Ruin Guards, legendary combat automatons left behind by a fallen kingdom, were known for their formidable firepower.
Qin Yu would normally detour around Ruin Guards in the wild, even if they were inactive. But this time, there was no choice; it was blocking their path.
"Qin Yu, aim for its head! That should paralyze it for a few seconds," Keqing instructed.
"Got it!"
Qin Yu took a deep breath, crouched, raised her StG44, and fired a single shot at the Ruin Guard's head, instantly paralyzing it.
"Let's attack together!" Keqing commanded.
Qin Yu remembered the Adventurer's Guild manual mentioning the Ruin Guard's weak point on its back, though it was usually difficult to hit.
Now was her chance!
Qin Yu sprinted to the Ruin Guard's rear and unleashed a full magazine into its exposed back.
With all four of them focusing their attacks, the Ruin Guard quickly succumbed and exploded.
Keqing scanned their surroundings, confirming there were no immediate threats, and let out a relieved sigh. "Well done, everyone. Any injuries?"
"Fit as a fiddle!" Hu Tao declared.
Shenhe nodded slightly and asked Qin Yu, "What about you?"
"Ahaha... I'm fine, just a little tense. Thanks for asking! I'm so glad everyone's alright!"
"What the hell is that thing? It can even fire rockets!" Qin Yu exclaimed, nearly jumping out of her skin as the missiles streaked from the Ruin Guard's chassis. Fortunately, her Optical Camouflage usually prevented the machines from locking onto her.
I never should have let Qin Yu get involved in this, Keqing thought, sighing inwardly. But now that she was here, there was no turning back. All she could do was mutter under her breath.
"Wait a minute... if the Treasure Hoarders are here, why are the Ruin Guards here too?" Keqing mused aloud.
Hu Tao snapped her fingers. "Simple! They're using them to block the path. They probably anticipated someone would try to stop them. As for how they'll escape... the Ruins must have another exit."
Keqing sighed. "That seems likely. Regardless, we can't let our guard down."
"Um, I've been meaning to ask this since we started," Qin Yu said curiously. "Hu Tao, why are you with Lady Keqing?" She hadn't had a chance to ask earlier, but now she was determined to find out. Hu Tao popping up in unexpected places was nothing new, but she was also surprisingly shrewd. There had to be a reason.
"Oh my! Did I forget to mention it? Ah, I guess I did. Actually, Lady Keqing invited me here herself."
Keqing nodded. "The Possession Technique involves the soul, specifically the souls of the deceased. In that regard, I believe the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is the true expert. No offense intended, Shenhe—the more professionals involved, the better."
"I understand," Shenhe replied calmly.
So that's why Hu Tao is here.
Qin Yu turned to Hu Tao for her perspective.
"Hmm~ It's hard to say," Hu Tao mused. "There's no record of anything like this in the Parlor. But I've been wondering... what if it's not actually soul possession?"
"Not possession?" Qin Yu asked, puzzled. "Then what else could it be?"
Hu Tao chuckled. "Even after death, people are still people—souls included."
"Think about it," she continued. "If you died and I suddenly asked you, 'Fishy Treasure, come into my body! Then we can be together forever!'—would you agree or refuse?"
What kind of ridiculous question is that?! Of course I'd refuse!
But a flat rejection wouldn't fit her character, so Qin Yu stammered, "I... I don't know..."
"Exactly! You'd hesitate, right?" Hu Tao said triumphantly. "That's why it's a little strange that possession always gets lumped together with spirit communication. Even spirits have to decide whether to respond to you—let alone human souls."
"But the Treasure Hoarders are convinced they can obtain the Treasure Saint's power. Isn't that strange?" Hu Tao rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
Shenhe nodded, equally pensive. "Indeed. Even spirits possess intelligence. If it's not a summoning or possession technique, then could it be..."
"Hmm, I think there's only one possibility," Hu Tao exclaimed. "If that's the case, then it's not possession at all—it's 'memory retrieval'!"
Huh? Is that really what's happening?
Shenhe closed her eyes, pondering for a moment.
"The Ley Line's memory," she concluded. "That must be the core of the formation. Legend says everything above and below ground is recorded within the Ley Lines. By using the ashes of the deceased as a medium, they can selectively extract specific memories..."
