Xianyun, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper were all stunned. They had never expected to lose simply because of money!
Seeing that the outcome of the debate was already decided, Zhongli said calmly, "Since the result has already been reached, then this matter is settled. Please, everyone, return."
Xianyun covered her face. She hadn't expected such an ending.
With grief and indignation, she let out a cry.
"Ah!"
After venting her emotions, Xianyun calmed down and accepted the outcome with dignity.
"Fine. I accept my loss."
Xianyun was one who could take things up and put them down.
But this matter with Beisht had crushed her faith in a Liyue ruled by mortals.
Perhaps her view might change in the future, but for now, absolutely not!
Narrowing her eyes, Xianyun turned to warn Ningguang.
"Tianquan Star Ningguang! Let me make this clear. In the future, we Adepti will keep our eyes fixed on the actions of the Liyue Qixing!"
"You may be able to manage everything without flaw. But the other members of the Qixing—or your successors—may not!"
"When a Liyue ruled by mortals falters, we Adepti will take back Liyue Harbor!"
After finishing, Xianyun transformed into her crane form, flapped her wings, and flew away from the Jade Chamber.
Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper exchanged a look. Then Moon Carver turned to Zhongli.
"Well then, Lord Rex Lapis, we shall also take our leave."
"In truth, Xianyun is just like us. She only worries about the feasibility of mortal rule. We still love Liyue."
Zhongli nodded calmly, pleased with this result.
"I understand. You Adepti also act out of care for Liyue. I hold no ill will toward your actions. On the contrary, to see you so devoted fills me with comfort."
The two Adepti nodded. Then one stepped into the air, and the other took flight, leaving the Jade Chamber.
Seeing that the matter was resolved, Xiao looked to Zhongli and said quietly, "Then, my Lord, I shall return to Wangshu Inn. Also… regarding that matter, I ask for your leave once again."
Zhongli, seeing Xiao bring it up yet again, replied with composure, "I know, Great Conqueror of Demons. As for that matter, I have already agreed twice. There is no need to ask again."
Xiao lowered his head, speaking cautiously. "It is of great importance. I believe it must be confirmed by you again and again."
Zhongli looked at him with satisfaction and nodded. "Very well. The road is perilous. Take utmost care."
Xiao, moved by this final confirmation, said gratefully, "Many thanks, my Lord."
With that, Xiao vanished from the Jade Chamber in a flicker of movement.
Zhongli, seeing everything settled, also took his leave. "Then I shall depart first."
Ganyu, relieved that the debate over mortal rule and adeptal rule had concluded, exhaled softly and said to Ningguang, "Then, Lady Ningguang, I shall go as well. The Yuehai Pavilion must be busy…"
…
After Zhongli and Ganyu left, Shao Yun too was about to leave—when suddenly, Ningguang's legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed onto the ground.
Hearing the sound, Shao Yun turned and saw her. His eyes met her "pitiful" gaze, and in that instant, he was reminded of the time he had rescued Keqing on the beach.
That useless code forced me to save Keqing? Then this time, I'll lift Ningguang of my own accord!
It had become a contest with that code. But he didn't quite understand why.
Shao Yun turned and glanced at Zhongli and Ganyu, who were already descending with the Sunset Vermillionite platform, and muttered, "Looks like I'll have to wait for the next one."
He turned back, bent down before Ningguang, and extended a hand, jokingly.
"I know you collapsed because the tension broke and left your body weak. But still, I can't help but ask."
"Do all of you Liyue Qixing have weak legs? First Keqing, now you. Next will it be Tianshu Star Tian?"
Ningguang looked at his hand, said nothing, and simply placed her own in his palm.
Shao Yun pulled her up. Her legs gave way again, and her body leaned toward him.
But he reacted swiftly, pushing against her shoulder to stop her from falling against him.
His grip on her shoulders tightened, and he stared coldly at her. His voice was frigid.
"I'll take it as your legs giving out, nothing more."
"Don't make me think you're scheming something. Or I'll throw you from the Jade Chamber without hesitation."
Ningguang froze at his words, her gaze flickering.
She swallowed, then composed herself, pressing her lips together before smiling faintly. "You're overthinking. It's just weak legs. Besides, are you really afraid you'd lose to me, a mere merchant?"
She then pointed to the Jade Chamber's doors and asked softly, "Will you at least escort me to the entrance? There are still a few chairs where I can rest.
"Surely you wouldn't bear to watch me crawl like a dog back inside?"
Shao Yun shot her a withering glare. His tone was icy. "Then crawl. It's not like anyone's going to spread your black history."
