"Don't be so distant," Yelan stepped in front of Lucas, then smoothly circled behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders with a teasing smile. "Haven't I already told you? I'll be standing on the same side as you, offering my support."
"So?" Lucas scratched his cheek. "I still need three more Mora Tokens. Are you planning to just give them to me?"
Naturally, this was just a joke—something he said offhandedly.
Yet, to his surprise, Yelan casually flicked her wrist, as if performing a magic trick, and three Mora Tokens appeared between her slender fingers.
"Of course," she said with a smirk. "No problem at all."
"You're just… handing them over?" Lucas was visibly stunned. "What about yourself?"
"Don't worry," Yelan reached into a pouch from who-knows-where and gave it a light shake. A crisp clinking of metal rang out from within. "I've still got plenty."
Just from the sound alone, there had to be at least a dozen or more inside.
"Why did you get so many?" Lucas asked, puzzled. "As far as I know, you only need seven to qualify, right?"
"That's true," Yelan admitted. Then, with a wicked smile, she added, "But watching my defeated opponents stomp their feet in frustration, crying in despair… it's just too satisfying."
"Yeah, you're just an S," Lucas deadpanned.
"It's not just that," Yelan whispered into Lucas's ear, her warm breath sending a slight shiver down his spine. "I just don't want another… accident like last time."
The "accident" she was referring to was, of course, the Wanmin Restaurant incident—where she gambled away millions of Mora to Lucas and even ended up betting herself.
"So, do you want them?" Yelan held out the three Mora Tokens in her palm, smiling playfully. "Or… are you the type who refuses 'free handouts'?"
"Quite the opposite," Lucas extended his hand without hesitation. "My principle is: 'The best meals are the free ones.'"
However, just before his fingers touched the Mora Tokens, Yelan suddenly pulled her hand back—and then, with a teasing smirk, she slipped the three tokens into the valley of her chest.
"If you want them…" she said, her tone dripping with amusement. "Come and take them yourself."
It was thanks to Yelan's ample figure that the tokens remained securely in place. If it had been Hu Tao instead, the three tokens would have slid straight down her collar, and all Lucas would have needed to do was bend down and pick them up.
Lucas and Yelan, honestly, were already well acquainted. Not to mention taking something out, even if he were to put something inside, Lucas wouldn't feel awkward at this point.
However… this was a public street.
Doing something like that here… would be a bit much.
Noticing Lucas's momentary hesitation, Yelan's smirk widened in satisfaction. As someone who enjoyed both teasing and being teased, she absolutely relished moments like these—especially when the target was Lucas.
However—
Lucas shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Well, if you don't want to give them to me, then forget it. See ya."
Without the slightest hesitation, he turned around and walked away, leaving Yelan standing alone.
She had been left hanging—again.
Yes, again.
This scene was eerily similar to what had happened in the simulator, where she had been discarded and left behind by Lucas in a similar manner.
"W-Wait! Don't go!"
Yelan quickly hurried after him, laughing. "I was just messing with you. I already said—I'll fully support you, no strings attached."
"Then just hand them over," Lucas narrowed his eyes. "And quit messing around."
He did trust that Yelan was genuinely on his side, but with her personality, she always had to add a little mischief into the mix.
Of course, getting these three tokens for free would be great, but even if Lucas had to earn them himself, it wouldn't be difficult.
"Of course, I'll give them to you," Yelan said with a sly grin. "Didn't I already… give myself to you before?"
Lucas ignored the obvious implication in her words.
"Not far from here is Yan Shang Teahouse, one of my properties," Yelan continued. "Come up and have a drink with me—not only will I give you these three Mora Tokens, but I'll give you whatever you want."
Once again, her intentions were not subtle in the slightest.
Lucas's gaze flicked to the three tokens nestled between her curves, then he smirked and muttered, "No need for all that trouble…"
"I can take them right now."
"Oh?" Yelan didn't seem panicked in the slightest. Instead, she smiled playfully, folding her arms as she gazed at Lucas with amusement.
"If you think you can, then go ahead and try—steal them from me in front of everyone."
Damn, does this woman actually enjoy being robbed?
At that moment, Lucas suddenly lowered his head, moving faster than the naked eye could perceive.
Yelan felt a fleeting warmth and dampness brush against her skin.
When she looked down again, she realized—
The three Mora Tokens were gone.
And now, they were…
In Lucas's mouth.
That's right—
He hadn't used his hands at all.
Instead, he had swiped them with his tongue in one swift motion.
With his mouth still full, Lucas couldn't speak.
But he smirked at Yelan, his eyes brimming with triumph.
Who would have thought—
Rather than being flustered, Yelan simply arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sly, knowing grin.
"How does it taste?"
Lucas blinked.
"Are you asking about… you?"
Wait…
Why does it taste sweet?!
A strange saccharine flavor spread in his mouth.
He quickly spat out one of the tokens—
It was chocolate.
"Hahahaha! You really fell for it!"
Yelan burst into laughter, her tone laced with undisguised mischief.
"It's so much fun teasing you!"
Damn it… I actually got played!
Lucas sighed, chewing the remaining chocolate in his mouth.
"So, does that mean the other Mora Tokens are fake too?"
"Of course not," Yelan winked.
"Only those three were decoys—just a little trick to mess with you."
"But if you want the real ones… you'll have to come with me to the Yan Shang Tea House."
Lucas rubbed his temples.
"Fine, fine… I'll go."
No matter what Yelan was planning, she ultimately wanted him to become the Tianshu.
But knowing her, she was also going to take the opportunity to mess with him as much as possible.
Soon, the two arrived at the entrance of the Yan Shang Tea House.
Just as in the simulator, this place was not an actual tea house—
It was a high-end casino that had somehow ended up in Yelan's hands.
"Welcome, Miss Yelan."
A black-haired woman bowed slightly at the entrance, her demeanor elegant yet professional.
But when Lucas saw her face—
His expression shifted, ever so subtly.
It was Chu Yi.
For most players, Chu Yi was just an NPC with a generic model—a forgettable background character.
But in the simulator, she had been one of the most important women in Lucas's life.
"According to your instructions, the Yan Shang Tea House is closed to guests today," Chu Yi reported.
Her gaze flicked briefly toward Lucas before she asked, "Who is this gentleman?"
