Genshin Impact: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable

Several Days Later – Guyun Stone Forest

Late at night, atop the rocky peaks of Guyun Stone Forest, squads of Millelith soldiers concealed themselves in the shadows. Keqing, the Yuheng of the Qixing, stood at the forefront, her sharp gaze fixed on the faint glow of torches below. A flicker of hesitation crossed her brows.

"Shouldn't we make our move now? If we strike, we could wipe them all out in one go."

"Not yet," Ningguang replied with a subtle shake of her head. "We can't confirm for certain if these are the ones colluding with Beisht."

Though Luo Qing had assured her that even if Osial were released, there would be no danger, Ningguang couldn't afford to take his word entirely at face value. Letting the Fatui and Beisht operate freely in Liyue wasn't something she could tolerate.

After uncovering the location and timing of their plans to unseal Osial, Ningguang had orchestrated an ambush. Millelith soldiers lay in wait among the rocky spires of Guyun, while warships at the port and the Jade Chamber were on standby, ready to strike. The plan was simple: capture Beisht and the Fatui in one decisive operation.

"Who else could it be at this hour?" Keqing scoffed, her attention shifting to a nearby peak where a man and woman stood together under the moonlight, their affectionate gestures in stark contrast to the tense atmosphere. "You don't actually believe a word that man says, do you?"

Keqing still couldn't comprehend why Ningguang had suddenly started deferring to the Fatui Harbinger. Gone was the aloof and imperious Tianquan she once knew.

"This isn't about belief," Ningguang replied calmly. "I simply chose what was best for Liyue."

Her initial prejudice against Luo Qing stemmed from his identity. But after his so-called "lesson," she had come to a startling realization: if Luo Qing ever decided to oppose Liyue, it would be effortless for him.

He could infiltrate her chambers, enslave her with that strange purple orb, and control all of Liyue through her.

But he hadn't. That alone proved he wasn't interested in Liyue's wealth or resources. It seemed the only thing he cared about was Ganyu…

Suddenly, the waters outside Guyun Stone Forest began to stir, the waves rolling as though something massive was rising from the depths.

"Order all units to prepare for combat," Ningguang commanded.

Keqing gave a curt nod, stealing another glance at the pair on the distant peak before issuing orders to the Millelith troops.

Moments later, a massive tentacle broke through the surface of the water, stretching toward the Fatui gathered on the shore.

"Where is it?"

The tentacle's voice rumbled, its words garbled yet discernible.

"Right here."

Ernie, the captain of the Fatui's 11th detachment in Liyue, patted a large chest beside him.

Inside was the latest iteration of a modified seal-breaking rune, developed from the Unbound Seal used previously. In sufficient quantities, it would be enough to permanently unbind Rex Lapis's seal on Osial.

The tentacle extended to claim the chest, only to be blocked by Fatui soldiers. Ernie sneered and spoke sharply:

"Before you take it, I want confirmation. You haven't forgotten our agreement, have you?"

"Hmph! You think I need you to remind me of my grudge against Liyue? Rest assured, I'll have my revenge on Morax!" Beisht's voice carried venom, her hatred for Morax evident.

"We're not interested in eventual revenge," Ernie said coldly, shaking his head. "We need you to strike during the Lantern Rite, to wreak havoc and deal a decisive blow. Understand?"

After the last Osial incident, the Fatui forces aligned with Childe had been nearly wiped out. Only a few remained, scraping by under his command.

Now, with reinforcements, the Fatui presence in Liyue was dominated by the faction loyal to Pulcinella, the wealthy Harbinger. Pulcinella's orders were clear: use Osial and Beisht to disrupt the Lantern Rite Festival. Even if Liyue wasn't destroyed outright, the economic turmoil would weaken its influence in Teyvat, paving the way for the Northland Bank to rise.

"It'll be done once he's free. I'll discuss the rest with him myself!"

Ignoring the Fatui soldiers, Beisht's tentacle surged forward, grabbing the chest and pulling it toward the sea. But before she could retreat, a bolt of lightning streaked through the air, slicing the tentacle clean off.

A girl with a sword descended from the sky, her blade gleaming under the moonlight.

Within seconds, Millelith troops poured in from all sides, while warships in the distance closed in.

"It's an ambush!" Ernie shouted, clutching the chest as he prepared to flee.

But before he could move, soft yellow light flared from all around, forming a prison of Geo energy that trapped him and his men.

From behind the Millelith soldiers, Ningguang approached, her hands weaving delicate mudras as the Geo energy spread over the Fatui, immobilizing them completely.

"Hmph. You lot can explain yourselves from a prison cell," Keqing sneered, her sword glinting as she stared at the captured Fatui. For all their bluster, they'd turned out to be disappointingly easy to subdue.

"Take them—"

Before Keqing could finish, the ground beneath them rumbled violently. The ocean roared as waves surged higher and higher. A colossal, three-headed beast emerged from the depths, its voice thundering across the battlefield.

"You humans think you can stop me?!"

Beisht's furious roar summoned a series of waves that crashed toward Ningguang's forces. Though hurried, the attack was still potent enough to force the Millelith troops into full defensive formations.

Another tentacle lashed out, snatching the chest and pulling it into the sea.

"Not good…"

On the distant peak, Ganyu watched as the situation spiraled. Her instincts screamed at her to intervene. She took a step forward, only to be stopped by Luo Qing's hand on her arm.

"Luo Qing, what are you doing? I need to help them!" Ganyu's voice was filled with urgency.

"They're not in any real danger yet, are they?" Luo Qing replied with a gentle smile, tousling her hair affectionately.

"But…" Ganyu bit her lip, visibly distressed. True, Beisht hadn't landed any serious blows yet, but the sight of her comrades struggling stirred her heart.

"Patience," Luo Qing murmured softly. "Don't forget the promise you made me."

Ganyu hesitated. She had indeed begged Luo Qing to assist with this crisis, knowing his strength far surpassed hers. But in exchange, he had demanded that she stay by his side and not act without his permission.

"Fine…" Ganyu relented, her shoulders slumping slightly.

"That's my good girl." Luo Qing patted her head, his tone soothing. "If things get dangerous, I'll step in."

As he spoke, the shaking intensified. The waves grew higher, the night air filled with an ominous roar.

From the depths, a ghostly blue light began to rise, moving rapidly toward the surface.

Within moments, a towering column of water shot skyward. When it receded, Osial's massive form was revealed, his body emanating a dark, eerie glow.