Getting on track

Lin Yi twirled his gun, making sure to strike a stylish pose.

Hearing the gunshot, even old Zhongli looked over in curiosity.

When Lin Yi had been chased through the square yesterday, this same attack had blasted his enemy into critical condition. Now it had effortlessly killed a foreign spy in a single shot. If it could be mass-produced...

"Where are the Millelith? Why was there an assassin here?"

Ningguang slammed her hand on the table and stood. Had Lin Yi not noticed and acted in time, Liyue's potential enemies would likely have learned of today's events before long.

But when the Millelith carried the dead spy into the room...

Only then did everyone discover that it was actually a robot built using remnants of Khaenri'ah's technology.

"What's going on? This is something from Khaenri'ah."

Everyone exchanged looks. If Snezhnaya could spread its reach across all of Teyvat, how could there not be open and covert struggles among other factions?

Lin Yi paid little attention to the destroyed mechanical spy, turning an interested gaze on Childe.

"Well? You've seen what gives me, Lin Yi, and Liyue our confidence. Even without this weapon, the Liyue Qixing, the great adepti, and the Millelith personally trained by Morax could fight your Fatui of Snezhnaya to the death."

One decisive punch now would save him from a hundred punches later.

Still shaken, Childe regained his composure and cupped his hands toward Lin Yi in greeting.

"I understand the Geo Archon's intentions. Naturally, I will need some time to make contact. Please allow me more time regarding the shares. I shall take my leave."

Childe knew where things stood. Before leaving, he still pushed the Gnosis in front of Lin Yi, then slipped out through the doorway, his presence vanishing in an instant.

Lin Yi simply put the Gnosis away, planning to hand it over after the first payment arrived in three days.

Every part of what had just happened, including Childe leaving the Gnosis behind, had been within his expectations.

"Wifey, wasn't I impressive?"

Lin Yi had barely turned to seek praise when a tendril of Geo energy reached out and snatched his pistol away.

Fortunately, it contained only a single bullet infused with Geo power, so there was little danger in letting Ningguang examine it.

But ammunition was consumable. Running out in a crisis could cause serious trouble.

The idea of making elemental ammunition immediately took shape in Lin Yi's mind. As long as he still had elemental energy within him, he could keep firing.

If he ever mass-produced Gatling guns spitting blue flames, even the gods of Teyvat might not be able to do much against them.

Still, Lin Yi had no intention of creating weapons that would overturn Genshin Impact's world too drastically. Even this pistol had only been made for self-defense.

Of course, he also wanted to make one for his wife Ningguang to protect herself.

But given Ningguang's business instincts, she might well start mass-producing the things. It was better to think it through carefully.

"Interesting. The mechanisms inside this strange weapon aren't particularly complicated, but the power they unleash together is astonishing."

After praising it, Ningguang returned the pistol to Lin Yi. Once he had put it away, she asked, "Now that things have come this far, how do you intend to answer to the people of Liyue without the Gnosis?"

Lin Yi took Ningguang's hand and rested it on his knee. She resisted a little, but could not overcome the extra force he applied.

"Don't worry about that. Very few people know. Besides, at this stage, the Gnosis only provides some minor basic enhancements we could easily do without. Its other function, representing divine authority, is entirely unnecessary."

"Besides, even Morax himself acknowledged my position as the new god. So what if I don't have a Gnosis?"

Thinking it over, Ningguang realized she really had placed too much importance on the Gnosis, something precious yet rather superficial and ceremonial.

"Now that you think about it, I made the right call, didn't I? Once I get half the shares in the Northland Bank, I'll be the richest man in Liyue, and you'll be the richest woman!"

"Hmph. If you really can secure those shares, I, Ningguang, the Tianquan, will grant you one-no, three requests."

"Three requests? Can they be indecent?"

At his words, Ningguang blushed. This Lin Yi was an utter scoundrel.

She promptly left with the Millelith and the mechanical spy's remains, intending to investigate thoroughly.

After her long, straight legs carried her over the threshold, she paused.

Glancing back, she gave Lin Yi a light nod, her red lips curving into an unusual smile before she strode away.

"I thought you were only fit to be a puppet of divine authority. I never expected you to have genuine foresight."

By now, only Zhongli and Hu Tao remained in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Xiangling had left early with Guoba to attend to something.

"Mr. Zhongli, didn't I handle things beautifully today? With money, Liyue's development will be no problem. Besides, trading away the Gnosis doesn't mean we can't get it back."

"You may decide Liyue's affairs now. I only hope that before Erosion changes me as well, I can see the utterly transformed Liyue you spoke of."

"Of course. Oh, right, Mr. Zhongli, do you have somewhere to stay?"

Zhongli shook his head. Ultimately, he had now become an ordinary citizen of Liyue, and everyday living expenses were something he would need to consider from now on.

Lin Yi then looked at Hu Tao, who was working on the accounts nearby.

"Hu Tao, I'll leave him here at your Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He doesn't have any other talents, but he's very good at fighting. Take him along when you go out promoting your business, and no one will dare bother you again."

"I don't mind. It does get a little lonely being the only one at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Mr. Zhongli can help me out."

Zhongli naturally had no objections. Still, seeing the mighty Geo Archon actually taking his instructions gave Lin Yi a quiet thrill.

Of course, Zhongli's strength was Liyue's final trump card. Lin Yi would not call upon it unless there was absolutely no other choice.

On his way back to the Jade Chamber, Lin Yi passed Ningguang's office and noticed the door was ajar.

Looking through the gap, he saw his wife Ningguang chatting and laughing with Keqing.

Wang Xiaomei, the cocogoat, was probably still working overtime. He really ought to give her a raise.

Just then, Yanfei hurried around the corner and crashed straight into Lin Yi.

When the two women inside heard the commotion and opened the door...

They saw Yanfei kneeling on top of Lin Yi, with papers and documents covering his head.

A flicker of concern crossed Ningguang's heart. Her delicate hand stirred, but she drew it back.

After gathering stardust to lift Yanfei to her feet, she took her and Keqing into the office, then slammed the door shut and locked it.

"Seriously, what was Yanfei in such a hurry for?"

He then picked up a document to read, and its contents surprised him.

"Water contamination has been reported in multiple areas of Mondstadt. Affected Hilichurls and elemental Slimes have become agitated and begun attacking people..."

Lin Yi immediately thought of Feiyun Slope in Liyue. Judging by the current situation, whoever was poisoning the water would soon enter Liyue.

Moreover, the water contamination incident at Feiyun Slope was connected to an unsolved case.