Jade Chamber.
Jean and the others were led by Baiwen into Ningguang's banquet hall.
But others had already arrived here.
Diluc and Jean recognized the person at a glance, after all, it was the legendary captain of the Alcor, Beidou.
An existence that cleaved a sea beast, Haishou Haishan, with a single sword.
She also often traveled to the seas of Mondstadt for business.
Lumine, however, felt a surge of boldness and a sense of crisis upon seeing this woman for the first time.
Beidou seemed to be arguing with Ningguang about something, and neither of their expressions looked good.
However, it was also strange that in the entire Liyue Harbor, and even the whole of Teyvat, the only one who dared to argue with Ningguang like this was Beidou.
Ningguang looked as if she had a headache.
Beidou was not a merchant, or rather, not an ordinary merchant.
She was loyal and straightforward, more like a pirate captain than a sea merchant.
Therefore, it was destined that Beidou would not negotiate with Ningguang according to the rules of the business world like others.
Furthermore, Beidou was one of Ningguang's few good friends.
For Beidou, especially Beidou who had a favor to ask, Ningguang found her very difficult to handle.
Beidou turned to glance at Jean and the others, nodded slightly, and then stared at Ningguang again.
"I say, don't be silent, just give me a straight answer, Ningguang."
"About the alchemy potions…"
Ningguang looked at Beidou exasperatedly and said softly:
"Alchemy potions are a Liyue secret and must not be leaked. Your request is impossible."
"Huh?"
Beidou pouted, muttering unhappily:
"What Liyue secret? Aren't those things directly issued by you?"
"If they were really precious, would you sell them to me at such a low price?"
Ningguang glared at Beidou, signaling her to mind the occasion.
Such words were fine to say in private, but Jean and the others were present.
Beidou rolled her eyes.
"Don't play dumb. Are you going to tell Rex Lapis?"
Ningguang shook her head.
"Rex Lapis can't control this matter either. Moreover, Rex Lapis would absolutely not allow you to use alchemy potions to interfere in Inazuma's internal affairs."
"Beidou, you know Rex Lapis doesn't allow us to profit from war, right?"
Beidou seemed to have already thought of a counter-argument, and leisurely took a sip of wine.
Hmm...
Beidou didn't like to drink tea, even when she came to the Jade Chamber, she brought her own wine.
After all, there was no wine on Ningguang's Jade Chamber, because no one was worthy enough for her to offer a drink.
"This isn't interfering in internal affairs. It's helping a good friend from a private perspective. Besides, I didn't say I wanted to profit from war."
"It's just earning a shipping fee; the price won't be too high."
Ningguang rubbed her temples.
"Friend? You caught on quickly. Is it that young lady from the Kamisato Clan, or the Human God Miko of Sangonomiya?"
"Have you considered what would happen if the Raiden Shogun found out that the Resistance received material support from Liyue?"
"Huh?"
Beidou let out a dry laugh.
"The Raiden Shogun has been in seclusion in Tenshukaku for a long time, and Inazuma is in such chaos that she hasn't come out. Her citizens are almost unable to survive under the Tri-Commission's oppression."
"I haven't seen her come to check on them at all; instead, she's been pushing the Vision Hunt Decree, fueling the power of those corrupt officials."
"Besides, I already said this is a private exchange, what does it have to do with Liyue?"
Ningguang gently tapped the table.
"It's not private just because you say it is. The Alcor represents Liyue when it's out at sea. Do you think they would believe you?"
"So what?"
Beidou retorted.
"No matter what, I'll bear the consequences alone. Even if the worst comes to pass, do the Raiden Shogun and Inazuma have the guts to hold Rex Lapis and Liyue accountable?"
"Beidou!"
Ningguang suddenly slammed the table with a cold face, her tone also becoming unpleasant.
"I don't care how much nonsense the Kamisato Clan and Sangonomiya have fed you, some things cannot be done!"
"Divine beings should not be discussed lightly, and we do not interfere in other nations' internal affairs! I can turn a blind eye if you sell iron ore and such, but alchemy potions, which can influence the tides of war, are absolutely forbidden!"
"Moreover, is it the duty of a Liyue merchant to harm oneself to benefit others?"
Seeing that Ningguang was determined not to yield, Beidou sighed inwardly.
To be honest, it wasn't because Sangonomiya Kokomi and Kamisato Ayaka had fed her nonsense.
Beidou had personally witnessed the lives of Inazuman citizens.
Simply put, the people were suffering terribly.
Children were pale and emaciated from hunger.
It reminded Beidou of her own childhood.
Having been rained on herself, she wanted to hold an umbrella for others.
Because of this, Beidou had always held a grudge against the Raiden Shogun.
No matter what, a divine being's decision shouldn't lead to their citizens barely surviving!
"Heh..."
Beidou gave a self-deprecating laugh and said in a low voice:
"Didn't you always say I wasn't like a merchant? Ningguang, you and I both came from hardship. You should know how difficult life is for people in such circumstances."
"I have no intention of interfering in Inazuma's internal affairs, but those people are innocent..."
Ningguang's eyes flickered. After a moment of silence, she calmly said:
"This is not something we should worry about. I am the Tianquan of Liyue, and my responsibility is to ensure Liyue's prosperity and to improve the lives of Liyue's citizens."
"What happens in Inazuma is irrelevant to me, and to you. Ultimately, it is the ruling power's command, a divine instruction, the direction for a nation's progress and stability."
"Beidou, don't let some things you've seen bring up old memories for accounting."
"You are the captain of the Liyue Alcor."
Seeing Beidou's crestfallen expression, Ningguang sighed inwardly.
"Alchemy potions are vital to Liyue's national foundation; it's not something I alone can decide."
"If you truly insist... go find Rex Lapis, go find the Adepti. If they agree, I will take you to a place."
