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Although she advocates for rule by men and not overly relying on deities, she does not disrespect the Geo Archon. She acknowledges that Liyue's current prosperity was created by the Archon.
She understood even more clearly that now that the Emperor was in danger and the Seven Stars of Liyue had become the leaders, they were about to face even more difficult challenges.
"Don't panic, you are all the most outstanding talents in Liyue, no difficulty can defeat you."
Let's treat this crisis as a test, a test of whether the people of Liyue can govern Liyue well.
As for how to pass the exam, I know the answer!
"What's the answer?"
"Wait a minute, we'll make detailed arrangements once everyone has arrived."
Ke Qing was a little confused about who she was waiting for, but what happened next left her completely bewildered.
Chapter 44 Keqing's Exquisite Curve
Gan Yu was the first to come up, and she glared at Lu Lin reproachfully when she saw him.
Lu Lin knew exactly what she meant. When he bullied Ningguang in the alley earlier, they must have sensed it.
He was incredibly thick-skinned; he stepped forward and gave Gan Yu a big hug.
Although Gan Yu was a little shy, she didn't break free. After all, everyone had seen him hug her at the entrance of Yuehai Pavilion, and the news had already spread.
Hu Tao arrived shortly after; Lu Lin had specifically asked Ning Guang to send a message to summon her.
Hu Tao was more outgoing than Gan Yu. She skipped over and gave Lu Lin a big hug.
Everyone else was used to it, but Ke Qing stared blankly at Lu Lin, who was embracing two women, unable to believe it.
Wait, what's going on? How many are there already?
How come when I left Liyue Harbor to hunt a monster, you all came back wiped out?
Gan Yu, Hu Tao, Ning Guang, and Xiang Ling, could there be someone else?
Others may not have any left, but you could very well be the next target!
After waiting a while longer, Ningguang's other capable subordinates arrived. After a brief exchange of pleasantries and introductions, Lu Lin took over command and began to systematically arrange the work.
"Those in charge of intelligence, send someone to the Tea House on the Rock in Liyue Harbor. This is the Fatui's secret stronghold, and there are important items inside. Remember to send your elite troops there!"
The Northern Bank also needs to send people to keep an eye on them to prevent them from spreading rumors in the city. Of course, this situation cannot be completely eliminated, but at least their movements should be monitored.
There are a few Returning Machines left by immortals on the ancient city wall of Tianheng, right? These things are extremely powerful and will be very useful in the future. I need to go to the site to check them out.
"In addition, I need these materials. Please find someone to prepare them quickly, and also prepare a group of the best craftsmen." Lu Lin took out a materials list and handed it to Ning Guang.
"No problem, I'll arrange it!"
"Did you hide away the Emperor's immortal ancestral mortal remains?"
"It has been secretly moved and hidden in..."
"This news must be kept strictly confidential. We absolutely cannot let the Fools find out, and it's best if we don't know it for the time being either." Lu Lin interrupted her. There were too many people around, and there was a risk of leaking the information if they spoke out rashly.
Keqing and Lu Lin have already discussed many issues that Liyue might encounter after losing its gods and how to deal with them. Now it's just a matter of putting them into practice and verifying them step by step.
It's normal for many problems to arise during the process. As problems occur, we can improve and optimize, and things will naturally get better and better!
Ningguang looked at his methodical and composed demeanor, and a strange feeling suddenly rose in her heart.
This seems pretty good too?
She is a typical strong woman who always relies on herself and never on others. But today, she handed over the reins to him and quietly did her job without having to worry too much. Surprisingly, she felt a strange sense of security.
If he weren't so womanizing and philandering, he'd be quite handsome when he was focused on his work!
......
At the ancient city wall of Tianheng, Ke Qing and Lu Lin stood in front of a huge crossbow, carefully observing it.
This is the Returning to the End Machine, a massive war weapon invented by the demon god Returning to the End and modified by the True Lord of Cloud Retention and Wind Borrowing.
"It looks well preserved. There are signs of damage, but it's not a big problem and can be easily repaired." Lu Lin examined it for a moment and nodded.
Keqing's role in the Seven Stars is to oversee land and construction. She has set foot on every inch of Liyue and knows it like the back of her hand, so she is the one to guide Lu Lin.
"You even know about immortal mechanisms?" Ke Qing was surprised again when she saw Lu Lin tinkering with them so skillfully.
How come this person knows everything?
"I know a little bit!" Lu Lin said modestly. "There are maintenance parts in the warehouse over there. Let's go get some."
Guizhongji was built during the Demon God War to defend against foreign enemies. After the war, it became useless and has been in disrepair for many years.
