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"The Great Ruler of this Blessed Realm bestowed upon us three the authories of Wisdom and Power, in exchange for the duty of guiding this newborn world and the lives of those who dwell within it."
"And yet not once did her Divine Majesty demanded our utmost loyalty or worship. Nor did she shackled us to her will the moment she freed us from our timeless prison."
"Our lives - our newest existence- are but extensions of her magnificent soul, Cannon."
"Then what do you think of her offsprings, our Princes and Princesses, Aria? The ones born not out of conception but through serendipity and love?"
"Hmmm….if I were to describe them Sonnet in the simplest of terms, they are the shimmering rays of light that flowed out from the heart of our beloved Creator."
- An idle conversation between the Three Moons Sisters.
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It's late in the afternoon, the time is currently around 4:30 and the people of Chengdo are all busy with the upcoming citywide festival that will commence at dusk.
Hundreds of colorful banners and ribbons adorned the walls of various houses and buildings, and the lamp posts were all lined with numerous lanterns of various shapes and sizes. At the very center of the city, in front of the City Hall, a large wooden stage had been hastily built in order to serve as the main venue for the festival. Though the stage still needs a bit more work before it can finally be used for the celebration, a good number of people can be seen milling about near it, chatting with each other about the upcoming celebration. After all, it's not everyday that one gets to celebrate a festival honoring a hero!
And speaking of heroes, the guests of honor were currently having a small private family time inside their spacious hotel room located at the top floor of the Haifeng Hotel.
The entire main Gunnhildr family was lounging around their secured quarters, and although it's not as comforting as their home back in Mondstadt nor was it as grand as the Tower of Beginnings back in Avalon, it was still a nice change of pace and scenery for the children.
The sun was almost setting and the room's large windows provided a fantastic view of the eastern sea. The soothing sound of the waves crashing against the shore combined with the cool late afternoon breeze was the perfect background for their little family hangout.
Artoria was currently seated at a large couch near the window, enjoying the view and the serenity of the moment, while trying her best to finish a new knitting pattern that she had just learned from her trusty Fontainian knitting book.
Jean's busy meticulously brushing and cleaning her ever sleepy pet turtle Sir Kay.
Barbara's seated on the carpeted floor, making strings of colorful beads for both Fou and Dvalin who at that time we're still back in Avalon (being held as 'hostages' alongside Excaliboo by both Sonnet and Aria - mandatory cuddle sessions apparently).
"There he is Benny! The Elusive Flying Teal fluff ball! GET HIM!"
"Come on Xiao! Don't fly away! We just want to play with you!"
Benny and Venti meanwhile, were busy playing adventurers with their wooden toy swords, trying to capture Birb Xiao who just wanted to be left alone!
Beidou however, was quietly sitting near the window, watching the bustling city below. Her mind deep in thought as flashes of her recent past kept on haunting her the moment she arrived at the city.
They cornered her in an alleyway, their faces now twisted into lecherous grins, their hands now reaching out to grab her.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" one of them said, his voice a sleazy drawl.
Beidou momentarily closed her eyes as she recalled that frightful memory.
"A little street rat. All alone with no one to call to for help."
"She'll fetch a pretty price in the slave market. I've heard there were some deprived nobles in Fontaine that would pay a very hefty sum of mora for children who can best serve them in some sort of 'Entertainment'. The younger the better they say!"
The young girl felt her whole body shiver as she began to breath heavily from the awful memory. She tried her best to suppress it, not wanting to worry the rest of her dear family.
She would have probably succeeded in hiding her distress if not for her beloved mother who was quick to notice the sudden change in her daughter's behavior.
"Sweetie, are you alright?" Artoria asked with a worried tone as she placed her knitting tools aside and gently approached her troubled child.
Artoria had already been keenly observing her daughter ever since they've arrived at Chengdo. She had sensed that something was amiss when she saw her little girl's withdrawn and overly cautious behavior, and she had an inkling that it was probably related to her past.
So when she noticed that her daughter had seemingly slipped into a mild panic, Artoria immediately went towards her and asked her what's wrong.
Beidou upon hearing her mother's voice, snapped back into reality and tried to put on a brave face. She doesn't want to burden her new family with her own personal problems, especially her mother who had already done so much for her.
