When Liyue's Lanterns First Lit Up

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As the outline of Liyue Harbor slowly emerged on the distant horizon, Baichen stood quietly on the deck, letting the gentle sea breeze brush against his face.

The distinctive scent of Inazuma's Thunder Sakura had gradually faded, replaced by the growing salty tang of the sea breeze.

A faint trace of agarwood drifted through the air, as though it were a mark unique to Liyue Harbor, quietly entering his nostrils.

It brought with it a subtle, unforgettable scent, as if telling of Liyue's past, filling him with anticipation for the harbor he was about to reach.

[System notification]

[New map "Liyue Harbor" will soon be unlocked]

[Current conquest target: Ningguang (initial affection: 25%)]

25%? He wondered whether he had ever crossed paths with her before.

[Host, did you forget the jade thumb ring Ganyu passed along?]

[Ningguang picked it out herself~]

[How could she not have any affection for you~]

Ganyu walked slowly to Baichen's side, the morning light reflected in her coral-colored eyes. "Look, that's Liyue Harbor."

She pointed toward the majestic harbor in the distance. "Lady Ningguang should have already received the signal that we're arriving."

As the ship drew closer, the magnificent panorama of Liyue Harbor slowly unfolded before Baichen like a painting.

The first thing he saw was a terraced complex of buildings built along the mountainside, arranged in pleasing layers that perfectly blended nature and human ingenuity.

The buildings had a distinctive style, cleverly combining traditional Liyue elements with modern design concepts, retaining an old-world charm without sacrificing a fashionable air.

As they continued onward, Feiyun Slope rose into view, towering into the clouds.

It resembled a colossal peak thrusting straight into the sky, wreathed in mist and displaying the extraordinary craftsmanship of nature.

The mountainside of Feiyun Slope glowed a faint crimson, forming a striking contrast with the surrounding green vegetation and giving the scene greater depth.

And above Feiyun Slope floated a magnificent palace-the Jade Chamber.

The palace was white throughout and shone with a soft light. Its architecture was elegant and stately, its details exquisitely carved, demonstrating the superb skill of Liyue's artisans. Like a pearl floating in the sky, it made a striking sight against Feiyun Slope.

"That's..." Baichen looked up at the palace in the sky.

"Lady Ningguang's residence." Ganyu's voice held a touch of pride. "It's also the center of the Liyue Qixing's power."

As soon as the ship docked, a squad of Millelith stood waiting in formation.

At their head was a young woman with purple hair, dressed in practical short clothing, with an exquisite one-handed sword at her waist.

"Lady Keqing?" Ganyu looked somewhat surprised. "Why did you come to meet us personally?"

The young woman called Keqing gave a brisk salute. "Ningguang said we had an honored guest today and insisted I make the trip."

She turned to Baichen, sizing him up with her purple, catlike eyes. "You're that 'special adviser' from Inazuma?"

[Liyue Qixing's "Yuheng" Keqing makes her first appearance]

[Current affection: 15% (assessment stage)]

Keqing's bluntness left Baichen speechless for a moment.

Ganyu hurriedly stepped in. "Lady Keqing is responsible for Liyue's land planning and construction. She's also leading this year's travel season..."

"All right, all right." Keqing waved a hand. "Ningguang's waiting at the Jade Chamber. Come with me."

The streets of Liyue Harbor were livelier than those of Inazuma City, with shops lining both sides of the stone-paved roads and vendors calling out one after another.

As they passed a small restaurant called Wanmin Restaurant, an enticing aroma wafted out, prompting Baichen to look over several times.

"Want to eat?" Keqing noticed his gaze. "Their boiled fish is indeed good, but there's no time right now."

She suddenly quickened her pace. "Ningguang hates waiting for people more than anything."

They passed through bustling Chihu Rock and arrived at the foot of Feiyun Slope. There, they found an unusual lift platform powered by floating stones.

After they stepped aboard, Keqing pulled a lever. The platform slowly rose, and the outline of the Jade Chamber grew clearer.

"Is it this much trouble every time you come up?" Baichen couldn't help asking.

Keqing snorted. "That woman Ningguang just likes putting on a show."

She suddenly lowered her voice. "When you meet her, don't be taken in by her sugar-coated tactics. When that woman schemes against someone, she won't leave even their bones behind."

[Keqing affection +2%, current: 17%]

[Note: wariness of a competitor]

The lift platform finally reached the Jade Chamber.

The palace in the sky was even more luxurious up close-the white marble floor was polished like a mirror, the vermilion pillars were exquisitely carved, and the antiques displayed everywhere were worth a fortune.

"You're here?" Suddenly, a soft, languid voice rang out, like a breeze brushing across the strings of a zither, pleasing to the ear.

Looking toward the voice, Baichen saw Ningguang reclining on a couch at the far end of the hall, her graceful figure resembling a fairy.

