I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 45

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"Ying! We're almost in Liyue!"

Ying drove her off-road RV down the trade route from Mondstadt to Liyue. The road was relatively smooth, making the journey easy.

After crossing a gorge, he finally arrived at Liyue.

At Stone Gate, a small marketplace bustled with merchants selling food and tea to travelers.

Paimon eagerly leaned out the window, sniffing the air with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Wow~ It smells so good! Ying, let's stop and grab something to eat! I'm starving."

Ying glanced out the window, noting the variety of food stalls. However, she had no intention of stopping.

"What's there to eat? Hold on for a bit. Didn't we make plans with Hu Tao? She's waiting for us at Wangshu Inn and promised to treat us to a feast."

Paimon perked up at the reminder, suddenly recalling the invitation. "Oh! Right, Hu Tao said she'd treat us!" She hesitated for a moment before nodding rapidly. "Then let's hurry! We can't keep her waiting!"

Ying rolled her eyes as she closed the window. "Yeah, right. You're just in a rush to eat."

With a smirk, she pressed down on the accelerator, and the RV rumbled forward, drawing curious stares from passersby.

The people of Liyue had never seen such a vehicle before. "What is that thing? It's moving on its own!"

Meanwhile, near the Statue of the Seven in Dihua Marsh, a band of Treasure Hoarders lay in wait, preparing to ambush passing merchants.

Their leader, A Biao, barked orders. "Hurry up! Get into position!"

A scout sprinted toward them, panting. "Boss! A fat sheep is coming!"

A Biao's lips curled into a greedy grin. "Good, everyone hide! Wait for my signal—then jump out and act intimidating!"

The Treasure Hoarders crouched behind bushes, watching as the RV approached. A Biao narrowed his eyes. "What the hell is that? A moving carriage? No matter, it must be carrying valuables."

She raised his hand and waited until the RV was close. "Now!"

With a roar, A Biao and his gang leapt out.

Unfortunately, they underestimated the RV's speed.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A series of collisions echoed through the air as A Biao and his men were sent flying—straight into the river.

Their fall was spectacular, sending water splashing in all directions.

Completely unaware, Ying continued driving, approaching Wangshu Inn. She casually reached for his phone. Mobile devices worked in Liyue, so he figured he'd send Hu Tao a quick text.

Then, a thought struck him. "Huh? Did I just hit something?"

Frowning, he slammed the brakes and opened the door, stepping out to inspect.

Nothing.

He shrugged, got back into the RV, and drove off.

Meanwhile, back at the river, A Biao resurfaced, sputtering. "You—you can't just drive off like that! You hit someone! I demand compensation! I'm going to sue!"

More than ten minutes later, Ying arrived at Wangshu Inn. As soon as she pulled up, he spotted Hu Tao squatting on the roadside, counting her newly acquired Mora.

She had arrived early and, rather than waiting idly, had spent her time scouring Wangshu Inn for treasure chests.

From the rooftop, Xiao had been watching. He shook his head, perplexed at Hu Tao's enthusiasm. Most of those chests contained nothing of value.

Ying rolled down her window and honked the horn. "Toot~ Hu Tao, I'm here."

Hu Tao looked up and grinned. "Oh, Ying! Finally! Let's go—time for a feast! I made arrangements with Xiangling at Wanmin Restaurant. She's preparing a special meal just for us!"

Ying nodded. "Want to ride with me? I can put your bike in the trunk."

Hu Tao inspected the RV. It looked comfortable. "Alright, open the trunk."

Ying pressed a button, and the trunk opened. Hu Tao stowed her flying motorcycle inside and climbed into the RV.

Inside, Paimon was lounging in a booth, munching on potato chips. "Hu Tao, sit here! Want some chips?"

Hu Tao waved a hand. "Nah, you eat. I'm gonna check this place out."

She wandered through the RV, impressed by how well-equipped it was for travel. "Wow, this is perfect for adventurers like you. I kinda want one myself."

But after a moment's thought, she dismissed the idea. Her flying motorcycle was just as fast, and she preferred the thrill of the open air.

Hu Tao joined Ying at the front. "Alright, I'll be your navigator."

She pulled up a small stool and sat beside him, chatting as they drove.

An hour later, they reached the entrance of Liyue Harbor. The Qianyan Army on duty immediately signaled for them to stop.

"Halt! Step out for inspection!"

Ying and Hu Tao exited the RV. As soon as Hu Tao recognized the guard captain, she grinned. "Hey~ Acai! You're on duty today?"

Acai, the captain of the Qianyan Army stationed there, had once been rescued by Hu Tao during a monster attack. Seeing her now, he relaxed and gestured for his men to lower their weapons.

"Master Hu! I thought it was an outsider causing trouble. Is this yours?"

Hu Tao shook her head and pointed at Ying. "Nah, it's hers. It's basically a fancy carriage."

Acai nodded. "Got it. My team and I thought it was some kind of mechanical beast."

Hu Tao laughed. "Nope, just a cool ride. I came to pick up Ying. We're headed to Wanmin Restaurant for dinner."

Acai sighed in relief. "That's good. Alright, you're clear to enter. We'll let you pass."

Ying climbed back into the RV, and as they drove off, Hu Tao stuck her head out the window. "Drop by Wangsheng Funeral Parlor sometime for tea!"

Acai chuckled. "Sure thing, Master Hu!"

Hu Tao took Ying to park the RV at the entrance of Wangsheng Hall and asked the staff to keep an eye on it.

Then, Hu Tao took Ying and Paimon to Chihuyan on foot.

The streets of Chihuyan were narrower than those in Yujingtai, and the crowd made it difficult for Ying to drive through. Walking was the better choice.

Before long, they arrived at Wanmin Hall.

