章節 99: Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [99]
Gu Sanqiu tossed the letter onto the table with a frown. "So, what's your take on this?"
"How about yours first?" Ningguang suggested.
"Fine."
Gu Sanqiu shrugged. "From what I know of the Acting Grand Master, she isn't the type to send out a letter like this, so I'd question the authenticity of it."
"Secondly, I don't buy the whole 'inexperienced warrior' narrative. Mondstadt's troops aren't brainless; they wouldn't leave themselves without a capable guard back home. Which means that claim is also bogus."
"In summary… I'd say this letter reeks of over-the-top diplomacy."
Ningguang nodded, tapping her fingers thoughtfully. "Our assessment is similar. However, the seal and courier were legitimate—direct from the Knights of Favonius with an escort, so its authenticity holds."
"Ah. Then there's another possibility, isn't there?" Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow, reading Ningguang's rhetorical question more as an affirmation.
"Exactly."
She nodded again. "An alliance. Or, at least, a call for cooperation. The land of freedom, Mondstadt, under Barbatos' protection, wouldn't send such a formal message without reason. Not with diplomatic communication masked as an exchange between 'old friends.'"
"So… something significant is happening. Or has already happened." Sanqiu rubbed his chin. "Though, as far as my information goes, there's no trouble in Mondstadt. Anything from the Qixing?"
"No. It's likely something the Knights have managed to keep under wraps."
Ningguang tapped her desk. "Alternatively, it could be something that's about to happen. Perhaps the Knights discovered a lead and are reaching out now to brace themselves."
"Considering Mondstadt's history, there's no telling if the Fatui are involved." Sanqiu crossed his arms thoughtfully. "But… since you're telling me all this, does that mean I'm leading the delegation?"
"No, but you're going." Ningguang's tone was firm. "I'd prefer you not lead the group. If anything goes sideways, I'd rather not have to worry about you singlehandedly charging into the enemy line for sport."
"Hey, I'm not some crazed serial killer," he muttered, narrowing his eyes. "So, who's leading then?"
"Fengyan."
"What?"
Sanqiu blinked in disbelief. "You're joking, right?"
Fengyan—the drill sergeant of the Millelith, a well-respected officer who could be considered a general. Sending him as a diplomatic envoy?
If they'd told Sanqiu they were going to invade Mondstadt, he'd have believed it faster.
"As for the Vision Symposium, with your family's resources and your own abilities, I'm confident you'll handle it well. But remember to leave Mondstadt with a bit of dignity intact." Ningguang's lips twitched in the faintest smile.
"As for the tournament itself, having Fengyan there will show our respect for their invitation. The Gu family name may not mean much to Mondstadt's common folk, so a figure of public standing as the face of the delegation seems prudent."
"I get it. So, Fengyan's just the 'escort mascot' for the group, huh?"
"Not quite. Should things go smoothly, the tournament will turn into a poetry and wine festival as Mondstadt's so fond of doing," Ningguang replied. "But as you noted, Mondstadt also has certain agents there, so if the Fatui make any moves, Fengyan's presence ensures we won't be caught off guard."
"Ah, the Fatui. Makes sense. And since I'll be on official business this time, am I getting any kind of stipend or travel allowance?"
Keqing's eye twitched. "You're already rolling in money. Why do you insist on haggling over every bit of allowance?"
"Simple—it's what I earn on my own," Sanqiu said self-assuredly. "It's not about my family's wealth. Totally different thing."
He looked at Ningguang. "And besides, the Qixing is loaded. My stipend shouldn't even scratch your budget, right?"
"True enough, but while we're on the subject, be careful in Mondstadt. It's not like Liyue. There are still factions of old nobility with questionable motives."
Ningguang pinched the bridge of her nose. "In Liyue, you could handle things how you want. In Mondstadt, however, remember to exercise restraint. Got it?"
"Understood, understood. I doubt any sensible person there would be foolish enough to come looking for me." He tossed her a bottle of elixirs. "So, when do we depart?"
"Two days from now, once Fengyan's finished with his training session. You have somewhere to be?"
"Yeah, I need to find someone and get some extra information first."
Sanqiu stood, preparing to leave. "Since we have the Knights of Favonius' official letter, I'm guessing Northland Bank has already intercepted a bit of relevant intel from Mondstadt?"
...
"So that's your reason for coming to see me?" Tartaglia's tone was full of disbelief as he stared at Sanqiu, lounging on the sofa with a cup of tea.
"There's a saying here: 'like a weasel offering greetings to a chicken.' I'd say it fits this situation pretty well, wouldn't you?"
"If that's the angle you want to take, then fine," Tartaglia muttered, rolling his eyes. "A rare sight to see you back down for once, isn't it?"
Sanqiu raised his cup with a lazy grin. "And, if you find yourself out of depth with Liyue's culture, might I suggest a few choice phrases from Snezhnaya? Might even pique your client's interest—get the conversation flowing."
Tartaglia's face darkened. He was well aware that Sanqiu had just implied that he, Tartaglia, was the "chicken" in this situation.
"Liyue's culture may be foreign to me, but I will master it, piece by piece, that's my way of survival!"
"Sure, sure, you're a natural." Sanqiu put down his teacup, extending his hand. "So, about that intel on Mondstadt. You've got it on hand, right? Care to share?"
"What do you think this is, some kind of intel vending service?"
"Oh, come on. We're practically old friends by now—what's the harm? I've shared plenty of Liyue's little secrets with you, haven't I?"
Sanqiu yawned. "And honestly, I didn't even take my friend to lunch to come chat with you. Aren't you going to compensate me a little?"
"Oh, and I'm supposed to compensate you for this self-imposed mess you call loyalty?" Tartaglia muttered.
"Huh? You caught on to that? Yeah, I didn't sleep too well last night."
Sanqiu stretched, covering a small yawn. "Between breakfast, meetings, and planning, I've been running on fumes."
Tartaglia: ...
Does this idiot seriously not realize I was mocking him?
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T/N: Chapter 100!
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