Orion took one last look back at the Feiyun Commerce Guild caravan before turning and joining the others onto the elevator.
He felt like he had heard the name Jianxia Escort Agency somewhere, but he couldn't recall where. It was probably related to some character's backstory, right?
Never mind. Since they were already in Liyue, they would definitely encounter it later.
The Wangshu Inn's elevator was a huge wooden box, open on one side, with a viewing window on each of the other three sides.
When the waiter saw everyone settled, he pressed a mechanism. With several clicking sounds, the elevator actually began to move slowly.
"It's moving! It's amazing!" Paimon excitedly stomped her feet in the Akasha, while the others also looked around with great interest.
Clara looked around and spotted a huge waterwheel through the window on the left, so she asked the waiter, "Is this elevator connected to that waterwheel?"
The waiter nodded and smiled, "The young lady has sharp eyes. Actually, there's a mechanism room upstairs where all the elevator controls are located. But, as you said, the power source for the mechanism is indeed this waterwheel."
Clara nodded, "A very impressive mechanism."
"Oh, you flatter us. Although we Liyue people certainly have our own theories regarding mechanisms, when it comes to elevators and various mechanical constructs, Fontaine next door is truly unique. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to go over there to import goods, right?"
Orion also smiled and explained to Lumine and Noelle, who looked confused, "Fontaine has a special form of energy, similar to matter-antimatter annihilation—though not as dangerous, of course. The collision process generates a large amount of energy, which they use to develop many scientific technologies."
"Oh, right, waiter brother, what does Liyue export to them?"
"Lots of things, like tea, porcelain, and various trinkets. The Demoiselles over there really like that stuff. We do have to process it before selling it, though; they prefer fully fermented tea."
Orion:... Orion suddenly remembered a certain half-price deal for ten boxes after killing an Adeptus and then slaughtering a Dragon King.
As the figures below shrank until they looked like ants, the elevator reached the top floor.
"We have arrived, esteemed guests. Please take your time."
A drawn-out call both alerted Orion and his group and informed the other guests that the elevator had arrived.
Orion led the way, followed by a group of girls. Stepping off the elevator immediately drew many eyes.
After all, the group included beautiful girls of every style, which naturally attracted attention. However, the Genshin Impact world is a very peaceful one, so no one foolish enough came up to hit on them.
If anyone did, not even the Conqueror of Demons could save them from this punch.
For good scenery, you truly need to be high up. Lumine, Noelle, Xiangling, Yunli, and Clara excitedly ran to the railing to look into the distance. Only Skirk stayed by Orion's side without moving.
Orion didn't specifically ask her to leave; instead, he brought her along toward the front desk.
Behind the counter, the brown-haired woman named Verr Goldet looked over. Her eyes held a sense of scrutiny, though it was extremely well hidden.
At least among the group, only Orion, who was an extraterrestrial Joestar-level life form, and the battle-hardened Skirk sensed the scrutiny in her gaze; everyone else was completely oblivious.
Skirk looked back at her, feeling a bit curious. Though she was the boss's wife of a Liyue inn, her appearance didn't resemble that of a Liyue, Inazuma, or Sumeru person; rather, she looked like someone from Mondstadt or Fontaine.
Since the main storyline in Mondstadt was completely messed up, Orion first needed to determine how much the current timeline deviated from the main plot.
Orion approached the counter and said to Verr Goldet, "Boss's wife, we are travelers from out of town. We wanted to ask about some fun places in Liyue, or if there are any upcoming festivals or celebrations."
Verr Goldet smiled and replied, "Judging by your clothes, esteemed guests, you must be from Mondstadt, right? Are you here to sightsee, or do you have business to attend to?"
"Both. We plan to stay in Liyue Harbor for a while, but we also intend to see Liyue's mountains and rivers."
"Oh, then you've come to the right place. Liyue might not have everything, but its scenery is exceptionally pleasant."
"If you follow the official road south a few miles from here, you'll reach the Guili Plains. From there, if you turn west and cross the river, you'll find a massive mountain range called Jueyun Karst. Ordinary people see it only as treacherous mountains, but to those of us involved in the martial world, it holds endless grandeur. Legend has it that this is where the Adepti reside!"
