The golden dusk over Liyue Harbor deepened into a vibrant evening glow. Lanterns lit the narrow streets. Steam curled from food stalls. Workers returned home in lively chatter. The harbor breathed—alive, crowded, full of possibilities.
Ganyu and Takumi entered the city side-by-side.
To anyone watching, they were a peculiar pair:
Ganyu, the quiet half-qilin adeptus with immortal poise,
and Takumi, the white-haired outsider with a brand-new Geo Vision dangling awkwardly like a janitor's keychain.
Ganyu's Heart, Split Between Two Eras
Takumi noticed Ganyu's pace slow at times, her gaze slipping toward the harbor crowds with a faint melancholy.
He knew that look.
A person who belonged everywhere and nowhere at once.
"Miss Ganyu," he said softly, "you look troubled. Did something happen?"
Ganyu startled and shook her head quickly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Takumi. I was… thinking."
She didn't say it, but Takumi saw the conflict in her eyes.
After all, Zhongli stepping back meant the adepti might also withdraw. For someone like Ganyu—half human, half adeptus—that change was a seismic shift.
Before he could say more, she asked:
"Mr. Takumi… do you have a concrete plan? The Emperor told me you would change Liyue, but he gave no details."
Takumi cleared his throat, gathering confidence.
"I've decided," he said. "I want to build a new city."
Ganyu froze.
"…A new city?"
"Yes. Liyue Harbor is overcrowded. It'll hit bottlenecks soon. Instead of tearing down what already works, why not build something alongside it? A sister city."
"A sister city…" she repeated softly.
"I plan to build it in Guili Plains."
Ganyu's eyes widened. "Guili Plains… the place where the ancient city of Guizhong once stood."
"Yes," Takumi said firmly. "It's perfect. Trade routes, geography, river access, proximity to Wangshu Inn…"
"And with development, Yaoguang Shoal could become a resort zone."
"A… resort?"
It was the first time Ganyu ever heard that word.
Takumi laughed. "Think of it as a place for leisure. Rest. Relaxation. A cultural hub."
Ganyu quietly considered it.
The more she thought, the more the idea blossomed—dangerous yet beautiful.
A Summon From the Sky
Just then, a familiar figure approached them.
Baiwen, one of Ningguang's secretaries.
"Miss Ganyu," Baiwen said with a respectful nod. "Lady Ningguang has prepared a banquet. She requests you and… Mr. Takumi to come at once."
Ganyu bowed slightly.
"Understood."
Takumi blinked. "Banquet? Already? Isn't this too fast?"
Baiwen glanced at him with barely concealed curiosity.
"Lady Keqing returned to Liyue Harbor in great haste. She informed Lady Ningguang of your identity. Given the Emperor's decree… the Qixing must discuss matters immediately."
Takumi felt his stomach turn.
Oh no. Oh crap. This is a whole government meeting.
He followed Ganyu and Baiwen up the path toward Yujing Terrace.
Passing Through Yujing Terrace — An Unexpected Encounter
Yujing Terrace was bigger, grander, louder than any depiction he'd seen in the game. Scholars, merchants, guards—everyone bustled around.
Takumi's eyes wandered—
and landed on an elderly lady sipping tea at a quiet corner.
Madame Ping.
Her eyes met his.
A quiet, knowing warmth in them.
Takumi bowed instinctively.
She returned the gesture with a gentle smile, then resumed her tea.
Ganyu and Baiwen didn't even notice.
So the adepti already know about me, Takumi thought.
Zhongli… you sly old fox.
The Jade Chamber — Liyue's Floating Palace
They took the elegant elevator platform upward.
Takumi's breath hitched.
He'd seen the Jade Chamber in-game.
But nothing compared to the real thing.
Floating above the harbor, bathed in moonlight, it shone like a drifting dream. Paper lamps swayed in the breeze. Golden banners fluttered. Fragrant incense curled in the air.
