'Time is running out... Your Majesty, the Ice Queen, your devoted subordinate leaves his homeland, wishing only to clear all obstacles for you.'
The Fatui's Debt Collector, facing the flickering purple-haired girl before him, prepared for one last gamble.
The purple-haired girl's movements were too agile, refusing to engage him head-on, which enraged him.
He might die, but not for nothing!
The purple-haired girl maintained distance, rendering his life-force-fueled combat prowess a joke.
It would likely be less than a minute before his life force was depleted, leading to a death of regret.
With a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes, the Debt Collector seized an opportunity and charged towards the purple-haired girl.
As he anticipated, the purple-haired girl used a chopping move, attempting to leverage her way back. However, he would not allow her to succeed this time.
The Debt Collector immediately discarded his weapon, letting the purple girl's long sword cleave into him, while his right hand tightly gripped her sword-wielding wrist.
From his embrace, he produced a button device and pressed it without hesitation.
*Swish~*
A massive bolt shot from afar, piercing both their bodies and embedding itself in the ground.
'This is a contingency set by the Tsaritsa, with the button device as a positioning benchmark. Its power is enough to pierce a large wild boar...'
'And it's a Liyue forbidden weapon. Isn't it ironic to die by it?'
The Debt Collector glanced at the purple-haired girl, whose abdomen was pierced, and a relieved smile spread across his face.
'It's a pity... I can no longer serve Your Majesty, the Ice Queen...'
His life force extinguished, the Debt Collector slowly closed his eyes.
"Damn it! How could this happen?!"
Keqing tried to pull the bolt from her abdomen, but pinned to the ground, she couldn't muster any strength. The searing pain from the wound made her break out in a cold sweat.
She hadn't expected him to be so ruthless towards her...
The battle wasn't over yet; she couldn't fall here!
The massive bolt was lodged diagonally in the ground. Keqing attempted to rise, to break free from the bolt's restraint, disregarding the gushing blood from her wound.
"For Her Majesty, the Ice Queen!"
A roar echoed in Keqing's ears. She turned to see a Anemo Boxer Vanguard launching an attack at her.
If she took a heavy blow to the head from this punch, she might truly be done for.
Keqing could feel the gust of wind pressure generated by the Anemo Boxer Vanguard's fist.
She didn't want to die, not yet!
If only Feng Yi could rush to her rescue, but she had lured the enemies away herself to cover Feng Yi's collection of explosive barrels...
Was fate predetermined, a give and take?
She had chosen the wrong path!
Keqing closed her eyes. At this point, regret was meaningless.
*Thwack~*
A dull thud of a palm strike sounded next to Keqing's ear. The attack she expected hadn't come.
Opening her eyes, she saw that it was Feng Yi who had caught the attack.
Wasn't he collecting explosive barrels?
How could he have arrived so quickly?!
That person even had the audacity to wink playfully at her!
"Friend, I'm saving someone. Any objections?!"
Feng Yi held the Anemo Boxer Vanguard's fist in one hand, which struggled in vain, unable to break free.
Was the strength of the Great Bear a joke to you?
The Anemo Boxer Vanguard chose to ignore you and swung another fist!
*Thwack~*
Feng Yi caught the Anemo Boxer Vanguard's attack again. Only then did he realize that he seemed to be no match for this man.
Anemo Boxer Vanguard: I admit I was a bit impulsive just now...
"Since communication is impossible, I'll take that as your consent!"
Feng Yi counter-kicked the Anemo Boxer Vanguard in the chest, and the sound of cracking bone seemed to echo.
The Anemo Boxer Vanguard sailed through the air in a graceful arc, coincidentally knocking down an Electro Cicin Mage Vanguard who was rushing to catch up with Feng Yi.
"Feng Yi, weren't you collecting explosive barrels? How did you get here so quickly?"
Keqing stared blankly at the man who had saved her, unable to comprehend how Feng Yi had arrived.
Feng Yi: Shouldn't you be touched right now?
I saved you, and you're concerned about how I got here?
How should I put it, rationality has slapped away sentimentality! Keqing, you truly live up to your name!
"I've been paying attention to the situation here. When I realized something was wrong, I rushed over. I didn't expect to be a step too late!"
Feng Yi pulled out the bolt lodged in the ground. Hanging from it were Keqing and the withered Debt Collector.
Feng Yi tore the Debt Collector off and discarded him like trash, then gently placed Keqing on the ground.
Seeing Keqing attempt to pull out the bolt, Feng Yi quickly stopped her.
Feng Yi: You can't just pull this out!
Without any hemostatic equipment, Keqing's rash act of pulling out the bolt would directly lead to death from blood loss.
"Keqing, you know the consequences, right?!"
Feng Yi couldn't believe she lacked even this common sense.
"But... it's hindering my movement so much. The battle isn't over yet!"
Keqing shook her head and said, with this bolt stuck to her, her movement was severely restricted, let alone fighting.
"What time is it? Still thinking about fighting? I'm taking you to see a doctor!"
Feng Yi, without further ado, scooped up Keqing and, ignoring her struggles, ran down the mountain.
He hoped Baizhu's medical skills wouldn't disappoint him.
On the way, they encountered Millelith soldiers who were rushing over. He informed them to clean up the battlefield.
Those Fatui members had ingested the Foul Legacy's essence. By the time the Millelith arrived, few, if any, would remain standing.
"Feng Yi..."
"Hm?"
"I'm so sleepy... I want to sleep for a bit..."
Keqing suddenly felt very cold and curled up against Feng Yi's chest, seeking warmth.
"Keqing, stay awake, don't sleep! Or else... or else I'll kiss you!"
Feng Yi threatened. Keqing's hypothermia was due to excessive blood loss.
Keqing felt sleepy because the adrenaline from combat had subsided, and her willpower had relaxed.
If Keqing were to fall unconscious now, Feng Yi couldn't be sure if she would wake up. Therefore, they had to at least reach Bubu Pharmacy.
"Cough cough... Feng Yi, you're such a joker. Please, just let me rest for a little while, just a little!"
Keqing's face grew progressively paler. She was overwhelmingly sleepy and just wanted to close her eyes for a bit.
"Pardon me!"
"*Sob sob~*"
Keqing, who was dozing off, suddenly felt an intrusion in her mouth. Her eyes widened instantly.
Stimulated by hormones, Keqing's sleepiness vanished instantly. She shut her eyes tightly, too shy to open them.
The plan succeeded. Feng Yi retracted his tongue, a glistening thread of saliva connecting the corners of Keqing's mouth.
This was a last resort. Feng Yi quickly apologized.
Keqing's mind was a blank slate, and she couldn't even hear Feng Yi's apology. She responded with a few inarticulate hums.
Keqing's face flushed with an unhealthy redness, and she dazedly gazed up at Feng Yi's chin.
Regaining her senses, Keqing, a mix of shame and anger, pinched Feng Yi's waist hard with her small hands, punishing him.