In her memory, after Kuki Shinobu graduated from Ruiyue, she returned to Inazuma to visit her family but ended up stranded due to the Sakoku Decree.
During that time, she acquired many new skills. On one occasion, while delivering lacquerware, she encountered some thieves. With her formidable skills, she subdued the thieves and delivered the lacquerware intact. This incident was witnessed by Kujou Sara of the Tenryou Commission.
That's how the two met, and they began to interact frequently, growing closer over time.
One day, Kujou Sara was late for a meet-up. Curious, Shinobu pressed for details and learned about the Arataki Gang from her. Determined to help her friend rid society of this group of troublemakers, she decided to take action.
Yet, inexplicably, she ended up changing her mind and decided to reform the group instead. She established various rules for them, found them work...
It was also during this period that Kuki Shinobu began wearing an oni mask to avoid being recognized by acquaintances.
The present-day Shinobu is still a blank slate. She knows nothing of the Tenryou Commission, nor has she heard of the Arataki Gang. All she has is her background as a graduate specializing in Liyue's legal studies and her experience as a counter assistant at the main branch of the General Goods Store.
Strolling through the streets, Su Bai meticulously recalled Shinobu's history.
"To meet her at this stage is truly my good fortune."
No matter how he looked at it, he felt delighted. Finding a talented individual with a clean background, unaffiliated with any faction, was as difficult as scaling the heavens in present-day Liyue.
Talented individuals were hard to come by, and trustworthy ones were even rarer.
Su Bai seldom ventured out during the daytime in Ruiyue. Initially, it was because he had to mind the shop; later, it was to guard the store and deal with the grain merchants.
Now, with most matters settled and only the final decision from the Qixing pending, he found himself with some leisure time. He could finally take a proper walk through Liyue Harbor and revisit this familiar place, so deeply etched in his memory.
Back when he played Genshin Impact, no matter where he was or what quest he was on, he would always return to the waypoint near Chihu Rock before logging off.
Time flew by. After fifty years in the MC world, he found himself here again, and it stirred a multitude of emotions within him.
"Hark! Let me tell you of Boss Su, who played his pieces with one hand and held his tea with the other! Wherever he pointed his sword, commerce battles unfolded amidst his talk and laughter!"
"However powerful Fan and Er may have been, his moves were like reaching for the clouds, his withdrawals like a southern hook! Back and forth, he toyed with the four families in the palm of his hand, a demeanor rivaling that of Tianquan!"
"However profound their resources..."
Upon reaching the square, Su Bai heard a clear, resonant voice speaking loudly not far away. Curious, he headed toward the sign that read "Three Round Knockout."
"...it can be said that their greed knew no bounds! At the critical moment, only Tianheng Grain Store suddenly saw the light! Like a dragon pulling back from the abyss, they regretfully retracted their prices and calmly watched as the Fan and Er families stubbornly charged ahead alone!"
Slap! The storyteller's block struck! Tie-Mouth Tian scanned the audience with a smile, arms spread wide.
"If you wish to know what happens next..."
"Pray, listen to the next installment!"
"Ahem!!"
"Lao Tian, you're doing it again!"
Ahem, ahem "No wonder the Fan and Er families collapsed so completely in less than half a month. So that's what happened!"
"Well, if you ask me, they got what they deserved! Too greedy by far!"
"Eh, not necessarily. There are rumors; the General Goods Store provoked quite a bit too."
"Not so! Wasn't it the Grain Association who struck first, trying to bankrupt the General Goods Store? Otherwise, why would Boss Su, cooperating with the authorities, even bother to fight them?"
"If you ask me, the Mu family of Tianheng are the clever ones! The Ministry of Civil Affairs has publicly posted the contracts. The Mu family made the first move but ultimately recognized the situation and withdrew in time. A real man knows when to yield and when to advance."
"Heh, brother, you think too highly of them. In my opinion, it's eighty percent likely that Boss Su intended to protect the small-scale retailers. He might have even supported them; otherwise, how could Tianheng Grain Store have held on?"
Su Bai ascended the steps, listening to the discussions with some surprise.
How did this information spread so quickly!
Could this kind of commercial warfare really serve as material for storytellers?
However, after thinking it over carefully, he grasped the underlying meaning.
"Eighty percent it was Ningguang's doing!" Su Bai thought, curling his lip. Otherwise, spreading this kind of information would have taken at least ten days to a fortnight.
By publicizing it early, she could shape Su Bai's public image and also help consolidate public sentiment. After all, that massive fluctuation in grain prices couldn't pass without some explanation.
But this way, his reputation was left to chance. Divulging everything wasn't necessarily wise. Right here, people were even arguing about him.
"Judging by universal rationality, Boss Su acted entirely within the rules. He exploited the mutual suspicions among the families, pitting them against each other, only to turn back for a surprise attack. His methods can indeed be called ingenious. While not entirely aboveboard, the grain prices he announced afterward were quite generous."
"Indeed! According to the notice seen today, he'll supply Liyue without limit for two years, with prices not exceeding 420 Mora. Can't deny that's truly conscientious!"
Just as Su Bai was feeling displeased, a deep, magnetic, and steady comment rose from behind the crowd. Lifting his gaze, he saw it was none other than the old gentleman, Zhongli.
"Old gent—ah, no, Mr. Zhongli. It's been days." Su Bai stepped forward to greet him and took a seat nearby.
"Oh? What brings you leisure today, young friend?" Zhongli's gaze remained steady, his golden eyes assessing Su Bai's demeanor. He casually poured a cup of tea.
"Today, you seem more at ease than before. Indeed, more at ease."
"Thank you." Su Bai accepted the tea with thanks and continued the conversation. "A few days ago, I proposed a materials cooperation with the Yuheng Star and mentioned a few conditions. Now, I'm just waiting for the Qixing's response. So, there's not much keeping me busy at the moment."
His words inadvertently mixed in a bit of his own agenda. Su Bai smiled and pointed towards the northern sky. "Today, I plan to visit the Guili Plains and enjoy the scenery of Liyue."
Zhongli's eyes remained unreadable, his thoughts concealed. How could he not grasp the meaning behind Su Bai's words? But presently, he had no intention of interfering with the Qixing's decisions.
After a moment, Zhongli set down his teacup. "Coincidentally, I need to gather some Glaze Lilies. Since that's the case, shall we go together?"
"That was exactly my intention!" Su Bai agreed without a second thought.
--
100 powerstones = 1 chapter
200 powerstones = 3 chapters
300 powerstones = 5 chapters