I want the Jade Chamber

"[Sigil of Permission]? What's that? Yucheng, do you know?"

"Back when Liyue was first founded, Rex Lapis personally forged these divine sigils and bestowed them upon mortals to reward the humans who contributed to its founding. These sigils contained Rex Lapis's Adeptal Energy and could exorcise evil, protect homes, and ward off calamity.

"If their descendants encountered difficulties, they could also take a sigil to Jueyun Karst and seek out the adepti to resolve their problems. Out of respect for the sigil, the adepti would generally help, but after resolving the problem, they would take the sigil back.

"More than thirty-seven hundred years have passed since Liyue's founding, and the sigils have practically all been used up."

"So this sigil is basically a pass for asking the adepti for help? But why did you say this one was fake?"

Hearing Yucheng accurately recount the history of the Sigil of Permission, Tartaglia was also very interested in how he could tell a genuine one from a fake. This was something their Fatui had only managed to produce after a long period of research, yet someone had spotted the fake at a glance. It was rather embarrassing.

"Exactly. We spent a great deal of money buying this from an antiques dealer, and our experts all authenticated it as genuine. How did it suddenly become a fake in your eyes?"

"Please don't get worked up. I'm only offering my own opinion. This sigil is indeed an extremely convincing forgery, but precisely because it's too convincing, it gives itself away.

"As I just said, the [Sigil of Permission] was forged by Rex Lapis thirty-seven hundred years ago. Even though his power is immeasurable, after thousands of years, very little Adeptal Energy remains in a genuine sigil. Yet the sigil in your hand is brimming with Adeptal Energy, as though Rex Lapis had just forged it.

"Besides, after thousands of years, an object acquires an indescribable sense of age and weathering that tells you at a glance it's old."

Upon hearing this, Tartaglia and Lumine hurriedly looked at the sigil before them. Indeed, it looked far too new, nothing like something thousands of years old. The atmosphere turned awkward.

Tartaglia, in particular, had never imagined that this thing would be exposed as a forgery for being too convincing.

Seeing the conversation stall, Yucheng hurriedly offered some reassurance. "Still, the adepti probably won't examine it closely. After all, no one has thought of forging these sigils to ask the adepti for help in all these years."

Hearing this, Tartaglia felt even more embarrassed. Just then, Paimon stepped forward to rub salt in the wound. "If we take this sigil out in front of the adepti and they recognize it as a fake, wouldn't we end up in danger instead? This would count as disrespecting Rex Lapis, wouldn't it?"

"With something this serious happening in Liyue, whether this sigil is genuine or fake is no longer the main issue. I think if the adepti learn that Rex Lapis has been murdered, they'll probably rush straight to Liyue Harbor without stopping. They won't care about this thing at all. Why don't you give it a try?"

"That makes sense. We're going to the adepti to report what happened, not ask them for help."

"In that case, we'll head to Jueyun Karst to find the adepti. Mr. Yucheng, would you like to come along?"

"I won't be joining you. I'll just go home and lie low for a few days. I hope you can find the adepti as soon as possible and settle this incident."

With that, Lumine and Paimon set off on the road to Jueyun Karst, while Yucheng left the Northland Bank and went home.

After watching them disappear from view, the smile gradually faded from Tartaglia's face. He said to the subordinate behind him, "Arrest the researchers working on the Sigil of Permission at once. How dare they make a mistake like this! Also, investigate that man's background immediately. Now!"

"Yes!" His subordinate withdrew in fear. This was the first time he had ever seen the Harbinger lose his temper so badly.

When Yucheng strolled back home, he actually found a beautiful figure waiting outside his door.

"You're back, Mr. Yucheng. You've certainly kept me waiting."

"Huh? Lady Ningguang, why are you waiting outside my house?"

"Something this serious happened at the Rite of Descension I hosted. Don't you have any thoughts on it, Mr. Yucheng?"

"Don't look at me. I didn't do it."

"I know this has nothing to do with you, and I believe you weren't responsible. However, I don't believe you know nothing about it, so I hope you can offer some assistance. Of course, you may set some conditions. If they're within my power, I will do my best to fulfill them."

Ningguang's attitude was sincere, and she was being very humble. This actually surprised Yucheng somewhat. After all, anyone would feel rather overwhelmed if Liyue's usually lofty ruler suddenly asked an ordinary person for help.

"Lady Ningguang, I'd like to ask you a question, and you must answer honestly. I'll decide how to respond based on your answer."

"Understood. Go ahead."

"If Rex Lapis really were gone, could Liyue continue to prosper without him? By prosperity, I don't just mean economic prosperity, but political, cultural, and military prosperity as well."

Ningguang fell silent, her expression shifting uncertainly. Ultimately, however, she said calmly, "Yes. Liyue has gradually been transitioning from divine rule to an era of human rule. This incident has merely accelerated that process."

"Hahaha, since you're so confident, Lady Ningguang, then treat this as a trial for Liyue Harbor. See whether it can survive this crisis without Rex Lapis's protection. As for what I can help you with..."

Yucheng said nothing more and instead turned to look toward the sea. Ningguang followed his gaze. Across the vast sea, Guyun Stone Forest stood out distinctly, and as the Tianquan, Ningguang had long known full well what it represented.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Yucheng."

"You figured that out yourself. I didn't say a thing."

"Also, there's actually another favor I'd like to ask. I heard you've had a minor disagreement with Yelan, Mr. Yucheng. Since Yelan is my subordinate, I'd like to act as a mediator and resolve the rift between you two. Would you be willing to do me that courtesy?"

"You're too kind, Lady Ningguang. I'd actually like to bury the hatchet as well."

"Wonderful. I've heard you have a Kamera, Mr. Yucheng, and I'd like to pay a substantial sum to purchase it. Would you be willing to agree? Name your price."

Uh, Yucheng's face suddenly reddened a little. Had Yelan really reported something this embarrassing in full? Wasn't this the sort of thing you were supposed to keep under wraps? Wasn't she embarrassed?

"Since you've asked, Lady Ningguang, I'll say it. I want the Jade Chamber. Any condition is fine."

"What?!"

Ningguang's smile instantly froze. Wasn't this man asking for far too much?