Aurum Alley's Hustle and Bustle/Story

==Overview==
==List of Missions==
===Main Missions===
* Back in Business (I)
* Back in Business (II)
* Back in Business (III)
* Back in Business (IV)
===Side Missions===
* Dock Operations (I)
* Dock Operations (II)
* Dock Operations (III)
* Custom Orders
===Merchant Events===
* Merchant Event: Food Stand
* Merchant Event: Longevity Hall
* Merchant Event: Delicacy Pavilion
* Merchant Event: Elegance Pagoda
* Merchant Event: Du's Teahouse
* Merchant Event: Mr. Huo
==Summaries==
==Streetside Events==
===Streetside Event: Work Without Complaint===
:Cycrane: Is there any kind soul out there who can help me?
: Investigate
:Responsible Cycrane: Are you kind enough to help me out? Please help me install this jade abacus.
: This cycrane can talk?
::Responsible Cycrane: Surely you've seen a talking cycrane before. Responsible cycranes can all talk.
: Are you sure you're not doing something illegal?
::Responsible Cycrane: What's illegal about boosting productivity?
:Responsible Cycrane: My sensors are too outdated, so I've bought a new jade abacus at personal expense to upgrade myself. Unfortunately, I don't have any hands, so I can't install it... Please could you?
:Responsible Cycrane: Now that I'm updated, I can complete deliveries better bringing Heron Express over 22% higher productivity.
: Is there any point in working so hard?
::Responsible Cycrane: Of course there is! I feel anxious every time I think about all the work left waiting to be done at Heron Express. I'll never clock off — never stop working!
: A machine with a sense of responsibility this strong?
::Responsible Cycrane: Responsibility is written into my code! I guess my coder did it...
::Responsible Cycrane: But that's not important! If every cycrane could be as self-aware and hardworking as I am, then Heron Express could benefit even more Xianzhou residents! I'll never clock off — never stop working!
:Responsible Cycrane: Help me out. I'm in a rush to deliver something.
: Repair
;(Complete Abacus Circuitry challenge)
:Responsible Cycrane: I can feel ever so clearly the slightest hint of a slipstream... Time to fly. I'm off.
:Responsible Cycrane: Thank you, stranger.
;(Obtain )
===Streetside Event: Accident Master===
:Cycrane: Save... Save me...
: Investigate
:Cycrane: Please... help me... I-I'm about to break down...
: Are you all right?
: What am I supposed to do?
:Cycrane: I... *Whirring machine noises*
: Repair
;(Complete Abacus Circuitry challenge)
:Repaired Cycrane: Thank you. I encountered a cycrane-on-cycrane traffic accident earlier.
: Wanna tell me more about the accident?
::Repaired Cycrane: I rear-ended several innocent cycranes mid-air and unfortunately ended up crashing. A series of accidents.
: I'm not interested in traffic accidents.
::Repaired Cycrane: Oh? I heard some people say they "love rubbernecking at traffic accidents." I guess that's not your style, though.
:Repaired Cycrane: Ever heard of "deep learning"? I've been carefully studying traffic rules for Xianzhou cycranes, and also viewed over five hundred years of cycrane traffic accident recordings.
:Repaired Cycrane: I've mastered the various ways a cycrane encounters accidents, and collected some in situ physical parameters just now. So I now thoroughly understand traffic accidents.
:Repaired Cycrane: You can call me "Maestro Cycrane of Traffic Accidents."
: Maestro, what are your plans from here?
::Repaired Cycrane: I'll keep making deliveries, and never have another accident again.
: Seems like you didn't really learn the most practical things.
::Repaired Cycrane: You don't get it. As long as you can apply things in reverse, I should never encounter another traffic accident ever again.
:Repaired Cycrane: It's getting late and I have to get back to these deliveries. Thank you, stranger.
;(Obtain )
===Streetside Event: Dodging Work (I)===
;(Talk to Tall Auntie)
:Tall Auntie: I'm working my tail off while that slumber-bot of a cycrane is slacking off...
: What happened?
:Tall Auntie: Oh, it's you, (Trailblazer)! You came at just the right time. I've got myself tied up in knots over what to do about this unruly cycrane.
:Tall Auntie: Here's the deal: I've received some take-away orders, but the cycrane that is supposed to deliver them just keeps slacking off instead.
:Tall Auntie: I've been on a wild goose... err, cycrane chase trying to catch it, but it's way too quick for me.
:Tall Auntie: At this point I know that bird's habits like the back of my hand — it's probably this very moment.
:Tall Auntie: Speaking of which... it's gone missing again today. I'm pretty sure it's taking a nap , but I'm too busy to go looking for it myself. Could you track it down and give it a little nudge?