Today, Ningguang looked like a fairy descended to the mortal world, a dazzling sight.

She wore a white qipao edged with gold thread, its fabric smooth as silk, complementing her snow-white skin until the two seemed to blend together.

The qipao's tailoring was exceptional, fitting the curves of Ningguang's figure perfectly.

Its slightly open neckline revealed her slender neck and delicate collarbones to just the right degree, lending her an alluring, sensual air.

The narrow waist showed off her slender figure to perfection, making her look all the more elegant.

Ningguang's long, snow-white hair cascaded down like a waterfall, brushing lightly against her fragrant shoulders.

She had loosely gathered it with an exquisite jade hairpin, while a few strands hung beside her neck like drifting clouds, fluttering in the breeze and accentuating her ethereal beauty.

But the most eye-catching thing was the exquisite smoking pipe held between her fingertips.

The pipe was translucent throughout, as though carved from a single piece of fine jade.

It was also inlaid with gemstones that glimmered faintly in the lamplight, brilliant and dazzling like stars in the night sky.

She took a light puff and slowly exhaled smoke from her red lips.

And the most eye-catching thing was her pair of amber eyes, clear and bright, yet concealing a sharpness that made her thoughts impossible to read.

[Liyue Qixing's "Tianquan" Ningguang makes her first official appearance]

[Current affection: 28% (keen interest)]

"I've brought him."

"I still have work to do, so I'll be going," Keqing said coolly.

Ningguang chuckled. "Thank you for your efforts, Yuheng."

She rose gracefully, revealing a long, shapely leg through the slit in her qipao. "I'd like to speak with Mr. Baichen alone. Ganyu, you should go and rest too."

Ganyu started to speak but stopped, ultimately bowing and withdrawing.

In the blink of an eye, only Baichen and Ningguang remained in the vast main hall of the Jade Chamber.

"Sit." Ningguang gestured to the place beside her and leaned back against the cushioned couch. "Do you like Liyue?"

"I've only just arrived, so I don't know it very well yet..." Baichen answered cautiously.

Ningguang blew a smoke ring, her amber eyes studying him through the haze. "It's livelier than Inazuma, isn't it?"

She suddenly reached out and grasped Baichen's chin. "And more... free than Inazuma."

The intimate gesture made Baichen's whole body stiffen.

Ningguang seemed not to notice. Her fingers slid along his jaw to his neck, gently lifting the necklace with its lightning pattern. "The Raiden Shogun's surveillance?"

She chuckled. "Don't worry. No signal can get out of the Jade Chamber."

[Warning! The Raiden Shogun's surveillance magatama has been disabled!]

[Ningguang affection +3%, current: 31%]

Baichen instinctively edged toward the wall. "Lady Ningguang, please conduct yourself properly..."

"How cute." Ningguang withdrew her hand and picked up a brocade box from the tea table. "See if you like it."

Inside was a ruby brooch inlaid with gold thread, crafted with exquisite care.

Baichen was just about to decline when Ningguang personally pinned it to his collar. "It suits you."

She lightly tapped the gemstone with a fingertip. "There's a miniature Adepti-Seeking Talisman embedded inside. It will activate automatically if you're in danger."

[Item obtained: Ningguang's Ruby Brooch]

[Effect: automatically generates a shield in danger]

"Why are you being so good to me?" Baichen couldn't help asking.

Ningguang didn't answer immediately. Instead, she rose and walked to the window, looking down over all of Liyue Harbor. "Liyue values 'investment.'"

She looked back at Baichen, a shrewd light flickering in her eyes. "And you... have a great deal of potential."

She suddenly walked back and leaned down to whisper in Baichen's ear. "Especially the potential to captivate both the Raiden Shogun and Bronya..."

[Ningguang affection +4%, current: 35%]

[Note: interest in a rare "commodity"]

Just then, a soft cough came from outside the door.

Ganyu stood in the doorway and bowed respectfully. "Lady Ningguang, the banquet at Xinyue Kiosk is ready."

"Understood." Ningguang straightened, resuming her dignified bearing. "Come, I'll take you to try Liyue's best restaurant."

Xinyue Kiosk stood at the highest point of Feiyun Slope, overlooking all of Liyue Harbor.

Several people were already seated in the private room-besides Ganyu and Keqing, there were a few unfamiliar faces.

"This is Director Hu Tao of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," Ningguang said, introducing the young woman wearing a hat with the Tai hexagram on it.

Hu Tao bounced over and took Baichen's hand. "Wow! You're the cutie from Inazuma?"

Her plum-blossom pupils sparkled. "Would you like to book the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services in advance? The second gravestone is half price!"

[Hu Tao, seventy-seventh director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, makes her first appearance]

[Current affection: 20% (playful stage)]

"Hu Tao!" Keqing scolded. "Don't scare our guest."

