I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 36

After dinner, everyone gathered in Bronya's office.

"Lady Bronya, have you made your decision?" Topaz asked.

Before Bronya could answer, Yuri interjected, "Don't worry, we're still waiting for someone."

With that, Yuri took a leisurely sip of tea, exuding a sense of calm.

Topaz frowned, about to push for an answer, but Jade spoke first. "Alright, let's wait a little longer. No need to rush."

Seeing this, Topaz huffed and sat back in her chair while folding her arms and closing her eyes.

Hu Tao fidgeted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable with the oppressive atmosphere. She wanted to leave but knew she had to support Bronya.

Well, friendship is important, after all~

Kevin, feeling equally bored, leaned back in his chair. He glanced at Yuri, who was still sipping his tea, and suddenly felt curious—why did Yuri, Zhongli, and Uncle Yang all love tea so much?

"Just what are they putting in that tea...?"

Now that he thought about it, he hadn't had tea since waking up on the space station.

Kevin tugged on Yuri's sleeve and pointed at his mouth. "Yuri, give me a cup of tea."

Yuri raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? My tea is bitter."

Kevin shook his head. It didn't matter—he just wanted to satisfy his curiosity.

With a smirk, Yuri poured him a cup.

Kevin took it, recalling how he had seen Yuri and Zhongli drink tea before. He lifted the cup, inhaled the aroma, closed his eyes, relaxed, took a sip, and let the taste settle before swallowing.

Oh... this is kinda nice.

Without a word, Kevin extended his cup for another pour.

Seeing this, March 7th, Asta, Amber, and Eula became curious as well and asked for a cup each.

Yuri, shaking his head, simply placed a plate of small cakes on the table.

"Tea party! Show time!" March 7th cheered.

The girls' eyes lit up at the sight of the cakes, each taking their favorite piece.

Jade and Topaz also helped themselves.

Klee gasped at the sight of a cake shaped like a Dodoco.

"Wow~ It's a little cake!"

"Where, where?! Let Hook see!"

"Cake? Hmph, I bet it tastes even better with wine," muttered Diona.

Yuri helped Klee get the Dodoco cake.

Klee twirled in delight. "Thank you, Brother Yuri~!"

Yuri chuckled. "Share it with the others, okay? Too much cream isn't good for you."

Klee nodded obediently and carefully cut the cake into three portions.

"This is for Hook~"

"This one is for Diona~"

"And this is Klee's!"

The three little ones happily dug in.

At the table, the eating styles were divided into three groups:

The wild eaters—Kevin, Seele, Paimon, and the like—who simply stuffed their food into their mouths, completely ignoring knives and forks.

The elegant ones—Himeko, Jade, Topaz, Bronya, and Eula—who ate neatly with small bites.

The normal ones—Asta, Amber, and March 7th—who ate at a reasonable pace.

As everyone enjoyed their cakes, the door suddenly opened.

Yuri assumed Asta had arrived, but instead, Zhongli stepped inside.

After greeting everyone, Zhongli calmly took a seat next to Yuri and poured himself some tea.

Yuri swirled his cup slightly. "Everything settled on your end?"

Zhongli nodded. "Yes."

Yuri smirked. "And?"

Zhongli remained as composed as ever. "It's done."

Jade watched Zhongli carefully, concern growing for Topaz. This Zhongli isn't ordinary... If he steps in during negotiations, Topaz might not stand a chance.

Just as she was contemplating how to assist, the door opened again—this time, it was finally the right person.

Asta entered, leading none other than Herta into the room.

The moment Herta arrived, she made a beeline for Yuri's shop.

"Dan Heng, take her to the mechanical settlement portal," Yuri instructed.

Jade's eyes widened in shock. This group... is actually connected to Herta?! And they seem to know her well...

Then again, she recalled that the Astral Express crew often helped Herta collect strange artifacts.

Asta walked up to Yuri. "Mr. Yuri, long time no see."

Yuri smiled. "Indeed. Have a seat."

After Asta settled in, Yuri called out to Bronya. "Bronya, my friend is here. You can talk to her now."

Asta turned to Bronya. "Hello, I'm Asta."

Bronya approached and extended her hand. "Hello, I'm Bronya. If possible, I'd like to speak with you in private."

Asta nodded and followed her into another room.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

Topaz sat frozen. What the hell?! Asta's here?! And she looks like she's helping pay off the debt?!

Before long, Bronya and Asta emerged from their discussion.

Asta turned to Topaz. "Director Topaz, it's been a while. Last time we met was at the company's annual meeting."

