Liyue Harbor, late at night.
A figure, like a phantom, slipped into a luxurious mansion.
This blue shadow's speed and movement techniques were unpredictable, impossible for an ordinary person to detect.
But the owner of the mansion was no ordinary person—she was Ningguang.
"Come in," Ningguang said toward the window.
The figure outside flipped through the window, moving with the fluidity of flowing water, without making a single sound.
Stepping into the light, her appearance became clear.
Black hair tied up, thick half-rimmed glasses perched on her nose.
Her attire suggested she was a scholar responsible for researching cultural relics in Liyue, affiliated with the Shenlu Hall.
Of course, these were mere appearances.
Though Ningguang preferred not to travel with guards, how could her residence lack the protection of elite Millelith soldiers?
Could a scholar so easily bypass such defenses?
Obviously not.
This scholar was merely one of Yelan's disguises.
Ningguang invited Yelan to sit and asked about the results of her investigation.
Yelan's task this time was, once again, Mu Yang.
Though Mu Yang was an Adeptus who had contributed to Liyue Harbor and didn't seem like a threat, Ningguang still wanted to understand why he suddenly decided to move to the city.
As for her reasons…
She didn't need reasons. She was Ningguang.
In her eyes, Liyue Harbor should hold no secrets.
To this day, she hadn't managed to pin down that guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to make him useful to her.
Now, here was Mu Yang, who had defeated her multiple times. Ningguang couldn't accept this situation.
So, despite her favorable impression of Mu Yang, she needed to uncover his purpose for coming to Liyue Harbor.
Yelan was the perfect person for this task.
She had already investigated Mu Yang once before.
Yelan sat across from Ningguang, maintaining her scholar persona without overstepping.
She presented her detailed report from the past few days.
Based on her observations, Mu Yang didn't seem to be planning anything significant.
His daily life was simple.
After moving into his new home, he first hired workers to rearrange the interior and added a few new pieces of furniture.
Then, he settled into a leisurely lifestyle.
Every day, he strolled the streets, sipped tea, listened to stories, and evaluated performances, while tending to flowers and walking his bird.
In his spare time, he carved wooden ornaments at home.
He was no different from that guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
The two had been spending a lot of time together recently, with Mu Yang covering all expenses.
"They seem to have known each other for a long time," Yelan noted.
She deliberately emphasized the interactions between Zhongli and Mu Yang.
She remembered that the last person Ningguang had been so intent on thoroughly investigating was Zhongli.
Ningguang flipped through the documents while listening to Yelan's report.
She was already aware that Zhongli and Mu Yang knew each other.
In his free time, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's guest consultant would wander to Qiaoying Village or sometimes Yilong Wharf.
He'd find a pavilion and enjoy tea or wine alone.
With such hobbies, it was only natural for him to cross paths with Mu Yang in Chenyu Vale.
Having finished Mu Yang's briefing, Yelan's work was temporarily done.
She dropped her disguise, and the two switched to a more casual, friendly mode.
"Ningguang, aren't you a bit too focused on Mu Yang?"
Ningguang continued flipping through the documents without looking up. "Am I?"
"Aren't you?"
Yelan's curiosity was understandable.
Who was Ningguang?
Beyond her title as the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, the highest authority in Liyue, she was also the city's most successful merchant.
A woman of immense charm and vast wealth.
Naturally, she attracted countless suitors.
Noble sons from Yujing Terrace, accomplished young tycoons, and seafaring captains traveling the seven nations all went to great lengths for a single smile from Ningguang.
It was said that a wealthy businessman from Fontaine, after a brief conversation with Ningguang, ordered a trade contract with Liyue Harbor.
Such a grand gesture, just for a chance to see her again.
Yet Ningguang treated every suitor with polite grace, maintaining an elegant, dignified distance that left room for imagination.
Yelan knew that Ningguang's greatest loves were Mora and the Jade Chamber. But what came third?
Her current attitude toward Mu Yang was far too conspicuous.
Some spent fortunes just to catch a glimpse of Ningguang.
Yet Mu Yang could casually enter her office and ask for her assistance.
Was it because Ningguang respected Adepti?
That idea was laughable.
For Ningguang, there were only chess pieces and bargaining chips.
It was said that when the Adepti came to confront her during the days of Rex Lapis's "assassination," Ningguang was outwardly respectful but held her ground firmly at the negotiation table.
Mu Yang was truly an exception…
But what Ningguang was thinking, only she herself knew.
Yelan was just curious, asking casually and teasing Ningguang a bit.
Ningguang didn't answer directly, instead smiling and countering, "I see you're quite interested in him yourself, aren't you?"
Yelan didn't deny that she enjoyed investigating Mu Yang.
She had been in this line of work for a long time, maintaining two lists: the [Special Attention List].
Everyone on it was a highly capable individual—Beidou, Lumine, Granny Ping, all were listed.
These were people who currently posed no ill will toward Liyue but could stir up a storm if they chose to.
Those who posed a genuine threat to Liyue were recorded in the more confidential [Secret Intelligence List].
These were the truly dangerous figures who had already endangered Liyue.
For example, her old adversary, the Fatui's Ninth Harbinger, "Pantalone" the Regrator, who controlled the Northland Bank and was aggressively squeezing Liyue's banking sector to dominate its economic lifeline.
Mu Yang was currently on the [Special Attention List].
Compared to others on the list, what kept Yelan intrigued by Mu Yang was this:
When facing him, she always felt her disguises were transparent.
Yet Mu Yang saw through her without calling her out, as if he were playing along with her masquerade.
When she posed as a Mondstadt fisherman, Mu Yang chatted with her about fishing.
When she disguised herself as a Sumeru mercenary, Mu Yang told her how to take jobs efficiently.
When she acted as a Fontaine tabloid reporter, Mu Yang even knew gossip about the Hydro Archon Furina.
But no matter what, the conversation always stayed within the confines of her assumed identity.
Yelan wanted to know if Mu Yang had truly seen through her, so she kept getting closer…
Ningguang teased her in return, "So who's the one really invested here?"
"How about a bet? How long until the real 'you' makes contact with him?"
"Never."
Yelan stated that Mu Yang could meet the Yelan employed by the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
But he would never meet the Yelan who dealt in espionage—she knew her limits.
Ningguang held up three fingers. "Within three days."
However, the exact day didn't depend on Yelan.
It depended on Mu Yang—on when he decided to meet the true owner of the Stone Gate Teahouse.
Ningguang had finished reviewing the investigation report.
Combining it with information from her own sources, she deduced Mu Yang's purpose in Liyue Harbor—
He wanted to acquire a teahouse or a tavern.
Excluding the shady business of the Pearl Galley, which he had scouted tonight,
he would likely choose among the Three Bowls Inn, the Heyu Teahouse, or the Stone Gate Teahouse.
Before leaving, Yelan turned back and said, "You'd better tell him not to play dice with anyone at the Stone Gate Teahouse."