"By the way," Kael said as they finished breakfast, "there are quite a few monster outbreaks outside Mondstadt. The Adventurers' Guild has posted commissions to eliminate them. If you've got the time, you could take on some of those jobs."
He gave Ying a small grin. "Based on what I saw from you yesterday, you could easily earn over a hundred thousand Mora."
"Wait—what?" Ying blinked, wide-eyed. "A hundred thousand Mora just for fighting monsters? That's enough to make a few million a month!"
Her jaw dropped as the realization sank in. She had been fighting monsters purely to help the people of Mondstadt—not because she thought it paid. But now…
This wasn't just a monster-infested region. It was a gold mine.
So every Hilichurl I slay is basically… free Mora? she thought, her imagination spiraling. And Paimon eats half my money… but what if we earn more than we can spend?
For a moment, Ying's eyes practically glowed with Mora symbols.
Kael chuckled, noticing. "It's a rare situation. Normally, killing common monsters wouldn't pay much. But right now, Mondstadt's ley lines are in chaos—Abyssal energy is causing wild fluctuations. Monsters keep spawning faster than the Knights of Favonius can handle."
He leaned against the window frame. "The Knights' main force is still out on expedition, so the Adventurers' Guild has been offering inflated Mora rewards just to keep the city safe. It's temporary—but if you act quickly, you can make a small fortune."
"I see…" Ying tapped her chin. "So this opportunity won't last forever. Once the ley lines stabilize, that's it."
"Exactly." Kael smiled.
"Then I'll take full advantage of it!" Ying declared, eyes sparkling with determination. "Tomorrow, Paimon and I are joining the Adventurers' Guild. I'll clear out every monster between here and Dragonspine if I have to! Once I earn enough Mora, I'll treat you to a huge dinner!"
Paimon immediately lit up. "A dinner?! With steak? And cake?!"
Ying nodded solemnly. "Yes. Mora first, food later."
Kael laughed softly as Ying rushed off toward her room. "Women and their Mora…" he muttered, shaking his head as he pulled up the group chat interface on his terminal.
Group Chat — Liyue Qixing Channel
Keqing: "We've almost finished gathering all the evidence. This time, we owe Tartaglia some credit."
Ningguang: "Indeed. He's not exactly subtle. One of my informants hinted that he needed new contacts in Liyue's ports, and Tartaglia gave him a full list of names — all linked to corrupt families. Yelan traced the trail further and found evidence of collusion with the Fatui, money laundering, and even secret assassinations."
Keqing: "Unfortunately, we can't take them all down at once. Pity. I was hoping for a clean sweep."
Kael: "So it's liquidation time in Liyue, huh? Shame I'm not there to see the noble clans tearing each other apart. It must be quite the show."
Zhongli: "Rationally speaking, Liyue's current laws do not permit the punishment of entire clans for individual crimes."
Kael: "That's true in law, but not in principle. If a family knowingly profits from corruption, justice demands accountability. You can't enjoy the fruits of crime and claim innocence."
Zhongli: "Hmm… that does align with the spirit of a contract."
The Geo Archon's tone softened. Though he preferred mercy over vengeance, Kael's argument resonated. If one benefited from betrayal and refused to return what was stolen, it broke the fundamental balance — the law of equivalent exchange.
Kael: "Besides, collective responsibility discourages corruption. If one man's greed could doom his entire lineage, fewer would dare to betray their people."
Ningguang: "Then perhaps we can meet in the middle. What if the descendants of convicted criminals are barred from holding official positions in Liyue for five generations?"
That message earned a long pause. Even Keqing hesitated.
Zhongli: "That may be a fair measure. Execution would only breed resentment… but this ensures accountability without cruelty."
Kael: "Good compromise. It'll hurt them more than any blade. Reform through legacy — I like it."
Ganyu: "I can't believe some of the officials we trusted were abusing their positions so openly… I thought they were serving Liyue's future."
