Chapter 47

Jiang Ning was playing with one of the delicate jade pendants among the gifts Ningguang had given as compensation.

The jade felt smooth to the touch, clearly not an ordinary piece.

As for Ganyu, she was walking ahead of Ning.

Jiang Ning put away the jade pendant and looked at his senior disciple.

Usually, when outside, his senior disciple would wear a shawl.

Only in the office or at home would she take it off.

Jiang Ning was fortunate enough to be among those who had seen Ganyu's fair back.

To put it simply, it was the kind of back that would be a waste not to put some fire cupping on.

Ganyu's back and the slimes, Shenhe's legs and waist-to-hip ratio.

Those were truly the cream of the crop.

Ning's mind wandered.

"Little junior brother, today was quite a fruitful day indeed," Ganyu said.

"Yes, yes indeed..." Jiang Ning replied.

"The Skyward Spine is a divine weapon from Mondstadt, said to be forged by the Anemo Archon Barbatos himself, one of the Skyward series of divine weapons."

Ganyu was very happy: "This way, little junior brother, your strength will reach another level."

Jiang Ning tried it out. Although it couldn't let him directly use Anemo elements, it still contained a trace of power from the Anemo Archon.

At least, he could apply and spread it on himself.

Although in the game, the Skyward Spine was jokingly called the "mint spear" due to its appearance and was considered one of the more disappointing 5-star weapons.

But in reality, a divine weapon was a divine weapon, especially one connected to the Anemo Archon.

Jiang Ning said: "Actually, I think that now my personal savings are finally sufficient, and I won't need senior sister to support me anymore."

Ganyu complained playfully: "What's wrong with that? I'm your senior sister, isn't it only natural?"

Jiang Ning chuckled: "It feels better using my own money. Alright, let's head home."

Ganyu said: "Mm, okay... It's surprising that the Tianquan was willing to bleed so much this time..."

Although Ganyu had previously joked about whether they would bring out a divine weapon, it was mostly in jest. In Ganyu's opinion, bringing out other famous spears would have been good enough, but Ningguang's boldness was quite impressive.

Shenhe said: "I feel she was very sincere."

Jiang Ning said: "She's a very beautiful big sister."

Shenhe suddenly became alert, taking back her previous words - no sincerity, she's a bad person.

...

"If you have something to ask, just ask."

Ningguang placed one hand gently on the window frame, looking down at the myriad lights of Liyue Harbor, speaking softly.

Behind her, Baishi finally said:

"Lady Ningguang, there's something I don't understand. Why did you offer such a huge compensation?"

"That Skyward Spine was something you spent a lot of money and effort to obtain, it was one of your most precious collections..."

Ningguang said: "I know, but it was a necessary cost."

"He's a disciple of the adepti, and also Ganyu's junior brother. Both publicly and privately, we should show our stance. Moreover... consider it my investment in that young man."

Ningguang had a feeling that she would need to ask for this young man's help in the future.

Ningguang's intuition had always been very accurate. Relying on her intuition, she had turned crisis into opportunity and defeat into victory multiple times in business battles.

Therefore, building good relationships in advance was definitely not wrong.

Seeing Ningguang's confidence, Baishi seemed to half-understand, but still felt that Lady Ningguang must have her reasons for doing this.

Returning to her desk, although there wasn't much work, Ningguang enjoyed exchanging letters with her pen pals during her leisure time.

Especially this one - the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius in neighboring Mondstadt, Jean Gunnhildr.

This young lady had taken up the responsibility of protecting Mondstadt at such a young age.

The two often exchanged letters. Sometimes Jean would ask about her concerns, and Ningguang would patiently answer in her letters.

Over time, Ningguang had gained the friendship of the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius.

It was a good deal - having an equal exchange with a pen pal while gaining goodwill from another nation's high-ranking official.

Today, the Acting Grand Master had sent another letter.

After reading it carefully, Ningguang was surprised.

"The winds in Mondstadt are changing?"

Ningguang pondered.

Although nothing bad had happened yet, Jean was very sensitive to the wind, and she felt that recently, there was a destructive and ominous presence in Mondstadt's winds.

Ningguang believed in such premonitions - better safe than sorry.

On the continent of Teyvat, those closer to the divine, these representatives of the gods, could have certain premonitions to some degree.

Ningguang thought for a while, then picked up her brush and began to write:

"Dear Grand Master Jean, This is Tianquan Ningguang..."

...

Zhongli was quietly drinking tea in the courtyard of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

"The tea is clear, sweet, and refreshing, the leaves are fragrant and elegant... good tea. Director, this tea is meant to be savored, not... ah, never mind."

Zhongli's tea ceremony skills were quite impressive, but seeing his carefully prepared tea being downed in one gulp by the quirky young lady in front of him, he couldn't help but feel helpless.

Hu Tao stuck out her tongue at Zhongli, then patted his shoulder, saying earnestly:

"Zhongli, let me tell you something. Don't always act like this, you look just like an old man, even though you're not that old..."

Zhongli chuckled lightly: "It's just a lifestyle habit."

Hu Tao pouted: "Boring... Oh right, Zhongli, the Funeral Parlor's expenses seem to have increased lately, do you know what's going on?"

Zhongli choked slightly, then said calmly: "I'm not sure."

Hu Tao wrinkled her cute nose, her plum-blossom pupils filled with dissatisfaction.

"Hmph, if I find out who's been lining their own pockets down there, I'll bury them alive!"

Zhongli said: "Mm, by the way, Director, it seems there have been some ghost disturbances at Wuwang Hill recently?"

He needed to change the subject quickly, otherwise, Zhongli felt his spine getting cold.

"Oh, that? It's normal. It's that time again. Every month at this time, the yin energy at Wuwang Hill is strongest, and there are always some spirits unwilling to pass on. That's when the Director needs to step in!"

Hu Tao proudly puffed out her chest.

"However, while I'm away, the Funeral Parlor's business is up to you. Go out and distribute more flyers, got it?"

"Understood, Director." Zhongli nodded slightly.

Hu Tao waved her hand: "You can stay here and make your tea. I have work to do tonight, bye!"

With that, she cheerfully left.

Zhongli withdrew his gaze and looked towards Mondstadt.

The earth tells me that the winds in Mondstadt seem to have changed... Is my old friend about to awaken?