Genshin Impact: The Sharpshooter of Teyvat

Chapter 1204 The Plan to Poison Ningguang

The third day after the celebration banquet ended.

Over the past three days, Keqing and Barbara have been working separately according to their assigned tasks.

Keqing contacts officials within the department who are dissatisfied with Ningguang, while Barbara, armed with her "hairpin," visits merchants and hidden intellectuals according to the list in the document.

However, the result far exceeded everyone's expectations; the communication effect could only be described as "terrible".

Keqing, Barbara, and even Zhongli, who was strategizing behind the scenes, all underestimated the consequences of Ningguang using Shao Yun's reputation.

The information he compiled himself was still outdated.

Throughout Liyue, 70% of the merchants are affiliated with Ningguang, while 20% are nominally independent and rely on Ningguang for their livelihood.

The remaining 10% are either foreign merchants or small, insignificant vendors.

Ningguang is no longer just "Tianquan Star," but has become the true "Queen" of Liyue.

A single word from her can determine the life or death of a business; a single decision she makes can alter the course of Liyue's business.

At this moment, her popularity is in no way inferior to Morax, the Rock God from the era of Sage Mode.

Looking at the latest intelligence, Zhongli had to admit that Ningguang was indeed a rare talent.

He rose from an ordinary person to his current position, and his ability to rule is something even he can't help but marvel at.

"This golden phoenix truly has the ability to soar through the heavens," Zhongli said regretfully. "What a pity, why did you insist on standing with Shao Yun?"

The current predicament is obvious. Ningguang is deeply rooted and her influence has already permeated every aspect of Liyue. Keqing and Barbara alone cannot shake her.

As the "dead" Geo Archon, he cannot allow the Sage to openly interfere with human rule over Liyue.

Zhongli remained silent for a long time. Since neither soft nor hard methods worked, he had no choice but to resort to some 'special means'.

Although poisoning is dishonorable, Zhongli was never a merciful god.

When it's time to be ruthless, you have to be ruthless!

……

At Zhongli's behest, Barbara, acting as a double agent, found Keqing with poison and prepared to reveal her plan to poison Ningguang.

Barbara pushed open the door to Keqing's rented room and saw Keqing slumped over the table, her fingers unconsciously poking at the names on the list.

She coughed lightly, interrupting Ke Qing's thoughts, and said somewhat awkwardly, "Miss Ke Qing, there's something I need to tell you."

Ke Qing looked up and saw the porcelain bottle that Barbara was clutching in her hand, and her heart tightened for no reason.

"What's wrong? What is this?"

Barbara walked to the table and gently placed the porcelain bottle on it. The bottom of the bottle made a soft sound as it hit the table, which seemed particularly loud in the quiet room.

She avoided Ke Qing's gaze and simply uttered a single word.

"poison……"

"Poison?" Upon hearing this word, Ke Qing abruptly stood up from her chair, taking two steps back to the side, completely stunned.

Keqing isn't stupid; she knows the poison must have been given to Ningguang. How can this be allowed!

"You don't mean... you're going to poison Ningguang? How can that be! We're here to change the current situation in Liyue, not to do such underhanded things!"

Barbara looked at Keqing's excited expression and felt helpless. She was just a messenger.

“Miss Keqing, I know this is wrong, but think about it, after these few days of visits, we can count on one hand the number of people who are truly willing to stand on our side.”

"Moreover, the more people we come into contact with, the greater the risk of exposure."

"Perhaps Ningguang has already sent people to follow us. Are you willing to bet on that? Bet that Ningguang won't strike at us first?"

Ke Qing crossed her arms over her chest, her conscience screaming at her that she couldn't do this.

Even if Ningguang is dictatorial, using poison to deal with her not only crosses the line of morality, but also goes against her original intention as the star of Yuheng.

One should be upright and honest!

"But poisoning is still... still too much of a gamble! We can think of other ways, no matter how difficult, we can't use this method!"

Barbara felt a mix of emotions as she looked at Keqing's persistence.

But the debt of gratitude she owed Zhongli left her with no right to refuse.

She could only harden her heart and continue to persuade him: "Then what do you want to do? Just watch Ningguang continue to grow bigger and stronger?"

As she spoke, Barbara deliberately put on an indifferent expression and shrugged.

"I don't care. I'm from Mondstadt. If you give up, I'll just go back to Mondstadt. What happens to Liyue is none of my business. But what about you, Keqing? Can you give up?"

She stared into Keqing's eyes and said, word by word, "If you don't take a gamble now, Liyue's future is truly doomed!"

Ke Qing looked at the porcelain vase on the table, still somewhat hesitant.

"But poisoning... that's a really dishonest way to win!"

Seeing Keqing struggling in pain, Barbara knew that as Zhongli's "white glove," she had done all she could.

After conveying the plan, analyzing the pros and cons, and applying pressure and persuasion, the rest can only be left to Keqing to decide.

She said no more, but simply reached out, picked up the porcelain vase on the table, and handed it to Ke Qing.

"Now, it all depends on your resolve. Is the future of Liyue more important, or... is your bottom line more important?"

Barbara didn't finish her sentence; she looked at Keqing quietly, waiting for the final answer.

Keqing looked at the porcelain bottle Barbara handed her and said with a hint of despair:

"Poisoning Ningguang... Whether I succeed or not, I will be nailed to the pillar of shame in Liyue's history! How will future generations judge me?"

