Ganyu froze for a second before speaking again.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll be waiting for you at Yujing Terrace. I'll escort you to the Jade Chamber then."
Gu Chen nodded. "Alright, we'll be there in the morning."
[Ganyu]:That was close! Thank goodness Mr. Gu Chen asked that extra question—my past self totally forgot they weren't locals of Liyue! (Ganyu·regretful)
[Paimon]:Gu Chen's so clever! If it were someone else, they probably would've wandered around half the city before finding the way up!
[Lumine]:No way, who would be that dumb?
[Gu Chen]:(mischievous emoji)
Gu Chen chuckled to himself.
If others didn't know, he certainly did—
After Ganyu left, those two poor souls really did wander around for ages before they finally figured out how to get to the Jade Chamber.
And that "dumb person" Lumine mentioned?
Was none other than… her past-life self!
[Yae Miko]:The video skips straight to the next morning. By the way, I'm curious—where did you three spend the night, hmm? (Yae Miko·playful smirk)
[Kaeya]:Knock Paimon out, then one man one woman… you know the rest! (smirk)
[Prince Charming]:Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
[Madam Ping]:Hahaha, youth really is a wonderful thing—so full of energy!
[Lumine]:Should I… just mute the group chat at this point?
[Kokomi]:That might be for the best. (Barbara·blushing)
[Heizou]:Did anyone else notice the subtle details in the video? Judging from how things are progressing, the bond between Mr. Gu Chen and Miss Lumine is developing quite fast. Paimon seems especially attached to him too. Based on the pacing, I'd say… give them a month tops before they make it official!
[Klee]:(Klee·yay!)
[Paimon]:Hehe, if Gu Chen could really come along on our travels, that'd be amazing! So much delicious food—and he's super reliable too! (Paimon·happy hum)
[Gu Chen]:Thank you for the compliment. It's only natural for outstanding people like me. (Paimon·hmph)
[Kaeya]:Ah yes, the art of self-love. (applause)
[Lumine]:He just helped us out on the journey, that's all. I'm grateful, sure—but it's not like I like him or anything. Anyway, back to the video—we've reached the Jade Chamber with Ganyu's guidance. Wonder if we'll see any trade secrets in there. I'd love to make some Mora!
[Dori]:I demand the video switch to Gu Chen's first-person view!! (Thoma·kneeling)
[Ningguang]:Everyone, stop overthinking. Since it's been made public, the commercial winds are already shifting. (facepalm)
[Kaeya]:Good grief, the Jade Chamber really is magnificent! Those potted plants—if I'm not mistaken, those are antique vases! (Paimon·shocked)
[Dori]:As expected of Tianquan herself! (Venti·starry-eyed)
[Lumine]:She's that rich?! Miss Ningguang, please—let's be friends! (Klee·pleading)
In the video.
Gu Chen, already mentally prepared, remained calm.
Lumine's mysterious background and wide experience also helped her stay composed—
But Paimon? She looked like a country bumpkin, gawking at everything she saw.
"Welcome, traveler from Jueyun Karst."
Paimon turned around, eyes widening. "It's Ningguang!"
As elegant as ever, Ningguang greeted them with a soft smile, her demeanor radiating grace and authority.
Despite her noble bearing, she exuded a warmth that made her seem approachable.
After a few words of courtesy, they quickly realized—
This Tianquan Star was an ambitious woman indeed.
She intended for the shadow of the Jade Chamber to extend across all Seven Nations—
such bold ambition was awe-inspiring.
After some conversation, they moved to the main topic.
"Although I don't know the three of you well," Ningguang began, "I am on good terms with Acting Grand Master Jean of Mondstadt. I believe you are not affiliated with the Abyss Order. Still, the appearance of Abyss Mages atop Yujing Terrace is… most unexpected."
She smiled lightly. "Upon reflection, it seems the Abyss Order itself was not directly involved. Rather, another faction seeks to manipulate events behind the scenes—to ensnare the three of you."
