Chapter 23: Ningguang's Method of Earning Mora
In the quiet courtyard of Kael's modest residence, the warm scent of osmanthus tea filled the air. Across from him sat Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, elegantly poised as always. A small lacquered box of exquisite pastries rested between them—her idea of a casual visit.
Kael took a bite of the golden shortbread she'd brought, savoring its buttery texture before glancing at her with a playful smirk.
"So," he said, swallowing his bite, "what brings the illustrious Lady Ningguang to my humble home today? You wouldn't happen to be here to… deepen our emotional connection, would you?"
Ningguang raised an eyebrow, a faint, knowing smile tugging at her lips. "Emotional connection? You overestimate your charm, Mister Kael."
Kael chuckled. "Ah, a pity. For a moment, I thought the great Tianquan had finally taken an interest in something other than Mora."
It had been over a month since Kael arrived in Liyue. During that time, Keqing often visited him—sometimes to spar, sometimes to eat, sometimes simply to discuss her endless projects for reform. Ganyu would also stop by occasionally, delivering daily necessities with her usual gentle grace.
But Ningguang, despite their occasional chat group banter, had barely shown her face.
Not because of neglect, but because of the obvious—she was perpetually busy.
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"I've Been Too Busy to Visit"
"To be honest," Ningguang sighed, brushing a stray strand of white hair behind her ear, "I've been overwhelmed with work lately. Between managing trade routes, monitoring Fatui movements, and dealing with the Northland Bank's… subtle manipulations, I barely have time to sleep."
She gestured delicately to the corner of her eye. "If this continues, I might even start getting wrinkles."
Kael leaned back and smiled. "Miss Ningguang, with your charm, even time itself would hesitate to leave a mark. Besides, if you've been cultivating your internal energy as I taught, it'll strengthen your vitality. In time, it can even slow aging altogether."
That caught her attention.
"Truly?" she asked, tilting her head with interest. "A technique that grants both strength and youth? If that's true, I might just start training more diligently."
Kael's grin deepened. "Ah, so vanity succeeds where ambition fails. Typical of a businesswoman."
Ningguang chuckled softly, resting her cheek on her hand. "Mock me all you want. Mora may not buy time… but it certainly buys the means to preserve it."
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The Pay-to-Win Tianquan
She took a sip of tea before continuing, "All my cultivation points are earned through Mora, you know. I posted a commission at the Adventurers' Guild—bounties for Hilichurls, Whopperflowers, Slimes, even Ruin Machines. I pay others to gather resources and defeat monsters in exchange for contribution reports."
Kael blinked. "…So you've essentially outsourced your cultivation grind."
Ningguang nodded proudly. "Precisely. Some people called me unorthodox. I call it efficient resource management."
Kael sighed, unable to resist a smile. "As expected of Liyue's richest woman—turning even spiritual cultivation into a business model. Truly the definition of a pay-to-win player."
"Well," Ningguang replied lightly, "as long as Mora can solve the problem, then it's not really a problem, is it?"
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"I Need Your Help"
After another sip of tea, Ningguang's expression grew serious. "That said, I didn't come here just to talk about Mora. I need your help, Kael."
"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow. "Keqing already dragged me into helping Tianshu last week, and now you're next? I'm starting to think I've been promoted to the Qixing's errand boy."
"This one's… different." Ningguang set her teacup down and crossed her legs gracefully. "A few days ago, I received correspondence from Mondstadt. Acting Grand Master Jean Gunnhildr—she's a friend of mine, and we exchange letters occasionally. She's asked for aid."
Kael's curiosity sharpened. "Mondstadt? What's happened there?"
"There was a dragon disaster," Ningguang explained. "Stormterror—also known as Dvalin—went berserk and attacked Mondstadt. Though the Knights of Favonius managed to calm the situation, the damage was severe. The ley lines across the region have since become unstable."
She folded her hands, her tone grave. "Normally, the Knights could handle it. But their Grand Master, Varka, took most of their elite units on a long expedition. Now, less than a tenth of the Knights remain in Mondstadt. Jean is doing her best, but she's struggling to contain the chaos."
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"Isn't She Afraid Liyue Will Take Advantage?"
Kael chuckled softly. "She's reaching out to you? Isn't she afraid that Liyue might exploit the situation? If I recall, the Tianquan's reputation in foreign politics isn't exactly built on charity."
Ningguang shot him a sidelong glance. "Please. Liyue and Mondstadt have always maintained an alliance of trust. Morax and Barbatos were once close companions, and even though Barbatos has long vanished from the public eye, we still honor that bond."
Her expression softened slightly. "However… to protect Mondstadt's dignity, the Millelith cannot be sent. Official intervention from Liyue would be seen as overreach. But if a private consultant were to assist them, that's a different matter entirely."
Kael sighed. "So you've set your sights on me, then."
Ningguang smiled knowingly. "You're quick to catch on. I may not know the true limits of your strength, but Keqing insists that you're far beyond her level. If that's true, then one man might just be enough to turn the tide in Mondstadt's favor."
Kael leaned back, studying her expression. "You really do have a way with persuasion."
"I prefer to call it negotiation," Ningguang said sweetly.
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Plans Within Plans
Inwardly, Kael was already considering it. If the "dragon disaster" had begun, that meant Venti would soon reveal himself. And if the Anemo Archon's Gnosis was in play, then this was his opportunity.
La Signora would no doubt appear as well, but Kael wasn't worried. In truth, Venti had allowed her to take his Gnosis willingly—it was part of the divine theater that Celestia played out over Teyvat.
The real threat was the Abyss Order. Stormterror's corruption came from them. And Kael's divine energy—the remnant of the Heavenly Principles—was their natural opposite. If they recognized him for what he was, they'd stop at nothing to destroy him.
To confirm, he opened the chat group.
> Kael: Zhongli, you there?
Zhongli: Always. What troubles you, my friend?
Kael: Ningguang wants me to travel to Mondstadt. I intend to assist them—and retrieve the Anemo Archon's Gnosis. But the Abyss Order might be involved. Will they recognize me for what I am?
Zhongli: Unlikely. Unless they possess a Gnosis, your true nature will remain hidden. Even I wouldn't have known had I not held mine. Still… conceal yourself, Kael. The Abyss remembers what it fears.
Kael closed the chat with a faint smile. So long as the Abyss didn't see through him, Mondstadt would be his next step forward.
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"What's in It for Me?"
He looked back at Ningguang. "I'll go," he said simply. "But let's not pretend this is purely altruistic. You never do anything for free, Ningguang. What's in it for you—and more importantly, for me?"
The Tianquan's smile turned sly as she reached into her robe and pulled out a golden scroll sealed with red wax. She unfurled it before him, her elegant fingers brushing the parchment.
"This," she said smoothly, "is your contract."
Kael arched an eyebrow. "A reward in writing, huh? That's very you."
"Of course." Ningguang's tone was calm, yet a spark of amusement danced in her eyes. "You'll find the terms generous—one million Mora upon completion, and ten percent of Mondstadt's future trade profits for the next three months."
Kael blinked, momentarily speechless. "…You're bribing me with international trade shares?"
Ningguang's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Let's just say… I prefer to invest in results."
End of Chapter 23