"Where are you from? And why have you come all the way to Dihua Marsh?"
Although Jiang Yan already had a good idea of their origins, he still asked the question aloud.
"We are the people under the protection of the God of Salt. We currently live in the Domain of Salt," one of them replied honestly.
Jiang Yan nodded slightly. As expected, his guess was correct.
"I see… then, could you take me to meet your God of Salt?"
The moment his words fell, the humans before him panicked and dropped to their knees in unison.
"No, please don't!"
"Spare us, Immortal Lord!"
"Our God of Salt is kind and compassionate—she's a good god!"
"Please, we beg you, spare her life!"
Jiang Yan's reputation had spread far and wide by now.
The feat of subduing two gods alone was no rumor—it was fact.
To these mortals, that made him both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
They instinctively wanted to shield their gentle god, trembling as they pleaded.
Jiang Yan's expression slowly hardened.
With the Archon War raging, humanity's survival hinged on the favor of whichever god they served.
If their god was merciful, they lived in peace.
If their god was cruel, they were little more than livestock waiting for slaughter.
"Stand up!"
Jiang Yan's voice cracked like thunder.
The sheer pressure of his gaze made even the Thousand Rock Army behind him shudder involuntarily.
The people before him flinched, their bodies trembling violently, but not one dared to rise.
Ganyu tugged lightly at the hem of his robe.
Feeling her worried presence beside him, Jiang Yan closed his eyes and took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"...Hah."
He exhaled slowly, his tone softening.
"Stand up. I have no intention of harming your god."
His voice was even, but carried authority.
The kneeling humans exchanged uncertain glances. Finally, one looked up, hope flickering in his eyes.
"Truly? You mean it, Immortal Lord?"
"I do," Jiang Yan replied with a faint smile.
"Thank the heavens!"
Relieved, the followers of the God of Salt stood once more.
"So then, what business do you have with the God of Salt?" one of them asked carefully.
"Your God of Salt may be compassionate," Jiang Yan said evenly, "but she doesn't have the strength to protect you.
Right now, you cower underground, trapped within the Domain of Salt, living every day in fear… isn't that right?"
The people fell silent.
His words cut straight into their hearts like a blade—but they couldn't deny them.
Since the start of the Archon War, their god had only ever retreated.
Their shelters had been abandoned one after another, their borders shrinking until they were forced to hide beneath stone, surviving by sheer luck.
"That's not the God of Salt's fault," someone muttered weakly. "Her power—her divine authority—is simply too weak…"
"Her authority may be weak," Jiang Yan replied, shaking his head, "but that's no excuse for endless retreat."
"She's gentle, yes—but tell me, a god who cannot protect her people… what end awaits her?"
The humans lowered their heads in silence.
"Then why," one of them asked bitterly, "if you think so little of our god, do you still want to find her?"
Jiang Yan smiled faintly.
"I don't care about her personality. I care about her authority."
"The Power of Salt may have no use in battle, but in other aspects… it has considerable value."
"If your God of Salt joins Guili Plains, then Guili Plains will, in turn, protect all of you."
At that, the mortals' eyes brightened.
Yes—if their god wasn't strong enough, couldn't they seek protection under a stronger one?
And what power could be safer than that of Guili Plains, led by the Geo Lord Morax himself?
"So?" Jiang Yan asked with a smile.
"Tempted yet?"
"The strength of Guili Plains speaks for itself, doesn't it?"
The group murmured among themselves before one finally turned to him.
"We can take you to the God of Salt… but you must promise not to force her to join you."
Jiang Yan chuckled softly.
"If I truly wanted to use force, do you think you—or even your god—could stop me?"
None of them dared to respond.
"Enough. I'm in a hurry," Jiang Yan said, waving a hand dismissively.
"Whether she joins us or not is her choice. If she agrees, all the better. If not, it doesn't matter."
"I still have to get to Guili Plains."
He gestured for them to lead the way.
The humans looked at each other, then, as if steeling themselves, began walking ahead.
"Are you serious about this?" Ganyu asked softly once they had set off. She had been quiet the entire time until now.
"Bringing a strange god into our alliance?"
"If she's willing, that's great. If not, we lose nothing," Jiang Yan said casually, strolling along.
"But shouldn't we at least inform the Geo Lord first…?" Ganyu's tone carried a hint of unease.
"It's fine," Jiang Yan said with a grin. "Once it's done, we'll tell him then."
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