"It's really hard to imagine that these common folk can get along so harmoniously with Jiang Yan,"
Kitsune Saiguu murmured to herself.
"Perhaps that's Jiang Yan's charm as a ruler, isn't it?"
Raiden Makoto recalled the words Jiang Yan had spoken when he guided them in governing Inazuma.
"Only by stepping among the people can you truly know what they need."
Jiang Yan's charm might lie precisely there.
He was the kind of person who truly kept the people in his heart.
"Hey, what are you all thinking about?"
After chatting with the townsfolk for a while, Jiang Yan turned around and saw everyone behind him smiling at him, asking in confusion.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
Barbatos let out an ehe laugh, and the others all smiled and shook their heads.
Jiang Yan scratched his head in puzzlement, but didn't think too much of it.
Upon arriving at Yuehai Pavilion, Morax and Guizhong were already receiving the gods of the other four nations.
After all, Jiang Yan had gone to the harbor to welcome Raiden Makoto and the others.
And aside from Barbatos, the gods of the other nations were all female. After thinking it over for a moment, Morax decided to pull Guizhong—who had been busy with other matters—over.
After all, women should have plenty to talk about with one another.
"Eh? You're saying that Jiang Yan used to get his cheeks kneaded by you all the time when he was little?"
"That's right, that's right! Let me tell you, Jiang Yan was much more fun back then. Those little cheeks—so soft and springy, super adorable—"
As Morax listened to Guizhong and the gods of the other four nations chatting enthusiastically about Jiang Yan, his hand holding the teacup paused slightly.
Mm. Plenty to talk about indeed…
When Jiang Yan brought Raiden Makoto and the others to Yuehai Pavilion, before they even reached the third floor, they could already hear bell-like laughter ringing out from above.
Pushing open the door, they saw Guizhong, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, and the Cryo, Pyro, and Hydro Archons sitting together, laughing especially happily.
The moment they saw Jiang Yan enter, the group fell silent almost in unison.
"Eh? What were you all talking about? You seem so happy,"
Jiang Yan said with a smile as he walked over.
"N-no… pfft, nothing…"
The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was about to speak, but couldn't hold it in and let out a laugh.
The gods exchanged glances, then all burst out laughing together.
Jiang Yan: ??????
A secret?!
Jiang Yan glanced at Morax, who was sitting off to the side alone, drinking tea.
Morax shrugged, indicating that he didn't know either.
As if he could say that they were discussing things Jiang Yan did during his childhood?
Seeing the smile tugging at the corner of Morax's mouth, Jiang Yan narrowed his eyes.
This old fellow definitely knows!
With Jiang Yan bringing over the gods of Mondstadt and Inazuma, the Seven Gods of the continent of Teyvat gathered together once more at this moment.
Just then, Ganyu entered holding a stack of documents and said to Jiang Yan,
"Lord Tianquan, the parade ceremony has been fully prepared."
Jiang Yan nodded and said to the six gods before him,
"Let's go. I've prepared a grand gift for your arrival!"
This parade wasn't just for these gods to watch.
Ever since the air force had taken shape, Jiang Yan had been thinking about when to hold a military parade.
Because a grand parade could not only display Liyue's national might, but also strengthen the cohesion of its people and boost their confidence.
It just so happened to coincide with the gathering of the Seven Gods, so Jiang Yan simply scheduled the parade for today.
The location was set north of Liyue Harbor and south of Guili Plains.
That area was near the sea—ample space for the army, navy, and air force alike to operate—without affecting the normal order of Liyue Harbor or Guili Plains.
Jiang Yan led everyone to the parade grounds.
At this moment, the area was already packed with people. The Millelith continuously maintained order, while the citizens buzzed with excitement and anticipation, hoping to see their own family members who had enlisted in the army during the parade.
Jiang Yan brought the Seven Gods and their respective attendants to the high platform specially built for reviewing the parade.
At this time, the Kaiyang Star stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Jiang Yan and the others.
"My lords, the parade ceremony has been fully prepared. Shall we begin?"
Jiang Yan turned to Morax and asked,
"Shall we start?"
Morax nodded, leading the gods to take their seats on the platform.
Jiang Yan stepped forward and said to the Kaiyang Star,
"Begin."
"Yes!"
The Kaiyang Star saluted and withdrew.
At that moment, mechanisms beneath the platform were activated. Immediately after, a rousing piece of music rang out from within, instantly overwhelming the chatter of the surrounding crowd.
Jiang Yan stood on the platform as the Yaoguang Star stepped forward and handed him a device that looked like a microphone.
"Hello, hello—can everyone hear me?"
Jiang Yan's voice seemed to be infinitely amplified, echoing out from the mechanisms beneath the stage.
Almost all of the citizens heard Jiang Yan speaking.
On the platform, Raiden Makoto, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, and the others looked curiously at the small box-like object in Jiang Yan's hand.
"To be able to amplify sound to such an extent… how amazing!"
Raiden Makoto's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Meanwhile, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata gazed at Jiang Yan, a thoughtful glint passing through her eyes.
"Mechanism arts, is it… truly marvelous!"
Not far away, after confirming that the mechanisms were operating properly, Jiang Yan spoke again:
"Citizens, please quiet down."
His voice spread in all directions, and gradually, the noise of the crowd subsided.
Everyone lifted their heads, looking at Jiang Yan—and at the Seven Gods seated behind him.
"Today is an important day!"
"It is the second military parade held since Liyue was established over three hundred years ago."
"When we think back to the first parade, I'm sure many of you have heard your elders speak of it—it was the grand parade held at our nation's founding."
"At that time, there were only the various units of the Millelith."
"But now, through our unremitting efforts, we can fight on land!"
"We can fight at sea!"
"And we can fight in the skies!"
"Our soldiers possess the firmest faith!"
"Our soldiers possess an indestructible will!"
"Now, I, the Tianquan of Liyue, hereby declare!"
"Liyue's first tri-service grand military parade of land, sea, and air—"
"Officially begins!"
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