The first completed car and the newly built dump truck had thrown the entire construction site into chaos—but the excited, optimistic kind of chaos.
For three days straight, workers bragged about the historic moment they witnessed, Klee repeatedly begged for a driving lesson, and the Qianyan Army lined up like schoolchildren to learn how to steer a truck.
Even Cloud Retainer, normally aloof, had perched on various platforms to watch with narrowed eyes—sometimes approving, sometimes nitpicking.
By the fourth morning, the Guili Plains felt different.
Liyue was changing.
And everyone could feel it.
1. The New Age of Vehicles
Takumi stood beside the dozen dump trucks he had created the previous night. His elemental energy hadn't recovered yet, and his face still looked pale.
Keqing scolded him the moment she saw him.
"You're not allowed to conjure that many objects at once again. You collapsed like a deflated slime."
Takumi waved her concern away. "I learned my lesson. I only needed one burnout to understand my limits."
Cloud Retainer, perched above, scoffed loudly.
"Hmph! Mortals and their fragile bodies. If only humans were sturdier like Adepti—then such small tasks would not exhaust them."
Keqing muttered, "Says the Adeptus who once got stuck in a teapot because she miscalculated her own weight."
Cloud Retainer froze mid-preen.
"…That was an experimental meditation technique," she insisted.
Takumi only laughed.
Meanwhile Albedo was kneeling beside the trucks, examining the engine seams and the conduction plates.
"The elemental cores are stable. If we keep production organized, small vehicles should be ready for large-scale assembly next month."
The surrounding Liyue alchemists nodded vigorously, inspired by him.
But Klee was the loudest voice.
"Brother Takumi! Can Klee drive yet?"
"No," everyone said at once.
Klee fell backward dramatically like a fainting slime.
"Cruel… so cruel…"
Albedo patted her head gently. "Don't worry, Klee. You'll help test explosions for the safety protocols."
This immediately revived her.
"SAFETY EXPLOSIONS!?"
"No—" Sucrose squeaked. "Albedo! We mean blast-resistant testing, not blowing up the vehicles!"
"Oh," Klee said, disappointed. "Less fun…"
2. The Bridge Problem
Once the training began, the Qianyan Army attempted to drive the dump trucks in a controlled line. The results were:
2 stalled engines
1 soldier screaming "Brake!! Which one is brake!?"
1 accidental horn that scared half the workers
and 1 ditch incident (minor)
Yet overall, they made progress.
But Keqing returned to the central tent with a worried expression.
"Takumi… we have a real problem. The weight tests show the trucks exceed the maximum safe load for the bridges in both Guili Plains and Liyue Harbor."
Takumi nodded. "Yeah. Wooden bridges won't survive the industrial age."
Cloud Retainer flapped her wings once.
"Hmph. You should have realized that earlier."
Takumi smiled mischievously.
"That's why we have you."
Cloud Retainer froze.
"…What do you mean by that?"
Takumi folded his arms.
"We need the Geo Archon. A reconstruction of Liyue's bridges—stone, reinforced, and layered with Geo inscriptions. No one else can do that level of work quickly."
Keqing frowned. "Zhongli? He might kill you if you call him for manual labor."
Takumi shrugged. "Then I'll treat him to Osmanthus wine."
Cloud Retainer let out a choking sound.
"That will certainly work," Keqing said dryly.
Just then, Verr Goldet approached, holding a message slip.
"Mr. Takumi, a letter from Liyue Harbor."
Takumi opened it and saw a familiar calligraphy style.
Ningguang.
In the message, she asked:
When the vehicles would be ready for government use
If bridges needed reinforcement
And whether she should prepare an industrial district land allocation
Takumi smirked.
"She already figured out the bridge problem. Ningguang really is two steps ahead."
Keqing crossed her arms. "Three steps. She's probably already planning toll booths."
Cloud Retainer brightened.
"Ah! A toll system! Money collected from bridge usage! I approve of this mortal's financial mindset."
Keqing stared at the Adeptus.
"…How are you and Ningguang not best friends?"
Cloud Retainer pretended not to hear.
3. The Yanfei Mission — The Laws of the Road
At sunrise the next morning, Takumi prepared to return to Liyue Harbor.
Klee tugged his coat.
"Brother Takumi, can Klee come too?"
"No. Someone needs to stay and… not blow up the construction site."
Klee deflated instantly.
Albedo placed a small drawing notebook into her hands.
"Here. Practice drawing new bomb shapes. No explosions."
