Although guns existed in Teyvat, the Fatui skirmishers' fire rifles were mediocre at best.
This rifle, however, crushed the Fatui's technology completely.
It was like comparing a giant salamander to a ferocious great white shark.
"So it belongs to that little girl."
From the edge of the crowd, Ningguang narrowed her eyes. "Not the Shopkeeper."
"We can talk to her," Keqing suggested softly. "The significance of this gun is extraordinary. It far surpasses the Fatui's firearms. Their guns are clunky and weak. Compared to this, there's no contest."
"Yes," Ningguang nodded and walked over immediately.
"Lady Ningguang is here!"
Ningguang's approach instantly alerted the crowd around the shooting range.
Eyes widened as they saw her.
"Eh? When did Lady Ningguang arrive?"
"Wasn't she in that strange building? She came out?"
"Not just Lady Ningguang, Lady Keqing too! I heard they stayed in that weird house all night."
"If she's out, does that mean they figured out what's inside? Is it opening soon?"
The crowd buzzed with speculation. Ningguang's presence was always an event.
"Ningguang?"
Her arrival caught Yoimiya's attention as well.
Yoimiya looked curiously at the woman radiating an aura of nobility and authority.
She felt the pressure of a noble big sister, her gaze holding a natural majesty.
Yoimiya knew of her. The Tianquan of Liyue.
She symbolized power, law, wealth, and wisdom. Her fortune was unmatched on the continent.
"Shopkeeper, hello."
Ningguang first addressed Felix with a polite smile. "I didn't expect to see you here. It's rare for you to leave your shop."
"Came out to test something," Felix smiled faintly.
He hadn't expected Ningguang to be lurking nearby.
Ningguang turned her gaze to Yoimiya. "Hello. I am Ningguang, the Tianquan of Liyue. Interested in a trade? The Mora won't disappoint you."
Her eyes fell meaningfully on the rifle in Yoimiya's arms.
The intent was clear.
"Not for sale," Yoimiya shook her head firmly.
Even if the Tianquan of Liyue asked, she wouldn't sell.
This gun was a treasure.
"Very well."
Ningguang wasn't surprised.
In Yoimiya's shoes, she wouldn't sell either. But asking cost nothing.
Looking at Yoimiya, Ningguang continued with a smile, "Then may I have a private discussion with you later? I'd like to talk about some other matters."
If she couldn't buy the gun, she could collaborate. Perhaps allow Liyue's alchemists to study it.
Just like the Shipping Bureau studied Beidou's steam battleship to improve their own designs. Even if they couldn't replicate it perfectly, moving from wood to steel was progress.
Yoimiya's gun offered similar learning opportunities.
"Um, sure," Yoimiya agreed readily. "Actually, I was planning to look for you anyway."
"Oh?" Ningguang raised an eyebrow. "Looking for me?"
"To get paid for the fireworks," Yoimiya grinned. "Liyue buys my fireworks for the Lantern Rite, right? My family makes them. I came to Liyue to experience the festival and collect the payment."
Meeting Ningguang here was perfect. It saved her a trip to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
"You're from Inazuma?" Ningguang noted.
No wonder she didn't recognize this blonde girl, and her fashion was so distinct.
She knew Liyue imported fireworks from Inazuma, but meeting the maker by chance was unexpected.
Especially since Inazuma was under lockdown.
Speculations raced through Ningguang's mind, but she kept her smile. "Do you have time now? or should we chat over dinner tonight?"
She still had a movie to finish. And discussing sensitive weapon technology required privacy, not a public range.
"Um, I don't have time now," Yoimiya shook her head. "Let's do tonight. I'll wait for you at the Shopkeeper's Jar Shop."
She wanted to play with her new gun more.
"That works," Ningguang nodded.
Keqing planned to open jars tonight anyway. Dinner with Felix and a chat with Yoimiya fit the schedule perfectly.
"Alright, I'm heading back," Felix interjected with a smile.
He had tested the gun, the feel was good, time to go back to work.
"Shopkeeper, I'll go back with you!" Yoimiya's eyes lit up as she hurried to follow him.
She had more questions about the gun. Dinner could wait.
"I'll be going first," Shenhe said calmly. She nodded to Hu Tao and Yanfei, then turned to leave.
She needed to figure out her new drone and Baymax. She was busy.
"Hehe, Yanfei, what about you?"
Hu Tao grinned at her friend. "Busy this morning? If not, come mooch a meal with this Director."
Hu Tao had originally gone to the shop for breakfast. But with the Shenhe and Yoimiya interruptions, she hadn't eaten yet.
"Um, I'll join you," Yanfei smiled. "At noon, let's go find Xiangling. We made plans yesterday."
"No problem!" Hu Tao agreed, dragging Yanfei toward the shop.
"Let's go. Back to the movie," Ningguang said to Keqing as the others left. "After the movie, we go to the shop, you open jars, we have dinner with the Shopkeeper, and chat with Yoimiya. Sound good?"
"Mmh," Keqing nodded.
They headed back to the cinema. One more day of binging, and they'd finish the series.
"Uh, everyone left."
"Did you hear Lady Ningguang mention 'movie'?"
"Yeah, I heard it clearly. 'Movie'."
"What is a movie? I've never heard of it. Sounds weird. I'm curious."
"Whatever it is, it must be for watching, and it takes a lot of time."
"???? Do you even hear yourself?"
The crowd whispered as Ningguang and Keqing departed.
They had caught the keyword "movie" and connected it to the Qixing's all-nighter in the strange building.
Back at the Jar Shop.
Felix looked at the excited Yoimiya, who was constantly stroking her new rifle. He chuckled.
"Actually, there's more to this gun."
"Huh?"
Yoimiya froze.
More?
"The range isn't just 1,000 meters."
Felix leaned in close to the attentive girl. "It's 3,000 meters."
"What?!"
Yoimiya's eyes widened in disbelief.
She looked at the rifle in her hands.
3,000 meters?!
"See this scope?" Felix pointed at the specialized optical sight. "It lets you see extremely far. And the bullets are made of special materials, allowing them to travel three kilometers."
"In other words, with this gun, you can hit anything within a three-kilometer radius of yourself. Especially since it has auto-aim."
"Hss."
Yoimiya gasped.
3,000 meters.
She had thought 1,000 meters was the limit—already double a bow's range.
But 3,000?
As an archer, she understood exactly what that meant.
She would be invincible within that radius.
Strike and retreat before the enemy even knew where the shot came from.
"Of course, powerful Vision bearers have keen instincts," Felix added a caveat. "If you aim at them, they'll likely sense it. You'll have to experiment."
"If you aim this at the Raiden Shogun, the lightning will probably arrive before the bullet."
"Mmh, mmmh! I understand!" Yoimiya nodded furiously.
This gun was infinitely better than a bow.
And the Shopkeeper said it could be infused with elements!
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