Ren
'Oughhhh, I'm gonna pass out.' Ren tried to keep a calm expression as he ascended using a platform up to a building most people in Liyue could only dream of going to.
The sun's rays poured through the clouds, illuminating the palace in the sky in reflected colors.
Of course, he'd been in the sky plenty of times riding on Nue's back. But there was a difference between using a shikigami and going to the Nation's most important location.
The place where the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing resided, and where she watched over all the happenings in Liyue. Arguably the most important person in Liyue, bar the literal deities.
And Ren was about to meet her in just a few minutes.
He clenched his fists and controlled his breathing. 'I can't afford to look weak right now.'
"Nervous?" The person escorting him asked.
"A little, I suppose," Ren laughed out.
They didn't say anything else, and not a moment later, they arrived.
"This is where I stop," His guide said with a bow, "Best of luck to you, young man."
"Thank you—Wait, what's that supposed to mean?"
But the man merely chuckled and descended on the same platform.
'Oook, here it goes.'
A figure emerged from the Chamber's entrance, but it wasn't that of Ningguangs.
Ren expected that, of course. He wasn't anyone important enough for the Tianquan herself to greet him in person.
The woman in front of him wore very inconspicuous clothing, nothing about it standing out. But he was able to determine that just from the way she walked, she was no ordinary person.
There was a fine line between arrogance and confidence. And this lady had confidence in spades.
"Mr. Roman, I'm glad to see you have made it in time. I am Baixiao." She gave him a polite nod. "Lady Ningguang is awaiting you in her office. Please come with me."
Ren followed her without much thinking; this woman was one of Ningguang's personal confidants. He was pretty sure there were only three people, but to see them in person was almost as nerve-wracking as meeting Ningguang herself.
As he stepped through the threshold inside the Chamber, the sounds of the outside world disappeared entirely.
All that remained was the serene environment of the Jade Chamber's interior. In front of him was a small pond with a pair of spiral stairs leading up to the upper floor.
While walking up the steps, he quickly ran over everything that he might need to discuss with the Tianquan.
He spent hours last night memorising the Shadow Courier's track record, performance, consistency, and profitability. Basically every number and metric he thought would be of significance for the meeting.
Though being honest, Ningguang probably already knew everything about his business.
His preparation was more to protect himself. As a young business owner, he knew how the big players liked to play, and he needed to make sure he wouldn't be done dirty.
Finally, as he made it to the upper floor, he was greeted by a sight of Ningguang working dutifully at her desk.
'So her office is just out in the open?' Ren couldn't help but think, 'Well, not like there's anyone up here that she doesn't trust 100%.'
The moment they stepped closer, Ningguang lifted her gaze, making Ren unknowingly tense up slightly.
Her crimson red eyes bore into his own, and he instantly sensed that she seemed pleased about something.
"Mr. Roman." Ningguang's voice was warm, like she was measuring his reaction. She placed her pen aside and motioned for him to come closer. "Please, take a seat."
Her secretary nodded and walked off, leaving Ren and Ningguang alone.
"Thank you for having me, Lady Ningguang." He walked over and sat down across her desk.
'Okay. Just don't say anything stupid.'
He reached into his jacket and produced the small box Hengyi had made. Placing it politely on her desk.
She eyed the box curiously before turning her eyes back to him.
"A small gift. As a token of respect for this meeting."
Ren expected her to put the box aside and get straight to the meeting, not for her to actually open up the box in front of him.
He tried not to look nervous as she held the brooch in her hand. Humming as she examined the delicate ornament, she looked even slightly impressed at it.
"Exquisite craftsmanship. A custom-made brooch on such short notice. You are dedicated, I'll give you that," She said finally, setting it back in the box. "Thank you, Mr. Roman."
She moved on immediately.
'Was that good? I have no idea if that was good.'
"I'll get straight to the point," Ningguang said, folding her hands on the desk. "I would like the Shadow Courier to be the primary logistics contractor for the preparation of this year's Rite of Descension."
Ren nodded. "I'm honored by the opportunity."
"The scope is as follows." She brought out a document and laid it in front of him. "Transportation and delivery of ritual supply materials to Yujing Terrace and the surrounding ceremonial areas. Coordination of merchant goods arriving at the harbor for the event—there will be significantly higher than usual volume, and the standard harbor logistics infrastructure won't be sufficient on its own. And any additional material movement that arises during the preparation period, as directed by the assigned Qixing representative."
Ren looked at the document and couldn't help but go into a cold sweat.
'That's a lot.'
But he didn't let his shock show, following up with a question. "What's the anticipated volume on the merchant coordination side? Are we talking about handling the overflow from existing harbor logistics, or would Shadow Courier be running parallel to them entirely?"
