"Let's go. We're heading to the festival grounds."
After settling Zhongli, Hutao, and the others at an inn, Shen Fei took them to the festival venue. Ritou was still some distance from Inazuma City. Shen Fei could travel back and forth between the two without issue, and taking Zhongli and Hutao with him would not have been a problem either. But adding Yun Jin and Xinyan would make things inconvenient, not to mention Beidou and the others who would arrive later. Since Beidou had come to Inazuma, she would definitely attend the festival afterward.
Fortunately, there were inns run by Liyue people on Ritou, and they were quite well prepared. Both Liyue and Mondstadt had merchant guilds on Ritou, each with inns under their banner, mainly for receiving fellow countrymen. Though Ritou had the International Trade Association, not every merchant guild chose to join it.
Joining the International Trade Association brought many benefits, but it also came with drawbacks. Some people needed to band together for warmth, while others did not. For example, the Chuyu Trading Company here was one of Ningguang's merchant guilds, selling Liyue ore in Inazuma.
"Why are so many people gathered here? Did something happen?" When Shen Fei and the others arrived at the venue, they unexpectedly found Lumine, Albedo, and the others gathered together as though discussing something. However, Alice and Klee were nowhere to be seen.
"Xingqiu's book was stolen!" Paimon immediately cried out upon seeing Shen Fei and the others.
"Miss, please keep your voice down," Kuroda, an editor from Yae Publishing House, said hurriedly. He cautiously glanced around as he spoke. Xingqiu's book was one of the highlights of this festival, and if word got out that it had been stolen, it would affect the festival.
"Sorry, I'll be careful." Paimon immediately