Early the next morning, Qin Yu, fighting off her drowsiness, went to find Shenhe.
"That's what happened. Could you help me out, Shenhe?" Qin Yu asked.
Shenhe nodded decisively. "Since it's your request, I won't refuse."
Just say yes already. Why the extra emphasis? It's not like I'm thrilled... though I admit I'm a little pleased. Tsk, now I'm suddenly annoyed again. She could at least smile when she says something like that!
Qin Yu grumbled inwardly, forcing a smile. "Really? Thank you!"
"Will you be joining us?" Shenhe asked.
"I'm not sure yet."
After all, Lady Ningguang needed Shenhe, not her.
And even if they did want me to come, what could I possibly contribute?
Thinking this, Qin Yu continued, "Lady Ningguang needs you, Shenhe. As for me... I'd probably be more useful focusing on my own duties."
"Is that so? But I'd prefer you to come with me."
Evaluation: D-
Qin Yu stared in astonishment. "M-me? Why...?"
"I don't like crowded places," Shenhe said.
"Hmm? But you seemed perfectly fine when we went shopping together before," Qin Yu replied, puzzled. Shenhe occasionally said strange things that only someone completely lacking in common sense would say, but overall, she acted quite normally.
"That's because... I feel calm when you're by your side," Shenhe said, her gaze drifting slightly.
Qin Yu startled and took a step back, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. Not again! Doesn't she ever feel embarrassed saying things like that? Even if she doesn't, couldn't she at least consider how it makes others feel? This is too much...
[Evaluation: D]
But even if I went, I wouldn't be much help, would I? Qin Yu sighed inwardly. After all, Ningguang needed Shenhe, not her.
As Qin Yu hesitated, Shenhe continued, "That's why I want you to come with me. In other words, I need you. Please stay by my side."
Ugh! Enough already!
Fine, I'll go! Qin Yu gave up trying to reason.
Still, she couldn't help but wonder if Shenhe had been pushing her luck a bit too much lately. Maybe it's because I've been so agreeable all the time...
Whatever. I'll just keep my wits about me. No matter how much she throws me off balance, my carefully crafted persona remains unshakable! Qin Yu reassured herself.
"Qin Yu, why is your face so red?"
"It's hot," Qin Yu said.
Hearing this, Shenhe conjured ice in her hand. "I can conjure a cool breeze for you."
No thanks!
Qin Yu had reluctantly agreed to team up with Shenhe, but this mission might lead to new dangers. She couldn't rely on others for protection. Being a burden didn't feel good.
Fortunately, she had a decent number of Points to spare. It was time to boost her combat capabilities. The fastest and most noticeable improvement would undoubtedly come from upgrading her weapons.
Currently, she had a sniper rifle (albeit one that only fired tranquilizer darts), a pistol, and a shotgun. It was time for an assault rifle or submachine gun.
As Qin Yu walked beside Shenhe, she stared thoughtfully at the System Interface. The more Points a weapon required, the stronger it naturally was. But the later-tier weapons demanded staggering amounts—five-digit, six-digit, even seven-digit figures...
Could I ever actually afford one of those? It seems impossible unless my evaluation surpasses S-rank...
Never mind that for now.
Considering raw firepower, an assault rifle was the more practical choice. And she already had a specific one in mind.
[The StG44—an automatic rifle firing rifle rounds with decent accuracy and significant firepower. It holds 30 rounds, has a moderate range, and can switch between semi-automatic and fully automatic modes. However, maintaining control during sustained fire requires some skill.]
[Good heavens, she's truly beautiful.]
This is the cheapest automatic rifle available, so I'll use it for now and upgrade later when I have more Points.
Qin Yu summoned the StG44 and held it up to examine it closely.
I have to admit, it's stunning... If Shenhe weren't here, I'd probably press my face against it.
"What's this?" Shenhe asked.
"My new weapon. Now I can protect you properly," Qin Yu replied with a smile.
Shenhe murmured, "Protect me...? Come to think of it, we first met because I was the one protecting you. Back then, you even mistook me for an Adeptus and called me 'Adeptus Sister.'"
Qin Yu stammered awkwardly, "W-why are you bringing that up now?"
"My Master taught me that recalling shared memories makes for more pleasant conversations."
Even if it means airing my embarrassing past?!
Qin Yu forced a dry laugh. "Ahaha, y-yes... But let's not mention that incident again in the future. It's a bit embarrassing for me."
"I'm not embarrassed," Shenhe stated.
"That's... that's great for you, but it's not the same for me. Misunderstandings like that are really awkward."
Shenhe nodded, as if understanding. "I see. Then I won't mention it again."
"Thank you so much..."
"But that night you cooked for me for the first time..." Shenhe shifted to a new topic.
Qin Yu forced a smile. "Speaking of which... what kind of person is Shenhe's Master?"
"She's a skilled conversationalist," Shenhe replied.
Really? Qin Yu wondered.
Shenhe changed the subject. "I appreciate your kindness, but I don't want to be the one being protected. I want to be the one protecting you."
"That's not right! Friends should protect each other!" Qin Yu protested.
"Is that so?" Shenhe mused thoughtfully.
"Exactly!" Qin Yu affirmed.
Protect me? How long could she even manage that? Qin Yu thought skeptically. I don't believe such words.
Returning to Liyue Port on foot, Qin Yu quickened her pace, bringing Shenhe to meet Ningguang.
In the mansion's parlor, Ningguang greeted them with a warm smile. "Qin Yu, you've returned. And this must be the legendary White-Haired Adeptus?"
"I'm not an Adeptus," Shenhe corrected calmly. "I'm merely a disciple of the Adeptus Clan. My name is Shenhe."
Ningguang nodded. "Welcome, but time is of the essence. I presume Qin Yu has already explained the situation. What are your thoughts on this Possession Technique?"
"Possession Techniques... I don't know much about them, but even without intervention, a soul possessing a body should dissipate over time."
"However," Shenhe added, "if the possessing soul is too powerful, it might be the original host's soul that disappears instead."
Ningguang looked slightly surprised. "In that case, it would completely take over the host's body. Are there any other solutions?"
"I'd need to examine the formation to know for sure."
Ningguang understood. If it involved a formation, locating it wouldn't be difficult—they could simply raid the Treasure Hoarders' ritual site.
Rituals required formations, and formations required time and materials to prepare, making them immovable. This effectively anchored the Treasure Hoarders' activities to a fixed location.
Fortunately, Ningguang knew an intelligence expert who had already pinpointed the ritual site's location.
Ningguang nodded. "Then I'll need you to accompany us."
"Agreed," Shenhe replied. "But Qin Yu must come too."
Ningguang wasn't particularly surprised. She simply confirmed with Qin Yu, "That's what she said. What do you intend to do?"
"I'm going," Qin Yu replied earnestly.
"Excellent. Then head to the designated rendezvous point and meet up with the others. I have other matters to attend to and can't accompany you for now. Just follow the instructions of the person in charge at the site."
Qin Yu tilted her head. "The other person? You mean..."
"Of course, I'm referring to the Yuheng Star, Keqing. She seems to have a strong aversion to this entire situation."
Keqing, huh... Meeting her directly might be a bit awkward, Qin Yu thought to herself.
Just then, she heard Shenhe murmur, "But is it truly a Possession Technique..."