The next day arrived swiftly.
In less than twenty-four hours, the events that had transpired in Inazuma had already spread across the entire continent of Teyvat. Throughout the other six of the Seven Nations, word was circulating everywhere about how Varnava, a Fatui Harbinger from the Snezhnayan diplomatic mission, had schemed against Inazuma in an attempt to spark a civil war between two of its islands.
And then he was caught, meeting a swift and bizarre end as a result.
Many people agreed that the Fatui Harbinger had gotten exactly what he deserved. After all, as a member of a foreign diplomatic mission, he had actually dared to secretly stir up trouble and plot against a god's domain—an act no different from courting death.
Moreover, Varnava's despicable methods had been exposed to the public, drawing fierce condemnation from the citizens of every nation. People argued that if someone of his rank would stoop to such tactics, then all the Fatui Harbingers must be rotten to the core.
For a time, the reputation of the Fatui across the entire continent plummeted to rock bottom. Outside of Snezhnaya, their homeland, the people of the other six nations began to harbor the utmost hostility toward them.
Whenever anyone spotted a Fatui member or a Snezhnayan diplomat on the road, they would hurl insults and watch them warily, as if eyeing a thief. This severe backlash disrupted normal diplomatic relations between Snezhnaya and the rest of Teyvat.
Snezhnayan diplomats stationed abroad who had never been part of the Fatui began bitterly cursing the organization, knowing full well that they would inevitably be implicated in the fallout.
Even within Snezhnaya itself, voices denouncing the Fatui began to rise. The problems caused by the Harbingers had begun to affect ordinary citizens—especially merchants who relied on international trade and now faced closed doors and hostile glares.
Of course, unlike the wild speculations of the common folk, the higher-ups of each nation were carefully pondering the true purpose behind the Fatui's actions, and by extension, the intentions of Snezhnaya's supreme leader, the Tsaritsa.
Liyue is a nation built upon rich and varied terrain—towering mountains, stone forests, vast plains, and winding riverbanks. It is home to the largest commercial port in Teyvat, boasting a cargo throughput beyond comparison with any ordinary harbor. Known as the Nation of Contracts, its people revere the Geo Archon, Morax.
As a major commercial power, Liyue differs fundamentally from Inazuma, which is ruled directly by its deity. Here, governance is handled by the Yuehai Pavilion's permanent consultative council, known as the Liyue Qixing.
The Qixing, or the Seven Stars of Liyue, is the collective name for the seven great merchants who oversee the nation's political and economic affairs, each with their own specific duties and responsibilities.
Beneath the Qixing are the Eight Trades, a semi-political body composed of representatives from various industries that assists in handling social affairs outside of direct governmental matters. In the past, when Liyue was still overseen by its deity, all final authority belonged to the Geo Archon.
But now, with Morax having stepped back, these powers have been fully distributed into the hands of the Qixing and the Eight Trades. Liyue has thus transformed from a nation governed by gods to one governed by humanity.
Not far from the bustling Liyue Harbor, where merchant ships are visible everywhere, a magnificent palace floats suspended high in the sky. This is the Jade Chamber. It is the residence of Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing—a symbol of absolute power, law, wealth, and intellect.
Ningguang is Liyue's preeminent magnate, a female tycoon whose every move shakes the business world. This enormous floating palace was built at her own unimaginable expense. She is skilled at reading people and masterful in the art of speech; everyone who meets her is won over by her astonishing insight.
As a child, she once walked barefoot from Yaoguang Shoal all the way to the southern docks peddling goods. That she rose from such humble beginnings to her current position is a testament to her unparalleled business acumen.
Now, within this unprecedentedly magnificent floating palace, a graceful figure sat before an antique, ornate sandalwood desk. The woman possessed a voluptuous and elegant figure. Her three-thousand strands of snow-white hair were adorned with an exquisite hairpin, cascading down her back like a silken waterfall.
Her eyes, shimmering like rubies, radiated a bright, captivating light. Exquisitely refined, she wore a qipao interwoven with gold, white, and black—its hem resembling the tail of a bird, its collar embroidered with a golden phoenix. Her entire being exuded an aura of wealth and absolute authority.
At this moment, Ningguang held a classified report in her slender fingers. Its contents detailed the recent events that had transpired in Inazuma. As she read on, a look of keen interest spread across her face.
"Interesting. Since when did the one in Inazuma have such an outstanding young talent by her side?" Ningguang shifted her gaze away from the report and turned toward the figure standing dutifully beside her. "Ganyu, what do you make of this?"
The person Ningguang addressed as Ganyu was a young woman with long blue hair, from which a pair of striking dark red horns grew. Her features were pure and flawless, bearing the expression of an innocent, unworldly maiden. At her collar hung a large golden bell, which formed a striking contrast with her surprisingly generous assets.
"Hmm... According to Yelan's report, that man merely pointed a finger at the Fatui Harbinger and turned him into something resembling a paper-thin cutout," Ganyu's gentle, melodious voice rang out in answer to Ningguang's question. "Even among the adepti arts, such a divine ability is unheard of."
A look of genuine surprise crossed Ningguang's face. "Even the adepti are incapable of such a feat? If that's the case, this man named Rin Yuki... his strength must be unfathomable!"
She returned her gaze to the report, resting her chin on one hand as she fell into thought. A bold idea began to take shape in her mind. "How does he compare to the Geo Archon, Ganyu?"
This question truly put Ganyu in a difficult spot.
"That... I'm not sure either," Ganyu gave an awkward smile, gently scratching her cheek. "The Geo Archon's power is immeasurable, while this Mr. Yuki's strength is still an unknown... So it's very hard to compare."
"Very well, let's set this interesting gentleman aside for now. We still need to deal with the Snezhnaya issue. Now that is a big headache!" Ningguang shook her head, choosing not to dwell further on the mystery of Yuki. She turned the topic to the diplomatic fallout caused by the Fatui incident. "Do you think I need to tread carefully on this issue?"
By this point, Ganyu was thoroughly overwhelmed. Serving as Ningguang's secretary, she had only just arrived at the Jade Chamber a short while ago. Being bombarded with so many heavy political questions left her feeling woefully underprepared.
Seeing the troubled expression on Ganyu's face, Ningguang let out a soft chuckle, her peerlessly beautiful face breaking into a playful smile. "Haha, Ganyu, don't be so nervous. Just answer casually. It doesn't matter if you're wrong!"
"But my teacher said I must do things seriously..." Ganyu replied in a small, meek voice. "If I answer incorrectly, I'll be punished by my teacher..."
"Huh?! Pfft—hahahaha!" Ningguang couldn't hold back her laughter. "Ganyu, your teacher isn't even here, so what are you afraid of!"
Looking at the somewhat adorably earnest girl before her, Ningguang simply couldn't resist teasing her a little more before turning her sharp mind back to the governance of Liyue.