Ningguang froze. His words were far too blunt…
Shao Yun glanced at the platform that had already carried Zhongli and Ganyu out of sight. He sighed. "Fine. I'll see this through. I can't leave yet anyway."
Truthfully, the main reason was that he didn't want to shout "CHELONIA" again and leap from the Jade Chamber with his Wind Glider.
So, as he had with Keqing before, he supported Ningguang by the elbow and slowly helped her toward the doors.
But along the way, Ningguang kept glancing at him with an expression that was hard to describe.
Shao Yun noticed her gaze and bristled, snapping, "What's with that look? Why are you staring at me?"
Ningguang chuckled softly. "From this angle, you really do look like a charming man. No wonder Lumine likes you."
Hearing her compliment of Lumine, Shao Yun felt a swell of pride. He grinned. "Now that's something I like to hear."
He had thought Ningguang would be sly like that fox from Inazuma, but instead, she was flattering Lumine by extension.
Seeing his self-satisfied look, a sly gleam flashed in Ningguang's eyes. Her voice turned subtly teasing.
"But since we're speaking so frankly, let me indulge myself and say something bold."
At this, Shao Yun's smile faded.
"Know when to stop. Flatter the wrong way, and you'll regret it."
Ningguang's smile lingered as she whispered, "Suppose—just suppose—you had never met Lumine. Or that you did, but didn't mind sharing certain things with me. Then, perhaps, I'd truly wish to thank you properly."
A merchant through and through, Ningguang's words were flawless, leaving herself vast room to maneuver.
After all, "certain things" and "thank you properly" could mean almost anything.
For instance, his Buell… or his stew…
Shao Yun gave her a sidelong glance, lips curling in a half-smile. "Oh? You've stacked enough armor on yourself, huh? Ha!"
But then, in an instant, his smile vanished. His face darkened, eyes turning vicious.
He had become a different man in a heartbeat.
Ningguang now truly understood the saying: a face changes faster than a page turns.
His grip on her arm tightened, and his voice turned feral. "But even with all that armor, right now I want to throw you off the Jade Chamber and watch you splatter!"
Yet Ningguang remained calm, unfazed.
Instead, she raised two slender fingers before his eyes, waving them lightly. Her tone was languid.
"Then, as apology for offending you, I'll give you twenty billion Mora. How about that?"
Shao Yun's heart clenched at her words.
So… this was her trap?
"You're trying to bind me to the Liyue Qixing with money?" His voice carried his displeasure.
Xianyun had already warned she would watch the Qixing's every move.
This couldn't be just compensation.
Does Ningguang mean to use me as the Adepti's shield?
But Ningguang only shook her head, smiling faintly. "No such scheme. Just a gift of apology. Would such a gift ease your anger?"
By then, they had reached the Jade Chamber's doors.
Shao Yun released her arm and said irritably, "You really are a shrewd merchant. Whether I take the money or not, I lose. Refuse, and I'm uneasy. Accept, and the Adepti will think I stand with you. I become your best protection."
Ningguang waved her hand lazily, lips curling into a soft smile. "You think too much. This is only a token apology for my offense."
Shao Yun couldn't help but sigh inwardly at her stubbornness, though the sheer amount she named was staggering…
He shook his head with exasperation. "I ought to just shoot you… but never mind."
He waved dismissively, signaling he would drop the matter.
Relieved, Ningguang smiled her signature smile. "Then… what of the money?" she asked carefully.
Shao Yun snorted, lifting five fingers. His voice was firm. "Hmph. Twenty billion Mora isn't nearly enough. Make it fifty billion. And it must go straight to Lumine's Adventurers' Guild account. Otherwise, don't blame me when I toss you off the Jade Chamber."
After all, since she meant to use him, he would wring some benefit from it.
Ningguang was momentarily taken aback, but then she smiled and even raised the stakes herself.
"No problem. Let's round up. How about a hundred billion Mora?"
Shao Yun rolled his eyes, his tone harsh. "Whatever. By the way, what about the information on Sumeru we need? Is it ready?"
Money wasn't the priority. What mattered was the intelligence Lumine and Paimon urgently needed.
Ningguang smiled. "Most of it is already prepared. You can rest assured. On the day of the banquet, I will hand it over."
Just then, the Sunset Vermillionite platform returned.
Eager to leave, Shao Yun said bluntly, "Good. Then it's settled. Wait for your notice, then."
…
Once he was gone, Ningguang's expression transformed from weary to sharp, her earlier weakness vanishing.
Thinking of how she had bound Shao Yun to her side with a mere hundred billion Mora, she smiled with satisfaction.
Softly, she murmured to herself, "At last, I've tied you to my ship, Mister Shao Yun. As you said, I truly am a shrewd merchant…"