As soon as Hu Tao stepped inside, she called out toward the kitchen.

"Xiangling! The master of the hall is here! Is my dish ready?"

A second later, Xiangling poked her head out from the kitchen.

"Go to the second floor first; there's still another pot of soup cooking."

Hu Tao lifted the curtain and peeked inside. A rich, fragrant fish soup simmered over the fire.

"Alright! Come up quickly—we'll eat together later."

Hu Tao led Ying and Paimon up to the second floor. Unlike the bustling first floor, the upper level had only a single large round table—a "private room" of sorts for special guests.

The moment they sat down, Paimon sniffed the air and sighed dreamily. "Mmm, it smells so good!"

Ying turned to Hu Tao. "Are we heading to Yuri's place later?"

Hu Tao raised an eyebrow. "You want to go? What for?"

"I'm running low on Stellar Jade, so I need to buy some supplies. Then, I figured I'd check in on Ying and the others. They found a new place, right? I want to see it. Do you want to come?"

Hu Tao considered. Business at the Internet café was thriving, and the ceremonial officer's sister had already mastered its operations. As for Wangsheng Hall, today's funerals were simple affairs that didn't require her presence.

"Alright, let's go have some fun together."

Just then, Xiangling and Guoba arrived, each carrying a steaming pot of fish soup, while Yi Xiong followed with a large pot of rice.

"What are you all talking about?" Xiangling asked as she set the soup down.

Hu Tao grinned. "Nothing much—just making plans for later. By the way, let me introduce you. This is Ying, the Traveler, and the floating one is Paimon."

Ying and Paimon both smiled and waved.

Xiangling returned the gesture. "Nice to meet you, Ying, Paimon! But let's eat first—food won't taste as good once it gets cold."

The four of them began their meal, chatting as they ate.

Hu Tao popped a golden shrimp ball into her mouth and turned to Xiangling. "Hey, do you want to come with us this afternoon?"

Xiangling agreed immediately. She wasn't on duty today; Hu Tao had only asked her to prepare this meal, so she was free afterward.

"Sure! Where are we going? Luhua Pool? Dihua Marsh?"

Hu Tao shook her head. "Neither. We're going to another world."

Xiangling blinked in confusion. "Another world? What do you mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. Are you coming?"

Xiangling gaped. "What?! Hu Tao, do you actually know how to travel to other worlds? You're not messing with me again, are you?"

Hu Tao huffed and gestured toward Ying. "If you don't believe me, ask her. I'm not lying."

Xiangling turned to Ying with wide eyes.

Ying nodded. "Hu Tao is telling the truth. I'm not from Teyvat—I come from another world."

Xiangling's jaw nearly hit the table. "What?! Ying, you're from beyond this world?!"

Hu Tao chuckled and pushed Xiangling back into her seat. "Calm down, calm down. It's just another world—no big deal. Eat up; we'll head out after lunch."

More than two hours later, Hu Tao, Ying, Xiangling, and Paimon arrived at Jueyunjian on Hu Tao's flying motorcycle.

As soon as they landed, they saw Liuyun walking out of her cave.

Hu Tao tilted her head and grinned. "Master Liuyun, finally stepping outside, huh?"

Liuyun snorted. "Hmph! What do you know, little girl? This adeptus has been studying new techniques. Do you even understand what that means?"

Hu Tao shrugged. "Nope. But I do know that you broke my motorcycle and never fixed it. Clara had to do it instead. Hehe~"

Liuyun bristled. "What do you know?! I was merely—" She trailed off, struggling to find an excuse.

"Forget it! You wouldn't understand even if I explained. Now scram—stop bothering me. I have important research to do."

With that, Liuyun turned and disappeared back into the cave.

Hu Tao pursed her lips, then grabbed Xiangling's wrist and led her into the portal.

"Come on—let's go play!"

Train, Yuri's shop.

Hu Tao, Ying, Xiangling, and Paimon arrived to find Amber and Eula lounging in the tea break area, eating cupcakes.

Hu Tao waved. "Amber, Eula! You two are here too?"

Amber, holding a cupcake, smiled. "Yeah! Since everyone in the Knights has been improving with the Wind Spirit Technique, Captain Jean gave us a day off to relax."

Hu Tao nodded. "Got it. By the way, I wonder how Lady Ningguang and the others are doing with the Vajra Body Forging Technique."

Eula took a bite of her cupcake before replying. "I heard Ningguang is extremely capable, so she should have no trouble with it."

"Makes sense," Hu Tao agreed. "I don't know why I even questioned her. Ningguang built herself up from nothing to become the most powerful woman in Liyue. She can handle it."

Then, she glanced around. "By the way, where's Kevin? I don't see him or the others."

Amber explained, "They're on an expedition. Himeko said they ran into a tough enemy, but they won in the end."

Hu Tao's eyes lit up. "Oh? Then I should call him and see where they are—we can go find them! How about it?"

Amber, Eula, and the others agreed, and Ying had no objections either. Yuri's shop wasn't going anywhere, so they weren't in a rush.

Hu Tao pulled out her phone. "Hello? Kevin, where are you?"

On the other end, Kevin was perched atop a defeated Trampler, the Judgment of Shamash in one hand and his phone in the other.

"March 7th and I are in Xianzhou Luofu. Why?"

"Ying and I want to come hang out. Where exactly are you? We'll come find you."

Kevin thought for a moment. "I'll come pick you up. We're pretty far from the train, and I don't want you getting lost."

Hu Tao grinned. "Sounds good! We'll wait for you here."

She ended the call and turned to the group. "Alright, let's kill some time while we wait!"

Xiangling, experiencing the train for the first time, wandered around in awe.

"Whoa... is that a lantern? It looks different... And what's this thing playing moving pictures?!"