Chapter 57: Kamen rider Childe and Keqing investigation
"Alright, Mr. Owner, I understand," she said.
"By the way, since you're here today, I just have one thing to tell you."
"Oh? Mr. Owner, may I ask what it is?"
"Do you know Qiqi from Bubu pharmacy?"
"Qiqi? I've met her a few times, but I'm not very familiar with her. Plus, it seems like Qiqi has a poor memory." Keqing knew a bit about Qiqi's past.
She was deeply saddened by the child's ordeal.
"Actually, have you ever considered that Qiqi might be a collateral descendant of your ancestors?"
"A collateral descendant of my ancestors???" Keqing was stunned by Takarou's words.
"Qiqi uses the Yun Gu sword style, while you use the Yun sword style."
"Qiqi got into trouble for intruding in the demon god war. The adepti felt guilty about the child's unwarranted disaster, so he helped Qiqi."
"Although Qiqi was saved, she lost her human-like appearance."
"You could go back and look into it, see if your ancestors left any clues about Qiqi."
"If that's the case, I hope you can bring Qiqi back from Bubu pharmacy." Upon hearing the term Yun Gu sword style, Keqing's heart skipped a beat.
Because her ancestors indeed used the ancient Yun Gu sword style. But for some reasons, the ancient Yun Gu sword style turned into the Yun sword style. If Mr. Owner's words were true, then Qiqi was indeed from her ancestral line.
If this were indeed the case, Keqing wouldn't allow Qiqi to stay at the Bubu pharmacy. At least she would bring her back and take good care of her.
After all, Qiqi was from their ancestral line. If the family knew that someone from their ancestral line was still alive, they would certainly be very happy! With this thought, Keqing turned to Takarou.
"Mr. Owner, when I return, I'll immediately investigate this matter. If Qiqi really is from our ancestral line, I'll certainly bring her home."
Though Bubu pharmacy owner, Baizhu, had taken in Qiqi, he did so for his own research. Of course, Takarou wouldn't tell Keqing this. But he disliked Baizhu's research on Qiqi.
"Alright, I understand."
"Mr. Owner, I'll take my leave for now."
"If the result of this investigation turns out to be as you say, I will come to thank you again, Mr. Owner."
"No problem, don't worry about it." Keqing left with Dragon Air.
"Noelle, watch the shop for a bit, I'm going upstairs." After saying this to Noelle, Takarou headed upstairs.
As soon as Takarou entered his bedroom, the system voice rang out.
"Congratulations, host, task completed, reward obtained: Jackie Chan Adventures comic book, and Kamen Rider Revice comic book."
If he was thrilled about the first comic book, Takarou was somewhat baffled by the second one. After all, the Kamen Rider Revice comic book had a lot of noise, especially during the dubbing.
The transformation effect at that time was laughable, he remembered. Once the official side found out, they quickly changed the dubbing. Takarou wondered if anyone who got the transformation device of Joan of Arc in Kamen Rider Revice would have such an effect when they transformed.
"Congratulations, host, you have acquired the secret manual, 'All Swords Return to the Sect.'"
"Really? 'All Swords Return to the Sect'?" Upon hearing the system's reward, Takarou was a bit startled.
You must know that 'All Swords Return to the Sect' is a martial arts technique from the wuxia comic "Storm Riders" and is also performed in "The Chronicles of the Black Panther". It is the signature skill of the "Sword Sect", passed only to the strongest disciple of each generation.
'All Swords Return to the Sect' is a supreme manual desired by countless swordsmen, it's unfathomably profound. Since the manual's appearance, only a few have mastered it. It was created by the unnamed ancestor, Sword Master, both Nameless and Tathagata are proficient in this move.
'All Swords Return to the Sect' represents the highest realm of swordsmanship. Once unleashed, all swords will bow down like servants seeing their master, as if they are worshiping a supreme deity. With each use, fierce sword aura emanates from the body, turning the user into a wisp of green smoke, with aura scattering all around. Countless sharp swords whirl around like a storm.
Swords dance across the sky, the sword aura is like a net, fierce and unrivalled, a wonder to behold. It can also manipulate thousands of swords to launch attacks.
Nameless derived "Sword Blood Floats Life" from it.
Nameless's uncle, Sword Emperor, modified it into: All Swords Return to One.
He did not expect that he could acquire this. But thinking about it, even Tears of the Void can be obtained, getting 'All Swords Return to the Sect' is also quite normal.
However, he seems to lack a single-handed sword... If he had a single-handed sword, then maybe he could become a swordsman. Speaking of swordsmen.
