Chapter 18

"Nathan... you want to become business partners with me?"

In the empty corner, Ningguang set down her teacup. Upon hearing his intention to cooperate, her first instinct was caution. Because honestly... at this particular moment, the timing was far too convenient!

"What's wrong... is it not possible to work with you, Ningguang?"

Nathan was puzzled by Ningguang's reaction. A simple invitation had prompted such a cautious response.

"Is there... something taboo about it?"

Nathan probed carefully, trying to activate his mind-reading talent through Ningguang's expressions. But when he actually attempted it, he found he couldn't read her mind. It had worked on that noisy middle-aged woman earlier, but failed with Ningguang. This could only mean that the future Tianquan was leagues above the previous person.

Ningguang changed the subject, avoiding his question and instead throwing one back at him.

"Nathan... let me ask you something first. Have you heard of the Liyue Qixing?"

"No... Today is actually my first day in Liyue."

Nathan shook his head calmly. According to the life simulator's settings, he was a traveling merchant who had never been to Liyue before. Even if he knew about the Qixing, he had to pretend otherwise.

"Simply put, the Qixing is the highest governing body under Rex Lapis that controls Liyue. Recently, the current Tianquan of the Qixing is preparing to retire..."

"So you mean... you're planning to compete for this position in the Qixing?"

Following Ningguang's explanation, Nathan voiced his guess. It wasn't really a guess though, since in reality, Ningguang had long secured her position as the Tianquan.

"Wrong... It's not that I'm planning to compete, but that I'm already in the midst of competition."

"What... so those two people who were giving you trouble earlier, were they actually testing you?"

Nathan raised his voice. After Ningguang's explanation, he immediately thought of the two shop owners who had been actively targeting her.

"No, the test I'm referring to is selling out all the goods in the shop. Those two were merely petty troublemakers."

Ningguang's thin lips curved upward as she explained disdainfully.

Now Nathan completely understood. Ningguang was currently participating in the trial to become Tianquan. The two shop owners who had been targeting her were actually sent by her competitors to cause trouble.

"But why weren't you angry at all when they were targeting you?"

Nathan still remembered the scene clearly. No matter how the two nearby shop owners slandered her, Ningguang remained completely unfazed.

"Wrong again. If I had gotten angry, I would have played right into their hands."

Ningguang smiled gently, standing to refill Nathan's tea.

"The trial to become Tianquan isn't just about capability; it's more about testing the participants temperament. If I had truly gotten angry, I would have been close to elimination."

As Ningguang explained the reason, Nathan marveled at the mastermind's cunning.

"But... why didn't you report such malicious targeting to the authorities?"

"It's quite simple - there's no evidence. The person behind this is the heir of a certain Liyue noble family, and they're quite professional at creating obstacles!"

"Noble family..."

Hearing these words, Nathan fell silent. Whether in reality or simulation, these people were like parasites. The dark deeds they performed behind the scenes were beyond imagination.

"Your opponent is a Liyue noble family. Aren't you worried, Ningguang?"

In Liyue, a thousand-year-old trading hub, the influence of those called noble families was terrifyingly vast. However, thinking again, Ningguang's dismissal of them as mere troublemakers made her even more admirable.

"Worried? They should be the ones fearing me. Fearing my abilities, fearing that I'll trample them underfoot."

Still holding the teapot, Ningguang hadn't even sat down.

"After all... I'm the one who truly started from nothing!"

From a vendor shouting at the Liyue harbor to a merchant of some wealth now - this was Ningguang's ability and dedication. In other words, her rise from nothing made her truly the most fearsome competitor.

"However... now that you know my opponent is a Liyue noble family, do you still want to cooperate?"

Speaking thus, Ningguang cast an appraising look at Nathan. From a normal person's perspective, having just arrived in Liyue and wanting to establish oneself, offending a noble family would definitely not be a good choice.

[Faced with Ningguang's test, do you choose to accept or refuse?]

"Of course... isn't it even more exciting to have those high and mighty noble families as opponents?"

But Nathan was clearly not a normal person. 

Still within the life simulation, and with the system prompt appearing in his consciousness space, based on experience from the previous simulation, choosing to refuse here would definitely end the simulation immediately. 

After all, this simulation chapter was called "The Tianquan Who Veils the Moon!."

The simulation's progression clearly revolved around Ningguang and the Liyue Qixing. Unless he was foolish, Nathan would certainly not choose to refuse.

"I truly hadn't misjudged you. You're quite an interesting person, Nathan!"

Ningguang didn't know his thoughts, but upon hearing his answer, her smile brightened even more.

"Let's work together, Ningguang. I'll help you claim the position of Tianquan!"

Nathan stood up immediately, extending his right hand to Ningguang.

"But in helping me become Tianquan, what benefit do you seek, Nathan?"

"To be honest, I don't have any ulterior motives regarding you, Ningguang. I simply want to help you reach that position."

Nathan shook his head - this was truly his most honest thought. He only needed Ningguang to become one of the Qixing to receive the corresponding reward from the life simulator; he didn't need anything from her!

After this conversation, silence fell between them. 

From the beginning until now, Ningguang's guard hadn't dropped. 

After all, considering the Liyue noble families, Nathan could still be a piece in their game.

But after a long moment of eye contact, Ningguang saw unexpected sincerity in Nathan's eyes. 

So there really were people who would become business partners based on interest alone.

At least for Ningguang, who had always operated on logic, this was something she couldn't do. Seeking profit was supposed to be a merchant's true nature.

But perhaps Nathan, who had helped her complete the trial, was truly that exception...

"Then I look forward to working with you, my dear ally!"

Ningguang extended her delicate hand, firmly grasping Nathan's palm!

A/N - reached 100 Powerstones yeee.. As promised I will upload 5 chapters tomorrow

Next goal 200