Topaz forced a smile. "Yes, Miss Asta. So... what's the decision?"

Asta pulled out a sleek black card. "Swipe my card."

Topaz hesitated but gestured for an employee to bring over a high-value transfer machine.

Once the transaction was complete, Topaz returned the card to Asta.

Curious, he couldn't help but ask, "Miss Asta, what did Miss Bronya offer you in return?"

Asta smiled. "Bronya agreed to provide 10,000 Stellar Jade in installments. That's all."

She then turned to Yuri. "Yuri, can you take me to your shop? I'd like to make some purchases."

Seeing the matter resolved, Yuri nodded and began gathering everyone for their departure.

After finishing their business, the group returned to the Astral Express.

Zhongli, Welt, and Dan Heng meticulously preserved their collected samples, turning leaves and minerals into properly labeled specimens. Welt explained each step, and Zhongli, fascinated by the process, carefully crafted a leaf specimen with his own hands.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group sprawled across the tea break area, deeply immersed in gaming.

"Guys! Protect me! I'm the shooter!" March 7th wailed as she was once again ambushed by an assassin.

Kevin, Asta, Eula, and Hu Tao launched a full counterattack, decimating the enemy ranks.

With Silver Wolf joining the team, their victories came even faster, propelling them to King rank.

As the hours passed, a new idea sparked among the girls.

"Hey, Do you guy's have anything planned for tonight?" Kevin asked between matches.

Hu Tao smirked. "Nope! What are we going to do?"

The group all thought for a second for Silver Wolf suddenly spoke up.

"Let's go to that one place! Er...Tevyat!"

"Hmm...I don't see why not!" Kevin said happily in response.

"Sounds fun!" March 7th grinned. "Let's go together."

"We'll need a way to get to Liyue," Eula noted.

Kevin glanced at Yuri with a knowing smirk. "We've got someone who can teleport us."

Yuri sighed but relented, opening a portal. "What a drag..." muttered under his breath.

As the swirling energy stabilized, Kevin, March 7th, Silver Wolf, and the others stepped through, bound for Teyvat.

The girl's and Kevin walked through the portal to Liyue.

Kevin would then summon "Venti's online car-hailing service" with a bottle of wine.

"Such a strange way..." Hu Tao said to herself mostly, but Kevin picked it up.

"These thing's just happen you know?" Kevin chuckled to himself.

Meanwhile, back on the Astral Express, Himeko suddenly approached Yuri.

"Yuri, is there something special about the materials you gave Clara to assemble the machine soldiers?"

Yuri nodded. "Of course. Clara's machines deserve the best.

"At their core, I installed a super-intelligent system loaded with advanced combat techniques. The body materials? All sourced from a high-tech, sci-fi world. Let's put it this way—if you pit Family No. 1 against two Creation Engines, it would hold its own."

Himeko was momentarily speechless. "Two Creation Engines? Yuri, that's overkill."

In her opinion, Clara might be the most powerful person on Jarilo-VI at this point. Not even Bronya, Seele, or anyone else could compete with Svarog and his machine army.

Jade and Topaz returned to their battleship to rest.

After finalizing her reports and sending out the necessary communications, Topaz stretched out on the couch. "I didn't expect Asta to swoop in and resolve everything."

Jade idly stirred her black tea, the spoon rotating at a steady pace along the rim of the cup. "At least things turned out well, and the debt was collected without unnecessary conflict."

Topaz nodded. That much was true.

Then, a thought struck her. "Hey, Jade, did you hear? Asta mentioned that Bronya paid her 10,000 Stellar Jade in installments. Is Stellar Jade really that valuable? Asta looked like she just won the jackpot."

Jade glanced at her tea, contemplating. "It's worth investigating. Stellar Jade is everywhere, but no one really knows its full potential."

Topaz considered her words before offering, "Want me to ask Asta directly?"

Jade shook her head. "No, let's go to Lady Guardian. She might know something."

Topaz agreed. "Alright, but for now, I'm getting some rest. See you tomorrow."

Jade inclined her head slightly. "Good night."

With that, Topaz headed off to her quarters.

Inside Liyue Harbor

Venti used his divine power to transport the Star Maidens to the entrance of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor before hovering in place.

"Alright, this is as far as I go," Venti said lazily.

Before he could slip away, Kevin grabbed him. "Hold on! You're taking us back later."

Venti looked reluctant. "Huh? Didn't you just say you needed a ride to Liyue Harbor?"

