Chapter 93: Temporary Ceasefire Pact

Shao Yun stood before the Jade Chamber, eyes glinting with astonishment, as if he were beholding a spectacle beyond imagination.

Every inch of the Jade Chamber exuded unmatched opulence.

The glazed roof tiles sparkled under the sunlight, gleaming like countless gemstones embedded in the rooftop.

The pavilion's body was adorned with intricate carvings, every detail appearing exquisitely perfect.

Lumine and Paimon were equally captivated, their eyes fixed on the building, expressions filled with disbelief. Their mouths slightly parted, as though they wanted to speak, yet no words seemed adequate to describe the grandeur before them.

Deep within the Jade Chamber, Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon followed the Tianquan, Ningguang, into the legendary residence of luxury. The interior unfolded like a painting, every inch steeped in nobility and refined taste.

Beneath their feet lay a floor assembled from precious wood, its grain vivid, its polish warm, as if each plank carried the weight of time and the artisan's devotion.

On the walls hung famous paintings, each stroke brimming with artistry, compelling passersby to pause and admire.

Ceramics, jade sculptures, and various treasures sat on tables or hung upon walls. Though mere decorations, they dazzled the eye.

Ningguang led the trio down a flight of stairs into her personal office.

The layout here was even more sophisticated, each element a testament to the host's taste and intellect.

"Please sit, make yourselves at home."

Shao Yun and Lumine sat down as invited, the warmth and comfort of the fine wooden chairs immediately evident.

Paimon floated in mid-air, eyes gleaming with curiosity as she examined every detail.

"Wow! Lady Tianquan's home is so luxurious! I've never seen such a beautiful house!"

Ningguang smiled at Paimon. "Just call me Ningguang. You're not outsiders."

Her voice was gentle and kind, evoking an inexplicable sense of ease.

She then gave an instruction to her subordinate, Bai Xiao.

"Bai Xiao, go invite the head chefs of Liyue Pavilion and Wanmin Restaurant. I'm hosting a banquet for our three travelers."

Bai Xiao nodded respectfully. "Yes, Lady Ningguang."

He quickly turned and left to carry out the order.

Lumine looked at Ningguang, her heart full of gratitude. "Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Ningguang. We are deeply honored."

Ningguang waved it off lightly. "No need for thanks, it's only right. You are honored guests in Liyue Harbor, and it's my duty to offer you proper welcome."

To Shao Yun, however, Ningguang's enthusiasm seemed excessive. Even if he and Lumine were well-known in Mondstadt, a personal reception at the Jade Chamber? That was something else.

Could it be she's worried I'll start killing people in Liyue Harbor? But I've already changed… being with Lumine…

He looked at Ningguang, eyes probing. He asked slowly, voice tinged with doubt.

"Miss Ningguang, may I ask you a few questions?"

Ningguang gave a small nod. "Go ahead. I'll answer as best I can."

Shao Yun drew a deep breath and voiced the doubts in his heart.

"Miss Ningguang, I find it hard to believe that, based solely on one letter from Acting Grand Master Jean, you would personally escort us to the Jade Chamber and even have renowned chefs prepare a banquet. Is there… another reason behind all this?"

Ningguang smiled faintly, her expression carrying a hint of deeper meaning.

"There's nothing else. I simply wanted to give you a proper welcome. After all, a request from the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius deserves respect—I cannot afford to be negligent."

Shao Yun frowned, clearly displeased by the evasive answer. He spoke frankly.

"Miss Ningguang, please speak plainly. I dislike evasiveness. And don't think you can win me over with political favors. That's not how I operate."

Ningguang remained calm despite his bluntness.

"Relax. I don't intend to make an enemy of you."

Her tone was meant to soothe, but Shao Yun remained unmoved.

He shot her a cold glance. "Whether you're my enemy isn't for you to decide. It's for me to judge."

Ningguang sighed softly.

"You're very cautious. That's good. It's probably the reason you're able to travel with that 'blonde traveler who fought a dragon,' isn't it?"

