"Little Yu, you're on night duty tonight. I'm counting on you."
Qin Yu took the lantern from her colleague and smiled. "Alright, leave it to me!"
Every night, a maid had to patrol the estate, ensuring all doors and windows were securely locked to prevent thieves from sneaking in. Tonight, it was Qin Yu's turn.
It was well past bedtime, and most of the estate's lights were off, leaving only the lantern to illuminate her path.
I really don't want to do this... Qin Yu sighed inwardly. But it was part of her job, unavoidable, so she resigned herself to it.
She checked the second-floor doors and windows. All locked tight—good.
But light still spilled from Ningguang's room. Is she still awake at this hour? The Liyue Qixing really have it rough.
Qin Yu descended to the first floor.
She inspected the door locks and window latches. All secure.
Come to think of it, would any foolhardy thief even dare target this place? Stealing from Tianquan Ningguang would land them in prison for life.
Just as she finished this thought, Qin Yu heard a noise.
She cautiously peeked around the corner into the corridor ahead. But what she saw made her question her own eyes.
A maid was cutting paintings from the wall, rolling them up, and stuffing them into a bag.
Is this for real? Qin Yu thought. There's actually someone doing this? And it's not some outsider thief, but one of us? Ugh... Ningguang pays pretty well, so why would anyone steal?
Regardless, Qin Yu couldn't pretend she hadn't seen anything.
Activating her Vampire Magic Eye, she used "Biological Perception" to highlight the maid's entire body in a vibrant red glow.
She materialized an anesthetic rifle, carefully set down her lantern, then crouched low and aimed around the corner.
One shot. Bullseye.
The maid collapsed unconscious. Qin Yu switched to a double-barreled shotgun and cautiously advanced, using Wave Detection to scan for potential accomplices.
Nothing.
Qin Yu sighed in relief and glanced at the fallen maid. She recognized her—they had chatted cheerfully that morning. How could she be stooping to petty theft by nightfall?
Well, better turn her over to Lady Ningguang.
Qin Yu grabbed some rope from a nearby storeroom, bound the maid's hands and feet, then hoisted the bag and lantern. Carrying them with one hand while slinging the unconscious maid over her shoulder, she headed to the second floor.
"Lady Ningguang, I have something to report."
"Qin Yu, come in."
"A-ha... would you mind opening the door for me? It's a little inconvenient..."
"Hmm? Very well."
Ningguang opened the door, her eyes first drawn to Qin Yu's reddened eyes, then to the maid slung over her shoulder. She looked thoughtful, as if she understood something.
"So they've already made their move. Sooner than expected. Are they growing impatient?"
Qin Yu frowned, puzzled by Ningguang's words. It was as if the Tianquan had been expecting this all along. What was going on?
"Come in for now. I also have a request to make of you. We can discuss everything at once."
Qin Yu exclaimed in surprise, "A request for me?"
What could I possibly possess that would warrant a request from one of the Liyue Qixing? Surely nothing.
Entering Ningguang's chambers, Qin Yu set the maid down, blinked her dry eyes, and deactivated her Magic Eye. Her crimson irises faded back to their usual amber hue.
Ningguang remarked curiously, "Your eye color has changed again. Is that part of your ability?"
"Yes, but I never intended to hide it from you, Lady Ningguang..."
"Relax, I'm not interrogating you. Everyone has their secrets. I simply need to know if your ability is affecting your health—you are my maid, after all."
Qin Yu's cheeks flushed slightly at Ningguang's concern. "N-no, it's fine. It doesn't affect me as long as light sources aren't too close to my eyes. Thank you for your concern, Lady Ningguang!"
[Evaluation: D-]
Ningguang smiled briefly before her expression turned serious as she glanced at the maid lying on the ground. "Search her. You should find something."
Something? Qin Yu crouched down and began rummaging through the maid's clothing. Finally, she pulled a bronze-colored circular sigil from one of the pockets.
What is this thing?
Ningguang nodded. "Just as I suspected. She's a member of the Treasure Hoarders. Only they carry these sigils."
Huh? Treasure Hoarders? And Ningguang knew all along?
"May I ask what's going on...?" Qin Yu asked, utterly confused.
"Hmm, since you're involved in this matter, I can explain everything from the beginning. But where should I start..."
Ningguang closed her eyes and tapped her temple with her index finger.
"Keqing mentioned that you, Director Hu Tao, and Yanfei ventured into the Ruins that day. Do you remember what the Treasure Hoarders stole from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
"Ashes."
It's not that I want to forget—it's simply too bizarre to forget. Why would anyone steal someone's ashes?
Later, when I asked Hu Tao, she said she had no idea either. Fortunately, the funeral proceeded as planned.
Ningguang nodded. "Exactly, ashes. Have you ever heard of the Possession Technique?"
"Possession? Uh... if it's like in Strange Tales..."
"Heh, close enough. In truth, the Treasure Hoarders stumbled upon records of an ancient ritual within the Ruins—a ritual that supposedly allows them to possess the souls of the deceased."
Folding her arms, Ningguang walked to the window.
"The ritual requires ashes to complete. That's why you encountered them deep within the Ruins that day—they were testing it."
"One of Keqing's subordinates volunteered to act as bait. After being captured by the Treasure Hoarders, she left a trail for the Millelith to follow... but ultimately, the three of you handled everything yourselves."
So that's what was going on! No wonder there were Treasure Hoarders, ashes, and Millelith soldiers involved...
Whoa, I never expected to stumble into something like this by accident.
Am I just unlucky? Qin Yu sighed inwardly.
"The ritual was cut short before it even began," Ningguang said. "But the Treasure Hoarders kept trying, and most importantly, they succeeded."
"This woman is their success story," Ningguang added.
Qin Yu froze. A successful case of the Possession Technique? If that was true, was this maid actually someone else entirely?
Wait, why would the Treasure Hoarders even attempt a ritual like this?
She voiced her questions to Ningguang, who confirmed her suspicions.
"Exactly. She's already been possessed. The soul inside her must belong to a professional thief—cutting paintings like that requires considerable skill."
"I thought she'd wait until I left before acting, but she was too hasty and got caught by you instead. Well done," Ningguang said.
Qin Yu smiled. "If I could be of service to Lady Ningguang, that's all that matters."
[Evaluation: D]
Ningguang smiled and continued, "The exact reason the Treasure Hoarders are using this ritual remains unclear, but consider this: by possessing themselves with the soul of a master thief and treasure hunter, they could gain the power to acquire even greater riches."
"Just this morning, the tomb of the legendary Treasure Saint was desecrated, and the urn containing his ashes has vanished."
The Treasure Saint? Sounds formidable.
Qin Yu suddenly realized, "They're trying to have the Treasure Saint's soul possess them?"
So they can become peerless thieves, striking without a trace.
"Precisely. Qin Yu, you're acquainted with the legendary 'White-Haired Adeptus,' aren't you?"
That must be Shenhe.
"Yes, I am."
Ningguang's smile widened slightly. "Excellent. Then this will be easy. I'd like to ask you a favor: arrange for me to meet her. Once the Possession Technique is complete, we'll need the knowledge of the Adeptus Clan to safely expel the foreign soul."
She said she needed my help. I thought it was something serious, but it's just this?
Qin Yu nodded solemnly, masking her disappointment.
Ah well, less trouble is better than more. Easy is good. Qin Yu agreed readily.
"I understand. I'll talk to Shenhe about it."