"These are but mere scraps of paper, and yet they guide the hand of Lady Ningguang," said Iron Tongue Tian. "Such is their great value. Merely grasping a single one will surely mean you grasp a fragment of her wisdom - enough to stay a step or two ahead of your competitors."

"We keep hearing about this Tianquan named Ningguang," Paimon said quietly as the story came to an end. "What's with her? And why do people hype her up so much?"

"Locals talk about her, merchants gush over her, and the Fatui probably want her head on a spear," Roxas added, "she was at the Rite of Descension, and she's probably the one who got the idea to hijack the Golden House so she could hide the Exuvia. What kind of person is she?"

A voice suddenly interjected. "At last, I have found you, you who bear the legendary Keyblade and have returned from Jueyun Karst."

Roxas shot to his feet and prepared for a fight, only to find that a blue-haired woman with what looked like goat horns was speaking to him from the roof of Third-Round Knockout.

"What?" Roxas verbally shot at her. "If you wanna fight...come and take it!"

"No! I do not wish to harm you!" the goat woman exclaimed. "I am not with the Millileth, nor am I here to claim any sort of bounty. However...I am an emissary of the Liyue Qixing. My name is Ganyu, secretary of Yuehai Pavilion, and...I have come here to meet you, Roxas."

"So, which is it?" asked Roxas. "Emissary, secretary, or...bounty hunter?"

"I assure you, I mean you no harm," Ganyu repeated. "In concrete terms, I am the corporate secretary of the Qixing. At the moment, however, I am serving as Lady Ningguang's emissary. A...messenger, if you will."

"Well, they say don't shoot the messenger," Roxas muttered. "Okay, Ganyu, I'll hear you out. Ningguang sent you, didn't she?"

"Thank you," said Ganyu. "And, to answer your question, yes, she did. I...apologize, for I cannot extend to you my fullest courtesy, but I have brought with me a letter from Lady Ningguang."

Ganyu tossed an envelope to Roxas, who caught it with ease. He took a quick read. "Wait, you're telling me..."

Ganyu nodded. "Yes. Lady Ningguang extends to you a formal invitation to meet her at the Jade Chamber. Her exact words were: 'Seek out he who bears a key of light and a key of darkness. Invite him to come here. I wish to meet him. Together, at the Jade Chamber, we shall work together and lock away the darkness that has begun to enshroud Liyue.'"

Ganyu left without another word.

"Paimon can't believe it!" The faerie was gushing with excitement. "We get to meet the Qixing!"

"And at the Jade Chamber, no less," added Zhongli. "A most rare and most high honor indeed. We may postpone our continuation of preparing the Rite of Parting, as I imagine you may need to first prepare yourselves for your audience with Lady Ningguang. Once you are finished there, meet me at Dihua Marsh."

"Dihua Marsh, got it," said Roxas. "And...how exactly should I prepare? Do I need to dress up all fancy, or..."

"No, you do not," replied Zhongli. "Some do feel inclined to dress formally. However, I feel that it would behoove you to visit the Tianquan in your most natural state of mind and attire. But...if you wish to do as those who have met her often do, I advise bringing her a gift of some kind. Perhaps you might put your culinary skills to use."

"Ooh, Paimon knows!" interjected Paimon. "Roxas, you mentioned sea-salt ice cream, right? Well, Mister Zhongli said that you should meet Ningguang as yourself, not as some fancy merchant guy. So, how about making some sea-salt ice cream for her?"

"I like the sound of that," said Roxas.

"As do I," agreed Zhongli. "In fact, Director Hu Tao of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor often enjoys ice cream with two of her friends, Chongyun and Xingqiu. As such, we recently had an ice cream machine delivered to the Funeral Parlor from Fontaine. I will take you to visit the Director, as I am sure she wouldn't mind lending it to a fellow lover of ice cream."

"Director, I've returned." Zhongli led Roxas and Paimon into the lobby of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

"Ah, Zhongli, you're back!" a cheery girl's voice sang like a meadowlark. The Director entered the room, surprising Roxas with just how young she looked. Her long brown hair was tied into two long pigtails falling from beneath her hat. She took notice of Roxas. "Oh? And who are you? A potential customer?"

"As far as I know," said Zhongli. "Roxas here is not looking for anything."

"Aiya, okay then," said the Director. "But I should introduce myself! I'm Hu Tao, the seventy-seventh Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

"I'm Roxas."

"Ooh, what an exotic-sounding name!" Hu Tao gushed. "Ah! I know now! You're that guy people are saying just waltzed into Jueyun Karst and came back in one piece! And you have those...Keyblades, don't you?"

