The Old Nine Gates spent the entire morning moving around Liyue Harbor.
Yet, they gained almost nothing.
Those visible on the streets were just small-time thugs, not actual organized gang members.
Which was expected.
Real gangs in Liyue—especially those sponsored by noble clans—were disciplined and discreet.
Only the rash and the weak acted openly.
After regrouping at Rock-Steady Tea House and exchanging what little information they had, the group separated.
They would wait until someone uncovered a concrete lead.
Which meant Ji Ming needed to gather intelligence on his own for a while.
So—should he start with investigating the major clans first?
Liyue Qixing was supposedly fair and balanced.
But in reality, aside from Tianquan and Tianshu, most of the Qixing came from ancient families deeply woven into Liyue's structures.
So perhaps the investigation should start with the Li clan.
Carefully, of course.
Ji Ming had backing now—but until he grew stable enough, he didn't want to make his Shifu or senior sisters worry.
As for the Fatui?
They were a double-edged blade—one to use sparingly.
But their intelligence network was enormous.
…Right.
Why not use their channels to locate other gangs?
Fatui information flowed all over Teyvat.
Finding common thieves and small-time syndicates would be trivial.
He would visit the Northland Bank later.
But first—
He was bored.
So he headed to Wanmin Restaurant to see whether Xiangling was free—if not, he could at least talk while she worked.
He spotted her immediately:
Xiangling cooking in a rush, and Guoba stuffing snacks into his mouth like a furry little bandit.
Ji Ming quickened his pace.
"Xiangling! I came to hang out."
"You came at the perfect time! Help me, and I'll give you a bottle of milk!"
"Milk is too plain. I want Funda Sparkling Soda."
"Anything's fine—just get over here!"
And so, Ji Ming was promptly drafted into two full hours of unpaid labor.
He was not accustomed to restaurant work.
But Wanmin was not a place customers dared cause trouble—the neighbors would riot first.
As he wiped down a table, he recited politely:
"That'll be 5,700 mora for the Golden Shrimp Balls. Thank you for dining with us."
"Five thousand seven hundred mora for shrimp balls, hm?
Then tell me—how much is Ji Ming worth?"
The voice was unmistakable.
Ji Ming's smile died.
"Keqing. What do you want."
Even with his tone sour, Keqing rested her chin on her hand, eyes steady.
"Someone wishes to meet you.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman."
"Not interested. Pay your bill and go."
Seeing persuasion fail, Keqing casually raised her voice toward the kitchen:
"Master Mao, your waiter's attitude seems unacceptable today."
Ji Ming clenched his teeth.
"Are you the Yuheng or a matchmaker now?"
"I am the Yuheng," she replied crisply. "But the Tianquan on the Jade Chamber wishes to see you. Are you going, or not?"
Ji Ming froze.
Ningguang.
Why would Ningguang want to meet him?
The simplest scenario was the worst:
Invite him to the Jade Chamber…
Then clap her hands—
and blade-wielding guards rush out.
Chop him into dumpling filling.
No thanks.
"No. I refuse. Now leave. This meal is on me. Just don't show up again."
Keqing's expression darkened.
"Even if we dislike each other, you should maintain basic courtesy."
Fine. Courtesy.
Ji Ming straightened slightly and spoke with deliberate formal politeness:
"Honored Yuheng Star, thank you for gracing this humble establishment.
However, I truly am unworthy of entering such lofty halls.
Please—return home."
Keqing inhaled sharply—
This man needed to be punched.
But instead—
She smiled.
A very, very smug smile.
"If you don't go…
I will tell Ganyu."
Ji Ming: "?!"
Dirty.
She was playing dirty.
Keqing's smile blossomed like a wicked little fox discovering fire for the first time.
Xiangling peeked over the counter, eyes huge.
Did—did the Tianquan want to force Ji Ming???
Did she want to kidnap a civilian???
Unacceptable!
Tianquan—evil!
Before she could leap in with a wok as weapon, Ji Ming exhaled sharply:
"…Fine. I'll go.
But don't come to me again."
Keqing immediately turned to leave—only for Ji Ming to grab her wrist.
"Yuheng Star, were you planning to dine and dash?"
"It's your treat, wasn't it? You're so generous, after all."
Ji Ming stared at her.
She was doing this on purpose.
And after all—he was planning to mess with the Li Clan soon.
He would let her off.
For now.
But the debt was noted.
Keqing used Ganyu to threaten him.
Unforgivable. Sin beyond measure.
Xiangling tugged him into the kitchen, eyes bright with heroic resolve:
"Tell me! Is the Tianquan trying to force you?"
"What do you mean force me?"
"Force you! Like—force you!"
"…I don't think so? I've never even met her."
Xiangling relaxed instantly, returning to her natural sunshine.
She lifted a steaming cup to his lips.
"Here, drink your milk!"
"…You said I could have soda."
"Funda is bad for you. Only milk! Drink."
Her smile curved softly, warm and sincere.
Ji Ming lifted the cup, tasted—
"…you put sugar in this?"
Xiangling blinked.
"No. Pure natural milk is always sweet."
Ji Ming touched his lips again.
…It really was sweet.
Too sweet.
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