: Investigate
:You hear peculiar snores emanating from the box in front of you. Recalling the urban legends you've heard on the Xianzhou, you can't help but wonder if it's a "fairy in a box."
:Curious, you move in closer to the box, hoping to catch a glimpse of the "fairy in the box." However, all you see is a snoozing cycrane, grinding its teeth, fast asleep.
:Wait, do Cycranes even have teeth? Eh, whatever. It's a cycrane that's slouched over and sleeping. You try to wake it up, but it just flutters its wings, pretending not to hear you before drifting back to sleep.
:You decide to...
: Shake the box hard!
::Lazy Cycrane: Ahh, stop it! Stop! Or I'll throw up!
: Take out the bat and threaten it!
::Lazy Cycrane: Please, have some mercy! I'm just slacking off! You're using excessive force!
: Whisper "you can get off duty" into its ear.
::Lazy Cycrane: !!!
::Lazy Cycrane: Great! Time to get off work!
:Lazy Cycrane: Umm... who are you?
: I'm a cycrane supervisor.
::Lazy Cycrane: ...Wait, they hired someone just to supervise me? What a world we live in.
: Tall Auntie asked me to check on you.
::Lazy Cycrane: ...You see, it's not like I'm not working. I just want to do the work at a later time...
:Lazy Cycrane: All right, all right. I get it. My nap time is over... Sheesh, no need to push me. I'll get back to work now.
;(Obtain )
===Streetside Event: Complication (I)===
:Little Tian: What am I gonna do? 
:Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: ...
;(Talk to Little Tian)
:Little Tian: What am I gonna do?
: What's up with these Cloud Knights at the door?
:Little Tian: I have no idea, but they're just standing there without saying anything. Everyone's too afraid to come in for medicine and business has fallen through the floor.
:Little Tian: ...I ever-so-carefully asked these Cloud Knights what they were doing at the store, and they said "No questions. Official business."
: These Cloud Knights seem suspicious.
::Little Tian: They seem more than just a little suspicious, mind you.
: I see. I'll help boot them out.
::Little Tian: Thank you very kindly but... If anything happens, don't blame me if I pretend not to know you.
:Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: ...What are you looking at? Never seen anyone handling official business before?
: Are you guys impersonating Cloud Knight Officers?
::Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: How can you just come up and say that to me?
: People can't do their business with you standing right at their door.
::Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: No questions. Official business.
: May I please see your credentials?
::Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: ...Can't you tell just from this set of armor?
: Tell me the name of the Seat of Divine Foresight counselor.
::Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: ...Majima?
:Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: Listen, I don't owe you any answers, because I'm gonna execute you — right here, right now!
;(Begin battle against )
;(After winning the battle)
:Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: ...Okay no fighting. We're just actors hired to stand here at the storefront. We won't do it again. Please let us go.
:Little Tian: Truth is stranger than fiction.
:Little Tian: (Trailblazer), thanks to you, Longevity Hall can now send supplies over to the Aurum Alley port. Thank you once again!
;(Obtain )
===Streetside Event: Bird Stroll (I)===
:New Tester: What's wrong with this route?
;(Talk to New Tester)
:New Tester: "Go straight ahead 50 meters" — but there's a wall blocking the way. How can we "go straight"? Don't tell me we're supposed to dig under.
: Navigation issues?
::New Tester: Yeah, my navigation data is obviously buggy...
: There's nowhere to dig under...
::New Tester: Ah, let me explain. That data's for the cycrane, not me. I'm not digging anywhere.
:New Tester: Hey, my Heron Express data is a bit buggy. I've only been working this gig a few days, but the Foodie Map over in Aurum Alley is completely blank...
:New Tester: I don't know my way around here... You seem to know Aurum Alley pretty well. Could you help me out?
:New Tester: Here's my cycrane and "partner." There you go. Please take it around a few nearby restaurants.
;(Talk to cycrane)
: New Cycrane
:New Cycrane: Hello, I can fly. Just show me where to go.
:New Cycrane: Let's get going. The Foodie Map lists a few old classics... Let me just check those for us.
:New Cycrane: Let me see... Could you please show me the way over to the Delicacy Pavilion from here?
: Go straight out and turn left. It's right there!
::New Cycrane: Don't worry. I'm as deft at flying as you are with word. "Turn left" is a cinch!
: Go left.
::New Cycrane: Alright, alright. Order received, "Turning left"!
:New Cycrane: Come on. Let's go!
;(Follow cycrane)
;(Talk to cycrane)
:New Cycrane: Looks like this is it. The Delicacy Pavilion... Uploading pathing data... Please wait.