Roxas nodded. "But I'm not here for coffins or anything like that. Just need to borrow your ice cream machine."

"Long story short," said Paimon. "Roxas got invited to the Jade Chamber and wants to put together a gift for Ningguang. So he decided to see if he could make his favorite ice cream for her!"

"Sea-salt ice cream, to be exact," Roxas added.

"Oh, you just need to make ice cream?" said Hu Tao. "Well, okay! Just follow me and I'll help you out!"

"Wow, that worked really well," said Roxas. "And it looks just like the sea-salt ice cream back home!"

"Aiya, that's amazing!" Hu Tao gushed. "Well, good luck with meeting Lady Ningguang, Roxas! Oh, and here! This box should be able to fit all the sea-salt ice cream you need. It looks nice, so it should impress Lady Ningguang!"

"Thanks!" said Roxas as he accepted the box. "See ya!"

"And there it is." Roxas gazed at the floating palace in the distance, standing near the Guizhong Ballista. "Wonder how it stays in the air."

"Hmm...Paimon doesn't know that one." Paimon turned to Roxas. "But Paimon does know how you can get up there!"

Roxas nodded. "Yeah, I can fly."

"Who trespasses upon these hallowed grounds!?"

Roxas turned to see a bunch of armed Millileth approaching him just as the Treasure Hoarders had the day before. He sighed. "Oh, great, you guys. This is just Mount Tianheng, I don't really see what's so sacred about it."

"Exactly," Paimon agreed. "What're you on about? Lady Ningguang invited us to the Jade Chamber, and Roxas was just about to get us up there!"

"Maybe this was her plan all along," Roxas realized aloud. "Pretend to invite us to the Jade Chamber so she could set a trap! Well, if that's the case, she's in for a world of pain if and when I do see her!"

"What!?" said one of the other Millileth. "We just came here because we're on guard duty! What is this nonsense!?"

Their commander barked an order. "Forget that! Seize these suspicious intruders at once!"

BGM: Sinister Sundown - Kingdom Hearts 2

"Not good!" said Paimon. "Roxas, line 'em up and knock 'em down!"

Roxas nodded, summoning Oathkeeper and Oblivion.

One of the Millileth gasped. "A Keyblade Wielder!"

"Commander, you never told us about this!"

"Forget that!" shouted the commander. "He's outnumbered at least thirty to one! And we have him surrounded!"

Does it seriously take that many guys to go on guard duty!? Paimon thought.

Roxas smirked. "All I'm surrounded by is a bunch of chalk outlines."

The Millileth charged. Roxas leaped over their heads, cutting a few of them down with his Keyblades.

"You're holding back!" Roxas sneered as he knocked down another Millileth. "Why!?"

"Our orders were to take you alive!"

"I see..." Roxas smirked. "You're denying your weapons their purpose!"

"Our spears were forged in the name of defending Liyue!"

"Yeah, by hesitating and slowly circling your opponent, I bet!" Roxas cut down even more Millileth with ease. Seriously, the Struggle tournaments back in Twilight Town are harder than this!

"He's mowing us down!" cried a Millileth soldier. "Commander, why did you have to pit us against a Keyblade Wielder?"

"Orders are orders!" barked the commander.

"Yeah, they ordered you on a suicide mission!" Roxas quipped.

"Stop! What's going on here!?"

End BGM

The fighting came to a grinding halt as Roxas and the few remaining Millileth turned to see a stern-looking young woman with purple pigtails approaching.

"L-Lady Keqing!" stuttered the commander. "We were ordered to investigate this area when these two strangers suddenly appeared! They seem to possess schematics for the Guizhong Ballista."

"Who're you calling strange, buster!?" Paimon shouted.

"He's not wrong," Roxas pointed out. He turned back to Keqing. "Ningguang invited me to the Jade Chamber, so I was just about to make my way up there when the Millileth came by. Guess they all woke up and chose violence, huh?"

"Yep!" said Paimon. "We're Ningguang's invited guests."

"Oh...I remember now." Keqing met the Keyblade Wielder's gaze. "You. Lady Ningguang mentioned you a few times. ...Roxas, right?"

Roxas nodded. "That's me."

"Well, as it happens," said Keqing, "I am one of the Liyue Qixing. The Yuheng, to be exact. I...didn't expect to be meeting you here in the mountains like this."

"I mean, I didn't think I'd be running into some high-society big shot out here, so we're kinda in the same boat, I guess."

"I suppose," Keqing agreed. "Anyway, the Guizhong Ballista has been in disrepair for a long time, and someone seems to have fixed it in not even a few hours. I personally led some Millileth here to investigate."

