"We still haven't found a way to Inazuma. Even asking those who escaped from Inazuma, their methods are a bit too dangerous."
Due to the Sakoku Decree, the situation in Inazuma was very unfavorable, and coupled with various other problems, many people wanted to escape from there.
Among these people, a few were very fortunate to have escaped to Inazuma. Lumine found these individuals, asking them about ways to leave Inazuma, and also inquiring if there were any ways to enter Inazuma.
But the answers they gave were all very difficult. They were also very lucky not to have been struck by the thunderstorms scattered around Inazuma, otherwise, even several lives would not have been enough.
"Since a ship isn't an option, how about we try crossing directly using Cryo?"
Shenhe offered her suggestion: if taking a ship was too dangerous, then they could simply use the Cryo Element to create an ice path across the sea and walk over.
"Uh (⊙o⊙)... Paimon doesn't think that's reliable. It takes many days to travel from Liyue Harbor to Inazuma by ship. Can something like crossing directly with the Cryo Element really be done?"
Paimon shook his head. This plan was too crazy, too unreliable. How could an ordinary person cross the sea directly with ice? That kind of thing would be both exhausting and troublesome. It would be better to take a chance with a ship.
"Actually, it's not as troublesome as you imagine. We just need to let the puppet clear the way. The waters it passes through will freeze, and we can just follow slowly behind."
"Then... what about the route? Without professional navigation knowledge, it's easy to get lost when traveling across the vast sea, right?"
"Leave that to me. No matter what problems arise at sea, I can guide you in the right direction."
Woah~ Seeing Shenhe and Durandal looking like they wanted to cross the sea to Inazuma, Paimon anxiously flew over to Lumine, hoping she could stop this crazy idea.
"I also think this plan isn't feasible. Consider the circumstances of others. Even if we agree to this plan, after traveling all day, we still need to rest at night. Even if we can rest by entering the Serenitea Pot, when we come out the next day, the ice surface we made yesterday will have disappeared. Then we'll fall into the water, which could easily lead to problems. Moreover, what other dangers are there in the ocean? What if we accidentally encounter some dangerous fish?"
"Catch them, then put them in the Serenitea Pot. I'll make you a fish dish."
Hmm~ That statement didn't seem to be a problem either. With Durandal's strength, any fish that would be extremely dangerous to ordinary people would just be an easy meal for her.
Besides, with Durandal in the team, it was unlikely that any ill-mannered fellow would come looking for trouble with them.
"You don't need to worry about sleeping either. At night, you can enter the Serenitea Pot, and I alone can maintain the ice surface outside."
"No! Absolutely not!"
Lumine, who had been in a passive state for some time, immediately objected upon hearing this idea, ignoring Durandal's gaze, and shouted loudly.
"Other things can be considered, but this point is absolutely not. How can you sacrifice your traveling companions for your own comfort? No matter what, this kind of thing cannot be agreed to."
Seriously, it had been a while since Lumine had heard such an outrageous suggestion from Durandal, and she had thought Durandal had reined herself in, but it turned out there just hadn't been an opportunity for her to show it.
Not just Lumine, but Shenhe also shared the same thought, firmly disagreeing with Durandal's proposal to sacrifice herself.
Seeing that his other companions were so firmly against his idea, Durandal nodded, and without any firm conviction, readily agreed not to do it.
Because of Durandal's suggestion, the decision to cross the sea was also smoothly abandoned.
"How about we go find Ningguang? As one of the Seven Stars of Liyue, she should know how to get to Inazuma."
Although Inazuma was locked down, it must have cooperated with Liyue in the past. As the Tianquan Star who manages finances, Ningguang should have done business with people from Inazuma and would know how to approach it.
Lumine didn't immediately agree with Paimon's idea. She looked at Durandal, as she hadn't forgotten the conflict between Durandal and Ningguang.
Paimon also realized this problem and cautiously observed Durandal.
To their surprise, this time when Ningguang's name was mentioned, Durandal showed no signs of displeasure. Her expression was calm, just like usual.
And she even seriously considered the feasibility of Paimon's words: "If it's her, she'll most likely be able to find a way. Her connections should also be able to accomplish this. Going to her is a good idea."
At this, Durandal looked up and saw Paimon and Lumine staring blankly at him. He frowned slightly in confusion: "What are those expressions? Is there something wrong with what I said?"
"No, no. It's just... that... ah haha~ We thought you'd be very reluctant to go find Ningguang, we didn't expect you to be so normal."
