Jiejie, Delicious

In the original storyline, Shesa was the companion Honkai Beast of the Herrscher of Thunder from the previous civilization, but now...

Forget it, there's no use worrying about this now. If Judgment-Class Honkai Beast really shows up, I'll definitely hear about it.

"Then I'll thank the guinea pig in advance."

Liu Bai's words made Mobius very happy.

"Let's go back to the lab, lest Ruan Mei cause any trouble."

"... The Doctor, would you like to conduct your experiment together with Ruan Mei?"

"Of course I will. I am also a humble learner—as long as Ruan Mei's answer sounds like a normal person's."

"Liu Bai... cough cough, Lord Liu Bai, Lord Tianquan invites you."

After the experiment, Liu Bai was approached by Baishi.

So...

You were trying to call him "son-in-law" just now, weren't you?

"Jade Chamber?" Bai pretended not to hear this.

"Yes, Jade Chamber. I will show you the way."

In serious matters, Baishi behaves perfectly normally.

Liu Bai nodded, greeted Ruan Mei and told her to behave herself, then followed Baishi.

"Have I neglected a lot of things these past few days?"

No, that's not true at all.

Baishi shook his head. "You've already helped us enough... If you continue to help us, we'll feel even more helpless."

Before this incident, Baishi might have had a somewhat dismissive attitude towards Liu Bai, but after Chi You's death, Baishi was truly speechless.

This only shows that our parents' judgment lives up to the name of Tianquan.

What is the casualty situation this time?

"The fact that the death toll did not exceed 1,000 is already a very good result."

Baishi answered softly.

Normally, such a tragedy would be enough to cause a huge uproar in society.

But this time it was "abnormal".

Given Chi You's momentum, it wouldn't be excessive for every household in Liyue to wear mourning clothes. More realistically, if Chi You actually manages to land, Liyue might not even have time for every household to wear mourning clothes.

Therefore, the overall atmosphere in Liyue is quite stable now. As long as the Honkai energy pollution is eliminated, Liyue can directly restore Order.

Clearly, this outcome was entirely thanks to Liu Bai. Even disregarding Chi You, he saved over two thousand people in other places just by Shi Bao.

Liu Bai's side has more than just one Shi Bao. Fu Hua, the Seven Swords, Inazuma and the others, plus the Herrscher girls that Liu Bai released, the number of people who have benefited from Liu Bai's kindness in this disaster is probably over 100,000...

Add to that the influence of word of mouth... the claim that Liyue is blessed is no exaggeration.

Baishi didn't mention was the post-war propaganda over the past few days.

In the past few days, Liyue has been heavily promoting Liu Bai. If it weren't for the concerns about Inazuma, they probably would have already portrayed Liu Bai as the "Schicksal One of Liyue".

The reason for their hesitation towards Inazuma is quite simple: they can't just openly go and raise cattle like that...

No, this is even a case of a woman being caught in the act.

"It's already very good."

This number satisfied Liu Bai —what's the difference between this and a no-damage clear?

Liu Bai didn't really enjoy mental exhaustion—he didn't even consider how densely populated Liyue was.

When Liu Bai arrived at Jade Chamber this time, almost everyone bowed and greeted him upon seeing him.

—In fact, Liu Bai's reputation in Liyue has never stopped growing.

It's already 92, so it'll be almost 100 soon.

I'm not quite used to it yet.

Knock knock.

"Liu Bai has arrived." Baishi knocked lightly on the door, then pushed it open to invite Liu Bai in.

"BOSS".

Besides Ningguang, Ganyu, Keqing, and the other two secretaries, Jade and Topaz were also in the room.

A stack of documents was on the table.

Upon seeing Liu Bai approach, Jade offered her seat and moved back one seat with Topaz.

"Good afternoon, Lord Liu Bai." Ningguang stood up and nodded slightly to Liu Bai. "Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come."

"... Ahem, well, no need for formalities."

Liu Bai felt he still needed to learn some political shrewdness.

At least he couldn't bring himself to say, knowing full well, that he was "very busy" the past few days.

Let's talk about the overall picture.

Taking the opportunity, Liu Bai also glanced at the documents that Jade hadn't taken.

[Contract for Assisting in Sweeping Away]

Temporary Employment Contract

Liu Bai quickly glanced through a few of them and found that they were all commercial... no, military contracts, mainly for assisting the Millelith and suppressing high-intensity Honkai sources.

Liu Bai glanced at Jade and found that Jade was also looking at him with a smile.

It's as if it's saying, "There are many forms of lending."

The amounts are all exceptionally large.

