The atmosphere inside the bus Takumi conjured was an odd blend of excitement, disbelief, and a quiet sense of history in the making. Even the usually composed Jean kept glancing around, fingertips brushing the smooth metal rails as if the bus might vanish if she blinked too slowly.
Lisa, on the other hand, was already poking at the overhead handles like a curious cat.
"Fascinating… a hollow alloy handle? No enchantments, but incredibly sturdy. Takumi dear, what is this made of?"
Takumi, hands steady on the wheel, replied casually, "Steel. You'll be needing a blast furnace if Mondstadt wants to make it yourselves."
Lisa hummed. "Hmm… I wonder how many librarians I can convince to shovel coal."
Jean answered instantly. "None."
Klee giggled so hard she nearly rolled off the seat.
Jean's Perspective — A Gap Between Nations
Jean had spent her entire life believing Mondstadt was peaceful, progressive, and free.
Yet now, as the bus rolled across the cement road—smooth as cloud silk—into the direction of Liyue Harbor, her expression grew conflicted.
In the horizon, the Guili construction site loomed like a giant awakening. Cement roads shining under the sun, excavators shoveling earth, Qianyan Soldiers directing vehicles, alchemists working hand in hand with mechanics…
Liyue wasn't just developing.
It was leaping forward.
"Miss Keqing…" Jean said quietly, "Seeing this… I worry Mondstadt may fall behind."
Keqing responded in her usual brisk, honest tone:
"It will. If you don't work."
Lisa burst out laughing.
Jean covered her face.
"...Fair."
Takumi added, smirking, "At least Mondstadt has a god who does nothing. So your people can relax safely."
"Actually," Lisa corrected with a grin, "our god does quite a lot."
Takumi raised a brow. "Drink?"
Lisa: "Drink."
Klee: "Drink!"
Jean: "Klee, no!"
The entire bus laughed. Even the Knights of Favonius, who had been too shocked to speak for the past hour, finally relaxed.
Arriving in Liyue Harbor — A City on the Brink of Change
When the bus rolled into Liyue Harbor, the reaction from civilians was explosive.
"W-What is that monster carriage!?"
"It has no horses!"
"It moves on its own!"
"Wait—Keqing is inside!?"
"And that little red girl—why does she look like she's hiding dynamite!?"
Klee waved enthusiastically out the window.
"Hi everyone!! Klee is here to visit!"
Liyue Harbor collectively took three steps back.
Jean instantly panicked. "Klee don't wave the backpack!! Don't shake it! Don't—!!"
Clink clink clink.
The sound of bombs in her bag nearly stopped multiple hearts.
Keqing calmly opened the emergency window.
"If anyone faints, the General Affairs Department will offer medical reimbursements."
The bus pulled over in front of Yuehai Pavilion, where Ningguang was already waiting, Baiwen and Baishi at her side.
Ningguang's eyes slowly moved from the bus… to Jean… to Lisa… to Klee… and finally to Takumi at the wheel.
"Welcome to Liyue," she said smoothly, folding her fan. "I see Mr. Takumi has brought quite the delegation."
Jean bowed elegantly.
"Lady Ningguang. I came in response to your proposal."
Lisa followed with a gentle nod.
"And I came to enjoy the scenery… and perhaps take a peek at the new power grid."
Ningguang smiled. "Please do. Liyue has changed much recently."
Her eyes briefly met Takumi's—an unspoken message passing between them.
Good work. And it's only the beginning.
The Meeting — Roads, Resources, and Responsibility
Inside the meeting chamber, the air filled with tea aroma and scrolls depicting Liyue's future road network.
Ningguang placed a map on the table.
"This is the planned route from Liyue Harbor to Mondstadt's southern gate. Smooth terrain except for the Stone Gate mountain pass. If Mondstadt is willing to support the construction, we can complete the road within months."
Jean nodded, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"Mondstadt will provide labor and funds. But as for construction efficiency… please leave most of the heavy work to Liyue. Our workers aren't used to this scale."
Takumi snorted softly.
"Translation: Mondstadt workers take lunch breaks every twenty minutes."
Lisa didn't deny it.
"Accurate."
Keqing raised a hand.
"Liyue will handle machinery and main construction. Mondstadt can supply wood, transport teams, and field rations."
Jean agreed instantly.
"That is reasonable."
The meeting progressed smoothly until Ningguang asked:
"One more matter. Mondstadt has shown interest in purchasing buses and cargo trucks. Shall we discuss prices?"
Jean gave a tired, helpless look.
"In Mondstadt… if I tell them to work harder, they will riot peacefully. If I tell them to build trucks, they will write poetry about back pain. So… yes. We will buy them."
Takumi laughed.
Jean continued:
"But I do warn you: Klee must not be allowed near the manufacturing line."
Klee puffed up.
"Klee is a good girl! I only explode things when it's helpful!"
Everyone at the table:
"No, that is exactly the problem."
Ningguang made a note.
"Understood. Klee shall be forbidden from entering heavy industrial zones."
Klee looked betrayed.
The System Stirs — A Quiet Upgrade
As the meeting ended, Takumi felt a whisper in the depths of his mind.
A familiar, silent interface flickered.
[CITY DEVELOPMENT MODULE — UPDATED]
Roads unlocked: Inter-Nation Route: Liyue ⇌ Mondstadt
Requirements listed:
• Cement production × 300%
• Steel industry (prototype)
• Labor training facility
• Transportation blueprint integration
Reward upon completion:
Unknown. (System refuses to tell him again.)
Takumi rubbed his temples.
Great. More work.
But also… more progress.
After the Meeting — A Walk Through Liyue
Jean and Lisa walked through Feiyun Slope in wonder.
The car dealership under construction.
The first training driving field.
The electric wiring posts being prepared.
"This city…" Jean murmured, "is evolving."
Lisa sipped milk tea from a street vendor.
"And Takumi is the spark."
Behind them, Klee ran around with Xiangling, shouting happily:
"Liyue food is delicious!! Xiangling, can Klee put bombs in tofu!?"
Xiangling answered without thinking:
"Only if it adds flavor!"
Jean nearly fainted on the spot.
End of Chapter Scene — The Bridge of Stone
As sunset washed Liyue Harbor in gold, Zhongli stood upon the old wooden bridge. The beams creaked beneath him.
Takumi walked up beside him.
"You see the problem?"
Zhongli nodded with a sigh.
"This bridge has carried Liyue for centuries. But now… Liyue will carry this bridge forward."
He raised his hand.
Amber-golden Geo energy surged from the earth.
Before the startled eyes of dockworkers, a new stone bridge began to form—massive, reinforced, wide enough for three trucks to cross side by side.
A bridge worthy of a new era.
Takumi exhaled slowly.
"With this… the age of cars begins."
Zhongli gave a rare smile.
"And the age of industry."
Klee, sitting atop the new railing, shouted:
"Let's build EVERYTHING!!!"
Jean paled.
"Klee—NOT WITH BOMBS."
Takumi just laughed.