Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

The night in Liyue Harbor is brightly lit, with the shouts of vendors, the crackling of lanterns, and the laughter of drunkards creating a vibrant sea of ​​activity.

At the highest point of the Scarlet Cloud Slope construction site, the legendary adventurer who had just made a fortune of 40 million Mora was overlooking the entire port. He held the deed to the newly purchased Glassworks in his left hand and unfolded the exploration permit for Guili Plains in his right hand. The jade token at his waist kept flashing with the credit lines sent by various banks in Liyue.

It was as if all the wealth of Liyue was flowing through his fingertips.

Meanwhile, the Xiaodeng trading vouchers, spearheaded by Feiyun Qianzhuang, have spread like dandelions throughout the streets and alleys.

These paper certificates, engraved with the General Affairs Department's anti-counterfeiting cloud pattern, sparked a financial frenzy as soon as they were put on display.

Holders can exchange their tokens for limited-edition floating lanterns during the Lantern Festival, or they can exchange them for Mora at various banks in Liyue at the exchange rate of the day.

Even more astonishing is that when these certificates enter the secondary market, their value fluctuates dramatically depending on workshop output, archaeological discoveries, or even a decree from Yuehaiting.

In a private room at the new Liulixuan store, a speculator from Fontainebleau is using sophisticated instruments to analyze the hidden patterns on a voucher, attempting to decipher and replicate it.

The young female attendant at the Rebirth Hall staked all her savings from the past six months, firmly believing that these vouchers would rise to the astronomical price that Lord Yan had when he built the Jade Pavilion.

The clerk of Yujingtai sold the ancient inkstone, which his parents had left behind and which was said to have been personally inscribed by the emperor, to Wanyou Shop, hoping to use lantern coupons for the transaction.

This port city, forged by contracts, is experiencing a carnival unlike any other in a thousand years.

After leaving the quiet courtyard of the Hall of Rebirth, the traveler strolled to the magnificent vermilion gate of the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild.

The night was as dark as ink, clearly outlining the towering gate of the Chamber of Commerce.

The delicate bronze wind chimes on the eaves of the building trembled slightly in the chilly night wind, their melodious sounds like the clatter of metal against metal.

As soon as the traveler stepped onto the cool, water-like blue stone steps at the entrance, a fierce argument that seemed to tear the air apart pierced through the heavy doors, carrying suppressed anger and authoritative rebukes.

Inside the hall, the bright lights illuminated the magnificent furnishings and the expensive golden nanmu wood table, but failed to dispel the heavy atmosphere of confrontation.

"Father! Cooperating with the Northern Bank is tantamount to seeking help from a tiger!"

Xingqiu's voice rose unusually high, his clear, youthful tone now sounding like a taut bowstring, suppressing a barely contained rage.

His slender figure stood ramrod straight, like a stubborn bamboo shoot. His usually gentle and smiling face was now tense, with an unusual melancholy and anxiety between his brows: "You know Pantalone's methods very well. What he wants is far more than just a business partnership on the surface!"

"Nonsense!"

A taller, more imposing middle-aged figure stood beside the main seat.

That is the current head of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, and also Xingqiu's father.

He was dressed in an exquisite dark purple brocade robe, his face solemn and dignified, etched with the composure and authority of someone who had been in the business world for a long time. The deep wrinkles on his forehead were like those carved by a knife and axe, and at this moment they were slightly furrowed with anger. In his sharp, hawk-like eyes, there was a cold hardness that controlled the overall situation and an unquestionable domineering attitude.

Xingqiu's father's deep voice, carrying an unyielding, mountain-like authority, rolled across the magnificent hall like muffled thunder. Each word seemed to weigh a ton, threatening to crush the boy's protest.
"The resources and opportunities brought by the Northern Bank are a golden opportunity that countless merchants in Liyue would kill for!"

"You are still young and do not understand that the business world is like a battlefield, where nothing can be found in an instant. But you should at least be aware of the bigger picture!"

The shouts between the two grew increasingly intense, their words clashing like swords clashing, their sharpness almost piercing the room's glittering tranquility. The Flying Cloud Merchant Guild's main hall was open to the public, but aside from its own members, very few ordinary Liyue citizens would come to stroll around the guild; it was merely a transit point for the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild to receive visitors.

In addition, since the Thousand Rock Army was stationed at the headquarters of the major merchant guilds in Liyue, Xingqiu did not hold back and directly argued with his father in the hall.

However, things are different now, and the commotion here eventually attracted the attention of the Thousand Rock Army squad that was patrolling the area.

The soldiers' resounding footsteps were exceptionally clear in the still night. The captain at the head of the group stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his silver-scaled armor reflecting a cold light in the glow of the lanterns under the eaves.

The captain of the Qianyan Army stood outside the door and coughed lightly. His voice was steady and powerful, with a touch of official tact: "Gentlemen, this is a main street. It is late at night. Please stop arguing and do not disturb the peace of the neighbors."

The air in the hall seemed to freeze.

Although Xingqiu's father maintained his outward dignity, a barely perceptible worry flashed through his mind.

The Thousand Rock Army, having undergone the blood and fire tempering of "Sun-Scorching Harbor," has been reorganized with an iron fist by the all-powerful Tianquan Star Ningguang. The once proud and intricate network of relationships that the merchant families were so proud of has long since fallen apart.

Xingqiu's father, who was blinded by anger, quickly calmed down and realized his loss of composure. The middle-aged man's face became increasingly gloomy.

He let out a heavy snort from his nose, his arm jerked violently, and then he turned around with a flick of his sleeve, his movements resolute and full of anger. His brocade robe rolled in a heavy and oppressive arc under the lamplight.

"This matter is not open to discussion! Xingqiu, you will remain in the Chamber of Commerce residence for the next few days to reflect on your actions!"

"Let's talk about the Chamber of Commerce when you're as easy to manage as your older brother."

The stern rebuke struck like a cold iron bar against the stone slab. Before the words had even finished, his tall figure had already resolutely strode into the brightly lit inner courtyard, leaving Xingqiu standing alone in the cold and lonely light and shadow cast by the lanterns.

Xingqiu's chest heaved as he took a deep breath of the cool night air, as if trying to suppress the resentment and grievances in his chest.

"I'm so sorry to have disturbed your patrol."

The young man began to greet the Thousand Rock Army soldiers who were patrolling the area. The soldiers were clearly not ignorant of human relationships. After confirming that the dispute had been temporarily resolved, they clasped their hands in farewell to the second young master of the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild.

After seeing off Qianyan Army, Xingqiu was about to return to the Chamber of Commerce when his gaze swept across the steps and he suddenly caught sight of the traveler.

He paused slightly, then his shoulders and neck relaxed, and he habitually raised a warm smile on his lips, as if the tense standoff had never happened.

"Ah, it's you who have come."

Xingqiu crossed his arms and tilted his head, pretending to be relaxed. However, deep in his eyes, there was a hidden undercurrent of grievance that he could not hide. The forced smile did not reach his eyes at all.

"...It's chilly outside, let's come in first and talk."

The traveler silently observed Xingqiu's stiff smile, tacitly agreeing without saying a word, and simply nodded.

Xingqiu pushed open the vermilion door, the hinges creaking loudly.

Inside the corridor, the dim candlelight flickered as they entered, casting long, elongated shadows of the two hesitant figures on the stone floor, as if they were walking towards some unpredictable, dark path ahead. (End of Chapter)