After resting for a few days, Jiang Yan set out for Guili Plains, bringing along the newly completed containment device that Guizhong had given him.
Meanwhile, under the orders of the Liyue Millelith, the residents in the northern region of Guili Plains had already begun to evacuate in an orderly manner.
By the time Jiang Yan arrived, most of the civilians had been relocated—something that allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief.
This time, the collection process went far more smoothly.
After a month of practice, Jiang Yan's mastery over vector manipulation and energy control had reached a terrifying level.
Once the ancient seal over the sword scars was lifted, Jiang Yan immediately extended his hand, drawing in the chaotic energy left behind by the fallen gods, just as he had done when condensing the energy storm before.
"Wood Spirit Adeptus! You deserve to die!"
"Mercy, Lord Mu Ling!"
"Spare me! I beg you!"
Among the surging torrents of energy, Jiang Yan could still hear the furious roar of the Chi and the wails of other fallen gods begging for mercy.
Jiang Yan merely sneered.
"You'll spend eternity sealed within this device—feeling endless solitude and eternal damnation!"
He clenched his right hand, and the gods' resentful cries merged with the violent energy, being drawn into the sphere.
"NOOOO!!!"
With the final cry of the Chi fading away, a black orb the size of a basketball appeared in Jiang Yan's palm.
He opened the new containment mechanism in his other hand and locked it around the sphere.
The mechanism emitted a series of clicking noises—ka... ka... ka...—as it adjusted itself.
Moments later, the energy within stabilized.
Thanks to his previous experience, Jiang Yan completed the sealing process in less than an hour.
Once he confirmed that the mechanism could perfectly suppress the orb, Jiang Yan flew toward the southern part of Guili Plains.
"Lord Adeptus!"
"Lord Adeptus! It's been so long!"
In what had once been the region's administrative hall—now repurposed as the Qianyan Guard's Public Order Office—Jiang Yan was greeted by the stationed guards.
"You can have the civilians return now," Jiang Yan said. "Oh, and by the way—has the Yuheng Star spoken with you regarding the site development plans for the sword scars?"
Just like Keqing in later generations, the first Yuheng Star was also responsible for land management and construction.
The guard captain stood at attention and replied respectfully,
"Lord Yuheng Star has already issued the orders. Once the northern residents return, we'll begin preparations immediately."
Jiang Yan nodded. As Grand Steward, he had the authority to oversee all matters in Liyue—but that didn't mean he needed to involve himself in everything.
If the Yuheng Star couldn't handle something of this level, then they had no business sitting among the Seven Stars.
Fortunately, the current Liyue Qixing were doing their jobs well—efficient both in governance and in their respective domains.
That alone was enough to satisfy him.
"Good. Proceed according to Yuheng Star's arrangements," Jiang Yan instructed.
After reviewing a stack of the Liyue Millelith' reports, he took his leave.
Liyue Harbor — Yuehai Pavilion, Yujing Terrace
This was where the Liyue Qixing conducted their administrative affairs.
It also served as the headquarters of the General Affairs Department.
Yuehai Pavilion was divided into three floors:
The top floor was reserved for the Seven Stars themselves;
The second floor housed the General Affairs secretaries;
And the first was used by the leaders of the Eight Departments.
Jiang Yan ascended to the second floor and soon found Ganyu.
The moment she saw him, her knees nearly gave out.
Ever since his return a few days ago, Jiang Yan's energy had been through the roof—especially at night, when he'd keep Ganyu up until dawn.
Each morning she woke with sore legs and an aching back.
"W–weren't you headed to Guili Plains? Why are you back so soon..."
Her pretty face flushed pink. Just seeing him made her recall what he'd taught her the previous night.
"What's wrong? Feeling shy again?" Jiang Yan chuckled, wrapping his arms around her and planting a kiss at the corner of her lips.
"Stop it—people are watching!" Ganyu's face turned bright red as she gave his chest a light shove, half-scolding, half-flustered.
The other secretaries didn't even bat an eye. They'd long since gotten used to this.
At first, they would awkwardly avert their gazes. Now, they simply ignored them completely.
After all, this wasn't the first time.
"Alright, alright," Jiang Yan said, finally releasing her. "I actually came here for business this time."
He straightened up and continued,
"Send word to the Geo Lord—I need him to come find me. That old fellow's been wandering all over lately. I have no idea where he's run off to."
Ganyu nodded, but then seemed to remember something.
She turned, walked to her desk, and picked up a massive stack of documents.
"These are all the files you're supposed to handle from the past month," she said. "I've already processed most of them for you. These are the ones that need your personal approval."
Jiang Yan's eyes widened.
"So many?!"
"That's actually fewer than usual," Ganyu sighed.
"You're always full of ideas—half the policies we implement come from you. But the moment it's time to follow through, you vanish!"
"No one governs like this, you know..."
Jiang Yan chuckled awkwardly.
"Well, I've got my lovely little Ganyu to take care of things for me, don't I~?"
"Little Ganyu~"
"Stop! Sweet talk won't work this time!" Ganyu said, unusually firm.
"An administrator should be diligent. Those were your own words."
Jiang Yan's smile froze.
Right—those were his words.
Back then, when Morax had come looking to spar, Jiang Yan, wanting to slack off, had told him,
"As the ruler of Guili Plains, you should focus on governance and diligence, not brawling!"
Now, looking back...
He really wanted to go back in time and punch that version of himself in the face.
"Alright," Ganyu said, softening her tone a little.
"It only looks like a lot, but it won't take long once you start. After you're done, I'll go find the Geo Lord and tell him you're looking for him."
Jiang Yan could only sigh helplessly as she stacked the heavy pile of files into his arms.
He glanced down at the mountain of paperwork and groaned inwardly.
Looks like there's no escaping this one.
Once Jiang Yan headed upstairs, Ganyu left to search for Morax.
So then...
Where exactly was the Geo Lord, the Rock King Morax, at this moment?
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