"Just call him Young Master Lucas," Yelan said casually.
"He's the only guest tonight. Make sure no one else interrupts us."
"Understood," Chu Yi nodded.
Then, she turned toward Lucas with a polite yet distant smile.
"Please, come inside."
Lucas couldn't help but feel an odd sense of dissonance.
Even though some people had retained memories from simulator before, that was an extremely rare occurrence.
Most, like Chu Yi, would remain completely oblivious to what had happened in those past lives.
With a self-deprecating chuckle, Lucas pushed aside his thoughts and stepped into the tea house with Yelan.
Behind him, Chu Yi stood at the entrance, watching them go.
Then, in a voice so soft only she could hear, she whispered:
"…Enjoy your time, Young Master."
Inside the Yan Shang Tea House
The moment he walked inside, Lucas felt a sense of déjà vu.
After all, in the simulator, he had spent over a decade living here.
"What do you think?" Yelan asked suddenly.
"Even though I own a lot of businesses, this tea house is my favorite."
"Well, it is a casino," Lucas replied with a chuckle.
"Alright, let's cut to the chase—you didn't bring me here just for tea, did you?"
"What do I have to do to get those three Mora Tokens?"
Yelan leaned closer, her expression playful.
"Simple," she murmured.
"According to the rules, we have to duel."
"Whether you win or lose, I'll still give you the Mora Tokens."
Lucas let out an exasperated sigh.
"Why go through all this trouble?"
"Because if I just gave them to you, you wouldn't appreciate them."
Yelan smirked.
"Men are all the same—the easier something is to get, the less they cherish it."
"If I had known it'd be like this, I would've just dueled someone else," Lucas groaned.
"Don't say that," Yelan giggled, covering her mouth.
"I even prepared some special cards just for you."
At that, Lucas felt a chill run down his spine.
But there was no way out now.
"The duel begins!"
The Yan Shang Tea House had a spacious central area that served as the duel arena.
It was far larger than necessary.
"Then, I'll start first," Yelan declared, drawing two cards.
"I activate the equipment cards—
[Leather Armor of the Subjugated] and [The Dominator's Whip]!"
As soon as the words left her lips—
Yelan's clothes transformed.
Before Lucas's eyes, she was now dressed in a tight, sleek leather outfit—one that left very little to the imagination.
No wonder she chose this tea house as the venue.
If this duel had taken place outdoors, the sheer number of onlookers blocking the streets would have caused major traffic congestion.
A long, slender black whip also appeared in Yelan's hand, perfectly completing the look.
This set of equipment was a rare "suit", much like artifact sets in the game.
When worn together, they provided additional effects.
[Leather Armor of the Subjugated]
Grants an extra attack per round, but doubles the damage received.
[The Dominator's Whip]
Grants an extra attack per round, but doubles the damage received.
"Well?" Yelan teased, twirling the whip in her hand.
"Are you ready to submit to your big sister?"
"What the hell…"
Looking at Yelan, now dressed in something straight out of a dominatrix fantasy, Lucas couldn't help but stare at her in bewilderment.
"A card like this… if a kid got their hands on it, parents would definitely file a complaint," he muttered.
"Right now, in my eyes, you're just a little boy," Yelan smirked, suddenly cracking her whip toward Lucas. "Be a good boy and become my slave! Wahahaha!"
A whip, as a soft weapon, required extensive training to master. Even as a highly skilled sword and spear user, Lucas was only at the level of "wielding it without hurting himself."
However, for someone like Yelan, who was already adept at fighting with Hydro-infused silk threads, using a whip was completely effortless. The shadows of her whip danced wildly, striking with a speed like a storm, instantly surrounding Lucas in a blur of streaking lashes.
She's fast!
It seemed that the "extra attack" effect from the equipment card was reflected in the duel as an insane attack speed boost.
Yelan's whip strikes were already extremely fast, but now, her attack speed had tripled or even quadrupled. The whip's afterimages overlapped, making it impossible to tell which strike was real.
[-200]
Lucas, caught off guard for just a moment, felt the sting of the whip slicing across his sleeve, leaving a faint mark.
So, her attack speed was through the roof… but her damage was mediocre at best.
More importantly, there was a fatal flaw in these two equipment cards.
As another whip strike came slicing toward him, Lucas swiftly pulled out a card.
"[Attack Reflection]!"
As the name implied, this card reflected an incoming attack back at the attacker.
The whip landed on Lucas—but instead of taking damage, the effect rebounded back at Yelan.
With a sharp gasp, she cried out in pain, and a bright red lash mark appeared on her otherwise flawless pale skin.
[-800]
That's right—because both of her equipment cards doubled received damage, the effects stacked, resulting in a 4× damage multiplier.
For most players, these two pieces of equipment would be a complete liability.
"Whoa, whoa…" Lucas raised a brow, a little taken aback. "Do you really have to scream like that? Also… why do you sound like you're enjoying it?"
Was this some kind of dark duel?
"You don't get it?" Despite the sweat beading on her forehead from the pain, Yelan chuckled. "The effect doesn't just double the damage—it doubles the pain too."
"In other words, I'm feeling four times the normal pain right now…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"This is… amazing!"
This woman… she really is both an S and an M!
Without missing a beat, Yelan suddenly drew another card.
"Activating Equipment Card: [Stuffed Fox Tail]!"
This card could only be used after taking damage. Its effect?
It granted the user one additional attack per turn.
As soon as the card activated, a fluffy fox tail appeared behind Yelan.
However…
The design of this "tail" looked awfully familiar.
Especially the plug attachment securing it in place.
Its metallic surface gleamed faintly under the light, resembling a silver strawberry.
As the tail was "equipped", Yelan's expression subtly changed—her face flashing between pain and pleasure.
Wait… it actually got shoved in?!
Even more bizarre, the fake tail actually twitched slightly, moving as if it were real.
Somewhere, Yae Miko was probably fuming.
"Now then…" Yelan ran her tongue along her lips. "I'm fully powered up."
"Prepare yourself!"
Without hesitation, she lashed out with her whip once more.
With her attack speed boosted yet again, dodging her strikes was becoming even more difficult.
Lucas wasn't defenseless—in fact, he had plenty of ways to counter her.
Right now, Yelan was like a glass cannon—fast and deadly, but extremely fragile.
A single high-damage strike would be enough to shatter her completely.
