Although Kaiyang and the others spoke sharply and appeared unyielding, once the discussion reached the matter of how to punish the Fatui, they immediately began dodging the topic—either giving vague half-answers or intentionally avoiding anything substantial.
Keqing finally had enough.
She rose from her seat, swept her cold gaze across everyone present, then turned on her heel and walked out without a word.
The room fell into an ugly silence as they watched her leave.
Kaiyang slammed the table angrily.
"Keqing is insubordinate! I propose we strip her of the Yuheng position!"
One after another, several Qixing members echoed him—eager, relentless, and venomous.
A mere junior had dared call them cowardly vermin.
If they didn't crush her, where would their dignity remain?
But Ningguang simply chuckled lightly.
"The Yuheng simply speaks her mind. I didn't expect you all to be so… sensitive."
Kaiyang refused to back down.
"She is reckless! She doesn't know how to prioritize, how to endure for the good of Liyue—she only cares about her own satisfaction!
Someone this impulsive cannot bear the weight of a Qixing seat!"
Ningguang's smile disappeared.
Her tone turned cold—absolute, immovable.
"I've already said my piece. No further objections will be entertained.
Anyone who continues pushing this matter… the Jade Chamber will ensure they lose everything they own."
The moment the words landed, silence swallowed the room.
No one dared utter another sound.
After a long moment, Ningguang spoke again.
"It's likely the Fatui will soon seek negotiations.
If the terms they offer are sincere, this matter ends there."
Everyone nodded hurriedly, eager to agree.
And with that, the Qixing meeting concluded.
Back at the Jade Chamber
As soon as Ningguang returned, her secretary Baiwen approached to inform her:
Pantalone, director of the Northland Bank, was already waiting in the guest hall.
Ningguang was mildly surprised.
She had expected him to come—but not this quickly.
After a slight pause, she walked with graceful steps into the lavishly-furnished reception room.
Every detail radiated wealth and refined extravagance.
Pantalone rose with a charming smile.
"Lady Ningguang, it's been too long. You grow ever more radiant and regal."
Ningguang returned a measured, elegant smile.
"Thank you for the praise, Director Pantalone. You seem even more distinguished yourself."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they cut straight to business.
Pantalone spoke first.
"Regarding Wang's case—the Fatui involved were acting alone. Their actions have no connection to Snezhnaya.
We're willing to hand the culprit over to Liyue's Ministry of Justice."
Ningguang's expression did not change.
She held his gaze calmly.
"If that is the full extent of Snezhnaya's sincerity, then we have nothing further to discuss."
Pantalone paused, then added,
"We can also surrender an elite Fatui squad for Liyue to deal with. That is the maximum sincerity we can offer."
Ningguang's brows tightened.
Her displeasure deepened.
"The Northland Bank can't even provide basic compensation?
According to our investigation, most of the Mora Wang stole was seized by the Fatui—not by him personally.
As for your squad, Liyue is more than capable of dealing with them."
Pantalone felt a wave of frustration.
After weighing everything rapidly, he still answered:
"I have stated clearly—this is all Snezhnaya can offer.
If Lady Ningguang remains unsatisfied, then I can only express my regret."
Ningguang's voice turned ice cold.
"I hope you don't regret your decision today."
Pantalone adjusted his glasses, his tone unwavering.
"Rest assured—Snezhnaya never regrets its own actions."
The negotiation ended in deadlock.
Later — A Visitor
Shortly after Pantalone left, a tall, beautiful woman stepped into Ningguang's office.
She wore a midnight-blue leather outfit that outlined her graceful figure, refined yet dangerous—like an orchid blooming quietly in the night.
"Looks like your negotiation with Pantalone didn't go well," she said playfully.
In front of her, Ningguang shed her usual Tianquan persona and sighed like an ordinary friend.
"Yelan, that man is unbelievably stingy.
He'd sacrifice an entire elite Fatui squad before giving up a single Mora."
Yelan looked equally exasperated.
"I've met misers before—but never one like him."
"So what now?" she asked.
"If the protests continue, trade between Liyue and Snezhnaya will suffer."
Ningguang rubbed her temples.
"There's nothing I can do.
Most protesters are the victims and families of victims.
Without compensation, they won't leave."
Then she changed the topic.
"By the way… that Fatui squad still hasn't been captured?"
At that, Yelan's irritation flared.
"Everything was perfectly set up—but someone leaked the plan.
They all ran into the Northland Bank."
Ningguang wasn't surprised.
Snezhnaya was Liyue's largest trading partner—there were countless people in Liyue tied to Snezhnaya's interests.
It was the very foundation of Pantalone's confidence.
After a moment of thought, Ningguang asked,
"Yelan, what about the mastermind behind Wang's suicide and the protest movement?"
Yelan nodded.
"There's a lead.
Likely… a funeral shop owner."
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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