Keqing gasped in surprise. "Rumor has it the Treasure Saint buried his treasures in some hidden, unknown place. Perhaps that's the Treasure Hoarders' true objective!"
The Treasure Saint's treasures? Just hearing about them makes them sound incredibly valuable!
"If we could get our hands on that treasure, we'd never have to worry about Mora again!" Qin Yu exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Now it all makes sense," Keqing said earnestly. "But we still need to confirm our suspicions. Let's keep moving."
"Right!" Qin Yu replied enthusiastically.
Keqing raised an eyebrow. "Why are you so energetic all of a sudden?"
"Huh? Oh, ah! It's because I've always wanted to help Lady Keqing. I just got a little carried away..." Qin Yu stammered awkwardly.
Of course it's for the Mora, she thought, but she couldn't bring herself to say it aloud.
Keqing turned away. "It's admirable that you want to help, but there's no need to worry about me."
[Assessment: C (Keqing)]
Hu Tao leaned forward, deliberately teasing Keqing. Covering her mouth with her hand, she whispered, "Oh my, Keqing, are you blushing a little?"
Keqing stiffened in surprise. Am I blushing? Is it visible? I can't check without a mirror... Wait, why do I even care? A simple denial will suffice.
"That's nonsense," she retorted. "Enough idle chatter. Let's go."
"How serious," Hu Tao remarked.
"Of course we should take this seriously. Director Hu Tao, couldn't you be a little more earnest?"
Hu Tao puffed out her cheeks. "What's that supposed to mean? I'm always serious! What do you think, Fishy Treasure?"
Don't drag me into this.
Qin Yu forced a dry laugh. "Ahaha... I think Hu Tao is very reliable."
As long as she doesn't act up.
"Exactly! As expected of my dearest friend—you understand me so well. But if you'd just go back to calling me by my old nickname for you, you'd get a perfect score! A perfect score! Doesn't that make your heart flutter?"
No. This is mortifying.
Keqing couldn't help but interject, "Please be serious!"
"Sorry!" Qin Yu blurted out.
"Fine, fine," Hu Tao said with a feigned sigh of disappointment.
They continued deeper into the Ruins. The narrow passages explained why only a small elite team was needed for this operation.
Reaching the innermost chamber, they found a glowing formation etched into the floor, an urn of ashes atop a pedestal, and Treasure Hoarders armed and ready for battle.
"Tch, they're already here? No matter, you guys take care of them. Just a little more, and the ritual will be complete! Then we'll locate the Treasure Saint's hidden hoard..."
It seemed her earlier speculation had been correct.
Their true objective was indeed the Treasure Saint's treasure! But whether by good or bad timing, the ritual remained incomplete. If they stopped it now, the treasure's location might be lost forever.
Keqing's voice rang out, sharp and authoritative: "This ends here. Surrender now, and you'll be treated leniently. But if you insist on opposing the Liyue Qixing, I will show no mercy!"
Ugh... well, if that's how it is, we'll have to abandon this so-called treasure, Qin Yu thought.
Some Treasure Hoarders hesitated, but ultimately they grabbed their weapons and charged forward.
Keqing flourished her sword. "No choice. Let's go! Qin Yu, stay safe!"
Don't say that out loud! You're just making me look like the easiest target... Qin Yu thought, irritation flashing through her. But if they dare hurt me, I'll unload a full clip right through them. I definitely won't hold back.
Qin Yu activated her Optical Camouflage and slipped around to the flank during the chaos.
"Th-there's an invisible one!"
"Over there! Throw the potion!"
A potion-thrower hurled a Pyro potion in Qin Yu's direction, but Shenhe charged forward, deflecting it with her spear that sent the bottle spinning back at the enemy.
"Ah! Save me! I'm on fire!"
Shenhe turned to Qin Yu, whose figure was barely visible in the dim light. "Don't worry, I'll protect you."
"...Mm, thank you."
Even though it was only temporary, Qin Yu felt obligated to express her gratitude.
[Evaluation: C- (Shenhe)]
I'm trying to focus on the fight. Get this notification out of my face.