Most people who used to read wuxia novels have a wuxia dream. Takarou still remembers that when he was a child, he made a wooden sword and carried it on his back, thinking he was very cool.
Now thinking about it, his childhood self was indeed quite amusing. But as a man... We are all young till death. Moreover, the 'All Swords Return to the Sect' rewarded by the system doesn't require Takarou to learn it. It's already mastered.
One could say, he can use it whenever he wants. Takarou took the two comic books, "Kamen Rider Revice" and "Jackie Chan Adventures", downstairs and put them on the bookshelf.
Noelle, watching as the boss put two new comic books, asked curiously,
"Boss, what are these two comic books about?"
"This one is about using a tool to transform, while the other one uses talismans from the comic, each with different effects." Takarou explained briefly to Noelle.
After hearing what the boss said, Noelle nodded. Just as Takarou was explaining to Noelle, Childe, suddenly appeared at the New Century Comic Shop.
"Haha, is this the New Century Comic Shop?"
"Oh, the Fatui Childe, Tartaglia, what brings you here?" Seeing Tartaglia's arrival, Takarou couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"The Fatui!" Upon seeing Tartaglia, Noelle wanted to grab her weapon.
However, she immediately stopped, because her sword wasn't on her, but upstairs in her room.
"Haha, friends, no need to be so tense. I know our Harbingers have a bad reputation, but I'm just here to look at comics." Seeing Noelle's face, Tartaglia quickly waved his hands.
"Boss, you wouldn't refuse my business just because I'm one of the Fatui, would you?"
"Noelle, don't be nervous. Since Tartaglia is here to read comics, our New Century Comic Shop should naturally welcome him."
_____
"Speaking of today's New Century Comic Shop, there are two new comics just in, Tartaglia, would you like to take a look?"
"New comics?" Upon hearing Takarou's words, Tartaglia became somewhat curious about the new comics.
Recently, he had the Fatui investigate and found that many people had come to the New Century Comic Shop to read comics. Not only Ningguang, Ganyu, Klee, even the Traveler and Zhongli had come to read comics. And now, his plan was nearing completion.
Once the plan was completed, he would definitely have to leave Liyue. After all, if he doesn't leave Liyue at that time, it's likely that Liyue wouldn't be able to accommodate him and the Fatui.
So, taking advantage of the impending departure from Liyue, he came to the New Century Comic Shop to see what rewards he could gain.
"Yes, it's ten thousand Mora per reading, and you can only read once a day."
"Boss, here's ten thousand Mora." For Childe, ten thousand Mora was equivalent to 100 yen.
Childe was not short of money. He directly handed Takarou ten thousand Mora, then went to the comic bookshelf.
"Huh... this comic book, why does it resemble my Demon King Armor somewhat?"
When Tartaglia came in front of the comic book, "Kamen Rider Revice", and saw the cover, he was quite surprised.
Could it be, that the comic book's content is very similar to his own Demon King Armor?
Since these people could use Demon King Armor, then is there any way to prevent the Demon King Armor from causing harm to his body?
Tartaglia jumped to conclusions. He himself has the Demon King Armor, so he assumed that the knights in Kamen Rider Revice also wear Demon King Armor. He felt a surge of excitement, then picked up the Kamen Rider Revice comic.
Next, Tartaglia found a place and began to slowly appreciate the comic. Through the background story of this comic, Tartaglia also came to understand.
The hero of this work is the "Masked Rider who made a pact with the devil".
In the comic, the protagonist Ichika Gojo, in order to protect his loved ones, unfortunately became the target of the demon-worshipping organization "Deadmans".
The Deadmans materialize the demons hidden within humans, creating monsters.
Gojo made a pact with the demon Vice that resides in him. Then Gojo transforms into Kamen Rider Revi, and Vice transforms into Kamen Rider Vice, fighting as a "one person, yet two" combination knight.
So that's how it is.
The characters in here need a transformation tool to transform.
And compared to his Demon King Armor, although they share some similarities, they are fundamentally different.
After reading for a while, Tartaglia finally understood.
His Demon King Armor requires the use of an Evil Vision.
But in this Kamen Rider Revice, they use a transformation device for transformation.
He has to say, this transformation is quite cool to look at.
For a moment, Tartaglia was also somewhat tempted.
If he could get the transformation device from Kamen Rider Revice, then he wouldn't need to use the Demon King Armor anymore.
And through this comic, he also understood the combat power after transforming into a knight.
A common person, after transforming with the transformation device, becomes this strong.
