"That was roughly what happened."
Huixin repeated the conversation between Keqing and Ye Xuan word for word.
That included Ye Xuan calling Keqing "Ke Kitty," and Keqing personally accepting the nickname in exchange for a chance to ask an extra question.
Uncle Tian's expression turned rather peculiar.
He had already owed Keqing one favor. Now, he feared, that had become two.
He sighed inwardly.
He really hadn't misjudged her. His daughter was suited to being a secretary, but she was still a long way from taking a seat among the Liyue Qixing.
The Kaiyang Star looked utterly baffled. "It was just a nickname. Was it really worth ten million Mora?"
The Tianxuan Star pondered for a moment. "Perhaps that god held the Yuheng in higher regard."
The Kaiyang Star was even more puzzled. "They only just met. How could he already hold her in high regard? The only possibility was that the Yuheng was young and beautiful, wasn't it?"
So they just couldn't let the subject of age go, could they?
Even Ningguang, who was always calm and composed, found her composure cracking a little at the Kaiyang Star's words.
And yet she couldn't find a reason to argue back.
The Yuheng had gone and gotten a question for free, while Ningguang had asked one question and been told that he was going to sleep.
After taking a moment to recover, Ningguang spoke. "Indeed, my looks have faded with age. I can't compare to the Yuheng's youthful beauty. From now on, I'll leave all negotiations with that god to her."
The moment she said that, the atmosphere in the meeting hall plunged to freezing.
Even the easygoing Kaiyang Star knew enough to shut his mouth.
Just then, Ganyu pushed the door open and entered. "Members of the Liyue Qixing, I've seen Rex Lapis. He gave only two words: 'Exercise restraint.'"
Ningguang nodded slightly. "It seems Rex Lapis believes there's no serious cause for concern. Those two may truly be old friends of his. In that case, let's first discuss the succession issue Uncle Tian mentioned earlier."
She looked at Uncle Tian. "Once we're done, Uncle Tian, you should go home and rest. You're getting on in years. The Kaiyang Star will take over your work for the time being."
Bitterness welled up in the Kaiyang Star's heart. He was tired too. He wanted to sleep too.
After leaving Liyue Harbor, they arrived in the City of Mondstadt.
What, you didn't believe it?
Were you questioning Ye Xuan's speed?
The flock of pigeons on Timmie's bridge all became dead birds in the blink of Ye Xuan's eye.
How wonderful.
Children should eat more meat to help them grow.
"You two, are you entering the city?"
The two faces of the Knights of Favonius of Mondstadt.
Swan and Lawrence were startled by the sudden appearance of Ye Xuan and Ronava, but their professionalism kept them carrying out their routine questioning.
"Yes."
"Where have you two come from?"
"Liyue."
"What brings you to the City of Mondstadt?"
"Visiting family."
"You have family in the City of Mondstadt? These are troubled times, and there aren't many people from Liyue in the city."
Ye Xuan pointed at Ronava beside him. "Not me, her. Her best friend's child holds a post in the City of Mondstadt, but he never does his job properly. He spends every day drinking in the tavern. We've come to teach him a lesson."
"Drinking? May I ask the person's name-"
"Barbatos."
"...Barbatos? Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon?! How dare you insult Lord Barbatos, the Anemo Archon!"
Swan and Lawrence froze for a moment, then drew their knightly swords and glared at the two strangers who had shown disrespect to the Anemo Archon.
Ronava was about to make a move, but Ye Xuan beat her to it.
His figure flashed, and he appeared on Timmie's bridge. He grabbed Timmie and lifted him over the side.
Below lay Cider Lake, its depths impossible to fathom.
He smiled at Swan and Lawrence. "I'll give you five seconds to decide. Either throw your swords into the lake, or I'll throw him in."
Swan roared, "Never! A knight would never abandon his sword!"
"Then watch him drown. Choose."
"Five."
"Four."
"Three."
Timmie began struggling desperately. "Let go of me! I can't swim! Help me, quick!"
Ye Xuan lowered him a little farther and warned him coldly, "Move around again, and I'll drop you right now."
Timmie immediately went still, too frightened to move. All he could do was scream for help at the top of his lungs.
"Let's continue."
"Two."
"One."
Someone threw his sword. It was Lawrence.
The longsword traced an arc through the air and landed in the lake with a splash.
Lawrence said in a low voice, "I've thrown my sword away. You can let him go now."
"No."
"You went back on your word!"
Ye Xuan shrugged. "I said 'both of you,' not just you. But since you threw your sword away, I can give you a reward. You can run toward me. You have five seconds again. After five seconds, I'll let go. Whether you can save him depends on your ability."
Before he had finished speaking, Lawrence charged toward him like an arrow loosed from a bow.
But five seconds was far too short a time for Lawrence.
Timmie was still thrown into the water.
Without hesitation, Lawrence leaped into the lake.
But one couldn't swim, and the other was wearing heavy armor. All they could do was struggle helplessly in the water, and it looked as though both would soon drown.
Ye Xuan turned to Swan, his smile unchanged. "All right, you can continue making your choice. Will you watch the two of them drown, then arrest me for showing disrespect to the Anemo Archon? Or will you save them and watch helplessly as I walk into the City of Mondstadt?"
Swan gritted his teeth. "I'll catch you first, then save them."
"I don't think you can. Ronava."
Ronava waved a hand, and an invisible force slammed Swan bodily into Mondstadt's city wall.
"Let's go in."
Ronava said, "Are we going straight to Barbatos? I've already sensed where he is."
Ye Xuan shook his head. "There's no rush. Let's go to the knights first. We should at least give our Anemo Archon some time to save his people."
As soon as he finished speaking, a gentle breeze swept through the City of Mondstadt.
Ye Xuan smiled faintly and continued walking.
Following the main road, they soon arrived at the knights' headquarters. Because of the trouble Dvalin was causing, there were far fewer drunkards in the City of Mondstadt these days.
"You two, is there something you need the knights' help with?"
"We're here to discuss a partnership. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would like to open a branch in Mondstadt."
"I'll inform Acting Grand Master Jean right away."
The knight at the entrance turned and went inside. Before long, he hurried back out. "Acting Grand Master Jean asks you both to come in and discuss the details."
He led Ye Xuan and Ronava to the grand master's office and raised a hand to knock lightly on the door.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, I've brought them."
A gentle voice came from inside. "Come in."