In an instant, the entire square fell silent.
Cold sweat poured down the back of the burly man leading the riot.
"L–Lord Adeptus! You…" he stammered, stepping back in panic. He had barely turned to flee when the Millelith, who had just arrived, blocked his path.
"Cremating the dead," Jiang Yan said evenly, walking forward step by step, "is to prevent the plague born from the gods' lingering resentment."
"So the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's cremation rites are not an act of desecration."
"On the contrary—those of you who disrupt funerals and deny the departed their peace…"
"Are you not afraid of divine retribution?"
With every step Jiang Yan took, his calm voice struck like a hammer upon the hearts of the troublemakers. Their faces turned ashen.
Yet the burly man still shouted in defiance, "Lord Adeptus! What benefits did they give you to make you take their side personally?!"
Jiang Yan's stride halted. The crowd's gaze immediately turned toward him.
Then, unexpectedly, he laughed softly.
"So you do know I am an Adeptus…"
"Tell me, do you truly believe that if I desired something, I would need to accept bribes to obtain it?"
Murmurs rippled through the onlookers, their faces filled with agreement.
"Of course not! Lord Adeptus is second only to the Geo Archon himself!"
"Half of Liyue was built through his efforts—whatever he desires, the Lord of Geo would grant him!"
"Curse me! I actually doubted Lord Adeptus—how could I be so blind!"
"But then… why would he personally come to deal with something so minor?"
Jiang Yan's gaze swept over the crowd—calm, assessing.
So, he mused inwardly, my reputation among the people isn't bad after all.
"As for why I came here myself…" Jiang Yan finally spoke again, answering the question on everyone's mind.
"The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was founded only after I personally reviewed its entire process and approved its rites."
That was not a lie. During the week of preparation, Jiang Yan had indeed overseen the parlor's procedures in detail—that was precisely why he had issued the corresponding law the moment it was established.
"The cremation rites of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor effectively prevent the spread of plague within the corpses," he continued. "Of course, out of respect for your traditions, you may still bury the ashes afterward."
"But as you've seen, there are those who insist on disrupting the funerals. I see this as my own failing—as Liyue's Grand Steward and Tianquan."
"Perhaps some of you grew dissatisfied with my personal involvement in the matter."
"So I came in person."
By the time he finished speaking, the faces of the troublemakers were ghostly white.
Even the onlookers' expressions toward them had shifted sharply.
Indeed, everyone had seen the government's public notice—but few realized this entire initiative had been personally overseen by Lord Adeptus himself.
That changed everything.
To oppose the Wangsheng Parlor now was to oppose the Adeptus Grand Steward—an act of open defiance in front of the entire crowd!
In Liyue Harbor, such audacity would be social suicide.
Here, Jiang Yan's prestige stood equal to that of Morax himself—especially among the citizens who had resettled from Guili Plains.
If this were in Qingce Village, the offenders might well have been torn apart by the furious locals.
After all, there, the "Wood Spirit Lord" was revered even above the Geo Archon—every household still kept a longevity plaque carved in Jiang Yan's likeness.
"N–no, Lord Adeptus, that's not what we meant!" the burly man stammered desperately.
"We just… we just didn't want them desecrating the bodies!"
"Oh?" Jiang Yan stroked his chin and smiled faintly.
"Tell me, are you related to the deceased?"
"N–no…"
"Then I find it strange," Jiang Yan said mildly, looking down at him from above. "If the bereaved themselves take no offense, why are you so concerned?"
"I… I…" The man's words tangled uselessly in his mouth.
"Enough. Let's end this matter here."
"I understand that some of you prefer burial; I won't force you to choose cremation. How you hold your funerals is your own affair."
"But do not disrupt another's ceremony again."
"This time, I'll let it pass."
"The Wangsheng Parlor will later provide you with a list of damages—you'll compensate accordingly."
"I forgive you now, but next time…" His eyes turned cold.