"Tartaglia," Gu Chen said without hesitation.
Paimon gasped. "Him?! But he said everything he did was to clear the Fatui's name!"
"Just an excuse," Lumine shook her head.
Gu Chen turned to Ningguang. "What do you need us to do? And what's the pay?"
Ningguang chuckled. "Traveler, I appreciate your straightforwardness. Though if we could become friends, that would be even better."
Then, her tone turned businesslike.
"The Fatui are attempting to create a counterfeit Talisman of Boundless Taboo. I want you to investigate."
"No problem." Gu Chen nodded.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Once the Mora's paid, you can count it done," Gu Chen said with a grin.
Ningguang's smile deepened.
Gu Chen's group immediately departed for the marked location on the map.
[Paimon]:Wait, so all it takes is Mora to get Gu Chen to work?! (Paimon·shocked)
[Keqing]:Miss Ningguang subtly guided the conversation that way, and Mr. Gu Chen saw through it immediately. Asking for payment was just his way of keeping things fair.
[Ningguang]:Given Mr. Gu Chen's conduct, I believe he'd achieve great success—be it in business or politics.
[Heizou]:Interesting—they withdrew before Gu Chen's team arrived. Since the Talisman of Boundless Taboo amplifies divine power, the Fatui must have bigger plans in motion.
[Keqing]:@[Tartaglia] You'd better turn yourself in to the Ministry of Civil Affairs right now!
[Tartaglia]:As Mr. Zhongli once said—should the sins of the past life be judged in the present one? (shrug)
[Ningguang]:Then you'd best pray you haven't done the same things this time around.
In the video.
Gu Chen and his companions traveled to Dihua Marsh to meet Zhongli.
For the Rite of Parting, they still needed wild Glaze Lilies.
To harvest them, they required a special method.
"Enhance its fragrance… by singing to it?"
Gu Chen stared at the delicate flower, expression twitching. Then he turned toward Lumine.
"You mean I'm supposed to sing?" Lumine asked cautiously.
"Indeed," Zhongli nodded gravely. "Your voice will surely bring out its fullest scent."
"Uh… how good is your singing, Lumine?" Paimon asked nervously.
Lumine threw Gu Chen a confident look, hands on her hips.
"I'm amazing, obviously!"
"Are you, though?" Paimon sounded doubtful.
"We'll find out soon enough," said Zhongli.
"Watch and learn!"
Lumine cleared her throat and crouched down beside the flower.
She had barely hummed a few notes when the Glaze Lily suddenly changed—
a surge of energy shot toward her like a spear!
Before she could react, a silver flash cut across her vision—
a strange-looking monster fell, pinned to the ground by a glowing spear.
Paimon yelped. "Lumine, your singing mutated the flower!"
"This creature is a Whopperflower," Zhongli explained calmly. "They're adept at disguising themselves."
Gu Chen nodded. "You'll need to be more cautious in the future."
"Gu Chen, you totally tricked me!" Lumine puffed up her cheeks. He must've known from the start!
"It was just a lesson," Gu Chen said mildly, flicking her forehead.
Lumine held her head, glaring at him with a wounded look.
[Prince Charming]:Lumine's actually kind of cute.
[Kaeya]:But she's not yours.
[Prince Charming]:...
"Excuse me… are you looking for Glaze Lilies?"
The four turned—and saw a familiar figure.
"Ah, it's you! Uh… uh… what was your name again?" Paimon scratched her head awkwardly.
"Hello, Cocogoat."
"Hi there, Miss Wangsheng."
Gu Chen and Lumine said in perfect unison.
"Cocogoat… Wangsheng? Who… who are those supposed to be?"
Ganyu looked utterly lost. "Ganyu… Wangsheng… Cocogoat… you didn't get a single word right, did you…"
[Paimon]:Oh no! Lumine's been corrupted by Gu Chen's mischief—Ganyu's lost her name!
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