After collecting all the explosive barrels into the Serenitea Pot, Feng Yi and the others began their return journey with the cargo.
Feng Yi mused that with a replenishment of these explosive barrels, Ningguang's Jade Chamber would surely be even more formidable. If the Abyss Order’s Osial dared to show its face again, it would definitely pay the price.
A daring thought suddenly struck Feng Yi: could they invite the demolition experts from Mondstadt and Inazuma to Liyue to discuss how to modify the Jade Chamber and maximize its explosive power? For Inazuma, Feng Yi planned to invite Yoimiya, as fireworks and explosives were separated by only a thin line. Then, they could bring along the half-finished 'Little:], which was in Yoimiya’s fireworks warehouse, for a grand surprise for Osial.
As for Mondstadt, the only candidate was Klee. Klee had perfectly inherited Alice’s explosive talent, capable of creating powerful explosives with the simplest materials. If the material restrictions were lifted, combined with Klee’s innate exceptional talent, it would lead to a qualitative leap in chemical reactions. Then, through a magic crystal ball, they could invite Alice for remote guidance... Tsk tsk, a super bomb capable of destroying the world was about to be born!
Of course, for safety reasons, Feng Yi planned to hire Zhongli as a security consultant, so there would be no worries about Klee and the others accidentally destroying the Jade Chamber. As for the consultation fee, Feng Yi estimated that twenty cans of precious tea (ten each from Mondstadt and Inazuma) should be sufficient. This salary might not be enough to hire a god, but it would definitely be enough to hire the leisurely and tea-loving Mr. Zhongli, who was always slacking off. After all, for Zhongli, there was nothing that couldn't be solved with good tea; if there was, it simply meant there wasn't enough good tea!
...
"Stay put! Don't look around!"
Muramasa, a soldier of the Sangonomiya resistance, pointed his spear at the merchant, finding him increasingly suspicious.
"Hmph, once Lord Sangonomiya's investigation is complete, I will surely..."
The merchant, Naruse, was indignant. He just wanted to make a little money, but to be treated like this! It was infuriating.
"Surely what?"
"Surely... uh, look, Lord Sangonomiya and the others are back!"
He spoke too soon. As merchant Naruse was at a loss for words, he happened to spot Sangonomiya Kokomi and her group returning with the carts.
"Those... those are all my goods! Thank you, Lord Sangonomiya! Thank you, friends, for your help!"
Naruse hurried over, checked the goods on the cart, and exclaimed with excitement.
"How about that? Didn't I say I was wronged?"
Merchant Naruse proudly looked at the Sangonomiya soldier, who had bullied him earlier.
"Hmph... Who knows? Maybe you had already made arrangements with the Fatui..."
Muramasa retorted stubbornly, still convinced there was something hidden behind this.
"Based on the information from the Fatui camp, he had no dealings with them. Otherwise, given the Fatui's methods, there would likely be some evidence left behind."
As the leader of Watatsumi Island, Kokomi directly addressed them, revealing the facts.
"But..."
"There's no 'but'. Since the cargo has been recovered, we must clear his name according to our previous agreement."
Muramasa was about to say more but was interrupted by Kokomi.
"We apologize for our haste."
Seeing that Lord Sangonomiya had made her decision, Muramasa and the others said no more and apologized to the merchant.
"Hmph hmph... I knew you soldiers were always slacking off and didn't do proper work, and yet you dared to trouble me. Now you know you were wrong?"
Merchant Naruse became arrogant and smug seeing the Sangonomiya soldiers finally bow their heads. Seeing merchant Naruse flaunt his petty triumph, Muramasa and the other soldiers swore that if they weren't soldiers, they would have loved to beat him up.
"Mr. Merchant, please don't be too smug. Although we have cleared your name, according to the latest decree, hoarding essential goods maliciously will be punished. Since you've admitted these are your goods, we will take necessary measures. In addition to mandatory sales at fair prices, there will be a fine, amounting to..."
Even Kokomi couldn't stand merchant Naruse's smug behavior.
"Stop, stop! Lord Sangonomiya, weren't you on my side?"
Merchant Naruse was dumbfounded. The Lord Sangonomiya who had spoken for him just moments ago was now issuing him a fine? How much money would this cost? Having to hand over the Mora he had earned felt worse than death.
"Of course not. I am the 'Living God' priestess of Watatsumi Island, and I adhere to the principle of 'rewards and punishments are clear.' Merits are rewarded, and faults are punished. Your innocence has been restored, but you must still pay the price for your actions."
Kokomi smiled faintly. When had she ever said she was on the merchant's side?
"Ah, this..."
The merchant wore a constipated expression, feeling worse than if he had eaten a fly.
"Lord Sangonomiya's discerning judgment and balanced approach to rewards and punishments are why she governs Watatsumi Island so efficiently. Truly commendable and worthy of learning!"
Kuki Shinobu agreed with Sangonomiya Kokomi's actions.
"Hahahahahaha... This great me also agrees with Arataki Itto's statement!"
Arataki Itto, who wasn't good with words, declared: "Me too!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Weren't you sent by the Tenryou Commission to help me? Why have you switched sides?"
Merchant Naruse was shocked. What was going on? Had he been stabbed in the back by his own people?
"Don't misunderstand. We are merely in a contractual relationship. Our commission was to help you recover your goods. Now that the goods are recovered, the commission has ended, and we have no further connection."
Kuki Shinobu waved her hand. Her words completely extinguished Naruse's last glimmer of hope.
"What are you looking at? Take him away! Go pay the fine!"
Matsuda looked at the constipated Naruse and felt a surge of satisfaction.
"Lord Sangonomiya, although this man claims all these are his goods, I find something strange. These items marked with the Tenryou Commission's insignia are undoubtedly his, but the other goods don't seem to be. Especially these, which are clearly intended for shrines."
Muramasa examined the cargo.
"Mmm... It seems the Fatui mixed all the stolen items together. Please work hard to find the owners of the other goods, and I will handle the shrine-related items."
Kokomi nodded, having noticed this as well.
"Understood. But Lord Sangonomiya..."
Muramasa hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.