"Tianquan Ningguang… I've been hearing that name everywhere lately."
"People in Liyue talk about her. The Fatui hate her."
"She's the one hiding the Exuvia of the Geo Archon, right? We even saw her during the Rite of Descension…"
"I wonder what kind of person she really is."
Paimon spread her hands as she spoke.
"Finally found you."
"Those who returned from Jueyun Karst."
At that moment, a cool female voice descended from above.
Paimon's eyes widened immediately as she hurriedly looked around.
"Paimon, let's go!"
Lumine quickly stood up, ready to leave.
"Please wait."
"I am not a member of the Millelith, nor am I here to arrest you."
"But I am indeed a messenger of the Liyue Qixing."
"My name is Ganyu, secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion. I came here to meet you."
Hearing this, Qiu Nian and the others looked up.
Standing on the roof was a woman with long blue hair, a single strand of hair sticking up.
Two small horns—black with red edges—grew from the top of her head.
Her Cryo Vision hung at her waist.
She wore a white short cheongsam with golden patterns.
Underneath was a tight bodysuit that left her back exposed, paired with black stockings adorned with gold designs.
Her entire demeanor appeared gentle and elegant, almost carrying an immortal aura.
Lumine looked up at Ganyu with confusion.
"To be precise, my official position is secretary responsible to all members of the Qixing."
"But today, my temporary role is a special envoy of Lady Ningguang."
Ganyu explained calmly.
Clearly, she had not recognized Zhongli—
Nor had she recognized Qiu Nian.
"That's strange."
"It makes sense if little Ganyu didn't recognize me."
"After all, I only stayed in Jueyun Karst for ten years back then."
"But not recognizing Morax… isn't that a bit unreasonable?"
Qiu Nian glanced at Ganyu and then at Zhongli beside him.
After all, Morax's appearance had barely changed since the Archon War.
"Wow. Speak of Ningguang…"
"And Ningguang's messenger appears."
Paimon shrugged.
[Speak of the devil and she appears]
[Ganyu also hits my preferences]
[She has horns… could she be the cocogoat Qiqi mentioned?]
[Your imagination is wild]
"Those who returned from Jueyun Karst… forgive my lack of formalities in meeting you here."
"But this letter I carry is a formal invitation issued by Lady Ningguang in her capacity as Tianquan."
"It invites you—and Mr. Qiu Nian—to visit the palace in the sky."
Ganyu explained.
Qiu Nian was surprised to hear that Ningguang had invited him as well.
"You said… an invitation?"
Paimon asked suspiciously.
"Yes."
"Lady Ningguang said this:
If she wishes to meet me, then let her come to the Jade Chamber.
There, I will accompany her in cutting away the tangled threads of hidden currents—one by one."
Ganyu repeated Ningguang's words.
"Wait."
"Why is Qiu Nian invited too?"
Lumine asked.
"Hmm…"
"Isn't Mr. Qiu Nian also someone who returned from Jueyun Karst, just like you?"
"I believe that is the reason Lady Ningguang invited him."
Ganyu thought briefly before answering.
With that, she turned to leave.
"Wait a moment, Miss Ganyu."
"You seem to have forgotten to tell us how to reach the Jade Chamber."
Qiu Nian reminded her.
Ganyu's violet eyes widened.
She blinked.
Ah—
She had almost forgotten such an important detail.
She quickly told them the secret code for boarding the Jade Chamber, then departed.
"She definitely forgot earlier, didn't she?"
Paimon said with a smug expression while watching Ganyu leave.
"But wow—we actually received an invitation from the Liyue Qixing!"
"When meeting someone rich, we must pay attention to proper etiquette!"
Paimon reminded them excitedly.
"I'm already very polite."
"What scheme are you planning now?"
Lumine asked suspiciously.
"Hehe… people who are invited to visit the Jade Chamber are indeed rare."
"I never expected that even Mr. Qiu Nian, who just arrived in Liyue Harbor, would receive an invitation."
"You must have brought him good luck."
Zhongli chuckled.
"Haha… I think so too."
Qiu Nian nodded in agreement.
"You should go."
"But don't forget the Rite of Parting."
"After returning from the Jade Chamber, our next meeting point will be Dihua Marsh."
Zhongli reminded them.
"Don't worry, we won't forget."
"And even if we do, Qiu Nian will remind us."
Paimon said confidently.
So Qiu Nian, Lumine, and Paimon set off toward the path leading to the Jade Chamber.
"Meeting a super-rich person like Ningguang…"
"We should probably prepare a gift, right?"
Paimon suddenly suggested.
"A gift?"
"I actually have something suitable."
"It should be good enough as a meeting present."
Qiu Nian replied.
"Qiu Nian, are you sure?"
"You're so poor, and Ningguang is incredibly wealthy."
"How could she possibly care about your gift?"
Paimon doubted.
"Yeah."
"You only started working at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor today."
"You probably haven't even received your salary yet."
Lumine added.
Qiu Nian's mouth twitched slightly.
It seemed that his poor image was now firmly rooted in their minds.
"In Liyue there is an old saying—"
Even a small gift carries deep sentiment.
"Don't worry."
Qiu Nian turned to look at the bustling, brightly lit Liyue Harbor at night.
"I'm still a little worried."
"How about you show us the gift first?"
Paimon suggested.
"Alright…"
Qiu Nian stopped walking.
Then he took out a dark jade token, about two inches in size.
Strange patterns were carved across its surface—patterns that were difficult to make out.
Enjoyed these chapters? Access advanced chapters 60+ahead and exclusive content by visiting my patreon.com/WillOFD129?