:New Cycrane: Thank you very much, .
:New Cycrane: There's another blank place here, the Spices Supreme... Could you please navigate again for me?
: Let me get my bearings first...
:New Cycrane: Bearings... Locating "bearings"... Is this like... a "building"...?
:You're not sure where you are, so you look it up on the map in your phone.
:(Trailblazer): So the Spices Supreme is right next door. Let's go!
:(Trailblazer): Hm? Cycrane? Where did a cycrane that size duck off to?
:You raise your head, only to discover the cycrane that has been following along with you all the way has somehow disappeared.
:Kind Visitor: Are you looking for that cycrane? I just saw it flying straight ahead...
:Kind Visitor: Over there... I think it's the rear courtyard of the Spices Supreme? Right beside the Longevity Hall.
:(Trailblazer): Thank you. I'll be off then!
;(Talk to cycrane)
:New Cycrane: Is this really Spices Supreme? Could be, could be not.
:New Tester: ...Isn't this the back kitchen's pantry? Navigation tools shouldn't be sending people here. How can I get in there?
:New Tester: Also, what about that kind-hearted person who just gave you directions? How could you just leave them behind like that? Please be more professional and don't just lose track of people like that...
:New Cycrane: Hmm? isn't back yet? Let me see... Golly gee, you're right!
: Who are you talking about!
::New Cycrane: There you are! It's my fault. I was drifting and not paying attention. I really should install a rear-view mirror...
: You're so lost in yourself that you've lost track of me...
::New Cycrane: I'm sorry. I've only been in this role a few days and I'm not very experienced. I'll do better next time!
:New Tester: Well then, where is the front entrance to the Spices Supreme?
: This is the rear courtyard. You'll have to turn around and skirt across.
:New Tester: I see!
:New Cycrane: Thank you for your help. I've updated the southwest corner of the Aurum Alley map. Here's a little fee for your work. Take it, otherwise we'd feel awkward.
;(Obtain )
===Streetside Event: Dodging Work (II)===
:Yuanfeng: Ah... Come on, not again...
;(Talk to Yuanfeng)
:Yuanfeng: How long before that bird comes to its senses? It just won't stop slacking off!
: Hey, hey, calm down.
::Yuanfeng: I wish I could, but it's interfering with our business operations. You'd be at your wits' end too if you were in my shoes!
: Who's the slacker?
::Yuanfeng: Ahem, to be honest... it's one of our cycranes.
:Yuanfeng: Thanks to the logistics route you helped plan, (Trailblazer), our business has been booming in Aurum Alley, but I never expected that something would go wrong on my end.
:Yuanfeng: My cycrane is actually a great helper, but it has one terrible shortcoming: it likes to slack off from time to time. Now I need it for something, but it's nowhere to be found.
:Yuanfeng: Now I'm almost overwhelmed by all the complaints from our customers about our delivery service. It's a good thing you're here — Mingxi and Sushang were just telling me that you're a thoughtful and swift helper...
:Yuanfeng: That cycrane is a cunning one. . But the thing about this cycrane is that it's a chatterbox and always . That's its signature characteristic.
:Yuanfeng: I'm sure this won't be much of a challenge for you. So, can you help me catch that pesky cycrane? Thank you in advance.
:Enthusiastic Cycrane: You see? That's what I said!
:Passerby Cycrane: ...You really know a lot.
:Idling Cycrane: What did you say?
: Listen
:Enthusiastic Cycrane: ...I mean, I'd delivered quite a few packages, but that was the first time I ever came across a package with such an awful stench. I thought to myself, "could that stench be rotten meat?"
:Enthusiastic Cycrane: Sounds horrible, right? So I just...
:Passerby Cycrane: Oh, did they update your olfactory system? That's so enviable! Unlike me, I'm still using the old one that only recognizes 300 smells.
:Idling Cycrane: "Stench of rotten meat." Can't you just tell us what exactly was in that package?
: Hey, enough chattering. It's time to get back to work.
::Passerby Cycrane: Work? But I just finished my work...
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: Back to work? I'm still on vacation.
::Idling Cycrane: Huh?
: You're slacking off again!
::Passerby Cycrane: Hey, watch your language! Who are you accusing of slacking off, huh?
::Idling Cycrane: "Slacking off?" No, you must be thinking of the wrong cycrane.
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: W-What do you mean?
:Enthusiastic Cycrane: Don't talk nonsense. We're all diligent Cycranes here, and what's wrong with a little bit of chit-chat? Besides, I was just retelling a bizarre story that happened to me at work. You see, I was entrusted by a mysterious person...
