A month later, by the harbor.
After arranging study plans for Ningguang, Beidou, and Shenhe, Jiang Yan completely relaxed.
Every day, aside from taking Ganyu to work and dropping the three little ones off for their lessons, he would visit Nahida in the World Tree space.
After returning from seeing Nahida, his schedule consisted of drinking tea, listening to storytellers, and fishing.
Jiang Yan had become utterly obsessed with fishing.
Every morning after returning from the World Tree, he would create a small wooden boat with Wood Release, leisurely drift out onto the sea, and begin fishing.
He could spend an entire day like that.
Occasionally, merchant ships would pass not far from his little boat.
Many people noticed the strange young man fishing alone on the sea, but none paid him much attention.
Jiang Yan thought this kind of life was wonderful.
Simple, uneventful, and comfortable!
No wonder Morax and that old fellow Barbatos loved slacking off so much.
Turns out this carefree lifestyle felt amazing!
To make things even more comfortable, Jiang Yan even used the Reality Stone's power.
First, he expanded the size of the wooden boat with Wood Release. Then, using the Reality Stone, he created a comfortable recliner, sunglasses, and a parasol.
After that, he'd prepare a jug of wine and a few snacks, lie back in the chair, and fish all day long.
He didn't care where the boat drifted.
Didn't matter.
No matter where he floated, it was all the same.
If he drifted too far, he could just open a portal home with the Space Stone.
"Mmm… after fighting battles for a lifetime, it really is time to enjoy life."
Jiang Yan lay with his eyes closed, feeling the gentle sea breeze, utterly content.
Wasn't this kind of life far better than constantly worrying about everything?
"Ah! Something bit!"
Jiang Yan suddenly sat up when he noticed the fishing rod bobbing.
Grabbing the rod, he began reeling it in.
But this catch seemed unusually heavy. No matter how hard he pulled, it wouldn't come up.
"Oh? A big one."
Watching the violently shaking line, Jiang Yan grinned.
"Come up already!"
He gave a powerful yank.
With a burst of force, a bizarre creature with four legs and a grotesque appearance burst from the sea.
It was a sea beast.
And an incredibly ugly one at that.
Jiang Yan stared silently at it.
The sea beast stared back at him with innocent eyes.
"Get lost!"
"I wanted a fish! A fish!!!"
Annoyed, Jiang Yan grabbed the sea beast by the head and hurled it back into the ocean.
Whoosh—
The creature shot through the air like a meteor, disappearing into the endless sea.
"How annoying."
Jiang Yan dusted off the water from his hands, clearly displeased.
There were plenty of fish in the sea, but also too many sea beasts.
He had already caught three sea beasts today!
He even began suspecting his bait was fake.
How else could sea beasts keep taking it?
After calming himself, Jiang Yan baited the hook again and cast the line back into the water.
Then he returned to lounging in his chair.
At that moment, a large cargo ship slowly sailed past nearby.
"Mom, look! There's such a strange person out on the sea!"
A little girl pointed toward Jiang Yan's tiny wooden boat.
"Isn't he scared? Why is he alone out there?"
"Silly girl, that uncle is fishing."
Her mother gently stroked her head and smiled.
"Huh? Like Daddy?"
The little girl blinked curiously.
"Yes, just like your father."
Her mother smiled softly, glancing behind her.
Behind her, the girl's father—who was fishing—suddenly trembled.
Why did such gentle words somehow carry so much resentment?
The ship soon drifted past, leaving rippling waves behind.
Jiang Yan lounged comfortably.
After a while, he raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
The red glow of the Reality Stone lit up.
An ice-crafted wine glass appeared beside the wine bottle.
Then, with the Chicken Talisman's telekinetic power, the bottle and cup floated into the air.
The bottle tilted, pouring wine into the glass before bringing it to Jiang Yan's lips.
He opened his mouth, and the chilled liquor flowed inside.
Ah… perfect.
Could life get any better?
Jiang Yan had reached the pinnacle of enjoyment.
Wood Release for the boat.
Reality Stone for an ice-chilled glass.
Chicken Talisman to feed him wine.
Fully automated.
No need to move a finger.
Now he had entirely handed his administrative duties to Ningguang.
With Ganyu overseeing things, there was no need for him to intervene.
And from recent observations, Ningguang was handling things quite well.
Probably because she had studied under him.
Her methods for dealing with affairs closely resembled Jiang Yan's own.
Though she still lacked experience and maturity.
Still, in another ten years or so, once Ningguang reached adulthood, he could finally retire.
"Hm? Another big fish!"
Jiang Yan suddenly felt the rod twitch and immediately sat upright.
Evening.
After a hard day's "work," Master Jiang returned carrying an empty fish bucket, his face dark with frustration.
Damn it!
Who knew he could spend an entire day catching nothing but sea beasts?
Thinking about those creatures staring innocently at him made Jiang Yan's face twitch.
Arriving at the entrance of Yuehai Pavilion, he spotted Ganyu and little Ningguang standing there hand in hand.
