"This matter has nothing to do with me. When the Northland Bank entered Liyue, Keqing and I were not yet the Seven Stars of Liyue," Ningguang said, her voice tinged with a touch of regret. "At that time, I was still focusing all my attention on earning Mora. By the time I became Tianquan Star, the Northland Bank had already become a major player, and all I could do was monitor them as much as possible."
She paused for a moment before continuing, her tone becoming firmer. "I admit that after I became Tianquan Star, I did use some of my power to expand my assets through legal means. But, in front of you, Emperor, I swear to donate all my property after my death. I never had any intention of getting married and having children. Liyue is my lover, and those industries are my children."
Smith listened carefully, understanding Ningguang's perspective. He could see the sincerity in her eyes and the resolve in her words. He knew she was not someone who would speak lightly about matters of wealth and legacy.
"I believe you," Smith said, offering a reassuring smile. "But have you ever thought about the possibility of living forever in the future? For people from other worlds, immortality is not a problem. There is no wear and tear. You could live for hundreds, maybe thousands of years."
Ningguang paused, her expression thoughtful. Immortality—an idea so tempting for any person, especially one as driven as her. As a beautiful woman with a sharp mind, she had always been ambitious, but the idea of eternal life presented both allure and danger. Would she still be satisfied with her achievements if given infinite time?
"I don't think I've ever truly considered it," Ningguang admitted. Her tone became contemplative. "Liyue has given me a lifetime's worth of satisfaction. I could live fifty or sixty years, maybe seventy or eighty, and I'd be content with what I've built. But... immortality... it could change everything."
She frowned, realizing the potential consequences. If she lived forever, would her mindset shift? If she had centuries to build her empire, would she begin to expand it beyond Liyue? Would she eventually go to war to protect her interests if her ambitions grew unchecked?
Smith could sense the conflict within her and smiled knowingly. "It's not an easy thing to grasp. Immortality would undoubtedly change your view on the world, and how you see Liyue. But it's a choice, one you would have to make carefully."
Ningguang let out a soft laugh, her eyes glinting. "It seems I need to make some changes after all." She paused for a moment, a wry smile on her face. "I've always been in control of my business and assets, but immortality could turn things upside down. I wouldn't want to risk becoming consumed by my own ambitions."
At that, Zhongli spoke up. "The Northland Bank does indeed need to be partially contained. Tianquanxing, please proceed with setting up the Liyue Bank during this period. There are still some money houses in Liyue that are not operating well. You can acquire these and set up a more stable system. This Liyue Bank will be the official bank of Liyue. I will allow you to take out part of the dividends as your benefit."
Ningguang's eyes widened slightly at Zhongli's words. This was a massive opportunity—one that would solidify her place in Liyue's economic future. She could leverage her business skills while contributing to Liyue's prosperity in a more structured way.
"I understand," she said, a sharp gleam of excitement in her eyes. "I'll start setting things up. But we must consider the Northland Bank's established presence. They have already expanded into various countries. If we want to do the same, it could be difficult, especially when it comes to collecting debts. People may exploit the loopholes."
Smith nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. The Northland Bank has a head start, and they have connections in other nations. However, with the Liyue Bank being the official one, it should be able to make a more stable impact."
Zhongli reassured them, his voice calm. "Don't worry about that for now. We'll focus on Liyue first. I will also sign contracts with gods from other nations to smooth things over. The previous banking model indeed had some flaws, but it is within my jurisdiction to fix these issues. I believe the other gods will grant me the necessary support."
As he spoke, Zhongli's gaze grew distant, and there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes—perhaps an ancient plan or strategy that he had been considering for some time.
"Very well," Ningguang said, her voice steady. "I'll get started immediately."
She turned to Keqing, who had been listening intently. "Emperor, what do you need me to do next?" Keqing's loyalty to Liyue was unwavering, but she understood her place in the world. Though her love for Liyue was no less than Ningguang's, she wasn't as free from personal obligations. She would eventually have to marry, have children, and continue her family's legacy.
Zhongli observed her carefully before responding. "Cooperate with Ningguang. You can start by encouraging your family to deposit Mora in the Liyue Bank. We will begin with Liyue's internal operations first."
Keqing sighed, a touch of helplessness in her tone. "Yes, Emperor." She knew the weight of her responsibility and the expectations placed upon her. While her heart was tied to Liyue, her family would always be an influencing factor in her decisions.
The group quickly organized their plans. Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu departed to execute their tasks, leaving Smith alone with Zhongli.
Zhongli looked at Smith, his expression solemn. "If nothing unexpected happens, your guild mall is different from ours, correct?"
Smith couldn't help but smile. "You saw through it, didn't you? Yes, my guild mall has some unique features. For example, I can buy Godheads, but the price is steep."
"Godhead?" Zhongli's voice betrayed a mix of curiosity and shock. "Are you saying you can acquire divine power?"
Smith nodded. "As long as I have enough points, I can potentially become the second Rock God. The Guild Mall is able to provide higher-level powers for certain products. There are currently three Godheads available."
Zhongli's heart raced at this revelation. The implications of this were staggering. If Smith truly had access to such power, the dynamics of their world—and perhaps even the balance of power—could be fundamentally altered.
"That is... truly remarkable," Zhongli murmured, though his thoughts were undoubtedly racing with a thousand possibilities.
Smith chuckled softly, understanding Zhongli's surprise. "It's not something I use lightly, but the option is there."
The weight of what had just been said hung heavily in the air, but Zhongli's calm demeanor remained unchanged. "I will keep an eye on this. We may need to discuss this further when the time comes."
Smith's smile faded slightly as he nodded in agreement. He knew that immortality and divine power were not things to be taken lightly, but with his guild's resources, the possibilities were endless.
---
for more Episodes visit
patreon.com/Noan994