Kevin waved dismissively. "Don't worry about the details. I'll even buy you a few more bottles of wine when we get back."

The moment Venti heard "more wine," his attitude flipped. "Ah, Kevin, why so formal? Of course, I'll take you back. I'm definitely not doing this just for the wine. It's all about friendship, you know?"

With that, he vanished into the wind.

Hu Tao, Amber, and Eula exchanged confused glances.

"So... he's actually the Wind God of Mondstadt?" Hu Tao asked.

Amber and Eula sighed. "Yeah, as much as we hate to admit it, that's Barbatos."

Hu Tao suddenly had a realization. "Wait, if he's the Wind God... then what about Zhongli?"

Kevin smirked. "Oh, right. Hu Tao, did you know Zhongli is actually the Geo Archon?"

Hu Tao's brain short-circuited. "WHAT?!"

Ying nodded. "Yep. He told us himself back when we helped Dvalin."

Hu Tao stood frozen for a few moments before crouching down, trying to process the information.

The others hadn't expected her to be so shocked.

March 7th was about to console her when Hu Tao suddenly sprang up. "Wait a second! My employee is the Geo Archon?! This is great news!"

She bolted inside Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. "Hey! Someone make me some flyers! Print them with a portrait of Keqing!"

Rubbing her hands together excitedly, she grinned. "Hehe~ If Lord Rex Lapis works here, there's no way people will hesitate to book my funeral packages!"

The Star Maidens stood in stunned silence.

Then again, maybe this was exactly why Zhongli chose the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—because Hu Tao genuinely cared about him without treating him like a deity.

After finalizing their preparations, the group set out for Wuwang Hill.

As they walked through the streets of Liyue, Kevin and March 7th marveled at the city's architectural beauty.

"March, look over there! That place looks like a library, but it's actually a restaurant!" Kevin pointed.

March 7th turned to see a culturally rich building bustling with diners. "Wow... that's so cool. Liyue is full of surprises."

The sun had begun to set by the time they reached Yujing Terrace.

"Wow! The sunset is gorgeous!" Amber exclaimed.

The others nodded in agreement.

From their vantage point, the market below was alive with merchants calling out their wares, while beyond the docks, the sea stretched endlessly. The golden hues of the setting sun reflected off the water, bathing everything in warm light. Seagulls hovered over the waves, finishing their day's hunt before returning to their nests.

After a moment of silent admiration, Hu Tao led them onward.

A shadow moved behind them.

A man with short orange hair quietly tailed the group.

Childe.

Recently recovered from his injuries, he was once again tracking Hu Tao.

"Hopefully, this time, things go a little smoother..." he muttered before following them.

Leaving the city limits, Hu Tao performed a ritual at an altar, summoning a restless spirit bound by lingering resentment.

Within seconds, the ghost lashed out.

Hu Tao sighed. "Why do I always get customers like this? Just accept your fate peacefully!"

With a swift motion, she struck with the Staff of Homa, dispersing the malevolent energy. Then, she placed a talisman on the spirit, sealing it back into an urn.

She huffed. "I thought this would be an easy job, but nope. Now I have to carry this urn all the way there."

Kevin, watching in fascination, asked, "Hu Tao, can you teach me your techniques?"

Hu Tao grinned. "Sure!"

Just then, a gust of wind blew past.

Ying caught a shadow moving behind Amber. A hooded figure leapt out.

"Amber!" Ying shouted, intercepting the attack and cutting down the assailant.

The group tensed.

"A Fatui debt collector," Eula muttered.

Amber clenched her fists. "Ugh! The Fatui again?!"

A dozen more emerged from the shadows.

Kevin conjured a flaming spear, forming a protective barrier around them.

Then, Childe emerged from the trees, clapping. "Not bad. You react quickly."

Kevin narrowed his eyes. "Who are you, and why are you after Amber?"

Childe smirked. "Me? You can call me Childe."

Paimon frowned. "Why would you want to be called 'Child'?"

Eula's eyes widened. "Childe... Fatui Harbinger?"

Childe grinned. "Bingo! Since you're so sharp, I'll be generous. Let's fight—all of you, at once."

The girls exchanged glances.

"Oh, this guy is cocky," Hu Tao chuckled.

Kevin held up a hand. "Wait. Let's decide who gets to fight him."

After a quick huddle, the answer was clear.

Kevin stepped forward, gripping his weapon with intensity.

"Judgment of Shamash—unsheathed!"

Kevin stared with a fierce expression.

"You'll be facing me today."