"If I hear of you stirring trouble again—"
"—you'll find yourselves personally banished from Liyue."
It was like ice seeping into their bones.
The troublemakers trembled and dropped to their knees.
"Thank you, Lord Adeptus! Thank you for sparing us!"
"We'll never dare again!"
Clearly, Jiang Yan's personal intervention had terrified them beyond recovery.
Turning to the gathered citizens, Jiang Yan raised his voice:
"My friends!
I know many of you still believe cremation to be an act of desecration."
"But hear me clearly—cremation is not a defilement of the dead!"
"I will not force anyone to choose it. I merely offer another option."
"Whether you cremate or bury, both are ways to show respect for those who have passed."
"Therefore, there's no need for division over this matter."
The murmurs in the crowd shifted to nods and words of agreement.
Some who had been uneasy now seemed visibly comforted.
"Lord Adeptus, we have no objections!"
"Exactly—whether cremation or burial, both end up in the earth! It's no disrespect!"
"We support Lord Adeptus's decision!"
Jiang Yan clasped his hands together with a warm smile.
"Then let's disperse, everyone. No need to trouble these people further—they meant well."
"Go on, go on! I still have mountains of paperwork waiting for me. At this rate, I'll need two extra pairs of hands."
Laughter rippled through the square.
The same approachable Lord Adeptus as always, they thought.
He had not changed at all.
When the crowd finally scattered, the Wangsheng Parlor's attendants approached him.
"Lord Adeptus, you've worked hard," came a steady, aged voice. "Would you care to come inside for a cup of tea?"
Jiang Yan turned—and froze.
"Y–Your—"
The man in the dark ceremonial robe gave him a sharp glare.
"Ahem… cough!" Jiang Yan caught on immediately, choking back the title that had nearly escaped his mouth.
"And… this gentleman is?" he asked, feigning ignorance.
"My name is Zhongli," the man said calmly. "Guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Jiang Yan: "…"
Damn it, Morax!
You're already starting your 'leisurely walks among mortals' routine?!
"Ah, so it's Guest Consultant Zhongli! A pleasure, truly an honor." Jiang Yan smiled and clasped his hands politely.
There was nothing for it—if the Geo Archon wanted to play mortal, Jiang Yan could only go along.
The Parlor's director, Hu Ming, came forward and bowed deeply.
"I am Hu Ming, director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. We are grateful for your presence, Lord Adeptus. If it's convenient, please join us for tea inside."
"Of course," Jiang Yan replied. "But finish the ceremony first—I can wait."
He then stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the mourning family.
"My apologies for allowing such chaos to disturb your rites. It was my oversight, and a disrespect to the departed."
The family panicked and waved their hands.
"Heavens! Lord Adeptus, please don't! You'll shorten our lives by bowing to us!"
They bent even lower than Jiang Yan himself, trembling with awe.
"This isn't your fault, Lord Adeptus—it's those troublemakers!" one said hurriedly.
Any resentment they might have felt melted away completely. After all, how could one remain angry when even an Adeptus offered them an apology?
"Then let the rites continue," Jiang Yan said gently, helping them back to their feet.
"I'll be inside."
The attendants nodded and quickly resumed the interrupted ceremony.
Inside the hall, Jiang Yan took a seat as tea was brought to him.
After a short while, Zhongli—no, Morax—entered, his task of calming the scene complete.
"Well, if it isn't our esteemed guest consultant," Jiang Yan said with a teasing grin. "All finished already?"
Zhongli sat down gracefully, unruffled, and took a sip of tea.
"The Geo Archon walks among mortals," he said smoothly, "and naturally requires a suitable identity."
"I happen to possess some knowledge of funeral rites—and I find this establishment you approved quite fascinating."
His tone was calm, but Jiang Yan could hear the wry amusement behind it.
In the end, that explanation was as much for Jiang Yan as it was for the mortals who might overhear.
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