Chapter 36

Just when everyone thought that the next step would be either the Lord's departure or the final ceremony of inspecting Liyue Harbor,

Some citizens below were quietly praying to Rex Lapis for wealth and prosperity.

However, Keqing stepped forward, causing Ningguang below to show an expression that seemed to say "as expected."

Keqing asked earnestly, "If I may ask, Lord Rex Lapis, this question comes not from me as the Yuheng, but as a citizen of Liyue..."

"My Lord, you have protected Liyue for a thousand years, but what about the next thousand years, ten thousand years, or hundred thousand years? Will it remain the same?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere froze, then erupted like drops of cold water falling into boiling oil.

Chaos ensued.

Among those present, some were contemplative, some sneered, but most were Liyue citizens filled with doubt and anger.

"Yuheng, what are you saying! Are you questioning Rex Lapis?!"

Some even burst into outright cursing.

"What kind of Yuheng are you? Daring to question Rex Lapis, you're not worthy of being one of the Qixing!"

The scene became as noisy as a marketplace.

If it weren't for the Millelith holding people back and the presence of Rex Lapis, some might have thrown eggs and vegetables at her.

Rex Lapis remained silent, merely looking down at the Yuheng who stood as straight as a spear.

The Yuheng showed no fear, steadfastly gazing at the Geo Archon.

"Heh..." Rex Lapis let out a soft chuckle, like a silencer, causing everyone present to fall silent.

Was Rex Lapis about to show anger, or did he have something else to say?

Everyone present was extremely anxious.

Though they were angry at the Yuheng's disrespectful words, interrupting or cursing while Rex Lapis spoke would be an even greater offense.

Such were the thoughts of those who witnessed the contract.

Rex Lapis slowly said, "Yuheng, this question needs to be answered by you, by the Qixing, and by the people of Liyue..."

With that, his dragon form soared upward, disappearing once again into the clouds.

...

Today's Rite of Descension would surely become legendary.

The Yuheng publicly questioned Rex Lapis, and instead of punishing her, he left behind a profound counter-question.

This was the first time in thousands of years that Rex Lapis had turned a question back to the people of Liyue.

Although the Yuheng wasn't rebuked by Rex Lapis, this action pushed her into the eye of the storm.

Some supported her, some remained neutral, but more were either spectating or angrily calling for her resignation.

However, the other Qixing members suppressed these voices.

Still, the Yuheng, who was already unpopular due to her high demands on her subordinates, found herself in an even more awkward position.

Many large merchant associations began to subtly isolate Keqing.

Whether this was due to her disrespect towards Rex Lapis or other motives remained unknown.

...

"This is infuriating! Using such excuses to delay, do they think I have no temper?"

After the Rite of Descension, Jiang Ning and the others returned to their daily lives.

Ganyu continued her work as secretary, no longer concerning herself with Shenhe and Jiang Ning, though she stopped working overtime.

She did warn the two not to cause any deaths for the time being.

Jiang Ning himself, wanting to learn more while young, continued to follow Ganyu.

Also without working overtime.

As for Shenhe, she became a regular at the Adventurers' Guild, and like ordinary women, learned to cook, clean, and do laundry - not using adeptal arts, but doing everything herself.

Gradually, her expressions became more varied, though only around Jiang Ning.

Today, Keqing stormed into Ganyu's office, handing her some documents.

A construction site, despite having all signatures, funding, and personnel in place, wasn't starting work, citing various reasons.

Keqing knew it was because of her disrespectful words - perhaps they thought she wouldn't remain as Yuheng?

So, Keqing called Yanfei, Liyue Harbor's most formidable legal expert, to calculate the contract breach penalties if they continued to delay. Only then did they sign and begin work.

"But they did sign, Lady Keqing."

Ganyu's tone was cool, showing more distance in her address compared to before.

Both Keqing and Jiang Ning understood why.

As Rex Lapis's descendant and an adeptus who fought through the Archon War, Ganyu viewed Rex Lapis as an elder and deeply revered this conscientious leader of the adepti.

Therefore, Keqing's words greatly displeased Ganyu. While she wouldn't obstruct work matters, her attitude had become noticeably more distant.

Jiang Ning quickly tried to mediate: "Um, Keqing, just leave it here, I'm in charge of the first document review..."

Keqing nodded: "Understood, but Jiang Ning, everyone's been saying your work ability is excellent lately. You're so young - would you like to train under me?"

Keqing was currently short on capable people and eagerly seeking talent.

Before Jiang Ning could respond, Ganyu firmly said: "That won't be necessary. My little martial brother can train and learn just fine by my side. No need to trouble the Yuheng."

Keqing didn't persist, just nodded and left, having more work to attend to.

Ganyu watched Keqing's departing figure with furrowed brows.

First disrespecting Rex Lapis, and now trying to poach her little martial brother?

This was truly too much.

"Senior sister, calm down. Actually, Keqing has no ill intentions. Her earlier words to Rex Lapis were just out of extra consideration for Liyue."

Jiang Ning said.

"I understand, but I just can't accept it..." Ganyu sighed, "However, little brother, do you think Keqing's words were right or wrong?"

Jiang Ning replied: "I think they weren't entirely right, but also weren't entirely wrong..."

"You're being clever..."

Ganyu shook her head, treating it as her martial brother trying to maintain neutrality.

"Let's hurry and finish our work."

Ganyu's tone carried a hint of anticipation and joy.

"I wonder what Shenhe has made today?"

Shenhe's cooking skills were quite good, reaching home-cooking standards after Jiang Ning's guidance.

...Though Jiang Ning wasn't great at teaching, Shenhe had a natural talent for cooking.

Perhaps because her home had always been cold and lonely with just herself, and now she had the warmth of family.

Ganyu no longer needed to use overtime work to ease her loneliness and feelings of being out of place in Liyue Harbor as a half-adeptus, half-human.

"There will definitely be vegetarian dishes, don't worry."

Jiang Ning smiled.

After chatting a bit more, they returned to their work.

Their work efficiency, needless to say, was excellent.