"Ying, are you hungry? Here, have a chicken leg."
"Um... Feng Yi, what about mine? I want a chicken leg too..."
Paimon's spirits fell when she saw such a large chicken leg wasn't for her, and she looked wistfully at the one in Ying's hand.
"Paimon, you know, a chicken only has two legs. I ate one, gave one to Ying, so where would there be another chicken leg?"
Feng Yi spread his hands, noticing Paimon's disappointment, and immediately smiled, patting her small head.
"However, even though there are no more chicken legs, I brought you two chicken wings!"
Feng Yi not only took the only chicken leg but also didn't let go of the remaining two chicken wings.
"Hehe, I knew Feng Yi wouldn't forget me!"
Paimon's mood brightened instantly. Holding a chicken wing in each hand, she began to eat with a look of bliss.
Although one chicken wing had less meat than a chicken leg, two chicken wings combined actually had more meat than a chicken leg.
Indeed, in Feng Yi's heart, her status was more important!
Paimon ate her chicken wings contentedly, lost in thought.
Zhongli showed no surprise at Feng Yi's arrival. He continued to lead the way, explaining aspects of Liyue to Ying.
"Traveler, Liyue boasts a history of three thousand seven hundred years, the deepest among the Seven Nations. The preparations for the Rite of Descension will also be part of your journey, broadening your horizons."
"Liyue is the most prosperous nation among the Seven Nations. In past years, it has been guarded by Archons and ruled by the Liyue Qixing. Therefore, many diplomatic tactics of the Fatui are ineffective in Liyue. Ningguang, one of the Liyue Qixing, has always been highly wary of the Fatui. Perhaps this is why 'Childe' wishes to conduct business through the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor..."
"Hmm... Mr. Zhongli, what's the benefit to 'Childe' if we hold the Rite of Descension?"
Paimon, though munching on chicken wings, couldn't suppress her curiosity.
She felt that Tartaglia had been too enthusiastic, helping them fend off pursuers and arranging a dinner party for them, running around so much.
What was 'Childe's' objective?
Paimon couldn't fathom it.
"I don't know, nor do I wish to know. To me, the Fatui are merely providing financial support. I only hope that Liyue's traditions are not forgotten..."
Zhongli shook his head, his hand weighing the pouch of Mora given by 'Childe.' This was the first installment of funds advanced by the other party, and he could continue to seek reimbursement after it was used up.
Zhongli: This considerable weight is truly reassuring!
Feng Yi twitched his lips at this, remaining silent. If Paimon was on the first level, and Tartaglia on the second, then Zhongli was definitely in the stratosphere!
Zhongli, having experienced millennia of change, was undoubtedly a seasoned schemer, subtly drawing others into his plans while remaining detached. This was not something anyone could accomplish.
"Let's go. The first step in preparing the ritual... is to obtain the finest Noctilucous Jade, of a quality worthy of an Archon!"
Zhongli led them to the most famous stone shop in Liyue – Bubu Pharmacy.
"Yo, honored guests, welcome to Bubu Pharmacy! Would you like to try your luck by opening a few 'Raw Stones' today? They're cheap and fun, and perhaps you'll strike it rich by accident!"
The owner of Bubu Pharmacy greeted them enthusiastically as they approached.
Feng Yi was no stranger to this kind of street gambling on stones. Typically, the proprietor would provide a batch of unpolished raw stones for customers to choose from freely.
As long as the customer paid a certain amount for a "ticket," they could take whatever they found, regardless of its value.
However, ordinary people shouldn't expect to get rich this way; it was more likely to lead to ruin.
The good stones were usually picked out by the proprietor through special means, leaving only the duds. It was akin to picking gold from a pile of dung, a gamble where one lost nine times out of ten.
"'Raw Stones'? No, no, we're here to pick... what kind of stones were they?"
Paimon quickly waved her hands in refusal. She was well aware of her own luck.
"Noctilucous Jade, of at least the 'Luminous' grade."
Zhongli added calmly.
"Noctilucous Jade of 'Luminous' grade? Hmm, so you're not tourists. My apologies, I'll fetch the goods immediately. Please take a look..."
An expert's touch revealed their skill. The owner of Bubu Pharmacy initially intended to fleece a gullible customer, but upon hearing Zhongli speak, he knew he was dealing with an expert.
And dealing with an expert required a different approach.
"What do you think of these? Our Bubu Pharmacy is a time-honored establishment for jade. Look at the quality! Absolutely superior, a gift that even Rex Lapis would rarely bestow. Please, feel free to choose..."
The owner of Bubu Pharmacy brought out some of his most prized possessions for them to inspect.
Zhongli: A gift from Rex Lapis? This analogy is rather interesting...
"These three pieces of Noctilucous Jade look beautiful, unlike the ones we usually dig up... However, Mr. Zhongli, how should we choose?"
As an outsider, Paimon could tell from their appearance that these three pieces of Noctilucous Jade were extraordinary, but she still needed to ask their resident expert – Zhongli – how to select one.
"Oh? You want me to decide? Very well. If you ask me, the answer is quite simple... Owner, I'll take them all!"
Zhongli uttered the most extravagant words in the most composed tone.
"Excellent! Esteemed sir, I knew from your distinguished demeanor that you would be generous! Your出手 is indeed magnificent!"
The owner of Bubu Pharmacy's eyes were practically beaming with joy. Customers as豪气 as Zhongli were rare, even once a year.
"Wait, Mr. Zhongli, isn't this a bit too hasty?"
In Paimon's mind, Zhongli would have chosen the best piece among the three and purchased it at the lowest price.
If he bought them all and only one was needed for the ritual, wouldn't that be a waste of double the Mora?
Zhongli: Hmm... what you're thinking is indeed logical, but it's not my money being spent.
"It matters not. I have my reasons. Owner, one chest of each of these three types of Noctilucous Jade."
Zhongli nodded slightly. While conning the Fatui, he could also stimulate the Liyue stone market. Why not?
Tartaglia: I'm so grateful to you! Wait, it doesn't seem like my money is being spent either, it's 'Sir's' money. Then it's fine, that guy is quite skilled at making money anyway...
Sir: ...
"Alright! By the way... don't mind me asking, I'm just curious, what is the noble purpose for needing such exquisite Noctilucous Jade?"
The owner of Bubu Pharmacy asked curiously while preparing the goods.
Zhongli: "Hmm... It's not impossible to say. They are for crafting the ceremonial vessels for the Rite of Descension."
The owner of Bubu Pharmacy: "Rite of Descension? Is it for burying Rex Lapis? If so, I'll give you half price for these Noctilucous Jade..."
Zhongli: "No, please be sure to let me purchase them at full price!"
The owner of Bubu Pharmacy: "???"