"Oh, so they weren't trying to throw me in jail."

"No, they weren't," said Keqing. "And...for a mortal to be able to repair an Adeptal mechanism...it's a real mystery, even for the Qixing."

"Well, to be fair," said Paimon, "Roxas here is a Keyblade Wielder. And apparently, that means he can do all sorts of stuff."

"Actually, the repairing wasn't all me," Roxas pointed out. "I just found the spare parts and helped out a little. But, miss Yuheng...why'd your boss invite us to the Jade Chamber?"

"I imagine it's because she wanted to request that you...take a more neutral stance instead of siding only with the Adepti," replied Keqing.

"I'm not siding with anyone for anything," Roxas shot back. "I'm just trying to make sure Liyue doesn't get wiped off the map because its Archon just up and died!"

"Yeah!" Paimon agreed. "Besides, we spoke with the Adepti, and they're trying to protect Liyue, too!"

Keqing scoffed. "If you're referring to their sanctimonious arrogance, then yes, they are. Even though you're a Keyblade Wielder, Roxas, you're still a mortal, and therefore under their protection. Because of that, they probably didn't think you could assassinate a god. Naturally, they'd also regard everything the Qixing has done as 'pointless work.' Maybe they're even debating whether or not we had something to do with it, even though we Qixing have made it clear that we wish no ill will towards Rex Lapis."

"Wouldn't surprise me," Roxas deadpanned.

"In short," said Keqing, "they're underestimating us."

"You've got a point there," agreed Paimon.

"Y'know, you're the first person I've seen here who doesn't revere the gods or the Adepti," Roxas pointed out. "Respectable, but what's up with that?"

"Why should I have any respect for the shallow sense of time and condescension to mortals that made them hesitate to do anything to the Qixing?" Keqing huffed. "Eh, forget it. I probably shouldn't say stuff like that. This skepticism is mine alone, and even Ningguang doesn't share it. Even so, I will admit that the actions of the Adepti have been...surprisingly restrained. Rex Lapis's death is definitely an extraordinary circumstance...and yet they called for a council meeting of the Adepti instead of just marching down here directly...very civilized of them."

"Ningguang is definitely the negotiator type, isn't she?" Roxas mused.

"Well, for her," replied Keqing, "she'd negotiate everything if she could. But I doubt that'll work here. The time of the Adepti has long passed. If even the Qixing can't accept that, then what hope does Liyue have for a brighter future?"

"Hottest take I've ever heard," Roxas quipped.

"I...don't know what that means, but I'll take it as a compliment," said Keqing. She sighed. "Sorry to be rambling for so long. You're a good listener, Roxas."

"Thanks." Roxas adjusted the sleeve of his coat.

"Anyway, you should both head off to the Jade Chamber," said Keqing. "It's best not to keep Ningguang waiting, especially since her schedule is packed to the brim until next year. All the best merchants in Liyue see 'ascension' to the Jade Chamber as the greatest honor there is, and because of that they often prepare gifts for Ningguang."

"Oh, that's taken care of," said Paimon. "Roxas made his favorite food, sea-salt ice cream!"

"I wanted to show her something from my homeland," Roxas added. "And...I also kinda wanted an excuse to eat it. I swear, I'm addicted to that stuff."

Keqing laughed. "If you have any left over, I wouldn't mind trying some."

"Actually..." Roxas smirked, "...did you need to get back up there yourself?"

"Um, yeah," replied Keqing. "Why?"

"Here."

In a burst of light, Roxas's Naught Glider appeared. He mounted it. "Hop on! I'll give you a lift."

Confused, Keqing boarded the Naught Glider in the space behind Roxas. Paimon, as usual, held onto Roxas's sleeve.

With a rev of the throttle, Roxas shot through the air towards the Jade Chamber like a rocket.

As Ningguang stepped out onto the porch of the Jade Chamber, she saw the Yuheng riding some sort of white hovering vehicle. Driving that vehicle was a young man with blonde hair and a long black coat.

Roxas landed the Naught Glider on the Jade Chamber and dismounted, allowing Keqing to follow suit. "Thank you," said the Yuheng. "Now, I've got some work I need to do."

She left for her office.

Ningguang approached him. Her long white hair flowed in the wind as her crimson eyes took in the young man before her.

"I've been waiting for you, Keyblade Wielder," she said.

"Ah, it's her!" Paimon gasped. "Uh..." She leaned towards Roxas. "Give her the ice cream."

Roxas nodded. "Since this is our first actual meeting, I've prepared this. I made it with help from an acquaintance of mine."

"Oh?" Ningguang accepted the ornate box and took out a bar of light blue ice cream. "And what might this be?"

