Jiang Chen shared everything he knew about Venti with Jean and Lisa.
The drinking problem.
The poetry hobby.
The green outfit.
The fact that he was definitely a man.
And, for some reason, the white stockings.
By the time Jiang Chen finished, Jean and Lisa were both wearing the same expression:
Is this really someone connected to the Anemo Archon?
Because that description sounded absolutely unreliable.
"Anyway," Jiang Chen concluded, waving casually,
"If you're looking for the Anemo Archon, finding him is your safest bet.
Oh—and his Vision is fake.
But he can still control Anemo.
You'll understand when you see him."
He sold Venti out thoroughly and cleanly.
Jean had already given him ten million Mora—
telling them something useful was only fair.
Jean and Lisa exchanged a glance, then nodded.
"Thank you for the information," Jean said earnestly.
"We'll start searching for him immediately."
Anyone linked to Barbatos was extremely important to Mondstadt.
After chatting a good while longer, Lumine received her Honorary Knight medal.
Then the group finally left the Knight headquarters.
Amber didn't follow this time—
she had been assigned to look for Venti.
So Jiang Chen, Lumine, and Paimon walked out together.
"Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen!"
Paimon's eyes sparkled like she'd discovered buried treasure.
"With all that Mora… what are you planning to do with it?"
Whatever she imagined—it clearly involved a lot of food,
because drool was already pooling at the corner of her mouth.
Jiang Chen gave her a helpless smile.
"Come on. Let's cash the check first.
We'll get a good lunch afterward."
"Wooow!! Jiang Chen, you're such a good person!"
Paimon cheered and instantly flew to his shoulder,
kneading his shoulders like a little boot-licking massage sprite.
Jiang Chen let her do as she wished.
Then brought Lumine and Paimon to the Northland Bank.
They exchanged the check for a very satisfying pile of Mora.
Jiang Chen and Lumine split it evenly.
Paimon froze.
"Wait—half each?
Then where's my share?"
"Your share?" Lumine raised an eyebrow.
"What exactly do you think you deserve?"
"You eat our food, drink our drinks, and still want a cut?"
Paimon wilted instantly.
"A-Awuu… okay…"
With the Mora secured, the three strolled through Mondstadt.
The city was still quiet—
the people hadn't yet learned that the Dragon Crisis was over.
After wandering a bit, Jiang Chen led them to the Adventurers' Guild.
They approached Katheryne.
"...Ad astra abys—"
"Hello," Jiang Chen interrupted politely but firmly.
"I'm here to register as an adventurer.
And sell some Hilichurl masks."
Katheryne blinked, but quickly switched into work mode.
"Please fill out these forms."
Anyone who could defeat Hilichurls could join the Guild.
Naturally, Jiang Chen and Lumine qualified without question.
They filled the paperwork, received their Adventurer badges,
and sold the pile of Hilichurl masks.
After all of that—
it was finally time for lunch.
Jiang Chen didn't hold back this time.
He ordered generously for Paimon's sake.
Everyone was still waiting for their dishes when the city-wide announcement arrived.
The Dragon Crisis was officially over.
The Stormterror threat solved by the Honorary Knight and an unnamed hero.
Dvalin's true identity revealed.
And—most importantly—
the Anemo Archon had appeared again.
Cheers erupted across Mondstadt.
They didn't know who the heroes were,
but the end of the Dragon Crisis was worth celebrating.
Wine stocks surged instantly—
because if the Archon had returned, alcohol sales could soar without restraint.
The whole city flooded into the streets.
Even the Deer Hunter Restaurant quickly filled up with celebrating citizens.
Meanwhile, the Fatui were in utter confusion.
Stormterror defeated?
The Archon appearing again?
This was disastrous for their plans.
They immediately dispatched agents to search for Barbatos.
The Eleventh Harbinger's orders were absolute.
But none of that had anything to do with Jiang Chen.
Even if Venti had his heart stolen, Jiang Chen wasn't getting involved.
This time he really splurged—
the dishes filled Paimon's stomach to bursting.
"So good…" Paimon groaned happily, patting her round belly.
Lumine stared at the growing bill with despair.
"At this rate, Paimon… I might really not be able to afford keeping you."
One meal.
Over ten thousand Mora.
If Paimon ate like this every day…
She'd spend hundreds of thousands a month.
Who could afford that!?
For the first time, Lumine seriously considered selling Paimon.
"E-Eh!?"
A chill ran down Paimon's spine.
She looked up at Lumine with watery, terrified eyes.
"I won't eat so much anymore!
Don't sell me!!"
She scrambled to Lumine's side, clinging for dear life.
Jiang Chen laughed quietly.
After teasing Paimon enough, Lumine switched focus and looked at Jiang Chen.
"So… what's the plan?"
Stay in Mondstadt for a while?
Or begin the next step—
the one Jiang Chen talked about?
They had the money now.
Only one objective remained.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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