The Jade Chamber floated serene above Liyue's bustling harbor, its golden glow a beacon of power as night draped the port in velvet shadows.
Ye Ruo had been the intended spark of this fleeting visit, his presence meant to stir old ties with Ningguang and nudge his bookstore's reach into Liyue's wealth.
Yet Dadalia, the brash "Prince" of the Fools' executive ranks, emerged as the unexpected fulcrum of a brewing storm, his reckless flair clashing with Ningguang's calculated reign.
His ambition—tied to Northland Bank's creeping influence—faltered under Ye Ruo's wind and a deeper shadow cast by Pantalone, the "Rich Man," whose silent vendetta loomed over Liyue's fate.
The chamber's interior shimmered, jade walls catching lantern light in a dance of green and gold, the air thick with tea's floral bite.
Pumice stones hummed beneath, suspending the palace in a defiance of gravity, their faint resonance a heartbeat against the distant roar of waves.
Ningguang reclined at her table, her silk robes cascading like molten amber, her hair adorned with pins that glinted as she tilted her head.
Her amber eyes held a merchant's guile, softened by the flicker of an old friend's return, her fan resting idle but ever-present.
Ye Ruo sat opposite, his wind-woven cloak draped loose, his Anemo Vision a steady pulse against the dark leather of his tunic.
The harbor sprawled below, a tapestry of lanterns and sails, the scent of salt and spice drifting up through an open window.
"Fools stir—Prince holds the bank," Ye Ruo said, voice low.
Ningguang's fan tapped—"Dadalia—young, brash," she replied.
Her tone carried weight—Tianquan's steel beneath silk.
"He's last—weakest seat," he noted.
"Strength ranks 'em—monsters above," she agreed.
Dadalia's youth shone—skill undeniable, yet outclassed.
"Northland's pulse—Pantalone's brain," Ye Ruo mused.
Her gaze sharpened—"Rich Man—Liyue's ghost," she said.
A past echoed—poverty to power, mirrored paths.
"Poor once—like you," he teased.
Ningguang's lip curled—"Grudge—don't," she huffed.
Her rise defied his—rebellion drove him north.
"Money's god—he hates it," Ye Ruo said.
"Wants Liyue's heart—bled dry," she countered.
Northland Bank loomed—gold masked blood.
"Discounts lure—merchants bend," he warned.
Her fan snapped—"I curb 'em—trouble stays," she vowed.
A cry split the calm—deck shuddered, shouts rose.
"Bank agents—dock raid!" a guard bellowed.
Ningguang stood—Geo glowed, eyes fierce.
"Dadalia—testing me," she growled.
Ye Ruo rose—wind coiled, eager.
"Fight—old times?" he grinned.
Her smile flashed—"Breeze and stone—go," she urged.
They descended—jade stairs gleamed, boots echoed.
The dock sprawled—crates towered, shadows danced.
Fools swarmed—rifles cracked, mirrors gleamed.
Dadalia strode—blue coat flared, bow slung.
"Evening—care to spar?" he called, smirk wide.
His Hydro Vision pulsed—water shimmered.
Ningguang's spires stabbed—rock crushed two agents.
Ye Ruo's gale roared—wind blades shredded cloaks.
Dadalia laughed—water blades whirled, clashed.
"Fast—fun!" he cheered, dodging wind.
Ningguang's wall rose—Hydro splashed, stone held.
Ye Ruo spun—tornado swept, crates flew.
Agents soared—screams drowned in gusts.
Dadalia lunged—bow snapped, arrows rained.
Ye Ruo's bow flared—wind met water, air hissed.
"Prince—playful," he quipped.
Ningguang's rock spiked—Dadalia rolled, grinned.
"Rich Man's orders—test Liyue," he taunted.
Her eyes narrowed—"Bank bleeds—out," she hissed.
Ye Ruo's gale pinned—Dadalia skidded, bow raised.
"Enough—draw's fine," he chuckled.
Ningguang's Geo pulsed—"Leave—now," she ordered.
Dadalia bowed—"Till next—Wind Knight," he said.
He vanished—water splashed, agents fled.
Dock smoked—silence crept, tension lingered.
"Pantalone's puppet—bold," Ye Ruo muttered.
Ningguang dusted silk—"Rich Man's claws—deep," she sighed.
A subplot stirred—bank's shadow grew.
"Economic war—he's winning," he warned.
Her fan slowed—"Contracts hold—yet bend," she admitted.
The system chimed in Ye Ruo's mind—panel glowed.
He smirked—readers' gains fueled his fire.
[Customer Zhongli completed Old Mond: Rockbound Oath—Reward: Geoshield Mantle.]
[Geoshield Mantle: Enwraps the user in a Geo-charged cloak, deflecting blows with stone's might; summons earthen spikes on impact; can forge a barrier, unyielding as Liyue's peaks.]
Zhongli with rock—history hardened.
"Stay—fight him," Ningguang urged.
Her tone softened—sincerity bled through.
"Fools falter here—rock rules," she added.
Ye Ruo paused—wind whispered, tempting.
"Mond's home—freedom pulls," he countered.
Her laugh rang—"Wild—always," she teased.
"Old days—your mora," she mused.
He'd backed her—street to star.
"Teased you—cute then," he grinned.
Her face darkened—"Grudge—repaid," she huffed.
Warmth lingered—trust forged deep.
"Pantalone's past—your mirror," he said.
"Poor to power—paths split," she replied.
Her voice softened—reflection stung.
"Why me—back then?" she asked.
"Faith—saw you rise," he answered.
Her gaze held—emotion flickered.
A twist loomed—bank's vault glowed afar.
"Rich Man moves—gold hums," he noted.
Ningguang's eyes narrowed—"Threat grows—watch," she vowed.
Her chamber steadied—talks awaited.
"Books first—war later," she decided.
Ye Ruo nodded—"Seeds spread—deal," he agreed.
Her fan flicked—"Wind fits—reckless," she teased.
"Stone fits—unshaken," he shot back.
Laughter broke—tension eased, bonds tightened.
The system pulsed—Ye Ruo's fame a rising storm.
His reach deepened—Teyvat's tale spun wild.
***
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