Lumine tapped Paimon's head. At this moment, he should have spoken more subtly. If he was so direct, what if Durandal had forgotten about it? Wouldn't he just be reminding her?
Durandal paused, looked up, thought for a moment, and nodded: "If it were before, I really wouldn't want to find that person. But now... it doesn't matter."
After realizing that there was a fundamental difference between Ningguang and that smelly woman, Durandal's aversion to her had diminished considerably. What remained was the fact that she treated Lumine as a tool.
However, this fellow seemed quite willing to be a tool for others, after all, she always received a lot of Reward and the attitude was very good.
Furthermore, Ningguang had also promised Lumine that if she didn't plan to continue traveling in the future, she could come to her, and she could find Lumine a well-paid, leisurely job, allowing her to live a good life in Liyue Harbor.
Although Lumine was sometimes treated as a tool, most of the time Ningguang's attitude towards her was that of a friend, so this bit of dissatisfaction could be tolerated.
"Since we're going to ask her about how to get to Inazuma, let's hurry. She must be very busy. Let's go now and see if she has time, otherwise, we don't know how long we'll have to wait."
The group arrived at the Jade Chamber in a flurry. They were regulars, so the guards didn't stop them, nor did Ningguang's three secretaries.
They easily met Ningguang, who was working, and just as Durandal expected, she was indeed very busy.
"What? You've suddenly come to find me. Is there something urgent you need my help with?"
Ningguang put down her pen and smiled at the people in front of her.
"Hello, Ningguang. We haven't disturbed your work, have we?"
Ningguang smiled and shook her head: "These matters can wait a little longer; you are distinguished guests, and your questions are more important."
"Actually... we wanted to ask you about how to get to Inazuma."
Lumine told Ningguang about their next destination, Inazuma. After hearing Lumine's account, Ningguang nodded.
"I see, you're going there next? It is indeed very troublesome."
"Even you, Ningguang, say that. Is there really no way to go to Inazuma?"
Ningguang picked up her pipe and took a puff. As she exhaled, she noticed Durandal's gaze and awkwardly placed the pipe on the table.
"You must have heard some intelligence about Inazuma. It's very difficult to get there by ordinary means. However, it's not entirely impossible."
"A way? What way can we go to Inazuma?" Paimon asked impatiently.
"The leader of the Crux Fleet, Beidou, who is on the Alcor, you must have heard rumors about him before."
Almost every resident of Liyue Harbor knew the formidable reputation of Beidou, the leader of the Crux Fleet. Through the crew members of the fleet, they knew many things about him, including the rumor that he had slain the monstrous beast of the abyssal sea, 'Haishan'.
"Ah! I know, I know. I used to hear from others that he has a very good relationship with Ningguang. He often comes to compete with you in drinking, and he always wins, taking Mora from you."
Paimon, without any reservations, recounted the rumors he had heard from others. According to those merchants, only Beidou dared to win Ningguang's money.
Lumine blinked. She naturally knew this, but was it really okay to say such a thing directly to the person's face?
She secretly glanced at Ningguang, finding that he wasn't angry, but merely smiled and played with the pipe in his hand.
"Winning money? Did you lose a lot of money to him, Ningguang?"
Durandal couldn't help but ask.
"Hmm, more or less. However, he always violates Liyue's laws, which leads to frequent fines. Although there's no exact count, the fines he has paid to date could build another Alcor."
"Eh~ Is... is it that scary? Aren't you friends? Oh, I see, you're..."
"Paimon."
Lumine quickly covered Paimon's mouth, not letting him say the rest of his words.
"It's fine, actually, she's not wrong. I do have that thought. Of course, doing so doesn't violate Liyue's laws either."
Although she often competed with Beidou in various contests, their friendship was beyond doubt; those things were merely playful banter between friends.
"If you want to go to Inazuma, the best way is to find him. However, he is not in Inazuma right now; he went to other places for business. It will probably be some time before he returns. You'll have to wait a bit, and when he comes back, I'll have someone find you."
"Understood, thank you, Ningguang."
"You're welcome. Besides, I haven't really helped you much. Beidou is the one doing most of the work. You can thank him when he fulfills your wishes."
Although the problem wasn't immediately solved, they at least found a way to resolve it, and could finally relax.
"Before heading to Inazuma, there's still Mondstadt's Windblume Festival to attend."
The Windblume Festival promised to Venti must be attended. Although she wasn't sure what kind of festival it was, it must have a very Mondstadt flavor.
It's just... Durandal secretly observed Lumine and Shenhe, feeling that this Windblume Festival wouldn't pass uneventfully.
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