Ningguang raised an eyebrow. "Parallel, primarily. The harbor's existing network handles its own incoming shipments. Your responsibility would be the internal distribution once goods arrive. Moving them to their destinations across the city and to the ceremonial areas."
'Okay. That's manageable. Different from just taking something from point A to point B, but manageable.'
"And the timeline?"
"The Rite takes place in three weeks. All preparation logistics must be completed one week before, to give us time for final checks and adjustments." She paused. "So roughly two weeks of active operation."
He put that estimate in his memory. "Who are the primary parties we'd be coordinating with?"
"The Rite preparation committee, which reports through my office. The merchant guild liaisons. The temple administrators at Yujing Terrace. And the assigned Qixing representative, who will serve as your main point of contact for day-to-day operational concerns."
Ren nodded, writing. "If a supplier fails to deliver, as in goods that Shadow Courier is supposed to transport but that don't arrive on our end, how is liability distributed?"
Ningguang went silent for a moment.
'Too much? Was that too much?'
"Standard contractor terms apply," she said, a smile gracing her features. "The Qixing assumes responsibility for any incidents that fall outside the contractor's reasonable control. Supplier failures, weather events, third-party delays. These are not the contractor's liability provided they are documented and reported in a timely manner."
'Okay. That's the thing I was most worried about. That's handled… But why do I feel like something isn't right here?'
"How about the base compensation?" He asked, finally opening the gateway to the money talk.
"Ten million Mora."
'Ten…million?'
Just the number was enough to make Ren's head spin. 'That's like 100 times more than the Shadow Courier makes in a good month!'
He just nodded absentmindedly, trying to look like he wasn't freaking out inside.
"Additionally," Ningguang continued, in the exact same tone, "a completion bonus of an additional ten million Mora should Shadow Courier finish all preparation logistics one full week ahead of schedule."
…
…
"I'm sorry," he said. "Could you repeat that?"
"An additional ten million," Ningguang said, amused at his reaction. "Should all logistics be completed by the end of week one rather than week two."
He looked at her to make sure she wasn't joking.
She wasn't.
'This is too good to be true,' Ren's brain started to go into overdrive, 'Why is the number so large? What is she getting at?'
There had to be a trap of some sort. He refused to believe that someone like Ningguang didn't have something up her sleeve.
"Also," Ningguang started, not giving him any time to process her previous words. "Shadow Courier will be formally listed as the official primary logistics contractor for this year's Rite of Descension in all Qixing documentation."
'That would definitely put the Shadow Courier's name out there.' His eyes widened. Just from the added exposure alone, it would give him an edge against his competitors. All he needed to do was make the best use of the opportunity.
"A Qixing representative will be assigned to work alongside your team throughout the preparation period. They'll assist with coordination between Shadow Courier and the various parties involved, and serve as the Qixing's point of contact for any issues that arise."
"Who's the representative?" Ren couldn't help but ask.
"That will be confirmed separately."
'...Okay.'
He looked at the contract she slid across the desk and read through it multiple times. It was surprisingly clear for a big event like the Rite of Descension.
Since he couldn't bring Yanfei up here to look at the contract for him, he needed to watch out for loopholes and hidden clauses himself.
And, fortunately or unfortunately, he couldn't find any.
'There HAS to be something hidden in here.' His eyes went through the stack of papers once again.
Turning to look at Ningguang, she was waiting for him patiently. Which, ironically enough, made him feel much more pressured to sign quicker.
After a few minutes of reading, he finally gave up and signed it.
"Welcome aboard, Mr. Roman," Ningguang said. "I look forward to seeing what the Shadow Courier is capable of."
"Thank you, Lady Ningguang." He stood and gave a small nod. "You won't be disappointed."
Baixiao came back to escort him out of the Jade Chamber and back to the harbor.
But as he descended, he couldn't help but feel like he was getting played somehow.
'Maybe I'm overthinking it…'
/ — /
Ningguang
Baixiao showed Ren out.
Ningguang watched him walk away from the chamber in a cold sweat. His expression was a mix of confusion and happiness as he disappeared from her sight.
It was… quite amusing.
'I must admit, Beidou was right in her assessment.' Even if the captain had only met the courier once, she had a knack for picking apart people's character.
The Tianquan sighed, "And to think she left Liyue just as the Rite of Descension was about to take place. You really are the only one who could get under my skin."
Brushing the thought aside, she turned her attention to the box on her desk. Opening it, she picked up the brooch and inspected it more closely.
'Curious.'
She hadn't given it a proper look during the meeting, as it wasn't of much importance at the time. But now that she looked at it with more focus, something about it nagged at something at the edge of her brain.
And she was not one to let go of such feelings.
