Inside the Jade Chamber.

Keqing sat across from Ningguang and recounted everything that had happened since their entry into New Eridu.

She began with the accident during teleportation that caused them to fall into the Hollows...

Then, how they became lost in the Hollows and encountered the Hollow Special Operations Unit 6 on a mission...

How they entered New Eridu's urban district and witnessed its advanced technology...

How they found Zhongli in Hare's House...

Then, how they made contact with the New Eridu authorities, entered Hollow Zero to investigate, and finally traveled to the outer ring...

After finishing her account, Keqing took a deep breath.

"New Eridu is facing a crisis of life and death. Hollow Zero could expand at any moment, and disasters in the city are becoming more frequent... I've already negotiated with the New Eridu authorities. I plan to help them resolve the Hollow crisis and save their city before it falls."

At those words, Ningguang frowned.

From Keqing's description, New Eridu's situation sounded extremely dire—something far beyond the strength of ordinary mortals.

After a brief silence, Ningguang asked slowly,

"How do you intend to help?"

Keqing answered without hesitation.

"No matter how powerful the Ethereals in Hollow Zero are, they can't possibly be stronger than the gods of the Archon War. If we can convince the Adepti to take action, they'll surely be able to suppress Hollow Zero."

Ningguang nodded slightly, agreeing with her reasoning.

But then she smiled faintly.

"The Geo Archon has already passed on. No one can command the Adepti anymore. Unless..."

Unless the so-called "deceased" Archon himself was willing to appear.

That would make things much simpler.

Standing at her side, Keqing said firmly,

"I've already considered this. Unless New Eridu joins Liyue—if that happens, New Eridu will become Liyue's territory, and its citizens will become Liyue's people. Then we'll have every reason to ask the Adepti to intervene."

Ningguang was momentarily taken aback.

For a moment, she thought Keqing had discovered the truth of the Archon's false death. But instead, Keqing had simply reached another conclusion.

Having New Eridu join Liyue... that was indeed a clever solution.

"Have they agreed to that?" Ningguang asked.

Keqing answered solemnly,

"They've already sent a delegation here to negotiate this very matter. The survival of their city is at stake. I believe they'll agree."

"And what do you plan to do next?" Ningguang pressed.

Keqing replied seriously,

"This is too important to act rashly. Before negotiating with New Eridu, I want to consult an Adeptus first."

Though the Adepti no longer involved themselves in Liyue's politics, since the Archon's passing they had become Liyue's strongest line of defense.

When making a decision of such weight—especially one involving the Adepti—it was best to seek their guidance in advance.

Ningguang listened, then gave a satisfied nod.

Still, she knew that negotiations had never been Keqing's strength.

So the two of them spent the rest of the day refining a detailed cooperation plan with New Eridu, carefully polishing even the smallest details.

By the time the plan was complete, the sun was already setting.

As the last light of dusk painted the horizon, Keqing suddenly thought of Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and the others, and decided to check on them back at Yujing Terrace.

Before leaving the Jade Chamber, she said firmly,

"Ningguang, please share this plan with the other Qixing."

Ningguang gave a soft smile.

"Don't worry. None of the others will oppose it. As for this cooperation with New Eridu—I'll leave the lead role to you."

Keqing nodded.

"Then I'll be off. Tomorrow at noon, I'll bring the New Eridu delegation here."

With that, she left the chamber, found the Traveler in another room, and teleported with him back to Liyue Harbor.

...

While Keqing and Ningguang were working out their plan, at that same time inside Yujing Terrace—

Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Mikhail, Nicole, Billy, and the others finally returned after wandering the streets.

Billy dropped heavily into a chair, his face twisted in regret.

"There's no gun oil here... Damn it, I should've brought a few bottles of Starlight Knight co-brand gun oil with me."

He looked mournfully at the two guns in his hands.

They'd only been in Liyue for a single day, and already, due to the change in environment, the skins of his guns were drying out.

If this continued, by the time he got back to New Eridu, they'd be rusting for sure.

Meanwhile, Nicole, Nekomata, and Anby lounged comfortably, utterly unconcerned with his misery.

After thinking for a moment, Anby asked,

"Couldn't you just use another kind of oil?"

Billy looked up. "Like what?"

Anby answered seriously,

"The restaurants here definitely have cooking oil..."

Billy fell silent. "..."

Just then, Arataki Itto and Kuki Shinobu returned from outside.

The moment he spotted Billy, Itto exclaimed,

"Billy, my man! What's wrong? Did somebody bully you?"

Billy shook his head.

"No, it's nothing..."

But seeing Billy's gloomy mood, Itto grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Cheer up! In a bit, I'll take you to see Guoba. He's a beast at Battle Onikabuto—last time, even I lost to him! You should give it a try."

Billy blinked.

"Guoba? You mean that Bangboo-looking thing we saw on the street earlier? It fights insects too?"

Itto laughed.

"He's not Bangboo. And yeah, he's a master of Battle Onikabuto. Even I can barely beat him."

Billy's eyes lit up with interest.

...

Meanwhile, Nekomata sprawled lazily across a chair, muttering,

"One blue fish... two tiger fish... three big sharks... Aren't you all hungry? Do you think we'll actually have fish tonight?"

Anby answered calmly,

"Let's wait for Miss Keqing and the Traveler to come back."

No sooner had she mentioned them than footsteps sounded outside the door.

Moments later, Keqing and the Traveler appeared before them.

Paimon's eyes lit up.

"I knew you'd be here! You must be starving. Tonight we're eating at Wanmin Hall—Keqing's treating!"

Keqing cleared her throat lightly.

"Everyone, please come with me."

At once, Nekomata leapt off her chair in excitement.

"Yes! Paimon, Keqing—do they have bluefin tuna?"

Paimon shook her head.

"No bluefin tuna... but they do have sea bass."

On the way to Wanmin Hall, they passed by the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and called over Sam Li and Hu Tao to join them.