Just as Lucas was calculating his counterattack, her whip lashed against him three more times.
And then—
Yelan suddenly stopped attacking.
The storm of whips surrounding him vanished.
This was Lucas's chance.
Without hesitation, he equipped the [Frostpiercer Lance] and lunged forward.
If he landed a critical hit, he'd deal 4×1000 damage, instantly knocking Yelan out of the match.
But—
Just as the tip of his spear was about to pierce Yelan's chest—
She spoke.
"Sit."
Lucas froze.
Then, against his will… he sat down.
I… I can't move?!
That's right—his entire body was immobilized!
"W-What?!" Lucas's eyes widened. "How are you controlling my body? You didn't even play a card!"
"Looks like you still don't fully understand the mechanics of this game," Yelan teased, trailing a finger under his chin, stroking it playfully like one would with a cat.
Her sly smirk returned.
"My three equipped items have just activated their set bonus."
A set bonus?!
Lucas suddenly remembered—
In Genius Invokation TCG, certain sets of equipment granted special abilities when all pieces were equipped.
However, because getting a full set was usually impractical, and losing a single piece nullified the effect, set bonuses were rarely used in traditional matches.
But in Battle Mode, set effects had actual combat value.
[Master's Delight (Set Bonus): Upon landing three successful attacks, select one opponent's summoned unit and gain full control of it for one turn.]
No wonder her gear was so well-coordinated.
"...Alright, I give up." Lucas sighed, raising his hand in surrender. "Since I'm already immobilized, you could just force me to forfeit anyway."
It wasn't that he had no way to break free.
But whether he won or lost, it wouldn't change the outcome of the tournament, so he couldn't be bothered to waste time on this match.
Besides… it was obvious that Yelan had gone through all this trouble just to beat him once.
So why not just let her have it?
"You want to forfeit?" Yelan's eyes glimmered with a mysterious light.
"Oh, no, no, no…" She leaned closer, whispering in his ear.
"That won't do at all."
"Because now…"
Her smirk deepened.
"It's time for my long-awaited fantasy time."
Lucas was stunned.
So this was Yelan's plan all along—
She had deliberately lured him to the Yan Shang Tea House, using the Mora Tokens as bait to drag him into a duel.
And not just that—
She had even gone as far as sacrificing herself in battle, willingly suffering quadruple damage just to activate her set bonus—
All for the sake of turning him into her "servant."
Even if her raw combat ability wasn't the strongest, her scheming and strategic mind were on another level.
"Don't even think about it!" Lucas immediately said. "I admit—"
In Genius Invokation TCG, players could forfeit a match at will, much like folding in Yu-Gi-Oh!.
The moment one party conceded, the duel would end immediately.
This rule had been implemented to prevent skilled players from dragging out fights just to toy with weaker opponents.
There had even been a case before—
A renowned TCG champion had, due to bad card draws, spent an entire duel stalling, using recovery cards to heal his opponent while repeatedly "whipping the corpse".
By the time the match ended, his opponent snapped, challenged him to a real fight outside the game, and left him hospitalized for weeks.
Since then, the forfeit rule had been strictly enforced.
But just as Lucas was about to admit defeat—
Yelan suddenly whispered, "I command you not to surrender."
…?!
Because of her set effect, Lucas's final word—"defeat"—stuck in his throat.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't say it.
"Now you can't surrender anymore," Yelan chuckled, lightly patting Lucas's cheek.
"You little rascal… you've finally fallen into my trap."
"Call Me Master."
"What… are you trying to do?" Lucas asked helplessly.
With his body under her control, even using cards to fight back was impossible—
Because he couldn't even speak the activation commands.
And knowing Yelan, she wasn't going to give him even the slightest opening.
"What should I do first…?"
Yelan placed a hand on Lucas's head, smiling playfully.
"Shake hands with me."
Lucas obeyed instinctively, placing his hand in Yelan's outstretched palm.
"Turn around."
Again, he complied.
"And then…"
Yelan lifted Lucas's chin, bringing their faces close together.
Staring into his eyes, she grinned wickedly.
"Call me 'Master.'"
Lucas clenched his jaw—
But against his will, the words left his lips.
"…Master… Master…"
Damn it!
This is humiliating!
Lucas felt his face heat up in anger and embarrassment, but his body refused to disobey.
Yelan beamed.
It was as if that one "Master" had instantly made up for all the losses she had ever suffered at his hands.
She then extended a single finger toward him.
"Good boy. Now, lick your Master's finger."
Lucas stared at the slender, snow-white digit, resembling a stalk of soft barley.
With no other choice…
He opened his mouth.
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Yelan brought her finger to her nose, taking a slow sniff.
Then she smirked.
"Such a nasty little mutt."
"You really are a filthy, drooling dog."
Meanwhile, Outside…
While Lucas's suffering continued inside the Tea Room, someone else had arrived at the entrance—
A silver-haired beauty with a graceful yet authoritative air.
Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing—Ningguang.
The receptionist, Chu Yi, had been lazily tending the entrance, but upon seeing who it was, she immediately straightened her posture.
Her cold expression softened into polite surprise.
"Lady Ningguang?!"
Even Chu Yi—who rarely showed respect toward customers—immediately corrected her stance in front of such a distinguished guest.
"I couldn't get in touch with Yelan," Ningguang said smoothly, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"So I figured she might be here."
She paused.
"If not, well… I may as well have a cup of tea while I wait."
Even as she spoke to a mere receptionist, her demeanor remained effortlessly elegant, without a trace of arrogance.
"Lady Yelan…" Chu Yi hesitated.
"She instructed that no outsiders are allowed inside."
"I see," Ningguang chuckled.
"So she's definitely inside."
Her eyes glimmered with amusement.
"But surely… even I don't count as an outsider, do I?"
"After all…"
"I am one of the shareholders of this Tea Room."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Surely I have at least some authority here, no?"
"This…"
If it had been anyone else, Chu Yi would have already thrown them out without hesitation.
But this was Ningguang.
And refusing her wasn't something she had the authority to do.
After a moment's thought, she reluctantly stepped aside.
"Lady Ningguang is not an outsider," Chu Yi said carefully.
"You… may enter."
"Very wise."
Ningguang nodded approvingly, before gracefully stepping forward.
"Don't worry—I'll go in by myself."