"..."

Then Liu Bai found a loan agreement at the very bottom...

Using Liyue's money to lend to Liyue?

Isn't this a bit shameless?

"It's just a symbolic formality," Ningguang explained softly, having also noticed the contract Liu Bai was looking at.

These contracts are rather complex "equity transfers," and several rounds of these transactions have been carried out to enhance Liu Bai's reputation.

For example, the loan agreement that Liu Bai is currently looking at has terms comparable to charity.

As for the aforementioned military contract?

If it's not made public, who would know that Liu Bai used Liyue's money to lend to Liyue?

What if these contracts are leaked?

Just kidding, of course you have to pay someone to do your job.

This kind of thing is perfectly normal in Liyue.

If the full details were made public, many people's reactions would probably be like this: Lord Liu Bai could have easily accepted the money, but he returned it with a contract that was practically a charity. He is so kind, righteous, and principled; he is truly a role model for us Liyue merchants!

What?

Contract premium?

This amount of money is enough to hire a powerhouse like Acheron, and you call it a premium? Ningguang clearly didn't pay enough!

Yes, these military contracts all have one thing in common—their spokesperson is Acheron.

Based on Acheron's performance, he is simply priceless...

Jade is used to its fullest potential.

To be honest, this series of actions made Ningguang feel a subtle sense of guilt.

However, Liu Bai's reputation was only a step or two away from being truly deserving of the people's approval.

Rather than calling it "selling out the country," it's more accurate to say that everyone is going through the process of "abdication"...

(The people under Lord Liu Bai's command are getting more and more capable...)

Ningguang glanced at the Jade.

She had no advantage in the negotiations with Jade; if this hadn't been her home turf, she probably would have been overwhelmed.

"You can review these contracts carefully later. The main reason I invited you here is for another matter."

Ningguang gently drew Liu Bai's attention back from the contract.

"It's about the post-war memorial service in Liyue. If possible, I would like you to participate... However, such large-scale ceremonies are very time-consuming..."

Who is in charge of this ceremony?

"It's Director Hu of the Wangshang Funeral Parlor who's in charge."

"I guessed it." Bailu smiled. "Perfect timing. I'm still a guest elder of the Wangshang Funeral Parlor —although it's the kind without a salary. It's only natural for me, as a guest elder, to get involved in this kind of thing."

That's wonderful.

Ningguang breathed a sigh of relief and swallowed all the persuasive words she had prepared.

In fact, all Liu Bai needs to do at this ceremony is to be there; he doesn't need to do anything. His job is simply to stand there and receive thanks from others.

As soon as Liu Bai agreed, the favorability ratings of everyone in Liyue increased by a few points.

Just like Ningguang said, these large-scale ceremonies take a lot of time, especially those that are national memorial services. Although the scale may be smaller than the Rite of Parting, the duration is definitely longer. As the host city, Liyue Harbor may even have the event end but not yet dispersed.

Even if Liu Bai only participates in the opening ceremony, it shows how much he values Liu Bai Liyue. If he could participate in the entire event...

Chapter 285 Numby, Delicious

After the meeting ended, Jade and Topaz followed Liu Bai and left Jade Chamber together.

"Jade, how was your first encounter with the forces here?"

"Not bad, mainly thanks to you." Jade gave a slightly formulaic smile, the kind you'd give to a superior.

"If it weren't for your prestige, my negotiations with that La Signora. Ningguang wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

After all, they are "civilized people," and robbery... or rather, low-level robbery, does not conform to their principles.

If Liu Bai were currently nameless, powerless, and without influence, even Jade would have a headache.

"Of course, if it weren't for your prestige, I might have recommended La Signora. Kafka to take charge of this matter."

Jade, in a roundabout way, insulted the Stellaron Hunters, saying they were all thieves and robbers.

Just because someone has a good impression doesn't mean everyone can eat from the same pot.

Liu Bai simply shrugged slightly at these words.

"However, every transaction is an exchange of equal benefits... What else, besides power, has been placed on your scales?"

Jade looked at Liu Bai with a teasing expression, showing a certain lack of respect for his status.

"You clearly saw it, yet you still went out of your way to ask? Jade, are you such a malicious person?"

Liu Bai knew absolutely nothing about Jade.

"I'm sorry, I really shouldn't pry into my boss's privacy during work hours."

Her Jade lips curved slightly upward, her smile serene and natural.

"You shouldn't be asking about these things outside of work hours," Bai complained.

Topaz: "?"

Topaz tilted his head.

Wait a minute, what kind of riddle are these two talking about?