The proprietor of the Jadeite could not believe his eyes. They didn't want a discount? Were rich people really this peculiar when it came to shopping?
"Alas, though the Jadeite is in decline nowadays, our ancestors have always been blessed by the Geo Archon. It is said that two hundred years ago, when the Geo Archon, in disguise, lost his way south of the city and tasted local snacks, he used a jade spoon from the Jadeite..."
The proprietor of the Jadeite was struck by a wave of sadness when he thought of the Geo Archon's hasty demise.
Feng Yi: "Lost"?
"All in the past... all in the past. Alas, since this is to bid farewell to the Geo Archon, allow me to offer a token of my goodwill. You may take them at half price..."
The proprietor of the Jadeite pressed his forehead with his hand and sighed. Though he was a merchant, he did not wish to profit from the Geo Archon's affairs.
"Sir, you are a good person. Your kind sentiments will surely be conveyed to the Geo Archon..."
Paimon nodded. This proprietor, though plump, had a good heart.
Zhongli: No need to convey it. I am right here.
"With the concerted efforts of the Liyue Qixing and the down-to-earth merchants, I am sure Liyue will continue to prosper as always."
Feeling the proprietor's sincerity, Zhongli no longer insisted and purchased three crates of Noctilucous Jade at half price.
"That's right! Cheer up! The future will only get better!"
Paimon clenched her tiny fists, cheering him on.
"Y-yes... yes, thank you, sirs. Hmm, what is wrong with me, looking so glum? My luck will slip away! Haha."
The proprietor of the Jadeite forced a smile and nodded.
"The Noctilucous Jade is ready. It will be sent to the Jade Chamber first, as that is where I have reserved the venue..."
Zhongli picked up a crate and led the way, with Feng Yi and Lumine each carrying one behind him. Paimon, however, was as light as a feather, her hands empty.
"Mr. Zhongli, we bought so much Noctilucous Jade. Which kind will we actually use? Do you have any methods of discerning them?"
Paimon: You probably don't know how to discern them, which is why you bought them all, right?!
Paimon wished she could help, but she was powerless. She couldn't even move half a crate, so she trailed behind everyone, making small talk to ease the awkwardness.
"Discerning the quality of Noctilucous Jade is indeed tricky. For an unrefined ore, regardless of its quality, its texture, hue, and internal patterns do not differ significantly. Only after the artifacts made from Noctilucous Jade are formed will one discover that some finished products are simply not presentable.
If one were to argue with those unscrupulous merchants at that point, they would likely deflect with excuses like 'your crafting table is poor' or 'the heating was not right'..."
Hearing Zhongli say this, Paimon chuckled. She knew Zhongli couldn't discern them, which was why he'd bought them all.
"However, a true method of discernment does exist—as the saying goes, 'pointing at the moon, not at the finger.' Observe the finger, not the moon."
Zhongli said calmly, well aware of what the little one was thinking.
"What do you mean?"
Paimon was utterly confused.
"If you point your finger at the moon, a wise person will understand you are indicating the moon. But a foolish person will only see the finger before them and not the moon. Patterns, outer shells... these are all 'fingers.' Noctilucous Jade is a rare stone used for illumination at night, and its brightness is as important as the moon in the sky.
The higher the quality of Noctilucous Jade, the better its Pyro elemental affinity. In other words, under high temperatures, the ore that glows brighter and bluer is of better quality."
This was a secret known only to those who had delved deeply into the study of ores, a secret worth a thousand pieces of gold, but of no consequence to Zhongli.
Lumine: Learned something new! As expected of Mr. Zhongli!
Paimon: More useless trivia added to the collection...
"You can leave the Noctilucous Jade here. I have already sent someone to summon a jeweler, and they will craft the artifacts required for the ritual. Oh, right, the fee for hiring the jeweler is also part of the funeral expenses. I'll have to ask the 'Childe' to reimburse me for it later..."
The group followed Zhongli as he placed the crates of Noctilucous Jade on the plaza of the Jade Chamber. Zhongli then rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
"Speaking of which, isn't this the place for the 'Rite of Descension' ceremony? And also the venue for the 'Farewell Ceremony'?"
Paimon looked around, finding the plaza strangely familiar. This was where she and Lumine had snuck away from before.
"Yes, I have rented this venue and begun preparations for the ceremony. This is also with the tacit approval of the Liyue Qixing."
Zhongli nodded. Of course, the rental fee would also be billed to the 'Childe,' contributing to Liyue's economic development.
"Such a major incident just happened here, and Lumine and I are still suspects. Be careful not to be apprehended by the Millelith. But I feel like ever since we returned from Jueyun Karst, we haven't encountered any troublesome Millelith. What's going on?"
Paimon felt an itch in her head, as if something were about to grow.
Feng Yi smiled and said nothing. He had already spoken to Ningguang, and Ningguang did not believe that Lumine and Paimon, with their abilities, could be the assassins of the Archon.
"The Qixing must already have a general idea... or perhaps have found some clues. You do not need to worry about such matters for now."
Zhongli nodded. He couldn't guarantee for all of the Qixing, but Ningguang, the Tianquan, likely suspected something.
"What about the Archon's immortal body? Such a huge dragon, has it been hidden away by the Qixing?"
Paimon had been too busy fleeing at the time to get a good look at the Archon's immortal body.
"You must be referring to the Archon's 'Ancestor's Remains.' Before the ceremony is held, the 'Ancestor's Remains' will be temporarily placed in the 'Golden House'."
Zhongli answered Paimon's question.
"The Golden House?"
"Liyue's only mint... and the only mint in all of Teyvat. All the Mora circulating in the seven nations of humanity are minted there."
"Woah— No, I'm not thinking of anything bad! I meant, it's very fitting for 'Morax's' identity. But why does Zhongli know about this?"
Seeing everyone's gaze on her, Paimon quickly waved her hands and said.
Although she really wanted to stuff her pockets with Mora from the Golden House, she decided it was best to just think about it.
"Since the Farewell Ceremony has the tacit approval of the Qixing, it is considered a semi-official event, so I can obtain some internal information."
Zhongli: If I didn't even know where the 'Ancestor's Remains' were being kept, what kind of Farewell Ceremony would this be?
"Alright, we need to go and prepare the incense paste for the ceremony. The quality of the Glaze Lilies required for this divine incense is also very specific.
The flower named 'Glaze Lily' has petals that are excellent fiber material, often used for brocade. Yet, its fragrance is incredibly elegant, making it particularly suitable for solemn occasions honoring the gods and immortals..."
Hearing Zhongli mention the incense paste, Feng Yi's heart skipped a beat. He knew *that woman* was about to make her entrance!