Chapter 24: Ningguang's Bargaining Chip
Kael took the parchment from Ningguang and scanned it carefully, his expression tightening for a brief moment before turning into a faint smirk.
"Twenty percent equity in the New Era Chamber of Commerce, hm? You really don't hold back when it comes to sealing a deal, Lady Ningguang."
The Tianquan crossed one leg over the other, her ruby eyes calm and calculating. "I don't like to waste words, Kael. If I want something done, I pay what it's worth."
Kael let out a low whistle. The New Era Chamber of Commerce—he'd heard Keqing mention it once. A venture born of their combined ambition, fueled by ten million Mora in seed investment and the shared vision of a stronger, self-sufficient Liyue.
The name alone carried meaning: a new era of commerce—a statement that the age of the gods was waning, and the age of humanity had begun.
And Ningguang had turned it into a gold mine.
During the last month, she had quietly applied the financial strategies she'd learned from Kael himself—methods centuries ahead of Liyue's current economy. Through careful speculation, trade control, and strategic takeovers, she had forced several shady merchant guilds into collapse, absorbing their markets under the Chamber's banner.
Now, the New Era Chamber of Commerce wasn't just another trade alliance—it was becoming the economic heart of Liyue.
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A Share of Power
Ningguang folded her hands, voice smooth as silk.
"Those shares represent twenty percent of the Chamber's profits. Keqing and I have allocated fifty percent to Morax—an anonymous endowment. The proceeds will fund the reconstruction of the Jade Chamber 2.0."
She paused briefly, watching his expression. "The remaining thirty percent is split between myself and Keqing. Twenty for me, ten for her. It's a fair division. Keqing's efforts are mostly managerial, and mine, strategic. Besides, Mora itself is not what we seek—control is."
Kael gave a slow nod, amused. "So the great Tianquan has decided to make me a shareholder. I can already feel the weight of Mora falling from the heavens."
He leaned back with a grin. "You realize, of course, that with your business acumen, if you ever decided to abandon morality, you could easily control the entire economic lifeline of Teyvat."
Ningguang smiled thinly. "And if I ever did that, Morax himself would personally strike me down. You think I'd risk annoying a god whose patience I've already tested?"
Kael laughed quietly, signing the contract without hesitation. The elegant Liyuean calligraphy glowed faintly as his signature bound the pact.
He felt no need to question her sincerity. Ningguang's loyalty wasn't built on trust—it was built on mutually assured interest.
And now, she was officially his partner.
To Kael, it was a small but satisfying victory—another piece secured on the board of Teyvat.
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"Will Zhongli Send Us the Bill?"
Kael flipped the signed parchment once before tucking it away. "I suppose Morax will find out about my new shares sooner or later. Do you think he'll send the Chamber a heavenly invoice?"
Ningguang's elegant composure cracked slightly, her lips twitching. "If he does, I'll make sure it's addressed to you."
Kael chuckled. "Fair. I'll just tell him it was part of my divine duties."
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What Ningguang Really Wanted
"So," Kael said after a moment, "what exactly are you hoping to gain from Jean and Mondstadt? Mora? Trade routes? Access to northern ports?"
"Not this time," Ningguang replied, her tone growing serious. "There's a man among the Knights of Favonius—an alchemist named Albedo. His talent in alchemy surpasses anyone alive. I want him."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "You want to recruit him?"
"Temporarily," Ningguang clarified. "Many of the technological blueprints you've shared in the chat group require expertise our scholars simply don't have. If Albedo assists us—even briefly—our research could advance decades ahead of schedule."
Kael tapped the table thoughtfully. "Albedo, huh… interesting."
In his past life, Kael had known of Albedo—Mondstadt's mysterious "Kreideprinz." Brilliant, reserved, polite. A model scholar. But what the world didn't know was his origin.
He wasn't human.
He was a creation—a homunculus, born of the alchemist Rhinedottir, better known as Gold.
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Rhinedottir: The Golden Calamity
Kael's eyes darkened slightly.
Rhinedottir. One of the few beings that could still make his divine instincts recoil.
While the Fatui's Dottore was infamous for his insanity—his clones, his disregard for life, his obsession with dissecting the laws of existence—Rhinedottir was worse. Much worse.
Where Dottore experimented to understand, Rhinedottir experimented to create. And what she created had nearly destroyed Teyvat.
Her legacy of horrors stretched across the continents:
Durin, the corrupted dragon that brought ruin to Mondstadt.
The disaster in The Chasm, which scarred Liyue's earth for centuries.
The fall of Orobashi, the serpent god who defied Celestia and perished by her hand.
Even the Fontaine Sea Crisis, where her failed constructs nearly shattered the Primordial Seawater barrier.
Everywhere her hand reached, destruction followed.
And Albedo… was her masterpiece.
If Kael had the chance, he'd erase Rhinedottir from the world without hesitation. But for now, Albedo wasn't a threat—he was simply another chess piece.
After a moment, Kael nodded. "I'll persuade him. I doubt he'll refuse if I make the offer personally."
Ningguang's lips curved slightly. "Then I'll leave that to you, Kael. You're far more… persuasive than I am."
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The Politics of Assistance
She exhaled softly, brushing her thumb against her teacup. "To be honest, there's no one else I can send. I can't leave Liyue myself, and Keqing is buried in administrative work. As for Ganyu, Madam Ping, or Zhongli… their presence would spark unnecessary rumors. Mondstadt's people are proud. They don't take kindly to the idea of 'divine interference.'"
"Which means I'm the perfect candidate," Kael said dryly.
"Precisely."
Kael gave a small nod. "All right, I'll handle it. When do you want me to depart?"
Ningguang folded her hands. "Soon. I'll write a letter of introduction to Jean. It won't grant you official status—Liyue must respect Mondstadt's sovereignty—but it will ensure you're treated as an honored guest."
Kael stood, stretching lazily. "I'm not in a rush. I'll pay someone a visit first."
"Childe?" Ningguang guessed instantly.
Kael's grin widened. "You're getting predictable, Lady Ningguang. As my 'dear friend,' I'm sure the Eleventh Harbinger won't mind helping me fund my journey."
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The Art of Taking Advantage
"You're planning to scam the Fatui?" Ningguang raised an amused eyebrow.
"'Scam' is such an ugly word," Kael replied innocently. "Let's call it redistributing wealth. Besides, Childe enjoys a good challenge."
"Be careful," she warned. "If he learns your true strength, he won't underestimate you next time."
Kael's smile turned faintly predatory. "That's fine. Sometimes it's good to let your opponent think they've caught your scent. It makes the next hunt that much easier."
Ningguang studied him for a long moment—his calm posture, his sharp golden eyes that held the weight of something far older than a mortal.
She wasn't sure what Kael truly was… but she knew one thing for certain:
Whatever his origin, Liyue would never be the same after him.