Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Yujingtai remains solemn and dignified.

The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and the air was filled with the faint scent of incense and candles. Many devout people were still burning incense and worshipping the Rock King Emperor in front of the incense burner in the square.

The travelers went straight to the heavy gate of Yiyan Palace and asked the guards of Qianyan Army whether Miss Keqing was inside.

"Lord Keqing did not visit Yiyan Palace today."

The Thousand Rock Army soldier at the gate shook his head, his tone respectful but very certain.

The traveler was taken aback, and his delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Why isn't Keqing at Yujingtai?
The selection of Tian Shu Star is such an important matter, how could Ke Qing, as one of the organizers, not be here?
Could it be that she went to Yuehai Pavilion to handle other government affairs at this moment? But the center of the Tian Shu Star selection process should be here.

A hint of doubt crept into the traveler's mind.

Famas clearly noticed the confusion on the traveler's face. He crossed his arms, leaned against the stone railing, and glanced at the somewhat bewildered traveler and Paimon.

"Looks like we've come at the wrong time... How about we try our luck at Moon Sea Pavilion?"

Famas gestured with his chin toward the two women.

With even deeper doubts, the three travelers followed the quiet stone path beside Yujingtai and hurried toward Yuehai Pavilion, which was not far away.

As the administrative center of Liyue, Moonhall was already bustling with people. Clerks in uniform hurried in and out, carrying files and letters, and the air was filled with an atmosphere of efficiency and busyness.

The traveler found the clerk at the entrance and politely inquired again:
"Excuse me, is Miss Keqing at Yuehai Pavilion right now?"

The clerk glanced through the register at hand, then quickly looked up with a professional, apologetic smile:

"I'm very sorry, Lady Keqing came this morning, but left about half an hour ago."

Not here again?!

The traveler's doubts deepened.

When they parted last night, she and Keqing did not explicitly agree on a meeting place for today, but apart from Yujingtai and Yuehaiting, the two most likely official locations, where else could Keqing go?

The fact that they missed two places in a row left the travelers somewhat puzzled.

"Ugh... Miss Keqing, have you forgotten about us?"

After taking two unnecessary detours, Paimon finally couldn't take it anymore and stomped her feet in the air, puffing out her cheeks:
"We agreed to continue the investigation today, so where did everyone go?"

Famas did not join in the complaints. He stood beside a vermilion pillar in the courtyard of Moonsea Pavilion, thoughtfully scanning the officials who were hurrying by with different expressions. His face was expressionless, but his focus seemed to have a profound meaning.

The traveler was equally puzzled, but as the tour leader, she suppressed her doubts and patted Paimon's little head reassuringly:
"Don't worry, Miss Keqing must have been held up by something."

"Let's think of other possible places... how about we check out the Rock Tea House?"

The traveler didn't know where Keqing was either, and could only make a token guess.

Famas did not object, and just as the three were about to set off again, the traveler suddenly caught a familiar figure in the garden's landscaped corridor out of the corner of his eye.

That elegant and beautiful profile was none other than Uncle Tian's daughter, Miss Huixin.

At this moment, Huixin was not carrying heavy files as usual.

She stood alone in the exquisite garden corridor, her gaze not fixed on the nearby rockery and stream, but occasionally drifting with a subtle mix of anticipation and anxiety towards the steps leading into the depths of the courtyard, as if waiting for someone important to appear. The traveler felt a surge of joy, as if he had spotted a signpost in the mist.

She instinctively felt that Miss Huixin was probably waiting for them.

"Look over there...it's Miss Huixin."

The traveler immediately stopped, gently took Paimon's wrist as he was about to fly forward, and pointed towards the corridor with his other hand, his voice filled with the joy of finding a clue.

"She definitely knows where Miss Keqing is. Let's go ask her!"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Paimon saw his savior and immediately perked up, nodding vigorously in agreement.

“Miss Huixin is Yue Haiting’s secretary, so she must know Ke Qing’s whereabouts!”

Without further hesitation, the three immediately changed direction, walked through the cobblestone corridor, and hurried toward Huixin, who stood quietly.

The traveler walked in front, catching up to Huixin a few steps away. He paused briefly to catch his breath, which had become slightly rapid from walking so fast, before offering a polite, slightly inquiring smile and greeting her clearly:
Good morning, Miss Huixin.

Upon hearing the greeting, Huixin turned around. Her delicate face did not show much surprise at the arrival of the travelers, but her calm eyes widened slightly, as if she had anticipated their arrival.

The girl's gaze swept quickly over Famas beside the traveler, lingering for a moment on his highly recognizable face before she blinked imperceptibly, as if confirming something or suppressing some emotion.

“The Traveler, Paimon, and Mr. Famas.”

Huixin nodded slightly, her voice gentle and soft, and greeted the three of them with impeccable manners. Her gaze lingered briefly on Famas, but she didn't say anything more, simply addressing him politely.

"Good morning, everyone. What brings you to Yuehai Pavilion?"

Her tone carried a perfectly measured hint of doubt, as if she genuinely didn't understand why they were in the administrative corridor.

"Miss Huixin, we are looking for Miss Keqing!"

“We went to Yiyan Palace and Yuehai Pavilion, but they said she wasn’t there. Do you know where Miss Keqing is now? We made an appointment with her to continue the investigation today.”

The traveler got straight to the point, his tone carrying an inexplicable urgency.

Upon hearing the words "Ke Qing" and "investigation," Hui Xin's gentle expression noticeably faltered for a moment.

She subconsciously pursed her lips, her gaze quickly sweeping over Famas's face again before she lowered her eyes again, staring at her clasped fingers in front of her. Her fingers unconsciously tightened the fabric of her cuffs, revealing obvious embarrassment and hesitation.

The traveler immediately noticed her unusual behavior:
"Miss Huixin? What's wrong? Is there something you can't say?"

Huixin took a deep breath, as if making a decision, raised her head, avoided Famas's gaze, and looked directly at the traveler, her expression apologetic and with a hint of barely perceptible tension:

“Traveler, I have indeed met Lady Keqing…in fact, not long ago.”

"Lady Keqing...she specifically instructed me that if you come looking for her, please tell you..."

Huixin paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts, appearing somewhat nervous.

"She said she decided to conduct the rest of the investigation alone, so there's no need to trouble you, Paimon, and Mr. Farmas any further." (End of Chapter)