"Boss Han, we'll be taking our leave for now."
After receiving their respective rewards, Zhongli and Venti both bid farewell and exited the manga shop.
As Zhongli's figure disappeared from sight, Madame Ping frowned slightly.
"What's wrong? Did you not enjoy the manga?"
Asked Cloud Retainer, noticing her friend's thoughtful look.
"No, quite the opposite," Madame Ping said with a small smile.
"It's just… I could've sworn I saw the Lord of Geo himself."
"The Geo Archon? Surely not—he wouldn't come to read manga, would he?"
Cloud Retainer blinked in disbelief.
"Perhaps my old eyes deceived me,"
Madame Ping admitted uncertainly, still recalling that familiar silhouette.
"Well, either way, this 'manga' thing is simply delightful!"
Cloud Retainer chuckled.
"Next time I meet the Archon, I must recommend it to him."
For one who had lived freely among the mountains for centuries, she had rarely found such simple joy.
Now, she finally had a new pastime.
Yes—she would definitely visit the manga shop every day.
And perhaps she'd even bring Shenhe along next time.
Outside the shop, Zhongli stood quietly in the narrow streets of Liyue Harbor, the familiar scent of stone and incense wafting through the air.
"Such effortless teleportation… only Boss Han's manga shop could achieve something like that."
He sighed softly, holding the black umbrella he'd just received.
Just as he was about to leave, several Qianyan Guards stepped in his path.
"Apologies, sir.
By order of Lady Ningguang, everyone who enters this Solace Book House must report the rewards they obtain.
Any deception will be treated as a serious offense.
Please cooperate."
The lead guard spoke respectfully, though there was firmness in his tone.
He didn't fully understand why Ningguang had issued such strict orders about a mere bookstore— but since the command came directly from her, they dared not disobey.
"Ningguang's orders, hmm?"
Zhongli immediately understood.
The shop had appeared at a rather… delicate time— just before the Rite of Descension.
Ningguang must have feared some unexpected incident.
Though, in truth, her worries were justified— there would indeed be an incident during the ceremony.
"My reward," Zhongli explained calmly, "is a rune called the Future Market.
It allows me to borrow up to 500,000 Mora—repayable in five days, with a 100,000 Mora interest fee.
Would you care to test it?"
"Cough—no need!"
The captain immediately waved his hands, backing up a step.
He glanced at the blue rune in Zhongli's hand and couldn't help coughing awkwardly.
He hadn't expected such a strange "reward."
Borrowing money sounded useful… but that interest rate? One Lakh per day?!
Only a fool would use it.
"And that thing you're holding—what is it?"
The captain pointed at the black umbrella in Zhongli's other hand.
"A gift from a friend," Zhongli replied serenely.
"It's called the umbrella that makes it rain—once you open it, rain immediately falls."
"Rain the moment you open it? Let me see that."
The guard's tone carried clear disbelief.
He grabbed the umbrella and popped it open right above his head—
SPLASH!
The instant it opened, a torrent of water poured down— not from the sky, but directly from within the umbrella!
The poor captain was instantly drenched from head to toe.
The other guards nearby tried (and failed) to stifle their laughter.
"What a bizarre thing… both of your rewards are rather strange."
Dripping wet, the captain handed the umbrella back, still utterly bewildered.
"That's because this bookstore is no ordinary place,"
Zhongli said with a faint smile.
"If you ever have the chance, you should visit it yourselves."
For he knew well—
Boss Han's manga shop was a place that could change one's fate.
If possible, Zhongli hoped more citizens of Liyue could benefit from it.
"A place that can change destiny…"
The Qianyan captain watched him leave, deep in thought.
Perhaps this was why Lady Ningguang was paying such close attention to the shop.
Maybe… he should go see it for himself later.
Inside Solace Book House —
Not long after, Ganyu finished reading her manga.
Closing her copy of Journey to the West, she wore an expression of pure satisfaction.
Before, her greatest joy had always been work.
Work made her feel fulfilled.
But now— after reading manga for the first time, she realized… there were other kinds of happiness in the world!
Immortal demons, heavenly deities, miraculous treasures— the story had completely captivated her.
"Well? Wasn't it amazing?"
Asked Keqing, smiling knowingly at the look on Ganyu's face.
"Yes, it was truly wonderful," Ganyu nodded earnestly.
Then, a bit wistfully, she added, "But it's a shame we can only read one per day."
Keqing shared the sentiment.
But rules were rules—Boss Han was strict about that.
"Come on, let's go see what reward you got!"
Keqing's eyes sparkled with excitement.
She had recently discovered a new little hobby— watching other people receive their mysterious rewards.
Whether it was a powerful artifact or a ridiculous trinket, it was always entertaining.
"Mm!"
Ganyu nodded, curious herself.
If she were lucky, maybe she'd get Ginseng Fruit or Peach of Immortality.
Those looked absolutely delicious in the manga.
"Boss Han! What did Ganyu get?"
Keqing asked eagerly as they reached the counter.
Han Feng glanced at the system interface.
[Customer: Ganyu]
[Manga Completed: "Journey to the West"]
[Reward: Clone Technique]
[Clone Technique: The ability to create multiple physical duplicates of oneself.
The more clones created, the weaker each one's individual strength.]
"Now that's a good one. Quite practical,"
Han Feng murmured in approval.
One person capable of doing multiple jobs at once— it was practically made for someone like Ganyu.
And, of course… one Ganyu meant multiple times the joy.
A beam of golden light descended, engulfing Ganyu completely.
She closed her eyes as a strange flow of energy filled her mind.
Moments later, the light faded.
"So? What did you get?"
Keqing leaned forward eagerly.
There was no physical object, so maybe it was a skill?
"It's… this,"
Ganyu said softly, activating her newfound power.
Her body shimmered— and before Keqing's astonished eyes, two identical Ganyus stepped out from her figure!
"Th—three… three Ganyus?!"
Keqing was so stunned she could barely speak.
—------------------------------
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