"Even if Yelan gets mad, she won't punish you."
With that, she gently pushed open the door and entered.
The Yan Shang Tea House, which was usually bustling with activity, was now eerily silent.
Yet, from the inner chamber, she could hear strange noises.
Ningguang's sharp ears picked up every sound.
With quiet, measured steps, she moved forward—
Then, hiding behind a screen, she peered into the room.
And what she saw—
Even the unshakable Tianquan of Liyue couldn't help but widen her eyes slightly.
Inside the Duel Arena…
Yelan stood there, dressed in a rather… questionable outfit.
Seated in front of her, completely under her control, was none other than—
Lucas.
Ganyu's "contract partner."
What… exactly are these two doing?
A duel?
That would make no sense.
She and Yelan had already agreed—they were supposed to help Lucas win the next match.
There was no reason for Yelan to fight him.
Then… what exactly was this?
(Sorry guys, I know here's a missing chapter but I could not find it anywhere at all)
Seeing that Chu Yi genuinely seemed about to enter, Ningguang quickly interjected, "N-No… there's no need to go inside. They should be… almost done cleaning."
"Really?" Chu Yi still seemed hesitant. "Honestly, tasks like these should just be left to us servants."
"There's no need to refer to yourself as a 'servant,'" Ningguang replied with a gentle smile. "You're simply an employee. No matter how your former employer saw you, Yelan would never treat you as a mere servant."
"I… I understand." Chu Yi nodded, and for the first time, a hint of admiration appeared in her gaze toward Ningguang.
Of course, she had no idea what kind of internal turmoil the woman she now admired was experiencing at this very moment.
Meanwhile…
On the other side, Lucas had finally brought out the "friend" he had mentioned.
Naturally, it wasn't Ningguang, who had snuck off earlier—
But rather…
His Mighty Dragon.
Yelan, who should have been shy in this situation, instead found herself unable to look away from the sight before her.
It was eager, practically quivering with anticipation—as if it had been restrained for far too long.
Even though, in reality, it had just made its grand entrance in his previous battle with Shenhe not too long ago.
"You're going to… use that to clean me up?" Yelan murmured.
"Of course," Lucas patted his loyal friend with a smirk. "It's a master at clearing clogged pipes."
"But…" For once, Yelan's expression softened into something almost shy. "That place… hasn't been cleared before."
That's right—
Even though Yelan and Lucas had already gone through countless battles, they had never ventured deeper.
"Well, that's what happens when you try to mess with me," Lucas said in a hushed voice. "You brought this on yourself."
His words should have sounded like mockery—but to Yelan, they were music to her ears.
After all, she was the perfect blend of both an S and an M.
Or rather—on the surface, she was an S, but deep down, she was an M through and through.
So instead of feeling insulted, the taunts, ridicule, and humiliation only made her… enjoy it even more.
"Alright then…"
Lucas's voice deepened.
"Let's begin."
The moment Lucas's dragon entered the "sewer", Yelan's brows furrowed tightly.
Pain.
Intense pain.
Because of the negative effects of her equipment set, Yelan not only received four times the damage—
She also felt pain at four times the intensity.
Which meant—
The first time was already unbearable.
But for Yelan, who thrived on pain—
It was nothing short of divine bliss.
[-400]
At the same time, her HP plummeted by 400 points.
When Lucas collided with Shenhe, it had been 100 HP per hit.
For Yelan, however—
The damage had quadrupled.
Her remaining HP had already fallen to 2800.
"W-What now…?" Yelan panted, reluctant yet eager. "At this rate… I can only take seven more hits…"
Even if she used three "Pain Compensation" cards, she could only recover 300 HP at a time—not nearly enough to keep up.
"No worries. I've already thought of a solution."
Lucas pulled out a card.
"Activating Effect Card: [Certain Death Pill]!"
[Effect: Upon activation, the user will not be defeated this turn even if their HP reaches zero. However, at the end of the turn, they will automatically lose, regardless of HP.]
This was a high-risk, high-reward card—
A desperate "last stand" move, usually played when facing imminent defeat.
It granted the incredibly rare effect of "temporary invincibility."
But in exchange—
If the battle wasn't finished within one turn—
The user would lose no matter what.
Of course, Lucas wasn't using it on himself—
He was giving it to Yelan.
From 2400… to 2000…
From 400… to 0…
From -400… to -2000…
From -2400… to -2840000…
If Shenhe had set the record for "most HP recovered in a single match", then Yelan had just set the record for—
"Most Negative HP Accumulated."
And yet, even as the duel officially concluded—
The real battle between Lucas and Yelan continued.
With the card effects gone, the intensity of the "fight" showed no signs of slowing down.
Two Hours Later.
Lying on the ground, still in a daze, Yelan was completely spent—
And yet, the lingering pain was the greatest pleasure she had ever felt.
Lucas, meanwhile, casually picked up three Mora Tokens and grinned.
"Since the duel is over," he said, twirling them between his fingers, "I'll be taking these with gratitude."
Biting down on one, he confirmed—
No chocolate coating.
Yep.
Genuine tokens.
Yelan, of course, had no strength left to protest.
Instead, she simply lay there, basking in the afterglow of their duel, unable to pull herself back to reality.
The worst part?
Lucas's dragon hadn't even fully cleared the pipes.
In fact—
The situation had only gotten worse.
Murky "wastewater" continued to flow from the pipes, forming a small puddle on the floor.
Outside the Room…
"Greetings, Young Master Lucas."
Seeing him step out alone, Chu Yi bowed slightly before asking, "Where is Lady Yelan?"
"Oh, her?" Lucas's expression stiffened slightly, before he gave a sheepish laugh.
"Well… the sewer got clogged earlier, so I helped her fix it."
"Right now… she's still inside, cleaning up the mess."
What?
First cleaning duty, and now sewer repairs?
Was the business closed today for maintenance work or something?
"I suppose I should find someone to help," Chu Yi frowned slightly. "These kinds of dirty jobs shouldn't be left to the boss."
"No need," Lucas quickly waved her off.
"I've already finished most of the work. It's just that… the place is a mess right now."
"The wastewater is everywhere… even on her."
"You know Yelan—she's too proud to let anyone see her in such a compromised state, right?"
"...I see."
Chu Yi nodded, then smiled slightly.
"You're very considerate, Young Master Lucas," she said approvingly.
