The damp sea wind howled, lifting the cabin curtains. Under the dark sky, the mighty Alcor looked small and fleeting.
Juza swiftly opened the package, revealing its contents to everyone.
"Boss, what… are these things?"
The sailors, freshly returned from their voyage, weren't familiar with the latest trends on land. They stared blankly at the instant noodles, self-heating hotpots, packaged meats, and energy drinks scattered across the table.
They could tell it was food—but none of them had ever seen such food before.
Reading the instructions Keqing had included in her letter, Beidou grinned. "Bring some hot water—and clean cold water too. Looks like that Qixing Yuheng just delivered us a fortune."
Though the letter mentioned higher taxes than usual, if the claims within were true, this could turn into a massive profit.
As she pondered, Beidou tore open a packet of braised meat.
"Mmm… smells good."
The rich aroma filled the cabin as soon as she unwrapped it.
The sailors nearby perked up, eyes wide. "Boss, what is that? Smells like braised pork!"
Beidou pressed her lips together and took a small bite.
In an instant, the savory, soy-rich flavor melted across her tongue—the braised beef was tender and sweet, making her crimson eye light up. She immediately devoured several more bites.
"Delicious. Looks like we really do have a big deal on our hands."
She raised her wine jug and took a long swig, savoring the lingering taste.
For an armed fleet making a living at sea, meals were rarely good. Months could pass without setting foot on land, and food often spoiled in storms. At times, sailors survived weeks on nothing but soaked, stale buns.
Only when anchored did Beidou treat her crew to a proper meal.
But with these portable packaged meats, they could enjoy real food even while at sea.
"Here, you lot try some too."
She tossed the remaining packets of braised meat to her men.
Soon, the cabin was filled with exclamations of delight.
"Boss, this meat's great—just like the braised pork from Liyue's Wanmin!"
"These braised pig trotters are so soft—perfect with wine!"
"Mine's chicken feet? But it's spicy and sour—makes me sweat, but damn it's good!"
"Boss, are you thinking of stocking up on this stuff?"
The sailors, starved for fresh flavors, were amazed.
Beidou didn't answer—she was already preparing the instant noodles and self-heating hotpot.
Within minutes, the rich aroma of noodle broth filled the air. She lifted the lid and slurped up a mouthful.
"Springy noodles, flavorful soup."
In no time, she polished off the entire bowl, broth and all. It wasn't fine cuisine, but it had its own special charm—enough to make her forget about drinking.
Timing carefully, she opened the hotpot lid. Inside, steaming vegetables and meatballs tempted her appetite.
"Fresh, spicy, numbing—the vegetables still taste crisp. These are all excellent…"
After dividing the rest among her crew, she picked up Keqing's letter again. Her red eye glimmered brightly as she watched the sailors' joy.
Never had she expected the prim, rule-bound Keqing—who disdained her so openly—to send her such a lucrative opportunity.
"Boss, the letter says these foods keep for a long time and don't need much in the way of storage. If we take them on voyages, they'll save space and give us hot meals at sea."
Juza wiped sweat from his brow—the hotpot was fiery—but his praise was genuine. For men at sea, a hot meal was the greatest luxury.
"Not just for us. Inazuma too."
Beidou could already see piles of Mora beckoning her.
Running the Crux Fleet was expensive, and this new trade could cover the costs. Lightweight, long-lasting, tasty—these goods were perfect for export.
If her ships carried full loads of them to locked-down Inazuma, they'd sell like wildfire.
"You mean to bring these on our voyages, Boss?" Juza asked, eyes alight. "If we can get enough, Inazuma will eat them up. But… can we fill the fleet?"
Beidou stood, grinning boldly. "Tomorrow, I'll go negotiate myself—ah, but tomorrow is the Rite of Descension… Hmph, well, I can still make time. It's not like we're setting sail immediately."
She looked out at the vast ocean rolling beneath the night winds. For a moment, waves stirred within her heart—only to scatter like starlight across the boundless sea.
…
Morning sunlight brightened the skies above the magic city.
Ken rose early, uploading photos of last night's drinks with Venti and Zhongli. A little teaser for the next banner. Then he shut his computer, washed up, and got ready to head to Liyue Harbor for the festivities.
Unbeknownst to him, his post caused an uproar online.
["Damn, so this is where Mr. Ken's been hiding—going after male cosplays now? Even the Geo and Anemo Archons?!"]
["Pfft, as long as he leaves my Barbara alone, I don't care."]
