8:00 PM, Yuehai Pavilion.
This is the meeting place for the Qixing of Liyue, where many important decisions are made. It is also where Ganyu usually works.
The seven stars of Liyue were already seated around the long table.
No one asked Ningguang why she had called such an urgent meeting at this hour. If she had decided to convene them at this time, it must be for something significant.
Ningguang spoke first, "Everyone, please review the documents on the stone table." Keqing, the Yuheng Star, picked up a stack of materials and began flipping through them.
Trade between Liyue and Fontaine typically flows through Yilong Port in Liyue to Port Lumidouce in Fontaine.
Many of Liyue's specialties are transported from Yilong Port to the Court of Fontaine.
Thus, Liyue merchants doing business in the Court of Fontaine are usually active around Yilong Port.
As Keqing skimmed through the documents, she quickly identified the key points.
A tea merchant from Chenyu Vale had recently shipped tea to Fontaine for sale, as he did every year.
But this time, while in the Court of Fontaine, he heard rumors of a miraculous shop. Out of curiosity, he visited it.
After witnessing the shop's wonders, he decisively spent over a million Mora to acquire two third-tier cards.
Third-tier cards?
Keqing noted this point for now and continued reading.
The power of the cards was extraordinary, elevating the tea merchant from an ordinary person to a formidable force capable of single-handedly annihilating an entire Hilichurl camp, including a Mitachurl, without even revealing the limits of his abilities.
Upon returning to Yilong Port in Chenyu Vale, he couldn't help but show off to his friends.
This boasting led to the information spreading in a small circle around Yilong Port.
At first, only the tea merchant's close friends knew, but soon, more and more people became aware.
The officials stationed there by the Ministry of Civil Affairs sensed something unusual and collected this information, personally interviewing the tea merchant.
After compiling the details into a report, they urgently sent it to Yuehai Pavilion, where it landed on Ningguang's desk.
"Is this the power of the cards?"
"Effortlessly wiping out a Hilichurl camp and a Mitachurl, with no visible limit to the tea merchant's abilities?"
"And this is just third-tier. What about fourth-tier or fifth-tier?"
Tianshu, the Tianxing Star, broke the silence. "In decades, this is the first time I've encountered something like this... Is it real?" He wasn't doubting Ningguang, but it all seemed too fantastical to be true!
"It's real. We've already verified it through Yelan's channels," Ningguang nodded.
At this, the expressions of the Qixing shifted.
"I think we should investigate further, verify multiple times before making a decision," someone suggested.
Are you senile?
Even if we disagree politically, is this really the time to oppose?
Ningguang, ever composed, simply smiled without responding.
Keqing slammed the documents onto the table and declared firmly, "What era do you think we're living in? The news took time to reach us, and you want to waste even more time?"
"A new age has already dawned in the Court of Fontaine, and it's clearly about to spread across all of Teyvat!"
"Are we just going to sit here? Do you think just because Rex Lapis is powerful and Liyue is united, we'll remain as steady as Mount Tianheng in this new era?"
"You're wrong!"
"The report clearly states that this is just the most basic card pool, and it already includes fifth-tier gold cards! The range of fifth-tier spans from ordinary adepti to the Heavenly Principles!"
"One step slow, and we'll be left behind forever!"
"Even the Fatui have already obtained fifth-tier cards, wielding power comparable to that of the gods. And you're still hesitating?!"
"My opinion is that we must act quickly. We cannot afford to fall behind."
Ningguang said calmly, "At the very least, I personally do not wish to lag behind."
"Who would want to fall behind?" Tianshu chuckled. "Ah, at my age, this news has made me feel young again. I feel like I'm back in the days of my adventurous youth."
"I have no objections."
"My opinion is that the sooner we make contact, the better."
In truth, even without Keqing's urging, the Qixing would have quickly reached a consensus.
Whether for Liyue's sake or their own, contacting the card shop was inevitable.
Who could resist such power?
