Ganyu: "You, who have returned from Jueyun Karst, please forgive the informality as I am in the marketplace. However, the letter I bear is an official invitation drafted by Lady Ningguang in her capacity as the Tianquan, inviting you to visit that palace in the sky—the Jade Chamber."
Paimon: "You said... an invitation?"
Ganyu nodded: "Yes, that is what Lady Ningguang said: 'Invite her. I wish to see her. At the Jade Chamber, I will accompany her in cutting through, strand by strand, the tangled threads of the undercurrents.'"
Having said that, Ganyu departed.
[Furina: Finally, we're going to see Ningguang! I'm so curious to see what kind of person Ningguang is in the video. Among mortals, Ningguang is a figure whose influence is not inferior to that of a god, right?]
[Ningguang: You flatter me, Lady Furina. I merely have some influence among Liyue's merchants. However, I do take pride in my commercial acumen.]
[Lumine: Actually, what Furina said isn't wrong. After Lord Rex Lapis faked his death to... take a break, the Liyue Qixing completely took over all authority in Liyue Harbor.]
[Ningguang: While I do have ambitions to guide Liyue, the opinions of the adepti cannot be ignored either. They have dedicated much to Liyue. Regarding governing Liyue, we, the Qixing, must also deliver a satisfactory answer.]
[Zhongli: With Ningguang here, I am at ease.]
[Paimon: Zhongli's evaluation of Ningguang is quite high!]
[Zhongli: Throughout the generations, there have been few among the Qixing who have disappointed me. The succession among the Qixing follows its own set of principles, and the selection of successors for each generation has been commendable.]
[Venti: What a proud 'old father.' My Knights of Favonius also give me little cause for worry.]
[Zhongli: Generally speaking, that is indeed the case.]
[Furina: Sigh. Only in my case, everyone below was full of rebellious thoughts, trying every way to get me onto the trial stand. Watching that part of the video, I was almost driven to despair.]
[Paimon: That was all just a misunderstanding, Furina. Don't be angry.]
[Furina: I know. I don't blame you all. It was the inevitability of the prophecy.]
After Ganyu left, Paimon complained: "That envoy who called herself Ganyu just dropped those few lines and vanished. But we actually received an invitation from the Liyue Qixing? That's really incredible."
Then Paimon looked at Lumine: "When meeting with rich people, we really have to mind our manners."
Lumine: "I'm naturally polite."
Zhongli, who had been listening to the storyteller nearby, chimed in: "Indeed, few are fortunate enough to be invited as guests to the Jade Chamber."
"You should go. But don't forget about the Rite of Parting. After you return from the Jade Chamber, our next meeting point will be at Dihua Marsh."
Paimon nodded energetically: "Yeah, yeah, we won't forget. Agreed time, Dihua Marsh, no backing out!"
Led by Paimon, Lumine climbed to the highest mountain peak.
Paimon: "Look, that thing in the sky is the Jade Chamber."
Lumine stood on the mountaintop, but the Jade Chamber was clearly much higher: "So high up... How are we supposed to get up there?"
[Furina: Hahaha, where is Paimon's brain? No matter how you think about it, you should realize there would be a special elevator mechanism, right? Paimon actually brought the Traveler here to climb a mountain. Does Ningguang also climb up?]
[Zhongli: Generally speaking, if there are floating islands, there would naturally also be floating elevator mechanisms.]
[Paimon: I've never seen one before, how would I know about these things?]
[Furina: I haven't seen one either, but isn't it easy to guess?]
[Paimon: Stomps foot. Are you implying I'm stupid?!]
[Furina: Not bad, not bad. This time you weren't that slow.]
Paimon stammered: "A miscalculation. As your guide, it seems I don't know where the path to the sky is..."
Lumine regretted: "Maybe we should have asked that envoy, Ganyu, at the time."
Paimon thought for a moment: "But since we're going to the Jade Chamber, looking for its location on the map is quite logical, right? There must be a way up nearby. Let's search."
The two quickly found a wind current mechanism on the mountain. Paimon was delighted: "Look! There's a mechanism here. Since it's in the corresponding location, it must be related to the Jade Chamber."
Lumine looked skeptical. Was this really the path to the Jade Chamber?
Paimon: "Don't worry, it can't be wrong."
Using the wind current mechanism, Lumine soared into the air and soon landed on another small floating island in the sky. But that island was still very far from the Jade Chamber.
Paimon looked anxiously at the distant Jade Chamber: "Aww, we can only fly this far... It's all because the wind current wasn't strong enough. Otherwise, we could have gone straight to the top!"
Lumine thought for a moment: "Let's go back to Liyue Harbor and ask the Millelith."
Paimon: "Why?"
