"C-could you lend me thirty thousand Mora?"
Ningguang's voice trembled, filled with despair and helplessness.
"I'll repay you. However much it takes. If not… I can become your servant. I'll do anything for you!"
Jiang Yan's brows knit tightly.
He immediately crouched down and lifted the frail girl to her feet.
"Don't cry. And I don't need you to be anyone's servant."
He gently wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
Head lowered, Ningguang slowly recounted everything.
Jiang Yan listened in silence until she finished.
"I see."
He took out a heavy pouch of Mora.
"There's fifty thousand Mora here. Take it."
"Go pay them first. Bring your mother back."
He placed a firm yet gentle hand on her head.
"This matter… big brother will handle it for you."
Ningguang stared blankly at the pouch.
Suddenly, she threw herself into Jiang Yan's arms and burst into tears.
No matter how mature she seemed, she was still just a child.
"It's alright. In Liyue, your big brother can still make a few things happen."
He stroked her hair softly.
But no one could see the terrifying coldness gathering in his eyes.
If Ganyu or Morax saw him now—
They would know he was on the verge of fury.
"Leave this to me, alright?"
He forced his expression to remain calm.
He didn't want to show that side of himself to a child.
"T-thank you, big brother…"
She tried to stop crying, but couldn't.
"Go save your mother first. I'll follow shortly."
She nodded and ran toward home.
The moment she disappeared from sight—
Jiang Yan turned around.
Killing intent surged in his eyes.
With a dull thud, his figure vanished.
—
Yuehai Pavilion.
Jiang Yan pushed the door open.
"Tianquan!"
Everyone greeted him respectfully.
"Guizhong—call the Chief Commander of the Millelith. Now."
"Yes!"
Though puzzled, she did not question him.
On the second floor, Ganyu handed him a prepared dossier.
"This contains information about Ningguang's village."
After hearing about Ningguang the night before, Ganyu had already investigated everything—family records, village history, past chiefs.
"Well done."
Jiang Yan accepted it, face unreadable.
But Ganyu sensed the pressure in the air.
"You're upset."
"Come upstairs."
On the third floor, he told her everything.
"What?!"
Ganyu slammed the table.
"This kind of lawlessness near Liyue Harbor?!"
"What are the Millelith even doing?!"
"I've already summoned their chief commander."
"Prepare yourself. We're going to that village."
"In the name of Liyue's Tianquan."
"Understood."
Soon, Guizhong returned.
"Tianquan, he's here."
"Send him in."
Jiang Yan calmly sipped his tea, reviewing the file.
The moment the Millelith chief stepped inside—
Jiang Yan hurled the teacup into his face.
"Spare me, Tianquan! What did I do wrong?!"
The man dropped to his knees instantly.
"Wrong?"
Jiang Yan stood, murderous intent filling the room.
"Tell me—are Liyue's policies being strictly enforced?"
"Yes! Absolutely!"
"Are they?"
He walked forward.
"Stand up."
The man rose shakily.
Jiang Yan kicked him violently.
Boom.
The wall cracked, leaving a human-shaped dent.
"You call that strict enforcement?"
He grabbed the man's hair and dragged him forward, slamming the file into his face.
"What is this?!"
"Well done, Liu Yan."
"Excellent supervision."
"You only punish those who don't bribe you, and protect those who do?"
The dossier detailed every bribe, every abuse of power.
Jiang Yan had initially only wanted to question him.
But Ganyu had uncovered everything.
The corruption was staggering.
His subordinates, shielded by bribes, ran rampant.
Ningguang's case wasn't isolated.
Their crimes were countless.
Liu Yan trembled violently.
"Mercy! Please!"
"Mercy?"
Jiang Yan's voice was ice.
"You're quite powerful, Commander Liu."
"Eyes and ears everywhere."
"Who would dare threaten your life?"
He leaned closer, eyes blazing.
"Why don't you remove me instead?"
"Go on."
"Take my seat as Tianquan."
"Let me see how well you run Liyue."
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