<h4>Chapter 120: Viin Simtor, Ch 119</h4>


    Soon, the sound of footsteps approached as a woman led a squad of Elite troops toward them.


    The woman at the front was tall and strikingly beautiful, with a shapely figure. Her short, midnight-blue hair barely reached her shoulders, and she wore a luxurious white fur cape adorned with embroidered sleeves—a clear sign of wealth and prestige.


    But the most eye-catching detail was the unhidden neckline and a small, dark beauty mark that contrasted against her fair skin, like a drop of ink on a snow-white canvas, irresistibly drawing the eye.


    "I am Yn, special agent of the Ministry of Civil Affairs," she said, her emerald eyes sweeping over Lucas with a subtle gleam. "My informant reported shes of lightning here, suggesting ''Thunder Rakshasa'' may be causing trouble. Would you happen to have any clues, young master?"


    "Well, well! You mean that famous Thunder Rakshasa?" Lucas feigned surprise, shaking his head with a theatrical frown. "The one with purple hair and pink eyes, dangerously beautiful, and a real cold-blooded killer?"


    "Exactly!" Yn''s eyes lit up. "You know of her?"


    For some time, the elusive Thunder Rakshasa had gued the Ministry of Civil Affairs, driving them to their wits'' end. Even Yn, a master of intelligence, only had records of Thunder''s activities from ten years ago—recent leads had all run dry.


    The Tianquan star, Ningguang, had publicly promised a hefty reward to anyone who could capture or kill the Thunder Rakshasa.


    "Oh, I wouldn''t know," Lucas said, waving his hand dismissively. "I just thought it was a lovely day for a stroll—how could I possibly run into such a terrifying character?"


    Yn had worked in the Ministry long enough to develop a keen sense for deception, and she could tell Lucas was hiding something. Her tone hardened as she warned, "Thunder Rakshasa is a wanted criminal of the Ministry. Harboring her is a severe offense."


    "Oh, how imposing, Miss Yn," Lucas retorted with a smirk. "So, is the Ministry ming us regr folk just because they can''t catch the criminal?"


    Yn gave him a sharp look, but then her expression shifted as she seemed to remember something. Narrowing her eyes, she said, "Wait a moment... I recall now! You''re the young master of a prestigious family. My files show that you crossed paths with Thunder Rakshasa when you were young, just like the other families she''s targeted. Are you certain she hasn''te looking for you?"


    "Come now, Miss Yn," Lucas shook his head. "If I knew I had a deadly enemying after me, I''d be hiding at home, surrounded by guards. Why would I be out here?"


    After considering his words, Yn nodded. As annoying as this young master was, what he said made sense, and her informant had only reported seeing shes of lightning—not definitive proof that Thunder was here.


    "Very well," Yn replied, not wanting to waste any more time. "If you discover anything, report it to the Ministry of Civil Affairs immediately."


    "But of course," Lucas replied with a mockingly polite bow. "My thanks to Miss Yn and the soldiers for your hard work. You''re wee to stop by my family''s hotel anytime for tea—half price on the house."


    Yn was about to turn and leave when her gaze fell on the sedan chair behind Lucas. She noticed his servants shifting nervously, avoiding eye contact, and then caught sight of a bit of purple fabric peeking out from beneath the sedan''s curtain.


    "Young Master Lucas," Yn suddenly took two steps forward, her voice cold. "If you''re not harboring anyone, then who is in this sedan?"


    Inside the sedan, Keqing felt her heart racing. Her hand gripped her sword, ready to fight to the death if Yn lifted the curtain.


    Though the "Thunder Rakshasa" was formidable, she had expended a lot of energy in her recent battle. Moreover, Yn was rumored to be a force to be reckoned with, and Keqing knew her chances of escaping unscathed were slim.


    Lucas felt a slight tension as well but kept a steady smile. "Oh, it''s nothing more than a little secret pleasure of mine. I like to take a youngdy in my sedan through the bustling streets—spices things up a bit. But, uh... she''s a bit of a mess at the moment and isn''t fit for visitors."


    Even Yn''s cheeks flushed slightly at this exnation.


    <i>Rich people are really something else!</i>


    "If you don''t believe me," Lucas teased, "why not lift the curtain and see for yourself?"


    Keqing tensed up even more at his words, her voice quivering as she called out, "If you dare lift that curtain... I''ll end my life right here!"


    Yn''s hand, just inches from the curtain, paused.


    If Lucas was telling the truth, barging in uninvited would be a massive embarrassment.


    Besides, the real Thunder Rakshasa would hardly conspire with someone from her own revenge list.


    "My apologies," Yn withdrew her hand with a slight nod. "However, carrying out such activities in public is rather improper. Please exercise discretion."


    "Oh, I don''t think so," Lucas replied with a shameless grin. "Indulging in little pleasures is what I live for. And Miss Yn, if you''re ever interested, you''re wee to join me. I''d arrange for myrgest sedan—enough room for anything you''d like."


    At first, Lucas''s words seemed harmless enough, but considering his earlierments, they took on a distinctly flirtatious undertone.