Yet she was scared.
She's scared of the memories that kept on flashing inside her mind.
And though she wanted to move on from it, the mere sight of the city below was a constant reminder of that fateful day.
Her terrified silence worried her mother even further.
"Beidou dear please, tell me what's wrong?" Artoria gently asked.
The young girl simply bit her lip and tried her best not to cry.
Seeing this, Artoria did the only thing she could think of that time. Sheembraced her precious daughter and pulled her into a tight hug.
Beidou almost jolted from her Mama's sudden action, but after a brief moment, she felt the warmth of her mother's love and care and found herself melting into her embrace.
"It's alright my Little Star, it's all right. Mama's here. Mama's here now. Mama will always be here to protect you." The Anemo Archon whispered tenderly to her daughter's ear as she gently caressed her hair.
Soon enough, the tears that Beidou had tried so hard to suppress had began to fall from her crimson eyes and unto her mother's shoulder. She felt ashamed for being so weak, but at the same time she also felt relief and gratitude for her Mama's love and care.
Artoria then began cradling her little girl, whispering sweet words of comfort and love to her until she calmed down.
After a few more minutes of quiet sobbing, Beidou finally managed to regain her composure. Artoria then gently carried her daughter towards the bed and they both sat on it, facing each other.
The rest of the children, having saw the state of their newest sister, stopped whatever they were doing and went towards their mother and distressed sister, climbing on to the bed and forming a circle around them.
"Are you feeling better now, my little Star?" Artoria asked.
"Y...yes Mama." Beidou answered with a sniffle.
Artoria then once again pulled her into an embrace and began gently patting her back.
"It's okay, everything will be alright now. Mama's here and so are the rest of your brother and sisters. We're all here for you." The blonde goddess reassured her child.
She then released her from the hug and held her by the shoulder.
"Can you tell me what's been troubling you, sweetie? You know you can tell me anything right?"
Beidou, upon hearing her mother's request, was still hesitant at first, but the soft and comforting gazes of her beloved family finally gave her the courage to open up.
She told them that around a year ago when she was still living as a wandering street rat, she came upon this city by chance.
"I...I was so hungry back then. I didn't have any mora to buy food, so I tried to steal some from the market."
Beidou paused for a moment as she recalled the memory.
"I came upon a group of 'merchants' and thought that they would be an easy target. So I waited for the right moment and followed them....into a small alleyway."
Beidou bit her lip, the awful memory of that moment coming back to her.
"I thought I could easily snatch a coin purse or two from some of them and then run away... but...but it turns out I was actually the one being lured into a trap."
Beidou looked straight into her mother's eyes and Artoria saw the glint of fear reflected on them.
"They weren't merchants Mama! They were bad people! Bandits! They...they tried to capture me and sell me to some nobles in Fontaine!" The little girl's lips began to tremble once more.
"I...I tried to fought back, swinging a rusty old sword that I kept hidden under my clothes but...but there were too many of them. I...I was so scared. I thought that I was done for....until... until..."
Jean, upon seeing her sister's distress, immediately took her hand and gently squeezed it.
"Until what, Bel?" She softly asked.
"Until the Millelith came." Beidou answered.
"A patrol unit came just in time and managed to scare the bad men away...and...and..." Beidou's words were cut off when Jean suddenly pulled her into a hug. The rest of the Gunnhildr siblings followed suit, enveloping their frightened sister in a comforting cocoon.
"You poor thing. I...I can't imagine what it was like for you, Bel." Jean said as she gently patted her sister's back.
"That...that was very brave of you Big Sis Bel!" Benny said as he embraced his sister's trying also to hold back his tears.
"Indeed, you were so brave and strong, Big Sister Beidou! Just like Mama!" Venti added.
After a few more moments of hugging, the siblings let go of their still shaken sister, though Barbara and Venti still continued to hold her hands.
Jean then brought up a similar incident that had occurred to her and her siblings years ago back in Mondstadt.
"You know, we once had a similar experience with those kinds of people, Bel." Jean stated.
"Huh? Really? What happened Sis?" Beidou asked.
