Early the next morning, Jiang Yan groggily opened his eyes.
Ah…
Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I doing?
After about a full minute of delay, Jiang Yan's brain finally finished booting up.
"Damn it… Azhdaha and Marchosius—those two—really cannot be drunk with!"
Rubbing his aching head, Jiang Yan got up, planning to go take a bath.
He'd drunk himself unconscious last night and now reeked of alcohol.
Pushing the door open, he saw Ganyu busy in the kitchen.
"You're awake?"
"Still feeling uncomfortable?"
Ganyu smiled as she asked.
"I'm okay."
Jiang Yan rubbed his stomach and let out a bitter smile.
"Go take a bath and get ready to eat."
"Oh right—your new clothes are on the chair. Remember to change after you're done."
Ganyu walked back into the kitchen, her voice drifting out to him.
"Got it!"
Jiang Yan chuckled, picked up the new clothes Ganyu had prepared for him, and headed into the bathroom.
Not long after, Jiang Yan came out, wiping his damp hair. Steam still rose from his body, and he looked utterly refreshed.
"Come eat!"
After placing the final dish on the table, Ganyu called out to him.
"Coming~"
Jiang Yan soaked his changed clothes in a wooden tub, then sat down at the dining table.
After breakfast with Ganyu, the two headed together to Yuehai Pavilion.
Now that he was back in Liyue, his duties still had to be fulfilled.
There were many follow-up matters after visiting the Six Nations that still needed handling.
Including the air force preparation plan Jiang Yan had proposed earlier—it was time to start implementing it.
Flying vessels could already be mass-produced. Yesterday, Guizhong and Cloud Retainer had been discussing how to improve the existing designs.
And it wasn't just the air force—equipment for the army and navy also needed corresponding upgrades.
There was also the Liyue alcohol industry plan he'd come up with in Mondstadt.
A whole pile of matters had accumulated. Just thinking about it made Jiang Yan's head hurt.
Arriving on the third floor of Yuehai Pavilion, Jiang Yan saw Morax sitting at the desk, handling official affairs.
"You're here?"
Morax raised his head and looked at Jiang Yan.
"Not bad. You're actually being diligent for once."
Jiang Yan looked at Morax's hardworking 모습 and nodded in satisfaction.
"And whose fault do you think that is?"
Morax rolled his eyes and poured a pot of tea.
Jiang Yan found a seat and accepted the tea Morax handed him.
"The materials you brought back from the Six Nations are mostly settled now. But your trip through the Six Nations this time—you caused quite a stir."
Morax glanced at Jiang Yan and said with a smile.
"Minor stuff, minor stuff."
Jiang Yan waved his hand, wearing an expression that clearly said I know, no need to praise me.
Morax was speechless.
Do you want to listen to whether I'm actually praising you or not?
"Morax," Jiang Yan said, looking at him, "I've already visited all Six Nations. Should we pick a date and invite the other Archons to come to Liyue for a gathering?"
In his past life's storyline, the Seven Archons' gathering had happened because Barbatos—that drunken bard—had brought Mondstadt's finest wine to Morax. They ended up hosting the Seven Archons' meeting in Liyue, and afterward it was always held there.
Each time the Seven Archons gathered, they brought their retainers. The atmosphere was harmonious and beautiful.
Even the retainers believed those good days would last forever.
Until the Khaenri'ah incident.
The Abyss erupted. Khaenri'ah was destroyed. Gods fell. Retainers perished.
That was the beginning of all calamities.
And also why Jiang Yan was desperately strengthening Liyue's military and national power.
In this life, Barbatos was still the same drunkard, but because Jiang Yan had visited the Six Nations, it might have indirectly prevented Barbatos from coming to Liyue.
Still, Jiang Yan felt the Seven Archons' gathering was necessary.
It could strengthen bonds between the Archons—and it would be lively from time to time.
Wasn't that great?
"Hmm… a good proposal."
"Then I'll leave this matter to you."
After pondering for a moment, Morax agreed.
After all, as gods appointed by the Heavenly Principles, the Seven Archons were, in a sense, colleagues.
"Alright, as long as you agree. No rush, though."
Jiang Yan nodded and took a sip of tea.
"Since you're back, then you can take over handling these matters."
Morax stood up and gave his seat to Jiang Yan.
"After all, as Liyue's Tianquan, these affairs should be handled by you."
"Huh?! Making me work the moment I get back?!"
Jiang Yan shot Morax a resentful look, like a wronged housewife who'd been discarded after use.
Morax! You heartless man!!
I worked myself to the bone visiting the Six Nations for you, and the moment I'm back in Liyue you start squeezing me dry!
One day I'll hang you from a streetlamp!
Even though Liyue doesn't have streetlamps yet.
"Cut it. Don't think the other Archons didn't send me messages."
Morax's expression remained calm—he wasn't buying Jiang Yan's act.
"...Scumbag."
After a moment of silence, Jiang Yan squeezed out two words.
Morax: "???"
Ignoring Jiang Yan's nonsense, Morax briefed him on the remaining unfinished affairs, then slipped away.
Only Jiang Yan was left sitting on the third floor of Yuehai Pavilion, staring at the pile of documents before him and sighing.
No choice—gotta work.
Too much to do, but it all had to be dealt with sooner or later.
As Jiang Yan processed the documents, time quietly slipped by.
Several days later—
Guizhong and Cloud Retainer made a major breakthrough regarding flying vessel weaponry.
When Jiang Yan heard the news, he leapt to his feet in excitement and immediately headed for Mt. Aocang.
If they had truly completed the flying vessel weapons, then preparations for establishing Liyue's air force had to begin in earnest.
After all, humans were completely unfamiliar with fighting in the skies.
This wasn't the sea or the land—Jiang Yan needed to design a detailed training regimen for the air force.
At the summit of Mt. Aocang—
Several mechanical components lay scattered across the ground.
At their center stood a massive-looking contraption.
"It's finally finished!"
Guizhong let out a breath of relief and looked at the mechanism with satisfaction.
At the same time, a sharp tearing sound rang out in the sky.
Jiang Yan descended abruptly from above.
"This is…"
Jiang Yan stared at the mechanism before him, his eyes lighting up instantly.
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