After Lumine and Paimon finished placing the Exuvia…
Zhongli: Alright, that’s done. We’ve hired the helpers, and the Exuvia is ready.
The Farewell to Sefarer Ritual’s preparations are almost complete.
Paimon: Phew… finally!
Zhongli: Haha, that’s right. As a Reward for helping to organize the Farewell to Sefarer Ritual, I’ve decided to treat you.
Lumine: Oh my, Zhongli is treating?
Qixuan-jie: Hmm… I have a bad feeling about this.
Zhongli: Hm? Oh, don’t worry. This time I’ll remember to bring money.
Tonight, I’ll take you to a highly praised old tavern in the harbor.
Paimon: An old harbor tavern? The kind where you drink?
Zhongli: Exactly. We’ll meet at Three Bowls From The Pier near the docks. Don't be late.
Qixuan-jie then took Lumine and Paimon to enjoy a delicious late-night snack before they went to rest.
The next morning…
Three Bowls From The Pier…
Zhongli: Hmm, you’re here. No need to order, I’ve already ordered everything.
Qixuan-jie: Ho, the dishes look good.
Zhongli: This Three Bowls From The Pier is not like those taverns in Mondstadt.
Here, the tavern owner will refuse things like juice, which is considered “unseemly.”
Lumine: So this time, I can finally be treated to a drink?!
Zhongli: So this time, I ordered you a bowl of fermented rice balls.
Of course, Miss Qixuan has one too.
Qixuan-jie: Thank you.
Lumine: Ha. I wasn’t entirely surprised by this outcome…
At this moment, the “storyteller” on stage began to speak,
Tian Tieju: …If you, esteemed guests, are willing to listen, I will continue to speak of Ningguang’s Jade Chamber.
Paimon: Wow, there’s even a storyteller here! The atmosphere is really good.
Zhongli: The so-called popular praise, besides good wine, of course also means a good environment.
But the “environment” spoken of here is different from the “environment” of a grand restaurant as judged in the Teyvat Travel Guide.
Tian Tieju: As you all know, above our harbor, there are celestial mansions in the clouds and palaces in the mists.
What does it mean to have connections everywhere? Look, this is what it means to have connections everywhere, this is the omnipresent enterprise set up by Ningguang.
On a clear day, if you look down from the deck outside the palace gate—how amazing! That’s the scenery of more than half of Liyue Harbor…
It is said that whenever a major event occurs, Ningguang must come to this Jade Chamber, dismiss everyone else, and only bring three trusted confidants.
What does she bring these three confidants for? Ah!
It turns out she needs them to organize intelligence and process data by her side, with summaries being posted on the wall, more and more of them.
But before these white walls are completely covered, Ningguang will surely make a final decision, and after making the decision—she will shred all the documents.
Whoosh! She throws the paper scraps out the window, good heavens, they flutter and drift, like a sudden snowfall.
The writing on those paper scraps, in the eyes of all merchants in Liyue—is as “conspicuous” as ink stains in the snow!
A poem praises, “Fluttering and scattering, like snow dust falling from the clouds.”
“Thick and sparse,” each word as precious as a rare gem, with a thought, the rivers and mountains are swallowed.
Everyone knows, Tianquan is revered!
Just think, although these are just paper scraps, how precious must Ningguang’s “thought process” used for decision-making be?
Qixuan-jie expressed, good heavens, this is even more impressive than what Zhongli says.
Tian Tieju: If you can snatch one or two more pieces, the benefits revealed through Ningguang’s fingers will be one or two points more than your competitors…
Paimon: Tianquan Ningguang… I’ve been hearing that name a lot lately.
The Liyue people talk about her, the Fatui hate her, and she seems to be the one hiding the Exuvia,
We even saw her once at the Rite of Descension…
I wonder what kind of person she really is?
Suddenly a voice came, “I finally found you, the one who returned from Jueyun Karst.”
Paimon: Who?!
Lumine: Paimon! Let’s go…
Please wait, I mean no harm.
But I am indeed an envoy of the Liyue Qixing—I am Ganyu, secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion, and I have come to see you.
Lumine: An envoy?
Ganyu: To be precise, my primary job is secretary responsible for the entire Qixing, and my temporary role this time is a special envoy for Miss Ningguang.
Qixuan-jie: (Hmm… Xianyun’s disciple?)