A black-haired young woman in opera costume bowed gracefully. "Yun Jin, current head of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe."

Her voice was as pleasant as a clear spring. "I've long heard of your esteemed name, Mr. Baichen."

[Yun Jin, head of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe, makes her first appearance]

[Current affection: 18% (appreciation stage)]

The banquet featured a dazzling array of dishes prepared in many different ways. From the delicate, savory flavor of steamed crab roe lion's head meatballs to the fiery kick of spicy boiled fish, every dish had an enticing aroma.

Ningguang served Baichen food from time to time, her movements graceful and natural, but they made Keqing frown repeatedly, dissatisfaction showing in her eyes.

"Try this." Ningguang placed a Golden Shrimp Ball in Baichen's bowl.

"It's made with golden-thread shrimp, a Liyue specialty. You can't get it anywhere else."

The shrimp ball was crisp and juicy, and Baichen couldn't help praising it. "It tastes good."

Ningguang smiled with satisfaction. "If you like it, I'll take you somewhere more authentic tomorrow."

Her hand rested lightly on Baichen's knee beneath the table. "I know a little place that makes seafood..."

"Ningguang." Keqing suddenly interrupted. "Did you forget you're meeting Captain Beidou this afternoon to discuss the trade routes?"

Ningguang narrowed her eyes. "It can be postponed."

"No." Keqing refused to yield. "It concerns the transport of supplies to The Chasm."

Their gazes clashed, and in the end, Ningguang was the first to look away. "Very well." She turned to Baichen. "I'll have Ganyu accompany you around tomorrow."

[Keqing affection +1%, current: 18%]

[Note: successfully thwarted Ningguang's plan to spend time alone with him]

Night slowly fell, gently covering Liyue Harbor like a length of black silk.

The lanterns came on, those lining the streets lit up like strings of brilliant pearls, radiating a dazzling array of colors.

The lanterns were red, yellow, green, blue... Their lights shone together, adorning all of Liyue Harbor like something out of a dream.

Pedestrians moved through the streets, some hurrying along as though they had urgent business to attend to;

Others strolled at their leisure, enjoying the peace and beauty of the night.

Children laughed and ran through the crowd like a flock of cheerful birds, their laughter clear and sweet as silver bells, bringing the night a little more life and energy.

Liyue Harbor was even more enchanting at night than during the day. Countless lights twinkled like stars, echoing those in the sky, as though the entire city had been set amid a brilliant expanse of stars.

Seen from afar, Liyue Harbor resembled a city that never slept, a sight of breathtaking beauty.

Amid this lively scene, one figure stood out in particular.

She stood quietly at the entrance to Xinyue Kiosk, like a purple flower in full bloom, giving off an enchanting fragrance.

Her snow-white hair fluttered gently in the night breeze, smooth as silk;

She wore a magnificent long purple dress, its hem billowing in the wind like a fairy dancing gracefully.

Her figure was graceful and slender, drawing the gazes of many passersby.

"Have the accommodations been arranged?" she suddenly asked.

Ganyu froze for a moment. "Ah, according to custom, he should be staying at..."

"He'll stay at the Jade Chamber." Ningguang made the decision in a tone that left no room for doubt. "The guest room is ready."

The arrangement took everyone by surprise. Keqing was about to object when Ningguang added, "Don't worry. There are maids assigned to look after him. Our honored guest won't be 'mistreated.'"

[Ningguang affection +2%, current: 37%]

[Note: the first signs of a forceful possessiveness]

And so, a dazed Baichen was taken back to the Jade Chamber.

By the time he came to his senses, he was in a guest room facing the sea.

The guest room was luxurious in the extreme, surpassing even his room at Tenshukaku.

From the magnificent carpet to the exquisite murals and the dazzling crystal chandelier, refinement and opulence were evident everywhere. Even the washbasin was gold-plated.

"If you need anything, tell me or ring the bell." Ningguang pointed to the little gold bell beside the bed. "See you tomorrow."

After she left, Baichen collapsed onto the large, soft bed. The system immediately popped up:

[Host, host!]

[It looks like Ningguang is even more dangerous than the information suggested!]

(He thought to himself, and it was indeed true...)

(What exactly does she want?)

[Analyzing...]

[Possibility 1: Purely political calculation]

[Possibility 2: A desire to possess a rare "collectible"]

[Possibility 3: Genuine interest (probability: 15%)]

[Possibility 4: Star Wrath (probability hard to say)]

Outside the window, Liyue's lights shone brilliantly.

Baichen stood by the window, gazing at the night view, his mind filled with thoughts.

He rubbed the thunder-patterned magatama on his chest, which had lost its luster, secretly worried and wondering whether the Raiden Shogun would worry because of this.

She wouldn't come flying over with a sword in hand, would she...

Scared (