Liyue.
Yuehai Pavilion.
Bang!
A palm slammed down on the table so hard that the documents scattered into the air.
Cloud Retainer shot upright in shock, staring at Ganyu as if she had misheard.
All the adepti widened their eyes and rose to their feet simultaneously.
"What?! Mr. Taro is leaving Liyue?"
"Why?!"
"Did we fail to treat him properly?"
"Was some fool rude to him?"
"Ganyu, give us a name. This immortal will immediately skin that fool alive to vent Mr. Taro's anger."
"Outrageous!"
"They dare behave this way while we adepti still exist?"
"How insolent!"
"Impudent beyond measure! Let me—"
"Fetch my spear—"
"…"
In an instant, the entire meeting room turned chaotic—anger, shouting, killing intent everywhere.
"Everyone, please, listen to my explanation first!"
"No—it's not like that—!"
Ganyu covered her ears, panicking, but none of the adepti listened.
One after another grabbed their weapons, ready to rush out to "deal with" the unknown offender.
Unable to bear it, Ganyu stomped her foot—
A blast of cold spread across the room, frost coating the adepti's robes.
"Apologies… I had no other choice."
"Now… are you all calm?"
When she lowered her hands from her ears, she spoke softly:
"Mr. Taro is only going to obtain materials for Fanan and Yingda.
He isn't leaving Liyue forever."
"I already asked him. He'll return for the Lantern Rite."
"…"
The adepti shivered, brushed frost off their shoulders, and awkwardly put their weapons away before sitting down again.
"You child…"
Cloud Retainer pushed her glasses up, glaring at her.
"Why speak only half a sentence? Look at how panicked everyone became."
"Next time, finish your explanation in a single breath."
The ancient art of blame-shifting—Cloud Retainer style.
"You old bird…"
Moon Carver's red eyes narrowed. "Who was the one who leapt up first and slammed the table?"
"That's right!" River Carver nodded. "Well said, well said."
"It was clearly you who lost composure first."
"You two old fossils want to fight?"
Cloud Retainer's eyes widened as she prepared to "educate" them.
"Enough, enough."
Mountain Shaper pressed his temples.
"Let Ganyu finish the matter."
"What are you all arguing for?"
"Does arguing accomplish anything?"
"Indeed."
Madame Ping coughed lightly and looked at Ganyu.
"Child, we are not in a rush. Speak clearly from the beginning."
"Hmph."
Cloud Retainer snorted but turned away.
"Ganyu, slowly. No need to hurry."
"…"
Ganyu instinctively covered the qilin horn on her head and looked at her master with deep grievance.
"I said to let me finish explaining…"
"You interrupted me before I even got halfway."
They had explicitly told her to finish her explanation calmly—
But she merely said: "Mr. Taro is leaving"—
And they all exploded.
What was she supposed to do?
"Ahem."
Realizing she was at fault, Cloud Retainer swiftly changed the topic:
"Ganyu, did Mr. Taro mention anything else?"
Anything else?
Hmm… There was the private invitation…
But that must never be mentioned.
If master heard it, she would definitely tie Ganyu up, write a leave request herself, and deliver her straight to Mr. Taro's residence.
Absolutely not.
Just imagining those shameful mental images becoming reality made her face flush bright red as she shook her head violently.
"What are you shaking your head for?"
"So there's nothing more?" Cloud Retainer looked confused.
How could her disciple seem so… slow?
"There… shouldn't be anything else."
Ganyu shook her head again.
"He only said he will inform Morax before leaving."
"That seems to be all."
"So… which direction is he heading?"
Moon Carver immediately focused on the key point.
"Fontaine," Ganyu answered.
Fontaine?
The room fell silent.
Liyue and Fontaine had diplomatic ties—
But their relationship wasn't particularly close.
They couldn't offer much help.
Besides, everyone present understood perfectly well:
The "materials" Mr. Taro wanted…
Were without a doubt related to the Water Dragon King.
After all, he once collected remains of an ancient god in Guyun Stone Forest.
He even pried off Ruotuo's horns and crown...
Since he was going personally, the Water Dragon King was the only possible target.
And that was something they absolutely could not intervene in.
"Wait~"
Cloud Retainer's eyes lit up suddenly.
"We may be unable to help with materials."
"But what if we imitate Mondstadt?"
Imitate Mondstadt?
"What imitation?" Moon Carver asked.
"Speak clearly."
Cloud Retainer folded her wings confidently.
"Doesn't Liyue also have a Descender?"
"Mondstadt gave her the title 'Honorary Knight.'"
"So why not give Mr. Taro a formal honorific as well?"
"He doesn't care about power."
"Outsiders don't understand Descenders."
"But if we give him a prestigious title, foreign nations will show more respect.
It would deter fools and prevent trouble. A good thing all around."
Honorific?
The adepti stroked their chins, minds already spinning rapidly.
"Wait."
Madame Ping frowned.
"This must be approached cautiously."
"We have to discuss it with Morax and Guizhong."
"We can't decide something like this casually."
"If we break taboo… our good intentions might cause disaster."
"Agreed."
River Carver nodded.
"Ganyu, this matter is yours to relay."
"Ah?"
Ganyu froze, but under the collective gaze of the adepti, she still nodded.
"A-all right… I'll ask the Geo Lord and the Dust King."
"Good, go quickly. We'll handle Yuehai Pavilion."
"…"
Still confused, Ganyu was pushed out of the room by the group of immortals.
Down the stairs she stumbled, half dazed.
"This child needs more opportunities to rest…"
"One of you ask when Shenhe will arrive."
"Tomorrow morning, most likely."
"In that case, let Ganyu take her to meet Mr. Taro first."
"You mean…"
"A solitary qilin's fate changes greatly when aided by nobles. The augury speaks of great fortune. Mr. Taro's stature is extraordinary—surely…"
"This must not be done recklessly. Inform Fanan before making decisions."
"Already did."
"Hm? When—?"
"Fanan pulled me into Mr. Taro's team. We can communicate instantly. You didn't get in?"
"What team?"
"…People."
(End of Chapter)
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