:Passerby Cycrane: Come on, mate. Can you just skip the preamble and tell us what happened next?
:Idling Cycrane: As I said, I'm on vacation. I've been working for such a long time, and now I'm glad I can finally go out for a stroll...
:Idling Cycrane: Anyway, I'm not slacking off. Call out slackers if you must, but don't falsely accuse an honest, hard-working cycrane.
:Passerby Cycrane: That's right — carry out your investigation carefully, or you'll find the wrong cycrane.
: Catch the Enthusiastic Cycrane.
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: Oh, you finally caught me! You're sharp, I'll give you that. Fine, I guess it's time to go back to work.
: Catch the Passerby Cycrane.
::Passerby Cycrane: Gah! You've caught the wrong cycrane! No worries, I'll just fly away.
::Idling Cycrane: Hey, wait for me! I'm going, too!
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: ...
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: I thought you'd be smarter, but I guess I was wrong. Lucky for you, this kind-hearted cycrane won't leave you empty-handed. I'll come back with you so Yuanfeng won't give you a hard time.
: Catch the Idling Cycrane.
::Idling Cycrane: Hey, do you even know what you're looking for? You've got the wrong bird!
::Passerby Cycrane: Yeah, can't you see there's no package holders on its talons? And look at me, I'm fresh out of the nest, so I don't have any holders either.
::Passerby Cycrane: There must be slacker among us!
::Idling Cycrane: But neither of us is. So, that means...
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: ...
::Passerby Cycrane: ...
::Idling Cycrane: ...
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: Alright, I'll stop playing innocent. I suppose it's time to get back to work. Just to clarify, I'm "taking the initiative" to "voluntarily" follow you back. You didn't catch me at all!
: Catch them all!
::Idling Cycrane: This person is a saboteur! Run away!
::Passerby Cycrane: No wonder it tried to warn us that some Outworlders were plotting against us cycranes. I can't believe it's true...
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: You see, I was right the whole time — I told you I have connections in high places. But don't worry — there is no need to panic, my metallic friends.
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: Hey, you there! What's your name... Ah, forget it. It doesn't matter. Anyway, these Cycranes are my friends, and if you're here to catch someone, just take me and leave them alone!
::Idling Cycrane: Way to stand up for the flock!
::Passerby Cycrane: Your courage is commendable — from now on I'll stand by you through thick and thin.
::Enthusiastic Cycrane: You hear me? Leave my friends alone. I'll go with you...
;(Obtain )
===Streetside Event: Complication (II)===
:Boss Du: Please answer the question.
:Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: ...
;(Talk to Boss Du)
:Boss Du: Cloud Knights out on official business? Then where's the official permit and documentation — why should I listen to you?
: Boss Du, what's going on?
:Boss Du: These Cloud Knights have been hanging around the front of my store, spooking all my customers who think something's happened in here.
:Boss Du: ...I asked these Cloud Knights what they were doing, and they just said, "No questions, Official business." I asked, "What's that?" but they didn't respond. They just stood there in silence.
:Boss Du: I think, they're actually heavies hired by the IPC to pretend to be Cloud Knights, and they're just here to make trouble.
:Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: Nobody questions an officer of the Cloud Knights.
: Are you guys impersonating Cloud Knight Officers?
::Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: Nothing to do with you. Don't interfere in official business.
: People can't do their business with you standing right at their door.
::Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: Is official business more important? Or business?
: May I please see your credentials?
::Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: ...No.
: So which captain was it who sent you?
::Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: You wouldn't know. Majima, ever heard of him?
:Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: You kid around too much. This is obstruction of official business!
;(Begin battle against , )
;(After winning the battle)
:Suspicious Cloud Knights Officer: ...We're just workers trying to hustle a little money. We'll be off now, off we go... Sigh, can't believe that...
:Boss Du: Clear out, far away — and don't come back. We don't talk kindly to you folk in Aurum Alley.
:Boss Du: Sigh, IPC gamesmanship. It really wears me out. (Trailblazer), thank you so much. My tea lovers are all settled now.
;(Obtain )
===Streetside Event: Bird Stroll (II)===
;(Talk to cycrane)
:Confused Cycrane: This is indeed Du's Teahouse... But where is the man himself?
:Confused Cycrane: Looks like he's not in... Based on work plans, he is meant to visit Du's Teahouse and the Artistry Hardware today. Looks like he's probably gone to the Artistry Hardware.
:Confused Cycrane: The Artistry Hardware is another blank place on the map... Could you please navigate again for me?
: Actually, I'm not so sure myself...
::Confused Cycrane: Alright, it'll just be a few more laps around the block. My display still shows ninety-nine percent battery left, so I'm good to go for a long time.
