Jiang Chen spilled everything he knew about Venti to Acting Grand Master Jean.
He laid it all out: the man was a heavy drinker, a bard, dressed entirely in green, and—to top it all off—a grown man with a penchant for wearing white silk stockings.
Listening to Jiang Chen's account, Acting Grand Master Jean and Lisa exchanged doubtful looks.
Could someone who sounded this utterly unserious really be connected to the Anemo Archon?
How were they supposed to believe that?
"Anyway, if you're looking for the Anemo Archon, he's your guy—no doubt about it."
"One more thing: his Vision is fake, yet he can still manipulate the Anemo element."
"You can observe him yourselves when the time comes."
Jiang Chen sold Venti out thoroughly.
Since Acting Grand Master Jean had forked over ten million Mora, Jiang Chen naturally had to give them something in return.
Hearing this, Jean and Lisa nodded.
"Thank you for the information."
"We will go look for him."
Someone with a direct connection to Barbatos was simply too important to ignore.
Jiang Chen and Lumine stayed at the Knights of Favonius headquarters for a while longer.
After a lengthy chat—and once Lumine received her Honorary Knight medal—Jiang Chen finally left the place with her.
Amber did not chase after them this time, having already been assigned to track down Venti.
And so, only Lumine, Jiang Chen, and Paimon walked out together.
"Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen! What are you planning to do with all that Mora?"
Paimon's eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiang Chen.
God knows what she was thinking, but drool was already starting to pool in the corner of her mouth.
She was craving a feast.
Seeing Paimon's expression, Jiang Chen couldn't help but chuckle.
"Let's go. We'll cash the check first."
"Then we'll get something good to eat for lunch."
Jiang Chen knew exactly what she was after.
She undoubtedly wanted him to treat her to a massive meal.
"Hooray!"
"Jiang Chen, you're the best!"
Paimon was beyond excited.
Jiang Chen was just too generous!
He was actually willing to treat her to a meal!
With that settled, Paimon flew right over to Jiang Chen and began massaging his shoulders.
Her sycophantic display was both funny and exasperating.
Still, Jiang Chen didn't say anything.
Accompanied by Lumine and Paimon, Jiang Chen headed straight for Northland Bank.
There, he exchanged the check for cash.
As soon as he got the Mora, Jiang Chen split it evenly with Lumine.
Seeing this, Paimon's face filled with question marks.
They were splitting it 50-50?
"What about mine?"
Didn't she get a cut too?
"Yours?"
"What else could you possibly want?"
"You eat my food and drink my drinks—what more could you ask for?"
Before Jiang Chen could speak, Lumine chimed in with a deadpan remark.
She really had some nerve.
How could she even bring herself to ask?
Hearing Lumine say that, Paimon immediately slumped into deep despair.
"Noooo!"
"Fine, then."
She had no choice but to accept the harsh reality of her poverty.
With the money secured, the group set off.
They began strolling through Mondstadt.
Mondstadt was still relatively quiet at the moment.
After all, the citizens didn't know yet that the dragon crisis was over.
After wandering around for a bit, Jiang Chen led Lumine to the Adventurers' Guild.
He intended to sell the materials he had gathered earlier.
"To the stars—"
"Hello, I'd like to register as an adventurer."
"And I also need to process some Hilichurl masks."
Jiang Chen bluntly cut Katheryne off mid-sentence.
Katheryne blinked in surprise at Jiang Chen's words.
Even so, she simply nodded.
She reached out and handed him a registration form.
"Please fill out your information."
Joining the Adventurers' Guild was simple: as long as you met the criteria, you were in.
And the criteria were laughably low.
Jiang Chen and Lumine easily met them.
After all, they had brought actual Hilichurl masks with them, looking as though they had slaughtered quite a few.
Basically, anyone capable of fighting a Hilichurl could join the Adventurers' Guild.
Jiang Chen and Lumine filled out the paperwork and received their Adventurer's badges from Katheryne.
This badge served as proof of membership in the Adventurers' Guild.
With it, one could begin accepting commissions from the guild.
Once the completed commissions reached a certain threshold, an adventurer's rank would increase.
Having registered as adventurers and sold the Hilichurl masks, Jiang Chen finally took Paimon to get her grand meal.
As they waited for their food to be served, the official announcement from Mondstadt was finally released.
The dragon crisis was over; Stormterror had been dealt with by the Honorary Knight and a kind-hearted benefactor.
In addition, Dvalin's identity was made public.
Along with the news that the Anemo Archon had returned.
Upon receiving these reports, the people of Mondstadt burst into cheers.
Though they didn't know who the Honorary Knight was, that cursed dragon crisis was finally over.
More importantly, the Anemo Archon had returned!
Could things get any better?
This news alone was enough to make Mondstadt's wine industry boom once more.
Countless people poured into the streets to celebrate.
Meanwhile, Good Hunter—where Jiang Chen and his companions were sitting—quickly filled to capacity.
Everyone rushed over there to join the festivities.
The Fatui were left completely dumbfounded upon receiving the news.
They desperately wanted to figure out what was going on.
Especially regarding the news of the Anemo Archon's reappearance.
Why had the Fatui come to Mondstadt in the first place? For the Gnosis!
Now that the Anemo Archon had shown up again, how could they possibly ignore such a development?
Thus, they were now desperate to track down the Anemo Archon and seize the Gnosis.
The Fatui Harbinger in charge immediately issued orders, mobilizing all Fatui operatives currently in Mondstadt.
None of this concerned Jiang Chen, however.
He had no intention of getting involved.
Even if Venti ended up having his chest cavity pried open, it was all the same to him.
This time, Jiang Chen wasn't being stingy; he ordered plenty of fine dishes to thoroughly satisfy Paimon's bottomless stomach.
"I'm so full!"
"Hehe!"
Paimon blissfully rubbed her bulging tummy.
This meal had been absolute heaven.
"I might not be able to afford you in the future, Paimon!"
Gazing at the bill for this meal, Lumine felt a wave of depression wash over her.
This little glutton had devoured over ten thousand Mora in a single sitting.
If things kept going this way, wouldn't she be spending hundreds of thousands a month?
Damn it, who could afford to feed her?
At that moment, Lumine seriously considered selling Paimon off.
"Huh?"
Paimon suddenly sensed a great disturbance in the force.
She hurriedly looked over at Lumine.
Her face wore an expression of pure innocence.
At the same time, she grew tense.
"You can't eat this much anymore."
"If you keep eating like this, I'll have no choice but to sell you."
"After all, I don't have that kind of money to feed you."
Lumine teased her with a playful threat.
Hearing this, Paimon panicked.
She never expected to be disliked just for eating too much!
"Don't sell me!"
"I won't eat that much anymore!"
Paimon was frantic.
She rushed over to explain herself.
Watching the two bicker, Jiang Chen couldn't help but smile.
Fortunately, Lumine was just joking with Paimon.
After teasing her a bit, Lumine turned her gaze back to Jiang Chen.
What was the plan for next time?
Keep hanging out in Mondstadt?
Or start taking action?
Go carry out the things Jiang Chen had mentioned earlier?
They had the money now.
So only one thing remained.