"Honored guests, Lady Tianquan Ningguang requests your presence!"
Su Ran had assumed the Liyue Qixing would wait until the next day to make their move.
Yet only two or three hours had passed before someone came seeking him.
And it wasn't just anyone—it was Ningguang, Tianquan of the Qixing.
With Rex Lapis absent and the Adepti aloof from worldly affairs, Ningguang was essentially the most powerful official in Liyue.
For her to send an invitation so quickly… cautious indeed.
"Do you even know who's by my side?
If Ningguang doesn't come invite us herself, and instead sends you, some little attendant—what's that supposed to mean?"
Su Ran glanced at the woman before him.
Was her name Bai Shi, or Bai Xiao? He couldn't remember.
"I… do not."
The young aide looked at Ei with a blank expression.
Her garb marked her as Inazuman, but her identity? Unknown.
Still, could Ningguang possibly be extending an invitation to the Raiden Shogun herself? Impossible.
That thought was dismissed at once.
The Shogun was no ordinary figure.
Were she to visit Liyue, even the Qixing gathered together would not be honor enough.
It would warrant Rex Lapis himself stepping forth.
There was no way she could be standing here, in the flesh.
"See? We're both in foreign lands, yet more people recognize me than you."
Su Ran whispered to Ei, teasing her.
The majestic deity of thunder, and yet outside her own nation, no one even knew her face.
She wasn't like Morax, who cloaked himself in mortal guise.
Ei had never cared to use a vessel or disguise at all.
"Lead the way then. Let's hope Ningguang isn't too shocked when she sees us."
The aide curled her lip ever so slightly in disdain.
She knew who Su Ran was: Second Harbinger of the Fatui.
At best, his rank equaled a Qixing.
As for Ningguang?
How could she possibly be shocked?
Still, the aide kept her voice respectful.
Anyone Ningguang deemed worthy of hosting was, on paper, a great figure.
Even if the Fatui's reputation left a bitter taste.
"Who is this Ningguang?"
Ei asked in puzzlement.
In Liyue, she knew only Morax and the Adepti.
The Qixing meant nothing to her.
The aide blinked.
This woman didn't even know Tianquan Ningguang?
What backwater had she crawled from?
With a sigh, she explained Ningguang's role and achievements along the way.
"So… Tianquan Ningguang is a woman of talent, then."
Ei nodded in approval.
The aide's heart sank.
That was it? Just a mild compliment?
Shouldn't she be wide-eyed, awestruck at Ningguang's legend—rising from the bottom to the peak?
But no. Just a single, offhand remark.
By now, the aide gave up on impressing her.
Better to let her see the Jade Chamber herself.
That sight would surely humble her.
They ascended Yujing Terrace and boarded a floating stone to reach the Jade Chamber.
"This is Lady Ningguang's Jade Chamber.
From here, one can gaze down on all of Liyue Harbor."
The aide kept stealing glances at their faces, eager for a reaction.
But… nothing.
"Not bad," Su Ran said flatly. "But it doesn't fly all that high.
When I get the chance, I'll borrow a space station from the Interstellar Peace Company."
Compared to a chamber suspended over the sea, a station orbiting among the stars offered a far grander view.
Ei nodded thoughtfully.
"It's not as solemn as Tenshukaku, but the view is good.
But… what's a space station?"
"Something built even higher than Celestia."
"That high?"
"Yes."
"Honored guests, Lady Ningguang awaits within.
If you wish to tour the Jade Chamber, please do so after you've met with her."
Su Ran frowned.
Not only had Ningguang not come to invite him personally,
she hadn't even come to greet him at the door.
Was this a deliberate show of superiority, because he was Fatui?
He glanced at Ei.
Hopefully, Ningguang wouldn't scare herself witless.
"Lady Ningguang, I've brought your guests."
Ningguang, still scanning a letter, waved a hand.
"You may go, Baixiao."
"Yes, my lady."
Her aide withdrew, leaving the three of them in the chamber.
Ningguang finally raised her gaze.
Su Ran stood there with arms crossed, smirking as if waiting for a play to unfold.
Ei, on the other hand, studied Ningguang with mild curiosity.
So this was Tianquan Ningguang?
An adept wielder of Geo?
This was the famed Qixing?
She didn't look that strong…
Ningguang had planned to put the Fatui Harbinger in his place with a display of authority.
But when her eyes fell on the figure standing at his side—
Her composure shattered.
The Raiden Shogun.
Liyue's common folk might not know her face, but Ningguang, as Tianquan, certainly did.
Why… why was the God of Thunder of Inazuma here?
Why was she standing beside a Fatui Harbinger?
Her intended show of force turned into a resounding blowback.
"This is Tianquan Ningguang, is it not?
I've heard the praises—wealth beyond compare, eyes bright as stars, a mind sharper than blades, a strategist of unmatched talent.
Meeting you today, the name proves true indeed."
Su Ran's compliments flowed smoothly.
But Ningguang could hardly force a smile.
Someone, please explain to her… why the Raiden Shogun herself was standing beside a Fatui Harbinger?
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