Chapter 102

Beidou finished listening to Ningguang's explanation and was immediately surprised.

"Is Liyue really this ambitious now? Electro Crystals are available, but that thing is really expensive."

After thinking about it for a moment, Beidou agreed.

"No problem. I'll make a few special trips when the time comes. But there are some conditions you have to agree to."

She suddenly grinned, making Takumi and Keqing exchange glances. They both had a feeling that Beidou was about to bring up what they had just discussed.

Ningguang, sensing this, had an ominous premonition.

Beidou took advantage of the moment.

"I was just talking to Takumi. Didn't you come up with the power engine?" she said. "Takumi mentioned that it could be installed on a ship. So, I'm going to open a shipyard with him. When he finalizes the blueprints, I'll handle the building and selling."

She crossed her arms confidently. "But Takumi also mentioned that these things need your approval. So, do you agree to this?"

Beidou proudly raised the list in her hand.

"If you don't agree, I can only take my time helping you."

The corner of Ningguang's mouth twitched slightly. She could tell that Beidou was setting her up.

A shipyard? That sounded like a highly profitable venture.

After a moment of thought, Ningguang turned to Takumi.

"Takumi, what do you think?"

Rather than making a hasty decision, she put the responsibility on him.

Hearing Ningguang's words, Takumi felt slightly pressured. After some consideration, he responded:

"Let the Maritime Safety Administration get involved. They oversee maritime affairs, right? Then they should participate in this. When we start producing ships, we could also build warships. The navy should be properly established too."

He paused before adding, "After all, there are still dangers on the sea—whether from monsters or pirates. Only when ocean security is guaranteed will more merchants dare to set sail."

Many businessmen feared venturing into the sea due to pirate activity, especially in Inazuma, where some former samurai had turned to piracy after the country was locked down. Liyue had no proper navy; maritime security was largely left to individuals like Beidou.

Hearing Takumi's suggestion, Ningguang fell into deep thought. After a long pause, she nodded.

"Alright. Then it's decided. Let the Maritime Safety Administration oversee it. Takumi, you'll provide the technology, and Beidou, you'll handle sales."

Ningguang had made up her mind. Though it was just a verbal agreement for now, more details would need to be negotiated.

But that was a matter for later.

Takumi was only responsible for the ship blueprints.

With the matter settled, Beidou happily put away the list and began chatting with Takumi about other topics. Seizing the moment, Keqing took out her own list and handed it to Beidou.

"Could you bring these items back when you visit Fontaine or Sumeru?" Keqing asked.

Beidou, having already agreed to this beforehand, nodded without any objections.

Unlike dealing with Ningguang, she didn't feel the need to negotiate with Keqing.

This double standard left Ningguang feeling a bit annoyed.

Before long, their food arrived, brought in by none other than Guoba himself.

"Lulu~~!"

As soon as Guoba entered the room, he cheerfully greeted everyone.

"Hello, Guoba," Takumi said.

Hearing Takumi's words, Guoba's eyes turned into happy crescents. After placing down the dishes, he waved at Takumi.

Yaoyao reached out and patted his head. "What a magical creature. Is this really a bear?"

Ningguang, observing Guoba curiously, spoke up.

"I've heard about Guoba before, but I've never found any records of what kind of creature he is."

Hearing this, Takumi couldn't help but explain.

"Guoba isn't a bear. He is Marchosius, the Stove God. He's Liyue's Kitchen God. You should know the legend."

Everyone was stunned upon hearing Takumi's words.

"The Stove God?" Keqing repeated, staring at Guoba with a serious expression.

"Lu?" Guoba blinked in confusion, startled by all the attention.

His name—Marchosius—felt oddly familiar, yet he couldn't quite remember why.

"Of course it's true," Takumi continued. "If you don't believe me, you can ask Granny Ping or even Zhongli."

Revealing Guoba's identity wasn't a big deal to Takumi.

Takumi's words left Ningguang and Keqing in shock.

Guoba—the kind, food-loving creature—was actually the legendary Stove God?

"Lulu?" Guoba tilted his head, utterly confused by everyone's reaction.

Takumi chuckled. "It's okay, Guoba. Go back to work."

Though still puzzled, Guoba didn't dwell on it. He turned and scurried back to the kitchen.

"Guoba is really the Stove God?" Yaoyao whispered in disbelief.

She had always seen him stealing food from Xiangling, and now she learned he was a deity?

"Brother Takumi, is this true?" she asked again.

Takumi nodded. "Of course it's true. But don't spread this around. If the people of Liyue knew, they might start worshipping him with food offerings every day."

He smirked at the thought.

Anyone with knowledge of Liyue's history would recognize Guoba's contributions. Many people still honored the Stove God during the Moonchase Festival.

Realizing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Revealing Guoba's identity would only cause chaos.

And for now, Guoba was doing just fine as he was.