"Still…"
She tilted her head.
"Does that mean you're a sewer repairman?"
Did she actually believe that?
"Well… not exactly," Lucas said awkwardly, scratching his head. "Fixing sewers and all that… let's just say it's a personal hobby."
"There are actually people with that kind of hobby?" Chu Yi chuckled. "Perfect timing, then. The sewer at my place has been acting up lately. If you have time, could you come over and fix it?"
She really wasn't holding back with the requests.
But since Chu Yi wasn't exactly an "outsider" to Lucas, he simply shrugged and grinned. "Sure, no problem. I'm pretty good at clearing pipes."
As she watched Lucas walk away, Chu Yi's lips curled into a knowing smile. She murmured to herself, "I wonder… which 'sewer' he'll be clearing?"
9 PM, Yujing Terrace
Just like after the previous round, the number of contestants had drastically decreased—only about a third remained.
Each participant started with two Mora Tokens, but they needed seven to advance. Naturally, this meant that less than 30% of the contestants would make it through.
Lucas scanned the crowd and, as expected, most of the random nobodies had been eliminated.
Those who remained were all elites—
Xingqiu, second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild.
Chongyun, rising star of an exorcist family.
Beidou, captain of the Crux Fleet.
Hu Tao, eccentric master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
And, of course, Yelan—who had long since collected her tokens and fully recovered from her previous "ordeal."
The moment she spotted Lucas, she approached him directly, showing no hesitation at all.
"You're so cruel," Yelan pouted. "You just left me there and walked away—so heartless."
"What was the point of me staying?" Lucas sighed helplessly. "Besides, I'm the real victim here."
"Victim?" Yelan leaned in close to his ear, her voice sultry. "Someone else is still sore and swollen right now. They're the real victim."
Fair point.
After all, going through something that extreme for the first time was bound to leave some aftereffects.
Looking at Yelan's expression—both pained and oddly satisfied—Lucas realized that for her, "swelling and soreness" might actually be more effective than any "toy" she could use.
"You look like you're enjoying yourself," Lucas smirked. "So, after I left, did you clean up properly?"
"Of course. But not just that…"
Yelan reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, exquisite glass bottle—inside, a white liquid sloshed gently.
Lucas's eyes twitched.
"Wait a second… don't tell me that's—"
"Relax," Yelan giggled, swirling the liquid in the bottle. "90% of it is just regular milk."
"As for the remaining 10%…" Her eyes grew hazy. "That's your milk."
"I mixed them together… so I can sniff it whenever I'm bored."
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Lucas's face turned red. He quickly reached out to snatch the bottle back.
Yelan, of course, wasn't about to give it up that easily—she raised her hand, smirking. "If you can take it from me, I'll give it back."
Without hesitation, Lucas pressed his fingers against an acupuncture point on her waist—immediately, Yelan's body shuddered as her strength weakened.
The glass bottle slipped from her grasp—
Falling.
Lucas's heart clenched.
Oh crap.
If it shattered on the ground, Yujing Terrace would forever bear a "stain" in his name.
But then—
A hand suddenly snatched the bottle mid-air with perfect precision.
Lucas sighed in relief—only to freeze the moment he saw who it was.
"Well, well, well," a familiar black-haired girl in a dark hat grinned, shaking the bottle. "You two sure are… interesting."
"Fighting over a bottle of milk like this?"
The girl was none other than Hu Tao, Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
With a flick of her thumb, she flipped a Mora into the air—
Yelan instinctively caught it.
She blinked. "Why are you paying me…? Wait—DON'T DRINK THAT!"
"Gulp, gulp, gulp—"
Before Yelan could react, Hu Tao had already twisted the cap open—
And downed nearly two-thirds of the bottle.
Lucas gawked in horror.
"Why can't I drink it?" Hu Tao frowned. "Didn't I just pay for it?"
She wiped her mouth and continued, "At my age, I need to drink plenty of milk to grow! Besides, I'm doing you two a favor—you were fighting over this, right?"
"Wouldn't want you two to ruin your friendship, so I solved the problem for you!"
Hu Tao was young, but her sharp tongue could outmaneuver anyone.
Even the usually quick-witted Yelan found herself momentarily speechless.
"You don't think…" Yelan hesitated. "That the taste is… a bit off?"
"Yeah, it's kinda different from normal milk," Hu Tao mused, smacking her lips. "It's got a weirdly sweet, floral taste…"
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"Almost like… osmanthus?"
Then—without hesitation—
She downed the rest of the bottle.
"Eh, whatever! Still tastes good!"
Lucas felt his soul leave his body.
"W-What brand is this?" Hu Tao burped. "I should go buy more next time!"
"Oh, this?" Yelan's signature smirk returned.
"It's not for sale."
"This was a special custom blend…" She gestured toward Lucas.
"Handcrafted by Mr. Lucas himself."
"Whoa, you made it?!" Hu Tao's eyes lit up. She grabbed Lucas's sleeve, grinning.
"Tell me the recipe! I promise, I won't ask for it for free!"
She leaned in and whispered mischievously—
"When you die, I'll even give you a 10% discount on Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services!"
Lucas deadpanned.
"Yeah, no. Family secret recipe. Not for sale."
"Hmph! Stingy!" Hu Tao pouted. "Fine, then at least treat me to a few bottles every now and then!"
Lucas was momentarily stunned, at a loss for words.
Yelan's lips curled into a mischievous smirk. "This special recipe milk is truly something special, Master Hu. Not to brag, but… I used to have a figure just like yours before I started drinking it."
She paused for effect, then added with a sultry wink—
"I've been drinking it since I was little~"
Is this a freaking Coconut Tree Brand Coconut Milk commercial?!
As she spoke, Yelan even struck a pose reminiscent of an advertisement model—her form eerily similar to those used in certain "questionable" product campaigns.
And given her body shape, she was exactly the type those brands would want to feature.
Hu Tao, who had been watching intently, suddenly lit up with excitement.
"R-Really?!"
Despite her usual carefree and mischievous demeanor, as a girl in the prime of her youth, Hu Tao naturally had her own concerns—and her biggest one was…
Whenever she looked down, she could see her own toes.
There was no other way to put it—she was flat as a board.
Not "a little small"—no, it was a total wasteland.