"Sea-salt ice cream," replied Roxas. "A common dessert back in my homeland...and my favorite food."

"A treat from another world..." Ningguang mused.

"Oh, you know about that?"

"Of course," replied Ningguang. "No Teyvatian could've just flown up here, you know."

"True, true."

Ningguang had a taste of the ice cream. "Ooh, salty. No...sweet. Very sweet. Delicious, even. Now I know why you enjoy this so much."

"I made extras in the hopes that we could both have some," Roxas mentioned.

"Lovely," said Ningguang. "We shall discuss things over ice cream, then." She handed Roxas an untouched bar of ice cream. Roxas promptly accepted.

"I...apologize for any misunderstandings," said Ningguang, "especially considering you were supposed to be my guests."

"Oh, it's nothing," replied Paimon.

Roxas looked around. "Heh, great view from up here."

"Ah, I'm glad you like it, too," said Ningguang. "I often gaze out at Liyue when I finish my work. This Jade Chamber sits here in the sky, higher than any mountain, allowing one to admire all of Liyue. From the day I became a merchant, I amassed funds to build it. And since becoming Tianquan, I have spared no expenses in hiring only the best craftsmen to constantly extend it. It was first the size of a small room...and now, it is enough to blot out the full moon above Liyue at night. Eventually...it will loom over all seven nations in Teyvat."

She's an ambitious one, I'll give her that, Roxas thought.

"Not many earn the right to ascend to the Jade Chamber," Ningguang continued as she ate her ice cream, "much less those from outside Liyue, and never before has one from another world ascended here. However, I have been in correspondence with Acting Grandmaster Jean of the Knights of Favonius. She...spoke quite highly of you, to say the least. As such, I have been putting out eyes and ears everywhere from the day you first came to Liyue for the Rite of Descension. And I finally got wind of your movements at Wangshu Inn."

"Wait, so is Verr Goldet one of your people?" asked Roxas.

"Oh, no...not just Verr Goldet." Ningguang's face formed a wry smirk. "Everyone at Wangshu Inn is one of ours."

Paimon gasped.

"Anyway," said Roxas, munching his ice cream, "we also ran into the Yuheng earlier. She said she needed a lift back up here, so that's why she was there when I arrived."

"Ah, yes, Keqing," said Ningguang. "You met her at the Guizhong Ballista."

"Were you spying on me the whole freaking time?" asked Roxas.

Ningguang laughed. 'That would've been a little hard from this altitude."

"Oh, so you didn't see him wipe the floor with the Millileth?" said Paimon.

Roxas elbowed her. "Did you seriously just tell her about that!?"

"Hehe...oops."

"No, do not worry," said Ningguang. "It was a...misunderstanding. And no Millileth died there. Granted, very many were injured, but none were killed."

"Good, good." Roxas breathed a sigh of relief.

"Though, I must say," said Ningguang, "I would very much have liked to witness your combat capabilities. Many a legend has been written of warriors bearing swords shaped like keys and using those keys to valiantly defeat creatures of darkness, and it seems you are living proof of those legends. I am intrigued as to what a Keyblade Wielder is truly capable of in battle. But I digress. in short, Roxas...you are an intriguing person, to say the least. It is only natural that I would be interested in you."

"Keqing said that the Qixing never wished any ill will towards Rex Lapis," Roxas pointed out, changing the subject. "Is that true, or..."

"I wouldn't expect you to entirely trust us," said Ningguang, "considering you've already had many interactions with the Adepti. I invited you here to clear away some misunderstandings." Ningguang stood at the edge of the Jade Chamber, looking out at the sprawling view of Liyue before her. Roxas stood beside her, sea-salt ice cream in hand.

"Tell me, Roxas," said Ningguang. "Have you heard of the Archon War?"

"Rings a bell."

"Long ago," said Ningguang, "many a god used to walk this world, and many a long war was fought between those gods. Those wars did not end until a few millennia ago. A great deal of blood was shed, and many a life was lost. When the smoke cleared, only seven gods remained. Upon the bones and ashes of the vanquished, they erected cities and nations, ushering in the era of The Seven." Ningguang pointed to a small chain of large islands not far from Liyue Harbor. "That is Guyun Stone Forest. It is no natural formation. The giant rocks that form the islands are spears or ancient rock, hurled by Rex Lapis himself during the Archon War. Beneath those spears lies a god cast down by Rex Lapis in those days...a god who failed to seize the title of Archon. Not only is it true that gods may die, but so too has the membership of The Seven changed over the last few millennia. Rex Lapis's death is an unimaginable disaster for Liyue, but the order of The Seven will not collapse because one Archon has died. Another Lord of Geo will rise sooner or later...yet, how are we to forget Rex Lapis? When that time comes, the relationship between the gods and Adepti and Liyue's people will be very different from before. Even in a new era, the Qixing remain loyal subjects of Rex Lapis. Do you really believe we would be the ones to perpetrate his demise? Do you really believe we lack the foresight to see the repercussions?"

