Chapter 16: Keqing—This Is All Aiden's Fault
"Sir, after all, he is the consultant of Tianquan Ningguang. This may make our relationship with Liyue even more tense," Felix cautiously reminded Childe.
His reminder was ignored. "It's fine," Childe said with a carefree smile. "As long as I don't reveal my identity, there's nothing to worry about.
And even if I do get exposed—so what? Liyue doesn't belong to Ningguang alone.
A mere Tianquan Star is nothing to be afraid of."
Felix opened his mouth as if to argue but ultimately said nothing. Childe was a Harbinger—one of the Fatui's elite. Felix was just a subordinate. His job wasn't to question orders, only to follow them.
---
Near Mt. Tianheng…
"There are so many monsters even near Mt. Tianheng. What's going on? Why are the ley lines so unstable? And why are there so many more monsters?"
Keqing frowned as she cut down a pair of charging Hilichurls with a precise stroke of her sword, Lion's Roar.
The other side of Mt. Tianheng was near Yujing Terrace, a key location where the Millelith often patrolled. This increase in monster activity was unusual.
Was someone trying to destabilize Liyue?
Keqing's mind raced through possibilities as she collected the points she earned from slaying monsters. She spent another hundred points to enhance her internal energy cultivation. The improvements were noticeable, but none of that mattered right now.
Nothing was more important than Liyue's safety.
I have to work harder and clear out more of these monsters!
Keqing's skill with a blade was unparalleled. Even without her Vision, she was as strong as some Vision wielders. Now, with her Vision and increased training, she was even more formidable.
Aiming a precise Stellar Restoration, Keqing turned into a flash of violet lightning, weaving between the monsters with graceful agility. She struck, pivoted, and struck again—her blade a storm of lethal precision.
Ordinary Hilichurls couldn't withstand even a single attack from her. Only the Hilichurl Shamans and Berserkers lasted longer than a moment.
At this point, Keqing was practically an avatar of lightning, her points steadily increasing as she cut through enemies.
But then…
As she dashed into a Hilichurl camp that contained an Abyss Mage, she suddenly felt something was wrong.
Her stamina—her energy—it wasn't keeping up.
When she tried to teleport again with Stellar Restoration, nothing happened.
Oh no… I overdid it!
Keqing realized that her stamina management had been thrown off. Normally, in extended battles, she would pace herself carefully, retreating when needed. But ever since she started training in internal energy cultivation, her endurance had increased beyond her expectations.
Now, she had pushed herself too far without realizing it.
And because of that miscalculation, she was right in the middle of the enemy camp.
She barely had time to raise Lion's Roar as a massive Hilichurl Berserker charged at her. The sheer force of the attack sent Keqing flying backward.
She twisted midair, her exceptional agility allowing her to land on her feet.
But the moment she touched the ground—
Snap!
Her heel broke.
Pain shot through her ankle. Keqing winced.
No…
She could already feel it—her ankle was twisted.
Damn it!
This was a disaster. She was in the middle of an enemy camp, and her movement was compromised.
And to make things worse, the Abyss Mage had already begun casting. Flames surged toward her.
Under normal circumstances, dodging would have been easy. But now, her footing was unsteady.
For the first time in a long while, Keqing felt a flicker of panic.
Then—
"Endure it!"
A golden light enveloped Keqing.
A solid shield formed around her, completely neutralizing the Abyss Mage's fiery attack.
Keqing's eyes widened in shock.
"This is… the Jade Shield?! The Geo Archon?! Is the Lord of Geo still watching over us?"
Her heart pounded. Had the Lord of Geo—who had withdrawn from Liyue—come to her aid?
"I'm not Morax."
Keqing snapped out of her thoughts as a familiar voice spoke.
She turned to see Aiden standing beside her, an amused expression on his face.
"Huh?! Aiden?! How do you know the Lord of Geo's techniques?!" Keqing demanded in disbelief.
Her family had a long history in Liyue, and they had carefully studied records of Morax's abilities. The shield that had just protected her was unmistakably one of Morax's techniques.
"There's this thing called making deals," Aiden replied casually.
He turned his attention to the approaching Hilichurl Berserker. A rock spear materialized in his hands, glowing with dense Geo energy.
Then, with an effortless thrust—
The spear pierced straight through the Hilichurl and its shield, killing it instantly.
Keqing's pupils contracted in shock.
She had no trouble defeating these enemies, but to take them down this easily—like it was nothing—was on an entirely different level.
Even among those she knew, no one made combat look this effortless.
Aiden… just what is your real strength?
Trying to cover up her thoughts, Keqing crossed her arms and huffed. "Tch. I was just unlucky. My shoes broke, that's all! Otherwise, I wouldn't have needed your help!"
Aiden chuckled. "Actually, that's your fault."
Keqing blinked. "What?!"
"You haven't learned how to properly control your internal energy. Your cultivation is still weak, but you weren't managing it properly.
When you landed, you subconsciously used internal energy to stabilize yourself. That tiny burst of power pushed your shoes past their limit. That's why they broke."
Aiden casually turned and stabbed the Abyss Mage that had been preparing another spell, instantly ending the fight.
Keqing stood there, dumbfounded.
So…
All of this…
Was the fault of that stupid internal energy training?
No—this is all Aiden's fault!