"Sure."
Jiang Yan had no objection.
After all, as the founder of Mondstadt City, if Barbatos claimed he knew the place like the back of his hand, there was not a shred of exaggeration in it.
"Then let's go!"
Barbatos once again played High Wind's Song, carrying Jiang Yan toward Mondstadt City.
Mondstadt
At this era, Mondstadt was not yet the decadent cesspit it would become in the late aristocratic period.
Right now, the people were happy, smiling brightly.
This was the early stage of rule by the Three Great Noble Houses—
the Ragnvindr, the Gunnhildr, and the Lawrence—
who jointly governed Mondstadt.
Above them sat one person: Wendy, the representative of Barbatos, tasked with overseeing the nation.
Although Barbatos had returned the nation to its people, Wendy's presence acted like the eyes of the Anemo Archon.
Naturally, the three noble houses didn't dare slack off.
…or so the nobles imagined.
But with Barbatos's free-spirited personality?
He was physically in Mondstadt.
Did they really think he wouldn't notice how the people were living?
Why would he need Wendy to "monitor" anything?
It was just that Wendy, worried that a newly founded nation might be mismanaged, chose to stay and govern for the time being.
On the way, Barbatos talked endlessly to Jiang Yan about Wendy.
Once Wendy transferred all authority to the nobles in two years, Barbatos planned to take him traveling.
A human's lifespan barely reached a hundred years.
Barbatos knew Wendy would eventually grow old.
Not even Jiang Yan could change that.
The Dog Talisman granted immortality only to its holder—
unless it were to separate from Jiang Yan.
So all Jiang Yan could do was pray that future gilded chests would drop something that granted eternal life.
Otherwise, the people around him would eventually grow old and leave him.
Thus Barbatos planned to take Wendy across all of Teyvat, to see every landscape.
Life was short, but one had to live it brightly.
Listening to him, Jiang Yan smiled.
Yes—life was short.
Living joyfully mattered more than anything.
As they chatted, the two flew straight into Mondstadt City.
The Knights of Mondstadt
Though newly founded, Mondstadt's knights still possessed real combat strength.
Jiang Yan could clearly see the soldiers guarding the gate—
their eyes still sharp, filled with killing intent.
They were clearly men who had survived real battle.
But when he saw the knight squad training not far away, Jiang Yan's face darkened.
He turned to look at Barbatos.
"Hey. When exactly did you steal Liyue's soldier-training methods?"
Because what he saw—
Mondstadt's knight training regimen looked almost identical to that of Liyue's Millelith.
Not just similar—
Liyue's training was obviously far more intense—
but the structure, sequence, and method?
Absolutely copied.
Hearing Jiang Yan's accusation, Barbatos immediately averted his gaze in guilt.
"Ehe… What are you talking about? How could I possibly copy your Millelith training methods?"
Jiang Yan narrowed his eyes.
This old brat did something wrong and still wouldn't admit it, huh?
"Ahem— ah— look at the time! Anyway, let's go try some of Mondstadt's specialty dishes!"
Seeing Jiang Yan's expression growing increasingly dangerous, Barbatos hurried to change the subject.
After all, admitting you stole someone's military regimen was… not a great look.
"You're paying."
Jiang Yan said calmly.
He wasn't truly angry.
If Barbatos had asked, Jiang Yan would've just taught him directly.
Training was only one reason the Millelith were strong.
The other reason?
Jiang Yan had given them countless cultivation manuals to practice.
Plus the influence of military strategy, battle formations, and discipline—
As long as the opponent wasn't a demon-god-level being, the Millelith were unstoppable in this era.
What?
What if they did run into a demon god?
Then what were Jiang Yan, Morax, Makasius, Azhdaha, and the Adepti for?
And even if no one was present—
Jiang Yan's demon-god bombs were not for decoration.
Recently, Guizhong had written to inform him that airship construction had begun.
They were only waiting for Jiang Yan to return and select pilots.
Liyue's military strength would only grow stronger.
Barbatos could tell Jiang Yan wasn't actually mad, and relaxed with a smile.
"Of course. How could I let a distinguished guest treat while in Mondstadt?"
"This is your own offer."
Jiang Yan's lips curved upward.
Suddenly, Barbatos had a very bad premonition.
The Restaurant Disaster
After entering a restaurant, Jiang Yan sat down and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table.
"Boss!"
He suddenly called to the busy owner.
"Yes! Coming! Have you decided on your dishes, honored guest?"
Jiang Yan nodded.
"This one, this one, and this one."
Barbatos let out a sigh of relief.
Thankfully—
it seemed Jiang Yan wasn't planning to extort him after all.
With those prices, Barbatos could still afford it.
But Jiang Yan wasn't done.
He looked at the owner again.
"Actually—cancel everything I just ordered."
"And bring one of everything else on the entire menu."
Barbatos turned green on the spot.
"Uh… Jiang Yan…"
"We shouldn't waste food…"
Barbatos whispered weakly.
"Don't worry. I have a big appetite."
Jiang Yan smiled at him—
clearly intent on bleeding him dry.
Barbatos looked at the owner with tears in his eyes.
"Boss… do you perhaps need a live-in bard…?"
The almighty Anemo Archon—
reduced to busking to pay his debts.
The restaurant owner, who originally thought a huge customer had arrived, felt his smile slowly fade.
No money?
No money and you ordered the whole menu?!
Just as the owner was about to speak, a young voice sounded behind him.
"I'll cover their bill."
"Please prepare the dishes, boss."
A pouch of Mora was placed in the owner's hands.
Because Mondstadt was Liyue's neighbor, and because Barbatos owed Jiang Yan a huge favor, when Jiang Yan requested that Mora become Mondstadt's primary currency—
Barbatos had readily agreed.
Thus Mondstadt had used Mora as its standard currency from the moment it was founded.
Jiang Yan and Barbatos turned toward the voice—
and saw a youth who looked eighty percent identical to Barbatos smiling warmly at them.
"Wendy!"
Barbatos shouted in delight.
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