Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Xingqiu led the traveler and Paimon into the inner courtyard of the Chamber of Commerce.

Although Feiyun Merchant Guild is not a top-tier clan in Liyue, nor does it produce two Liyue Seven Stars like the Keqing family, it is still a leading post station, escort agency, and freight merchant.

Just by looking at the name "Feiyun" (Flying Cloud), one can tell how swiftly it transports goods, like flowing clouds rushing by.

As the face of the merchant guild, its residence is naturally extremely luxurious. Even though Xingqiu is not extravagant, as the second young master of the Feiyun Merchant Guild, his study can be described as a collection of Liyue antiques.

The clear crystal chandelier reflected the candlelight, casting a warm glow on the tea table where Xingqiu often sat.

The young man in spring clothes brought out chairs and stools for the two to sit down, but the worry in his eyes could not be shaken off. Only when he met the traveler did he manage to force a smile: "Don't worry, Father only looks strict. He won't really confine me to the merchant guild."

"But he wouldn't listen to any advice. He only had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in his eyes and believed that this cooperation was related to the rise and fall of the Chamber of Commerce for a century... The words of others were ultimately neither heard nor heard."

The traveler understood the situation and could only recount the clues he had gathered from his investigation of Liyue Harbor that day, as well as the analysis and deductions he had made with Hu Tao, Zhong Li, and others at the Hall of Rebirth.

As clues and analysis unfolded, Xingqiu's helplessness gradually faded.

His pupils narrowed slightly, and he unconsciously tapped the table lightly, his usual leisurely scholarly air replaced by an unusual sharpness.

In an instant, the shrewd, astute, and cunning second young master of the chamber of commerce returned to his home turf.

"Um……"

Xingqiu pondered for a moment, then abruptly stopped tapping his fingers, his gaze sharp and cold as if tempered by fire.

"This deduction does indeed coincide with the information I have. As expected of Mr. Zhongli, but..."

"Traveler, as you can see, even knowing Pantalone's plot, I am now powerless to stop it."

A bitter smile curved the boy's lips, tinged with self-mockery and a deep sense of powerlessness.

"Hey, speaking of which, where's Yanbo?" Paimon was unusually quick-witted, his eyes darting around. "We could go find Ningguang!"

Upon hearing this, Xingqiu let out another soft sigh:
"Yanbo has been recalled by Coach Fengyan."

The young man paused, his expression worried: "It's not just him; all the Thousand Rock Army soldiers involved with the Xiaodeng Coupons and the affairs of the major banks have received mobilization orders. I think this must be Miss Ningguang's intention."

"That's why I was so anxious, even to the point of arguing with my father."

Xingqiu's voice lowered: "With Ningguang's intelligence, how could she not see through that wealthy man's scheme? I'm afraid she has already begun to deal with it, and the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, as the initiator of the Xiaodeng Coupon, is most likely... on Ningguang's list of people she doesn't trust."

"The future of the Chamber of Commerce is bleak, but my father still insists on going his own way."

At this point, Xingqiu rubbed his forehead, looking pained.

Seeing the usually shrewd and resourceful second young master of the Flying Cloud Chamber of Commerce looking so dejected, the traveler was momentarily speechless.

"Huh?!" Paimon suddenly realized the key point, and his little face instantly fell. "Then... then the Mora that Yanbo promised us is also gone?"

Little Paimon, preoccupied with the loss of Mora, successfully angered the Traveler so much that his forehead twitched, and he raised his hand, bent his middle finger, and flicked her forehead hard.

"Ouch!" Paimon cried out, clutching his reddened forehead. "Traveler, what are you doing!"

Seeing the traveler's unfriendly gaze and Xingqiu's helpless bitter smile, Paimon belatedly realized the heavy atmosphere.

She quickly moved closer to Xingqiu: "Don't, don't be sad, Xingqiu! We're very close to the wealthy Ningguang! We'll go find her right now and ask her to remove your family's business association from that...that list!"

Paimon crossed his arms confidently, puffed out his chest and raised his head, looking quite pleased with himself, while the traveler still frowned.

It seems that Pantarone's infiltration of all parties in Liyue is deeper than I imagined. However, since Ningguang has mobilized the Thousand Rock Army, she has obviously reacted to Pantarone's plan.

Before attending the dinner in Pantalone, the traveler decided to first visit Miss Ningguang at the Moonlit Pavilion. As the traveler was planning his actions, Xingqiu, who was standing nearby, suddenly brightened up after hearing Paimon's words.

His excitement wasn't about clearing the Chamber of Commerce of suspicion, but rather the thought that if he could use Ningguang's words, he might be able to awaken his stubborn father and expose Pantalone's deception.

"That's right! If we can ask Miss Ningguang for help, there might still be hope!"

Xingqiu suddenly stood up and began rummaging through the study, eventually piecing together a complete stack of documents from various corners.

"Xingqiu, what are you looking for?"

Paimon looked at the busy boy and couldn't help but ask a question.

"This is a detailed account of the Liyue banks' investments in the Lantern Voucher."

Xingqiu quickly organized the scattered papers, bound them into a thin booklet, and solemnly handed it to the traveler.

"Please, both of you, deliver this to Miss Ningguang and tell her to be wary of interference from various forces. If possible, please also convey this message: the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild is only temporarily misled and has no ill intentions towards Liyue!"

"Huh? Give it to me?" The traveler subconsciously took the ledger, tilting his head in confusion.

"Indeed, please convey this to Miss Ningguang."

Xingqiu nodded earnestly.

Paimon blinked, puzzled. "Xingqiu, aren't you coming with us? Wouldn't it be better to explain in person?"

Upon hearing this, Xingqiu simply shook his head slowly:

"Although my father is stubborn, he is right in saying that matters of the Chamber of Commerce are interconnected and have far-reaching consequences."

"Although I don't directly manage the business of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, in the eyes of others, I am still the second young master of the Chamber. Every word and action I take can be regarded as the movement of the Chamber."

Xingqiu lowered his voice, his gaze grave: "Liyue is currently rife with undercurrents, and countless spies are watching Yuehaiting. If I were to visit Miss Ningguang now, whatever actions the Feiyun Merchant Guild takes afterward would be over-interpreted by other forces, adding unnecessary complications."

After explaining, Xingqiu looked at the traveler quietly, his eyes filled with deep expectation.

"it is good."

Without hesitation, the traveler agreed and turned to head towards the Moon Sea Pavilion.

"Hey! Traveler, wait a minute!"

Paimon reacted unusually quickly, flying over to grab the traveler's cloak ribbon.

"Isn't it a bit too rushed to go now? And look outside, it's already so late!"

Paimon raised his hand and pointed to the deep darkness outside the window.

Having received the traveler's promise, Xingqiu calmed down and advised, "Paimon is right. It's almost midnight now, and Miss Ningguang must be resting."

He smiled slightly and extended an invitation:
"Although the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce is not as magnificent as the Qunyu Pavilion, its guest rooms are still comfortable enough to sleep in."

"Why don't you two rest here for the night, and then head to Moon Sea Pavilion tomorrow?"

As he spoke, Xingqiu led the two toward a side hall in the inner courtyard of the Chamber of Commerce.

After a moment's thought, the traveler nodded and decided to stay at the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild tonight and visit Ningguang the next morning.

Thinking of the fanatical young woman at the Hall of Rebirth, the traveler resolved to expose Pantalone's conspiracy. (End of Chapter)