"It was around 3 years ago. Back then Mama decided to bring me, Barbara and Bennett on a picnic in a meadow near Springvale. We were having so much fun, playing around and eating the yummy feast Mama had brought along with us!" Jean happily exclaimed but her smile soon turned upside down after she recalled the event that soon followed.
"But then...all of a sudden, a group of armed ugly men who looked like they haven't bathed in days appeared and tried to capture us. They threatened Mama and had even decided to capture me and sell me to some weird Fontainian noble of sorts!"
"And then what happened Jean?" Beidou asked with a curious expression, her fear momentarily forgotten.
"Well, I can't remember the exact details and I'm pretty sure both Benny and Barbara were still too young to remember at that point but Mama made short work of them of course!" Jean said as she looked at her mother with a proud expression.
"She told me to close my eyes and after a moment... I could only hear loud crashing sounds and men screaming and begging. When I opened my eyes, I saw Mama standing triumphantly in front of me!"
The eldest of the bunch however, forgot to mention that at that time her mother had blood splattered all over her clothes and face! But who cares about the details!
"THAT'S SO COOL!" Beidou gleefully exclaimed.
"I know right! Mama is the best! Right Ma....ma?" Jean's enthusiastic remark suddenly died off when she and her siblings saw the strange expression their mother's face!
There was a very distinct twitch on Artoria's left eye and the kids even saw their mother began to grit her teeth! Both of her hands were clenched tightly so much so that her knuckles began turning white!
Beidou hasn't seen this particular expression from her beloved mother before and the look in her eyes made the little girl shiver a bit.
"Umm...Mama? Are...are you alright?" She nervously asked.
"Eh, don't worry Big Sis, that's just Mama's ANGRY FACE!" Venti answered.
"Yep! She gets that look whenever some people try to do bad things to us!" Bennett added.
While the kids were busy explaining to their confused older sister about their mother's 'quirks', Artoria herself was silently trying to keep her composure intact!
'How dare they..... HOW DARE THEY?!' The goddess literally screamed in her mind as her maternal instincts coupled with her divine senses went into overdrive, demanding the blood of those who once tried to harm her precious daughter!
'When I get my hands on those bastards, I will personally flay them alive and make them beg for the sweet release of death! I'll make them suffer for all eternity!' She mentally cursed.
Let it be known that Artoria is mostly a kind and gentle soul. For all her vast cosmic given powers, she herself knew that she's not perfect and had her own flaws. In this existence, she's a nurturing person, a mother to both a family and an entire realm, and normally she would never wish any ill will towards anyone, especially towards her people and to those who were kind at heart...
However, all bets are off the moment someone or something dares to THREATEN or HARM her beloved babies!
For all her quirks, the Creator of the moonlit world of Avalon is one overprotective mother! An OVERPOWERED OVERPROTECTIVE MOTHER who would stop at nothing to ensure the safety and happiness of her little ones!
Even if it means splitting the entire world in half!
Artoria was so lost in her anger that she almost failed to notice her children nervously waving their little hands in front of her face.
"Mama? Mama!" Barbara called out.
"Ah! Sorry my little cubs, I...I was just lost in thought." Artoria apologized after snapping out of her rage induced trance.
"Umm, are you angry Mama?" Benny asked.
Artoria felt a bit guilty for losing herself to her anger once again and making her children worry about her. So she gently sighed and gave them a soft smile.
"A bit. But not at you my dear children. I'm just a little...'angry' after hearing your sister's story."
Artoria then suddenly pulled all five of her kids into a big warm hug, all the while silently thanking the stars for blessing her with them.
"I love you all so much, my little darlings. I promise you that no matter what happens, Mama will always be there to protect you." She whispered.
The children in turn hugged her back, feeling safe and secured in their beloved mother's arms.
They were a family, bounded by something greater than blood for their ascended divine souls all revolved around the near omnipotent mother whom they deeply love and adore.
And no being, no force, whether they be god or mortal, will ever tear them apart!
After a few minutes of precious and comforting silence, Artoria finally released her little ones from her embrace and reminded them to start getting dressed for tonight's citywide celebration.
"Now then my precious little munchkins, we only have an hour left before the festival begins. So let's get ready and have a blast tonight! I'm sure the mayor and the rest of Chengdo have prepared something special for us!" The Anemo Archon cheerfully declared.
