"Lady Mu is here! Everyone, step aside and clear the way!"
At this shout, the crowd surrounding Old Yang's stall quickly parted to create a path.
As the crowd dispersed, a young woman strode forward, clad in light, agile armor. Her long hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and a dark cloak draped over her shoulders. Her sharp gaze and valiant bearing radiated the aura of a true warrior.
Even Zhongli couldn't help but secretly admire her.
The Kaiyang was already strikingly handsome, but this martial attire only accentuated her extraordinary charm!
The young men in the crowd stared like light bulbs, but when Mu Qingge glanced their way, they quickly averted their gazes. Even her most casual glance was enough to make these young men shrink back in fear.
Approaching the stall, Mu Qingge noticed Zhongli looking at her. Startled, she hurried forward:
"Mr. Zhongli is here too? My deepest apologies for the oversight. Are you here to purchase a Rex Lapis Figurine?"
Mu Qingge was known for her straightforwardness. According to Jiang Mumu's characterization, she, like Ningguang and Keqing, remained unaware that Zhongli was the Geo Archon Rex Lapis.
Yet this didn't diminish her respect for him.
Zhongli nodded slightly. "Having some free time, I happened to pass by and noticed the boss selling these figurines. I thought I'd buy one."
"I didn't expect to run into you here, Lady Mu."
Mu Qingge quickly waved her hand. "Mr. Zhongli, please call me Young Mu as usual."
She couldn't possibly bear being addressed as "Lady Mu."
"Ha ha, then Young Mu, please proceed first." A faint smile touched Zhongli's usually impassive face.
He was quite pleased with this Kaiyang—capable, talented, neither arrogant nor discouraged, and full of ideas. Zhongli felt much more at ease about his eventual retirement knowing she would succeed him.
After speaking with Zhongli, Mu Qingge turned to the boss. "Boss, has anyone reserved that largest Figurine?"
"Not yet."
"I'll take it. How much Mora?"
Mu Qingge's savings weren't substantial. Although her salary was high, she had only been earning for a few years, and most of her income was sent home to support her younger sister's education and improve her family's living conditions.
But the Rex Lapis Figurine was a must-buy!
Mu Qingge's faith in Rex Lapis was profound—she was an ardent Rex Lapis fanatic!
Unlike Keqing, Mu Qingge openly adored Rex Lapis, declaring her devotion without reservation!
Anyone familiar with Mu Qingge knew she was typically a very rational person.
Yet even such a rational person had once spent all her money on a Geo Archon-themed item sold by the Feiyun Commerce Guild, forcing her to run home daily for the next half-month to beg for money from her parents.
This time was no different. Though the item was pricey, Mu Qingge had a compelling reason to buy it.
Fortunately, she now had her own little stash of money—not much, but enough to buy the Geo Figurine.
"Mr. Zhongli, I'm busy. I have urgent matters to attend to. I'll visit Wangsheng Funeral Parlor again soon. Please tell Director Hu Tao that I accept the matter she discussed with me."
"Safe travels, Young Mu. I'll be sure to relay your message."
As Mu Qingge turned to leave, she noticed a figure cloaked in a hooded robe.
The figure stood out starkly amidst the crowd. While everyone else mingled freely, this cloaked individual sat at a nearby stall, a teapot on the table, occasionally glancing in their direction.
Just as Mu Qingge was trying to guess the figure's identity, she caught a glimpse of a unique hairstyle peeking out from beneath the cloak, and realization dawned.
Mu Qingge shook her head with amusement. Noticing the figure's gaze, she deliberately held the large Rex Lapis Figurine higher, then slowly departed under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
-
Keqing was anxious.
She had a mountain of work to finish today, but that wasn't what was bothering her.
Earlier, she had secretly peeked at the figurines—they were exquisitely crafted and utterly captivating!
She was completely smitten!
Especially with the largest one!
The largest figurine had been purchased by Mu Qingge, her close friend. Keqing knew she could always visit Qingge's home later to admire it at her leisure, so there was no rush.
But now, it seemed everyone was buying them up, even those who had initially hesitated. After Mu Qingge and Mr. Zhongli each purchased one, the rest couldn't resist any longer.
This made Keqing's impatience boil over.
She had abandoned her work entirely just to buy one of these figurines. Her original plan was to sneak over after the crowd dispersed and "accidentally" end up buying one.
But now...
After a few more minutes of forced composure, Keqing couldn't take it anymore. She dashed over and squeezed into the back of the crowd.
Listening for a while, she learned that only two figurines remained. Immediately, Keqing pulled out her Mora and slapped it onto the boss's table.
"I'll take this figurine."
Deliberately lowering her voice, Keqing grabbed the larger of the two remaining figurines and fled.
The surrounding crowd turned to stare at her, curious to see which generous patron had made such a bold purchase.
But Keqing had already fled the scene the moment she secured her prize, hugging the figurine as she sprinted away. Moreover, her cloak made it impossible to recognize her.
Old Yang counted the Mora and realized he had received several tens of thousands extra. He looked up to thank the customer, but Keqing was long gone.
"Hey! Where did that customer go? She overpaid!"
-
Having secured the Rex Lapis Figurine, Keqing ran, her face glowing with satisfaction. But then, realizing her uncharacteristic display of emotion, she forced her smile back into its usual stoic composure.
Yet inwardly, she remained delighted.
This figurine wasn't the largest one, but it was definitely among the top five in size, perfectly capturing the Geo Archon's domineering presence!
This trip had been well worth it!
That evening, after finishing her work, Mu Qingge cradled the large figurine she had bought that day. She placed it in the most prominent spot in her room, carefully examining it from every angle before finally settling it in a position that aligned with the golden ratio.
Only then did Mu Qingge climb into bed and lie down.
Having served in the military for many years, she had long mastered the art of falling asleep within seconds.
Barely half a minute after lying down, even breathing filled the room.
Mu Qingge rose before dawn, while the sky was still dark.
Today was Liyue's annual Rite of Descension, one of the nation's grandest festivals.
Liyue Harbor buzzed with extraordinary activity. Under Mu Qingge's meticulous arrangements, the Millelith had secured all key checkpoints and strategic locations at daybreak. Large patrols crisscrossed the harbor, maintaining order.
On Liyue's bustling streets, the blonde-hair Traveler and her emergency food, Paimon, were engaged in a heated exchange.
"Lumine, we can't leave so late next time! We were rushing the whole way here, and Paimon's exhausted!"
"But Paimon was flying the entire time."
"Flying is tiring too! Paimon's phantom limbs are practically worn out!"
Lumine rolled her eyes. Paimon had been urging her on the entire journey, and she certainly didn't look tired.
"So this is Liyue? It's even more bustling than I imagined! The Rite of Descension seems to be over there. Paimon, let's go... Paimon?"
Lumine turned around but couldn't find the little companion. Seeing the crowd surging around her, she immediately felt a pang of panic.
Could she have been kidnapped?
Suddenly, Lumine heard a familiar voice, instantly drawing a black line across her forehead.
"Hehe, Boss, what's this? It looks so delicious!"
"Customer, this is a Liyue specialty—roasted Tiger Fish. Judging by your attire, you must be a foreigner. You absolutely must try this when you're in Liyue..."
Paimon's eyes were glued to the roasted Tiger Fish, drool threatening to spill from the corner of her mouth as the Boss's sales pitch worked its magic.
"Boss, I'll take five skewers!"
Lumine sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead in exasperation.
But considering their rough days of traveling and camping in the wilderness, she decided to find a seat with Paimon and indulge in a proper meal.
After all, she'd just inquired about the Rite of Descension—it wouldn't start for a while yet.