["Morax!! Aaaah I'd die for the Geo Daddy! Hurry up and drop some PVs already—I'm begging!!"]
["Next banner must be Barbatos! I'm Barbatos' number one fan!"]
["Where's my Mona content?! I miss my witch, Mr. Ken!!"]
Because he'd been buried in Teyvat lately, Ken hadn't touched Twitter in ages. This sudden photo stirred a storm of chatter.
Even his own employees, upon seeing the picture, sighed inwardly.
So unfair!
Their boss hogged all the gorgeous cosplayers to himself—drinking, laughing—without even introducing them to his poor single employees.
The women were especially vexed—swooning over such handsome cosplays, only to realize their boss was keeping it all to himself.
He'd already monopolized the female cosplayers—now even the male ones too?!
Bitter but helpless, they buried themselves in building Ken into the game's dungeons.
As for their complaints, Ken neither knew nor cared. The company was running smoothly—what mattered was that he could live life as he pleased.
Skipping breakfast, he rushed straight to Liyue.
Liyue Harbor had always been bustling, but today was beyond comparison.
Shops were shuttered, ships moored at the docks. Lanterns and banners adorned every street.
For the people of Liyue, the Rite of Descension was the most important day of the year.
On this day, the Geo Archon himself descended to deliver an oracle, guiding Liyue's path for the coming year. To a commerce-driven people, its importance was immeasurable.
Arriving near his shop, Ken saw crowds flowing toward Yujing Terrace.
"May Lord Rex Lapis bless my business with prosperity this year."
"I'd rather he bless my daughter. At her full-month banquet yesterday, she grabbed a Mora during the ceremony—it's fate with the Archon!"
"I think this year's oracle will be about expanding foreign trade."
"No, it'll be about ores. The Chasm's closure is too disruptive."
Merchants who normally competed now walked shoulder-to-shoulder, speculating about the coming prophecy.
"Mr. Ken! You're finally here—this Director's been waiting forever!"
A lively girl bounded up, patting his shoulder.
For today's festival, Hu Tao wore freshly tailored clothes. Still a brown Liyue-style jacket, but more formal than her usual; the twin ribbons behind her were gone, lending her a proper, dignified look befitting the Director.
"And Lumine and Paimon?" Ken asked, glancing behind her.
"Still eating breakfast," Hu Tao sighed. "Some people aren't the least bit rushed—even taking their sweet time with tea!"
As her words fell, Zhongli appeared, followed by Venti, Lumine, and Paimon.
Seeing Zhongli's calm, leisurely demeanor, Ken couldn't help but think—living long really did make one laid-back. He even looked cheerful at his own funeral rites.
But yesterday's trip to Blue Star had solidified his resolve. The wear-and-tear was so minimal it could attract even gods.
"Will we stand out too much? What if people mistake us for assassins targeting Rex Lapis?" Venti worried, tugging at his green outfit. He only wanted to watch, not get dragged into trouble.
"The Anemo Archon, afraid?" Zhongli said coolly.
Venti grinned. "I'm not afraid. I'll just say I foresaw it in Mr. Ken's prophecy and came to see off an old friend. Attend his funeral feast, so to speak. Surely the Qixing won't object."
The two gods traded jabs as the group made their way to Yujing Terrace.
Crossing lotus ponds and stone steps, they reached the serene terrace.
Far from docks and markets, it felt like a hidden retreat within the city. Here stood Yuehai Pavilion, where the Qixing held council, and the Pillar of the Rock hall, where the Rite of Descension would take place.
By the time they arrived, the hall was already surrounded by crowds eager to witness Rex Lapis' oracle.
High above, offerings and ritual altars had been arranged.
"That must be Tianquan Ningguang? She feels so different from Keqing."
Yesterday, Lumine had glimpsed Keqing from afar—like a proud cat, elegant yet direct. Ningguang, though equally dignified, carried a mature warmth absent in Keqing's rigid formality.
"Let's find a better spot." Ken led them through the crowd to a vantage point with a perfect view.
"You seem to know this place well," Paimon muttered, though her eyes kept darting toward the offerings on the altar, drooling. "So much food… can I sneak a bite? I'm starving."
"You could try. Just don't cry if the Millelith catch you and roast you as an offering to Zhongli." Ken chuckled, picturing Paimon caught red-handed.
She glanced nervously at Zhongli, swallowing hard. "...Better not."
"What's the rush? Once the Rite's over, Zhongli will host us at a feast." Venti said eagerly. "I'll be taking some fine Liyue wine back to Mondstadt."
Zhongli: "..."