29. Apprehend The Culprit

Seeing Zhongli disappear, Ryūhei sighed in relief. Even though he could see from afar using his eyes, he could only sense people nearby. Ultimately, he couldn't sense Zhongli's presence around the Yuehai Pavilion.

Ryūhei forced a smile.

"As expected of an Adeptus. He had a way to observe me even from afar. It seems, even if I hide my power, it will be found out eventually. Haah."

Ryūhei let out a deep breath. To be honest, he didn't want the Adepti to know his power. Especially…

"Wait, if he could sense me from that far, did that mean he knew I held that power?"

Ryūhei found it too strange. If Zhongli could sense him from afar, he should have sensed that Ryūhei could manipulate negative energy when Ryūhei met Hu Tao for the first time.

Ryūhei himself understood that he couldn't reveal that he could manipulate negative energy to other people. Especially after he heard the story of how the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was founded.

"But, Hu Tao didn't feel anything when I scared her off at that time. So, I should still be safe, right?" But then, he shook his head. "Forget it. Perhaps he could only sense my presence. I shouldn't think too much since he didn't do anything to me."

After that, he continued to look for a person mentioned in the task.

Yet, it was arduous for him. Every time his eyes landed on Liyue Harbor, even though he could get information, especially traces of his manga in the city, a sense of dizziness assailed him after the information flooded into his brain.

By calculating and discerning the mass, shape, energy fluctuation, etc, he finally found the person he was looking for after a few attempts.

After digesting all the information, he teleported up the rocky mountain to the north of the city's entrance which was on the main route to Mondstadt.

Before the Statue Of The Seven, there was a gazebo-like building that was built high so that it could be used to enjoy the view of Liyue Harbor from the outside of the city. And the rocky mountain where Ryūhei stood was behind the mentioned building.

In the building, Ryūhei saw a man with a black combat suit and hood covering his head. Though, that man tried to hide his presence from the surroundings by using elemental energy that was different from a Vision. And truthfully, Ryūhei was amazed when he saw the fire element could hide one's presence. From the clothes he was wearing, Ryūhei was certain that he was a Fatui agent.

Not far from the hooded man was a man with short light brown hair and a rather thick mustache the same color as his hair. He wore a white shirt underneath a purple vest, and white trousers tucked into high, dark purple boots.

From the way he was dressed, he wore local clothes from Mondstadt that he had seen when some people from Mondstadt visited Liyue Harbor. However, the trait of his face was similar to Snezhnayan's. Or perhaps, he was a Snezhnayan who wore that clothes to do something in the dark.

Ryūhei controlled his energy to erase his presence, then teleported to the roof of the building, trying to hear their conversation.

"Ivano, what do you want? I left my daughter at the Wangshu Inn just to meet you, you know."

"Haha, c'mon Landa! Didn't you fail your infiltration mission in Mondstadt? I have a good offer. And with this, maybe Lord Pantalone will forgive you for your failure."

"Huh? You're not kidding, right? Lord Pantalone is a man who only cares about profitable prospects. You're not trying to scam me, are you?"

From their conversation, Ryūhei came to know that they were indeed part of Snezhnaya. The man wearing the black suit was Ivano, and the other one was called Landa.

And what got Ryūhei interested was the one they called "Lord", meaning their superior.

Ivano took out the manga and told Landa that it was recently popular in Liyue Harbor.

"And this thing doesn't exist in other nations yet. I want you to take this to copy it and sell it to Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and our nation. Since the person who drew this is still incapable of opening a shop in other nations, why don't I just make use of it? Regarding the proceeds from the sale, give 40% to Lord Pantalone, 40% to me, and you 20%!"

"Why are you asking for as much as Lord Pantalone? And why should I get 20%?"

"Then, feel free to go back to Snezhnaya without showing any results. You know, I still have an important mission over here, and I don't have time to take care of this, so I offered this to you since you were pitifully kicked from Mondstadt."

Landa's expression turned unsightly after Ivano mentioned that. But, before he could answer, a young boy appeared behind Ivano without the latter even noticing.

"Heee, it seems the guy called Pantalone is a nice guy that even a minion like you is capable of taking advantage of other people's failure and weakness."

Ivano jumped away from the young boy in that instance. He was shocked that someone could notice his presence. And after looking at the boy's appearance, Ivano exclaimed.

"You're the shop owner called Niwa Ryūhei? How did you get here?"

"Of course, to find out who wants to copy my manga so it can be sold to other nations. Do you think I don't know?" Ryūhei replied with a smirk. "And I also heard something quite interesting about your mission in Liyue Harbor. Would you mind talking to me about it?"

Ivano's expression darkened. Knowing that someone was aware of his mission, Ivano didn't need to think anymore and immediately attacked Ryūhei with the daggers in both hands.

Imbued with elemental energy, his daggers radiated scorching flames. And with those, he tried to stab Ryūhei at his vital point.

Oddly enough, when his attack almost landed on Ryūhei, it appeared to slow down before Ryūhei dodged the attack and immediately performed a roundhouse kick to throw Ivano from the tall building.

Ryūhei glanced at Landa for a moment before telling him.

"Go now! I don't have the habit of killing people who have done nothing wrong. But, I remind you, I'm the owner of the so-called manga."

Landa nodded furiously before turning and running away.

Ryūhei jumped out of the building and landed on the ground in front of where Ivano was thrown off.

Ivano coughed a mouthful of blood while looking at Ryūhei's figure in disbelief. He felt that he was crushed by a boulder through the previous kick. The kick was too strong, and it was just Ryūhei's raw strength.

Ivano jumped and attacked him in desperation, but with Ryūhei's eyes, he could see what he was about to do. In a swift, Ryūhei chopped his neck and made him unconscious.

"Well, the matter is settled. And since this guy may have good information, it's better if I send him to Liyue Qixing."

Ryūhei dragged Ivano away, and of course this caused passers-by to stare at them. But Ryūhei ignored their stares.

The Milelith guards at the entrance noticed Ryūhei and asked him what happened. And Ryūhei recounted what happened previously to them.

Understanding the matter, one of the guards guided him toward Yujing Terrace to send the hooded man to Liyue Qixing in the Yuehai Pavilion to be interrogated.

— — — —

After dispatching the hooded man, Zhongli appeared in front of him with the old woman near the Yuehai Pavilion, the place where he had sent the man earlier.

Ryūhei was stiffened at first. But he calmed himself. Then, greeted Zhongli.

"Ah, Mr. Zhongli. Good day."

Zhongli nodded.

"Good day. Do you have time? My old friend next to me wants to talk to you."

Meanwhile, the old lady beside him seemed surprised at Ryūhei's appearance. Ryūhei didn't know why the old lady was surprised. But after that, the old woman put on a serious face and exuded an emotion of hate toward Ryūhei.

Ryūhei had never felt like meeting the old woman, but somehow she seemed to dislike him.

Ryūhei was pretty sure that, when it came to negative energy, Zhongli should be the one wanting to talk to him, or even antagonize him since he was possibly a Geo Archon himself. But in fact, Zhongli didn't do that and instead stated that his old friend wanted to meet Ryūhei.