"Then why hide the Exuvia?" asked Roxas.

Ningguang sighed. "That day at Yujing Terrace...it was all so sudden. Even I was caught by surprise. I'm sure you saw. After all, I noticed you in the crowd. But...our enemy has long lay hidden within Liyue Harbor, biding their time to strike. If we do not act against them now, they will surely gain the upper hand. Hiding the Exuvia was crucial to staying ahead of them...to play the spider while our foes scurry about like unsuspecting prey."

"Who's this enemy you're talking about?" Paimon questioned.

Ningguang turned to Roxas. "You know the answer, I trust."

"Yep," said Roxas. "It's 'him,' isn't it?"

"Eh?" Paimon looked confused. "What're you two on about?"

"Ginger 'binger!" Roxas quipped.

Paimon looked even more confused. "The heck?"

"Ginger 'binger!" Roxas repeated. "C'mon, don't tell me you don't know what I mean!"

Ningguang smirked knowingly. "Well answered, Roxas."

"Eh!? How come you know what he means!?"

Ningguang ignored her. "I do love the scenery and the view...and especially this ice cream...but the wind is starting to pick up. Inside, I've had preparations arranged to receive guests, and I believe those should be completed. Follow me."

"Please, be at ease," Ningguang said calmly. "You are invited guests. Make yourselves at home."

"Really?"

"Of course," replied Ningguang. "Though the invitation was one of official importance...I really invited you here as friends. And when friends visit, enjoyment comes first, naturally."

"Yeah," Roxas agreed. "Speaking of...when you and I were having ice cream outside and enjoying the view...that reminded me of something I do with my friends all the time."

"Oh? Do tell," said Ningguang.

"Back home," said Roxas, "I live in a place called Twilight Town. There's a clock tower there, and at the end of every day, my two friends and I climb up to the top and have sea-salt ice cream together while we just...watch the never-ending sunset."

"A land of never-ending sunset..." Ningguang mused. "It sounds rather beautiful."

"Eh, that's what makes Twilight Town special," said Roxas. "That and...it's home."

"Hey, check that out, Roxas!" Paimon pointed at a small board with various documents attached to it. "That's the legendary wall, isn't it?"

"Ah, yes," replied Ningguang. "Seems you've kept your ear to the ground."

"We heard about it from the storyteller at Third-Round Knockout," said Roxas. "Seems people would kill for just a single shred of paper from that wall."

"Of course they would," said Ningguang. "After all, it houses Liyue's biggest mercantile secrets. Merchants have always been attracted to secrets. But...I have an inkling that even the juiciest secrets of the mercantile world are...not of interest to you, Roxas. You're rather...special, and...I think you're well aware of that."

"Kinda hard not to be when I'm the only person in Teyvat with a Keyblade...as far as I know."

"You make a point," agreed Ningguang. "But in any case, I'd...like to have your trust, if possible."

"Well I'm not just gonna give it to you right out of the gate," said Roxas. "Unless you can prove you're trustworthy."

"Understood," said Ningguang, "but...between myself and Keqing, who would you say is the more...trustworthy person?"

"Honestly, between the two of you," replied Roxas. "...I'd say Keqing."

"I had a feeling," said Ningguang. "You know...I originally thought she was a bit too...overzealous. With someone of her character on the Qixing, I've had some extra messes to clean up behind the scenes. But...after she said those words: 'The time of the Adepti has long passed. If even the Qixing can't accept that, then what hope does Liyue have for a brighter future...' Well, I must say that, after that, quite a few of my doubts were dispelled. I..." Ningguang sighed, "...I won't deny that the passing of Rex Lapis seems advantageous to us, but for the sake of Liyue and its people, we cannot allow ourselves to waver, even with the rumors of our usurpation of power."

"I'm guessing the Fatui are behind the rumors," said Roxas.

Ningguang nodded. "You surmise correctly, which means you understood what I meant to say from the very start. I called for the gag order and to hide the Exuvia to temporarily stabilize the situation, and also to prevent something similar to what happened in Mondstadt."

"But this isn't a permanent solution," Roxas reasoned.

