"Since that's how it is… then don't blame me for being rude."
As she spoke, Keqing drew her sword.
She knew someone like this wouldn't just obediently come with her—
A fight was inevitable.
"Yuheng of the Qixing? I've heard the Yuheng is one of the seven who governs Liyue.
Tell me, shouldn't someone in your position be more concerned for the people around you?"
Seeing Keqing suddenly draw her weapon, Su Mo remained relaxed, almost amused.
He smiled lightly, almost teasing.
"You're threatening me?"
It was only then that Keqing realized—
they were still surrounded by Liyue citizens.
One wrong move would put innocents at risk.
And with the way this mysterious woman phrased it…
Keqing instinctively took it as a threat using the people of Liyue as leverage.
Her irritation spiked.
"How could I?" Su Mo offered a polite smile.
"I'm merely reminding you that this is hardly an ideal place for a… crude brawl.
Cleaning up the aftermath would give even a maid headaches—
let alone the esteemed Yuheng, who oversees the affairs of an entire nation.
Wouldn't you agree, Lady Yuheng?"
Maid? This woman…
Her words were respectful.
Her smile elegant.
Her posture refined.
And yet Keqing felt something was off.
As if this woman was weaving some invisible scheme—
one careless step and she might fall straight into it.
"Since Lady Yuheng has nothing to say," Su Mo continued smoothly,
"then allow me to be bold.
Why not accompany me somewhere more suitable for conversation outside the city?
If, once you've listened, you still find me suspicious…
then using force wouldn't be too late."
Su Mo knew well—
Liyue was now preparing for the return of the "murderer" who had slain the Geo Archon.
And that "murderer"…
was him.
So he wanted to give Keqing a small hint:
Liyue's danger wasn't coming from the one they feared.
The real threat came from someone else—
the one the system warned was plotting against Liyue.
Of course, he knew there was no way Keqing would simply believe him.
In her eyes, he was nothing but a suspicious stranger.
But he still had to try.
At the very least, plant a seed of doubt in her mind
so the Qixing wouldn't waste all their attention on a nonexistent threat.
"Important information…?"
Keqing's brows lifted subtly.
The phrase alone was enough to catch her interest.
But the invitation itself smelled wrong.
Why outside the city?
Why not speak here?
"What's so important that it can't be said in Liyue Harbor?"
Keqing narrowed her eyes.
"I have plenty of places where you can talk."
"Lady Yuheng," Su Mo said with a soft laugh,
"Liyue is a nation of contracts.
Every contract must be fair to both parties.
If I go to a location you choose, the balance is broken.
Surely you understand that."
"And what—going somewhere you choose is fair for me?"
"Of course not. That's why you may choose a place outside the harbor.
Neutral ground."
He smiled. Unhurried. Unbothered.
Keqing's mind spun rapidly.
Let me choose?
Is she implying there are accomplices waiting nearby?
But after scanning the surroundings, she found no trace of anything suspicious.
Even so, she refused to lower her guard.
From the moment their conversation began, she had felt it—
she wasn't leading this exchange at all.
She had been talking, questioning, probing nonstop,
but somehow she had moved entirely along this woman's rhythm.
"I see Lady Yuheng still doesn't believe me."
Su Mo sighed faintly.
"In that case, I won't trouble you further. I'll be on my way."
He turned to leave.
He had no more time to waste—he had his mission to complete.
Originally, he just wanted to deliver the warning.
But Keqing's unmovable suspicion made this exhausting.
He'd investigate on his own.
If someone was plotting against Liyue, traces would show eventually.
"You—stop right there!"
Seeing him leave, Keqing lunged forward, sword raised.
"Lady Yuheng," Su Mo sighed,
"You truly… lack even a shred of lady-like grace."
Without hesitation, he leapt lightly onto a rooftop and headed toward the outskirts.
"Tch—!"
Keqing ground her teeth and chased.
Tianheng Mountain – Outer Region
"Lady Yuheng, I'm here."
Standing atop a sharp cliff, Su Mo held a gleaming silver scythe in hand,
looking down upon Keqing as she arrived.
"Rita Rossweisse," he announced with a polite bow,
"humbly requests your guidance, Lady Yuheng."
And without waiting for any response—
he swung his scythe straight at her.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG—!
Blades flashed.
Steel rang.
The scythe and sword clashed again and again, sparks scattering across the mountainside.
Their figures crossed, separated, crossed again—
until Keqing abruptly disengaged, widening the distance.
"Lady Yuheng," Su Mo said softly,
"It seems you've finally noticed.
But too late."
Keqing exhaled sharply, her expression shifting.
Something was wrong.
She hadn't taken a single direct hit.
Yet her movements had grown sluggish—
unnaturally so.
Her body… cold.
She glanced down—
Her boots were encased in dark blue frost.
W-What!?
She hadn't seen any elemental energy used.
Not a single visible attack.
Yet her body was freezing?
This woman… really wasn't simple.
But what is she…?
"Lady Yuheng," Su Mo smiled gracefully,
"may we stop here? I believe you already understand who would suffer most if we continue."
"…What do you want?"
Keqing forced the ice to crack as she steadied her stance.
"I told you."
Su Mo lowered his scythe.
"I simply wished to convey one important matter.
I will be brief."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"The so-called murderer who slew the Geo Archon… will not appear again.
Her interest lies only in the Archon himself.
No one else in Liyue is worthy of her attention."
Keqing's brows tightened sharply.
"What are you—"
"You need not believe me."
Su Mo stepped back lightly.
"But if I were you, Lady Yuheng… I would pay attention to other forces lurking in Liyue's shadows.
Those are the true threats."
He bowed politely.
"Whether you trust me or not is your decision.
Farewell."
And just like that—
he vanished into the mountains,
leaving Keqing standing alone, frozen both in body and in thought.
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