Moving the brooch over, she inspected the Cor Lapis being used as the primary ore, using the jade as an accent and the amethyst as the finishing touches.
'Such precise workings… Where have I seen this technique before?'
It didn't take long for the answer to appear in her head.
'The Duan Clan.'
She was certain of it. The Duan Clan's technique to smithy had specific characteristics she'd seen enough times in high-value commissions to recognize.
But this work in particular had a specific shine to it that the rest didn't.
'How peculiar.'
One of Liyue's more distinguished smithing families… How did Ren Roman get his hands on their services? She doubted he would be able to make them create an intricate piece on such short notice.
But then it hit her.
She remembered an internal incident with the Duan Clan, where the clan's young master broke their family's most valued creation and was then banished. Their brother ended up becoming the heir to the clan.
To think that the banished young master was apparently working under Ren Roman.
'Hengyi was the young master's name, if I recall correctly… How interesting.'
A banished young master, a group of former Treasure Hoarders, and a mortal raised by an Adeptus. Truly an interesting lineup of employees.
All of them were people who were discarded by the places and people who were supposed to accept them.
But for all of them to converge with Ren was certainly something to take note of.
'Did he do this intentionally or did things just fall this way?'
Her mind went back to the meeting. It had been, by her standards, straightforward. He'd asked the right questions—not all of them. A more seasoned contractor would have pushed on the timeline flexibility and the coordination hierarchy, but the instincts were correct.
'Good instincts. Better than what I expected for a young business owner.'
Alas, it wasn't enough. He still failed to consider one thing.
That the ten million she offered was the standard minimum for a Rite of Descension logistics contractor.
It was the floor for work of this scale. Her usual contractors knew that it was always the starting point to negotiate higher prices.
And Ren had been too befuddled by the amount that he failed to consider she was shortchanging him.
'There was no trap,' she thought with smug amusement. 'He built the entire thing himself.'
She didn't even do anything out of the ordinary. She just didn't mention that she could have gained so much more than just a measly 10 million.
The poor courier was twisting and turning his brain to find any traps in her offer. It was quite a refreshing sight.
'Exhausting, being him, I'd imagine.'
It reminded her, somewhat, of Ganyu.
Not in any obvious way. Ganyu was composed where Ren was anxious, but the opposite was also true. When they were uncomfortable, they tended to fall into familiar motions.
'Ganyu expresses it through overwork. He expresses it through paranoia.' She chuckled.
She wondered what it would look like when those two versions of the same quality ended up working alongside each other for two weeks.
'It will definitely be interesting.'
She picked up her pen.
The Rite preparation was in good hands. What happened next was up to the people involved, she had simply arranged the conditions. What they did with that was entirely their own business.
She pulled the next stack of papers toward her.
There was still a great deal of work to do.
/ — /
Ren
Inside the Shadow Courier warehouse, all the employees (plus Hengyi) sat in a row of chairs. Standing at the front was Ren, who had a chalkboard behind him.
"Sorry… Can you explain one more time?"
"Which part?"
"Everything after you walked in…"
Meifen smacked her hand into her face.
"I'll go through it again." Ren turned back to the chalkboard where there were three words written in bold letters.
First was [SCOPE].
"So, for reasons beyond my understanding, the Shadow Courier has somehow been hired by the Qixing as the primary logistics contractor for the Rite of Descension's preparation.
He held up two fingers, "This means we handle two things. First is the transportation of all supply materials to Yujing Terrace and the surrounding ceremonial areas. Second is the coordination of merchant goods coming into the harbor."
Everyone leaned in as Ren's expression turned serious, "The sheer volume of goods during the Rite will be significantly higher than normal, and the standard harbor logistics can't absorb all of it. So, we run parallel."
He looked at Xiaosi, "So, is that clearer?"
"...What's the second thing again?"
"Xiaosi," Daquan said.
"I'm asking for clarification—"
"I'll kill you," Meifen said pleasantly.
"Moving on." Ren tapped [TIMELINE]. "We have two weeks of active operation. The Rite is in three weeks, all preparation logistics need to be done one week before to give the Qixing time for final checks. Two weeks." He underlined it. "That's the window."
The room was quiet as everyone digested the information.
Meifen looked worried and somewhat nervous, "With an event the size of the Rite of Descension, the volume would easily double, maybe more. With our current capacity…"
"—Ah, don't worry too much about overwork. I'll be doing at least 80% of the heavy duty stuff with my shikigami."
She still didn't look convinced, "Even so, it's still a lot for us. Maybe it's nothing to someone like Shenhe—"
The woman in question turned her head at her coworker.
"—But it would push normal people like us to the limit. Even with the Shadow Bands."