Ningguang shook her head. "No, it is not. Would you call putting a bandage on the bloody stump of one's severed leg a cure? But I digress. With Rex Lapis's death, the Fatui have begun to busy themselves with surreptitious maneuvers beyond their usual diplomatic restraint. As Tianquan, I am responsible for all affairs across Liyue, and as such I cannot be too concerned with keeping up appearances when opposing them. Furthermore, allowing the Rite of Parting to take place was also meant to buy some time for us to take over control of Liyue's administration."

"Just like Zhongli said," said Roxas. "The Qixing were only letting us use Yujing Terrace for their own ends."

"Wait, Roxas, Paimon remembered something!" interjected Paimon. "Paimon heard that someone who gives you a greeting gift usually gets a little something in return...does that include us?"

Roxas sighed. "Seriously, Paimon? Seriously? We're having an important discussion here, and that's what you're worried about?"

"No, no," Ningguang chided him. "It's alright. If anything, I appreciate direct people. Besides, we have...hindered you to some degree recently. How about this: I will let you choose one item anywhere in the Jade Chamber - anything at all - and whatever you choose is yours to take."

"Anything at all?"

"Anything at all."

Paimon shrieked with excitement.

Roxas eyed her. "Well, I don't really see a need for anything in here, so you pick."

"Paimon knows!" said Paimon. She pointed to Ningguang's board. "One of the sheets on that wall!"

"Let's take the biggest one," said Paimon.

"You wanna see what it says first?" asked Roxas. Paimon nodded, so he skimmed the document. "Something, something, 'Sigil of Permission'...something, something, 'Fatui'...'research'...'copy'? What the...?"

"A Qixing spy must've dug up some Fatui research on the Sigil of Permission," Paimon deduced.

"Maybe they're trying to replicate it," Roxas suggested.

"Wouldn't surprise Paimon," said the faerie. "Those guys have been up to all kinds of scheming behind closed doors. Spreading rumors, trying to get a hold of Rex Lapis's body, stuff like that."

"But the Sigil of Permission?" Roxas wondered aloud. "Why would they need to replicate it? Something to do with the Adepti, maybe? Either way, Ningguang's definitely trying to steer us there."

"You think so?" said Paimon. "Should we not go?"

"Oh, we're going," said Roxas. "What I mean is, we have to confirm that Ningguang's not feeding us a load of horse crap."

"Ah, yeah, Paimon gets it! But she's been nothing but kind to us, hasn't she?"

"Rich people are always nice when it benefits them," Roxas pointed out. "Wouldn't surprise me if she turns on us the moment she doesn't see any use for us. For now, let's head to the place the document mentioned, and then we'll meet Zhongli at Dihua Marsh."

"Go down!"

Roxas tore through the last remaining Fatui Hydrogunner with Oathkeeper.

"Phew! That was quick!" said Paimon. "Let's have a look around."

"I noticed something earlier," Roxas pointed out. "Over there."

He led Paimon to what he'd found.

"Those look like Sigils of Permission...and blank sheets of paper?"

Roxas nodded. "Just like I thought, those sons of guns are trying to copy the Sigil of Permission."

"Cloud Retainer said that Sigils of Permission were once created by Rex Lapis for people to channel divine powers," said Paimon.

"Which means that the Fatui might be trying to achieve that," Roxas added. "But that can't be their whole plan. There's gotta be a bigger thing going on here..."

"We can put that on the back burner for now," said Paimon. "Right now, we should head to Dihua Marsh. Zhongli's been waiting long enough."

"Hey, did you wait long?"

Zhongli shook his head. "Your timing could not have been better. I arrived mere moments ago. Now, how was the Jade Chamber?"

"Big, expensive, and so pretty!" Paimon replied. "Paimon's never seen such a fancy place before!"

"Indeed," said Zhongli. "In Liyue, the Jade Chamber is second to none. You met with Ningguang, I trust? What did you discuss with her?"

"She just wanted to clear some things up," replied Paimon. "She was so generous...Paimon thinks she's real friendly!"

"People like her are always chummy when it helps them," said Roxas. "Honestly? Keqing's way more trustworthy than her."

"Ah, the Yuheng," said Zhongli. "You met her, too. What did she say?"

Paimon repeated Keqing's words to Zhongli.

Zhongli laughed. "No respect for the divine, as usual. Indeed, contrary to Keqing's unfailing boldness, Ningguang is a businesswoman at heart, though both are members of the Qixing. Friendly though Ningguang is, there is no way to clearly discern her intentions."

"I can tell you one thing," said Roxas. "Lady's intelligent. Ambitious, too."

"That is true," agreed Zhongli. "She has relied on none but herself and her intellect in her rise to power. No ordinary person could ever achieve something like that."

