"Baishi, for all the Millelith soldiers who fell or were severely injured in this battle, their families must be properly taken care of. The compensation... no, make it ten times the standard amount. I'll cover the Mora personally. Also, find suitable jobs for their families. If there are only children left, find good homes for them."
"If the children don't want to be adopted, send them to the orphanage and give them the compensation when they come of age. I'm leaving these matters in your hands."
Baishi bowed slightly and withdrew, but her mind was far from calm. The Millelith's compensation was already the highest among the seven nations. Ten times that was no small sum.
And Lady Ningguang had granted her considerable discretion this time, which meant she valued this matter greatly. Baishi would need to carefully consider how to handle everything to Lady Ningguang's satisfaction.
"Oh, you're all here. Perfect timing. I have something to announce."
"Since Wangsheng has been open for several thousand years, I've decided to give back to Liyue. For the next seven days, Wangsheng will provide free coffins and boxes, and I will preside over the ceremonies free of charge."
Hu Tao, walking down from Yujing Terrace, looked at the fallen around her with rare solemnity. This might plunge Wangsheng into financial hardship, but as its director, she had made up her mind. Even if she had to sell off valuables, she would see this through.
This little girl had truly grown up. Zhongli had initially come to see how Ningguang would handle the aftermath. He hadn't expected this pleasant surprise, and he felt a swell of emotion.
"Director Hu, you won't need to cover the cost. I believe the fines levied on Northland Bank will be more than enough to cover everything."
Ningguang's eyes gleamed coldly. She had no intention of letting the Fatui off easy. Once Liyue Harbor was stabilized, not a single Fatui agent would escape. If she didn't tear a chunk out of them, she would change her name.
Keqing had already headed toward the Ministry of Civil Affairs. She recalled there were plenty of "witnesses" to the Fatui's crimes stored there. She planned to take a look and then pay Northland Bank a visit to collect the fines.
"Why does it feel like our director has nothing to do all of a sudden?"
"Don't say that, Director Hu. These heroes who gave their lives to protect Liyue Harbor all need you to conduct their funeral rites. You'll have your hands full."
"Then I'll use the highest standard below the Rite of Parting."
With that, Hu Tao ran off toward Wangsheng. High-level funerals required extensive preparations. She had no time to waste. Besides, every time she was around, Qiqi looked tense and nervous.
She would have to find time to talk with Qiqi. She had long since given up the idea of burying her anyway. Hu Tao mentally scheduled a chat with Qiqi after the funeral arrangements were done.
With the major matters delegated, only one adorable little one remained. Ningguang smiled warmly and greeted Klee.
"Little Klee, we owe you a great debt this time."
"Hehe, Sister Toto told Klee to do it. If you want to thank anyone, Big Sister, you should thank her."
Sister Toto? Could that be the little adeptus girl who had stopped her to negotiate a deal? Ningguang smiled knowingly. It seemed these Geovishaps could indeed serve Liyue after all.
"Oh, and Big Sister, Sister Toto said that after the monsters were defeated, these Geovishaps should be handed over to someone named Ningguang as a gift of thanks."
"Is that so? Did your Sister Toto say anything else?"
Klee tilted her head slightly, biting her finger as she tried to remember. Hmm, she didn't think so. Oh wait, there was one more thing.
"Sister Toto said the Geovishap clan will never be friends with humans unless they get food and housing."
"Haha, what an interesting little one. When your Sister Toto returns, tell her I invite her to the Jade... to Yujing Terrace for a meal."
Thinking of her Jade Chamber, now gone, Ningguang felt a pang of sadness. The Jade Chamber. Her Jade Chamber. How could she go on without it?
"Um, Big Sister, are you okay? Your face looks terrible. Klee will go get Qiqi to treat you."
"It's nothing, Klee. Big sister was just thinking about something unpleasant. Since you've helped Liyue so much this time, what reward would little Klee like?"
Ningguang composed herself, crouching down to Klee's eye level. The gesture made Klee feel comfortable, much like when Master Jean showed her concern.
"Klee, Klee wants a lot of materials. Can you give her that, Big Sister?"
"Materials? That's simple. Baishi, handle this. Make a list for Klee. Whatever she needs, provide it for her."
"Really? Thank you, Big Sister!"
In Ningguang's view, anything that could be solved with Mora wasn't a problem. Some materials were nothing to her. What she truly feared was owing favors. Debts of gratitude were much harder to repay. Only because Klee was a child did Ningguang let her choose whatever she wanted.
"Tsk, I didn't expect the Yuheng of the Qixing to have such resolve. Sending the Jade Chamber crashing down like that."
"Too bad the scene I most wanted to see never played out. Maybe I'm just a failed director."
Scaramouche laughed bitterly, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. He might have found Su Bai's weakness after all. Once you had a weakness, you could be handled much more easily.
Before he could muse further, an Anemo blade whisked past his hair. If he hadn't tilted his head in time, his skull would have been cracked open.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Conqueror of Demons himself."
Scaramouche's body crackled with Electro. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't dare provoke Xiao. But now, after a long battle, how much elemental and adeptal energy could Xiao have left?
"I've never fought an adeptus before. If I killed you here, little Bai would be heartbroken."
"Then he'd be driven to seek power for revenge. How delightful."
Xiao felt a wave of pressure. In his current state, he might not be able to defeat this madman. But if he wanted to escape, Scaramouche wouldn't be able to stop him.
"The Conqueror of Demons isn't thinking of running away, is he? That won't do. We have to have a proper duel."
Scaramouche clenched his fists, and a barrier of Electro energy expanded, trapping them both inside. Xiao gripped his Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, frustration boiling within him. Damn it. If he were at full strength, or even at half, Scaramouche wouldn't dare be this arrogant.