"We have been waiting for a long time, traveler from Jueyun Karst."
Ningguang, with her long, white legs, led her three secretaries onto the deck of the Jade Chamber, where she welcomed the arriving Lumine and Paimon.
"Oh, it's Ningguang! Nice to meet you. We've prepared a gift, we hope you like it!"
Paimon quickly handed over the gift box. They had met briefly during the 'Rite of Descension,' but they were in too much of a hurry to leave to observe her closely then.
Now, up close, Paimon felt that Tianquan Ningguang was indeed as others described – possessing an extraordinary aura, with bright, shining eyes that seemed to encompass the stars, and an air of strategic planning and decisive victory in every gesture.
"For me? Thank you very much. I invited you both, and yet you went to the trouble of preparing a gift."
Ningguang clasped her fingers, smiling slightly. Her smile was cordial and kind, as if quickly dispelling the strangeness between them.
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all, hehe... Oh, it's so high up here! It feels so good to look down from here..."
Paimon chuckled. It turned out Ningguang's smile was quite kind, not as stern as the rumors suggested.
"This palace floats higher than all the mountains. From here, one can clearly see the entirety of Liyue Harbor. I began saving funds for its construction when I started in business, and after becoming 'Tianquan,' I invited the finest artisans to continuously expand it...
Initially, it was only the size of a room, but now it can eclipse the true silver moon over Liyue. I believe that one day... its shadow will cover all seven nations."
Ningguang walked to the edge of the deck, gazing down at the mountains and rivers from her lofty perch, speaking casually.
But it wasn't just Lumine; even the slow-witted Paimon could sense that this 'Tianquan' had immense ambitions.
"Not many outsiders are granted the privilege of boarding the Jade Chamber, but given your exceptional strength, I began deploying informants from the very first day you arrived in Liyue..."
Honesty is always the best policy. To facilitate the conversation, Ningguang was direct, admitting to monitoring their activities.
"What?! You mean that merchant who travels between Liyue and Mondstadt is one of yours?"
Paimon was shocked. How could she have noticed nothing?
"Not exactly. I only gained a general understanding of your movements when you settled at Wangshu Inn."
Ningguang shook her head. Strictly speaking, that merchant traveling between Liyue and Mondstadt wasn't her informant, but at most, an informant's informant.
"You don't mean... Boss Dvorak from Wangshu Inn is one of yours?"
Paimon suddenly recalled that they had stayed a night at Wangshu Inn on their way from Mondstadt. Was that when they were exposed?
Ningguang: "No."
Paimon: "That's a relief. You scared me to death."
"Everyone at Wangshu Inn is one of our people."
Ningguang smiled slightly, speaking with the gentlest tone, yet delivering the most boastful words.
"%$#!*/6#......!!"
Paimon: "Just scare me to death then..."
"Lady Ningguang, a friend of mine said the Liyue Qixing would never harm the Geo Archon, right?"
Lumine remembered Fengdi's words from that night and looked into Ningguang's eyes, asking.
"Yes. You have also met the Adepti and should know their views on the Liyue Qixing. It is somewhat embarrassing to admit, but we need your help to resolve some misunderstandings..."
Ultimately, this was Liyue's own affair, and having an outsider assist made Ningguang feel a bit awkward.
"You must have heard of the 'Archon War,' haven't you? There were once many Archons, and it was a protracted war that only ended two thousand years ago. During that time, countless lives were lost and blood was shed. In the end, only seven victors remained on the continent of Teyvat. They built nations and city-states upon the remains of the vanquished, ushering in the era of the Seven Gods..."
Ningguang noticed Lumine looking down at the myriad lights of the city below and spoke with a profound tone.
Paimon: "So that drunkard Venti who always freeloads at the Cat's Tail tavern is actually that powerful?"
Paimon was astonished. The bard who never did anything serious and just slacked off was one of the seven strongest beings on the continent of Teyvat?!
This was too unbelievable!
"Do you see 'Guyun Stone Forest'? That is not natural terrain. It was formed by the colossal rock spears cast by the Geo Archon during the war. Beneath these spears lie the defeated adversaries of the Geo Archon from that era: the Archons who failed to ascend to godhood.
Not only can Archons die, but even the 'Seven Archons of the Mortal Realm' have seen their successors over the past two thousand years. The passing of the Geo Archon is an unimaginable disaster for Liyue, but the system of the Seven Archons of Teyvat... will not collapse!"
Ningguang's expression was subtle, her eyes flickering with sharp intelligence.
The Geo Archon's demise was a great tribulation for Liyue, but also an opportunity for Liyue to be reborn and advance further.
"Another Geo Archon will eventually emerge, but how could we forget the Geo Archon? By then, the relationship between the people of Liyue and the gods will be different from the past. Even in the new era, the 'Liyue Qixing' are still former subjects of the Geo Archon. Can we bear the accusation of raising our swords against him?"
Ningguang's words were veiled, but she trusted that this intelligent traveler would understand.
"But why did you hide the 'Ancestral Remains' of the Geo Archon?"
Paimon expressed her confusion.
"Hahaha... At Yujing Terrace that day, the situation was sudden, and I was caught completely off guard. You were present then, you must have seen it. The Qixing's enemies had already infiltrated Liyue Harbor. If we didn't act, we would be at a disadvantage. Hiding the 'Ancestral Remains' was a necessary move. With it, I could operate in secret and wait for the opportune moment..."
Ningguang chuckled softly. With the deterrent of the Geo Archon gone, the hidden rats began to stir. It would be too laborious to catch them one by one; it was better to set a trap and catch them all at once.
"Who are these 'enemies' you speak of?"
Paimon felt a bit dizzy, needing a moment to process.
"Was it him?"
On the other hand, Lumine had a suspect in mind.
"The correct answer!"
Ningguang smiled slightly.
"Huh? What riddle are you and Ningguang playing?"
Paimon: ???
"You make me feel so stupid!"
"Haha... While the scenery outside is beautiful, the wind at this height is a bit strong. Both of you, preparations have been made to receive guests inside. Please, follow me..."
Seeing that Lumine had reached the answer, Ningguang considered her objective achieved. Too much is as bad as too little; intelligent people communicate in intelligent ways.
"Paimon, let's go!"
Lumine followed Ningguang into the palace. Seeing Paimon still standing there, she called out.
"Hiss~ Who exactly were the enemies? Wait a moment, I'm almost there... I think I'm getting it..."
Paimon: "My head itches, I think I'm about to grow a brain!"