"Feng Yi, the person I was waiting for is here! Thoma, over here!"
Beidou smiled at Feng Yi and waved to the blond boy approaching in the distance.
"Thoma?!"
Feng Yi looked at the contact person Beidou mentioned with a hint of surprise.
Beidou had said she found him a local expert in Inazuma to help him complete the necessary island entry procedures.
"Hi, Big Sister Beidou, I apologize for the delay, I got held up with something last minute!"
Thoma, clad in his armor, greeted Beidou with a friendly smile and a wave.
"Hm, you're reasonably on time. Feng Yi, let me introduce you. This is Thoma, a business partner I've recently become acquainted with! Thoma, this is Feng Yi, a traveler who has been journeying across Teyvat, the one I told you about!"
Beidou didn't tell Feng Yi that this was actually the result of Ningguang's behind-the-scenes help.
Ever since Ningguang learned that Feng Yi was going to Inazuma, she had started making arrangements six months prior. Leveraging her connections with the Tri-Commission of Inazuma, she had Beidou approach the Yashiro Commission, with whom she was most familiar.
In Ningguang's eyes, this was the duty of a qualified wife, but out of consideration for Feng Yi's pride, Ningguang had asked Beidou to keep it a secret from him.
"Hi, you must be Mr. Feng Yi, right? I've heard a lot about you!"
Thoma said with a smile. His young lady often mentioned this name in her correspondence with Ningguang, the Tianquan, so Thoma had heard it frequently and it had long since registered.
"Hello, Thoma, it's a pleasure to meet you too!"
Feng Yi was also very pleased to meet Thoma, one of the pillars of the domestic affairs world.
Although he hadn't met Lyney, he had met Thoma, and with Thoma here, his island entry procedures would be a breeze.
"Feng Yi, Thoma has been around Ritou for a long time; it's no exaggeration to call him a local expert here. If you encounter any difficulties, ask him. But if he harbors ill intentions towards you... uh, I trust Thoma isn't that kind of person, right Thoma?"
Beidou seemed to recall something, and a shiver ran down her spine.
"Hahaha, Big Sister Beidou always likes to joke. I'm not interested in men! Mr. Feng Yi, please rest assured!"
Upon hearing Beidou's pointed question, Thoma quickly spoke up to vouch for his character.
"Well, time is getting short. After all, I have a 'wanted criminal' hidden on my ship, so I can't stay long. Plus, the crew wants that seafood dish, so I need to go buy some ingredients!"
Beidou wondered if she could still buy suitable ingredients in Ritou under the Sakoku Decree. If not, she would have to try her luck at the distant Seirai Island, as she had already promised the sailors.
Feng Yi also realized this and immediately grabbed some chickens, ducks, and pigeons from his Serenitea Pot to give to Beidou, saving her the trouble of buying them.
Beidou called out to her first mate and the sailors, who carried the more than a dozen chickens, ducks, and pigeons back to the ship. That would be enough for them to eat.
If they still didn't eat their fill, they could talk about it on the way back to Liyue later.
"Mr. Feng Yi, shall we head to the inspection station to register first?"
After Beidou left, Thoma led the way.
"Thank you for your trouble, Thoma. Your accent sounds like you're from Mondstadt, doesn't it?"
Feng Yi asked with a smile as he followed behind.
"Huh?! Mr. Feng Yi, you're truly amazing. I've lived in Inazuma for so many years, and my way of speaking has completely assimilated into the Inazuma style. I never expected that you, Mr. Feng Yi, could tell I was from Mondstadt from just a few words. This is simply unbelievable!"
Thoma was astonished. He dared say that even a native Mondstadter wouldn't be able to pinpoint his hometown based solely on his accent.
As far as he knew, Feng Yi was just a traveler who had stayed in Mondstadt for a year. This level of meticulous observation was truly remarkable.
Feng Yi: *No, you're overthinking it. I just already knew the answer!*
Feng Yi smiled slightly, neither admitting nor denying. He loved watching others overthink things.
Subtly showing off was the most deadly.
Feng Yi's unassuming image of a master left a deep initial impression on Thoma.
"Hello, sir, please state your identity and your purpose for landing. Of course, Mr. Thoma, you don't need to."
Inuyama, who was on inspection duty, became immediately alert upon seeing Feng Yi, a completely unfamiliar face.
However, upon seeing Thoma accompanying Feng Yi, he relaxed slightly.
"My name is Feng Yi, and I am a traveler visiting Inazuma."
After speaking, Feng Yi looked at Thoma beside him, indicating that it was now his turn to perform.
"Inazuma is currently under complete lockdown. Your arrival in Inazuma for travel at this time makes it difficult not to suspect your identity."
Inuyama examined Feng Yi carefully, feeling that his purpose for coming here must be more than just travel.
"Here are Mr. Feng Yi's island entry documents. Please review them!"
Thoma then produced the pre-prepared entry documents and handed them to Inuyama.
"I see. The documents are in order. Welcome to Ritou!"
Although Inuyama harbored doubts about Feng Yi's intentions, the documents provided by Thoma were standard and complete, so he could only act according to regulations and had no reason to prevent Feng Yi from landing.
"Thank you! Mr. Feng Yi, we will now proceed to the Overseas
Thoma explained as he led the way.
"In Inazuma, foreigners are called 'Ijin,' which can be understood from the literal meaning. Under the blockade of the Sakoku Decree, foreigners are not very welcome."
"These regulations were mostly established by the Yashiro Commission, which has always been the administrator of Ritou. The Yashiro Commissioner is one of the Tri-Commission of Inazuma, primarily responsible for earning and managing the nation's finances..."
Thoma was a competent guide. On the way to the Overseas Survey Department, he didn't forget to explain Inazuma's power structure to Feng Yi.
He was concerned that Feng Yi, being new to Inazuma, might inadvertently cause trouble due to his ignorance of the rules.
"You've completed the landing procedures, haven't you? Are you here to apply for residency? Please pay the procedure fee, two million Mora!"
Upon hearing the price, Feng Yi was immediately displeased.
Why should he, a single person, have to pay two million Mora, the same amount as Lumine and Paimon in the game? Did he look like a sucker?
Feng Yi expressed his anger and refused to speak with her, sending Thoma forward.
"Hahaha, Miss, this is my friend. Do I look familiar to you?"
Thoma noticed Feng Yi's resentful gaze and immediately understood. He stepped forward to negotiate with the inspector, Yuri Hanako.
"It's you, Mr. Thoma. In that case, for your sake, I'll charge this gentleman one million nine hundred and ninety thousand Mora!"
Yuri Hanako winked at Thoma, playfully implying a discount.
However, Thoma, with his full straight-man attribute at this moment, completely missed Yuri Hanako's subtle gesture.
Thoma: *Damn it, my influence is only worth ten thousand Mora?!*