The bookstore branches in Liyue took root with ease, their doors flung wide to a city where tales were as common as the coins that clinked in its ports.
Ye Ruo had been the intended architect of this expansion, his vision set to weave Mondstadt's stories into Liyue's bustling culture with a merchant's flair.
Yet Kaeya, the sly Cavalry Captain with ice in his veins, emerged as the unexpected harbinger of a shifting tide, his beast-mounted squad a signal that Mondstadt's defenses were stirring.
His calm—forged in secrets and smirks—wavered as whispers of the Wind Dragon and a new Fool's executive rippled through the air, tugging at the gears of fate Ye Ruo could feel turning.
Liyue's streets hummed below the Jade Chamber, lanterns casting a warm glow over stalls brimming with silk and jade.
The scent of glazed pork and sea salt lingered, mingling with the faint musk of old books as Ye Ruo's branches rose from shuttered storefronts.
Clerks bustled—shelves gleamed with fresh copies of Detective Fengdu and To Save Mond, their pages crisp with ink.
Ningguang's spies had noted it—her amusement flickered in reports.
"Novels—his grand scheme?" she'd mused, fan tapping.
Liyue's book culture thrived—scrolls and tomes lined every corner.
A Sumeru scholar's work—Journey Between Rock and Glass—gathered dust, its dense prose ignored.
Ye Ruo's tales shone—exotic, gripping, a wind from afar.
Detective Fengdu sold fast—mysteries hooked merchants.
To Save Mond faltered—Liyue cared little for Mond's idols.
"Add a local—boost it," he muttered, wind stirring.
Branches stood ready—business loomed bright.
He left—wind carried him north, Liyue fading.
Mondstadt's plains stretched wide, grasses bowing under a breeze laced with tension.
The sky hung heavy, clouds swirling faint over Windrise.
Ye Ruo landed—his Anemo Vision pulsed, wind whispering secrets.
"Dragon stirs—Teostra wakes," he breathed.
Once Sky King—Four Winds' guard—now poisoned, frail.
"Wendy knows—traveler nears," he mused.
Fate turned—gears clicked, unseen.
Mondstadt's gates loomed—stone arches gleamed in dusk.
Kaeya led his squad—long-haired tigers prowled, fur rippling.
Eleven beasts stood—saddles firm, eyes fierce.
Knights mounted—armor clanked, reins taut.
Crowds gaped—residents buzzed, awe rippling.
"What—tamed beasts?" a baker gasped.
"Knights rise—stronger now," a guard marveled.
Kaeya's tiger towered—larger, regal, ice glinted.
"Move—out!" he barked, voice sharp.
Tigers roared—bridge trembled, squad surged.
Women cheered—"Handsome—wild!" they cried.
Teens envied—"Join—be them!" they vowed.
A child stomped—"Pigeons—gone!" she wailed.
Carriages rolled—bridge thrived, chaos normal.
Ye Ruo watched—wind tugged his cloak.
"Beast cavalry—Kaeya's flair," he grinned.
He turned—home called, steps light.
The system chimed in his mind—panel flared.
He perked up—readers' gains sparked glee.
[Customer Lisa completed Old Mond: Witchfire Chronicles—Reward: Electrowisp Lantern.]
[Electrowisp Lantern: Summons a drifting Electro orb, illuminating with a witch's glow; zaps foes with playful bolts; can weave a static veil, blinding or stunning in a flicker.]
Lisa with sparks—laziness turned sharp.
A shadow moved—wall rippled, figure emerged.
Yelan stood—cloak dark, eyes cold.
"Fools—new executive, Lady," she said.
Her Hydro Vision gleamed—voice cut like ice.
Ye Ruo paused—wind stilled, tension rose.
"Lady—here?" he asked, brow arched.
"Scouts report—Snezhnaya moves," she replied.
Her stance shifted—grace masked steel.
"Teostra stirs—Fools pounce," he mused.
Yelan nodded—"Timing—calculated," she warned.
A subplot brewed—Abyss tracks lingered.
"Plains hum—Liyue too," he said.
Her eyes narrowed—"Doctor's echo—Lady's lead," she hinted.
Ye Ruo's door creaked—wind pushed it wide.
"Inside—talk," he urged, stepping in.
Yelan followed—shadows clung, silent.
His home glowed—lanterns cast a soft haze.
Books stacked—noodle scent wafted, cozy.
"Lady—stronger than Prince?" he asked.
"Third seat—puppets dance," she answered.
Her tone darkened—Fools' ranks loomed.
"Dadalia's brash—Pantalone's gold," he noted.
"Lady's strings—subtle, cruel," she countered.
A twist loomed—wind howled, glass rattled.
"Dragon—now!" Yelan snapped, gaze sharp.
Teostra's roar echoed—city trembled.
Ye Ruo dashed—wind surged, roof gained.
Wings beat—sky darkened, dragon soared.
Poison streaked—scales dull, eyes wild.
Knights rallied—Kaeya's tigers roared.
"Hold—archers up!" he barked, ice flared.
Arrows flew—wind twisted, Teostra dodged.
Ye Ruo's bow bloomed—cyan light flared.
"Down—calm it!" he shouted, arrows sang.
Wind pierced—dragon wailed, faltered.
Yelan leapt—water blades lashed, pinned.
"Wendy—where?" Ye Ruo growled, scanning.
A flute trilled—green gust swirled.
Wendy landed—lyre strummed, wind soothed.
"Late—sorry," he chirped, eyes soft.
Teostra calmed—poison ebbed, wings stilled.
Crowds cheered—knights slumped, relieved.
Kaeya grinned—"Beast squad—tested," he quipped.
Ye Ruo's glare cut—"Fools—Lady's next," he warned.
Wendy's smile faded—"Traveler comes—soon," he said.
Yelan's voice chilled—"Snezhnaya watches—moves," she noted.
A figure watched—blonde hair gleamed afar.
"Paimon—there," Ye Ruo muttered.
Fate spun—gears clicked, storm brewed.
The system pulsed—Ye Ruo's fame a rising gale.
His world shifted—Teyvat's tale turned wild.
***
Support me on Patreon to read 50+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Nocturnal_Breeze