On the Road

The goods were loaded onto the trucks one piece at a time.

Dori watched without blinking.

She wanted to see whether these iron vehicles could really move.

And even if they could start after being loaded, just how fast could they be?

Under the workers' efforts, the goods were quickly loaded onto the trucks.

"Your goods are all loaded, right?"

Bai Ye asked Dori.

"Yes, everything on my end is ready."

Dori nodded.

Bai Ye pressed on. "Then, as agreed, we just need to deliver them to Sumeru, right? Dropping them off at the border counts as successfully completing the delivery, correct?"

These trucks were still a new thing in Teyvat. If they entered Sumeru without reporting to The Akademiya, they might be mistaken for enemies.

"Fine. As long as you can deliver them to the Sumeru border."

Dori gritted her teeth and nodded.

"Then let's set off."

Bai Ye turned and returned to the truck.

There was someone else inside the truck.

"Is it really alright for you to come with me for several more days?"

Bai Ye asked Hu Tao, who sat beside him.

"It's fine, of course it's fine. Since Zhongli has been doing well these past few days, he can keep doing it for a few more."

Since Hu Tao said there was no problem, Bai Ye certainly had no reason to object!

Having someone beside him while driving was extremely important.

He ignited the engine.

Lightning and fire elements began to react.

The truck let out a long horn blast.

Then its wheels slowly began to turn, carrying it forward.

Dori was so shocked that her glasses fell to the ground.

It really started?

How had they done that?

Dori was a merchant, so she could not understand the principles behind it at all.

Bai Ye stopped the truck beside Dori, rolled down the window, and looked down at her.

"Well?"

There was a note of showing off in Bai Ye's voice, along with the satisfaction of finally venting his frustration.

Could you still act smug now?

"It's nothing, just a bit of business. I won't take it to heart. Besides, you've only just set out. Whether you can arrive on time is still uncertain."

Dori's heart was bleeding, but she kept up a stubborn front.

Seeing that she would not give in until faced with the harsh truth, Bai Ye smiled and pointed at the truck behind him.

"Then ride in the vehicle behind us and see for yourself."

Dori pursed her lips, then silently jogged toward the truck in the rear.

Once Bai Ye saw her get in, he refocused on the road ahead.

Departing from Liyue Harbor, Bai Ye took the route north from Liyue Harbor, past the northern side of Mt. Tianheng, then north through Lingju Pass, onward to Qiaoqiao Valley, and finally to the border between the northern part of The Chasm and Sumeru.

Bai Ye had examined the terrain along this route. It was the most suitable one.

The land was flat and open, and it was relatively safe. Even Bai Ye and the Feiyun Commerce Guild members, all novice drivers, could handle the vehicles easily without driving into a ditch.

As they departed from Liyue Harbor, the iron hulks drew plenty of attention from the people of Liyue Harbor.

Fortunately, the Feiyun Commerce Guild had reported the matter to the Millelith beforehand, so Bai Ye did not cause much of a commotion.

Even so,

vehicles capable of carrying large quantities of goods without relying on beasts of burden left a deep impression on everyone.

They began asking the Feiyun Commerce Guild members what was going on.

When they learned that Bai Ye had made all of them, they decided they would place orders with him once he returned.

Seeing everyone's curiosity, Bai Ye knew his plan had gotten off to a good start.

"Once those people come looking to order vehicles, I'll make a fortune."

Hu Tao, sitting beside Bai Ye, could practically see his eyes turn into Mora.

After they had driven some distance, Hu Tao became interested and said to Bai Ye, "Come on, let me try driving."

Operating a vehicle was not difficult, and Hu Tao had been eager to give it a try for a while.

"Sure."

Given Teyvat's current traffic conditions, being able to get into an accident would practically be a talent.

Bai Ye shifted backward and released his right hand. Hu Tao immediately slipped into his arms and sat on his lap. She took hold of the steering wheel with both hands, while Bai Ye released his left hand, wrapped it around Hu Tao's waist, and pulled himself free.

He moved into the passenger seat.

Bai Ye silently slipped his hand into his sleeve and took out a music box.

He quietly turned on the music, crossed his legs, and reclined in the passenger seat.

"You really know how to take it easy."

Hu Tao kept both hands firmly on the steering wheel. She glanced at Bai Ye and could not help teasing him.

"Of course. Sitting in the car, enjoying Liyue's scenery, and imagining the piles of vehicle orders waiting for me when I get back to Liyue—and the huge sum of money I'll earn—of course I'm happy."

"You really are money-obsessed."

Hu Tao could not help complaining again. "You and Zhongli, the consultant of our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, are truly complete opposites. One of you spends every day thinking only about making money and cannot bear to spend any of it except on Floating Stone. The other makes no money at all, yet keeps spending it. Once we return to Liyue Harbor, I'll definitely introduce the two of you and see if you can persuade each other."

"No, no. If I saw how he spent money, it would hurt me to death."

Bai Ye hurriedly said.

He did not dare meet Zhongli.

What if Zhongli discovered his teacher?

So he quickly found an excuse to avoid it.

"Pfft, hahaha, you really are money-obsessed."

Hu Tao could not help laughing.

Seeing Hu Tao like this, Bai Ye hurriedly said, "Hey, don't move around. Don't get us into an accident."

"Don't worry, don't worry. If anything happens, I'll take care of you."

Hu Tao promised confidently.

"If you weren't the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I'd be very happy to hear that."

Bai Ye muttered.

"Tch~"

Hu Tao quietly pressed the accelerator, making the truck speed up.

The two took turns driving for a while, and before they knew it, evening had arrived.

Bai Ye contacted the vehicles behind them and decided to stop first and eat some dried provisions.

Everyone got out and began eating.

Before Bai Ye and Hu Tao left, Xiangling had prepared some boxed meals for them.

Taking advantage of no one else noticing, the two carried their meals somewhere out of sight to eat.

When they reached a shaded spot, Bai Ye discovered another group of merchants resting there as well.

As they rested,

they chatted among themselves.

"You guys really missed out. You actually hid in your inn rooms that day and didn't dare come out. I'm telling you, I saw it clearly—the Dvalin was terrifying beyond belief!"