Through the system, Luya learned that the severed hand really did belong to Scaramouche…
He quickly pieced together what must have happened—Scaramouche must have mouthed off, and Xiao gave him a beating.
Faced with Hu Tao and Keqing's questions, Xiao replied lightly:
"At Dihua Marsh, while cleansing evil spirits… I came across a suspicious man wearing a strange hat. When I questioned him, he grew hostile."
"During the fight… I realized he wasn't even human. I tried to capture him, but he ran."
"In the struggle, I accidentally sliced off his hand…"
"So I brought it back. Maybe the shopkeeper could use it as a material."
Hu Tao gasped: "Were you deliberate, accidental, or accidentally deliberate?!"
Hearing Xiao's calm tone, despite him pulling off something so extreme, Luya chuckled:
"This material is indeed rare… Should be able to craft plenty of rare cards."
He glanced through Xiao's haul—lots of Vayuda Turquoise Fragments and Ghostly Embers. Enough to craft many [Conqueror of Demons – Xiao].
There was also a high-quality [Varunada Lazurite], on par with the [Vajrada Amethyst] he had once used for [Great General of the Valiant Tusk – Bosacius].
Luya stored Xiao's materials in his inventory. Then he picked up eight or nine cards from the table.
All of them had been forged from Xiao's [Yaksha's Blood Tears].
He kept the ones useful to his own Genshin Deck and handed the rest to Xiao.
"These cards should all be useful to you."
Xiao nodded gratefully.
"Thank you, Shopkeeper… I'll work harder to find more materials."
Luya smiled:
"No need to rush, Adeptus Xiao. What you've brought today is already worth more than the [Great General of the Valiant Tusk – Bosacius]."
"The Lantern Rite is nearly here. I plan to host a Duel Tournament."
"Liyue Harbor's first Lantern Cup."
"Don't forget to come support it~"
Xiao immediately nodded.
"Yes… I will definitely be there."
Hearing about a duel tournament at Lantern Rite, Keqing's ears perked up—literally.
She grew excited:
"Wow! I want to join too!!!"
"When does registration start? What are the rules?!"
Luya laughed:
"I haven't decided yet—the rules, prizes, details. I'll work on it tonight and announce tomorrow. Honestly, it was a spur-of-the-moment idea."
Hu Tao stepped forward, laughing boldly:
"Just tell me what needs doing! Hu Tao lives to help! Tomorrow I'll make sure everyone in Liyue knows about this Lantern Cup."
Keqing added with a cough:
"A duel tournament would enrich Liyue's culture and entertainment, improve people's lives, and make Liyue better."
"So as one of the Liyue Qixing, I have both the duty and responsibility to help!"
Xiao nodded: "Then… I'll ask some adepti to maintain order and security at the venue."
As Hu Tao, Keqing, and Xiao discussed their roles, Xingqiu, Chongyun, and the other theater-goers finally emerged, having just finished the day's Yu-Gi-Oh! anime.
"Ah! That was amazing!"
"Tomorrow I'm bringing my friends too!"
"So cool!"
"I watched all day, didn't even eat. I need food before I starve!"
Chongyun shouted excitedly:
"Today… I finally saw evil spirits!"
"Thanks, Xingqiu!!!"
"Hehe~ Don't mention it. We're best friends after all!"
Keen-eyed as ever, Xingqiu immediately noticed Luya, Hu Tao, Keqing, and Xiao talking about a Lantern Rite tournament, and strode right over.
"A tournament during Lantern Rite!?"
"I have to participate. And if I can help, the Feiyun Commerce Guild will provide financial support!"
Though playful, Xingqiu knew business. If Feiyun could get distribution rights for packs, as Yu-Gi-Oh! grew, they'd make a fortune.
And since Luya's shop was bound to expand beyond his capacity, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor wasn't exactly suited to handle logistics. However, the Feiyun Guild excelled in networking and transport.
Even if they couldn't produce packs themselves, they could act as distributors.
Luya nodded:
"Then I'll thank Young Master Xingqiu in advance. Tomorrow I'll announce the tournament details. I'll count on everyone's help!"
Other customers who'd just finished the anime erupted in excitement when they heard about a Lantern Rite tournament:
"Holy crap!"
"This is awesome!?"
"A duel tournament for Lantern Rite!!!"
"Usually it's just lanterns and wishes… That's it."
"This year we get duels too~"
"With Master Hu and Mr. Zhongli around… winning the championship seems impossible. Even top ten will be tough…"
As chatter filled the shop, Luya turned and addressed everyone:
"Don't worry—there will be participation prizes just for dueling~"
"So sign up tomorrow with confidence!"
"For the first Lantern Cup, I hope everyone will join in and support it!"
Since the system promised greater rewards for larger events, Luya had every reason to maximize participation.
"Count me in!"
"Hahaha, me too~"
"Tomorrow I'm waking up early to grab a seat in the theater! Can't miss the next Yu-Gi-Oh! episode!"
After watching Yu-Gi-Oh!, Xingqiu remembered he'd need more packs for the upcoming tournament.
"Boss, any packs left?!"
Luya checked the box.
"You're in luck… Only 10 left."
Xingqiu sighed:
"Ah… That's it?!"
Just Xiangling and Hu Tao had bought 1,100 today.
"Hahaha, so do you want them or not?!"
Xingqiu grumbled but nodded, laying down 200,000 Mora on the counter.
"Boss, I'll take them all."
He even echoed Zhongli's catchphrase.
Right then, Zhongli himself returned, having prepared materials for [Goddess of Dust – Guizhong].
Seeing him, Hu Tao was curious:
"Where'd you disappear to today? I just dueled Xiangling, and you were gone…"
"And what's with all these Glaze Lilies?"
Luya stepped in with an explanation:
"I asked Mr. Zhongli to gather them. Wild Glaze Lilies are hard to find. Zhongli is knowledgeable about Liyue's rarities, so I requested his help."
Too complicated to explain fully—better to keep it vague. Zhongli nodded in agreement.
"The shopkeeper needed these, so I searched with some old friends."
Hu Tao beamed:
"Zhongli always reliable! Then I'll head back to the parlor first. You two handle business~"
One by one, the others left until only Zhongli and Xiao remained in the shop…
...
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