"Ten thousand towering green peaks pierce the sea of clouds, and mist that hasn't dispersed in a thousand years floats over the stone steps. It's said that walking the mountain paths, you can hear the cry of cranes mixed with the roar of waterfalls."
"According to the gossips in the martial world, the Adepti caves consecrated by the Lord of Geo himself are hidden deep within the mist. Vermillion-painted pavilions hang suspended from the cliffs, and it is said that if you are lucky, you might even see an Adeptus drinking alone in the wind."
"However, few people go there, and the paths are quite difficult to traverse."
"What if we want to go to Liyue Harbor?"
"Then you must return to the Guili Plains, but this time, you cannot head west. Follow the official road straight south, passing through the ruins of Guili Plains. Remember, do not linger here; you must pass through before nightfall."
"This place was once an ancient settlement, dating back to before the founding of Liyue Harbor. However, during the Archon War, natural disasters struck like sudden rain, and massive floods erupted in an instant. After the great catastrophe, all that remains are ruins, which unfortunately provide a good hiding place for the Treasure Hoarders on the road. The collapsed houses and complex roads make it difficult for the Millelith to fully clear out."
"Look at me, getting sidetracked. After you pass Guili Plains, continue forward, pass the area guarded by the Millelith, go past a few houses, and when you see the statue of the seven over there, you'll be close."
"If you look south from here, you can see the Tianmen. After passing the Tianmen and looking down, you'll immediately see Liyue Harbor."
Orion nodded in thanks, and Verr Goldet added, "I told you you came at a good time. In about a month, coinciding with early summer, it will be the day of Liyue's Rite of Descension. If you are interested and can enter the venue, you might even see the physical form of the Lord of Geo himself!"
"I see! Thank you for the guidance, Boss's wife!"
"You're welcome. But ah, I'm not the boss's wife; you should call me the Boss."
... Orion and Skirk walked to the terrace and saw Paimon and Lumine studying a bonsai. The bonsai looked like a miniature version of the Nantianmen located before Liyue Harbor to the south, and it had a shiny sequin on top. Paimon pounded her chest and guaranteed that if this were a real mountain, climbing it would surely lead to a powerful treasure.
Treasure Compass segment.jpg.
Although Orion couldn't recall exactly what was there, this was indeed a classic puzzle hint: capitalizing on players' desire to climb high, the developers specifically placed a treasure chest atop Nantianmen. To ensure players knew where the chest was, or to reassure those worried about climbing up for nothing, they created this small bonsai here as a hint, telling you to explore confidently, as there definitely would be something.
Orion and Skirk found an empty seat and sat down. As soon as they sat, Skirk said to Orion, "That boss's wife just now..."
"That was the Boss."
"...That Boss seems very interested in us?"
Orion nodded, "They are the eyes and ears of one of the Seven Stars of Liyue—the Tianquan, Ningguang. Or rather, Wangshu Inn itself, as a hub for information, is controlled by the Qixing."
"I see, it's good that you know. Also, I don't really understand Liyue customs. Why did that woman insist on being called the Boss rather than the Boss's wife?"
Orion rubbed his chin, thinking about how to explain: "The Boss means she owns the establishment, while the Boss's wife is merely an appendage of the Boss. Can you understand that?"
"Then she isn't married?"
"She is. Look at that man." Orion pointed to a man wearing a Chinese-style mandarin jacket and sporting a mustache, and recalled from memory, "If I remember correctly, that man is named Ann... Huai'an, I think. He should be the Boss's other half."
"Then this person is the Boss's wife?"
"He's the manager!" Orion couldn't help but blurt out the retort. He even wondered if Skirk's time spent with him and his group of divine beings was starting to make her thinking divine as well.
How the hell could a question like that come out of your mouth?
"How could he possibly be the Boss's wife? If we got married, would Ajax have to call me Shiniang (Master's Wife)?"
"Pfft..."
Rarely, Skirk was amused enough to let out a faint smile, a smile that could topple cities.
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