He possesses the Vision. If he uses the Vision and then transforms, wouldn't he become even more powerful?
For a moment, Tartaglia's heart started to stir with anticipation.
"Good, good stuff!"
After a long while, Tartaglia finally finished reading Kamen Rider Revice, his mood somewhat exhilarated. He closed the comic and put it back on the shelf, then Tartaglia approached Takarou.
"[Customer Tartaglia, after reading (Kamen Rider Revice), you've gained a reward: Joan of Arc Transformation Device.]"
"I never expected Tartaglia to actually obtain Joan of Arc's transformation device."
Takarou couldn't help but smile upon hearing the reward announced by the system. He was curious how the transformation voice would sound.
With a flash of white light, a belt and a transformation device appeared in Tartaglia's hands.
As soon as he touched the belt, Tartaglia immediately understood how to use this transformation device to become Kamen Rider Joan of Arc. The script seemed to suit Tartaglia's character quite well.
"Tartaglia, congratulations on obtaining the transformation device for Kamen Rider Joan of Arc. How about it, want to try transforming now?" Takarou watched Tartaglia with a somewhat teasing smile.
Tartaglia felt a bit peculiar looking at Takarou's amused expression. However, he had just obtained this transformation device and he wanted to try out how much stronger his power would become after transforming. So, he nodded, put the belt around his waist, and picked up the transformation device.
Following the transformation script, he began to use it.
"Once you accept your own weakness, then I am invincible!"
When the transformation device was placed into the belt's transformation slot, suddenly, a voice echoed from the belt.
"What's happening? What's happening? What's happening? What's happening? ...."
Listening to this familiar dub, Takarou burst into hearty laughter. Meanwhile, Noelle, who was standing nearby, also couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this odd voice. It was really strange, but also very funny!
Tartaglia, who was in the process of transforming, felt quite embarrassed upon hearing these awkward lines. He placed the transformation device down. Then he shouted out the script.
"Henshin!" From the center of the transformation device, a blue cobra suddenly appeared, circled around Tartaglia's body, and said,
"Unleash yourself!"
"Ah... walk my path~ Kamen Rider Joan Joan Joan Joan of Arc."
When the transformation was complete, Tartaglia felt power surging through him.
Moreover, after transforming, Tartaglia found that the transformation suit felt perfect on his body, without any discomfort. It was even stronger than his Demon King Armor.
The power, it's surging through me! Tartaglia couldn't help but shout.
"Boss, how about we have a little spar?"
Tartaglia, now dressed as Kamen Rider Joan of Arc, couldn't help but look towards Takarou. Ever since he entered the comic shop, he felt a strong power coming from Takarou. For Childe, the battle enthusiast, seeing someone with greater power than himself, he couldn't help but want to spar.
"Oh? You want to spar with me?" Takarou couldn't help but smile upon hearing Tartaglia's words.
Did this guy think that because he obtained Joan of Arc's transformation device, he became stronger after transforming?
However, Takarou didn't agree. He waved his hand and said to Tartaglia: "Heh, wait till Lumine comes back from her explorer. You can spar with Lumine then, I don't feel like playing with you."
"Oh, boss, how did you know that I would have a match with the Traveler?"
"Heh, did you think nobody knows about the Fatui's schemes in Liyue Harbor?"
_______
"The Lady has obtained Venti's divine heart in Mondstadt, and since you're here in Liyue, naturally you're aiming for the God of Geo's divine heart," said the voice, "Furthermore, the Fatui have a pact with the Geo Archon. The pact's condition is to test the resolve of Liyue Harbor, to see its future course after the Geo Archon's departure. Am I correct?"
Tartaglia's eyes narrowed at hearing Takarou's words. He knew that this matter was highly confidential. Could this New Century Comics shop owner somehow be privy to these secrets? No wonder the Lady warned him not to offend the owner upon arriving in Liyue. At their first meeting, the shop owner had indeed proven to be a mystery.
But how did it concern him? He wouldn't seize the Geo Archon's divine heart. That task was the Lady's alone. Once his part was finished, he could simply return to Snezhnaya.
"Ah ha, the New Century Comics shop owner indeed holds many secrets," he said, "Fine, if you don't wish to spar with me, I won't insist. I'll test my strength against the Traveler when they return."
"And since this may be your last visit to Liyue, I have something for you before you depart," Takarou said with a smile. He reached below the counter and produced a small, yellow toy. "This is for you."
"Shopkeeper, what is this?" Tartaglia looked at the duck-like object in Takarou's hand, puzzled.