Paimon: Wow, speaking of Ningguang, Ningguang…’s envoy has arrived.
Ganyu: The one who returned from Jueyun Karst… Please forgive my lack of proper etiquette in this public place.
But this letter I bring is a formal invitation drafted by Miss Ningguang in her capacity as Tianquan.
It invites you to that “palace in the sky.”
Paimon: You mean… an invitation?
Ganyu: Yes. Miss Ningguang said: “Please bring her.” “I want to see her.”
“At the Jade Chamber, I will accompany her, thread by thread… to cut through the complex threads of the undercurrents.”
As Ganyu left, she glanced at Qixuan-jie, feeling a strange sense of familiarity, as if… her master had mentioned her…
Paimon: We actually received an invitation from the Liyue Qixing, it’s incredible.
Lumine, when meeting with wealthy people, you must pay attention to etiquette!
Lumine: I’m always polite.
Zhongli: Heh heh… Indeed, very few people are fortunate enough to be invited as guests to the Jade Chamber.
You two go, but don’t forget about the Farewell to Sefarer Ritual.
After you return from the Jade Chamber, our next meeting point will be Dihua Marsh.
Lumine: Qixuan-jie, are you coming too?
Qixuan-jie: No need, Lumine, Tianquan invited you, not me. I’ll just stay here with Mr. Zhongli for a while.
Paimon: Alright then, we won’t forget.
We’ll meet at Dihua Marsh at the agreed time, don't be late!
Then Lumine and Paimon left.
Qixuan-jie: What do you think of this current Tianquan?
Zhongli: Hmm… She’s very good in all aspects, but some of her methods…
Qixuan-jie: Thinking for the Liyue people is always right, it just might require some special methods.
Zhongli: Perhaps…
And you? Are you going with them after this is over?
Qixuan-jie: Hmm, there are some things I must do.
Zhongli didn't ask further, only saying, “Liyue will always be your home.”
Qixuan-jie: Sigh, why are we getting so sentimental? Then she planned to go back and vent her frustrations on Aichan.
Aichan: Who’s talking bad about me?
Meanwhile…
Paimon: Look! That’s the Jade Chamber up there.
Lumine: But how do we get up?
Paimon: Uh… uh… Miscalculation! As your guide, I don’t seem to know where the path to “the sky” is…
Lumine: You’re just realizing that now?
Paimon: Ugh… There must be a way to get up nearby, right? Let’s look!
After some attempts, Lumine only managed to fly onto a floating rock, but it was still very far from the Jade Chamber.
Paimon: Ah! Have we already reached the Guizhong Ballista? In that case, I have a new idea!
How about we use the Guizhong Ballista to shoot you up there?
Lumine: Do you hate me?
Paimon: Uh oh… Now that you mention it, I didn’t consider the safety details…
Lumine: The Guizhong Ballista has a long-range viewing function.
Paimon: Now that you mention it, we can indeed use that. Let’s rely on the Guizhong Ballista to see if there’s another way up nearby!
At a platform…
Millelith: Stop! Who goes there, trespassing on restricted grounds!
Lumine: Trespassing on restricted grounds? We were just passing by…
Paimon: Yeah, yeah, we really don’t know what you’re talking about.
We were invited here, we’re honored guests! How can you treat us like this…
No… wait a minute… Could it be Ningguang… she did this on purpose!
Lumine: I don’t think so…
Paimon: Wah, I’m angry! That soldier over there, giving us a “fabricated” charge, shameless!
Millelith: What… normal guard duty, how is that shameless?
Another soldier said: Nonsense, anyway, first control the suspicious individuals!
Lumine quickly threw out a few “rocks,” then charged forward with her sword.
Just as the leader saw he couldn’t win and was about to call for more people,
Stop! What’s all this commotion?
Millelith: Keqing, these two strange people suddenly appeared and seem to have designs on the Guizhong Ballista.
Paimon: You, you call who strange people?!
Lumine: I was just looking for a way to the Jade Chamber.
Keqing: Hmm? You want to go to the Jade Chamber? Who are you?
Paimon: We’re invited guests, looking for the Liyue Qixing! Who are you?
Keqing: …What a coincidence, I am the Liyue Qixing.
Paimon: Huh?!
Keqing: I am Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing.
I know about you, Traveler, you’re Ningguang’s guest, right? I didn’t expect to meet you in the mountains.