Klee beamed. "Okay!!"
Sucrose sighed in relief.
Takumi mounted the bamboo raft with two Qianyan soldiers.
"Destination: Liyue Harbor. I need to meet Yanfei."
Keqing nodded. "We'll hold things down here. Message me if anything happens."
Cloud Retainer hovered above them.
"This immortal shall continue observing the mortals' attempts at mechanical operation."
Takumi waved.
"Don't scare the soldiers too much."
"Hmph."
Arriving at Liyue Harbor
The moment Takumi arrived, the harbor was bustling as usual—but more curious eyes than normal turned toward him.
Some merchants whispered:
"That's the man building the new city."
"They say he made a metal carriage that moves without horses!"
"Impossible."
"Is it? Liyue keeps surprising us."
Takumi ignored the chatter and headed toward the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Yanfei was already waiting outside, waving a stack of papers enthusiastically.
"There you are! I heard rumors about your 'moving metal machine,' and let me tell you—half the harbor is buzzing about it. So! Let's talk legal frameworks!"
Takumi laughed.
"You're really excited."
"Of course! New inventions mean new laws! This is once-in-a-century work!"
Yanfei practically dragged him into the meeting room.
4. Drafting Teyvat's First Traffic Laws
Yanfei slapped the table dramatically.
"Alright! Before people start ramming carts into fruit stalls, we need:"
Speed limits
Right-of-way rules
Driving permits
Lane divisions
Vehicle registration forms
Fines for reckless driving
Accident protocols
Ownership liability
Insurance—oh, we are definitely adding insurance
Takumi blinked.
"…Insurance? Already?"
Yanfei smirked.
"Of course. You invent danger, I invent protection."
Takumi couldn't even argue.
She continued enthusiastically.
"Oh! And we must have a special clause for Vision holders. They can recharge vehicles infinitely, so imagine if one hothead starts racing through docks!"
Takumi thought for a moment.
"That's fair. We'll include elemental restrictions."
Yanfei scribbled faster than any human should legally be allowed to.
"This is the most fun case I've had all year."
Takumi nodded. "Good. Once you finish the basic draft, I'll have Keqing propose it officially."
Yanfei gave a thumbs up.
"Leave it to me!"
5. Meeting Zhongli — The Geo Bridge Project
After the meeting, Takumi headed toward the Wanmin Restaurant area, following a familiar presence.
Zhongli stood near the docks, gazing at the sea.
Takumi approached. "Zhongli, I need your help."
Zhongli smiled knowingly. "I assumed you would."
"You did?"
Zhongli chuckled. "When one builds machines of metal and stone, it is only natural they will require roads of equal strength."
Takumi grinned.
"So… can you help reinforce Liyue's bridges?"
Zhongli placed a hand on the railing, his amber eyes glowing faintly.
"Of course. Liyue's prosperity is our shared responsibility.
Show me the specifications."
Takumi handed him a blueprint.
Zhongli nodded approvingly.
"Well done. These structures shall stand for centuries. I will begin immediately."
Takumi exhaled.
"Thanks. You're a lifesaver."
Zhongli corrected gently:
"A bridge-saver."
Takumi groaned jokingly.
"Not you too with the puns."
Zhongli only smiled.
6. Back to Guili Plains — Progress Surges
By the time Takumi returned to Guili Plains:
The Qianyan Army had learned to operate the dump trucks (with some comedy incidents).
Albedo had begun crafting larger energy cores.
Cloud Retainer was teaching mechanical theory to terrified young alchemists.
Klee had drawn 17 new bomb designs, each more terrifying than the last.
Keqing had arranged more manpower from Liyue Harbor.
And Ganyu had sent updated documents showing economic projections rising sharply.
When Takumi stepped back onto the site, all eyes turned toward him hopefully.
"Takumi! What did Yanfei say?"
"Is Zhongli helping?"
"When can we get electricity?"
"When will street lights be installed?"
"Can Klee drive yet?"
"NO," everyone replied automatically.
Takumi smiled.
"Alright. Let's get back to work. Transportation phase: officially unlocked."
And somewhere inside his mind—
[SYSTEM] — NEW CITY DEVELOPMENT MODULE ACTIVATED]
Next Objective:
Industrial District (Electronics, Agriculture, Food, Entertainment)
+
Mass Transit Preparations
+
Blueprint Upgrade Pending]
This was no longer just a project.
It was a revolution.
And Takumi was determined to build Liyue a future it deserved.