"How dare you show such disrespect to the Tianquan!"
The Millelith soldier restraining the village chief's brother roared in fury. His spear flashed—
Thrust!
The blade pierced straight through the man's shoulder. A heavy kick followed, slamming into his head and forcing him face-first into the dirt.
To insult the Tianquan to his face?
Did he not know how the word "death" was written?
The chief's brother let out a shrill scream, convulsing in agony.
As for the village chief—he no longer dared to utter a single word.
He might be a minor official who had never met high-ranking authorities, but when he heard the soldiers shout "Tianquan," he understood one thing clearly:
No one could save him now.
There was only one person in all of Liyue who bore that title.
The head of the Liyue Qixing.
The Grand Administrator of Liyue.
An immortal who had stood alongside the nation for centuries.
Even now, households across Liyue still enshrined statues of the adepti and Rex Lapis.
How could a village chief not know what "Tianquan" represented?
Even Ningguang froze in Jiang Yan's arms.
She had never imagined that the gentle white-haired big brother she met by chance… was actually the Tianquan of Liyue.
Suddenly she remembered his words from yesterday.
"If you pass my test, you may become my disciple and inherit my legacy."
The Tianquan's legacy…
Wouldn't that mean—
The Tianquan seat itself?
Panic fluttered in her chest.
This kind big brother… was actually someone from legend.
"Ningguang, go help your mother over," Jiang Yan said softly, patting her shoulder.
She nodded quickly and ran to support her mother, who had just been helped up by the Millelith.
"Mother…"
"Ningguang…"
The two embraced tightly, trembling.
They walked back to Jiang Yan together.
Ningguang's mother bowed deeply, her sallow face filled with gratitude.
"Th-thank you, Tianquan…!"
Jiang Yan studied her briefly, brows knitting.
"You're ill."
Her expression changed instantly. She stepped back nervously.
"S-sorry! It's not contagious—!"
"Ah… that's not what I meant."
Jiang Yan scratched his head awkwardly.
"Come here."
She approached hesitantly.
Status alone was enough to make common villagers tremble—especially in remote mountain villages. Someone like Jiang Yan was the stuff of legends.
When a legend stood before you in the flesh, who wouldn't feel anxious?
Jiang Yan raised his hand.
In his mind, the Horse Talisman flared to life.
A soft glow shimmered over his palm.
Warm currents flowed into her body, healing her injuries, cleansing the illness that had plagued her.
"There. The illness is gone."
He smiled gently.
"You're still weak from long-term malnutrition. Have Ningguang buy you something nourishing later."
The woman stared at her hands in disbelief.
The pain was gone.
Strength had returned.
Tears streamed down her face as she tried to kneel.
"Thank you! Thank you, Tianquan!"
"Mother!"
Ningguang threw herself into her mother's arms, crying in relief.
Jiang Yan turned away slightly, giving them space.
Then his expression hardened.
"Take them all away," he ordered coldly.
"They will be judged under Liyue's law."
"I will personally oversee the trial."
Village chief.
Chief's brother.
Liu Yan.
Every corrupt Millelith.
None would escape.
They would suffer.
And even in death—
Jiang Yan's eyes darkened.
Their souls would not find peace easily.
Dragged away amid wails and desperate pleas, the chief and his brother were hauled out of the village. Their relatives followed, to be judged according to their crimes.
—
"I'll head to Guili Plains and handle the corrupt guards," Ganyu said.
"Don't let a single one slip through," Jiang Yan replied.
She nodded and departed with the troops.
The entire Guili region had already been sealed off. Arrests were only a matter of time.
—
After everything was settled, Jiang Yan looked at Ningguang.
"Would you mind if I visited your home?"
She nodded… then shook her head shyly.
"It's… messy…"
He laughed softly and rubbed her head.
"It doesn't matter. Let's go."
"I haven't eaten yet. I'd like to try your cooking."
But when he saw the house—
A tiny wooden shack, drafty and dilapidated.
His face darkened.
Another mark against that chief.
Ningguang mistook his silence for displeasure and was about to apologize—
When Jiang Yan clapped his hands together.
"Wood Release: House-Building Technique."
Trees surged and intertwined, wood bending and shaping under his will.
In moments, the crumbling shack was enveloped.
When the growth settled—
A beautiful two-story wooden home stood in its place.
"Much better."
He nodded in satisfaction.
Ningguang stared blankly.
Her mother stood beside her, speechless.
"Come on," Jiang Yan said gently.
"This is your home now."
Suddenly—
Ningguang rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you… Tianquan big brother…"
Her voice trembled with sobs.
Jiang Yan froze for a moment, then smiled, gently stroking her soft white hair.
"No."
He shook his head lightly.
"I should be the one apologizing."
"It was my failure that allowed you to suffer like this."
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