Paimon: Wow—I also didn’t expect to meet a wealthy dignitary in the wilderness.
Keqing: The Guizhong Ballista at Tianheng Ancient City Wall was damaged, but it was repaired overnight.
I’m here, originally to investigate.
These Millelith are only responsible for guarding the site, not for arresting people.
Paimon: So it was a misunderstanding? Hmm… I really didn't expect that at all.
Lumine: It was quite easy to expect.
Keqing: Speaking of which, for mortals to be able to repair a mechanism created by Adepti.
Even for the Qixing, this is quite extraordinary.
Paimon: Hehe, that was…
Lumine: (Shh… don’t make things more complicated, Paimon.)
Paimon: Huh? Ah, oh… By the way, this Yuheng, do you know why Tianquan invited us to the Jade Chamber?
Keqing: Just call me Keqing.
Ningguang inviting you to meet, I think, is simply hoping that the Hero of Mondstadt remains neutral, at least… not entirely on the side of the Adepti.
Paimon: We haven’t taken sides! We’ve talked to those Adepti, and they’re also preparing to protect Liyue…
Keqing: The “protection” you speak of, does that refer to that condescending arrogance?
Paimon: Huh?
Keqing: Because you are mortals, objects of their protection, they won’t treat you as an “assassin capable of assassinating a god.”
Keqing: So they must also think that Ningguang sealing the scene, questioning mortals, and pursuing the assassin… all these orders are useless, or even a cover-up.
I’ll be frank: This is underestimating people.
Paimon: What you say does make some sense…
However, it’s the first time I’ve met a Liyue person as “disrespectful of the Adepti” as you.
Keqing: Ha… I should respect their loose concept of time.
And their arrogance towards mortals, so they won’t attack us Qixing for now?
Never mind, I shouldn’t talk about the Adepti like this. “Disrespecting the Adepti” is just my personal attitude; Ningguang would never say such a thing.
In any case, I also admit that the Adepti’s actions this time have been restrained enough.
The death of the Geo Archon is truly extraordinary. Facing such an abnormal situation, they are still willing to summon all Adepti for discussion, without directly attacking…
This is quite civilized, truly surprising.
Lumine: So, is there a possibility of “peace talks”?
Keqing: Ningguang… In her eyes, it would be best if everything could be discussed—but that’s impossible.
The era of the Adepti has passed. If even the Liyue Qixing dare not face this fact, then what will become of Liyue’s future?
Paimon: Hmm… That’s another very bold statement.
Keqing: Phew… Let’s leave it at that. Actually, I didn’t need to say so much, but you’re a very good listener, Traveler.
Alright, you should go to the Jade Chamber now, be on time, okay? Because appointments to see Ningguang are already booked until next year.
Liyue’s top merchants all regard “ascending the Jade Chamber” as the supreme honor of their business careers.
Everyone brings generous gifts, just to gain some benefit from Ningguang.
Paimon: Be-benefit?!
Lumine: Paimon, that’s not the point.
Paimon: But… but! Oh! “Meeting gifts” are also a precious Liyue culture. We’re not doing it for benefits, we’re doing it to respect Liyue’s traditional culture…
Lumine: Look at Paimon’s eager expression…
Keqing: Alright, alright, you can take your time thinking about what meeting gift to give. I’ll tell you how to get to the Jade Chamber first.
Actually, you don’t need to come to Tianheng Mountain. Go back to Liyue Harbor, find the “Guide” at Yuehai Pavilion, and then do this and that…
Well then, we’ll meet again if fate allows, Traveler.
Keqing finished speaking and left.
Paimon: Although that Yuheng doesn’t respect the Adepti, I think he’s a really cool person.
Lumine: I have a good impression of him too.
Paimon: Oh, right! What meeting gift should we give Ningguang… Let me think…
Lumine: Paimon’s focus has really shifted to gifts…
Paimon: That’s it! Last night, when I was sleeping, I dreamed of an incredibly noble dessert—Candied Slime!
I have a premonition that it’s very suitable for a wealthy person of Ningguang’s status.
Let’s use that as our gift!
Lumine: So, do you have a recipe?
Paimon: No! But just make it with a “crunchy” feeling!
Paimon: Hurry and gather the ingredients! No time to lose, riches and glory await us!
Lumine followed Paimon with a speechless expression…
Lumine: (It’ll be good if we don’t get kicked out.)