Chapter 71

After their conversation, both had formed initial impressions of each other.

Jiang Ning felt that the Anemo Archon was just like in the game - an "ehe" weirdo.

Venti, on the other hand, thought that the old man had good eyes - this child gave a very good first impression.

Venti seemed to have something else to attend to, so he made an excuse and left.

The direction he headed...

Jiang Ning's eyes flickered - that place should be the Stormterror's Lair, right?

If that's the case, the story should be beginning soon...

After returning to Mondstadt, Jiang Ning arrived at the entrance of the Goth Hotel and found Huixin and two Millelith soldiers standing there with troubled expressions.

In front of them were figures wearing black clothes and masks.

There were also two tall, thin people wearing cloaks and leather clothes.

Fatui? And Debt Collectors?

Jiang Ning frowned - why were these Fatui like lingering ghosts wherever they went?

As Jiang Ning walked over, he heard the content of their dispute.

"In conclusion, we Fatui intend to book the entire Goth Hotel as our base. You should find somewhere else."

Huixin's expression was difficult, but her tone remained calm: "Are you saying that we from Liyue should give way to you from Snezhnaya?"

"Is this your personal opinion, or Snezhnaya's stance?"

In just a few sentences, the matter was elevated to an international level.

Huixin was fearless, after all, she was part of a diplomatic mission representing Liyue. She had both the authority and duty to maintain Liyue's dignity.

If they really gave way, outsiders would think Liyue feared Snezhnaya.

Moreover, they arrived first - they had reason on their side.

Even if the matter was escalated to the Qixing or even Rex Lapis, they had nothing to fear.

And what about the opposition? Just a minor Fatui Clerk. As a high-ranking member of Yuehai Pavilion, Huixin knew that these clerks only handled routine matters and weren't even diplomatic officials...

Under normal circumstances, Snezhnaya would surely find a way to back down gracefully, and their side would make some compromises. This way, neither side would lose face, and surface-level cordiality would be maintained.

However, the opposition seemed to be either stupid or accustomed to being arrogant.

He directly crossed his arms and sneered: "Hmph, doesn't Liyue still rely on us Snezhnayans to suppress the monsters from the Chasm? Don't worry about whether this is Snezhnaya's stance or not - we Fatui will absolutely take over this hotel."

"If you refuse, then our Harbinger will come to discuss this with you personally."

Harbinger? Which one?

Huixin frowned.

There hadn't been any news about this... she should warn Acting Grand Master Jean.

Moreover, this Fatui was truly brainless - how could he reveal such intelligence so casually?

Seeing Huixin's silence, he thought she was afraid and became even more smug: "If you don't move out quickly, I'll have to use force."

The two Debt Collectors behind him started fidgeting restlessly.

Huixin felt like a scholar encountering thugs. The Millelith behind her gripped their spears tightly, faces full of anger.

But objectively speaking, ordinary Millelith soldiers were no match for Fatui Debt Collectors.

Huixin's face also turned cold: "Absolutely not. If your Harbinger wants to come, then let them come! I want to see just what makes Snezhnaya so arrogant."

The atmosphere instantly dropped to freezing point, becoming tense.

The Knights of Favonius nearby saw the situation wasn't good and rushed to report to Acting Grand Master Jean.

Liyue and Snezhnaya confronting each other in Mondstadt - this was no small matter.

The Mondstadt citizens around them looked at the Liyue side with some envy for unknown reasons.

This was the confidence that Rex Lapis gave them... In contrast, their Knights of Favonius were basically useless.

The Fatui Clerk directly snorted through his nose and waved his hand. The Debt Collectors behind him shot forward like arrows released from a bow.

This clearly wasn't their first time doing such things.

The Millelith behind Huixin gritted their teeth, preparing to stand firm.

Even if they died, they couldn't let the Fatui look down on them.

However, even with such resolve, the difference in combat power was obvious.

The first strike pushed back the Millelith, the second was a blade aimed at their throat - they were really going for the kill!

Huixin was shocked and angry. How dare the Fatui? This was Mondstadt territory, not Snezhnaya, and they were Liyue's diplomatic mission!

"Crystallize Shield."

Jiang Ning finally made his move. At the critical moment, all three Liyue people gained a shield around them.

This was the same type of shield as Master Zhongli's. Although its defense and durability weren't as good as the master's, it was enough to deal with these Fatui.

"What's going on?" The clerk was enraged.

"Manifest!"

Again using Cryo element, plus Skyward Spine's Anemo enhancement, in an instant, the previously vicious Debt Collectors became two ice sculptures.

"Who dares to attack us Fatui!"

The clerk seemed somewhat panicked.

"And what are you? How dare you attack our Liyue people?"

Jiang Ning walked over calmly, holding Skyward Spine.

"Jiang Ning!"

Huixin felt relieved. With Jiang Ning and Shenhe here, they could probably fight even a Harbinger.

"You, who are you? I am a direct clerk to a Fatui Harbinger! Snezhnaya's..."

"Alright, alright, we get it, you're pulling rank?" 

Jiang Ning looked at this person with disdain. When bullying the weak, they were all extremely arrogant, but now that they were the weaker party, they started throwing around backgrounds.

"Clerk? What's that worth?" Jiang Ning was sharp-tongued, "If Snezhnaya is full of people like you, you might as well just end it all."

"You, you dare insult our Snezhnaya..." Although the clerk wore a mask, it was clear he was extremely angry.

"You what? You insulted our Liyue first, so it's okay when you insult others?"

"And you want to compare backgrounds? Fine, I'll tell you who I am. I, Jiang Ning, am the direct envoy of the Tianquan, Yuheng, and Tianshu of Liyue, younger martial brother to Ganyu, the General Secretary of Yuehai Pavilion, disciple of the adepti, and junior to Rex Lapis."

These titles were increasingly frightening. Jiang Ning usually didn't mention them, and even Huixin had forgotten just what kind of background this young man had.

When actually brought up, it was like stirring up a hornet's nest, and moreover, Huixin, as one of the high-ranking officials, knew that he was their sect's most favored...

It was said that even the adeptus at Yujing Terrace was very fond of him.

The clerk's face had almost turned white.

"You... you... hmph, wait until the Harbinger arrives, you'll see!"

After leaving this standard villain's line, he quickly tried to escape, not even caring about his two frozen subordinates.