Just as few could resist the allure of immortality, let alone the fact that the cards' power could grant it!
Outside Hotel Debord.
"Well, I'll take my leave first. I need to arrange some things. Shall we meet at the shop tomorrow morning?" Childe asked.
"Go ahead," Lu Heng nodded.
"See you." Childe bid farewell to the group and left, carefully cradling his Crimson Toad.
"I'll escort you back to the Palais Mermonia," Lu Heng said to Furina and the others, opening a portal with a wave.
Venti didn't need Lu Heng's assistance—Neuvillette had arranged a room for him at Hotel Debord as part of foreign hospitality.
"Off we go~"
Furina waved cheerfully, still holding a cup of milk tea.
"Bye-bye."
Venti watched them leave with a grin.
He was in high spirits—he'd mooched a meal and scored an expensive room.
Life was good~
After seeing Furina and the others to the gates of the Palais Mermonia, Lu Heng returned to the shop.
He spread out a map of Liyue Harbor and studied it.
Such maps weren't overly detailed, but the streets were clearly marked.
Where would be the best location to open the shop?
Lu Heng pondered this question.
But staring at the map didn't yield answers. He sighed and set it aside, glancing at today's sales figures.
After some thought, he decided to keep saving up, hoping to scrape together enough for a practical sixth-tier red card.
"Time for bed!"
The next morning, Fontaine.
The latest issue of The Steambird:
"The Great and Generous Mr. Lu Is Leaving His Loyal Fontaine!!!"
The headline was bold and black, with three exclamation points.
At first glance, it made Fontainians feel as though the sky was falling. But upon closer reading, they sighed in relief.
The great Mr. Lu was merely opening a branch shop elsewhere, not abandoning Fontaine entirely. No need to panic!
Childe arrived early with his Crimson Toad and ran into Venti at the shop entrance.
Inside, they found Lu Heng on the phone.
"Yes, good, good. Keep in touch."
Lu Heng glanced at the two and continued, "No, it's no trouble. Feel free to call me anytime. Yes, see you."
As Lu Heng hung up, Venti teased, "Sounded like a girl's voice. Mr. Lu, your charm knows no bounds."
Lu Heng smiled.
The caller was Navia.
Navia was in Poisson and had only just heard the news. She couldn't come in person, but she'd sent someone to purchase the new products as soon as they were released. Otherwise, she might not have been able to contact him at all.
"Have you eaten? I didn't buy extra breakfast," Lu Heng said.
"We ate before coming," Venti replied.
Being a foreign dignitary had its perks—meals were covered!
Lu Heng was looking forward to Xiangling's cooking. "Shall we have lunch in Liyue?"
"Your call!"
Venti was perfectly content to freeload.
By mid-morning, Arlecchino sent Lyney and Lynette to visit.
Lu Heng also received several tins of tea sent from the Fortress of Meropide.
Clearly, his movements were being closely watched by all factions in Fontaine.
Lu Heng checked the time. It was almost noon. He thought it over—everyone who needed to know had been informed.
"Let's go. If we're late, we might not get a seat," Lu Heng said, raising his hand.
An intricate teleportation array formed a gateway.
On the other side was a mountaintop overlooking the massive port city and its natural fortifications.
The three stepped through the portal, which slowly faded behind them.
Half an hour later, Furina arrived.
The crowd outside the shop was still busy drawing cards, but the owner was nowhere in sight.
"Already left?" She pouted. "Couldn't even wait for me..."
The Fontainians slowed their card-drawing, their eyes drifting toward her.
Lady Furina seemed upset again.
"What are you looking at?!"
Furina huffed. "Focus on your cards! If you pull anything that needs appraising, come find me!"
Lu Heng might be gone, but she'd keep the shop running in his absence. The man could leave, but the shop wouldn't!
With that thought, Furina's mood brightened.
She grabbed a bag of chips and settled into Lu Heng's usual seat, munching away happily.
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T/N:
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