Hilichurls are indeed a low-intelligence species. 

Humans need to hear a false alarm about three times before losing trust in a companion, but a hilichurl only needs one. 

No matter how loudly the lookout hilichurl screamed, none of its comrades responded.

Watching Collei approach with her dagger, the lookout hilichurl was utterly helpless.

"Nimesila!"

Seeing that Collei had no intention of sparing it, the hilichurl mustered its courage, raising its bone club. 

Hilichurls may be a bit stronger than the average adult human, but Collei was far from ordinary. 

Even without a Vision, her skills would make her a match for many who possessed one.

So it was no surprise that the hilichurl was swiftly beaten down.

Collei didn’t kill it, though, as per Bai Luo's instructions. 

It seemed he needed the hilichurls for something. 

After setting up the mechanical bird, Collei snuck out of the camp without alerting the others. 

But before leaving, she didn’t forget to give the still-playing-dead hilichurl a good kick. 

She was quite the grudge-holder.

When she returned to the temporary campsite, Bai Luo had already prepared lunch.

"The fish is from Mondstadt, and the firewood is from Mondstadt—pure, authentic Mondstadt grilled fish. Want to try some?" Bai Luo asked, holding up the freshly grilled meal.

Bai Luo's cooking skills were... average. 

Not extraordinary, but certainly better than some otaku's attempts.

"Hmph."

Collei took the food without protest, silently eating. 

Over the past two days, she had tried to escape several times, but each time, Bai Luo either caught her and dragged her back or she’d trip over the ever-present wires he had set up around the area. 

It was as if he was always one step ahead.

After a few failed attempts, she resigned herself to her fate. 

What else could she do? She couldn’t beat him in a fight, and she couldn’t outrun him either. 

For now, she’d just have to put up with it and wait for another opportunity to escape.

"This is the last one. Afterward, we’ll pack up and head back," Bai Luo said, casually stirring

the pot of milk he had prepared.

Collei glanced at him, puzzled. 

She had no idea where he got the milk from. 

After all, when they set out, she hadn’t seen him carry anything like it.

"Do we really have to carry those stones?" she asked, eyeing the pile of rocks in the tent with a sense of dread. 

According to Bai Luo, she would have to carry them all the way back to Mondstadt from Dadaupa Gorge. 

Just thinking about the distance filled her with despair.

"You'll thank me for it later," Bai Luo said with a sly smile, glancing at the stones and crystals, but offering no further explanation.

"Like hell I will," Collei muttered under her breath.

Even though Collei said those words, she didn’t realize that she had gradually let her guard down around Bai Luo and had started to obey him without question. 

Over the years, Bai Luo had trained many soldiers, and he had numerous subtle ways to influence others and change their attitude toward him. 

His title of "Instructor (Ausbilder)" wasn’t just for show. 

Even the proudest individuals had praised his methods.

The milk in the pot was almost ready. 

Any more heat and the flavor might change. 

After carefully pouring a bowl, Bai Luo handed it to Collei.

At first, Collei just took a small sip, but after tasting it, her eyes lit up and she quickly gulped down the entire bowl. 

No matter how much she enjoyed it, though, Bai Luo didn’t touch the milk himself.

“Where did you get the milk? I didn’t see you carry any on the way here,” Collei asked, wiping the milk off her lips. Her curiosity finally got the better of her.

“Are you sure you want to know?” Bai Luo replied, spitting out a fishbone as he gave her a strange look.

“Uh… is it not okay for me to ask?” Collei looked around nervously.

She was beginning to suspect there might be a secret hideout for the Fatui nearby. 

Otherwise, how could he produce so many things out of thin air?

“You can know if you want,” Bai Luo shrugged, as if it wasn’t a big secret, and explained the origins of the items.

“The pot came from the northern Meat-Lovers Tribe, the milk was scooped from a large vat belonging to the southern Sleep-Lovers Tribe, and the bowl you’re using is from the Black Sun Tribe in the east.”

“...”

Hearing this, the rich flavor of the milk suddenly turned bitter in Collei's mouth. 

She quickly scrambled over to the bushes nearby.

“Urgh—!”

The so-called Meat-Lovers, Sleep-Lovers, and Black Sun Tribes were actually large hilichurl tribes. 

Who knew what those pots had been used to cook? 

And the milk—was it even real cow's milk?

Most importantly, she now realized why Bai Luo had been so selective about the seasoning he added to the grilled meat and fish over the past few days. 

That seasoning was definitely suspicious too.

"Tch, that’s all you can handle?" Bai Luo smirked at Collei, who was pale with disgust. 

Although he had been tormented by Ksenia in the past and hadn’t enjoyed it, now that the tables were turned, he found the experience quite amusing.

After the meal, and under Collei’s resentful gaze, Bai Luo packed up the camp and started leading her back to Mondstadt. 

There wasn’t much to carry since the camp was originally a hunter’s shelter, and they hadn’t brought many belongings. 

The only real burden was the pile of ores—and Collei had to carry all of it.

He had originally planned to stay a few more days, as there was still much Collei hadn’t learned. 

But the medicine on her bandages was starting to wear off, and the Windblume Festival was fast approaching. 

They couldn’t afford to delay any longer. 

At the very least, they needed to be back in Mondstadt before the festival began.

Even before reaching Mondstadt, the festive atmosphere of the Windblume Festival could be felt. 

Posters for the festival were plastered everywhere, and travelers and merchants along the road were discussing it excitedly.

“When we get back, take those ores to Wagner's blacksmith shop,” Bai Luo said, ruffling Collei’s slightly messy hair as she shot him a reluctant look.

“But it’s already late. The blacksmith shop must be closed by now,” Collei said, having gotten used to Bai Luo’s orders over the past two days, though she couldn’t help but make a snarky comment—her last bit of defiance.

“If it’s closed, knock until they open. If the Fatui needs Wagner’s help, even if he’s making babies with his wife, he’ll have to stop and work for us,” Bai Luo replied.

“...”

Collei wasn’t surprised by Bai Luo’s words, as she knew the Fatui often operated this way. 

However, his choice of metaphor made her blush slightly, and she pulled at her face bandages, as if trying to hide her embarrassment.

“I’ll wait for you at the city gates. After you deliver the materials, come find me. Once we change your bandages, I’ll introduce you to someone.”

“Who?”

“A very tall, very capable big sister.”

“Wait, what??”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read