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Good afternoon, Lady Keqing!
Master Keqing, please, come into the shop and take a rest for a while.
Are you out on another inspection today, Lady Keqing?
Liyue's Yuheng, the ever-industrious Keqing, was as busy as she always was. As she walked through the bustling streets of the harbor, merchants and citizens alike greeted her with genuine warmth. This was a year of great ambition for her, and she had been more diligent than ever in investigating the livelihoods of the people and the state of the city's commerce.
Her wandering eventually led her to the front of a peculiar new establishment.
Teyvat Internet Cafe, Liyue Branch?
Is this a new shop? Keqing looked down at the red remnants of firecrackers still littering the ground and surmised that the store had likely opened just today. If her memory served her correctly, the deed to this particular property belonged to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. She was naturally curious about anyone who had the gall—or the capital—to rent a storefront from someone as eccentric as Hu Tao.
Since she had never encountered an internet cafe in all her years of administrative work, she decided to step inside and see if this new business followed Liyue's strict trade regulations.
The moment she crossed the threshold, she was hit by a wall of noise. The shop was packed. Two rows of people sat at sleek desks, fiddling with strange devices while colorful, moving patterns flickered on the glowing glass plates in front of them. A crowd of onlookers gathered behind the players, some shouting with excitement and others trembling with nervous energy.
Move forward already! If you're too scared to go, get out of the way and let me play!
You're being way too timid. It's just a screen! You aren't even wearing the virtual headset and you're still shaking.
Oh, Archons! That face in the door crack... do you think that was the daughter mentioned on the radio?
Hammer! Just move the hammer! Why am I back at the bottom again?!
Hahaha! Look at him go! He fell all the way back to the start!
Ugh, that's it! I can't take it anymore! I'm done!
Keqing tilted her head, her twin-tails swaying as she looked on in utter confusion. She had absolutely no idea what these people were doing. However, a sudden realization struck her like a bolt of lightning: she could no longer feel her connection to her Electro Vision. Her eyes sharpened instantly, and she directed a vigilant, piercing glare at the young man sitting behind the counter.
Li Mo raised his hands in a peaceful gesture, having anticipated this reaction. Please, don't be nervous, Lady Keqing. To ensure the safety of our guests and prevent any brawls, the shop is under a protective field that restricts combat and elemental abilities. Even Rex Lapis has implicitly approved of this arrangement, so you can rest easy.
Keqing narrowed her eyes, her suspicion not entirely faded. Rex Lapis approved of this?
While she had her own views on the city's reliance on the gods, she knew that no one in Liyue would be foolish enough to use the Emperor's name in a lie so easily. Still, she maintained her professional guard.
I will be investigating those claims, she said firmly. I hope for your sake that you aren't lying to an official of the Qixing.
Li Mo waved her off with a casual smile. You're more than welcome to verify it with Director Hu Tao. She was here earlier, and she can vouch for the fact that this shop has... let's say, the Emperor's personal touch.
Was Li Mo stretching the truth? Not necessarily. After all, Boss Hu Tao and Mr. Zhongli were technically aware of the shop's unique nature, and in a way, Zhongli's presence was as close to divine approval as one could get.
Keqing's expression scrunched up into a look of deep contemplation. Walnut as a witness?
It was actually somewhat convincing. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had held their traditions since ancient times, and it wouldn't be surprising if they had some secret channel of communication with the Archon.
Fine. I'll verify that with the Director later. For now, explain what this store actually does. I've never seen these devices before.
Keqing was wary but undeniably intrigued. The intense emotional reactions of the customers suggested this was no ordinary tea house or toy shop. Seeing her interest, Li Mo quickly began his pitch. By luck, one of the players had just finished their session, so he ushered Keqing over to the vacant seat.
Keqing sat on the plush sofa and began to familiarize herself with the keyboard and mouse under Li Mo's patient guidance. The high-tech nature of the gear was unlike anything produced by the Fontaine Research Institute or the Sumeru Academia. After browsing the two available options, she chose Digging the Ground for Ascension. The description noted that it was a game designed for those with great perseverance.
As someone who had climbed the ranks to become Liyue's Yuheng at such a young age, Keqing prided herself on her indomitable will. She was certain that a mere game would pose no significant challenge to her.
She adjusted her sleeves, gripped the mouse, and started the game.
The screen flickered to life, showing a large, heavy cauldron. After a few shakes, a man emerged from within. Keqing blinked in surprise. The character was a bare-chested, bald man whose lower half was permanently stuck inside the metal pot. Every time he moved, the sound of sloshing water echoed from the speakers. The man reached into the jar and pulled out a long-handled sledgehammer.
Uh... well. That is certainly a unique design choice.
Keqing searched for the right words, but "unique" was the most polite description she could muster.
Li Mo leaned in to explain the mechanics. It's simple, really. Use the mouse to control the hammer. You have to use the head of the hammer to hook, push, and pull yourself over obstacles. The goal is to reach the highest point to pass the level.
Keqing nodded, her competitive spirit beginning to stir. She gave the mouse a few experimental flicks, watching the bald man's hammer swing in a wide arc on the screen. The hammer scraped against the virtual ground, dragging the man and his pot forward a few inches.
It seems straightforward enough, she remarked.
The first obstacle in her path was a simple, gnarled tree. Looking at the focused intensity in the Yuheng's eyes, it seemed she expected to conquer this mountain with just a few casual strokes of the mouse. Little did she know, she was about to discover exactly how much "perseverance" the game truly required.