: Let me think about it.
::Confused Cycrane: Sure, take your time. It's not urgent. Give me a holler once you remember.
:Confused Cycrane How do we go to Artistry Hardware from here?
: Try going straight ahead, then turn left...
::Confused Cycrane: Alright, you got it. Let's go.
:;(Follow cycrane)
:;(Talk to cycrane)
::(Trailblazer): ...Hang on, you're going the wrong way. I just said, "Go straight ahead, then turn left."
::Confused Cycrane: Huh?
::Confused Cycrane: ...Ah, I forgot. And my partner forgot to restore me to factory settings... I always get my lefts and my rights mixed up. Sorry about that!
::Confused Cycrane: What do we do now? Should we catch a starskiff over?
::Passerby Who's Had Enough: Where are you going? What kind of cycrane catches a starskiff? Total waste of money.
::Confused Cycrane: We want to go to Artistry Hardware.
::Passerby Who's Had Enough: Artistry Hardware? Then you're on the right path. Keep going and it's right there.
::Confused Cycrane: ???
::Confused Cycrane: Didn't you just say that I went the wrong way? Or is it more a case that... your positioning before was wrong?
::(Trailblazer): ...I must've gotten things mixed up there. My bad.
: Go up those stairs on the right and then turn left?
::Confused Cycrane: Alright, you got it. Let's go.
:;(Follow cycrane)
:;(Talk to cycrane)
::(Trailblazer): ...Hang on, you're going the wrong way. I just said, 
::Confused Cycrane: Huh?
::Confused Cycrane: ...Ah, I forgot. And my partner forgot to restore me to factory settings... I always get my lefts and my rights mixed up. Sorry about that!
::New Tester: Huh!? What are you doing here? I've been looking for you all day and couldn't keep up with you. I'm at wit's end!
::New Tester: And also... Who's this with you? Who are they?
:: (Tell the whole story)
::New Tester: I see... Thank you for collecting the route data for Du's Teahouse and bringing it back to me.
::Confused Cycrane: We'll need to go to Artistry Hardware next. Could you please point us the way again, kindhearted stranger?
::New Tester: Don't bother, I know where it is. Just follow me and don't get lost again! Oh, it's getting late. Let's talk later!
;(Obtain )
===Streetside Event: Diting's Search===
;(Talk to Yancui)
:Yancui: Agh, I spent so much time on this... How could this happen...?
: What happened?
:Yancui: Oh, you know what? All the takeout orders are overwhelming these days, and so are the complaints from my customers. I've never received so many negative reviews before.
:Yancui: At first I thought that my cooking wasn't as good as it used to be, but that didn't seem to be the case. So I took a closer look and found that all the complaints were about takeout orders...
: So, something is wrong with the takeout?
::Yancui: Exactly, something is terribly wrong with the delivery...
: Maybe the delivery was so slow that the food was all cold?
::Yancui: But that's impossible. I packed all my dishes carefully and put them in thermal lunch boxes. And as you know, cycranes fly fast.
:Yancui: Actually, I read through all the complaints, and all of them were about "lost delivery" or "wrong dishes delivered."
:Yancui: I realized something was wrong with the delivery, so I contacted the delivery company. They sent me this Diting and asked me to follow the route and find out what had happened... But now I'm having too many orders to look into this issue.
:Yancui: Could you please look into this for me, (Trailblazer)? I could really use your help...
----
:Use the to summon Diting to track the target
: Investigate
:A lunch box is left here alone. Its casing is as cold as the hearts of the customers who haven't received the food they ordered.
: (Pick up the lunch box.)
:After checking it carefully, you are certain that it is the missing takeout food from the Spices Supreme.
:(Trailblazer): (Although I haven't figured out who did this yet, I should inform Yancui anyway...)
----
;(Open Message with Yancui)
:(Trailblazer): Hello, Yancui
: (Tell her about the meal box you found)
:(Trailblazer): I found the lost takeout and sent the coordinates to you. If you have time, it might be good to get a Realm-Keeping Commission clerk to come over and have a look
:(Trailblazer): The packaging is untouched, and I don't see anyone here. It's so weird...
:Yancui: !!
:Yancui: I found out what happened. The staff from the logistic company just contacted me and said their cycranes are having some issues
:Yancui: It looks like there were no "thieves" after the takeout. I was being too suspicious
:Yancui: I'm so sorry to have bothered you, (Trailblazer). Just leave the takeaway where you found it. I don't wanna litter the streets with expired food, so I asked the logistics folks to fetch them back
:Yancui: Anyway... thank you so much for everything today
;(Obtain )
==Change History==