Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

The people of Liyue surged toward the General Affairs Department like a tidal wave.

The crowd surged, yet subconsciously dispersed, tacitly avoiding Feng Yan, the unmoving instructor of the Thousand Rock Army at the main gate, and Ning Guang, the composed Tianquan Star beside him.

In the crowded throng, two figures caught Ningguang's eye, causing her gaze to sharpen slightly.

It was the Traveler and Paimon who had just returned to Liyue Harbor from the South Wharf.

The two men had intended to observe the protesters to see if they could help the General Affairs Department quell the riot, but unexpectedly they were swept up by the torrent and pushed all the way to the small square in front of the General Affairs Department.

The traveler was anxious as she watched the dark crowd surging toward the General Affairs Department gate, her palms slightly sweaty.

Did Ningguang anticipate that the public's anger would directly impact the General Affairs Department?
Just then, the heavy doors of the General Affairs Department burst open, and Ningguang appeared in the doorway. Her movements were unhurried, exuding an unquestionable majesty.

Even more alarming was the sight of three heavy cannons gleaming with a cold light behind Ningguang, slowly pushed out by several Thousand Rock Army soldiers, their heavy wheels leaving deep ruts on the bluestone slabs.

The travelers' pupils constricted, their breathing almost stopped, and Paimon gasped, covering her mouth with her small hand, her face turning deathly pale. Their hearts leaped into their throats.

Could it be that Ningguang is really going to...?

But Ningguang's next move dispelled the fear. She did not order the firing, but instead had Fengyan announce the detailed and comprehensive compensation rules in a penetrating voice. Her composure and control made it seem as if everything was within her expectations.

The traveler's tense nerves finally relaxed, and he let out a soft breath.

I was really overthinking it. With Ningguang's wisdom, how could she have resorted to such a bad idea?

After Feng Yan finished reiterating the compensation regulations, the people in the square looked at each other, momentarily bewildered and hesitant, and the noise gradually subsided.

In that brief moment of silence, the traveler's eyes flashed.

She quickly lowered her body, pinched her throat, and clearly shouted through the throng of people, "I...I need to register in the South Hall first!"

The shout was like a spark thrown into boiling oil.

"Yes! Register!"

"Quick! To the South Hall!"

"Don't push! Let me through!"

The blank silence was instantly ignited, and the crowd exploded, transforming into a targeted torrent that surged toward the side entrance of the General Affairs Department.

The traveler was immediately pushed by the crowd and stumbled, his shoulder bumping into the ribs of the person next to him.

The girl reacted quickly, grabbing Paimon who was almost pushed away, and then crouching down, she joined the surging registration flow as they squeezed towards the wide-open south entrance of the General Affairs Department.

Just as the Traveler and Paimon were about to squeeze through the main gate of the General Affairs Department with the flow of people, Ningguang, who had maintained a cool and aloof expression, suddenly locked her gaze precisely in their direction.

The scrutinizing look in Tianquanxing's eyes faded away, replaced by an elusive sparkle and a sense of satisfaction.

She winked very slightly, with a hint of playfulness, at the traveler and Paimon, her lips then silently opening and closing, clearly outlining a mouth shape:
"Thank you."

The traveler saw it clearly, paused slightly, and instinctively wanted to push through the crowd to talk to Ningguang.

But an irresistible force suddenly pushed her from behind, and the girl stumbled. The surging crowd swept her away like a flood bursting its banks, involuntarily pulling her into the General Affairs Department, blocking Ningguang's meaningful gaze from behind.

After an unknown amount of time, until night quietly fell and the first faint starlight appeared on the horizon, the traveler finally emerged from the back door of the General Affairs Department, carrying a heavy cloth bag that almost sagged off her arms.

Inside the cloth bag were nine million Mora.

A full nine million.

Ningguang promised other petitioners only 60% of the face value of the bonds that could not be redeemed.

But for travelers, she paid the full amount at the last listed price before the exchange closed.

