While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

She let out a heartfelt exclamation, her sincerity so genuine that Ningguang couldn't help but chuckle.

Ying also breathed a sigh of relief, and a long-lost relaxed smile appeared on her face.

She bowed slightly to Ningguang and Keqing to express her gratitude.

Just as the group thought the matter had been resolved satisfactorily and were preparing to leave, a voice rang out unhurriedly.

"The misunderstanding between Ying and Paimon has been cleared up. Now I'd like to do some business with Lord Tianquan."

Xu Chuan picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

The steam from the tea blurred half of his face, making it impossible to see his expression.

For a moment, the air in the hall seemed to freeze.

All eyes were on him.

Yan Fei blinked, clearly not expecting this turn of events.

Gan Yu tilted her head slightly, a hint of curiosity flashing across her tired face.

Keqing lowered her arms, her purple eyes scrutinizing the young man dressed in Liyue attire.

Ying and Paimon were also stunned.

Ningguang's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of amusement appeared in her usually calm amber eyes.

"Oh?"

She sat back down in the main seat, her long legs crossed, her posture graceful.

“Countless people in Liyue Harbor want to do business with me every day. I wonder what Mr. Xu Chuan can offer me?”

Her tone was polite but distant, and she wore a formulaic smile.

That was the expression she had honed through countless encounters with merchants—gentle, yet aloof.

Xu Chuan did not continue the conversation.

He put down his teacup, looked up and stared directly at Ningguang, and asked in return, "I wonder what Lord Tianquan values ​​this Qunyu Pavilion in?"

The Jade Pavilion is a pavilion in the sky that Ningguang built over several years with countless efforts and wealth.

This is not just a building, but also a symbol of her authority as the star of Tianquan, and a testament to her rise from a street vendor to her current position.

Ke Qing was the first to frown.

"These jade pavilions are the culmination of Ningguang's efforts, and are naturally priceless treasures. Why are you asking about this?"

Ningguang raised her hand to stop Keqing, and looked at Xu Chuan with a more serious expression.

"Interesting. Why bring up my Jade Pavilion group?"

Xu Chuan met her gaze, his expression neither humble nor arrogant.

"The value of Qunyu Pavilion in Lord Tianquan's heart."

"This is what I can offer Lord Tianquan."

Silence fell in the hall again; those words were arrogant.

Everyone in Liyue Harbor knows the significance of the Jade Pavilion in Ningguang's heart.

It was not just a collection of wealth, but also the culmination of her life's work.

Ke Qing couldn't help but speak up.

"Instead, what do you want by using the Jade Pavilion as a price?"

Her eyes were sharp and scrutinizing.

Yes.

He started by comparing himself to the Jade Pavilion, so what kind of amazing thing must he want to get from Ningguang?

All eyes turned to Xu Chuan once again.

Outside the window, sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting dappled light and shadow on the golden floor of the Jade Pavilion.

A sea breeze blew from afar, ruffling the silvery strands of hair at Ningguang's temples.

She looked at Xu Chuan, and something seemed to be subtly changing deep within her amber eyes.

Chapter 85 So much business today!

The atmosphere in the main hall of Qunyu Pavilion was subtle.

Xu Chuan put down his teacup, the porcelain bottom making a soft sound as it touched the table.

The tea was slightly cool, but the conversation was getting lively.

Ningguang sat in the main seat, her slender index finger gently tapping the armrest, producing a slow and rhythmic sound.

Those usually calm and composed amber eyes narrowed slightly, their gaze falling on the young man opposite them.

As the star of Tianquan, she wields the most powerful authority in Liyue Harbor, and also bears responsibilities of equal weight.

News of the Emperor's fall has spread throughout the streets and alleys of Liyue.

The "Young Master," the executor stationed in Liyue, and the "Lady," who secretly came to Liyue.

The two executives have gathered in Liyue Harbor, and what they are plotting remains unknown.

While the Emperor was alive, they had to restrain themselves somewhat, but now that the Emperor is gone, who knows whether these hungry wolves will bare their fangs?

Liyue Harbor is beset by internal and external troubles.

She had to be careful.

But caution does not mean conservatism.

On the contrary, the more stormy the weather, the more we should cultivate good relationships.

The person in front of me who wants to do business with me might be...

After pondering for a moment, Ningguang stopped tapping her fingers.

"In business, it's all about give and take."

Her voice regained its usual composure, with a touch of the caution characteristic of negotiating business deals.

"It is natural to carefully consider things before signing a contract."

"That's how it should be."

Xu Chuan nodded, his expression calm.

"However, Lady Ningguang need not worry. What I ask for is not difficult for you to achieve."

"Oh?"

"A favor."

Xu Chuan spoke casually, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"Or rather, a promise from Tianquan Ningguang."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

A promise.

This statement sounds light and airy, as if it carries no weight.

There was no need for a contract, nor for witnesses. But Ningguang, sitting in the main seat, narrowed her amber eyes slightly.

The promise of Tianquan Star.

The most powerful woman in Liyue Harbor, a merchant whose word is her bond, how much Mora is one of her promises worth?

No one can provide an answer because such a thing never appears on the market.

Ningguang did not answer immediately.

Xu Chuan didn't rush him, and slowly sipped his tea.

“Of course,” he added, his tone even more casual.

"If I fail to do so, then our business deal will fall through, and neither of us will suffer any loss."

That's easy to say, but for Ningguang, there are many things to weigh.

If it were anyone else, Ningguang would have already politely seen them off.

But the person in front of me is different.

Ningguang had seen countless people, and she had seen this kind of look before.

That's the expression that only appears on the faces of people who have grasped the key information and are certain that the other party will agree.

She didn't like this sense of passivity.

But true businessmen never let personal likes or dislikes influence their judgment.

She looked up, a faint smile playing on her lips.

That smile was no longer the initial formulaic expression; it carried a hint of genuine interest.

"Since Lord Xu Chuan has put it this way, how could I possibly refuse?"

Xu Chuan raised his teacup, gesturing to her from afar.

"Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

For Xu Chuan, this deal was nothing more than a casual transaction.

With that old man around, even if Liyue were to face a life-or-death crisis, it wouldn't be my turn to be the one standing at the forefront.

In fact, he was already prepared to enjoy life in Liyue for a while.

Since we're already here, how can we not make the most of this time-travel experience?

Just when Xu Chuan thought the matter was over.

A familiar voice rang out.

"I also want to do some business."

Ying stood up from her seat.

The blonde girl straightened her back, her golden eyes staring directly at Ningguang.

Xu Chuan glanced at her, his eyebrows slightly raised.

Ke Qing couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Today is truly a good day for doing business."

Her tone was somewhat sarcastic.

Ningguang shifted her gaze from Xu Chuan to Ying.

"please say."

“The executor of the Fools, ‘Young Master,’ found us when we were wanted.”

Her voice was steady and clear.

"He told us that if we wanted to clear our names, we could go to Jueyun Mountain and find the Three-Eyed Five-Manifestation Immortal."

"They say the immortals will put pressure on the Liyue Seven Stars to reinvestigate the truth behind the Emperor's fall."

He also said... the Fools can help us.

"Amidst the clouds, immortals..."

Ningguang's gaze sharpened slightly.

Ke Qing frowned.

A solemn expression appeared on Gan Yu's tired face.

"What exactly do the Fools want to do?"

Ningguang spoke softly, as if asking Ying, or perhaps asking herself.

The executor of the Fools guides two wanted outsiders to find a reclusive hermit.