Chapter 165

Before the little one could finish her sentence, the forty thousand Mora had already turned into nine hundred.

This speed of bargaining left the tool-duo stunned.

You can bargain like this?

Is there something wrong with the way you Inazumans view money?!

Lumine never expected that from Mondstadt to Liyue, and then to Inazuma.

The people she encountered didn't treat Mora as mere currency; it wasn't printed paper money, but a solid, tangible alchemical product.

No matter how she pondered it, she couldn't make sense of it.

It wasn't until the group finished their residency procedures accompanied by Lily and stepped out of the Yuanguojian Office that Thoma, under the gaze of the two, clarified the reason.

"Don't think it's easy. If you didn't have a local friend and were just a weak-willed foreign merchant, you would likely have been ruthlessly extorted for a huge sum just now."

Lumine and Paimon were speechless.

Luo Li, however, could understand: "A stranger in a strange land. With Inazuma under lockdown now, outsiders truly have no other way but to huddle together for warmth."

This could be seen from the fact that outsiders were referred to as "outlanders."

Thoma laughed: "It's best that Mr. Luo Li understands. Even if those outlanders form the International Trade Association, they can barely survive, and being under the current Kanjou Commission... never mind, let's not talk about it."

Changing the subject, he kindly asked about the trio's purpose.

"I don't know what business brings the three of you to Inazuma, but if there is anything I can help with, I will certainly give it my all."

Lumine replied: "I came here to meet the Raiden Shogun."

"Uh... that is truly a grand goal for you all."

Thoma chuckled dryly. For a few stowaways to want to see the Raiden Shogun in person was, logically speaking, nothing short of a pipe dream.

However, considering the great feats they had achieved in Mondstadt and Liyue, it didn't seem entirely impossible.

"And what about this gentleman?"

Luo Li gazed toward Inazuma City at the far end of Ritou and said leisurely: "Naturally, to see some old friends I haven't met in a long time."

"Has Mr. Luo Li been to Inazuma before?"

"In a sense, it should be much earlier than you imagine."

Without waiting for Thoma to ask, he continued: "You should have a way to introduce Lumine to the Raiden Shogun, so let's hear it."

Thoma laughed it off: "I really can't hide anything from you, sir. Well, if I use all my resources, there is indeed a way, but before that, connections are also a resource that needs to be exchanged. You understand what I mean, right?"

Lumine, Paimon: "..."

You might as well just say you need a tool.

They were puzzled; why were they always being ordered around wherever they went?

Although their goal of meeting the Raiden Shogun was indeed not simple, the thought of having to run errands again gave them a headache.

"Fine, I understand. What are your requirements? Let's hear them."

After a long moment, Lumine finally compromised helplessly.

There was no other way; for them to enter the Tenshukaku in Inazuma City to meet the Raiden Shogun without any external help was no different from a fool's errand.

Unless they fought their way through, but that would be pure suicide.

Thoma seized the opportunity and quickly said: "Actually, it's nothing major. The person who needs help is the International Trade Association I just mentioned. Its president, Kurisu, is a good friend of mine. He has been troubled by a problem recently and hopes you can help him solve it."

"Aren't you the local expert? Why do you need me for a problem you can't solve?"

"Haha, aren't you the warrior of the dragon disaster and the hero who fought the Archon? How could I compare?"

After a wave of flattery, Thoma said with a very sincere expression: "I truly want everyone to live in harmony, rather than being full of deceit and calculation. I hope you can help me, Traveler."

Holding her forehead, Lumine felt extremely helpless.

Since things had reached this point, what else could she do?

"Alright, I agree."

Thoma seemed to have known she couldn't refuse, and with a happy smile, he said: "Then I will wait for your good news."

Lumine shook her head slightly, preparing to set off with Paimon, but as she turned, she noticed Luo Li remained unmoved.

"Eh, Mr. Luo Li, aren't you coming?" Paimon was very confused.

Everyone came together, so naturally, they should act together; he couldn't just slack off here waiting.

Who knew that was exactly what Luo Li was thinking.

"You go ahead; I have my own things to do."

"Ah?"

Paimon was shocked, just about to say something when she noticed Lumine had an expression of having expected this all along.

Luo Li smiled slightly, looked at Lumine and said: "I believe in your ability. Sooner or later, you will be able to see the Raiden Shogun. There might be some twists and turns, but as long as you always remember your initial purpose..."

"As a blessing for long-time companions, take this with you. I believe it should be able to protect your safety."

Handing the crystal-clear jade pendant engraved with the ancient seal character "Li" hanging at his waist to Lumine, Luo Li's words were filled with deep meaning that Lumine did not yet understand.

She treasured the pendant and tucked it into her clothes. Although she didn't know its deep meaning, she understood that Luo Li could not possibly harm her.

"Okay, I understand. I definitely won't lose it."

Seeing this, Paimon muttered to herself on the side: "It looks so valuable. I wonder how much Mora it's worth?"

Luo Li said with a half-smile: "You are welcome to take it and sell it, just be a little careful about the consequences."

Paimon waved her hands sheepishly and shook her head quickly.

"That, I was just joking, hehe."

Lumine had nothing to say to her companion who was obsessed with money.

Mr. Luo Li would never give her something useless for no reason; she figured this item would play an important role in the future.

Feeling the warm jade pendant pressed against her heart, the young girl tapped Paimon on the head.

"Alright, we should go."

"Ouch, that hurts! Don't hit my head, you'll make me stupid!"

Paimon watched Lumine's retreating back and quickly followed, muttering in protest as she flew.

"Paimon is already stupid enough; it doesn't matter if you make her a little stupider."

"No way!"

As the sound of the two bickering faded into the distance, Luo Li nodded to Thoma in farewell.

This close servant of the Heron Princess would likely guide the tool duo to Inazuma City to reform the atmosphere of the Vision Hunt Decree imposed by the Raiden Shogun.

Of course, there would be some tests before that, but that had nothing to do with Luo Li.

With the ability of the tool duo, passing the tests would not be a problem.

Furthermore, without La Signora giving orders to Hiiragi Shinsuke of the Kanjou Commission to stall Lumine, it shouldn't be difficult for her to leave Ritou now.

Therefore, Luo Li could completely rest assured and let her venture out on her own.

Once she met Raiden Ei, he would provide a preemptive warning, so that when he appeared, it wouldn't seem so abrupt.

In any case, since they were tools, there was no harm in him using them, right?