The only slight comfort she ever got was when she saw Qiqi, the little zombie from Bubu Pharmacy, who was just as flat as she was—though that was hardly a competition.
Zhongli had always reassured her with the classic line, "You're still young, you have time to grow"—but after years of no progress, Hu Tao occasionally felt a little anxious.
She didn't expect to develop the devilish curves of Yelan or Ningguang, but she would be content with even a tiny bit of growth—just enough so that she didn't look the same from the front and back.
"Of course," Yelan chuckled, clearly enjoying Hu Tao's reaction. "But the ingredients for this special milk are extremely rare. Getting your hands on it… won't be easy."
Hu Tao turned to Lucas with shining, hopeful eyes.
"Lucas—wait, no—Big Brother Lucas!" She clasped her hands together as stars sparkled in her gaze. "Please let me drink it! Even just once a week—no, once every two weeks! I'll even give you a 50% discount on your funeral services!"
"Gee, thanks!" Lucas groaned in exasperation. "Don't listen to her nonsense! There's no way milk could have that kind of effect!"
"Ahem."
A cold, indifferent cough suddenly echoed behind them.
Lucas turned to see Shenhe, standing right behind them.
Her gaze flickered over Yelan, examining her from head to toe, before she frowned slightly and said:
"Brother-in-law, you seem to be getting along very well with these women."
Brother-in-law?!
There was only one person in the world who would call Lucas that—Shenhe.
Normally, she rarely used that term.
But now—seeing Lucas chatting so happily with two uniquely alluring beauties—something within her stirred, and before she knew it, the word had slipped out of her mouth.
And she had even emphasized it.
Yelan wasn't surprised—she had done her homework on everything related to Ganyu.
Hu Tao, on the other hand, had immediately lost interest in Yelan—her attention was now completely fixated on Shenhe.
If Yelan's figure was something Hu Tao could still imagine reaching one day…
Then Shenhe's was beyond comprehension.
Her waist was just as slender as Hu Tao's, yet her proportions above were on an entirely different plane of existence.
How?!
How could someone so slim still be so unbelievably gifted in that department?!
Was this woman even human?!
At this moment, Hu Tao was faced with a profound revelation—
The differences between people are simply too vast.
"It was just a normal conversation," Lucas quickly clarified. "I take it you've already collected enough tokens?"
"Of course," Shenhe replied confidently. "It was… effortless."
Although she said that, the fact that she had arrived so late suggested that it hadn't been easy at all.
If this were a pure combat trial, there wouldn't be a single human in Liyue who could stand against her.
But with tournament restrictions, things had been more complicated.
Still, thanks to her exceptional martial arts skills, she had managed to adapt—using only equipment and effect cards to enhance her own combat power.
Just then—
Hu Tao suddenly blurted out a question.
"Miss!"
"Have you… also drunk Lucas's milk before?"
Silence.
The abrupt question caught Shenhe off guard, and she tilted her head in mild confusion.
"Lucas's… milk?"
Although she didn't quite understand the context, she still nodded earnestly.
"I drink a little every morning with breakfast," she answered plainly. "But I'm not very fond of thick, creamy drinks."
Since Lucas had been handling all the meals recently, he often served milk during breakfast. Shenhe, not thinking much of it, had simply accepted it as part of their routine.
"A little bit… and it already had this kind of effect?!"
Hu Tao clenched her fists, determined.
"I've made up my mind—I must get Lucas's milk!"
Wait—
"No, not just get it—I must drink it!"
...
"Congratulations, everyone."
At that moment, Ningguang finally stepped onto the stage, smiling gracefully.
"Since you are all here, that means you have successfully collected enough Mora Tokens to advance. In other words, you have all qualified for the next round."
All eyes turned to her.
"The first two rounds tested your economic acumen and strategic thinking," Ningguang continued.
"These are essential qualities for becoming one of the Liyue Qixing, and especially the Tianshu."
"However—those skills alone are not enough."
"The third round… is where the real test begins."
Beidou crossed her arms. "Enough suspense! Just tell us what the next match is and when it starts!"
Ningguang, unbothered, simply smiled.
"The details of the match cannot be disclosed in advance."
"However," she added, "you won't have to wait long. Tomorrow will be a rest day, and the third round will take place the day after. If all goes smoothly, this will be the final round."
The crowd murmured in response.
With around 20 contestants remaining, how could they determine the winner in just one match?
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly.
A rest day suggested that physical endurance wouldn't be a major factor in the next trial.
And since the Tianshu Election didn't prioritize combat ability, the final test likely had nothing to do with fighting.
So then…
What exactly would it be?
"One more thing, Lady Ningguang," Yelan suddenly spoke up, holding up her deck of Seven Saints Summoning cards with a smirk.
"What are you planning to do with these cards after the tournament?"
After all, some of them were extremely valuable collector's items—some even worth more than the tournament's official prize exchange rate.
"These cards?" Ningguang nodded. "Every one of you has put in tremendous effort to participate in the Tianshu Election, yet in the end, only one winner can emerge. So, these cards will serve as commemorative items for your participation. You may keep them or trade them as you see fit."
Of course, calling them "commemorative items" was just a polite way to put it.
After all, those qualified to compete in the Tianshu Election were not ordinary individuals. Even if they weren't high-ranking officials, they were still rare talents.
It wouldn't be fair to let them walk away empty-handed after investing so much time and effort.
Given Ningguang's immense wealth, she could have simply handed out Mora, but that would have been too crude. Instead, giving out the cards served as a subtle form of compensation—
Whether they chose to keep them as memorabilia or sell them for profit, at least they wouldn't feel like their participation had been for nothing.
"However," Ningguang continued, "we do ask that you return the Seven Saints Discs. These are still prototype devices and require further calibration."
As expected…
While the cards held some value, the Seven Saints Discs were far more precious—practically cutting-edge technology.
Liyue had always been known for commerce, not technological innovation. But the mere fact that the Qixing's research division had managed to create something as sophisticated as the Seven Saints Discs showed that they had been making significant advancements in secret.
With no other choice, the contestants reluctantly turned in their discs.
When it was Lucas's turn, however, he hesitated before speaking:
"Lady Ningguang, I… accidentally left my Seven Saints Disc at home when I returned earlier. Would it be alright if I returned it during the next round?"