However, the replacement parts stored in the warehouse were still there. The two moved the parts out, and Lu Lin began to repair them.
He had been studying the mechanism of the final rest for several days, and thanks to the assistance of [Spiritual Mind and Wisdom], he was making rapid progress. Repairing the damaged final rest mechanism was not difficult for him.
He focused intently on repairing the machine, while Ke Qing squatted beside him as his assistant, handing him tools and parts from time to time. The two worked together seamlessly, and a terminal machine was quickly repaired.
"All done!" Lu Lin clapped his hands and stood up. He turned around and glanced at Ke Qing, who was squatting on the ground. His eyes lit up.
Ke Qing really liked black stockings. Her slender, long legs were tightly wrapped in printed black stockings, which stretched out an amazing curve when she squatted on the ground.
Unfortunately, her pert buttocks were hidden by the hem of her purple skirt, making it impossible for Lu Lin to see the most beautiful curve.
She wore a belted dress, which cinched her slender waist tightly, making her look smart and capable, while also highlighting her tall and magnificent chest.
Especially when squatting, the knees can even press against the soft flesh, squeezing out an amazing shape.
Based on Lu Lin's observation, she is probably no weaker than Gan Yu, a Liyue Ice D!
This pose is so incredibly tempting!
Feeling Lu Lin's burning gaze, Ke Qing was slightly annoyed. "You've ruined so many girls, and you still have designs on me?"
However, this is a time for everyone to work together, and it's not good to cause trouble or create disunity, so she just glared at Lu Lin and prepared to stand up.
But she had been squatting for a long time, and her legs were numb! When she stood up, the movement was too large, and she stumbled and lost her balance, falling straight backward.
She and Lu Lin were originally squatting on the gun platform of the Returning Terminal, which was a full two meters above the ground. This fall was no small matter.
At the crucial moment, Lu Lin moved like a feather, tracing a graceful and agile line, landing first and catching her steadily in his arms.
"Be careful, are you alright?" Lu Lin said gently.
"I'm fine, you pervert, where are you putting your hands!" Ke Qing was both embarrassed and angry, and a blush appeared on her cute doll-like face.
The incident happened so suddenly that Lu Lin didn't have time to think about anything else in order to save her. When he caught her, his hand accidentally pressed on the beautiful curve that had been covered by her skirt.
It's so perky, round, and incredibly elastic!
Lu Lin wasn't angry when Ke Qing scolded him; instead, he tightened his fingers slightly and pinched her twice.
The silky smoothness of the black stockings combined perfectly with the elasticity of his buttocks, bringing him unparalleled enjoyment.
"You're still pinching me! Put me down right now!" Ke Qing was straightforward, and seeing him taking things further, she became even more annoyed!
Lu Lin grinned mischievously, his actions becoming increasingly bold: "I kindly caught you, and instead of thanking me, you called me a pervert! I'm angry!"
Ke Qing was indeed somewhat in the wrong. She said weakly, "Thank you for saving me, but you took advantage of me, that's being a pervert!"
"Hmm? Don't you like it?" Lu Lin's hand skills were enhanced by the skill book; just a few kneads like that had already brought Ke Qing indescribable pleasure.
Chapter 45 Does Keqing Like It or Not?
An indescribable, strange feeling rose from the bottom of her heart. Ke Qing puffed out her baby face, wanting to refute, but before she could utter a word, she was struck by a jolt of electricity.
"Hmm~ Let go... I don't... like it!" The straightforward girl's coquettish hum was exceptionally sweet, a stark contrast to her personality.
"Don't you like it? Then what happened the night before last at the entrance of Cuijue Slope Valley...?" Lu Lin's smile remained unchanged, but Ke Qing found it utterly despicable.
"No! Don't say it! Don't mention Cuijue Slope!" Keqing seemed to have been triggered, shaking her head frantically and struggling violently in his arms.
But Lu Lin is not the same as before, and this level of struggle will not be enough to break free from his embrace.
"But what's done is done. Can you deceive yourself by not mentioning it? Miss Keqing, do you still think you don't like it? Not telling the truth doesn't suit your straightforward and honest personality~"
Lu Lin was as aggressive as a demon, his hands not content with just kneading, but probing slightly further...
This exploration was quite significant; my fingertips immediately felt a moist sensation.
The black pantyhose beneath the skirt were already soaked with water, and a faint, exotic fragrance quietly filled the air.
Ke Qing clamped her legs tightly together, preventing Lu Lin from going any further. She gritted her teeth, frowned, and looked stubborn.
