Night fell, and the silver moon hung high. Moonlight poured down like water across the streets of Liyue Harbor, illuminating the hurried footsteps of passersby.
The moonlight filtered through the gaps in the tree leaves, casting mottled shadows across her face, painting her profile with a gentle halo, making her look like a fairy from a dream.
Lumine's gaze was fixed on the Mora in her hand—it sparkled brilliantly in her eyes.
There was a subtle trace of determination and curiosity in her expression, as if she were pondering something of great importance.
After a long silence, she finally mustered her courage and asked Ganyu, who stood beside her, in a barely audible whisper.
"Um… Miss Ganyu, do you know someone named Shajin?"
Her voice was soft, but each word landed clearly in Ganyu's ears.
Ganyu's eyes flashed with surprise at the question.
She didn't respond right away. Instead, she studied Lumine carefully, as though trying to read something from her face.
Then, in a calm and polite tone, she countered, "Does the Traveler know Shajin?"
Lumine nodded, then gracefully removed the Mora ornament hanging at her waist.
It gleamed under the moonlight like a gem imbued with magic.
She gently held the Mora out in front of Ganyu, letting it sway between them, casting a captivating glow.
Ganyu's gaze was drawn to the Mora, her eyes clouding with a hint of nostalgia.
She seemed to be recalling something—perhaps memories of Shajin, or maybe the significance behind this particular Mora.
After a while, she seemed to reach a decision. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked:
"Traveler… the new Twelfth Harbinger of the Fatui, The Gambler… is he Shajin?"
Lumine felt a pang of conflict in her chest. She understood the weight of that question—it touched on Shajin's privacy and personal history.
She could also sense Ganyu's special feelings for him.
Lumine hesitated, but ultimately chose silence. She didn't want to unintentionally hurt Ganyu.
From that silence and Lumine's expression, Ganyu seemed to have already found her answer.
A flicker of sadness crossed her eyes, like sunlight being hidden behind drifting clouds.
But she quickly composed herself, forcing a smile.
"Thank you for telling me this. I've always known Shajin was exceptional. If he's become a Harbinger of the Fatui, then… he's earned it."
Paimon, who had been observing quietly, was now brimming with curiosity.
She couldn't help but blurt out, "Wait a minute—Miss Ganyu, do you like Shajin?"
Ganyu's cheeks flushed red like a ripe apple. She lowered her head and murmured softly:
"We're just ordinary friends… though he has helped me a lot."
Clearly unsatisfied with that answer, Paimon was about to press further when Ganyu quickly interrupted, face still bright red.
Her voice was flustered and rushed.
"M-My task is done! Please, you two should hurry to the Jade Chamber!"
With that, she bolted like a startled fawn.
Lumine watched Ganyu's retreating figure, her eyes filled with thought.
Just as she was lost in contemplation, Paimon's voice pulled her back.
"Hey, Traveler…"
"Hm? What is it, Paimon?" Lumine turned toward her.
"We forgot to ask Ganyu how to get to the Jade Chamber…"
Lumine slapped her forehead. "…Right."
She looked up again. The moon hung high, casting its gentle glow. She sighed.
"Forget it. We'll ask her tomorrow."
…..
That afternoon.
Sunlight filtered through the windows of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, bathing the room in a warm, lazy glow.
But the arrival of a Fatui Harbinger shattered the stillness.
The Director of the Ministry of Civil Affairs stared nervously at the Fatui Harbinger before him, anxiety and confusion churning in his chest.
"Sir Gambler…" The Director hesitated, then spoke with great difficulty.
"You said… you want to visit the guest from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor currently having tea here?"
A bead of cold sweat trickled down the Director's forehead. He knew this was no trivial matter, but also didn't dare refuse a Harbinger outright.
"Yes. I want to see him."
The Gambler's voice was cold and resolute, leaving no room for negotiation.
The Director gritted his teeth and decided to report to a higher authority. This involved the safety and stability of Liyue—he couldn't make this call alone.
He left in a hurry, leaving the Harbinger to wait in silence.
Meanwhile, in another room of the Ministry, Yelan leaned against a nearby cabinet, arms crossed, her eyes glinting with danger.
She smirked slightly, as if she already had her own read on the situation.
"So, are you going to agree?" she asked softly, her tone tinged with amusement.
Ningguang sat at her desk, brows slightly furrowed as she read a document.
After a moment's thought, she set the paper down and looked up, her gaze firm.
"Why not? This is the perfect opportunity to investigate them."
"We can use this to understand the Fatui's movements… and their internal dynamics."
Yelan's smile deepened, a glint of excitement flashing in her eyes.
She licked her lips—painted a seductive shade of blue—and murmured, "Tail a Harbinger? How thrilling~"
With the Tianquan's permission, Shajin finally got what he wanted—entry into the tea room at the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
He pushed open the door, his gaze falling upon Zhongli, who sat quietly sipping tea.
"Mister Zhongli. Long time no see," said the Fatui Harbinger with a cheerful smile.
Zhongli set down his teacup and responded calmly, "Adventurine. You've come."
"Hahaha… Mister Zhongli, I never expected to see you in such a sorry state~"
Behind his mask, Shajin's expression twisted as he struggled to hold in his laughter.
After ensuring no one was eavesdropping, he activated Imaginary space to isolate their conversation.
"So then, esteemed Morax, dragged here for tea… what exactly did you want from me?"
Zhongli's mouth twitched. Sure, he had sent a message asking Shajin to come, and sure, Shajin called him "esteemed,"
But in neither tone nor action did Shajin show a shred of actual respect.
"Ahem…"
Zhongli handed over a yellowish-brown cube and cleared his throat.
"I want you to head to Jueyun Karst and find Cloud Retainer."
"Last time, due to Beisht's actions, the Guizhong Ballista was damaged. I hope Liyue can face this coming 'trial' in full strength—even without the gods."
"Place this cube into the Guizhong Ballista—it should fully restore it."
Shajin didn't reach for it right away. Instead, he rubbed his fingers together suggestively.
Zhongli: "…"
"Aside from a Vision, I doubt I have anything else that would interest you."
Shajin grinned and waved a hand.
"Oh, come now, Lord Morax. There is something of yours I've been eyeing for a long time~"
"Oh?" Zhongli raised an eyebrow.
Shajin chuckled.
"The Exuvia—now that is a rare treasure~"
Zhongli was slightly surprised, but after a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement.
Though the Exuvia, his Shedded Form was forged from a piece of his own divine flesh, it held no particular use to him anymore.
"Very well. After this trial is concluded, it shall be yours."
A contract is formed. He who breaks it shall suffer the wrath of the Rock.
_
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