But Shao Yun was unmoved by the compliment. He pressed again, "Miss Ningguang, please don't change the subject. What exactly do you want?"

Ningguang glanced toward the stairs and shook her head slightly. "Be patient. Our guests aren't all here yet. Let's wait."

Her cryptic response only heightened Shao Yun's suspicions.

"What do you mean 'not all here'?"

As his words trailed off, a steady male voice rang out from the stairs, laced with confusion.

"I was just hanging around the venue. Why bring me all the way to the Jade Chamber?"

Hearing this, a subtle smile played at Ningguang's lips, her eyes gleaming with unreadable intent.

"The final guest has arrived," she said calmly, as if everything was unfolding just as she had planned.

Shao Yun turned to the voice. A tall man in gray was being escorted up by several Millelith soldiers.

It was the Fatui Harbinger "Childe," Tartaglia. But now, the air of severity from the Millelith pressed heavily upon him.

The escorting soldier leaned in and whispered, "Lady Ningguang, we found the suspicious Fatui Harbinger 'Childe' outside the venue."

Ningguang nodded slightly. "Understood. You may go."

As the Millelith withdrew, Tartaglia looked at Ningguang's serene face, still wearing his confident smile.

"Heh, Lady Ningguang, I'm flattered. Was it really necessary to bring me here? A simple letter to the Northland Bank would've sufficed."

Ningguang's gaze was sharp. "You were lurking near the venue. I assumed you had business with me, so I had you brought in."

Tartaglia shrugged, feigning helplessness.

"You shouldn't judge me just because I'm a Fatui Harbinger. I've always followed Liyue's laws."

Ningguang let out a cold chuckle.

"You know what people think of the Fatui. A month ago, maybe it was mixed. But now? If not for your Northland Bank's economic contributions, I'd have had you expelled long ago."

News of the Fatui's rebellion in Mondstadt had spread across Teyvat.

They had gone from unwelcome… to outright pariahs.

Tartaglia took a deep breath, realizing this wasn't the time to antagonize Ningguang. He softened his tone.

"Lady Ningguang, I understand your concerns. But please believe me—Fatui in Mondstadt and Fatui in Liyue are not the same. We have no intention of disrupting Liyue's peace."

Ningguang responded calmly, "Very well. I have no intention of fighting the Fatui. I simply want to host my three guests properly."

Only then did Tartaglia notice Shao Yun and the others. He offered a polite smile and bowed slightly.

"My apologies, Lady Ningguang. I didn't realize you had guests today."

Then, he turned to Shao Yun and his companions, curiosity in his eyes.

"Greetings. I'm Tartaglia, a Harbinger of the Fatui. I know our reputation's… not ideal. But I'm glad to meet you. If you ever visit the Northland Bank, let's be friends."

Anyone personally invited to the Jade Chamber had to be powerful or influential—worth befriending.

Shao Yun looked Tartaglia up and down, frowning with obvious displeasure.

"Three minutes ago, I was feeling great. Now? My mood's completely ruined."

Tartaglia was taken aback. "And… you are?"

Shao Yun locked eyes with him and said slowly, "I'm Shao Yun."

His tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt, as if demanding Tartaglia remember the name.

"You're not… the one who wiped out the Goth Grand Hotel…?" There was disbelief in his voice, as if confirming a dreadful rumor.

The massacre at the Goethe Hotel had long caused a stir.

Shao Yun nodded. "That's right. Seems my name rings loud among the Fatui."

Tartaglia wasn't rattled by the admission. Instead, he smirked and shifted the topic.

"I heard my colleague 'La Signora' had a rough time with you. Left her crawling back to Snezhnaya on her own two feet."

Shao Yun sneered, eyes full of disdain.

"She survived? I guess I paid too well."

"I heard she arrived in Snezhnaya after three days without food. But somehow she still had thirty thousand Mora on her. No idea how she starved herself."

He chuckled coldly. "Should've left her with nothing."

Tartaglia's gaze remained fixed on Shao Yun's grim face. He tried to ease the tension.

"Mr. Shao Yun, I know you've had conflicts with the Fatui—especially La Signora—but surely not all of us deserve the same judgment."

