The Jade Chamber hung above Liyue's bustling port, its opulence a silent testament to wealth and power as dusk painted the sky in hues of amber and violet.
Ye Ruo had been the intended spark of this reunion, his journey from Mondstadt meant to rekindle an old friendship with a casual visit and a nod to shared history.
Yet Ningguang, the Tianquan Star whose intellect commanded Liyue's fortunes, emerged as the unexpected fulcrum of a deeper reckoning, her guarded heart stirred by memories and a shadowed past.
Her empire—forged from street grit to celestial heights, a lattice of secrets and contracts—quivered as Ye Ruo's sincerity unearthed a vulnerability she'd buried beneath her silken poise.
The chamber's interior gleamed, its walls adorned with jade carvings and gilded screens that caught the lantern light in soft, shifting patterns.
Pumice stones held it aloft, a marvel of Geo craft, their faint hum blending with the distant clamor of the harbor below.
Ningguang sat at a lacquered table, her silk robes pooling like liquid gold, her hair pinned with ornaments that clinked faintly as she moved.
Her amber eyes held a merchant's sharpness, softened by a rare warmth as she sipped tea from a delicate cup.
Ye Ruo lounged across from her, his wind-woven cloak draped over the chair, his Anemo Vision a quiet glow against the dark leather of his attire.
The air carried the scent of jasmine tea and the salt of the sea, a breeze slipping through an open window to rustle the scrolls on a nearby shelf.
"Rare guest—Mond kept you long," Ningguang said, her voice smooth as polished stone.
Her fan rested beside her—folded, but poised.
Ye Ruo grinned—"Missed you—Liyue called," he replied.
His ease clashed with her elegance—a familiar dance.
"Old friend—thought you forgot," she teased, eyes glinting.
"Never—you climbed high," he countered.
Their bond stretched back—years of fruit stalls and mora.
A girl in rags, a boy with a vision—unlikely allies.
"I saw you—potential raw," he mused.
She'd scowled then—wary, fierce, a street cat.
He'd tossed her coins—investment, not pity.
"Thought you'd bought me—laughable," she snorted.
Her laugh echoed—past merged with now.
"Grew fast—Seven Stars now," he praised.
Ningguang's gaze softened—memory flickered.
"You vanished—trouble?" she asked.
Ye Ruo's smile faded—shadows crept in.
"Fools—Doctor meddled," he admitted.
Her fan tapped—Geo pulsed faintly.
"Winter's blight—here too?" she pressed.
"Snezhnaya born—Mond raised," he confessed.
Ningguang's brow arched—"Wanderer—tricky," she murmured.
Her intelligence net had unraveled him—Yelan's work.
"Left you—kept you safe," he said.
Her lips parted—then closed, emotion veiled.
"Fool—could've stayed," she sighed.
Warmth lingered—gratitude unspoken.
The system chimed in Ye Ruo's mind—panel flared.
He perked up—readers' gains sparked joy.
[Customer Keqing completed Old Mond: Thunderstrike Legacy—Reward: Electroslash Crest.]
[Electroslash Crest: Imbues the user's blade with surging Electro, cleaving foes with lightning precision; summons a charged aura to stun or slice; can unleash a storm of bolts, swift as thunder.]
Keqing with thunder—duty sharpened.
"Docks buzzed—pirates hit," he noted.
Ningguang's fan snapped—"Persistent—dealt with," she said.
Her tone hardened—Tianquan's steel emerged.
"Books spread—your doing?" she asked.
"Seeds sown—wealth follows," he replied.
She nodded—"Profit's mutual—smart," she agreed.
A cry pierced—chamber shook, guards yelled.
"Intruders—lower deck!" a voice barked.
Ningguang rose—Geo glowed, eyes narrowed.
"Fools—bold now," she growled.
Ye Ruo stood—wind coiled, eager.
"Fight—side by side?" he offered.
Her smile flashed—"Test your breeze—go," she urged.
They descended—stairs gleamed, jade clacked.
The lower deck sprawled—crates stacked, shadows loomed.
Fools swarmed—mirrors gleamed, rifles cocked.
A Pyro agent lunged—fire whip lashed out.
Ningguang's spires stabbed—rock crushed his chest.
Ye Ruo's gale roared—wind blades shredded cloaks.
Three flew—screams drowned in gusts.
"Small trick—handy," he quipped.
Ningguang smirked—"Liar—devastating," she shot back.
Her Geo wall rose—bullets ricocheted off.
A Cryo gunner fired—ice sprayed, frost bit.
Ye Ruo spun—tornado swept, ice shattered.
Ningguang gestured—earth spiked, gunner fell.
"Coordinated—years apart?" she marveled.
"Instinct—old days," he grinned.
A mirror maiden danced—water blades whirled.
Ye Ruo's bow flared—wind arrows pierced.
She dodged—Ningguang's rock pinned her leg.
"Yield—talk," Ye Ruo demanded.
Her mask cracked—"Doctor's orders—scout," she rasped.
Ningguang loomed—"Liyue's mine—out," she hissed.
Guards hauled her—deck stilled, blood pooled.
"Doctor again—persistent," Ye Ruo muttered.
A subplot stirred—Abyss tied to Fools.
"Plains to port—linked," he warned.
Ningguang's fan slowed—"Contracts hold—threats break," she vowed.
Her gaze softened—"Stay—Liyue's safer," she offered.
"Fools fear rock—weak here," she added.
Ye Ruo paused—wind whispered, tempting.
"Free life—Mond's pull," he countered.
Her laugh rang—"Reckless—still you," she teased.
"Stay near—help me," she pressed.
Her tone shifted—sincerity bled through.
"Old debts—your faith," she murmured.
He'd backed her—mora to empire.
"Black history—teased plenty," he chuckled.
Her face darkened—"Grudge—repaid," she huffed.
Warmth lingered—past forged trust.
"Doctor's shadow—why me?" he asked.
"Threatened you—left me," she said.
Her voice cracked—pain peeked out.
"Safe now—stay," she urged.
Ye Ruo's gaze softened—"Tempting—think," he replied.
A twist loomed—distant rumble shook.
"Port hums—trouble brews," he noted.
Ningguang's eyes narrowed—"Abyss—again?" she growled.
Her Geo pulsed—chamber steadied.
"Books first—fight later," she decided.
Ye Ruo nodded—"Deal—seeds grow," he agreed.
Her fan flicked—"Wind suits—wild," she teased.
"Rock suits—unshaken," he shot back.
Laughter broke—tension eased, bonds tightened.
The system pulsed—Ye Ruo's fame a rising gale.
His path widened—Teyvat's web spun deep.
***
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