Everyone considered her words carefully, "From my memory of previous Rites, we'd need to coordinate with the merchant guild directly," She muttered absentmindedly, already thinking of how they would even do such a large operation, "Shenhe and I are the fastest, so we'd be in charge of the ceremonial supplies. Xiaosi and Daquan can handle harbor coordination and… Why is Hengyi here again? No offence."
"None taken," The blacksmith nodded his head, "Master brought me here to assist with the administrative aspects of the operation. Essentially be his right hand man."
"So, you're his assistant?"
"Well… yes. But that sounds lame."
"Ok…" Meifen turned back to Ren, "This should be… feasible for us to do. But we'd be stretched thin."
This time it was Daquan that spoke up, "How about hiring temporary workers for additional help?"
"Already on the list. The Qixing has some people on standby, though they would most likely not be anywhere near your level."
Xiaosi raised his hand. "I have a concern."
"What."
"This sounds like a lot of work."
…
…
"I know this was… sudden." Ren said slowly, "But this is a really big opportunity not just for the Shadow Courier, but for you guys."
Xiaosi, Meifen, and Daquan were still hesitant.
Ren expected this kind of reaction from them, no one liked being told to work non-stop for two weeks straight. That's not even accounting for the amount of pressure there would be in preparing the biggest event in Liyue.
Shenhe, who had been sitting quietly with her hands folded in her lap, spoke for the first time. "I don't see the issue. The Rite of Descension is one of the most significant events in Liyue. Assisting in its preparation is an honor."
Everyone looked at her with a deadpan stare.
"...Right," Xiaosi said. "Okay. Sure."
Ren tapped [MONEY].
"Now this is the part I haven't told you yet." A wry grin slowly made its way on his face, making his employees nervous and Shenhe letting out a sour expression, "The base compensation for completing this commission is… Ten million Mora."
…
…
"...Come again?" Meifen said.
"Ten million Mora for the full two weeks."
His employees, except for Meifen, looked like they were about to pass out.
"And—" Ren continued, watching their faces with unrestrained glee. "There is a completion bonus."
"How much," Xiaosi said immediately. Every trace of his earlier confusion and reluctance was gone.
"Ten million additional Mora if we finish all logistics a full week early. Meaning in one week instead of two."
"TEN MILLION—"
"Each?!"
"No, total—"
"That's still—"
"How much is our cut—"
"MEIFEN HOW MUCH IS OUR CUT—"
"I'm CALCULATING—"
Ren waited for them to settle down on their own.
Hengyi was dragged next to the chaos and helped Meifen count the amount of Mora they would get from the commission.
Shenhe just sat next to them, enjoying their presence.
'I could tell them the amount they're gonna get. But this is funnier.'
Eventually, the noise settled down and everyone looked back at Ren with expressions of determination.
"Okay," Meifen said, raising her fist up. "We're doing this in one week."
"One week," Daquan confirmed.
"One week!" Xiaosi shouted.
Shenhe just raised her fist without saying anything.
Ren looked at Hengyi.
Hengyi met his eyes and gave him a single nod.
"One more thing," Ren said, and the room settled. "A Qixing representative will be working alongside us throughout the preparation. They'll be our main point of contact for coordination questions and Qixing-side logistics."
"Who?" Meifen asked.
"I'll find out tomorrow."
"Fair enough."
Ren clapped his hands together, "Alright! Take some time off today because you are going to need the energy for what's to come! I expect you all to work to the best of your abilities and give everyone in Liyue a good look at the Shadow Courier's capabilities!"
"""Alright!"""
/ — /
"Hopefully the representative is the cooperative type," Ren muttered.
It was bright and early in Liyue, and he was already walking the steps up Yujing Terrace. He had agreed to meet the representative early in the morning to hash out details about the Shadow Courier's role.
He was slightly less nervous to meet this person than he was with Ningguang, but it was always nerve wracking to meet anyone a part of the Qixing.
Whoever he was going to meet was going to decide how well this operation would go.
So, no pressure at all.
As he made it to Yujing Terrace, he saw an unexpected face there. A familiar figure with twin horns stood in the middle, looking up at the morning sky with a smile on her face.
'Ganyu? What's she doing here?' Ren walked over to her.
She heard his footsteps approach and turned her head. Her eyes opened in surprise before a warm smile crept up her face.
"Ren? Good morning."
"Morning." He smiled back, "Didn't expect you to be here? More work with the Rite preparations?"
She nodded, "I suppose you can say that." She tilted her head slightly. "What are you doing here?"
"I have a meeting with a Qixing representative." He crossed his arms over his chest, "Shadow Courier was hired as the main logistics contractor for the Rite preparation. I'm here to meet whoever's overseeing us."
"H-Huh?" A befuddled expression crossed Ganyu's face. "I… I'm supposed to be the one overlooking the logistics contractor."
"Say what now?"