Ten minutes later, the Electro Cicin Mage had recorded all the intelligence extracted from the workers.
But the information was completely fragmented and disordered, impossible to assemble into a coherent recipe.
"It seems the owner of that shop is smarter than we thought. I can't make any sense of these so-called formulas."
"It doesn't matter. We still have the big fish. Hand her and these documents over to the higher-ups, and our mission will be complete," the nearby Fatui Pyro Agent said slowly.
He had already killed six people, and his sleeves were stained with blood.
They had only intended to capture a few workers but had unexpectedly managed to catch one of Ningguang's secretaries. This was a major prize. If they could torture any useful intelligence out of her, their superiors would surely reward them handsomely.
BOOM!
A clap of thunder rumbled from the coast, followed by the agonized screams of the Treasure Hoarder lookouts.
"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!!!"
"My arm has been cut off! Help me!"
The Electro Cicin Mage's expression changed. "Not good, the enemy has found us! We have to go, now!"
"I'll take the secretary; you take the documents. We'll meet up later," the Pyro Agent commanded.
"Understood."
They divided their tasks and turned to flee.
Just then, a flash of lightning appeared, and an exquisite Lightning Stiletto materialized right between them.
"And where do you think you're going?"
Keqing's figure appeared before the two of them. In a flicker of sword light, the two Fatui leaders were defeated.
On the beach below, a massive vortex of wind erupted.
"My own style, Secret Art: Autumn Gale!"
Facing a large number of enemies, Kaedehara Kazuha unleashed his ultimate technique. Huge blades of wind continuously assaulted the surrounding Treasure Hoarders.
Meanwhile, Hu Tao was relentlessly firing off bolts of Palm Thunder. Although the enemies were human, the damage caused by her lightning was by no means small. A single strike would often rob a Treasure Hoarder of their ability to fight.
But after a while, Hu Tao grew bored of this game. The enemies had figured out her moves and were now hiding behind cover.
"Damn it! You're going to play dirty!" Hu Tao stomped her foot in frustration and unleashed her Soul-Calming Art, charging forward.
Large numbers of enemies fell before the flames like stalks of wheat.
The battle was over.
Kaedehara Kazuha respectfully approached Su Han. "Master, the enemies on the beach have been dealt with! How should we dispose of them?"
"Tie them up and put them on the Going Merry. We'll transport them back later."
"Yes, sir." Kaedehara Kazuha immediately got to work.
Su Han, meanwhile, walked towards the interior of the island.
Along the way, fallen enemies were everywhere.
Soon, he arrived at the stronghold. Seeing the dead workers and the others who were sobbing uncontrollably, the fire of his anger burned even hotter.
Damn these Fatui. He hadn't even made a move against them, and they had struck first.
"We were unlucky," Keqing reported. "Six workers were tortured to death, and one of them was a foreman."
"Don't worry. I won't let their families be mistreated. Let's take all of these Fatui back with us."
"Huh?" Keqing looked at him, confused. "What are you planning to do?"
Usually, when she encountered the Fatui, she either killed them or brought them back for interrogation. But there were twenty of them here. Why take them all back?
Faced with Keqing's confusion, Su Han gave a cold smile. "Didn't someone like to provoke me? I'll satisfy their wish. I wonder if you've heard the saying."
"Dogs are the kind of thing that, while they may not remember a treat, if you beat them until it truly hurts, they will remember you for the rest of their lives."
"You don't mean…" Keqing's eyes widened as she seemed to guess Su Han's intention.
The next day, on the main street of Liyue, countless onlookers had gathered.
A passing citizen asked, "Brother, what's happening? Why are so many people gathered here?"
"I heard that the workshop for Su's Instant Noodles was attacked by Treasure Hoarders yesterday! Six people died, and even Lady Ningguang's secretary was kidnapped!"
"Holy crap, is that for real?"
"Look! Aren't those the culprits up ahead? We'll find out soon enough."
The Millelith, who were responsible for maintaining order, saw that the time was right and began their announcement.
"I imagine the people of Liyue are very curious about these individuals! Some faces are unfamiliar, some are very familiar. Yesterday, these scum, in collaboration with Treasure Hoarders, attacked the noodle workshop of our National Treasure, Lord Su Han!"
"Not only did they kidnap over thirty workers, but they also kidnapped Lady Ningguang's secretary, Baiwen!"
"This resulted in six deaths and a loss of one hundred thousand Mora! Their crimes are despicable and a grave threat to the peace of Liyue!"
"For this reason, Lord Su Han has ordered us to execute these lawless elements who have disturbed the peace of Liyue!!!"
As the voice fell, the entire street went silent.
Outside of wartime, this seemed to be the first time so many prisoners had been executed at once!
In the past, when Lady Ningguang handled such matters, although there were death sentences, they were reserved for only the most irredeemable criminals.
But now, Liyue seemed to have changed.
Thwack.
Thwack.
Heads rolled like watermelons as the Millelith cut them down one by one.
The wooden platform was soon stained red.
This execution ceremony continued until noon, with a portion of the prisoners being beheaded every so often.
This brutal method shocked the entirety of Liyue.
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