Upon hearing this, Barbara recalled the words Zhongli had taught her beforehand and subconsciously repeated them.

"Right and wrong, success and failure, will be judged by future generations. Liyue no longer has time for you to dwell on these things. The future of Liyue rests on your decision."

These words completely shattered Ke Qing's defenses.

Ke Qing looked at the small white porcelain bottle that Barbara handed her, and she was on the verge of collapse.

She never imagined that she would end up poisoning Ningguang and killing her.

At this moment, Keqing thought of how good Ningguang had been to her.

But all these "good" things ultimately become insignificant in the face of Liyue's future.

Ke Qing abruptly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, the hesitation and pain in her eyes had been replaced by a resolute determination.

For Liyue's sake, she had no choice but to "be ungrateful".

"OK……"

Ke Qing slowly reached out her hand, her fingertips trembling as she touched the cold porcelain bottle, gently took it, and held it tightly in her palm.

The moment Keqing received the poison, fate began to race down a crazy path.

No one knows what kind of backlash this seemingly "for Liyue" choice will ultimately trigger, or what kind of abyss it will drag everyone into.

……

Liyue Harbor at night.

Keqing ascended the Jade Pavilion, carrying a poisoned tea bag, preparing to carry out her plan to poison Ningguang.

She took a deep breath, suppressed the unease surging in her heart, and walked towards the entrance of Qunyu Pavilion.

"Lord Yuheng Star?" Qianyan Army, who was standing guard at the door, was full of surprise when he saw Keqing visiting late at night.

They exchanged a glance, clearly not expecting there to be work to do at this time.

One of the Thousand Rock Army soldiers stepped forward and, as was customary, respectfully greeted, "Lord Yuheng Star, what brings you to the Jade Pavilion so late?"

Ke Qing's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to calm down and not reveal any weakness at this moment.

But the die was cast, and she had no choice but to proceed. She raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "I came to discuss state affairs with Ningguang. What? Can't I see her at this hour?"

Upon approaching to inquire, Qianyan Jun, seeing the aura emanating from Keqing, inwardly cursed himself for meddling, then turned aside and apologized:

"No, that's not it. I was just asking casually and didn't mean to question you. I just didn't expect you to still have work to report on so late. You must be very tired."

As he spoke, he gave his companion a wink, and the two of them stepped aside to let Keqing in.

After all, even a child with a little sense knows that Keqing and Ningguang, though they may have occasional disagreements, are ultimately doing it all for Liyue. Who would have thought that this usually upright and incorruptible Yuheng Star would harbor thoughts of poisoning her colleague?

The soldiers of Qianyan had no doubts as they watched Keqing walk into the gate of Qunyu Pavilion and return to their posts. They could only sigh inwardly, "Qixing is really hard-working, having to work overtime late into the night."

Meanwhile, in Ningguang's master bedroom, she was standing in front of the dressing table, preparing to take off her cheongsam.

She was just about to pick up the silk nightgown beside her and put it on when she heard a servant outside the door report that Keqing had arrived.

(Hint: Ningguang's secretary, Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao are currently handling the accounts for the distribution of profits after the temple fair at Yuehaiting.)

Ningguang was very curious as to why Keqing would come to find her so late at night.

However, since they were colleagues, Ningguang eventually changed back into her usual cheongsam and met Keqing in her room.

But then he thought about it again, and realized that the two of them had been colleagues for many years, so he didn't think of anything strange.

She shook her head, putting aside her distracting thoughts. Regardless of Ke Qing's purpose for this trip, as a member of the Tianquan Star, she should maintain the proper decorum.

A few minutes later, Ningguang straightened her clothes, checked herself in the mirror to make sure she was dressed properly, and then instructed her servants to have Keqing come to her room to see her.

Ke Qing pushed open the door and saw Ning Guang sitting on the bed, her posture elegant and her face bearing a calm smile.

"Keqing, it's been several days." Ningguang spoke first, saying intimately, "What's going on tonight? Why did you suddenly come to visit me?"

Ke Qing remained expressionless, simply taking out the poisoned tea bag and saying, "I managed to get my hands on some good tea leaves a few days ago, and since you enjoy tea, I came here specifically to invite you to taste them."

"Tea?"

Ningguang isn't some nouveau riche who only thinks about money. In Liyue's social etiquette, "serving tea" carries the meaning of apology and seeking reconciliation.

Ke Qing is bringing tea so late at night, could it be...?

Before Ningguang could think it through, Keqing's voice rang out again.

"I've thought about it carefully these past few days, and I realize that what I said at the celebration banquet that day was a bit excessive, and my tone was too harsh."

"I came here today specifically to ask for your forgiveness for my rudeness."

These words completely confirmed Ningguang's guess; it really was "offering tea as an apology"!

She found it somewhat amusing to look at Ke Qing's slightly bowed head.

"Keqing, I understand your good intentions. What happened at the victory celebration banquet wasn't a big deal, and I didn't take it to heart."

As she spoke, she waved her hand, indicating that Ke Qing didn't need to take it so seriously.

"But there's no need to drink this tea; I appreciate the thought."

"At the celebration banquet a few days ago, it was ultimately my fault for not considering your feelings and embarrassing you in front of everyone. I should apologize to you, shouldn't I?"