The next day, Ningguang made a public announcement from Yujing Terrace regarding the Jade Chamber's reconstruction project.
"Recent rumors have spread far and wide, and I'm sure many of you have heard that I plan to rebuild the Jade Chamber. This is indeed the case. Coincidentally, I have several quests I wish to entrust to you all."
Qin Yu stood quietly behind Ningguang, waiting patiently in the manner of a secretary.
Ningguang continued, "The location has been secured, and the basic construction materials are prepared. However, three crucial items remain unacquired: the Wonder Core, the Plaustrite, and the Adepti Sigil."
The Wonder Core serves as the central component of the Jade Chamber's mechanical structure.
The Plaustrite, a large specimen of the buoyant stone, serves as the foundation upon which the Jade Chamber will ascend.
The Adepti Sigil acts as the conduit, binding the other two elements together.
All three items are notoriously difficult to acquire. Without proper channels or connections, finding them is virtually impossible. Ningguang, well aware of this, offered commensurate rewards:
"I will purchase these three items at a generous price. Furthermore, the first three individuals to acquire all three materials will each be granted the opportunity to ask me one question, which I will answer truthfully if it falls within my knowledge. I assure you, the rewards will not disappoint."
Given Ningguang's extensive connections, acquiring these items herself wouldn't be particularly challenging. However, delegating the task to others proved far more efficient.
By announcing the requirements, offering enticing rewards, setting competitive conditions, and framing it as a contest, Ningguang ensured a flood of eager participants. After all, everyone sought to gain favor from Tianquan Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Qixing.
Money? She had plenty; this sum was nothing.
She'd heard the Feiyun Commerce Guild had a large Plaustrite, currently on display for auction.
However, its final price was estimated to exceed five hundred million Mora, an outrageous markup.
While Ningguang could easily afford that sum, she disliked wasting money and had no intention of pursuing that route.
The tempting reward sparked a buzz among the onlookers.
"Excellent! I happen to have a lead on a Plaustrite. I'm claiming one of the top three spots—I'll take my leave now!" someone declared with a hearty laugh before hurrying away.
The crowd dispersed urgently, leaving only the casual onlookers to stroll away leisurely.
The remaining figures had golden hair...
"Oh? It's you two. Long time no see. Are you here to participate as well?" Ningguang descended from the stage, approached Lumine and Paimon, and asked with a smile.
Paimon scratched her head. "Uh, we haven't decided yet. But can we ask any questions?"
"Naturally. And I won't be stingy with the reward. Finding a Plaustrite is a chance for a major windfall... If you're interested, please head to the abandoned mine outside the Golden House. That's where the construction site is located," Ningguang said.
Qin Yu smiled. "The Feiyun Commerce Guild has Plaustrite."
"Oh! A lead so quickly! Perfect! We know Xingqiu, let's go ask him right away!" Paimon exclaimed excitedly.
Lumine, however, asked curiously, "Then why not just buy the Plaustrite directly?"
"Because the markup would likely reach 500 million Mora—not worth it at all."
"Five hundred million!?" Paimon gasped in shock.
Qin Yu nodded. "Indeed. But given the price could reach such a figure, you can imagine how valuable this Plaustrite is at this time."
"Exactly. I don't want to waste money. A reasonable premium is acceptable, but not excessive gouging. If you can find it, I'll offer a price that satisfies us both," Ningguang added.
The duo's synchronized sales pitch completely ensnared Paimon's greedy heart.
"Wow! Lumine, let's go look for it! If we find it, we'll have so much Mora! We can eat and drink to our hearts' content and never worry about money again!"
Lumine sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Fine."
"Hehe, that's more like it!"
Seeing their determination, Ningguang nodded slightly with satisfaction.
"I have urgent matters to attend to now, so I can't stay and chat any longer. Come along, Qin Yu."
Qin Yu waved goodbye to Lumine and Paimon, then followed Ningguang back to her office.
Before they had even settled in, Yelan arrived.
Yelan entered and immediately reported, "The remaining Fatui in Liyue haven't made any moves. We shouldn't have to worry about them taking advantage of the situation to cause trouble again."
"Mm, thank you for your hard work," Ningguang replied with a slight nod.
Listening to their brief, direct exchange, Qin Yu fell into thought.
In recent days, besides handling her usual Tianquan duties and personal affairs, Ningguang had assigned Qin Yu a series of new tasks: dispatching Millelith troops to Guyun Stone Forest, arranging for the deployment of newly constructed Guizhong Ballistae to the same location, sending Qin Yu to deliver messages to the Adepti, and organizing medical supplies at Bubu Pharmacy.
It seemed she was preparing for something.
Speaking of which, ever since the Jade Chamber had blasted the Overlord of the Vortex Osial back into the sea, Ningguang had received a letter from Beidou, captain of the Crux Fleet.
The letter warned of possible disturbances in the waters near Guyun Stone Forest, urging her to remain vigilant.
Qin Yu asked, puzzled, "Could this mean Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, is stirring again?"
"Speaking of which, I haven't fully explained the situation to you yet," Ningguang said, turning to Yelan. "But first, how is the other matter progressing?"
