As he spoke, the elite Fatui agent seemed to feel a twinge of regret.
He regretted not going to Liyue Harbor to join in the excitement.
He heard there was something even more advanced than The Alcor there. But he had run back so fast to report that he missed the details.
"I understand."
Tartaglia nodded gravely.
Regardless of everything else, he had to see this "Fire Dragon" accompanying Director Hu.
There is no smoke without fire. Hu Tao wasn't the type to spout nonsense about something like that.
He silently speculated that the creature might also have come from the Jar Shop.
If so, he needed to re-evaluate the shop's strategic importance yet again.
Thinking this, Tartaglia stood up and walked toward the exit of Northland Bank, tossing instructions over his shoulder. "Alright, that's enough for now. Continue your surveillance tomorrow. If you need funds, ask Ekaterina."
"My Lord."
Ekaterina spoke up immediately, stopping Tartaglia in his tracks.
Tartaglia paused.
"What is it?"
He turned around, frowning as she approached. "Just say it."
"Manager Andrei is missing. Should we send someone to find him?"
Ekaterina looked worried. "What if he doesn't return tonight?"
"No need. Just proceed with the operation tonight as planned."
Tartaglia waved his hand dismissively. "I'll have someone look for him later. Don't worry about anything else. Just prepare yourself and execute your mission."
"Yes, my Lord!"
Ekaterina nodded.
Tartaglia left the bank.
"I left Liyue for a few days, and you're telling me the city has changed this much? It feels so unfamiliar."
"What's unfamiliar about it? Lady Ningguang opened the Liyue Bank. It's not that big a deal."
"Didn't you hear? Director Hu at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is offering a 'Soul Out-of-Body' service! You can make an appointment to experience your soul leaving your body."
"Yeah, and Wangsheng is open during the day now. I don't know what kind of training Director Hu did, but she's amazing. None of the previous directors could do this."
"That's old news. I heard Director Hu is raising a Fire Dragon! I went to the parlor but didn't see her or the dragon."
"You're lying. There's no such thing as a Fire Dragon. I've heard of Geovishaps, but Fire Dragons?"
"Why would I lie? Director Hu said it herself! I want to see it too. People say it's really cute."
"Forget the dragon. I want to see Captain Beidou's new ship at the harbor. But the crowd is insane. I couldn't even squeeze in."
...
As Tartaglia walked the streets of Liyue, he overheard the excited chatter of passersby.
His eyes narrowed.
The rumors had spread this far already?
He wondered what Hu Tao's dragon looked like.
And this "Soul Out-of-Body" service... Wangsheng had never offered such a thing before.
He had lived in Liyue for a long time. The directors could communicate with spirits, sure. But knocking a living person's soul out of their body? That was new.
Was it related to the Jar Shop?
Almost instantly, Tartaglia connected the dots to Felix's shop.
Every recent anomaly in Liyue seemed to trace back to those jars.
Liyue Bank. Wangsheng's new services. Even the "Fire Dragon."
He was certain now.
Remembering his subordinate's report about Hu Tao leaving the shop with the mysterious owner and a strange woman in a wizard hat...
Tartaglia frowned. If Hu Tao wasn't at the parlor, where would she go at night?
And what was happening at the harbor?
I'll check the harbor first.
Making up his mind, Tartaglia headed toward the docks.
Meanwhile, in the skies above Liyue.
The Jade Chamber floated majestically, shining bright even in the darkness of night.
"Lady Ningguang."
Baishi hurried in, holding a freshly arrived paper crane. "Latest intelligence report. When Director Hu left Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, she brought out a pet she called a 'Fire Dragon.' This statement came directly from Director Hu herself."
"Hm? Fire Dragon?"
Ningguang, who was busy drafting future plans for Liyue Harbor, paused her brush.
Her long eyelashes fluttered as she looked up. "What kind of Fire Dragon?"
Her first thought was alarm. A dragon appearing in the city could be a disaster.
But she quickly dismissed the thought.
If a dragon like Dvalin had appeared, the city would be in chaos, and Baishi wouldn't be reporting it so calmly. The paper crane would have flown straight to her face in emergency mode.
Nearby, Keqing looked up from her book with interest, her amethyst eyes focusing on Baishi.
"The Millelith reported that it is a small, dopey-looking creature with a flame on its tail. It stands about 0.6 meters tall."
Baishi's expression was a bit odd. "That's what Director Hu called it, anyway. We don't have specifics. But Wangsheng has been active today. First the Soul Out-of-Body service—Director Hu can knock souls out with a stick—and now they're open 24/7."
"It seems Director Hu had a bountiful harvest from the Jar Shop," Keqing said with a smile.
"If people can pull Devil Fruits, Dragon Balls, and Steam Battleships, pulling a 'Fire Dragon' pet isn't that strange."
"Knowing Hu Tao, she won't endanger Liyue. I might go visit Wangsheng tomorrow to experience this 'Soul Out-of-Body' thing myself."
Keqing looked genuinely intrigued.
She had never experienced her soul leaving her body.
It was obvious Hu Tao got the means to do this from the shop. No need to overthink it.
"Is there anything else?"
Ningguang smiled lightly. "Anyone else pull anything interesting?"
"Um, Miss Yanfei was seen flying over Liyue today using a bamboo device on her head. She landed at Yujing Terrace."
Baishi thought for a moment. "Other than that, nothing major. It seems Miss Yanfei also visited the shop."
"Yanfei, huh?"
Ningguang chuckled. "I didn't expect that child to notice the shop so quickly."
"Alright, I understand. Nothing critical."
"I'll visit Wangsheng tomorrow as well."
"Yes, Lady Ningguang."
Baishi bowed and retreated.
"Speaking of which, how much are you planning to invest in Liyue Harbor?"
Keqing asked, her voice cool and professional. " The funds in Liyue Bank haven't moved yet. Investing in the harbor is a good direction. If we can mass-produce ships superior to our current fleet, trade will become more efficient, bringing greater economic growth."
"I plan to invest one-third of the bank's reserves immediately."
Ningguang said calmly. "Perhaps even half. We need to build these advanced ships quickly. Aside from trade benefits, we can use them to strike at the Fatui pirates masquerading at sea. We might even turn the tables and seize Snezhnayan vessels."
"Our ships have been plundered by 'pirates' too often. It always happens right after Captain Beidou's Alcor leaves on a long voyage. It's not just Liyue; other nations suffer too."
"Once we have the battleships, we can sweep those pirates from the sea, bring them back to Liyue for trial, and judge them right in front of the Northland Bank."
Ningguang's expression turned icy.
Building a modern navy was a strategic necessity. It would allow Liyue to counter the Fatui on two fronts: economic (via the bank) and military (via the fleet).
Killing two birds with one stone.
"Since you've decided, I won't argue," Keqing nodded. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Go ahead."
Keqing left.
Shortly after, the doors to the Jade Chamber opened again.
A young woman with blue hair tied in a ponytail and small horns on her head walked in. A single cowlick stood atop her head.
It was Ganyu.
"Lady Ganyu."
Baishi greeted her respectfully. "Lady Ningguang is waiting for you."
"Ah, Ganyu."
Ningguang smiled warmly. "Finished with your work?"
"Yes, I'm finished."
Ganyu nodded. "You summoned me via paper crane? What are your instructions?"
"Nothing serious. I just want you to go to a certain Jar Shop tomorrow and open some jars."
Ganyu: "??????"
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