"Mr. Qiu Nian's guess was correct."
"But please keep today's conversation confidential."
Ningguang nodded slightly as she spoke to him.
"Please rest assured, Lady Ningguang."
"I'm merely a little surprised."
"I never imagined that even a god could fall victim to such schemes."
Qiu Nian replied with a faint smile.
Ningguang placed a hand over her chest in thanks.
This young man's ability to accept such shocking information was far beyond ordinary people.
He truly was a rare talent.
"Now that Rex Lapis has fallen, the Fatui have already taken many covert actions that cross the limits of diplomacy."
"It's not difficult to guess what their true objective is."
"As the Tianquan responsible for Liyue, I can no longer afford to maintain an elegant posture in this confrontation."
"My approval of the Rite of Parting was merely to buy time for the Qixing to fully assume control of Liyue."
Ningguang lowered her hand and continued explaining to the three of them.
"Hm… just like Zhongli said."
"The Qixing only provided the venue for the ceremony because it serves their own purposes."
Paimon rubbed her forehead.
"Speaking of purposes… there's something else I want to ask. Is that okay?"
Paimon suddenly remembered something.
At the same time, Lumine gave her a rather exasperated look.
"Go ahead."
Ningguang nodded.
"I heard that guests who bring gifts receive certain benefits…"
"So do we get anything?"
Paimon asked with a grin.
"Paimon, could you try talking about something else for once?"
Lumine placed her hands on her hips, speechless.
"Haha…"
"That's very much like you."
Qiu Nian chuckled.
"You have indeed helped quite a bit recently."
"How about this—as compensation."
"You may each choose one item here and take it with you."
Ningguang said generously.
"I've been waiting for you to say that!"
"But the gift was from Qiu Nian, so he should be the one to choose!"
Paimon nodded excitedly and looked toward Qiu Nian.
Qiu Nian fell into thought.
While he was thinking, Paimon kept winking at him and repeatedly gesturing toward the wall covered in notes.
Seeing this, Qiu Nian couldn't help but laugh.
Paimon had clearly been influenced by the storyteller earlier.
After smiling at her, he turned toward the wall.
"I'll take one of the papers on that wall."
As soon as he said that—
Paimon stomped happily in the air.
"Qiu Nian really dotes on Paimon."
Xuehua laughed while watching the scene on the livestream.
[Of course you spoil someone as cute as Paimon]
[Isn't she emergency food?]
[Paimon, can you aim a little higher? LOL]
[Why not just take Ningguang with you?]
[Why not take the Jade Chamber instead?]
[Good idea]
Meanwhile, Lumine was still staring at Paimon with a look of pure disbelief.
"Don't look at me like that!"
"Don't you get it?"
"Even a tiny piece of paper from that wall could sell for a sky-high price!"
"If there were a whole sheet that hadn't been torn apart…"
"I can't even imagine how much Mora it would be worth!"
Paimon said excitedly.
"Trust me, Qiu Nian. This is definitely the best choice."
"Let's go take a look. We should grab the biggest one!"
With that, Paimon flew toward the wall.
Lumine followed with a hand on her forehead.
"Haha…"
Qiu Nian laughed softly and walked over as well.
Floating in the air, Paimon carefully examined the wall.
"Looking at it closely, there's no need to choose."
"The biggest note is right there in the most obvious spot."
"Alright! That's the one!"
She pointed at the largest sheet immediately.
"Let's see what it says first."
"Huh? There's a circled location here. Could it be treasure?"
"Or maybe some opportunity to make money?"
Paimon noticed a map on the paper.
One location on it was marked with a red circle.
"Let me see… the words beside it say…"
Paimon leaned closer to read.
"The Talisman of Permission is currently being secretly researched and replicated by the Fatui."
"I suppose the place marked on the map is where they're conducting that research."
Qiu Nian read the text and explained.
"Hm…"
"Ningguang said earlier that the Fatui have been doing many shady things in Liyue."
"Like spreading rumors and plotting against the Exuvia."
"But researching the Talisman of Permission—what kind of bad deed is that?"
Paimon asked, puzzled.
"Hmm…"
"Lady Ningguang probably left this here deliberately to guide us."
"Would you come with me to check it out?"
"I'd like to confirm whether her information is accurate."
"And see exactly what the Fatui are planning in order to approach the Exuvia."
Qiu Nian suggested after thinking for a moment.
"Sure."
"You chose it after all."
"As friends, we'll go with you. And if anything dangerous happens, the Traveler will be there."
Paimon replied cheerfully.
"Helping a friend is only natural."
Lumine smiled.
"I'm a citizen of Liyue, after all."
"I can't simply stand by when something like this happens."
Qiu Nian placed a hand over his chest and thanked them.
At this point, he had nearly perfected his disguise as an ordinary citizen of Liyue.
He spoke so naturally it sounded completely genuine.
Even Ningguang, standing not far away, nodded approvingly when she heard him say that.
This Mr. Qiu Nian truly is a remarkable young talent.
Liyue needed people like him.
She had no intention of letting anything happen to him.
So she decided to secretly send Yelan and several Millelith soldiers to follow them.
That way, they could ensure the trio's safety and clean up any aftermath if necessary.
Just as Ningguang finished that thought—
Qiu Nian and the others returned with the note.
"Well?"
"Have you made your choice?"
Ningguang asked with a smile.
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