Yelan replied, "According to the Fatui's investigations, Osial's seal remains intact. However, they've detected increasingly active energy signatures. Their theory is that Osial's last remaining followers are lurking in the shadows."
"Just as I suspected," Ningguang murmured.
It seemed Ningguang had tasked Yelan with infiltrating the Fatui operatives still lingering in Liyue. Securing such comprehensive intelligence was a testament to Yelan's skill as Ningguang's trusted Special Intelligence Officer.
If I had the chance, I could do just as well, Qin Yu thought, a pointless competitive spark igniting within her.
"Followers?" Qin Yu asked, puzzled. "Like cultists or something?"
"To be precise, it's Beisht, the wife of the Overlord of the Vortex, Osial," Yelan clarified.
"Huh? Wife?"
What is this? I beat the husband, and his wife comes out for revenge?
Then what if I beat his wife, and his son appears? Then his son's son? Before long, all eighteen generations of his ancestors will be at war with Liyue... Qin Yu couldn't help but let her imagination run wild.
No, wait. She said they were the last followers. I shouldn't have to worry about that.
"So... his wife wants to avenge him?" Qin Yu asked uneasily.
"More or less," Ningguang replied. "Though Osial isn't dead—merely sealed away—she likely can't tolerate this outcome and has been secretly plotting her revenge."
Ningguang continued, "Beidou's warning made me uneasy, but the anomalies in the sea were still subtle and difficult to confirm at the time.
"To prepare for the worst, I ordered the Guizhong Ballista, an Adeptus artifact, to be dismantled and studied. We then developed a new, mass-producible version.
"As time passed, the sea's anomalies grew increasingly pronounced, the resentment intensified, and I became certain that a new crisis was brewing.
"Just as Yelan returned, I tasked her with investigating the Fatui's activities, hoping to uncover the truth behind this impending crisis."
"Given the timing, I suspect it's related to our renewed suppression of Osial. After reviewing historical records, my preliminary guess is that it might be Beisht."
"We're in the open, while our enemy lurks in the shadows. We can't predict when they'll strike, and maintaining constant vigilance would only drain our energy and resources. If Beisht is indeed our foe, then let's lure her out."
Ningguang stated calmly, "The bait is the Jade Chamber itself."
Qin Yu understood Ningguang's plan.
Ningguang suspected the sea's anomalies were caused by Beisht, Osial's wife. Thus, she intended to use the Jade Chamber—the very structure that had crushed Beisht's husband—to provoke her appearance.
After all, having such a massive structure smashed into her husband's face would inevitably spark rage.
Ningguang intended to exploit Beisht's hatred to force her to reveal herself.
"But what if it's not Beisht?" Qin Yu asked.
"Even if it isn't her, the Jade Chamber can still serve as Liyue Harbor's defensive line, repelling any invaders. And if necessary, I'll simply smash another one..."
Ningguang said calmly, "As long as I remain the Tianquan, I will ensure Liyue's safety."
Qin Yu's anxiety dissipated with those words.
"Lady Ningguang is so cool," she laughed, actually making Ningguang slightly embarrassed.
Evaluation: D
Having learned the full story, Qin Yu still felt a bit disgruntled.
Why didn't you tell me sooner?
"Lady Ningguang, you could have told me earlier," Qin Yu grumbled, her tone petulant.
"If I had told you, you would have been anxious, wouldn't you?" Ningguang countered.
Qin Yu couldn't immediately refute that.
Ningguang's logic was sound. If she had known earlier, she probably would have stared out at the sea every day, waiting for the enemy to reveal themselves.
It was like knowing there's a bug on the underside of a table—you can't relax until you've squashed it, even if it hasn't come out yet.
But even so...
Qin Yu stubbornly insisted, "I-I wouldn't have minded."
"Really?"
"Really!"
Ningguang spoke soothingly, as if placating a child. "Alright, it was my mistake. I won't do it again."
What's with that tone? It's so irritating!
Qin Yu grumbled inwardly. If they were alone, she would have voiced her displeasure, but with others present, she could only force a smile.
"Mm, thank you!"
Evaluation: C-
Ningguang thought it was amusing to tease Qin Yu like this. Qin Yu seemed unable to reveal her true self in front of outsiders, but Ningguang knew the real her.
Faced with words that displeased her, Qin Yu had to force a smile.
The contrast was quite amusing.
Yelan, standing nearby, thought to herself: This master-servant relationship is remarkably close.
Qin Yu took a deep breath, suppressing her dissatisfaction. She sighed, "So we'll be fighting alongside the Adepti again?"
"No," Ningguang replied slowly. "We can't keep relying on the Adepti's power forever. This time, we must resolve the crisis using our own strength."
"Of course, what matters most are the people of Liyue Harbor. Therefore, I still implore the Adepti to serve as our final line of defense, in case we fail and face unforeseen consequences."
So that's the plan.
Fighting the followers of a God without the Adepti's help made Qin Yu anxious just thinking about it.
But it was indeed worth trying.
Only by attempting it first would they have a chance to move forward.
Leaning back in her chair, Ningguang said, "Everything is prepared. We just need to wait for the Jade Chamber to be rebuilt."