"Yes!" The Mirror Maiden responded quickly and continued.
"While investigating your wanted notice, we also found a notice for a Liyue merchant named Yun Fan. According to our investigation, the crimes listed on his notice are identical to those on yours. We suspect that he is the one impersonating you."
"Yun Fan? Yun Fan..." Scaramouche muttered the name, a flicker of doubt crossing his eyes. He felt like he had heard this name before... Was it just his imagination?
"Do you have a portrait or photo of this person?" Scaramouche was uncertain, but his intuition told him he had heard the name somewhere.
"My lord, this is the wanted notice for the Liyue merchant." The Mirror Maiden respectfully handed the notice to Scaramouche.
"It's him?!" When Scaramouche saw the silver-haired youth on the notice, his arrogant eyes flashed with a mix of emotions.
Shock, anger, confusion, disbelief...
Amidst this turmoil, Scaramouche's hand crackled with dark purple lightning. With a sizzling sound, the notice was reduced to ashes by the intense heat.
The Divine Lord of Liyue... Why has he come to Inazuma, and why is he impersonating me? How infuriating! Scaramouche's core—his equivalent of a heart—felt like it was about to explode. As a puppet, he didn't have a heart, but his power core was on the verge of overheating. When had he, Kunikuzushi, ever suffered such humiliation? The frustration of knowing his enemy's identity but being unable to retaliate was unbearable!
Just as Scaramouche was seething, a frantic voice reached his ears: "Lord Scaramouche! Lord Scaramouche!"
"Hmm?" Scaramouche narrowed his eyes, his gaze cutting like a blade. The newcomer's legs gave out, and he fell to his knees, trembling uncontrollably.
Tap, tap, tap...
Scaramouche walked over, his cold voice dripping with disdain as he looked down at the kneeling figure.
"You have five seconds to give me a good reason, or I'll make sure you die a miserable death!"
"Y-Yes!" The young officer was terrified. He had risked his life to bring this information from Watatsumi Island. If he were to die at the hands of his own Harbinger, it would be a bitter end indeed.
"My lord, I am a Pyro Agent embedded in Watatsumi Island. Something big is happening there!"
"Oh? What is it?" Scaramouche's expression darkened, his face twisting into a grimace. Watatsumi Island was a crucial part of his plans. Now that he was being hunted by the Raiden Shogun due to the Divine Lord's impersonation, any upheaval on Watatsumi Island could spell the end of his scheme to obtain the Electro Archon's Gnosis.
"It's like this. Yesterday, Gorou from Watatsumi Island..."
The young officer vividly recounted the events involving the Immortal Phoenix, then nervously lowered his head, not daring to look at Scaramouche's expression.
"You idiot!"
The young officer felt a sharp pain in his shoulder before being sent flying like a rolling stone. He crashed into a wall and slumped to the ground.
"Cough... Lord Scaramouche, why...?" The young officer coughed violently, blood and fragments of internal organs spilling from his mouth. Scaramouche's kick had inflicted fatal injuries, and he was on the brink of death.
He didn't understand. He had brought such important information, yet instead of being rewarded, he was being killed. Before he could make sense of it, his head slumped, and he breathed his last.
"Stupid fool!" Scaramouche spat at the corpse. The young officer had known that Kokomi was seeking the Immortal Phoenix's help, yet he had foolishly suggested converting to worship the adeptus.
Such a move could split Watatsumi Island and destabilize the situation, ruining Scaramouche's plans! He needed a united Watatsumi Island, not one divided into factions.
"No, I can't let Watatsumi Island fall apart. I need to see this for myself. Immortal Phoenix, is it? If I can't deal with your Divine Lord, I'll deal with you, a mere adeptus. Just you wait!"
——————
Yujing Terrace, Liyue Harbor...
"Ningguang, we're here!"
Paimon and Lumine arrived at the Jade Chamber via the floating platform, waving at Ningguang, who was waiting at the entrance.
"Hehe, welcome, you two." Ningguang smiled warmly and ushered the two heroes who had aided Liyue into her luxurious residence.
"It's been a while since we last met after the battle with the two gods. How have you two been?" Ningguang instructed Baiwen to fetch some tea and snacks while she warmly greeted the Traveler duo.
"Hehe, we've been doing great! The Traveler has found her brother, so we don't have as much on our minds. Life's been much easier!" Paimon chuckled, inadvertently revealing that Lumine had found her brother.
"Paimon!" Lumine glared at Paimon, annoyed that her companion had forgotten her instructions. She really wanted to pick Paimon up and give her a good spanking.
"Huh? Oh..." Realizing her mistake, Paimon quickly covered her mouth and looked away. She had almost forgotten that Lumine's brother was now the leader of the Abyss Order, which was considered an enemy by all of Teyvat. If his identity were exposed, Lumine could face serious consequences.
"Hehe, congratulations to the Traveler for finding her brother." Ningguang observed their interaction and, sensing Lumine's reluctance to discuss the matter, didn't press further.
"Thank you." Lumine nodded gratefully, relieved that Ningguang didn't pry.
"No need for thanks." Ningguang waved her hand dismissively. "May I ask what brings you two to the Jade Chamber today? Feel free to speak openly. If it's within my power, I will not refuse."