked.
"As one of the Eleven Harbingers of the Fatui…"
"I must carry out the will of the Tsaritsa."
"If Her Majesty desires something, we retrieve it."
Childe replied without hesitation.
"The Qixing can't seriously believe…"
"That stationing Mr. Qiu Nian here at the Golden House would stop me, can they?"
Childe waved dismissively.
"So Qiu Nian really works for the Qixing…"
Lumine frowned slightly.
But right now, Childe was clearly the enemy.
"I won't let you get near the Exuvia."
She said firmly.
"The question isn't who allows me."
"It's who can stop me."
"The time for deals and schemes is over."
Childe's expression turned sharp.
"To be honest, I dislike those little tricks."
"But for the Tsaritsa, I can tolerate them."
He then looked at Qiu Nian.
"And now…"
"We can enjoy something simple."
"Something pure."
"That is—battle."
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"So you're the type who enjoys fighting?"
Paimon asked.
"Hahaha, you could say that."
"In Mondstadt, Signora insulted the god outside the cathedral."
"After obtaining what she wanted, she left immediately."
"She'd rather freeze everyone in place with ice than fight you directly."
"That's because she prefers to calculate profit and risk when facing strong opponents."
"But for me…"
"The greatest joy of becoming a Harbinger…"
"…is having the chance to challenge stronger and stronger opponents!"
Childe looked at Lumine and Qiu Nian with burning anticipation.
At last—
He could fight both the Traveler and Mr. Qiu Nian.
How exciting.
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