Outside Liyue Harbor.
A girl with a strange contraption on her head stood atop a cliff.
"Phew… that was fast!"
Yanfei looked down at the familiar cityscape of Liyue, a smile spreading across her face.
She had left Mondstadt that very morning,
and now, before noon, she was already back.
Faster than she'd imagined— and she'd enjoyed the scenery the entire way.
The experience was delightful.
"I need to report this to Lady Keqing quickly… and then hurry back to Mondstadt."
Her heart still itched for Boss Han's manga.
The thought of Eula and Xiangling already having finished a volume filled her with envy.
"Lady Keqing should be on Yujing Terrace right now…"
Yanfei guessed.
That was usually where Keqing worked, so she'd likely find her there.
Fixing her direction, she adjusted her flight path toward Yujing Terrace.
But her unusual flight soon drew the eyes of many in Liyue Harbor.
"Eh? Someone's flying?"
"What's so strange? People jump off cliffs with gliders all the time."
"No, look closer! She's not using wind gliders!"
"You're right… then how—? Could it be that little gadget on her head?"
"Wait, isn't that Miss Yanfei? I heard she went to Mondstadt with Miss Xiangling. How is she back already?"
"Could she have gotten some kind of amazing artifact over there? That is the land of the Anemo Archon…"
"Maybe… we'll just have to ask around later."
Murmurs spread, curiosity thick in the air.
Many eyes lingered on Yanfei's bamboo-copter.
If only they could have such a device for themselves…
Yanfei, oblivious to the gossip below, continued flying leisurely, admiring Liyue's scenery from above.
The perspective was refreshing.
But mid-flight, she froze.
"Eh? Isn't that Lady Keqing? And Lady Ningguang too… along with her three secretaries?"
Surprise lit her face.
Who would have thought she'd run into them here, together?
Perfect. That saved her a trip to Yujing Terrace.
She descended at once, landing before the two Qixing.
"Yanfei, you've returned from Mondstadt?"
Keqing's tone was calm, unsurprised.
After all, Xiangling had already told her.
But still—so fast!
That bamboo-copter really was incredible.
Yanfei scratched her head, puzzled.
How did Lady Keqing already know she'd come back from Mondstadt?
Still, she quickly remembered her purpose.
"Lady Keqing, I have something important to report—"
"No need. I already know."
Keqing waved her hand.
Yanfei: (⊙_⊙)
Wait… what?
"I haven't said anything yet—how do you know?!"
"Let me guess… you were about to say: Lady Keqing, I discovered a mysterious manga shop in Mondstadt, where reading manga grants rewards."
Keqing's tone was deliberately mysterious.
(⊙_⊙)
"Huh?! Lady Keqing, how could you possibly know?!"
Yanfei was utterly dumbfounded.
Did this mean… Keqing had already visited the shop herself?
Then all her rushing back here had been for nothing?!
What a loss!
"May I see the device on your head?"
Ningguang's voice cut in, calm yet inquisitive.
From the moment Yanfei descended, her sharp eyes had caught the gadget.
This must be the bamboo-copter Keqing spoke of— the very tool that let Yanfei fly back to Liyue in mere hours.
Naturally, Ningguang was intrigued.
"O-Of course! But please, Lady Ningguang, be careful with it!"
Yanfei removed the bamboo-copter and handed it over.
She'd worked hard to draw this reward— if it broke, she might never get another.
After all, the prizes were random.
"Don't worry."
Ningguang smiled faintly, taking it into her hands.
Up close, it looked simple, almost like a child's toy.
Had she not known its capabilities, she might have dismissed it as such.
"This manga shop really is extraordinary…"
Ningguang murmured, awed.
Such a small, whimsical-looking object, yet with powers so wondrous.
The more she saw, the greater her anticipation grew.
After examining it carefully, she returned it to Yanfei.
The simpler it appeared, the harder it was to replicate.
Clearly, these items could only be obtained from the shop itself.
"Exactly! Whether it's the shop or Boss Han, everything about them is mysterious!
If you can imagine it, they can make it happen!"
Yanfei grinned, holding her treasure close.
She'd experienced it firsthand.
That was why she had rushed back so eagerly.
But one thing still gnawed at her: how did Lady Keqing already know?
The shop had only opened a few days ago!
"Come with us, and you'll understand soon enough."
Keqing's lips curled into a knowing smile.
She was looking forward to Yanfei's reaction.
"Eh?"
Yanfei blinked.
She had planned to head straight back to Mondstadt for more manga.
But judging from Keqing's expression… Perhaps they were going somewhere unusual?
Curiosity won out. She stayed.
Before long, the six of them arrived at their destination.
Yanfei's eyes widened in shock.
"The Solace Book House?!"
Here in Liyue, too?
So Boss Han had opened a branch store?
No wonder Keqing knew.
But… Why had she never heard of this before?
"It only appeared today. I found it by chance."
Keqing explained with a smile.
"Go inside, and you'll see its wonders for yourself."
She stepped through the door first.
Ningguang and the secretaries exchanged a glance, then followed eagerly.
Ever since Keqing had told them, they had been dying to witness this marvel.
Now, at last, the chance had come.
~~--------------------------------------
To read 65+ future chapters head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/YonkoSlayer