"Hehe." Lu Lin gave a cryptic laugh, then asked, "Miss Ke Qing, do you like it or not? Lying isn't a habit of the Yuheng Star, you know~"
Ke Qing turned her head away from him, and after a long while, she squeezed out two words she was too embarrassed to say: "I like you."
"Since you like it, may I knead it a little longer?" Lu Lin asked, gently stroking the stockings with his fingertips.
Ke Qing pouted and ignored him.
Not answering meant she agreed, but Lu Lin deliberately let go of her hand at that moment and put her down, even thoughtfully straightening her skirt, and said on purpose, "If you don't answer, it seems you don't want to pinch me anymore."
With the demonic hand gone, Ke Qing breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a sense of indescribable loss. Hearing his cheeky words, she blushed with embarrassment and turned to leave.
"Don't rush off! There are still two Return Machines that haven't been repaired yet. You'll have to lend me a hand!" Lu Lin said loudly.
Ke Qing, who had only taken a couple of steps, stopped abruptly, turned around, and said sternly, "I'm just thinking about the bigger picture. Don't overthink it, and don't bully me anymore, understand?"
"Alright, alright, we all prioritize the big picture!" Lu Lin said, as if coaxing a child.
"Let's get started already, don't delay!" The straightforward girl rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky.
When working diligently, Lu Lin is quite serious. Because of the practical experience with the first machine, it took even less time to repair the other two, and soon all three terminal machines were repaired.
"Speaking of which, why are you so insistent on fixing the Final Machine? Is there going to be internal strife and war in Liyue?" On the way back, Keqing couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering her.
"Internal strife is unlikely. Liyue has been at peace for a long time, and people's hearts are at ease. Although we have lost the Geo Archon, the Seven Stars are united and there is no way we would fall into internal strife."
Of course, such a big event will definitely alarm the immortals who live in seclusion in the clouds, and there may be conflicts at that time, so we must be careful.
But the Returning to the End Machine wasn't for fighting immortals; I repaired it primarily to defend against external enemies.
"An external enemy? The Fools?" Ke Qing had seen through all of Lu Lin's arrangements today, which were aimed at the Fools.
"The final opponent may not be them, but we are inextricably linked to them, which is why I sent people to wipe out the strongholds of the Fools."
Lu Lin was right about one thing: for him, this was an open-book exam. He knew the Fools' goals and plans from the very beginning, as well as Zhongli's intentions.
But he didn't want to take things to the last step.
The young master's plan is to find out the location of the Immortal Ancestor's physical remains and find the hidden Divine Heart within them. If he cannot find it, it means that the Rock King Emperor faked his death.
Then he used a large number of counterfeit Unrestricted Talismans to unseal the Vortex Demon God Oser, forcing Oser to force the Rock King Emperor to appear.
Knowing about this process, Lu Lin naturally wouldn't follow the young master's pace, so he instructed Ning Guang to hide the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Body well and absolutely not expose its location.
He also ordered Ningguang to send people to wipe out the Rock Tea House, which was researching the Unrestricted Talisman, thus cutting off his chance to unseal Osel.
This plan is highly targeted, making it difficult for the Fools to gain any further influence.
However, just in case, Lu Lin still repaired the Returning Machine. If Ausel is eventually awakened, then the Returning Machine will be the weapon to deal with Ausel!
The Jade Pavilion was Ningguang's life's work, and of course he didn't want it to be destroyed like this. He wanted to preserve it as much as possible!
As for Zhongli wanting to test whether the people of Liyue can handle the crisis and protect their homeland on their own, isn't it also a way of dealing with the crisis by eliminating it invisibly?
It should even be called a perfect answer!
Keqing saw that he was leaving things unsaid and knew he wouldn't say it outright, so she suppressed her curiosity and didn't ask any more questions. The two of them returned to Liyue Harbor together.
......
Liyue, Northern Bank.
A smart young man with short orange hair sat upright at his desk, listening to his subordinates' reports.
"Young Master, the Thousand Rocks Army launched a surprise attack on the Rock Tea House, arresting all of us who made the Unrestricted Talisman, and confiscating all the Unrestricted Talismans we produced!"
"What happened? The Rock Tea House is our most hidden stronghold. How could it have been targeted by the Thousand Rock Army? Not a single Hundred Taboo Talisman was left?" The young master raised his eyes, his anger blazing.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, apart from the five that were delivered to the Northern Bank yesterday, there are none left."
"This is troublesome. Five Unrestricted Talismans are not enough. There are capable people among the Seven Stars of Liyue. Even my backup plan has been ruined."
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