"She's also the one behind the Jade Chamber's constant expansion," Paimon pointed out.

"That is also true," said Zhongli. "It is the second most important thing to her. She would sooner give up the title of Tianquan than give up the Jade Chamber."

"Well, if the Jade Chamber's only number two, what's number one?"

Zhongli answered, "Why, Mora, of course."

"Oh," Roxas deadpanned. "So she's that kind of person. Figures."

"All she talked about was Fatui this, Fatui that," said Paimon. "She said that the moment Rex Lapis died, the Fatui have been sinking their fingers into Liyue and they shouldn't be trusted."

"Again, figures," said Roxas.

"It is how the Fatui have always been," said Zhongli. "It is no surprise."

"We also found out that they're trying to replicate Sigils of Permission," Paimon added. "Roxas thinks they might be trying to do something big. And Paimon means...really big."

"Regardless of what it is they're planning," said Zhongli, "be extremely careful when dealing with them. Do not trust them, and stay on your guard."

"You say that like I ever trusted their kind to begin with."

"A smart choice," said Zhongli. "But I digress. I have brought you here to Dihua Marsh to gather wild Glaze Lilies. Though they grow domestically in Liyue Harbor, we require them in their purest form, which can only be found growing in the wild. Dihua Marsh used to be teeming with them. It is a sort of flower that grows upon hearing joyful sounds such as laughter or song. Before the Archon War, Dihua Marsh was dry land, but landslides brought about by the war caused flooding, turning it into the marshland you see before you. The Glaze Lilies nearly went extinct. Of course, some were preserved and gardened by people in the city, but very few still know of wild Glaze Lilies."

"But why wild Glaze Lilies?" asked Roxas.

"They have the strongest fragrance," said Zhongli. "If we are to follow the Rite of Parting to every detail, we must grind up the lilies and place the resulting powder into a censer of Everlasting Incense. But we must first gather the flowers. This is where you come in."

"So...you need me to sing?"

"Correct." Zhongli nodded. "Your singing will bring out the Glaze Lilies."

Roxas sighed. "I don't think I told you this, but I can't sing to save my life. I sound like a dying walrus with the vocal cords of a donkey on psychedelics."

"That was...oddly specific," Paimon remarked.

"Well, that was a bust," Roxas deadpanned. "I told you I suck at singing."

"Ah, excuse me!" said a familiar voice. "You wouldn't happen to be searching for Glaze Lilies, would you?"

"Oh, it's...ah, what's her name?" said Paimon.

"Ganyu," said Roxas. "Didn't think I'd see you here."

"Roxas, hello." Ganyu waved. "I'm surprised you remembered my name. Ah! That reminds me, how was your visit to the Jade Chamber?"

"Kind of what I was expecting, kind of not," replied Roxas. "Ningguang enjoyed the ice cream I made her, so that's a plus."

"Oh, the sea-salt ice cream? I had some myself. It's very...unique, and definitely delicious," said Ganyu. "Just talking about it makes me want more."

"Hey, Ganyu?" said Paimon. "You're acting a little different. What happened to the whole seriousness thing?"

"Oh, when I met you before, I was acting as an emissary of the Qixing," replied Ganyu, "but now I'm just here to see the flowers. I managed to get a Glaze Lily to grow right before I ran into you."

"Great, but, why not just enjoy the city gardens?" asked Roxas.

Ganyu sighed. "Yujing Terrace is where Rex Lapis left this world," she said wistfully. "I'd never be able to bear strolling through those gardens now. And whenever I need to go there for work...I draw my curtains to block the view."

"Oh..." Roxas's face fell. "Sorry. I...I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No, no, it's quite alright," said Ganyu. "I just...haven't had time to process my emotions, is all. When the Archon War came to an end over three millennia ago, the original Seven sat down near Liyue Harbor and drank with Rex Lapis to celebrate. Now...five of the original Seven have passed, and with Rex Lapis, that makes six..."

"Real changing of the guard, huh?"

Ganyu nodded. "Now that Rex Lapis is gone, only Barbatos of Mondstadt remains as one of the original Seven. The other five, including Inazuma's Raiden Shogun, are no longer Rex Lapis's old friends from all those years ago."

"Now I'm curious," said Roxas. "If Rex Lapis and Barbatos are the oldest Archons...who's the youngest?"

"That would be the Dendro Archon, Lesser Lord Kusanali of Sumeru," replied Ganyu. "She is merely five hundred years old. For a mortal, that may seem like an eternity, but for a god...Lesser Lord Kusanali is still a child. Rex Lapis was more than six thousand years old when he passed. That means that Liyue had been ruled by Rex Lapis from the moment it was founded at the end of the Archon War. The nation has never had to bid farewell to its deity..."

