"Brother~"
"I saw you pondering before the statue for quite a while. Did something trouble you?"
While Taro had been "spacing out," a young man in azure robes, sword at his side, strolled closer. His bearing was that of a wandering swordsman. His smile was warm.
Friendly. Perhaps a bit too friendly.
"You are…?"
Taro turned back from his distant gaze, eyes landing on the newcomer.
The face felt familiar, but the name didn't come at once.
Not poor memory—just too much time passed. Twenty years in that dystopian world as a wage-slave. After that, his focus had been fully consumed by YGGDRASIL.
In such a life, remembering fragments of his first world was already impressive.
Let alone faces from a game.
If not for the striking déjà vu of the Statue of the Seven, he wouldn't have remembered that either.
"I am Xingqiu, a native of Liyue. May I know your name, brother?"
The youth cupped his hands formally. His tone left no flaw to be found.
That air of refinement made him likable instantly.
Xingqiu. Swordsman garb. One-handed sword. Hydro Vision.
Oh, yes.
That second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. The so-called six-star Water God, the "civilian war god."
A rich kid.
"I am Taro, an ordinary traveler from abroad."
"No trouble. Just new to this land. Adjusting."
Taro gave a slight nod, keeping his self-introduction simple.
When someone extended goodwill, he responded in kind.
Good for good. Evil for evil.
"I see. Then I intruded," Xingqiu said gently, nodding with understanding.
Liyue, vast and prosperous, sat at the center of Teyvat. Two great seaports and sprawling trade routes.
Caravans endless, ships uncountable.
Travelers away from home often fell into homesickness here.
Xingqiu had seen it before. The best remedy was conversation, not melancholy.
Distraction through dialogue. It had never failed him.
This too was part of the swordsman's way.
"It is indeed my first time in Liyue," Taro said.
Of course. His first time in Teyvat altogether.
He had only just transmigrated.
The game didn't count.
But he didn't yet know this world's current progress.
Had the blonde traveler arrived? Which nation were they in? Was he early, or late?
So many uncertainties.
"By the way, young master," Taro asked softly, "I've long heard of the Rite of Descension. Each year, Rex Lapis appears on Yujing Terrace. Has this year's rite passed?"
Young master? He called me "young master"!
The title struck Xingqiu squarely in his ideal of chivalry. His smile brightened even further.
"Overpraised. But as for the Rite, you are in luck. It will be held in just a few days."
He added with enthusiasm, "If you don't mind, as host I would gladly guide you through Liyue. Might I have the honor of accompanying you?"
His words were refined, perhaps overly so.
But pleasant. Very pleasant.
"With Xingqiu as my guide, it would be my honor."
Why refuse? A local merchant's son as escort meant fewer troubles, and likely more conveniences.
"Excellent, excellent."
Joy gleamed in Xingqiu's eyes. "Beyond this stretch of road lies Liyue Harbor. When we arrive, allow me to host you to a proper meal."
"Please, brother."
"After you, young master."
Thus they walked together, side by side toward the great harbor.
See? How easy. Just call him "young master" and he's hooked. A guide, and a meal too.
Taro's mood lightened. Xingqiu was also pleased. Their conversation flowed.
Time passed swiftly.
At last, Liyue Harbor revealed itself: the gathering place of a thousand ships and myriad merchants.
"Brother Taro, look."
Xingqiu halted, pointing ahead with pride.
"There lies Liyue Harbor."
Taro nodded, studying it seriously for the first time.
Unlike the game's renderings, the real harbor was immense. Too vast to take in at a glance.
Between Mt. Tianheng and the Guyun Stone Forest, Liyue Harbor was the greatest trade port in Teyvat, famed as the ancient hub of commerce.
Mountains and sea framed its silhouette. Ancient architecture steeped in culture and history stretched as far as sight could go.
And above it, floating in the sky, a grand palace.
"Brother Taro, that is the Jade Chamber," Xingqiu explained.
"One of the Seven Stars, Lady Ningguang of Tianquan, built it herself. A pearl of Liyue."
"Not bad," Taro said, rubbing his chin. "Xingqiu, if I wanted to put my own flying palace above Liyue, would that work?"
He had floating fortresses far more luxurious than the Jade Chamber.
But would he be allowed to deploy them here?
"Ah… what?"
Xingqiu froze, stunned.
"You mean… you wish to build such a chamber?"
"No, not build. Place it. It already exists."
"…"
For a moment Xingqiu could only gape.
"Well… it seems Brother Taro's family is not without resources. But this is not a matter of wealth alone."
After all, Ningguang's ability to put up the Jade Chamber was not just about riches.
In Liyue, merchants were countless. Nobles, landowners, tycoons—anyone with enough effort could gather the materials.
But being able to show it openly? That was different.
Ningguang could, because she was Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing.
The second rung of Liyue's power pyramid.
One step below Rex Lapis himself.
For others…
Nearly impossible.
(End of Chapter)
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