Both looked happy.
"Ah Yan!"
"Master~"
The moment they saw Jiang Yan approaching, both greeted him cheerfully.
"Been waiting long?"
Jiang Yan stored his fishing gear into a portal opened by the Space Stone, then walked over with a smile.
"No, we just got off work too."
Ganyu shook her head gently.
"Master, Master!"
Little Ningguang threw herself into Jiang Yan's arms.
"The documents I reviewed today all passed Ganyu-sister's inspection!"
Her voice brimmed with pride.
"Oh? That impressive?"
Jiang Yan chuckled.
Ganyu nodded with a smile.
"Yes, Ningguang has improved tremendously these past few days."
"She's making visible progress every day."
The praise made Ningguang beam happily.
She looked just like a cute white kitten.
Jiang Yan vigorously ruffled her hair.
"Looks like little Ningguang will soon be able to take over my position."
"Ningguang will work hard!"
She had always known Jiang Yan wanted her to inherit the role of Tianquan.
And she had always worked toward that goal.
Whatever her master wished, she would strive toward it without hesitation.
"Come on, let's head home first."
Jiang Yan held both Ganyu and Ningguang's hands.
"I still need to pick up Beidou and Shenhe afterward."
"Mhm."
Ganyu nodded.
"We should buy some groceries too. We're running low."
"Ningguang wants Fragrant Pepper Chicken!"
"Alright~"
The three walked hand in hand through Liyue Harbor, chatting and laughing like a family of three.
Without the slightest sense of mismatch.
After escorting Ganyu and Ningguang home, Jiang Yan opened a portal directly to the naval base at Guyun Stone Forest.
Little Beidou was already waiting there.
The moment she saw Jiang Yan emerge from the portal, she ran over and leaped into his arms.
"Beidou, how was today?"
Jiang Yan gently patted her head.
"Mhm! Beidou behaved today and didn't make the uncles on the ship angry."
Her soft voice sounded adorable.
At that moment, the Admiral of the Navy walked over.
"Greetings, Lord Tianquan."
He gave a respectful military salute.
"No need for formalities. Thank you for teaching Beidou."
Jiang Yan smiled warmly.
"You flatter me, Lord Tianquan. Miss Beidou is extremely talented and learns quickly."
It was obvious the admiral liked Beidou greatly.
If Jiang Yan hadn't already taken her as a disciple, the admiral might have tried to recruit her himself.
"Good. Then we'll be going."
Holding Beidou, Jiang Yan rose into the sky and flew toward the Air Force base at Mt. Tianheng.
"Lord Tianquan truly is like an immortal… flying freely through the skies is so cool."
The admiral watched his departing figure with admiration.
Upon arriving at the air base, Jiang Yan quickly found Shenhe standing beneath the Zishu Air Fortress beside the Air Force Commander.
"Lord Tianquan."
The commander saluted.
"Master!"
Shenhe happily rushed into Jiang Yan's arms.
These three little ones really loved throwing themselves at him.
Jiang Yan found it both funny and helpless.
"How is it? Getting used to things here?"
He asked gently.
"Mhm. Shenhe likes it here."
She nodded.
The commander's evaluation mirrored the admiral's.
Both Beidou and Shenhe learned quickly when it came to things they genuinely enjoyed.
After chatting briefly with the commander, Jiang Yan brought both girls home.
When they arrived, the aroma of food drifted from the kitchen.
"Master! Beidou! Shenhe! You're back!"
Little Ningguang ran out excitedly.
"You're back?"
Ganyu carried dishes to the table with a smile.
"Mhm. The little ones are doing very well."
Jiang Yan rubbed their heads.
"Then hurry and wash your hands. Dinner's ready."
Ganyu placed the dishes down and returned to the kitchen.
Ningguang followed to help with bowls and chopsticks.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yan brought Beidou and Shenhe to wash up.
During dinner, Jiang Yan noticed something strange about Ganyu.
"Ganyu, what's wrong?"
He frowned when he noticed her pale complexion.
"I… I don't know…"
Ganyu seemed to be enduring something.
There was panic in her expression.
Perhaps this was the first time she had experienced something like this.
"I feel… nauseous… bleh—"
Before she could finish, she suddenly rushed to the kitchen sink and began dry-heaving.
"Shimu!"
The three little ones cried out in alarm.
Jiang Yan immediately stood up and hurried over.
"How are you? Feeling better?"
He gently patted her smooth back.
Ganyu's face was pale as she shook her head.
For some reason, just looking at the food made her nauseous.
Jiang Yan closed his eyes and began examining her body.
A moment later, his expression turned strange.
"It seems… there's something extra inside your body."
"But it's blurry. I can't sense it clearly."
For something to evade even Jiang Yan's perception was enough to make him cautious.
Yet it didn't seem dangerous.
Neither his cosmic perception nor Observation Haki gave any warning.
Hearing this, Ganyu's face turned even paler.
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