As the kids went about preparing for the festival, Artoria once again turned her attention towards Beidou.
"Are you feeling better now, my dear Little Star?" She asked with a gentle motherly smile.
The little girl gave her a determined smile and nodded.
"Yes Mama. Thank you for everything." She answered.
Artoria once again gave her child a brief hug followed by a kiss to her little forehead.
"Always remember I will always be here for you my Little Star, now go and prepare yourself. We have a celebration to attend to."
Beidou happily obliged and joined her siblings in getting dressed.
Artoria looked over her children with a loving gaze before she began walking towards the door of their hotel room. She too needed to 'prepare' for something….but not related to the upcoming celebration.
Oh no, she had other plans in mind, one that had been postponed long enough.
'I've thought of them as nothing more but a small syndicate especially after what had transpired near Springvale all those years ago. But now it's clear to me that they maybe a part of something 'bigger'... something more sinister.' Artoria contemplated.
'And why the heck is it always Fontainians? Surely the authorities behind the nation of justice, would have already caught wind of such precarious activities happening within their very own citizenry unless..…'
The serene and motherly facial expression she had donned just seconds ago had instantly morphed to that of a cold and pragmatic ruler.
Once outside she immediately gave orders to the two Eonian Guards stationed in front of her room.
"Report to your Commander and tell him to meet me at the nearest balcony as soon as possible, I have a little assignment for him." She ordered.
Both guards immediately complied and went to carry out their Archon's orders. She then began walking towards the open balcony at the end of the hallway all the while silently allowing her consciousness to telepathically connect with her one and only Shade who at that time was busy binge-watching some 90s cartoons back in her room (read:domain - crib) inside the Tower of Beginnings in Avalon.
'Alter, we need to talk.'
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While everyone was busy for the upcoming festival, an entirely different matter was happening deep underground, within Chengdo's unique prison complex.
Once built to house the most dangerous and violent criminals of Liyue centuries following the end of the Archon War, the underground prison complex of Chengdo is considered one of the oldest in the nation and is carved almost entirely out of the subterranean bedrock underneath the City! Though it no longer houses the same number of inmates it once had in its glory days, it's still considered as one of the most secure and well maintained prisons in all of Liyue!
That is of course, if one ignores the current pathetic state of the prison's security personnel.
You see, the golden age of Chengdo's prison system had long since passed, and what remains today is nothing more than a skeleton of its former glory. Years of mismanagement and corruption had taken its toll on the once proud institution turning it into an understaffed, underfunded and lax detention center where most criminals were either released on a technicality or bribed their way out.
And that's the exact situation a certain Qixing official had taken advantage of especially when most of the prison's security personels were deployed all throughout the city proper in preparation for the upcoming festival leaving only a bare minimum of guards, mostly new recruits, to man the facility!
At the main entrance to the underground prison found just below the prison's main hall, the two guards stationed in front of the large iron gates were grumbling at each other about their predicament.
Due to an unfortunate mishap that occured months ago, the warden had assigned them to perpetualguard duty at the prison's main gates. The two had envied some of their colleagues who were out in the city enjoying the festive atmosphere. The two young guards, fueled by pride and hubris, argued amongst themselves that they had been 'punished long enough' and that they deserve some rest and relaxation after being unfairly treated for so long!
Preferably, they wanted to enjoy the festival happening back on the surface!
They imagined themselves eating several savory street food that their meager salaries could afford, drinking and chatting with some of the lovely ladies that roam around the city.
Oh what a life it would it, but instead they were stuck guarding a bunch of lowlife criminals in a place where the sun don't even shine!
"Can't you believe it Defu? We've been stuck on guard duty in this hell hole for months now while those lucky bastards get to have all the fun! It's not fair!" The first guard who goes by the name of Lee complained.
"Yeah, I know what you mean Lee. I still firmly believe that losing the prison's primary Jail Blotter while in the midst of a toilet break was not a huge deal! I mean if you think hard enough, the main fault lies on the Warden himself for entrusting us with the safekeeping of that damn old book!"
Both guards crossed their arms and noded sagely to one another as if their reasoning held some profound truth!