"It's called a Psyduck. It's a toy that moves when you press here," Takarou demonstrated. The Psyduck began to move, accompanied by music. The sight was amusing to Noelle, and even Tartaglia couldn't help but laugh.
"Thank you for the gift, shopkeeper. I quite like it," Tartaglia pocketed the Psyduck, "I hope we can meet again someday in Snezhnaya."
"If ever you find yourself in Snezhnaya, I will personally entertain you," he promised. "Farewell, shopkeeper."
"Farewell," Takarou watched Tartaglia leave, shaking his head with a chuckle. Despite being one of the Fatui, Tartaglia hadn't committed too many unforgivable deeds. He was a decent person, and there were many pitiable individuals among the Fatui member.
Elsewhere, Keqing returned home and began to pore over the ancient texts. After half a day, she found the clue she needed. Reading the information from the texts, she fell into silent contemplation.
"It seems the shop owner was right, Qiqi does indeed have ties to our ancestors," she murmured, "She is even a part of our lineage. Since that's the case, I should bring Qiqi back to her family."
After making up her mind, Keqing tidied up the books and left her house. Soon, she arrived at Bubu Pharmacy.
"I was not expecting a visit from the Yuheng of the Qixing," the pharmacy's owner greeted her, "What brings you here?"
"Is Qiqi in the shop, Mr. Bai?" Keqing asked.
"Qiqi? She's in the backyard recording medicinal herbs. May I ask why you're looking for her, Keqing?" Baizhu was quite puzzled.
You should know that whether it's the Seven Stars of Liyue or others, they generally come to Bubu Pharmacy to get medicine or maybe see a doctor.
However, the reason for Yuheng Star's visit this time is actually to find Qiqi, which surprises Baizhu a lot.
"The reason I came to find Qiqi is to take her back to my family."
"Qiqi is related to my ancestors, and she uses the Ancient Yun Gu sword technique, while my generation uses the Yun sword technique, so I should take her back." Keqing explained to Baizhu.
"Oh? Qiqi is actually related to Miss Keqing's ancestors?" Baizhu was full of doubt, yet surprised.
Since taking in Qiqi, Baizhu has understood that Qiqi's sword technique belongs to which generation of people in Liyue. But he never expected that Keqing would learn of this matter, causing Baizhu to feel flustered.
After all, his body has always been weak. And Qiqi, having survived so many years, although her body is not as good as humans', she can still live.
If he could research from Qiqi and find the answer to continue living, then he could also extend his life. So, no matter what, he didn't want to let go of Qiqi. At least wait until his research is done.
"Miss Keqing, ever since Qiqi came to Liyue Harbor, we at Bubu Pharmacy have been taking her in."
"Although I agree with Miss Keqing to take Qiqi back, no matter what, we should also get Qiqi's consent."
"How about this, I'll bring Qiqi over, and we can ask her opinion together?"
'Alright.' Keqing nodded.
'Mr. Bai, are we really going to let Keqing take Qiqi away?' The Changsheng on Baizhu's neck asked.
"Keqing is, after all, Yuheng Star among the Seven Stars of Liyue and Qiqi does indeed have a connection with Keqing's ancestors."
"If this matter were known to the other members of the Seven Stars of Liyue, they would also support Keqing's decision."
"After all, Qiqi is a family member of Keqing's generation, no matter if it's the Seven Stars of Liyue or the ordinary people of Liyue Harbor, they would agree to let Keqing take her back once they know Qiqi's origin."
"So, we can't do anything about this matter."
"But I didn't expect that Keqing would find out about Qiqi's connection with her ancestors after hiding it for so long." Baizhu seemed a bit troubled.
"What should we do then? If Qiqi is taken away, then Mr. Bai, your research... and your body at that time..." Changsheng said with a worried look.
"Ah, as they say in Liyue, some things can't be forced."
"Maybe that's my fate." Soon, Baizhu brought Qiqi to the front hall of Bubu Pharmacy.
When Keqing saw Qiqi, she felt a familiar aura from her. Moreover, she looked somewhat similar to her ancestors. The books at home also recorded the appearance of her ancestors, from childhood to adulthood.
"Qiqi, hello, I'm Keqing, Yuheng Star of the Seven Stars of Liyue."
"This time I came to Bubu Pharmacy, I want to take you home because you have a connection with our ancestors. You could say that you're also a member of our family."
"Family?" Upon hearing Keqing's words, Qiqi was quite unfamiliar with the term 'family'.
"Qiqi has a poor memory and can't remember many things, so usually she writes what she wants to do in her diary." Baizhu explained to Keqing.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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