"Of course," Ningguang responded smoothly, lowering her voice slightly. "Honestly, if you really want to keep one, I could give you one myself. However… this device contains Liyue's confidential research, so…"
"I understand," Lucas nodded. "I'll make sure to return it intact in two days."
Given Lucas's close ties to Ganyu, Ningguang wasn't concerned about him leaking any secrets.
Besides, even if he did have ulterior motives, it was virtually impossible to uncover the disc's full technology in just two days.
....
"Let's go, Brother-in-law."
A hand landed on Lucas's shoulder as Shenhe spoke.
"Sister Ganyu must have been waiting for us for a while now."
Lucas squinted at her.
"What's with you today?" he asked. "You've been calling me 'Brother-in-law' nonstop. Since when were we this close?"
Shenhe's ears turned slightly red as she snorted lightly.
"I'll call you whatever I want," she muttered. "You don't get to decide that."
"Call me whatever you want," Lucas sighed, scratching his head. "But I have something to take care of first. You go ahead—I'll be home later. Just let Ganyu know."
Shenhe's gaze sharpened as she narrowed her crimson eyes at him.
"You're not… planning to sneak off and meet another woman, are you?"
Lucas cleared his throat.
"It's official business," he replied casually. "Be good, and I'll make noodles for you tomorrow."
Shenhe froze.
Her face turned bright red.
"W-Who wants to eat your noodles?!"
Lucas blinked.
"I'm talking about actual noodles," he said, exasperated. "You literally said you love my cooking the other day."
Shenhe's blush deepened.
"You—!" She glared at him, then turned away, crossing her arms.
"Fine," she muttered. "Just don't… keep my sister waiting too long."
"I won't," Lucas waved a hand before turning away, quickly disappearing into the night.
"...Actually…"
Shenhe bit her lip.
"…eating your noodles might not be so bad."
....
Lucas moved swiftly through the dimly lit alleys, his movements silent as a cat.
Thanks to his past simulator experiences in Liyue, his familiarity with the city's layout was nearly on par with Ganyu or Madame Ping.
"This spot should do."
Lucas extended his hand, summoning a delicate, translucent teapot into his palm.
"Serenitea Pot—enter!"
With a flash of light, the alley fell silent once more.
When Lucas opened his eyes, he was no longer in Liyue—
Instead, he stood in the middle of a bustling town.
While it wasn't as large as the capitals of the Seven Nations, it was still impressive in scale.
And yet—
Not long ago, this place had been nothing but barren land.
"ROAR!"
Two massive dragons soared through the sky—
One silver, one green.
The Blue-Eyes White Dragon and the Wind Dragon, Dvalin.
However, the townspeople paid them no mind, going about their daily lives as if they had long grown used to such sights.
Walking the streets, Lucas saw not only humans but also various other beings—
Beastfolk, elves, dwarves…
Even creatures that didn't exist in Teyvat could be found wandering around.
Where had they all come from?
Lucas frowned slightly.
In theory, the Serenitea Pot should have been completely inaccessible to outsiders.
No one should have been able to enter without his permission.
"Stop guessing."
A cold, mechanical voice came from behind him.
"These are all puppets."
Lucas turned to see a purple-haired woman standing behind him.
She bowed slightly.
"It has been a while, Master."
Raiden Mai.
The artificial puppet crafted specifically for Lucas's use.
Of all the beings within this world, she alone remained unchanged.
"It has been a while indeed," Lucas replied.
"But tell me—what exactly happened here? Where did all these 'puppets' come from?"
"That woman said this world was 'too boring,'" Raiden Mai replied. "So she commissioned me to create a batch of puppets."
She gestured toward a statue in the distance.
"And I must admit, she is rather impressive," she continued. "She even managed to give them unique personalities. Over time… this place simply became what it is now."
Lucas followed her gaze to the statue.
The carved figure stood tall, overlooking the town.
And when Lucas got a good look at it—
His expression froze.
The statue was of…
Prinzessin der Verurteilung—Fischl.
Indeed, seated upon the throne was none other than Prinzessin der Verurteilung, Fischl, with her loyal familiar, Oz, standing at her side.
The statue depicted her with exquisite features, an imperious gaze, and an aura of absolute sovereignty—a true empress.
But the most outrageous part…
Kneeling before the throne, clad in full armor, was a knight—
And judging by the face of the statue…
It was Lucas himself!
"Alright, what the hell is this?!" Lucas groaned, exasperated. "Why does it look like I'm swearing fealty to her?! Does no one here understand who's actually in charge?!"
Without question, this entire domain was Lucas's.
And yet, Fischl had somehow claimed sovereignty first.
"Prinzessin der Verurteilung is merely indulging in a childish fantasy," Raiden Mai remarked indifferently. "Besides, if she is the queen here, then you are the god of this world. There's no need to compare yourself to her."
"Mai… hold on." Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Did you just… comfort me?"
Being comforted wasn't a big deal on its own—
But considering that Raiden Mai was just a puppet, the fact that she could express emotional support was unexpected.
"This… is merely a programmed response," Raiden Mai quickly averted her gaze. "Now then, why have you come here this time?"
Lucas rubbed the back of his head, feeling a little guilty.
Every time he returned to the Serenitea Pot, it was usually to ask for a favor.
And Raiden Mai, much like Doraemon to Nobita, had always been there to help him unconditionally.
"Alright, I'll get straight to the point."
Lucas pulled out a glove-like device and held it up.
"Can you analyze and replicate this?"
It was none other than the Seven Saints Disc—the device used in the Tianshu Election to materialize cards into reality.
For the first time in a long while, Raiden Mai's usually expressionless face showed a flicker of curiosity.
Taking the disc from Lucas, she instinctively activated it without any guidance.
Immediately, a virtual battlefield appeared around them.
"I see," she murmured thoughtfully. "A unique spatial structure with an activation trigger. What serves as the medium for activation?"
Lucas wasn't entirely sure what she meant, but he handed her a deck of cards and said, "Probably this."
"Give me two days," Raiden Mai said confidently. "I should be able to decode its mechanics."
Her voice remained as cold as ever, but there was a hint of excitement in her tone.
"Every time I start to feel bored, you somehow bring me something new and intriguing," she remarked.
For her, this kind of work was more than just a task—it was a form of entertainment.
"By the way, this is for you."
Lucas suddenly pulled out a small ornate box and handed it to her.