"Hey Lee, I've heard that most of our officers will be attending the festival and will be having a banquet with the visiting Mondstadter heroes! Just imagine being able to meet them in person and chat with them! How cool is that?!" Defu replied with an envious tone.
"Not only that but I've also heard from the recent gossips that some of our guys are planning to spend the night out with a few visiting escorts from the renowned Pearl Galley of Liyue Harbor! Beautiful Visiting Escorts!" Lee exclaimed with wide eyes.
"REALLY?! Archon-damnit! They say that those ladies are the 'finest' in all of Liyue! Ugh! Why did we have to get the short end of the stick every time?!" Defu groaned.
As the two guards continued to whine about their ill-fated luck, they suddenly heard the sound of footsteps coming from the stairs that lead to the surface. They immediately stood at attention as a lone yet familiar figure came into view and walked towards them.
"Magistrate Yanjin! SIR!" Both guards greeted the elderly government official with a salute.
Yanjin, the old bureaucrat from the Ministry of Civil Affairs who was initially sent by the Qixing to oversee the relief efforts in the Bishui Region in the wake of the failed Abyssal invasion.
He had a very brief argument with the Conqueror of Demons about a week ago pertaining to the veracity of the Yaksha's claim about the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius' heroic feats during the calamity. An argument which he ultimately lost in a sort of humiliating manner.
Yanjin would briefly oversee the entirety of the Liyuen government's relief efforts in the Bishui region for a few days, allowing him to carefully observe the astonishing rise in popularity of the foreign Grand Master and her knights among the region's citizenry.
The old man would later decide to hitch a ride with the said Grand Master's diplomatic caravan towards Liyue Harbor alongside many more personalities (mostly reporters and foreign journalists) leaving his duties to supervise the continued support initiatives by the Liyuen government in Bishui in the hands of a few capable subordinates.
Yanjin continued to walk calmly towards the two prison guards and greeted them with a serene grandfatherly expression.
"At ease men. You are both doing a fine job in safeguarding the City's ancient prison." The old magistrate stated.
Both guards felt a sense of pride upon hearing the magistrate's words.
"Sir! We are honored to hear that sir! However, we believe that this prison no longer requires such a tight security considering the current number of inmates. There are only a handful of them and most of them aren't even that dangerous!" Lee added.
Yanjin simply nodded in response before turning his attention towards the large iron doors that block the entrance to the main underground prison cells.
"I see. But you must always remember that even the most docile prisoner can be dangerous. Oh, and speaking of prisoners, may I ask where are the new inmates that were recently transferred here this earlier this afternoon?" He asked.
Both guards immediately replied in unison.
"Sir! The new inmates are currently held in Cellblock B-7 sir!"
"Cellblock B-7 eh? Good, very good. Now would you two fine gentlemen be so kind and allow this old man pass into that big iron door behind you? I would like to pay these new inmates a 'visit'." Yanjin requested with a smile.
The two guards looked at each other before turning their attention back at the elderly Qixing official. They know that it's highly irregular for a well-known member of the Ministry of Civil Affairs to just casually visit incarcerated inmates but since he is their superior then there must be some important reason for his visit. But still...
"With all due respect honorable Magistrate, but we are under strict orders from the warden to not let anyone in without his express permission." Defu stated.
"Yes, unless you have an explicit permit signed by Warden Zhu then we're afraid we cannot allow you inside sir -" Lee's words were cut off when Yanjin pulled out two jiggling leather pouches of considerable sizes from his robe and handed them over to the guards.
They were heavy and when the two guards opened the bags they were stunned to see that they were filled mora! Cold, hard glistening Mora!
They couldn't believe it! The amount inside could probably be more than what they earn in half a year!
"Two Hundred Thousand Mora per bag. I believe that should be more than enough to compensate for your troubles, yes?" Yanjin asked nonchalantly.
"Now about that permit..." The old official added.
The two guards, still taken aback by the huge amount of money being suddenly forced unto them could only nod dumbly as they proceed to let the old magistrate pass through the iron doors unchallenged without much as a second thought!
They knew that accepting the bribe was wrong but the sheer amount of money presented to them was just too good to pass up!