Lumine replied: "The method to go up probably isn't a secret. Otherwise, Ganyu wouldn't have just told us to visit the Jade Chamber on our own."
[Lumine: I got led astray by Paimon, reacting so late.]
[Keqing: Indeed, led astray by Paimon...]
[Ganyu: It was my mistake. I thought it was common knowledge and didn't provide more detailed instructions. I didn't consider that Paimon and Lumine aren't from Liyue. This is an error a secretary should not make.]
[Furina: How did it suddenly turn into a game of assigning blame? Though this is quite amusing too.]
Paimon had a sudden realization: "So that's how it is... Wait a minute, we've already come near the Guizhong Ballista? In that case, I have a new idea. How about using the Guizhong Ballista to launch you up there?"
Lumine looked at Paimon and replied calmly: "Do you hate me that much? That would kill me."
Paimon hurriedly apologized: "Put that way, I really didn't consider the safety details..."
[Tighnari: Good thing Paimon isn't my student, otherwise I might be constantly anxious.]
[Alhaitham: Hmm. Paimon never thinks before proposing ideas.]
[Faruzan: If Paimon were my student, I'd probably have a breakdown thirteen times a day.]
[Lumine: Being looked down upon by people from Sumeru...]
[Zhongli: Sumeru is the Nation of Wisdom. Generally speaking, Paimon lacks some wisdom.]
Lumine: "But I remember, the Guizhong Ballista can be used for long-range viewing."
Paimon immediately connected the dots: "Right! So we can use the Guizhong Ballista to look around and see if there's a way up nearby, right?"
Arriving under the Guizhong Ballista, Lumine and Paimon encountered some stationed Millelith.
The two Millelith noticed someone approaching and came to stop them: "Who goes there? How dare you trespass on a restricted site!"
Lumine: "Restricted site? This is clearly just the wilderness of Mt. Tianheng."
Paimon also chimed in: "Yeah, yeah! We really don't understand what you're talking about. We were invited here. We're honored guests! Why are you treating us like this?"
"No, wait... Could it be that Ningguang is doing this on purpose? She pretended to invite us to the Jade Chamber but actually set up an ambush of Millelith here to arrest us?!"
Lumine disagreed with Paimon's take: "I don't think that's the case. We haven't even explained the invitation to them yet."
Unfortunately, Paimon didn't get Lumine's hint and directly lashed out at the soldiers: "Ugh! I'm angry! You soldiers over there, this is entrapment! Shameless!"
A soldier stamped his spear heavily: "What? A normal guard duty, how is that shameless?"
The other Millelith gripped his spear tightly with both hands: "Utter nonsense. In any case, let's first detain these suspicious individuals."
Lumine wasn't one to be easily pushed around either. The two sides immediately came to blows.
[Ningguang: And just like that, a fight broke out.]
[Furina: As the God of Justice and the Judge in the courtroom, I hereby declare Paimon bears full responsibility.]
[Lumine: That's not wrong to say.]
"Hold it! What is all this commotion?" A crisp female voice rang out.
The Millelith reported: "Lady Keqing! These two strange individuals appeared suddenly and seemed to have designs on the Guizhong Ballista."
Paimon immediately retorted: "Who are you calling strange?"
Lumine: "We came looking for a way up to the Jade Chamber."
Keqing seemed puzzled: "Hmm? You want to go to the Jade Chamber? Who are you?"
Paimon answered: "We are invited guests, looking for the Liyue Qixing. And who are you?"
Keqing smiled and introduced herself: "What a coincidence. Hello, I am a member of the Liyue Qixing."
Paimon: "?"
Keqing: "I am Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. I know of your deeds, Traveler. You are Lady Ningguang's guest, correct? I didn't expect to chance upon you in the mountains."
Paimon's mouth fell open: "Wow, I also didn't expect to meet a rich and important person in the middle of nowhere."
Keqing explained: "The Guizhong Ballista at the Tianheng Ancient City was damaged but repaired overnight. I was here originally to investigate that matter. These Millelith are only responsible for guarding the site, not for arresting anyone."
Paimon had an epiphany: "So it was a misunderstanding! I completely didn't think of that."
Lumine added drily: "It was actually quite easy to think of."
Keqing: "By the way, for a mortal to be able to repair an adeptus's mechanism... even for the Qixing, this is quite a remarkable thing."
Paimon: "Right, Lady Yuheng, do you know why the Tianquan invited us to the Jade Chamber?"
Keqing first corrected Paimon's form of address: "Just call me Keqing."
Then Keqing answered: "For Ningguang to meet with you... I imagine it's nothing more than hoping the hero who saved Mondstadt remains neutral, or at least doesn't completely side with the adepti."