When the clerk at the registration desk recognized the man as a renowned traveler, his attitude immediately became extremely respectful.

Without the slightest hesitation, he quickly led the traveler to a secluded, deserted cubicle. The traveler's lantern vouchers were swiftly verified, calculated, and then exchanged for a thick stack of Mora. Finally, the clerk personally escorted the traveler, avoiding all possible eyes and ears, and quietly sent him away through the unguarded back door of the General Affairs Office.

Nine million Mora weighed heavily in his arms, and the sheer weight made the traveler feel a little dazed, as if he were in a dream that was too beautiful to be real.

In stark contrast to her was Paimon, who was already excitedly spinning around in the air.

Paimon's eyes lit up, and he eagerly tugged at the traveler's sleeve, his voice practically leaping with joy:

"Travelers, we're rich! Hurry, let's go eat something delicious! Let's buy lots and lots of things, let's head to the market now!"

With nine million Mora in hand, the traveler felt the weight in his arms, and a huge weight was finally lifted from his heart.

Now, not only is the ticket to Inazuma out of reach, but even the rumored special pass is no longer a concern for her.

Just as the traveler and Paimon were overwhelmed by their sudden wealth and planning how to squander it in the brightly lit night market, a quiet retreat enveloped a small courtyard deep within the General Affairs Bureau complex.

After announcing the reassuring compensation policy, Tianquanxing Ningguang did not return to her busy office. Instead, she walked alone and silently through the winding corridors of the backyard, arriving at the gate of a secluded courtyard surrounded by high walls.

The cold moonlight shone on the mottled stone steps and the tightly closed doors.

This silent room was once the place where the tragic Salt Demon, Heureia, was imprisoned.

As soon as Ningguang stood on the moonlit bluestone ground outside the courtyard, a ripple of light, like water blue, silently spread from the shadow of the courtyard wall.

A tall, slender figure stepped out, the fluffy white shawl on her shoulders trembling slightly in the night breeze, the ends of her hair shimmering with a faint blue hue, a few strands also fluttering in the wind.

It was Yelan who quietly returned from the port after receiving the signal.

"came back?"

Ningguang spoke calmly, as if greeting a returning traveler.

Ye Lan's face showed no sign of relief; her expression was as solemn as if covered with frost. She nodded slightly to Ning Guang, then lowered her voice and got straight to the point: "The person has been found; they're inside."

The traveler's gaze fell upon the tightly closed courtyard gate behind him.

Ningguang's gaze darkened slightly, and she nodded without saying anything more. She took a step forward to push open the courtyard gate that separated the inside from the outside.

Just as Ningguang's hand was about to touch the cold door, Yelan suddenly stepped forward, silently blocking the doorway. Her gloved hand gently pressed against the back of Ningguang's hand as she prepared to push the door open.

Ye Lan's voice was even lower, almost a whisper, carrying a rare hesitation and heaviness:
"Ningguang...be mentally prepared before you go in."

Ningguang paused, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly, forming a very shallow crease.

A deep thought flashed across those all-seeing red eyes.

She nodded again, the movement minimal, yet conveying a clear and decisive understanding:

"I see."

After receiving Ningguang's affirmative response, Yelan slowly withdrew her hand.

She didn't stop her anymore, but simply stepped aside to make way, her eyes conveying a complex expression as she gestured for Ningguang to push the door open herself.

Ningguang took a deep breath, as if inhaling the coolness of the night and the weight of what she was about to face, and then stretched out her hands and slowly pushed open the two courtyard doors that separated the world of life and death.

"Squeak."

The door hinges made a dry, rattling sound.

The view inside the courtyard was now unobstructed, crashing into Ningguang's field of vision.

The pale moonlight silently spilled onto the center of the small courtyard paved with bluestone.

There, five human figures lay stiffly protruding beneath the white sheet, cold and abrupt, side by side on the ground. Along the edges of the pale sheet, several streaks of dark brown blood, appearing particularly so in the moonlight, glaringly blurred. (End of Chapter)