Yanjin then gave the two fools a smirk before walking past them. He'll need to talk to the Warden later to ensure that the two fools would keep their silence about what had just transpired. After all, he can't risk anyone interfering with his 'business'.
After a few flights of stairs and numerous turns and corners, the old bureaucrat finally arrived at his destination, Cellblock B-7. He saw two prison cells located at the far end of the damp hallway and two familiar figures currently locked up within them.
"Ah, Pian Zi and Li Bi. I hope you two are not too uncomfortable in your new accommodations." The elderly government official said with a hint of sarcasm.
Pian Zi, the notorious swindler and Li Bi, the wine fraudster from earlier, both scrambled towards the iron bars in a desperate manner. Both were disheveled and their clothes were dirty from the few hours they spent inside their respective cells.
"Magistrate Yanjin...I mean Boss! You're finally here!" Pian Zi exclaimed.
"We were so worried that you've left us here to rot Boss!" Li added with a panicked voice.
Yanjin simply sighed and shook his head.
"Foolish children. How many times do I have to remind both of you to be more careful with your actions? And now look where it got you! In prison!" The old man scolded.
"B...but Boss, it's not our fault that we got caught! It was those blasted Mondstadters! If they had not stuck their noses into our business then we would have gotten away with it!" Li reasoned.
"Indeed! It's those foreigners fault! They should have just minded their own business and left us alone!" Pian angrily agreed.
Yanjin, upon hearing his underlings' excuses, began to rub his temples.
'Why do I even bother with these two?' He thought.
"Enough of your pathetic excuses! You were caught red handed by the Millelith! Had that red haired director from Mondstadt not reported your crimes, it would have been the local authorities who would have caught you! And you two are blaming the foreigners for your ineptitude?! What a joke!" Yanjin berated.
Both Pian and Li could only lower their heads in shame after hearing their boss' scolding.
"I'm so disappointed in the two of you that I'm tempted to just leave you here to rot in jail for the rest of your lives..." Yanjin stated as he paced back and forth in front of the cells.
"NO! PLEASE HAVE MERCY BOSS!" Both of his men pleaded.
"We're sorry! We won't do it again! Please don't leave us here!"
The elderly official stopped his pacing and looked at his men with a bored expression. These two nitwits had been serving him for more than a decade now and although the duo were not known for their smarts they were still valuable members to his organization. Losing them would be a great loss to both revenue and manpower.
'Even if they are fools, they are still my Mora making fools.' He mused.
"Thankfully, even with your blunder, the damage it caused to our overall operation was minimal and truthfully you two had contributed considerable profits for the last 6 months to warrant another chance." Yanjin stated.
Both men sighed in relief after hearing their boss' magnanimous decision.
"Thank you Boss! We won't fail you again! We promise!" They both said in unison.
"See to it that you won't. Remember, even farmers needed cattle to plow the fields.....however..." The old man trailed off as he suddenly pulled out a small key from his pocket and began unlocking their cell doors.
"If the cattle becomes too sickly or too unruly, then they are but a burden to the farmer and to his business. And I think both of you know what happens to burdened cattle." Yanjin finished with a dark ominous tone as he opened both cell doors and gestured the two to follow him.
"We...we understand Boss! Crystal clear!" Both Pian and Li replied nervously.
"Good, now before I escort the two of you out from this miserable place, I need you to answer me a question." Yanjin said.
"Of course Boss! Anything!" Li immediately responded.
Yanjin then looked at the two men with a serious expression before asking.
"Does the two of you know the current whereabouts of Tong and his men?" He asked.
Both Pian and Li visibly swallowed upon hearing the name.
'Wh..why him?! Of all people why did the Boss suddenly ask about that monster?!' Pian thought with rising panic.
Lian Tong, known among their circle for monikers such as The Unripe Devourer, Mr. Sweet Nectar, Handsy or as some of their high-end customers would crudely call him, the Fiddler, is one of the top enforcers of their organization.
The man is a ruthless, cunning, and downright sickening freak that even the mere mention of his name sends shivers down the spine of most of their associates! Despite being one of the most profitable members of their group, very few would dare try to interact with Tong and his group of uncivilized thugs due to his penchant for.... anything remotely young!