Paimon rested her chin on her hand: "We haven't taken sides. We've spoken with those adepti; they also intend to protect Liyue."
Keqing: "And what you call 'protection'—is it that kind of condescending arrogance?"
"'Because you are mere mortals, the objects of their protection,' so they wouldn't consider you capable assassins who could slay a god. Therefore, they must also think Ningguang's orders to seal the scene, interrogate the mortals, and pursue the assasins are all useless efforts, or even an attempt to cover something up."
"Let me be blunt. That is looking down on people."
[Lumine: This should be referring to Cloud Retainer, right?]
[Paimon: Back then, if we two hadn't changed the subject, that woman was about to attack directly.]
[Cloud Retainer: How insolent! Which 'woman'? This one has a name and title: Cloud Retainer!]
[Paimon: Ah! She's here too?!]
[Zhongli: Being fellow adepti, if Xiao is here, Cloud Retainer would naturally also be here.]
[Paimon: Oh no, Keqing's words were heard by the adepti!]
[Keqing: It's fine. I never conceal these views.]
[Cloud Retainer: Such disrespect towards the adepti. Forget it, this one cannot be bothered to teach you a lesson.]
Paimon was also a bit stunned by the words: "What you say... does have some logic. But a person from Liyue who shows such disrespect towards adepti and gods—this is the first time I've met someone like you."
Keqing chuckled lightly: "Should I respect them for their vague sense of time and their arrogant attitude towards mortals, which is why they haven't taken action against us Qixing yet?"
"Never mind. I shouldn't be discussing the adepti like this. Disrespect towards adepti and gods is merely my personal attitude. Ningguang would absolutely never say such things. In any case, I also acknowledge that this time, the adepti's actions have been sufficiently restrained. The Lord of Geo's assassination is no ordinary matter. Faced with such an extraordinary situation, they were still willing to convene a meeting of the adepti to discuss it, not directly attacking..."
"That's actually quite civilized. Truly surprising."
[Furina: Hahaha, I can already imagine that big bird seeing these scenes and getting angry.]
Lumine asked: "So, is there a possibility for peace talks?"
Keqing replied: "As for Ningguang... in her eyes, it's best if everything can be settled through discussion. But that's impossible. The era of the adepti has passed. If even the Liyue Qixing cannot face this fact, then what is to become of Liyue's future?"
Paimon exclaimed: "Mmm, another very bold statement."
Keqing: "Sigh. I'll stop here then. Actually, I didn't need to say this much originally, but you are a very good listener, Traveler. Alright, you need to go to the Jade Chamber. Be on time. Because appointments to seek an audience with Ningguang are already booked until next year. Liyue's top merchants consider ascending to the Jade Chamber the supreme honor of their commercial careers. Everyone brings lavish gifts, hoping to exchange for some benefit from Ningguang's hands."
[Furina: Ningguang seems even busier than me, a god.]
[Paimon: That's because all the busywork falls on Neuvillette.]
[Ningguang: Liyue indeed has many affairs. However, I also have many business matters requiring my attention, which is why I appear so busy.]
[Lumine: In the eyes of many merchants, Ningguang might be more important than a god.]
[Ningguang: For merchants, what's important isn't me, but Mora. They merely wish to earn more Mora through me.]
[Paimon: True. In terms of Mora quantity, probably no one in Teyvat surpasses Ningguang.]
[Zhongli: Generally speaking, that is indeed the case.]
[Lumine: It's really hard to imagine Ningguang's wealth started from a single crate of fish. These years must have been very arduous.]
[Ningguang: Behind every bit of experience lies blood and tears. I hope that at all times, the Jade Chamber can remain suspended above Liyue Harbor, witnessing the prosperity and peace of the mortal realm.]
[Charlotte: Just thinking about it feels wonderful.]
---
In the video, Paimon's eyes were practically Mora signs: "Ben-benefits!"
Lumine reminded her: "Paimon, that's not the point. We need to discuss the real matter."
"But, but..." Driven by her desire for benefits, Paimon quickly found a reason: "Right! Gift-giving is also a traditional Liyue custom! We're not doing it for benefits, but to respect Liyue's traditional culture!"
Lumine retorted weakly: "Look at Paimon's eager expression."
Keqing mediated: "Alright, alright. You can slowly decide what gift to bring. Let me first tell you the method to get to the Jade Chamber."
"Actually, you didn't need to come to Mt. Tianheng. Return to Liyue Harbor, go to the Yuehai Pavilion to find the guide, and then do such and such... Alright, let's meet again if fate allows, Traveler."
Having said that, Keqing left.
Paimon: "That Yuheng Star may disrespect adepti and gods, but I think she's quite a dashing person."
Lumine: "My impression of her is also quite good. Actually, I agree with part of what she said."