But Shao Yun remained unmoved. He shook his head, eyes glinting with ice.

"You're still breathing in front of me only because of Lumine, Paimon, and Miss Ningguang." His voice was low and powerful, each word landing like a hammer.

Tartaglia felt the threat but didn't back down. In fact, a spark of excitement flickered in his eyes.

"Sounds like you're itching for a spar, Mr. Shao Yun. I'd be delighted. I've always wanted to see your true strength."

Tension crackled in the air, the atmosphere heavy with the promise of a clash.

Just then, Ningguang's voice broke the deadlock.

"Enough!"

Shao Yun and Tartaglia turned toward her solemn expression.

Ningguang spoke decisively. "I was going to wait until the meal, but it seems now's the time."

"Miss Ningguang, finally speaking plainly," Shao Yun leaned back in his chair, awaiting her words.

Ningguang looked at both men. "Mr. Shao Yun, Mr. Tartaglia—I hope you won't come to blows."

Shao Yun scoffed. "That's not up to you."

Ningguang's gaze deepened. "With the Geo Archon's death, Liyue is in turmoil. If you, Mr. Shao Yun, were to act rashly, say, by burning down the Northland Bank as you did in Mondstadt, the economic damage would be severe. As one of the Liyue Qixing, I must protect our interests."

Tartaglia considered her words and nodded. He had missions to complete—conflict was unnecessary.

"I agree. We Fatui in Liyue are not like those in Mondstadt. We're reasonable."

Lumine chimed in, "Shao Yun, now isn't the time to fight the Fatui. We're travelers, adventurers. There's no need to die on this hill. We only just got to Liyue…"

Shao Yun's expression shifted with complexity.

He looked at Lumine. If he went berserk and slaughtered the Fatui at the Northland Bank, Lumine wouldn't be happy. What if she ended up not liking him?

And as she said—they were travelers. He only killed when provoked.

"I'm not a madman. I don't kill randomly. If the Fatui act like docile sheep, why would I bother with them?"

Tartaglia sensed his softening stance and pressed the opportunity.

"I don't mean to be your enemy either, Mr. Shao Yun. I'm not unreasonable. Even I think my colleagues in Mondstadt went too far."

There's truth in the saying: Don't strike a smiling face. If Tartaglia was trying to make peace, Shao Yun had no reason to escalate.

Ningguang seized the moment, her voice measured.

"How about this—let's have you two enter a verbal contract. I'll serve as witness. No conflict within Liyue Harbor, at least during these turbulent times."

Shao Yun raised a brow. "And what do we gain, besides saving ourselves some meaningless trouble?"

Ningguang smiled knowingly, as if expecting the question.

"If you agree to a temporary ceasefire pact with Childe, I will cover your lodging and meals in Liyue Harbor. How does that sound?"

Shao Yun looked surprised. He hadn't expected that. It was tempting, but—

"What do you think, Lumine?"

Lumine thought briefly. "It's all benefit, no downside. Even if the Fatui make a move, we can handle it."

With Lumine's input, Shao Yun nodded slightly.

"So long as the Fatui in Liyue leave us alone, we won't bother them."

A tacit agreement.

Tartaglia also promised, "I'm not afraid of a fight, but if it hurts business at the Northland Bank, I'll be the one getting hunted."

Seeing the timing was right, Ningguang concluded the meeting.

Her tone was ceremonial and firm.

"Then, the pact is sealed. As per Liyue tradition—those who break a contract shall suffer the punishment of Geo. May both sides uphold their promises."

Just then, a system message appeared:

[You have temporarily signed a "Ceasefire Pact" with the Fatui in Liyue. During this period, you may not attack Fatui within Liyue Harbor, and they will not attack you.]

[Note: The pact is void outside city limits. However, Fatui encountered in the wild will be neutral and non-hostile unless attacked.]

[Temporary Special Effect: All daily expenses in Liyue are covered by Ningguang. Shop and restaurant prices: -100%.]

[Contract End Date: TBD.]