Several days later, outside Mondstadt City.
Jiang Yan stood at the city gates with his entourage.
"Alright, this is far enough,"
Jiang Yan said with a smile to Venti.
Venti nodded, his face full of reluctance.
"Take care on the road."
During the days Jiang Yan had stayed, Mondstadt's order had visibly improved—even if Venti had been scolded more than a few times.
"Don't worry."
After patting Venti on the shoulder, Jiang Yan led his people and began heading toward Liyue.
Behind them, the nobles waved goodbye with tears in their eyes.
Their arms swung with exceptional enthusiasm.
He's finally gone!
For the nobles, these past few days had been pure torment.
Under Jiang Yan's near-draconian rectification, they had been beaten into complete submission.
They couldn't outtalk him.
They couldn't outfight him.
What choice did they have but to behave?
—
Jiang Yan's group soon reached Windrise.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, Jiang Yan said to those beside him,
"You all continue on ahead. I have something to take care of here."
The Millelith captain and the Ministry of Civil Affairs personnel nodded.
Jiang Yan rose into the air.
"Hey! Barbatos!"
Jiang Yan looked at him with a grin.
"What, are you here to see me off?"
Barbatos sat on a tree branch and smiled, nodding.
"When a friend leaves, isn't it only right to personally see them off?"
"Heh, you rascal. You didn't show your face once these past two days, and now you finally appear when I'm about to leave."
Jiang Yan looked at him helplessly.
"Ehe! Is that so?"
Barbatos chuckled, trying to act cute his way out of it.
"I remember showing up quite a lot."
"Heh, I don't recall that,"
Jiang Yan shook his head.
That was just Barbatos being Barbatos—what could he do?
"Alright, this visit to Mondstadt officially ends here. When you have time, come to Liyue for a drink."
Jiang Yan looked at Barbatos.
"Eh? Really?"
At the mention of drinking, Barbatos's eyes instantly lit up.
"I'm actually pretty free right now."
"You… you really are something,"
Jiang Yan said, his head aching.
"Give it some time. I'll organize something then—guaranteed to let you drink your fill."
Barbatos grinned.
"Then I'll be waiting for your good news."
Jiang Yan smiled and nodded.
"Alright, I'll be going then."
"Mhm! Safe travels~!"
Barbatos waved at Jiang Yan, who turned and headed off in the direction the Millelith had gone.
—
The journey was swift.
In just half a day, Jiang Yan and the others reached Stone Gate.
This time, Jiang Yan didn't summon the wood golem.
After all, they were entering Liyue—he couldn't break the rules he himself had set.
Because of trade concerns, Jiang Yan had stationed permanent Millelith forces at Liyue's borders to prevent ill-intentioned individuals from bringing strange or dangerous goods into the nation.
At Stone Gate, two Millelith soldiers stood guard.
Seeing such a large group approaching, their expressions turned solemn.
But when they noticed that the people were wearing Millelith armor as well, both soldiers relaxed almost simultaneously.
Scared us to death—turns out they're our own.
As the group drew closer, the two soldiers finally saw the person walking at the very front.
Silver hair.
Pointed ears.
A massive cloak draped behind him.
They exchanged glances, excitement flashing in their eyes.
"Immortal Lord!"
"The Immortal Lord has returned!"
They hurried forward, slammed their spears to the ground, and saluted Jiang Yan respectfully.
"Millelith Gui-Li Army, Stone Gate Garrison, reporting to the Immortal Lord!"
Jiang Yan nodded. Looking at their sturdy physiques, he patted them on the shoulders.
"Not bad. Even while stationed on guard duty, you haven't neglected your training."
Both soldiers' eyes shone with excitement.
The Immortal Lord praised us!
The Immortal Lord praised us!!!
They'd definitely brag about this to the others later.
"Alright, carry out your duties,"
Jiang Yan said with a smile.
"Even I have to strictly follow Liyue's laws."
"Yes!"
The two soldiers straightened solemnly.
After inspecting the goods Jiang Yan's group had brought back, they reported,
"Immortal Lord, there are no issues."
"You may enter Liyue!"
Not bad—thorough inspection.
Jiang Yan smiled and nodded, then said to those beside him,
"Let's go."
With that, the group marched grandly into Liyue's territory.
—
Once past the border, Jiang Yan didn't hesitate.
He clapped his hands together.
A colossal wood golem rose from the open ground.
After ensuring everyone had boarded the golem's palm, Jiang Yan guided it into flight, heading straight for Liyue Harbor.
He flew fast.
After all, it had been a full two years since he'd last returned to Liyue.
He missed it dearly.
Before long, the silhouette of Liyue Harbor came into view.
Those seated on the golem's hand all showed expressions of joy.
It wasn't just Jiang Yan—
they, too, hadn't been home for two years.
The outside world might be vast and magnificent,
but no place compared to their homeland, Liyue.
—
Back when Jiang Yan was still in Mondstadt, Morax had already received word from Barbatos that Jiang Yan was on his way back.
Wanting to give everyone a surprise, Morax informed no one and arrived early at the peak of Mt. Tianheng to wait.
When he saw the flying wood golem approaching, Morax smiled.
At the same time, Jiang Yan spotted him as well.
Boom!
The giant landed with a thunderous crash.
Jiang Yan leapt down from the golem's head and flew up to the peak of Mt. Tianheng.
"Well well, if it isn't our dear Rex Lapis~"
"After all this time, you're still as elegant as ever!"
Seeing Jiang Yan's grinning face, Morax smiled in return.
He really hasn't changed at all…
"Welcome back, my friend,"
Morax said softly.
Jiang Yan chuckled and embraced Morax.
Over the course of two years, Jiang Yan had successfully visited six nations, formally displaying Liyue's strength to the world.
And with that—
This grand diplomatic journey had come to a perfect conclusion.
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