That night, earlier in the evening.
Mu Yang left through the back door of his home and headed toward the docks.
His destination tonight was the Pearl Galley.
The Pearl Galley was a large vessel sailing near Liyue's coast.
Mu Yang had a strong impression of it—not because of the ship itself,
but because of a famous scene from Zhongli's Story Quest:
"Come on, who knows Rex Lapis better, you or me?" (tactical lean back)
This iconic moment of Liyue's "Know-It-All" took place on this very ship.
Beyond that, Mu Yang had no other impressions of it.
He had recently discovered the place while researching shops, noting its considerable scale.
Rumors claimed the ship offered all kinds of entertainment:
Drinking and poetry, listening to music and watching performances, and even services tied to the gray market.
This was a bit much!
Mu Yang decided to come and thoroughly critique these profit-driven merchants.
It had to be said, from the docks at night, the Pearl Galley was undeniably the most eye-catching sight.
Even from this distance, its vibrant decorations and lively music and dance were visible.
Mu Yang stepped onto the ice he conjured, walking across the water, and in the blink of an eye, he reached the ship, lightly leaping onto the deck.
A woman in ornate clothing beside him was startled by his sudden appearance.
But her professionalism was impeccable—she quickly regained her composure.
Clearly, she had seen her fair share of situations.
The woman bowed respectfully. "This humble one is Luoxia. Welcome, honored guest, to the Pearl Galley."
"May I ask if you were invited by a [distinguished guest] today?"
Mu Yang replied, "No invitation."
"Understood. This way, please, honored guest." Luoxia moved to take Mu Yang's arm to guide him to a seat.
But Mu Yang stopped her.
In a place like this, reading people was a basic requirement.
Luoxia understood that Mu Yang disliked being touched and maintained a respectful distance.
The deck was bustling, and though the night had just begun, some were already drunkenly babbling while clutching wine jars.
"What a fine night… too short, let's drink till we drop…"
A young man in a long robe downed a cup and praised, "This wine is excellent! One sip, and thoughts flow like a spring, bursting with poetic inspiration!"
His tablemate matched him, drinking a cup. "Brother Jiulang, what a capacity! I'll offer a couplet—dare you take it?"
"What's there to fear?"
A Fontaine merchant toasted left and right, handing out business cards to everyone.
At the ship's bow, a performer's mournful singing captivated the audience…
Mu Yang followed Luoxia through the noisy deck into a private room.
"Please choose a seat," she said.
Mu Yang asked if someone without an invitation could enter a place like this.
The room's decor was lavish, with cabinets filled with rare collectibles.
It was much quieter than the deck, clearly designed for distinguished guests.
Luoxia covered her mouth and chuckled lightly. "If Luoxia lacked even this much discernment, she wouldn't be able to answer to the boss."
Luoxia had been a receptionist on this ship for many years. Without sharp judgment, she could never have risen to a managerial role.
The moment she saw Mu Yang, she knew this young man was no ordinary figure.
So, she signaled her subordinates and personally took on the task of attending to him.
After Mu Yang sat down, Luoxia presented a scroll—the Pearl Galley's Registry of Treasures.
Mu Yang opened it and read:
This is the Pearl Galley's Registry of Treasures, filled with exquisite beauty, elegant laughter, and tender songs, all for your selection.
It is said, "The river cradles pearls with charm." May you hold a radiant pearl and meet the flowing waters, bearing the gentle warmth of jade and the softness of the moon.
The courtesans of this pleasure barge are listed as follows…
The rest were presumably their stage names.
Flipping to the end, Mu Yang asked, "Why isn't Luoxia listed?"
Luoxia froze, then subtly tucked her hair back, revealing a faintly flushed earlobe in a seemingly flustered gesture.
"Please don't tease me, sir. Luoxia's talents aren't fit for the spotlight."
"Allow Luoxia to recommend a few others. If you enjoy drinking, Qiongjue would be a fine companion."
"If you prefer performances, call for Qiugel—she'll sing a few lines, guaranteed to rival even Master Yun."
Luoxia's reaction left even the system in awe: "This acting is top-tier, not a bit worse than yours!"
Mu Yang fully agreed with the system's assessment. Most people would probably be hooked by now, losing all discernment, and simply going along with whatever she recommended.
Still, a performer who could rival Yun Jin piqued Mu Yang's interest.
He had been visiting the Heyu Teahouse daily these past few days but hadn't seen Yun Jin—his luck was terrible.
Rumor had it she had gone to the mountains seeking inspiration.
"Fine, as you suggest. Have Miss Qiugel come sing a song."
Luoxia smiled and went to fetch her.
While waiting, Mu Yang observed the surroundings.
The VIP area had six private rooms, and as it was still early, Mu Yang was the only guest.
The rooms weren't large, but considering they offered performances, they were likely designed with excellent soundproofing.
Soon, Qiugel arrived.
Her performance outfit was clearly chosen to match Mu Yang's swordsman style.
This ship's operations were indeed impressive.
Qiugel must have been briefed by Luoxia, as she maintained a respectful distance throughout, avoiding any overly familiar behavior.
The two kept their space, with Qiugel singing while pouring wine for Mu Yang…
After a few songs, Mu Yang paid and left.
But he didn't truly leave—it was a feint.
He concealed himself, wanting to see what might unfold later in the night.
In the Pearl Galley's office, a frail-looking woman was listening to Luoxia's report.
The report was about Mu Yang.
After hearing it, a hint of delight appeared on her pale face. "This young man has such composure—truly intriguing."
The boss had seen plenty of young nobles who came to indulge in debauchery.
Most ended up fleeced for a hefty sum, only to return after a brief period of restraint to throw away more money.
This one, however, was different.
"What do you mean, ma'am?"
"Next time he comes, inform me. I want to meet him in person."
Luoxia bowed. "Yes, ma'am."
"Go now. Handle tonight's business properly—you're the only one I trust with this."
Mu Yang was nearly dozing off from the earlier report about himself, but finally, something interesting caught his attention.
Beyond the indulgent services, there was indeed something else going on here.
Mu Yang followed Luoxia and witnessed the ship's greatest secret.
They arrived at the ship's cabin, where a grand banquet was underway.
The guest of honor, seated at the head, was already blackout drunk, unable to form a coherent sentence.
The crowd parted to let Luoxia through as she approached.
Leaning close to the guest's ear, she whispered, "The hour has come. Time to depart."
Her right hand flicked out a dagger, striking with lethal precision, swift and smooth—the man passed without the slightest pain… (So brutal, so real)
Mu Yang silently marveled. Luoxia was truly formidable—she'd better keep her distance next time.
But what was this all about?
Qiugel, who had just performed, had personally said that everything on this ship was permitted by the Qixing.
And now this?
Luoxia wiped the dagger clean with a handkerchief. "The contract is fulfilled. Rest in peace…"
Her subordinates began cleaning up the cabin.
Mu Yang continued following Luoxia and finally pieced together what was happening.
The guest had been terminally ill. This was the Pearl Galley's hidden service—
End-of-life care.
In plain terms, euthanasia.
Afterward, the Pearl Galley would erase all traces of the person's existence.
It was as if they had never been in Liyue Harbor at all…