    Although Yn felt a surge of irritation at this womanizing young master''s teasing, she kept herposure and raised her hand. "Fall back!"


    "Wonderful!"


    Lucas immediately let out an approving cheer.


    "What did you say?" Yn raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing him. "Why so pleased? Are you happy to see us go?"


    "You... you misheard!" Lucas quickly improvised with a grin. "When you raised your hand just now, Miss Yn, I noticed your armpit—smooth as jade, with not a hair to be seen. Pure perfection. I was merely admiring that, saying ''perfect pits.''"


    At this, even the soldiers apanying Yn couldn''t help but chuckle.


    Blushing, Yn tucked her arms in and red at Lucas. "You... watch yourself! Let''s go, men!"


    As Yn and the Soldiers finally left, Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. He turned back to the sedan, but as he reached for the curtain, there was a sudden tearing sound. A de pierced through the fabric, thrusting toward him.


    But knowing Thunder Rakshasa''s temperament, Lucas had anticipated this. He tilted his head to dodge the sword and smoothly slipped into the sedan, now sitting directly beside Keqing.


    Although the sedan was spacious, it still felt cramped with the two of them inside. Before Keqing could react, Lucas pressed a finger against a point on her neck. Keqing''s breath caught, and she passed out.


    Lucas'' skill in pressure points wasn''t a system reward; he had learned it himself thanks to his <i>Medical Sage</i> talent.


    This high-grade golden talent, beyond just medical expertise, also provided several additional abilities, like knowledge of medicinal properties, acupoint maniption, and therapeutic massage techniques. With some practice, each skill could be quite useful.


    "Y-young master..." came a hesitant voice from the sedan bearers outside. "What now?"


    Lucas ced a hand on Keqing''s shoulder, savoring the faint fragrance around her, and replied with a grin, "Back to the manor!"


    After all, he only had three hours here, and he had things to wrap up in that time.


    ---


    <i>SPLASH!</i>


    A cold bucket of water jolted "Thunder Rakshasa" Keqing awake, sputtering and coughing.


    She immediately surveyed her surroundings with suspicion. She was in a dim, small room, sparsely furnished with a few punishment tools, and a single small window through which a sliver of moonlight streamed.


    Keqing herself was bound to a wooden cross, her hands tightly tied to the frame with thick ropes.


    "Good evening, Miss Thunder Rakshasa," Lucas greeted her with a smile. "Though, personally, I still prefer calling you Keqing."


    "Where am I?" Keqing asked coldly. "An interrogation room?"


    "No need to worry. We''re from a proper family; we don''t use those kinds of facilities." Lucas waved dismissively. "This is merely a holding room used to discipline unruly servants. You know, some people only respond to firm discipline."


    "Spare me the chatter," Keqing snarled through gritted teeth. "It''s my bad luck to have fallen into your hands. Do whatever you like, but remember this: even if I die, I''ll haunt you. I''ll make sure you never get a single night''s rest again!"


    "I''ve known many beautiful women, but I''ve yet to experience a beautiful ghost," Lucas replied cheekily. "Rx; I''m not going to kill you."


    "Save it!" Keqing sneered. "Don''t think that''ll make me forgive you. As long as I live, you''ll never have peace."


    "I''m not sparing you out of kindness, nor to seek forgiveness," Lucas clicked his tongue. "It''s simply because you... don''t have much time left."


    "What are you talking about?" Keqing was taken aback.


    "Have you not noticed?" Lucas shrugged. "The Abyss''s power has already begun to consume you."


    "Don''t try to deceive me," Keqing replied icily. "I know my own body better than anyone."


    "You don''t understand at all." Lucas reached forward, pressing a finger just below her navel.


    "What... what do you think you''re doing?" Keqing''s face flushed, and she snapped, "Take your hand off me!"


    Ignoring her, Lucas applied a slight pressure, causing a sharp, intense pain to shoot through her abdomen.


    "How... how can this be?" Keqing gasped, sweat beading on her forehead. "What did you do to me?"


    "You''ve been used by the Abyss Order," Lucas replied calmly.


    "Do you really think it''s so easy to obtain the powers of a Vision? Each time you wield the Abyss''s strength, your body incurs hidden injuries. I just pressed on your Gate of Origin point. If you don''t believe me, try pressing on your Marsh at the Bend, Shoulder Well, or Great Abyss points; you''ll feel the same pain." (AN: Yes they''re all real names)


    "So what?" Keqing sneered defiantly, as though she had expected something like this. "If I have to die to kill you, I''ll dly pay the price."


    "But you''re not going to kill me, and you''re on the brink of death yourself," Lucas replied with a taunting smile. "Fortunately for you, I can''t stand seeing people suffer. So, I''ll give you two choices. First, you can spend the rest of your days in this dark holding cell. If I''m ever in the mood, I mighte by to... entertain myself with you."


    "And the second option?" Keqing asked, her eyes cold.


    "A deal," Lucas snapped his fingers. "I can use medicine and medical techniques to counteract the side effects of the Abyss''s power. In return, you''ll work for me as my informant within the Abyss Order."


