"B-Big brother… can I stay with you for the next few days?"
Little Ayaka looked up and asked seriously.
She had just arrived in Liyue and was completely unfamiliar with the place. Without Jiang Yan, there wasn't even anyone around who could understand what she was saying.
But the big brother in front of her could communicate with her, and judging from how everyone around him reacted—and what he had said earlier about being the ruler here—he probably wouldn't hurt her.
Jiang Yan smiled slightly. Seeing her nervous little expression, he gently rubbed her snowy white hair.
"Of course you can. After all, I'm actually pretty good at taking care of kids."
After all, he already had Ningguang, Shenhe, and Beidou at home.
So saying he knew how to take care of children wasn't wrong.
Wait…
If he counted Ayaka, wouldn't that make four kids?
And if he included little Nahida, who hadn't even taken form yet…
Good grief.
A bitter smile appeared on Jiang Yan's face.
Maybe he should just open a kindergarten in Teyvat.
Then he stood up, took little Ayaka's hand, and walked toward Yuehai Pavilion.
Inazuma — Edge of Chinju Forest
This was where the Kamisato Clan of the Yashiro Commission resided.
Five hundred years after the end of the Khaenri'ah war, several high-ranking officials in Inazuma gradually delegated their authority. The Yashiro Commission, once overseen by Kitsune Saiguu, was handed to the Kamisato Clan, who had distinguished themselves during the war.
The affairs of the Yashiro Commission were jointly managed by Narukami Shrine and the Kamisato family.
At this moment, however, the Kamisato estate was in chaos.
The Kamisato Clan Head and his wife both looked extremely anxious.
Their little princess—Kamisato Ayaka—had disappeared.
At first, they thought Ayaka had simply gone out to play, so they didn't worry too much.
But as an entire day passed, everyone in the Kamisato household began to panic.
Ayaka was just a child. Even if she went out, she wouldn't be gone for a whole day.
Had she gotten lost?
Or perhaps…
The Kamisato Clan Head and his wife didn't even dare to think further.
The situation had already alarmed the two shrine maidens of Narukami Shrine.
At the Entrance of the Kamisato Estate
Kitsune Saiguu arrived with a pink-haired fox-eared woman about her height, wearing a mischievous expression.
"Clan Head Kamisato, any news about Ayaka?"
Saiguu asked gently.
The Kamisato Clan Head looked exhausted and shook his head.
He had practically searched the entire Chinju Forest, yet there was still no sign of Ayaka.
Kamisato Ayato and his mother had already gone to Inazuma City to search.
But there was still no news.
"Yae, go inform Makoto later. Ask her to mobilize the Tenryou Commission's officers to help search."
Saiguu said to the pink-haired woman beside her.
"Alright."
Yae Miko nodded.
"Please don't worry too much," Saiguu said softly to the clan head.
"Maybe Ayaka just got tired and fell asleep somewhere."
But everyone knew the truth.
If Ayaka still hadn't been found by now, something had probably happened.
Suddenly, a commotion sounded outside.
A guard stationed at the Yashiro Commission ran in.
"Clan Head!"
"You need to come outside quickly!"
"There's… there's a huge pillar of light!"
Everyone froze.
A pillar of light?
When the Kamisato Clan Head, Saiguu, and Yae Miko stepped outside—
They saw a massive multicolored pillar of light flickering in the center of the courtyard.
The moment Saiguu saw it, her eyes narrowed instinctively.
At that moment, thunder echoed in the sky.
A woman with a purple braid holding a naginata descended from above.
It was Raiden Ei, who had sensed the massive energy fluctuation.
"What's going on?"
Ei frowned as she looked at the pillar of light.
"No idea," Yae Miko shrugged, equally confused.
Then Saiguu suddenly spoke.
"Ei… don't you think…"
She narrowed her eyes.
"This light feels… familiar?"
Ei froze.
Then she carefully examined the pillar.
Suddenly her eyes widened.
"This is… his…"
Saiguu nodded.
"Yes."
"I've only seen this kind of energy from that person."
"Hey hey hey!"
Yae Miko looked helplessly at the two excited women.
"What are you two talking about?!"
"What secrets are you hiding from me now?!"
Saiguu chuckled.
"Of course you wouldn't know."
"Back then, you were still a little fox cub."
"Actually… that boy even held you in his arms once."
Yae Miko's eyes widened.
"Huh?!"
Who exactly are you talking about?!
At this time, although Yae Miko was still mischievous, she wasn't yet the deeply calculating person she would become later.
After all, Kitsune Saiguu and Raiden Makoto were still alive, so she never needed to force herself to mature so quickly.
Just then, the pillar of light gradually faded.
A slightly playful voice emerged from within.
"Hello, hello?"
"Ah, looks like it's working."
"Clan Head Kamisato! You should be able to hear me now."
"My name is Jiang Yan, Tianquan of Liyue."
"As the head of the Kamisato Clan, you've probably heard of me."
"I'm sending this message to let you know something."
"Your daughter accidentally boarded the wrong ship and ended up in Liyue."
"She's currently with me."
"But don't worry—she won't come to any harm here."
"In a couple of days, when the next ship to Inazuma is ready, she'll return with it."
"That's all. Bye!"
The voice faded.
Everyone stood there in stunned silence.
Even Saiguu and the others hadn't expected that Ayaka had somehow ended up in Liyue.
And even more surprisingly—
She had run into Jiang Yan.
The Kamisato Clan Head looked nervously at Saiguu and Ei.
"Lady Raiden… Lady Saiguu… that voice just now…"
"Yes," Saiguu nodded.
"That was indeed the voice of Liyue's Tianquan."
Hearing her confirmation, the Kamisato Clan Head finally breathed a sigh of relief.
At least now they knew where Ayaka was.
Even if they didn't know how she ended up in Liyue…
The Tianquan of Liyue was a name he was familiar with.
If his daughter was with that man—
Then she was safe.
Meanwhile, Raiden Ei looked slightly disappointed.
Why hadn't Jiang Yan mentioned her or her sister in the message?
Saiguu sighed softly.
"Honestly…"
"After all these years…"
"He still hasn't made up his mind, has he?" ⚡🦊
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