Lumine's suggestion was to set off quickly.
But Charlotte didn't have the stamina of an ace adventurer like her.
Thus, the three could only rest on the spot for a bit before heading to Mondstadt—no, to Liyue.
Sitting on a bench in the plaza, Paimon pointed at a distant poster and asked.
"Those two drawn on that poster are the inventors of Genius Invokation TCG, right? They look so young!"
[Must be Yugi and Kaiba]
[First glance I thought it was Yugi and Kaiba dueling]
[Like Sakura and Syaoran from Tsubasa Chronicle]
Charlotte flipped through her notebook, "Hmm... there are very few rumors about those two."
"Not sure if they don't care for fame or live reclusively, anyway, almost no one has seen them."
Paimon continued asking, "Then this poster is?"
"Probably drawn by an artist based on imagination. The important thing is the general features, not the details."
Paimon shook her head, unable to understand.
"Seems like two very low-key scholars. If it were me, I'd long ago go to the venue for card signings. And get free food and drinks on the side?"
——————
Great Detective Guinaifen takes the stage.
"How to say, worthy of Paimon."
"But feels like they'll be important characters later."
"Very likely related to the card backs stolen by the Card Phantom Thief."
[Little Gui getting smarter now, this you feels unfamiliar to me]
[I still like the old you, can you revert?]
[Barrage exaggerating, feels like this is just the version event puzzle formula]
[Indeed, if not involving these two mysterious scholars, probably wouldn't dedicate a whole major version]
Guinaifen disdainful, "I used to act for program effect, to amuse you guys."
[Don't forget this is Mu Yang's commission, so Little Gui is this smart]
[Laugh die, previous versions when Mu Yang disappeared, who revealed true form]
"No rumors, no spreading rumors okay."
——————
Charlotte said she once wanted to do a special on Genius Invokation TCG.
But after reviewing tons of materials, no one knew where they lived.
Or participated in any Genius Invokation TCG events.
It's as if after inventing the game, they never played it again.
Lumine listened and grew more interested.
Could they have some reason they don't want to play or can't play?
Lumine's thoughts started jumping.
This guy stealing card backs, could he be related to the mysterious inventors?
After resting, Lumine took Charlotte and set off.
To catch up to that [Card Phantom Thief], Lumine went all out the whole way...
The three soon arrived at the harbor.
"Wow, Liyue Harbor looks even livelier than usual today!"
Charlotte looked at the trading ships coming and going in the harbor.
And the merchants, tourists, etc., passing through the docks.
Couldn't help sighing: "A thousand ships arrive in succession, ten thousand merchants gather like clouds, is this the scene it describes?"
"Mm mm, truly seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times."
The three admired the view from the bridge.
Players in front of screens also admired the view.
Camera panning from bottom to top.
Baiwen stepping in high heels and black stockings approached, "Travelers, the journey must have been hard. Welcome back to Liyue Harbor."
"Lady Ningguang and Mr. Mu Yang have long instructed me to wait here for you all."
[Hearing a hundred times is not as good as seeing once, you're really called Baiwen huh]
[Official playing meme]
[Thanks Mu Yang, Baiwen is it, let me smell first]
[No, bro???]
[Outrageous]
Who is Mr. Mu Yang, Charlotte still didn't know.
But the name Ningguang she was very familiar with.
"Ningguang?! Is that Lady Ningguang, Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing?"
Paimon proudly hands on hips, "That's right, her."
Immediately after, she grew puzzled.
The two went to Mondstadt to help Mu Yang investigate the [Card Phantom Thief].
What does this have to do with Ningguang?
Lumine understood much more than Paimon; among the three secretaries, Baiwen handles intelligence management.
Knowing they went to investigate the [Card Phantom Thief] wasn't strange.
But, is Ningguang also interested in this matter?
And why arranged together by Mu Yang and Ningguang?
Baiwen spoke, "This time, it's to invite this Fontaine reporter Miss Charlotte to visit Yujing Terrace for a bit. To discuss some cooperation matters."
Receiving an invitation from the Tianquan made Charlotte cheer for a moment.
But she ultimately stayed calm.
"Huh? Looking for me, but this is my first time in Liyue Harbor."
Baiwen smiled, "Lady Ningguang has long heard of a reporter at Steambird Newspaper who handles affairs neatly, with sharp writing."
"Reports seem eye-catching, but core prioritizes facts above all. She quite appreciates this."
Baiwen paused, "Including how you, for exclusive news revealing truth, touched certain interest groups. And were dispatched abroad to report on Genius Invokation TCG—Lady Ningguang knows all."
Hearing this, Charlotte realized what kind of far-reaching influence the person opposite had.
Even specific details of the dispatch, the editor-in-chief hadn't explained to her in detail.
Yet Ningguang already knew...
Paimon gave a sympathetic look, "Charlotte, you're so pitiful?"
Charlotte stayed composed; this wasn't the first time such a thing happened.
But with Editor-in-Chief ability, by the time Summoning King Grand Prix ends, the matter would definitely be resolved.
[Wow, this couldn't be hinting at Fontaine plot]
[Are we going to stir bloody storm in high levels?]
[A threatened reporter isn't a good reporter]
Thinking her own editor-in-chief is also formidable, Charlotte grew curious.
Does chief know Ningguang?
Baiwen didn't elaborate, just said let Charlotte come discuss.
Then turned to Lumine, "If you two are interested, Lady Ningguang also welcomes you to come along."
This stumped Charlotte.
"Ningguang is your acquaintance too?"
Paimon turned into smirking dragon king, "So-so, just casually entering and leaving the Jade Chamber, treated as honored guest."
Lumine couldn't watch anymore, pinching her little cheek, "What are you so proud of?"
Then, she declined Baiwen's proposal.
Since Ningguang said it's work-related.
No need for her to meddle.
Moreover, about the Card Phantom Thief, she still needed to report progress to Mu Yang.
Thus, she planned to split ways with Charlotte.
Baiwen hearing this, told Lumine, to see Mr. Mu Yang go to the competition venue.
He's not at [Muyu Snow City] right now.
At this time, Liyue venue was buzzing with voices.
Liyue has many experts, progress slower than other regions.
Now just entering semifinals.
This match:
[Muyu Snow City]'s owner—Mu Yang.
Vs.
[Crux]'s sailor—Kaedehara Kazuha.