NOVEL WEB Chapter 85: 85: Resumption
Reisen Riou whispered a few words to Banna's son, Zexi, then sent him off.
"Banna, you really don't know?" Reisen Riou asked.
"Know what?" Banna scratched his head, puzzled.
"Your son's talent," Reisen Riou said.
"Hm? His physical and scholarly talents are mediocre, and he's no merchant. What's so remarkable?" Banna pondered, trusting Reisen Riou wouldn't mislead him but unable to pinpoint Zexi's gift.
"He's got ninja potential," Reisen Riou said, rolling his eyes. "His ability to suppress his presence is exceptional. Even I, a youkai with keen aura senses, overlooked him until you spoke. Think—doesn't he often go unnoticed?"
"Yeah, but as my son, he can't just become a ninja in Inazuma," Banna said, dismissive but not scornful. At over forty, Zexi was too old for that path.
"I know," Reisen Riou said, exasperated. "I suggested he write papers on aura suppression. It could lead somewhere."
"Haha, I knew you wouldn't steer me wrong!" Banna laughed.
"Oh, that reminds me," Banna added. "Zexi was a warehouse clerk at the Akademiya. Once, when the Gilded Brigade and Treasure Hoarders raided, guards and scholars died, but they never spotted him. He slipped out and raised the alarm."
"Quite the talent," Reisen Riou marveled.
They chatted about Ritou's changes—shops, deceased owners, preserved recipes. "The recipe's yours," Reisen Riou offered. "Sumeru's edible fungi could pair well."
Their talk stretched until Banna tired. Reisen Riou ended it, calling Zexi. "Take these materials and study them for quality papers," he said, handing over notes. With a burst of Electro, he produced three books: Principles of Invisibility, Silent Step Analysis, and Psychological Invisibility.
"No specific stealth techniques, but the principles are clear," he explained. "Psychological Invisibility suits your low presence best. It's about exploiting others' psychological blind spots for stealth, most effective against one person but useful against groups."
"Thanks, Uncle Riou," Zexi said. "Finding my talent at my age…"
"Talent can surface anytime," Reisen Riou laughed. His past world had late bloomers; many never realized theirs. Middle age wasn't too late. He cited a master of psychological invisibility who honed it in prison, escaping via practical application.
Encouraging Zexi, Reisen Riou left to prepare for the Banquet's second phase. He heard Mondstadt's Northwind Knight would serve as Barbatos's recorder, and the Cryo Archon brought an attendant, while the Hydro and Pyro Archons came alone due to unique circumstances.
Two days later, the Banquet resumed, more formal than the casual first phase. The Archons shifted from anecdotes and governance to trade and policy. Morax, as host, pledged increased support for Sumeru and Inazuma. Raiden Makoto requested Liyue's ores and Sumeru's grains, especially meat, to train elite samurai, offering Watatsumi pearls and Crystal Marrow in return. Greater Lord Rukkhadevata agreed.
Reisen Riou scribbled furiously, amused by Barbatos's sour expression. The Northwind Knight, a Westwind Knights' Grand Master, glared daggers, ensuring Barbatos stayed sober and signed a grain-and-wine trade deal with Raiden Makoto. The Archons and attendants watched Barbatos's humiliation, but the knight didn't relent.
Reisen Riou shook his head. What a disgraceful god. Then, a déjà vu hit—a blue dragon roaring, "Do something useful, Barbatos!" Likely Takanotsume, Barbatos's kin. He dismissed it as absurd.
Beyond trade, they discussed joint operations against monsters, though Inazuma, swamped with its own and guarding against Yashiori's demon gods, would receive aid rather than give it.