If it weren't for the shopkeeper's mysterious jars, he'd still be scraping by, struggling to catch fish for a meager living.
He'd never be where he was now—catching fish automatically with magic gloves, and mining ores effortlessly with animal strength. Today's haul alone was proof enough.
All of this was thanks to those miraculous jars.
Cai Zihao had already made up his mind: sell these two baskets of White Iron immediately, then run straight back to the shop to buy more.
The onlookers, watching him haul the heavy load, speculated wildly. Most guessed he had stumbled upon a new, rich vein of ore. That was the only logical explanation for such a massive yield in a single day.
"Wait, hold on," one miner muttered, realizing the flaw in that theory. "Even if he found a new vein, he'd still need the stamina to dig it all out. White Iron is tough as hell. Doesn't he get tired?"
Finding ore was one thing; extracting two full baskets in a few hours was physically impossible for a normal person. Even factoring in rest breaks, one basket a day was usually the limit.
"Heh, you don't know, do you?" another worker smirked. "Don't let his skinny frame fool you. That guy could punch out ten of you with one hand."
"??? What? You're joking, right?"
"I'm serious. I came in with him this morning. His strength is terrifying. He lifted a boulder with one hand right in front of the Millelith. Stronger than an ox."
"Holy crap… really?"
While the miners gossiped in shock outside the tunnels, the Millelith officer in charge of weighing and purchasing the ore was equally stunned. He looked at Cai Zihao as if he were seeing a ghost.
It was the first time anyone had walked out with two overflowing baskets of pure White Iron in a single shift. He knew the guy was strong, but this was absurd.
"Sir, I want to sell all of this," Cai Zihao said, panting with excitement as he set the baskets down. "Cash settlement, please."
"Let me ask you frankly," the officer said as his men began weighing the ore. "Did you discover a new vein?"
He remembered Cai Zihao from the morning registration—the guy with the monstrous strength. If he had found a new deposit, that was news the Qixing needed to know.
"No, sir," Cai Zihao shook his head. "Like you saw, I'm just strong. I just kept digging straight through. There were people around me who can testify—I didn't find a deep vein. If I had, I would've reported it for the reward."
Reporting a new vein meant receiving property rights or a huge bonus from the Liyue government. He wasn't stupid enough to hide that.
"I see." The officer nodded, though he still looked incredulous. Even without a new vein, the sheer volume of ore was staggering.
"Brother, interested in joining the Millelith?" the officer offered with a smile. "I see a lot of potential in you."
With strength like that, it was a waste not to enlist.
"No thanks, I have a family," Cai Zihao declined.
Why enlist? He had his Fishing Gloves and Elephant Strength Finger Cots. He could make a fortune freely. Being a soldier was stable, sure, but boring. He'd rather spend his time catching rare fish, digging rare ore, and opening more jars. Who knew what he'd pull next?
"Alright then." The officer sighed. He couldn't force him.
The calculation finished, and Cai Zihao was handed a heavy pouch of Mora. His face lit up with joy. Without a second thought, he turned and sprinted back toward Liyue Harbor.
Time to open jars.
The Millelith watched him run off, bewildered. Why is he in such a rush?
...
Meanwhile, in Liyue Harbor.
At the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Ningguang and Keqing had returned.
As they stepped inside, they saw a ghostly blue spirit floating through the air, with Hu Tao watching over it gleefully. Nearby, Mona was busy scribbling notes at a desk.
One look was enough for the Qixing to identify the new "Guest Consultant." Her eccentric outfit—the oversized witch hat, the leotard—screamed "Astrologist."
"Lady Ningguang, Lady Keqing," the Ferrylady greeted them quickly, knowing why they had come.
Mona paused her writing and looked up, surprised. She recognized them instantly. The Tianquan and the Yuheng. She hadn't expected to meet Liyue's leaders under these circumstances.
"Ningguang! Keqing!" Hu Tao grinned mischievously. "Hehe, I know why you're here. Little Ferry told me. So, who's going first? Or do you want to do it together? Hehe."
She rubbed her hands together, eyes sparkling with anticipation. Her gaze kept drifting toward Keqing.
The Yuheng was notoriously stiff and serious. Every time Hu Tao saw her, she had an urge to prank her. But she had always hesitated, wondering if Keqing would just draw her sword and smack her.
But today was different.
They were here voluntarily to experience the Soul Projection service. That meant Hu Tao had to use her staff to knock their souls out of their bodies.
A legitimate, business-approved reason to bonk the Yuheng on the head. The thought made Hu Tao giddy.
Seeing Hu Tao's eager expression, Keqing's polite smile vanished.
Why does she look like she wants to hit me?
She remembered Hu Tao's unsettling stares in the past. Now, seeing the Director practically vibrating with excitement... Keqing fell into deep thought.
Was coming here a mistake?
"This must be the new Consultant," Ningguang said smoothly, turning her attention to the astrologist. "I heard Director Hu invited a mysterious expert to join the Parlor."
"Yup!" Hu Tao nodded. "This is Mona. She's staying here for now. Mona, meet the Tianquan, Ningguang—rich as a dragon, sharp as a hawk, etcetera etcetera."
"Greetings, Lady Ningguang," Mona introduced herself with a flourish. "I am Astrologist Mona Megistus. You may call me Mona."
"Mona it is," Ningguang smiled, extending a hand. Keqing nodded in greeting as well. "I am Keqing, the Yuheng."
Even Keqing respected a genuine expert.
"Miss Mona, would you be interested in working for Liyue?" Ningguang cut straight to the chase. "We have an organization of hydromancers and astrologists. With your skills, you could contribute greatly to the harbor. It wouldn't interfere with your guest role here, and I can provide whatever resources you need."
She was serious. Based on Old Meng's testimony and the Ferrylady's report, Mona was a Vision-wielding master, far above ordinary fortune tellers.
"Hey!" Hu Tao pouted, puffing out her cheeks. "Ningguang! You can't just poach my guest the moment you walk in! That's rude!"
"Thank you for the offer, Lady Ningguang, but I must decline," Mona shook her head. "I'm not staying in Liyue permanently. I'm only here temporarily to fulfill a task from my master. Once that's done, I'll be heading to Mondstadt."
"If I joined the Qixing's organization, I wouldn't have time to contribute before I left. It wouldn't be right."
She had her principles. She joined Wangsheng because Hu Tao offered free lodging and didn't ask for much work. Joining the government meant bureaucracy, obligations, and politics—things that went against her astrologist's code of independence.
Plus, she knew that once you joined an official body, it was hard to leave.
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