"I saw this at a jewelry store earlier," he admitted, a bit awkwardly. "Thought it might suit you. No idea if you'll like it, but… here."
Raiden Mai silently opened the box.
Inside lay a cherry blossom-shaped hairpin.
"A flower from Inazuma…"
She gazed at it for a moment, then reached up and clipped it into her hair.
"Even in Inazuma," she murmured, "I rarely had the chance to see sakura blossoms…"
For the first time in ages, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"I really like i-i-i-i-i-i-i-it—"
Suddenly—
Her voice glitched, repeating the same syllable over and over.
Her movements stiffened, and an obvious red flush spread across her normally pale cheeks.
"Mai?! What's wrong?!"
Lucas's eyes widened in alarm.
"Did you just… malfunction?!"
"Emotional parameters have exceeded safe thresholds," Raiden Mai mumbled, her body twitching slightly.
"Take… take me to the lab. Now!"
Lucas had never seen her panic like this before.
Without hesitation, he whistled sharply—
In the sky, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Dvalin immediately descended at lightning speed.
"Master?" Dvalin's eyes gleamed in surprise as he caught sight of Raiden Mai in Lucas's arms.
"Mai? What happened to her?!"
"I don't know! She might have crashed!" Lucas said urgently.
"Take us to the lab—NOW!"
"Understood!"
Dvalin spread his wings, and in the blink of an eye, they had reached their destination.
Inside the laboratory, Lucas carefully laid Raiden Mai on the workbench.
His face was full of concern as he asked, "Where exactly is the problem? What can I do?!"
Raiden Mai's face remained flushed, and her breathing was labored—as if some component inside her had overheated.
"For a puppet system…" she murmured, "Emotions are akin to a virus."
"If a puppet's system detects excessive emotional fluctuations, it will initiate auto-deletion to prevent the spread of corruption…"
Lucas's heart sank.
Excessive emotional fluctuations?
Was this because of the hairpin he gave her?
"There's got to be a way to fix this!" Lucas gripped her hand tightly.
"Tell me what I need to do—I'll do whatever it takes!"
"There is… one emergency measure," Raiden Mai admitted.
"And… you are the only one who can do it."
"Really?!" Lucas's eyes lit up. "Tell me! What do I have to do?!"
"Every puppet has a built-in system reset switch," she explained.
"If you activate it, the system will reboot, and I will be restored to normal."
"But…"
She hesitated.
"It will erase my memories, including any… emotional data."
Lucas's expression darkened.
"So you're saying… you'd forget everything we've been through?"
"That's correct," she nodded.
"But my functions will remain intact," she assured him. "I can still serve as your tool."
Lucas shook his head.
"No. I've never seen you as a tool."
"Is there any way to reset you while keeping your memories intact?"
Raiden Mai was silent for a long moment.
"…There might be one possibility," she finally admitted.
"If the reset switch is rapidly activated and deactivated within a short timeframe, it may bypass the memory wipe protocol."
Lucas let out a relieved sigh.
"That's it? That's all I have to do?"
"…Yes," she nodded hesitantly.
"But, the switch's location—"
Lucas suddenly got a bad feeling.
He narrowed his eyes.
"…It wouldn't happen to be that place, would it?"
The last time Lucas had examined her core, he had discovered that the system interface was linked to—
A very specific pair of buttons.
"Since it's a hidden reset switch, it must be located somewhere that isn't easily triggered," Raiden Mai murmured. "The reset switch… is… lo…ca…ted…"
"Hey, don't glitch out now!" Lucas panicked. "A place that isn't easily triggered? Where the hell is that?!"
Raiden Mai had a point—if it were a reset switch, it couldn't be placed anywhere too accessible, just like how the nuclear launch button of a certain Western nation's president wouldn't be left out in the open.
In theory, anywhere on the surface of the body could be accidentally touched, so…
A realization struck Lucas.
"Wait… could it be… the switch isn't on the outside, but inside?"
Damn, I'm a genius!
Raiden Mai's glitching body trembled slightly, but she still managed to nod in confirmation.
"So, which 'inside' are we talking about?" Lucas continued. "Mouth? Ears? Nostrils? Or…"
"Szzzt… szzzt…" Raiden Mai's voice stuttered, her circuits barely functioning.
"Cerv… cerv… cerv… cervix…"
…THAT DEEP?!
Who the hell puts a reset switch in a place like that?!
How are you supposed to reach it?!
Lucas took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm.
"Alright, so all I have to do is trigger the switch as quickly as possible, right?"
Raiden Mai weakly nodded.
"Ple… please… don't let me forget you."
"You won't forget me," Lucas gritted his teeth.
"I'll bring you back, no matter what!"
Now, what could he use to activate the switch?
Metal rods? No good—too hard and might damage internal components.
Other objects? Either too short or too soft to reach deep enough.
Which meant—
There was only one viable option left.
Lucas's own built-in tool.
Organic material? ✅
Flexible but firm enough? ✅
Correct length? ✅
If Raiden Mai's internal structure was similar to a normal human's, this should work.
Lucas took a deep breath.
"Alright," he placed his hands on her shoulders, his face slightly flushed.
"This is… for your sake."
But—
Raiden Mai suddenly shook her head.
"No… not that way…" she murmured.
Lucas blinked.
"What?!"
"I mean…" she continued weakly.
"Not from the front… the back would be easier…"
…She's still giving practical advice at a time like this?!
But to be fair—
Even in her malfunctioning state, Raiden Mai was still capable of rational thinking.
Lucas sighed.
"Fine," he muttered, flipping her over.
"Then I'll… begin."
Lucas moved to start, but quickly realized something—
This wasn't as simple as he had assumed.
Although Raiden Mai's body structure was perfectly designed, there was one crucial difference from humans.
No natural lubrication.
…Of course.
How could a machine be expected to self-lubricate?
If he forced entry in this dry state, it could cause serious damage to her internal mechanisms.
"This won't work," Raiden Mai managed to murmur, her body trembling.
"Get… get some oil."
Lucas hesitated.
"Are you sure it has to be machine oil?"
The words left his mouth before he could stop himself.
And instantly, he regretted it.
---
Author's Note: Sorry for the missing chapter guys, there was actually 4 missing chapters in between, china really hates even a bit of smut, welp I managed to get the 3 chapters somehow but could not find the last one at all
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