"So, Ganyu," said Zhongli. "What do you make of this farewell?"

"Well...it's all so sudden, I..." Ganyu sighed. "As a mortal, I never dared imagine Liyue without Rex Lapis. But as an Adeptus...I think I'll come to terms with reality eventually. With Rex Lapis's passing, the time of Liyue's contracts with gods and the Adepti has ended."

"Oh, you're an Adeptus?" said Roxas. "Guess that explains the horns."

"Yes," Ganyu affirmed. "I am...not fully Adeptus, however. I am a mix of human and Adeptus - Qilin, to be exact. Adeptal blood flows through my veins...and I was alive to witness the Archon War firsthand."

"Wow!" said Roxas. "Guess that means you know a thing or two because you've seen a thing or two."

Ganyu's face flushed a little. "Th-Thank you. Anyway, here's the Glaze Lily I picked. You probably need it more than I do."

"Oh, thanks," said Roxas. "Remind me to never try singing for a Glaze Lily. You...probably heard my absolute bomb of an attempt, huh?"

"Ah...yes," Ganyu said nervously.

"Then you know I can't sing to save my life."

Ganyu nodded. "I'm willing to bet Keqing would say something like, 'With all due respect, he sounds like a dying walrus with the vocal cords of a donkey on psychedelic drugs.' Anyway, I should be going."

"That just about does it," said Zhongli once Ganyu had left. "Preparations for the Rite of Parting are nearly complete. Given the relative ease with which we acquired the Glaze Lily, I believe this is a fitting end to our time working together."

"Aw, dang," said Roxas. "I was having fun."

Zhongli laughed. "I am grateful to hear that. But I fear you would not be interested in the finishing touches, and as such I will take care of that myself. Let us return to Liyue Harbor for now."

"What's happening? There's Millileth everywhere!" Paimon looked around.

Roxas narrowed his eyes. "And Fatui, too."

Zhongli approached a nearby Fatui with Roxas and Paimon in tow. "Ah, you're the consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Mister Zhongli, I presume."

He nodded.

"The Millileth are watching our every move now," said the Fatui grunt. "Things are getting desperate - we can't be too reckless."

"Desperate, you say?" Zhongli crossed his arms.

"The Adepti are finally on the move from Jueyun Karst," said the grunt.

"Do they intend to exercise force?"

"Probably," replied the grunt. "The Qixing sent some people to meet them - or, well...more like stall them outside the city. However, both sides were being quite obstinate, and they hit an impasse."

"Inevitable, given the current situation," said Zhongli.

"The Adepti do not acknowledge the Qixing," the grunt continued, "only their contracts with the Geo Archon. If violence does break out, we're in for a world of trouble."

"Surely the Qixing are not willing to give in so easily?"

The grunt scoffed. "Their thick skulls and pea-sized brains are known far and wide. And it's because of that obstinacy that mortals and Adepti are now on the verge of conflict."

"And what now?" asked Zhongli. "How have the Fatui come under fire?"

"Ningguang. It's her doing," replied the grunt. "She said that 'in these tumultuous times, the Millileth must rein in the Fatui'. We've been in Liyue for years, and only now do they start checking us? Ha! That's the Qixing for you!" He sighed. "Anyway, Mister Zhongli, you're a close associate of Childe, which means that your actions will reflect closely on us. Please don't let your guard down."

"Seems like it's about to go down," Roxas said to Paimon. "And we can't just stand by and watch the place burn."

"But do you intend to use your neutrality to make peace between the two sides?" said Zhongli. "Or will your Keyblades turn the balance? Neither path is an easy one, you know."

"By the way, Mister Zhongli," the grunt interjected, "we got wind of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor getting caught up in the chaos. They're stalling authorities outside the gates."

"Things really are taking a turn for the worse..." Zhongli sighed. "Roxas, I'm afraid I must be going."

"You do that," said Roxas. "Hu Tao could probably use some backup."

"Indeed," said Zhongli. "But before I depart...consider your next course of action very carefully. If you are trying to defuse an explosive...it would behoove you to find the fuse."

He left without another word.

"So, if this whole ordeal is the bomb..." Paimon thought for a moment. "What's the fuse?"

"Ginger 'binger," Roxas replied.

"Not this again!"

"Come on, ya know...mister 'my bank account is bigger than my brain.'"

"Oh, Childe!" said Paimon. "He's the only one Paimon can think of who'd really want to see Liyue get turned upside down. He's probably waiting for just the right moment to strike...but where could we find him?"

"Where we've been trying to get to all this time. Come on!"