Cloud Retainer left her abode and soared into the sky.
As she ascended, she spotted Shenhe walking down Mt. Aocang. She took one glance, then turned her gaze away, flying toward Jueyun Karst.
Sensing a gaze upon her, Shenhe looked up.
She saw a giant white silhouette disappearing into the clouds.
"Why did Master leave the cave?"
Even though the white shadow moved fast, Shenhe recognized her master immediately. She frowned slightly. Cloud Retainer rarely left her mountain.
But a second later, she dismissed the thought.
The priority was getting back to Liyue to open jars.
Shenhe continued her descent, heading straight for the harbor.
Meanwhile, Cloud Retainer arrived at Jueyun Karst.
"What is the matter, Cloud Retainer?"
Upon her landing, a thick white mist materialized. From the mist stepped a majestic stag.
It was one of the mighty Adepti of Liyue: Moon Carver.
Moon Carver looked surprised. "You usually prefer the solitude of your own abode. Why have you come specifically to find me?"
Cloud Retainer rarely initiated social calls. Usually, it was Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper who dragged her into gatherings at Mt. Aocang.
"Moon Carver, you visit the human city more often than one does," Cloud Retainer started, looking genuinely perplexed. "I wish to ask: What kind of jar costs 100,000 Mora?"
"Two days ago, I sent Shenhe down the mountain to relax. I gave her over 100,000 Mora. Today, she returned asking for more money. I gave her another 200,000."
"But the child said it wasn't enough. She needed 700,000 more. When I asked why, she said she was buying jars. One jar is 100,000 Mora. I do not understand the current inflation of Liyue. Have prices truly become this absurd?"
"I can guarantee these are not antiques. If she wanted antiques, my abode is full of them, and Shenhe has no interest in such things."
"Uh."
Moon Carver frowned. "The prices in the human city are normal. I inspected Liyue recently. It is prosperous, but stable."
"A million Mora is a fortune for a single person. Even with high expenses, it should last months. Shenhe is frugal. Are you saying she spent it on jars?"
"I haven't heard of any jars worth 100,000 Mora, aside from antiques."
"There is a famous porcelain shop... Spring Scent Kiln, I believe? Their wares are expensive, but even the best pieces are only a few thousand Mora. 100,000 is impossible."
Moon Carver was certain. The price made no sense.
"But the child insisted," Cloud Retainer sighed helplessly. "She said she needs to buy nine of them. I couldn't understand it, and I didn't want to press her."
"Why not just ask her when she returns?" Moon Carver suggested. "Or better yet, go to Liyue and watch her."
"Her intuition is too sharp. If I follow her and get caught, she will ignore me for weeks," Cloud Retainer lamented. "Like last time."
Shenhe was stubborn. Being caught stalking her would lead to a silent treatment that Cloud Retainer couldn't bear.
"Since you are out, let us gather," Moon Carver laughed, sensing her friend's distress. "Let us go to Mountain Shaper's abode."
"Very well."
Cloud Retainer nodded.
One spread her wings, the other rode the mist, and the two Adepti headed for Mt. Hulao.
Liyue Harbor, The Jar Shop.
The next morning, Felix felt refreshed as he ate breakfast with Hu Tao, who had once again arrived uninvited.
Hu Tao recounted the events at the Feiyun Commerce Guild from yesterday. Felix chuckled, shaking his head. He hadn't expected Xingqiu's purchase to cause such a stir.
"Shopkeeper, the Lantern Rite is coming up in a few days," Hu Tao grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Will you accompany this Director to release a Xiao Lantern?"
"Release a lantern?"
Felix raised an eyebrow.
Is it that time already?
Come to think of it, he had never experienced a Lantern Rite festival.
"Sure," Felix nodded easily. "It's just releasing a lantern."
"But I only have time at night," he added. "After the shop closes."
"No problem! This Director can wait!" Hu Tao beamed. Having the mysterious Shopkeeper as her date for the festival was excellent news.
She happily munched on her breakfast.
Northland Bank Entrance.
While Felix and Hu Tao ate, Xie Jun stood outside the bank, looking enthusiastically at the guard, Nadia.
"Miss Nadia, is Lord Childe in? I'm here to see him."
Nadia's mouth twitched imperceptibly.
This guy again.
Lord Childe had given specific orders: If he comes, tell him I'm not here.
She didn't know why a Harbinger was hiding from a vagrant, but orders were orders.
"Mr. Xie Jun, Lord Childe is not in the bank. I don't know where he went," Nadia lied with a professional smile. "If you have a message, I can pass it on when he returns."
"Ah? Not here?"
Xie Jun looked crestfallen. "If he's not here, then never mind. Do you know when he'll be back?"
"I really don't know," Nadia replied. "But you can tell me your business."
"Sigh. Forget it," Xie Jun sighed. "It was just about borrowing money."
"Borrowing money?"
Nadia blinked, then smiled brightly. "If it's a loan, you don't need Lord Childe! You can apply directly with Northland Bank!"
Why bother the Harbinger for a simple loan?
"Come in, come in," Nadia invited him warmly. "Have some tea. We can discuss the terms."
Just two days ago, this guy borrowed 100,000 Mora from Childe without even signing a receipt. Nadia was still baffled by that transaction.
"No thanks," Xie Jun shook his head. "Northland Bank loans have to be repaid."
He turned and walked away.
"Borrowing from the bank means signing a contract. I can't default on that. But borrowing from Lord Childe... I can just drag it out until he forgets."
Nadia: "??????"
She stood frozen, her brain trying to process what she just heard.
Northland Bank loans have to be repaid?
Does that mean... loans from Lord Childe DON'T have to be repaid?
Does this guy plan to stiff a FATUI HARBINGER?!
She watched Xie Jun disappear down the street, utterly confused.
The bank door creaked open.
Childe stepped out, his face dark as a thundercloud.
He had heard every word.
That son of a bitch.
He really came back to borrow money. And he explicitly stated he wasn't going to pay it back.
Childe felt a vein throbbing in his forehead. He wanted to chase Xie Jun down and beat him into the pavement.
He had never met anyone so brazen. Childe didn't mind spending money on friends, but being treated like an infinite money glitch by a stranger? It was insulting.
But the scariest part was... he was afraid to confront him.
Because every time Xie Jun asked for money, Childe felt compelled to give it. It was like a curse. The "Begging Bowl" item bypassed his will.
So, his strategy was avoidance. If he didn't hear the request, he couldn't be compelled to grant it.
"Lord Childe," Nadia bowed nervously, sensing his murderous aura.
"If that man comes back," Childe said, his voice cold and flat, "reject him immediately. Northland Bank will not lend him a single Mora."
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