"T...Tong Boss? Umm..w..well we don't know his exact location per say. The last we heard, he was still here in the city scouting for potential targets or...as he called them...go…'goods'." Li nervously answered.
"He's here in the city? I see. Did he meet up with the two of you before your arrest?" Yanjin asked with a neutral expression.
The two swindlers looked at each other before nodding.
"Y...yes Boss. He gave us some more items he deemed worthless. Items that once belonged to his 'goods'." Pian answered.
"I see. So the 'merchandises' are still with him then. Good, that means there will be no delays for the next upcoming shipment. But where could that man be? This city is not that large for him to suddenly disappear without a trace." The elderly official pondered.
"Maybe he left the city ahead of the festival Boss? I mean it would be a huge problem if he was spotted by the Millelith or worse the visiting Knights of Favonius." Li suggested.
Yanjin stroked his beard as he considered his subordinate's words.
"Hmmm, that is a possibility. However we would still need to confirm it. If however he's still within Chengdo then I need him to hand me this month's revenue as well as the list of his current clients. Every Mora we make must be accounted for, every transaction must be thoroughly recorded. That's how a good business operates." Yanjin stated with finality.
"You two!" The old man suddenly turned to his underlings.
"I want you to lay low in the nearby towns and villages for the next few months. Change your identities and get new jobs as cover ups. I'll be contacting you when the time is right. Do you both understand?" Yanjin ordered.
"But boss, what about our merchandise back at our stores? The Millelith confiscated everything! Everyone last one of them!" Pian whined.
Yanjin however simply laughed off his complaint.
"Don't worry about those, they will be returned to you by tomorrow morning. I had a 'little talk' with the Warden earlier and he had graciously agreed to return your merchandise." The old man said with a smirk.
"Oh thank you boss! You're the best!" Pian excitedly said.
"Yeah! You're the best Boss!" Li agreed.
"Now then, before the both of you leave the city, do me one last favor and contact Tong for me. Tell him that I need to see him before noon tomorrow. I don't care how you do it or where you find him just make sure that he follows my instructions and complies. Am I clear?" Yanjin demanded.
"Cr...crystal clear B...boss! We'll find him and give him your message!" Both Pian and Li nervously replied in unison.
Yanjin nodded at them with satisfaction and then began walking towards the stairs.
The life of a respected bureaucrat working within Liyue's Ancient Governmental machinery was never easy but being the secret head of a lucrative underground criminal syndicate was even harder!
'As long as the Mora keeps on flowing and HE's kept happy, then I can deal with these little headaches.' Yanjin thought as he made his way out of the underground prison.
(End of Chapter)
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(London)
- Otherwise known as Constituent - Domain: Delta, The City of Meido, The Crib, The Grand Sanctuary of Gaming and Pop Culture, and The Bottomless Pit, is the personal ever expanding domain of the Shade of Destruction Artorial Pendragon Alter (Lancer), granted to her by her liege as per request.
- Though it was initially meant to be the size of a full on decked out mansion, Alter (aftermuchnagging) was able to convince Artoria to allow her to expand it even further through the use of spatial folding manipulation commonly seen within the confines of the Tower of Beginnings. After three whole days of non-stop grail-abuse and construction, the entire domain is now currently the size of a modern earth city and is still expanding!
- Through the near constant usage (abuse) of the Holy Grail, Alter was able to fill her entire domain with items and technology commonly found on Earth, creating vast modern buildings such as libraries filled with DVDs and Video games, as well as Theaters and other institutions in honor of the Earthly Arts.
- The entire domain is also considered by most of the inhabitants of the Tower of Beginnings as the center of administration. Being bestowed with the title of Head Stewardess of the Tower, Alter, with the help of the three moons sisters who now serve as her personal secretaries, regularly manages the day to day affairs of the Tower and the realm from her own seat of power located at the very center of her domain. The said seat is a replica of Earth's own Big Ben/Elizabeth Tower/Clock Tower wherein hundreds of homonculi maids come and go bringing orders and instructions that are the crucial to the stability of Avalon's governance.
- Recently, Alter had an idea to create a very special section within her domain inspired by her very own destructive nature. She hasn't yet thought about the name for this newest area but she's considering between the names of Gehenna, Hell and Pandemonium.
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