Genshin Impact: Watch me turn the tables and kill my servants at the start!

When Fanes arrived at Liyue Harbor, the atmosphere at the dock was a bit more lively than usual.

In the teahouse, a group of people were gathered and talking about something like "the Tianquan Star has changed." The workers who were unloading goods at the port were also whispering among themselves. After listening to a few words, Fanes roughly pieced together the whole picture—the old Tianquan Star had stepped down, and Ningguang had officially taken over the position.

Although the new leader's appointment has not been officially announced to the public, everyone in Liyue Harbor who needs to know already knows.

When Fanes heard the news, he was squatting by the port eating a bowl of freshly cooked beef noodles.

Chewing on his noodles, Fanes thought for a moment and realized that they were old acquaintances, and it would be a shame not to say hello since they had run into each other on the way.

After finishing the last drop of soup in his bowl, Fanes stood up, patted the soup stains off his clothes, and headed towards Ningguang's current residence in the city.

Ningguang currently lives in a two-story mansion on the north side of Liyue Harbor. The entrance is not large, but it is quiet and peaceful, and the stone steps at the entrance are kept clean.

When Fanes knocked and entered, he found that the hall had been almost tidied up. The clutter on the cabinets had been reduced considerably, and a section of one wall was left empty, as if it were preparing to place something large. Ningguang sat in the chair in the center of the hall, holding a cup of tea. Her posture remained that of a composed and elegant merchant. Although she now held the title of "Seven Stars," she hadn't changed much.

When Fanes saw Fanes step into the room, he didn't show any surprise. He simply put down his teacup and smiled at him, saying, "It's quite a coincidence that Mr. Twelve is passing by Liyue at this time."

Fanes walked over and sat down opposite her. Without any formalities, he raised his hand and made a "congratulations" gesture: "I heard you got promoted. I just happened to be passing by and thought I'd stop by for a chat before leaving."

Ningguang gestured to the attendant beside her to refill another cup of tea and push it towards Fanes. She then picked up her own cup and took a sip. "Tianquan Star's position has arrived a little earlier than I expected, but things at hand are sorted out, so there's no need to be overwhelmed. And you, are you just passing through again? Where are you headed?"

"Inazuma. The telecommunications market there isn't open yet. I'll go see if I can open a shop there. I have other things to take care of, and it's on my way anyway."

Fanes picked up his teacup, took a sip, paused, and asked, "What are your plans now that you've taken over? Will you still be doing business?"

Ningguang shook her head: "Of course, business will continue. It's just that there will be fewer publicly disclosed businesses in the future, and most will be conducted covertly. The location of Tianquan Star makes it inconvenient to directly handle too many open transactions, but the money we are supposed to earn will not be reduced by a single penny."

Fanes nodded in understanding: "You've probably heard about the jade, right? If those next few batches end up in the Liyue market, just let me know."

Ningguang glanced at him, her amber eyes holding a hint of scrutiny, then changed the subject: "Mr. Twelfth, have you ever thought about moving to another place?"

Fanes' hand, holding the teacup, remained still: "What do you mean?"

Ningguang put down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, and spoke in a tone that was still calm but a bit more serious than before: "Although the Fatui offer good treatment, they are ultimately Winterfell's faction. Liyue is currently in a period of rebuilding, and various channels are being reorganized. If you are willing to develop in Liyue, I can arrange a position for you. You don't need to give up your relationship with the Fatui; ​​you just need to be registered in Liyue, and many things will be much easier. With the experience and connections you have accumulated over the years, it won't be difficult for you to gain a foothold in Liyue Harbor."

Fanes held his teacup in silence for a moment. Then he chuckled, a laugh that conveyed a clear "you're being too polite" attitude.

"Sister Ningguang, you've put it very frankly. But if I really take your position, how am I supposed to explain it to the Fools? They don't usually bother me, but I am still one of the Twelfth Seat. If I can't even hold onto my basic affiliation, I won't be able to survive anywhere."

Fanes put down his teacup and looked at Ningguang. "You understand this principle, so you were just asking casually and didn't expect me to actually agree."

Ningguang's lips curved slightly, a hint of barely perceptible regret in the curve: "It was just a casual question. But if you really change your mind, this position will always be reserved for you."

The two chatted for a while longer about the market environment in Inazuma and the recent dock renovation plans in Liyue Harbor. They talked for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

As Ningguang stood up to see him to the door, she reached out and pinched Fanes' cheek—the pressure was light, her fingertips cool, as if performing a ritual: "Young Master, things won't be like they are today when we meet again. Next time you come to Liyue, I'll be sitting in the Jade Pavilion, and you'll be standing in front of the Northern Bank, separated by the entire Liyue Harbor. We'll exchange pleasantries, but the important business will remain the same."

Fanes' cheek was pinched so hard that it tilted to the side an inch, and when he slapped her hand away, he had a speechless expression on his face.

"Then we'll see how it goes from here on out. Let's see if your Liyue Seven Stars are more capable, or if we, the Fatui Enforcers, are stronger."

He rubbed his cheek where he'd been pinched, took a half-step back, and waved to Ningguang. "I'm leaving. The next time I come to see you, it'll probably be for serious business. Don't find me annoying then."

Ningguang stood inside the threshold and nodded slightly to him: "No."

Fanes turned and walked towards the Liyue Harbor. Before turning the corner, he glanced back. Ningguang was still standing at the door, her hands clasped in front of her. The twilight behind her cast a warm glow on the outline of the entire mansion.

Fanes withdrew his gaze and turned into the alley. He mentally reviewed the situation in Liyue—the shop's operations were stable, and he decided to temporarily leave the jade mine aside. Jade was now available everywhere at incredibly low prices, so there was no point in continuing.

He left a letter to the Jueyun Mountain, instructing Yakoda to come down the mountain and take over the remaining business affairs.

Yakoda replied quickly and simply: "Okay, be careful on your journey. Leave the work down the mountain to me." She signed it with a crooked cat's head and a small checkmark next to it.

As Fanes stood at the port waiting for the ship bound for Inazuma to dock, he folded the reply letter and put it in his pocket. Looking at the silhouette of the approaching sails on the distant sea, he mentally listed the tasks that needed to be done in Inazuma—the attitude of the scattered soldiers was still unknown, the market had to be rebuilt from scratch, and the establishment of the communication network required coordination with local forces.