As the platform reached the top—
Takumi saw them.
Ningguang.
Keqing.
Uncle Tian.
Waiting at the entrance.
Behind them, rows of servants and secretaries lined up like a silent honor guard.
Holy… this is too serious! Even my graduation ceremony wasn't this intense!
Ganyu stepped slightly forward, posture straight and respectful.
Baiwen bowed. "Lady Ningguang, I have brought them."
Ningguang's eyes were the first to meet Takumi's.
Cold. Calculating. Brilliant.
Yet with a faint glimmer of curiosity.
"So," she said, voice smooth as ivory, "you are Takumi."
Takumi froze—
Not because of fear.
But because she was overwhelmingly gorgeous.
He bowed immediately.
"I am Takumi. It's an honor to meet you, Lady Ningguang."
Uncle Tian stroked his beard. "So you're the foreigner with whom the Emperor formed a contract."
Keqing stepped forward from Ningguang's side. "The Emperor entrusted this man with the mandate to help transform Liyue."
Ningguang's eyes narrowed, analyzing him from head to toe.
"Bold of the Emperor," she murmured. "Though… if he sees potential, I suppose we must also see for ourselves."
Takumi wanted to sink into the floor.
His system, unhelpfully, decided this was a good time to chime in:
[SYSTEM]
Warning: High-pressure negotiation zone detected.
Please do not panic.
User heart rate: Elevated.
Sweat production: Noticeable.
Takumi: SHUT UP.
[SYSTEM]
Understood. Muting for 30 seconds.
Ningguang's First Question
Ningguang clasped her folding fan and asked calmly:
"Takumi. By Zhongli's decree, you are to bring beneficial changes to Liyue. Tell us—what is your first plan?"
Takumi inhaled deeply.
Then smiled.
"I want to build a new city."
Keqing froze. Ganyu stiffened. Uncle Tian choked.
Ningguang's eyelashes fluttered. "…A new city?"
"Yes," Takumi said confidently. "Liyue Harbor is overcrowded. Future bottlenecks will arise. Instead of trying to rework an entire ancient structure, building a second city will ease the pressure."
He pointed southward.
"I propose the site: Guili Plains."
Ningguang lowered her fan, interest sparking.
"You propose rebuilding the ruins of an ancient city?"
Takumi nodded. "Not rebuilding. Reinventing. A new Liyue—modern, efficient, with planned districts and controlled growth."
He continued:
"I want a city that serves as a testing ground for new industries:
Electronics
Agricultural machinery
Entertainment & cultural venues
Food processing centers
Workshops and academies"
Keqing looked startled. "That's… ambitious."
Ganyu's voice trembled slightly. "And… impressive."
Ningguang's gaze sharpened.
She saw the vision.
The scope.
The risk.
The opportunity.
"This," she said slowly, "will cost Mora."
Takumi sweat.
Here it comes.
"Approximately, how much do you require?"
Takumi opened his mouth—
And the system flashed bright red.
[SYSTEM]
Projected Budget Needed: Minimum 50,000 Mora
Estimated Adjusted Total (Market Inflation): 60,000–80,000 Mora
Current Funds: 0 Mora
User Financial Status: Catastrophic
Takumi: THIS IS THE WORST POSSIBLE TIMING.
He swallowed.
"…Quite a lot."
Ningguang's lips curved.
A small, dangerous smile.
"Of course. But if you can convince the Qixing that this development will elevate Liyue's future… then we will consider funding."
She raised her fan, signaling the start of formality.
"Tonight's banquet is not merely a dinner. It is your first evaluation."
Keqing stiffened but remained respectful. "We should listen to everything he has to say."
Ganyu nodded softly. "We will support the Emperor's will."
Takumi straightened.
This was it.
The beginning.
In this floating palace, under Liyue's moonlight and the eyes of its stewards—
Takumi would present his dream.
And Liyue would decide whether the future would accept him.