"Do not do anything you shouldn't. By Rex Lapis's decree, those who meddle with alchemy potions without permission may be suppressed and eliminated by the Adepti."
"If not for yourself, at least consider the people who depend on you on the Alcor."
Beidou did not reply, only stood up in silence and left.
The atmosphere was somewhat subtle, and Jean and the others dared not speak for a while.
After a long pause, Ningguang sighed inwardly.
"So easily swayed by emotion... that's why your Alcor crew is willing to follow you, I suppose."
Shaking her head slightly, Ningguang composed herself, returning to her elegant and noble demeanor.
"My apologies for making you wait so long."
Jean softly said:
"It's nothing..."
After a pause, Jean thought for a moment and then asked:
"Is the situation in Inazuma not good?"
"You didn't know?"
Ningguang was somewhat surprised. Logically speaking, even with the dragon disaster raging, Jean and the others should have some channels for gathering information.
"Inazuma is locked down, and the Grand Master's expedition took most of our main forces, so we haven't received much news..."
Hearing this, Ningguang realized, mentally estimating the strength the Mondstadt Grand Master had taken away.
"The Raiden Shogun, Inazuma's ruler, has enforced a Sakoku Decree for a long time and issued the Vision Hunt Decree, while the Raiden Shogun herself is in seclusion and unseen."
"The Tri-Commission's high-ranking officials are corrupt, oppressing the populace. Coupled with the continuous battles between the Watatsumi Island Resistance and the Shogunate Army, and Inazuma's proximity to the Dark Ocean."
"Monsters, Fatui, Kairagi, war, exorbitant taxes, restricted crop production, exploitation by the Commissions..."
"Inazuma now is pretty much a land where the people are suffering terribly."
Hearing this, Jean and the others also sighed with emotion.
They thought Mondstadt was bad enough, but they hadn't expected...
One nation was worse off than the next.
Thinking this way, Diluc suddenly felt that the Knights of Favonius's high command wasn't corrupt to that extent.
"The news I received also says... the Commissions seem to be cooperating with the Fatui..."
Ningguang mentioned briefly.
At this, Diluc became serious.
"With such exploitation, the people are barely surviving. Can the Raiden Shogun truly continue to sit by and do nothing?"
"Who knows."
Ningguang shook her head.
"Matters of divine beings are not for us to interfere with. Non-interference in other nations' internal affairs is Rex Lapis's decree and contract."
Saying that, Ningguang's gaze lingered outside the window, implying:
"The whole of Teyvat is uneasy... it's truly chaotic."
"So... Sumeru too..."
Lisa asked thoughtfully, and Ningguang's gaze immediately fixated on Lisa.
After a moment of contemplation, she slowly said:
"The situation in Sumeru is even worse; it's merely peaceful on the surface."
"However, since Mondstadt has already established a contractual relationship with Liyue, I might as well tell you..."
"If Sumeru's situation continues to deteriorate, Rex Lapis will convene a Seven Archons' Conference, gather the Adepti and Millelith to quell Sumeru. At that time, the best outcome would merely be the destruction of the Sumeru Akademiya."
"If the situation is dire... Sumeru will be annihilated."
"This is what Rex Lapis personally stated, so... Miss Lisa, you should sever ties with the Sumeru Akademiya as soon as possible."
What Ningguang said was not an exaggeration.
The Project Fawkes was out in the open, and Zhongli and the other Seven Archons would certainly not permit it.
If the Seven Archons were to act, at most the Sumeru Akademiya would be in trouble.
But if the Heavenly Principles or Celestia were to find out...
Khaenri'ah was a precedent for Sumeru.
These words instantly sent a shiver down Jean and the others' spines.
Inazuma was in such chaos, and Rex Lapis said nothing, not interfering.
What exactly was the Sumeru Akademiya doing to provoke such anger, that he would consider convening a Seven Archons' Conference to quell Sumeru?
The inactive Rex Lapis, silent for hundreds of years, was about to make a move; this was an astonishing piece of news.
Lisa lowered her head in thought for a moment, connecting it with Jiang Xuan holding Nahida and the Sumeru Akademiya's frequent letters asking her to perform experiments.
She somewhat guessed it.
The Sumeru situation might involve the Seven Archons' plans.
Involving divine beings, and it wasn't a good thing.
It would be strange if they weren't angry.
Perhaps Venti would even agree wholeheartedly if he knew.
"Last night, was Mr. Jiang Xuan carrying the Lesser Lord Kusanali?"
Lisa asked softly.
Ningguang smiled, not answering.
"I understand."
Lisa nodded.
"May we meet Mr. Jiang Xuan?"
Lisa was smart, and Ningguang knew she would have thought of this.
But...
Shaking her head, Ningguang said softly:
"It's not time yet. We will not interfere with Jiang Xuan; he decides who he meets."
"At the very least, Jiang Xuan hasn't said he wants to see you yet."
Hearing this, Jean and the others sighed helplessly.
But Lisa suddenly laughed.
"But... Mr. Jiang Xuan already met us last night, and... wasn't he planning to invite me for tea?"
Ningguang once again marveled at Lisa's meticulous observation.
Her tone also gained a touch of goodwill.
"So I merely said, it's not time yet..."
"Miss Ningguang, there's no need to play games."
Lisa sighed, no longer wanting to play riddles with Ningguang.
"Jean has already signed the contract in the name of the Knights of Favonius. Mondstadt's situation doesn't have time to wait."
"Mondstadt is already on the same boat as Liyue. Are there any other contracts? Please continue signing."
Ningguang's lips curved slightly, and she rose gracefully, pure elemental power condensing into a gem in her hand.
The gem shot straight into the sky, and Ningguang bowed slightly.
"Please, Rex Lapis's decree be brought down."
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