Keqing: "Even the most watchful eyes can be deceived, Ganyu. Not even the Geo Archon can see every grain of sand that shifts beneath the harbor."
At that, the group fell silent for a while.
Kael, watching the exchange, sent a private message to Zhongli.
Private Chat — Kael & Zhongli
Kael: "About Mondstadt — the situation's under control for now. Venti and I have a plan in motion to purge the Abyss Order's influence. If things go well, it'll stabilize the ley lines."
Zhongli: "Then your plan has merit. My only concern is if the Abyss Order escalates. A large-scale invasion would strain Mondstadt beyond its limits."
Kael: "I'll handle it if it comes to that. It's a shame Keqing and Ningguang are tied up in Liyue. Mondstadt's teeming with monsters — Venti's using the chaos to train Jean and Diluc. They've improved so fast they might already rival Tartaglia."
Zhongli: "Hmph. The Fatui Harbinger may be reckless, but he's not weak. Still, with Barbatos aiding them, those two could indeed reach that level soon."
Kael: "If all goes well, I'll stream the whole fight. The people deserve to see their protectors rise again."
Zhongli: "A bold idea. Very well, Kael. I'll depart from the Chasm tomorrow to meet that young man, Tartaglia. It's time to settle an old debt with the Ice Archon."
Kael chuckled. "Then may your contracts hold, old friend."
The next morning, the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air.
Kael stepped into the living room and found only Barbara sitting there, tuning her lyre.
"Where are Ying and Paimon?" he asked.
"They went to the Adventurers' Guild early this morning," Barbara replied. "She's desperate for Mora. I offered to lend her some, but she refused."
Kael smiled faintly. "That sounds like her. She wants to earn it herself."
Barbara hesitated, then looked up. "Mr. Kael, um… could you teach me to sing again today?"
Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. She'd always been too shy to accept Alice's offers to turn her into an idol. But Kael's words about "songs that heal the soul" had stayed with her.
Mondstadt was changing. People were afraid. If she could ease that fear, even a little, she wanted to try.
Kael nodded warmly. "Of course, Barbara. Music can purify as surely as light can. Let's start after lunch."
At that moment, he noticed the faint breeze outside shift—the mark of an approaching visitor.
Moments later, the door opened and Eula stepped inside. Her silver-blue hair swayed lightly as she entered, her eyes sharp yet troubled.
"Eula?" Barbara blinked. "You look upset… what happened?"
Eula crossed her arms, frowning. "You know what happened. The entire city's gossiping about yesterday. They don't dare approach you," she said to Kael, "but I've been getting hostile looks all morning."
Her expression hardened, though her tone carried a faint tremor of frustration. "It's your fault. I'm adding this to my list of grudges!"
Kael chuckled softly. "By all means. But if people glare at you, it's because they don't understand strength when they see it."
Eula sighed. "You don't get it. It's not that simple. I was born into the Lawrence clan. No matter what I do, they only see the bloodline — not me."
Kael leaned against the table. "Then leave them behind. You've already outgrown them. The name 'Lawrence' binds you to a past that doesn't deserve you."
Eula's eyes flashed with defiance. "It's easy for you to say that. That clan raised me, taught me to fight, gave me the sword I wield. If I abandon them, I abandon everything that made me who I am."
Kael's gaze softened. "And yet, if the name keeps you from living as yourself, what kind of legacy is that? A chain dressed as a crown."
Eula looked away, her voice quieter now. "Maybe you're right. But it's all I've ever known. After all… vengeance is mine to bear, not theirs."
Kael smiled faintly. "Then bear it with pride. And when the time comes to break those chains, I'll be there."
Outside, the wind carried faint traces of laughter and steel — Jean and Diluc's training under Venti's storm winds had begun in earnest.
Soon, the Abyss would move again.And Kael knew exactly what came next.
End of Chapter 65 — It's Time to Prepare for Liquidation
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