Next to Kujou Sara, a crewwoman bowed respectfully. "Liyue is in that direction, General. We just need to maintain our course."
She pointed across the horizon, toward the distant continent.
Though Inazuma had been closed off, it wasn't completely devoid of experienced sailors. Some of the older generation, or those who worked covert smuggling routes, knew the way.
For this mission, Sara had brought a small, specialized team. Among them was even a cinematographer from Fontaine, tasked with documenting the "technological marvels" they might encounter.
"Good. Proceed," Sara commanded, nodding curtly.
She cast one last, lingering look back at the receding silhouette of Inazuma. She wondered when she would see her homeland again.
"Sigh... how much longer until we reach Liyue?"
Meanwhile, somewhere else on the ocean, a small, nondescript vessel bobbed in the waves.
Yoimiya, the Queen of the Summer Festival, leaned over the railing, her golden hair fluttering in the sea breeze. She sighed dramatically.
She knew Liyue was far, but actually sailing there was proving to be a test of patience.
"Yoimiya-nee, as long as our heading is correct, we'll get there eventually," a gentle-looking young woman said, patting Yoimiya's shoulder. "We just need to focus on taking care of ourselves in Liyue. Everything else will work out."
"I suppose you're right," Yoimiya murmured. "I wonder if we'll run into Big Sis Beidou. If we do, maybe we can just crash on her ship."
Back in Inazuma, whenever Yoimiya needed to export her fireworks or smuggle in materials, Beidou was her go-to contact.
Liyue Harbor.
"Interesting. I leave for a few days, and a shop like this appears?"
Baizhu walked slowly along the path from Yujing Terrace toward Bubu Pharmacy. The white snake, Changsheng, coiled loosely around his neck.
As he walked, he overheard the chatter of the locals. The "Jar Shop" was on everyone's lips.
It seemed that during his brief herb-gathering trip, Liyue had undergone a subtle but profound change. The city felt... different.
"Only a few days..." Baizhu mused.
Curiosity piqued, he turned on his heel. Instead of heading back to the pharmacy, he walked toward the address everyone was whispering about.
Inside the Jar Shop.
Felix stood over his own lounge chair, looking down at the girl currently occupying it.
"Director Hu," he said, his face expressionless. "That is my chair."
"Hehe! Let this Director lie down for a bit!" Hu Tao giggled, rubbing her full belly. Her eyes were closed in pure bliss. "After eating and drinking my fill, a nap is mandatory!"
"It was delicious," she added, burping softly.
Felix: "..."
Looking at the shameless funeral director, Felix reached out. He pinched her soft cheeks and pulled gently in opposite directions.
"Director Hu. If you like lying down so much, bring your own chair next time instead of hijacking mine."
"Ow, ow, ow! Shofts! Shofts!" (Soft! Soft!) Hu Tao mumbled through her stretched cheeks. "Stop pinching! I'm getting up!"
She scrambled off the chair, rubbing her reddened face.
Seeing his throne reclaimed, Felix nodded in satisfaction and sank into the cushions. He adjusted his posture, let out a long breath, and closed his eyes.
"Ah... comfortable."
Hu Tao stood there, puffing out her cheeks in a pout. Her plum-blossom eyes stared at Felix, a flicker of shyness hiding behind her indignation.
No one has ever pinched my face like that!
Wait, Xiangling has.
But Xiangling is a girl!
"Hmph!"
seeing Felix ignoring her completely to enjoy his nap, Hu Tao stomped her foot and marched out of the shop.
"Uh, Director Hu?"
Wenqi and Doyle, the Fatui guards stationed outside, stiffened as she stormed out. She stopped right in front of them.
"Is something wrong?" Wenqi asked cautiously.
"I have a task for you two," Hu Tao declared, crossing her arms. "Run to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and bring me a lounge chair. Or buy one. I don't care. I'll pay you back. Just get me a chair."
"Consider it done."
The two "Millelith" (Fatui in disguise) nodded rapidly. Doyle immediately took off running.
Helping the Director was part of their cover, and frankly, keeping her happy was safer than annoying her.
A few minutes later, Doyle returned, jogging with a wooden lounge chair balanced on his shoulder.
"Director Hu, here you go. Fresh from the parlor."
"Good work," Hu Tao grinned.
She dragged the chair into the shop, placed it right next to Felix's, and flopped down onto it.
Felix: "..."
He opened one eye. "Director Hu. Why don't you go sleep at the parlor? Has business been that slow lately?"
"Business is fine, but we work nights mostly," Hu Tao replied, turning on her side to face him. "Besides, staying here means free fried chicken."
"And watching people open jars is fun," she added with a grin. "Hehe."
Felix sighed and closed his eye again. Whatever.
Northland Bank.
Childe (Tartaglia) stood by the window, giving instructions to Andrei, the bank manager.
"Go to the structure next to the Feiyun Commerce Guild," Childe ordered. "Find out what's inside. It's an item from the Jar Shop. Xingqiu hasn't opened it to the public yet, so I want intel."
"Yes, Lord Harbinger."
Andrei bowed deeply and left to execute the mission.
"Lord Harbinger, are you sure about sending him?" Ekaterina asked, concerned. "He has a history of... dishonesty."
"Don't worry. He doesn't have the guts anymore," Childe laughed lightly. "I spared him once. He's not stupid. He knows that obeying me perfectly is his only lifeline now."
After the "debt collection" incident, Andrei had learned fear. He would be the most loyal dog in the pack.
"I understand," Ekaterina nodded.
The Streets of Liyue.
"Man, I really want to open a jar. But I'm broke."
"Same. 100,000 Mora is a fortune."
"I was thinking of asking Northland Bank for a loan... Liyue's native banks don't do personal loans for gambling."
"Are you crazy? Borrowing from the Fatui? That's a death sentence. They'll skin you alive if you miss a payment."
"True... their reputation is terrible right now."
"Oh? Is that Dr. Baizhu? Hello, Dr. Baizhu!"
"Good morning, Dr. Baizhu!"
As Baizhu walked down the street, the crowd parted respectfully. He was a well-known figure—the owner of Bubu Pharmacy and a skilled doctor who often treated the poor for free (or at least, appeared to).
"Hello everyone," Baizhu smiled gently, nodding to the passersby.
Soon, he arrived at the Jar Shop.
He paused, noticing the two guards.
"Millelith?"
Baizhu's eyes narrowed slightly behind his glasses. It was rare to see official Millelith guarding a private shop. This spoke volumes about the shop's status.
"Dr. Baizhu is here to open jars?"
"I thought he only cared about herbs."
"I wonder what a doctor can get from the jars? Maybe a legendary cure?"
The crowd gathered, whispering excitedly. A high-profile customer like Baizhu was always a spectacle.
"Dr. Baizhu."
Wenqi and Doyle saluted. Even as Fatui agents, they respected the doctor's reputation in the city.
"Good day," Baizhu replied pleasantly.
Thump-thump-thump!
Just as Baizhu was about to enter, a figure sprinted past him, rushing into the shop like a whirlwind without even a glance at the doctor.
"Whoa! Who is that?"
"Wait... isn't that Xie Jun?"
"The deadbeat? Xie Jun the Moocher?"
"I heard he owes money all over town."
"How does he have 100,000 Mora to buy a jar?"
"I can't even afford one, and this guy is gambling?"
The crowd instantly recognized the runner. It was Xie Jun, the man currently scamming Childe.
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