    "An informant in the Abyss Order?" Keqing''s face showed a flicker of curiosity. "What''s your goal?"


    "The Geo Archon is gone, the Tianshu is suffering from an illness, and the Yuheng''s seat is vacant," Lucas clenched his fist, a greedy smile spreading across his face. "If I canbine forces with the Abyss Order, I may just be able to sweep away all obstacles and ce Liyue in my hands!"


    In this reality, Lucas''s family was wealthy, but their businesses had been continually suppressed by the Liyue Qixing, particrly by the Tianquan, Ningguang. To the people of Liyue, Lucas was nothing but a spoiled, useless heir.


    Originally, he was destined to die under Thunder Rakshasa''s de, but with fate rewritten, Lucas thought... he might as well aim big.


    After hearing Lucas''s n, Keqing was stunned for a moment, then sneered. "Madman... absolutely mad! People say I''ve lost my mind, but you''re a thousand times, no, ten thousand times crazier than I am!"


    "If you don''t take a chance, how will you know?" Lucas replied nonchntly. "What''s life without a little gamble?"


    "Even if you actually go through with this, why should I help you?" Keqing red at him. "Don''t forget—you''re my enemy."


    "You''re wrong. I''m not your real enemy," Lucas''s expression grew serious. "Your enemy is the stifling rules, the atmosphere of bullying at school, the way the herd bands together to drive out the tiger. And... the silent majority who watched it happen."


    Lucas''s words left Keqing conflicted.


    Indeed, her tragedy hadn''te from one person alone. Her istion, her torment, the bullying she endured—all stemmed from the monster known as "the atmosphere."


    "Yes, I was a despicable bully back then, but don''t forget," Lucas whispered in her ear, "when everyone else turned a cold shoulder, I was the only one by your side."


    "So, make your choice," he continued, extending both hands toward her with a smile. "Choose my left hand, and you can live out the rest of your life here. Choose my right hand, and together, we''ll tear open the belly of this monster called ''atmosphere'' and unleash chaos."


    A twisted smile spread across Keqing''s face. "Fine... but let me go first. You tied these ropes way too tight."


    "Tying down a tiger needs a firm hand," Lucas replied as he cut the ropes binding her. "Now, make your choice."


    "Can''t believe you actually untied me," Keqing smirked, rubbing her wrists. "Aren''t you worried I''ll go back on my word?"


    "If I can subdue you once, I can do it again," Lucas shrugged. "Now, hurry up; my arm''s getting tired."


    With a resounding p, Keqing''s hand met Lucas''s right hand in a firm grip.


    "If you disappoint me," she said, squeezing his hand hard enough to hurt, "I won''t let you off the hook."


    "While you were unconscious, I prepared a treatment to neutralize the Abyss''s influence on your body," Lucas said, pulling out an object shaped like a small torpedo. "This is it."


    "This... is a medicine?" Keqing looked skeptical. "It doesn''t look like something you''d swallow."


    "Oh, it''s a special family remedy, administered rectally," Lucas said with a straight face. "Once inside, it melts quickly at body temperature, releasing the medicine throughout your system."


    "Inside... where?" Keqing asked, momentarily at a loss.


    "Inside..." Lucas leaned close and whispered two words in her ear.


    "What?!" Keqing''s face turned crimson. "There''s no way!"


    "It''s for your own good," Lucas shrugged. "Oral administration won''t work. This method is the only way for your body to fully absorb the medicine."


    Seeing her hesitation, Lucas pressed further. "Keqing, do you really want to let the Abyss''s power consume you, turning you into a mindless monster?"


    "...Fine." Keqing turned her back to him, saying, "Just... administer it. But close your eyes."


    "You really don''t make this easy," Lucas chuckled. "It''s not like I''m a circus performer throwing knives blindfolded."


    "Just... get it over with!" Keqing urged, her voice flustered.


    ---


    Three minutester.


    "Hah..." Keqing exhaled, her expression slightly flustered. "Is that it? That wasn''t as difficult as I thought."


    "It''s quite simple, really," Lucas nodded. "In fact, it''s usually self-administered."


    "Then why did you..." Keqing trailed off before scowling. "Help me?"


    "It was a demonstration," Lucas replied shamelessly. "Would''ve been awkward if it went in the wrong ce."


    "Enough!" Keqing red at him. "From now on, we''ll meet at the Heyu Tea House on the first and fifteenth of each month to exchange information."


    "Got it." Lucas nodded. "You should go now, or the Abyss Order might grow suspicious."


    "Understood." Keqing nodded, ncing around. "Where''s the door?"


    "Oh? So you''re using the door?" Lucas asked, feigning surprise. "How unremarkable. I thought you''d vanish the moment I turned around."


    "Have you been reading too many novels?" Keqing replied, her eyes filled with exasperation. "I don''t mind cracking your skull open to see what''s inside."


    "The door''s that way," Lucas said, pointing with a grin. "Not escorting you out."


    "You''re not leaving?" Keqing asked, surprised.


    "I have some nning to do," Lucas replied. "I get my best ideas here."


    "Lunatic."