Speaking of which, Mona had only opened four jars previously, leaving her with six more to open.
Since she was here, she must be here to open jars.
"No, no," Mona shook her head, her large witch hat swaying. "I don't have much money on me right now. Once The Steambird sends my manuscript fee in a couple of days, I'll have the funds. I'll definitely come then."
"I'm actually looking for Director Hu. She's not at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and usually, if she's not there, she's here at your shop. But she's not here either. Shopkeeper, do you know where she went?"
Mona looked a bit distressed.
If Director Hu wasn't at the Jar Shop, where could she be?
"Hu Tao, Yanfei, and Yoimiya went to find Xiangling this morning. You can check Wanmin Restaurant," Felix chuckled. "Yoimiya is from Inazuma, so they're probably showing her around Liyue. You should go to the restaurant and ask."
Hu Tao and the others had only stopped by for breakfast before dragging Yoimiya off to meet the chef.
"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Shopkeeper!"
Mona thanked him hurriedly.
As expected, if you can't find Hu Tao, just ask the Shopkeeper.
Mona bid Felix farewell and left.
Watching her leave, Felix lay back on his recliner to rest.
No one came to open jars until noon.
After a simple lunch, Felix returned to his recliner.
In the afternoon, a few customers trickled in.
Some left happy, others disappointed.
Before he knew it, the sky outside began to darken.
Lying on his recliner, Felix watched the gentle sunset bathe the shop in its warm glow.
Opposite Mingxing Jewelry.
Outside the Cinema.
A crowd still gathered.
Many had just gotten off work or finished dinner and were out for a stroll. Seeing the bright lights flickering inside the cinema, their curiosity peaked.
Lady Ningguang and Lady Keqing had been inside all day. Everyone wanted to know what a "movie" was.
Inside the Cinema.
Baixiao looked melancholy. "Is that it? It's over? They get the scriptures, return to the Tang Dynasty, and that's the end?"
From yesterday until now, they had watched the entire series. Her emotions had run the gamut from surprise to shock, to awe, to numbness, and finally, to a lingering sense of loss now that it was over.
The abrupt ending left her feeling empty.
"The Jade Emperor ruling the Heavens, the Ten Yama Kings of the Underworld, the Buddha of the Western Spirit Mountain... these deities are terrifying," Baiwen said, still shaken.
"There were so many names of Buddhas and Immortals... so long, I couldn't remember them all. Only the most impressive ones stuck."
Thinking back on the characters, Baiwen felt a sense of disbelief.
The power displayed by these beings far surpassed her understanding of gods.
Even Rex Lapis couldn't do many of the things shown.
The Book of Life and Death in the Underworld recorded the lifespan of every mortal.
Aside from Immortals and Buddhas, no one could escape the limit of their lifespan.
A single stroke of a brush could determine life or death, or add years to one's life.
It was unimaginable. If Teyvat had such a mysterious Underworld, how terrifying would that be?
Beside them, Baishi leaned groggily against Baixiao. She felt dizzy, as if her brain had been fried.
The movie was amazing, but she needed breaks. Binge-watching had made her lightheaded.
"I wonder if the scenes in this movie are from a real, existing world, or if they were filmed... Even if filmed, the imagination required is immense."
Ningguang sighed as the words "The End" appeared on the screen.
This movie had truly shocked her.
Only one word could describe it: Inconceivable!
If it was a real world, she dared not imagine the implications.
If it was fiction, created by someone, then their imagination was boundless.
The names of deities, the Heavens, the Underworld, the Mortal Realm, Spirit Mountain... every character felt alive.
Just conceptualizing such a vast worldview was shocking.
Could a human mind really come up with this?
What kind of brain could invent the 81 Tribulations, the demons, the rescues?
"I just feel pity for the monkey," Keqing said softly.
"It feels like his spirit was ground down. Like a puppet, he followed the path laid out by Heaven and Spirit Mountain, step by step."
She had many thoughts after finishing the series.
"Mmh," Ningguang nodded. "There are too many details revealed in this movie. It's one that can be watched over and over again."
"Alright, the movie is over. We can go to the Shopkeeper's place now. Keqing, didn't you want to open jars?"
"Yes."
Keqing nodded, then looked at the screen. "Will the cinema open tomorrow? The crowd outside is impatient. We saw them gathering when we came back."
"I think we can open tomorrow. Tonight, when we return to the Jade Chamber, we'll pull Ganyu in to finalize the details."
"Agreed."
"I'll go out and make an announcement," Ningguang decided. "We'll chat with Ganyu tonight, and open it tomorrow for the residents of Liyue."
Ningguang went to the projection booth and shut down the system.
"Keqing and I will be leaving. Baishi, Baixiao, you need to guard this place," Ningguang ordered her secretaries.
"You two have abilities now. Please watch over the cinema tonight. Since Keqing and I won't be here, it wouldn't be good if someone from the Northland Bank snuck in to sabotage it. So, you need to hold the fort."
She didn't trust Childe. She refused to believe the Fatui Harbinger didn't know about this building after two days.
"No problem."
"Rest assured, Lady Ningguang."
Baishi and Baixiao nodded respectfully. They understood the concern.
"Good."
Ningguang nodded, and she and Keqing walked out.
"Lady Ningguang is out!"
As soon as they emerged, someone in the crowd spotted them and shouted.
Finally.
Curiosity burned in everyone's eyes.
"Everyone."
Ningguang raised a slender hand to quiet the crowd. The noise died down instantly, replaced by expectant silence.
Lady Ningguang clearly had something to say.
And it had to be about the building.
Many had heard the word "movie" earlier.
"The building behind me is called a Cinema. It is a place for showing and watching movies."
"Keqing and I have spent a day and a night inside to understand everything. The Cinema will open to everyone tomorrow. Let me explain the basics."
"Once opened, the Cinema will be free for three days. Each movie screening will last one hour. After one group finishes watching, they must leave to make room for the next."
"As for what a movie is... you can think of it like a play by the Yun-Han Opera Troupe. Imagine using a camera to record the play, then playing it back for everyone to see. Even if you didn't go to the theater, you can see the performance."
"Or think of it as a script. What is a script? Written lines. You find actors, have them memorize the lines, and through editing, create a 'movie'."
"Later, I will recruit actors for the Cinema. Everyone can participate in filming and appear on the screen."
"I could explain more, but you might not understand until you see it. Tomorrow, you will know what a movie is."
"In short, the Cinema opens tomorrow. I hope everyone will be orderly."
With a smile, Ningguang finished her speech and left with Keqing, heading for the Jar Shop.
Announcing the opening should calm the crowd's impatience.
"I knew it! Lady Ningguang takes care of us! Free movies for three days!"
"Cinema... strange name. But I'm looking forward to it."
"Who isn't? Lady Ningguang and Lady Keqing stayed in there for a day and a night. It must be good."
"True. But I have a question. Lady Ningguang said each screening is one hour. Does that mean the movie is only one hour long?"
"Right... if it's only one hour, why did they stay so long?"
"We'll know tomorrow. I believe this movie won't disappoint."
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