"In Liyue, being simple and honest is something we're truly proud of."
"Thanks to the Millelith, treasure hoarders and other bandits don't dare rob people openly. They don't even show their faces in crowded places."
Su Bai proudly described the Millelith's achievements to Lumine and the others. But before he could finish, Paimon tugged at his sleeve and pointed in a direction, whispering.
"Su Bai, look over there. Isn't that someone getting robbed?"
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible. You must have seen wrong, Paimon. If you don't believe me, let's take a closer look."
Paimon's words made Su Bai pause, but he quickly shook his head. This road was one of the Millelith's patrol routes. No bandit would be bold enough to rob someone here. To prove Paimon was mistaken, Su Bai led the group quietly closer to the scene.
"Old man, hand over your money. Otherwise, watch out—I'll take your son's arm off."
"Hmph, that unfilial brat? Do whatever you want with him. I don't care. You want my Mora? Not a chance!"
The treasure hoarders exchanged confused glances. They had robbed people many times but never encountered a situation like this. Usually, threatening the child made people give in immediately. Why was today so different?
The one-eyed leader brandished his steel blade, his scarred face twisted in a menacing scowl.
"You don't think we won't do it, do you? Believe me, I'll chop your son's arm off right now!"
"Then go ahead. If you can't do it, give me ten thousand Mora, and I'll do it myself."
The old man's greedy expression made the treasure hoarders hesitate. Was he calling their bluff? They really didn't dare hurt anyone. Robbery and assault were very different crimes. They had no desire to have the Yuheng Xing chasing them across Liyue with the Millelith.
"What's wrong, boys? Too scared to act? How did you ever become treasure hoarders? In all my years, I've never seen such a cowardly bunch."
With the Rite of Descension approaching, the Millelith were all busy maintaining order in Liyue Harbor. The treasure hoarders had planned to make some easy money, but they hadn't expected to run into such a difficult old man.
The treasure hoarders were losing face under the old man's constant insults. If their comrades hadn't held them back, a few of the hot-headed ones would have swung their blades at this mouthy elder.
The one-eyed leader studied the richly dressed old man with a dark expression. He was certain this old man wasn't anyone important in Liyue, yet his face looked strangely familiar. But since he wasn't anyone significant, the one-eyed man decided he wasn't letting the old man's Mora go, no matter how familiar he seemed.
"Say, one-eye, if you really can't do it, give me ten thousand Mora, and I'll do it myself."
The treasure hoarders were dumbfounded. What did they just hear? The one-eyed leader recovered first. He pulled ten thousand Mora from his pocket and tossed it to the old man.
"Old man, here's your Mora. Now go ahead and cut."
"Don't worry, don't worry. Boss, you're so generous. You must have made quite a haul recently."
"None of your business. Just cut."
The one-eyed leader impatiently cut him off, eager to see a father-son showdown. Besides, he'd get his ten thousand Mora back eventually anyway.
"Then I'll borrow your blade, boss."
The old man took the steel blade from the one-eyed leader. The surrounding treasure hoarders laughed and joked, waiting for the show. The one-eyed leader didn't think to be cautious.
After examining the blade for a moment, the old man nodded approvingly. It was sharp enough to pierce a man's abdomen. With practiced ease, he twirled the blade.
"You're the legendary Bladehand?"
The one-eyed leader's pupil contracted, but before he could finish his sentence, the old man's steel blade plunged into his stomach with lightning speed. The one-eyed leader's remaining eye went wide. He hadn't even seen the blade move. Truly worthy of the treasure hoarder legend—that swordsmanship was something else.
"You little whelp, I was already robbing people when you were still drinking your mother's milk. You think just because I've retired, I'm easy prey?"
"Don't you know the rule about keeping your wealth hidden? Once I take you out, all your Mora becomes mine."
The old man flicked the blood from the blade and lectured the one-eyed leader with the tone of a disappointed elder. The younger treasure hoarders, seeing this old man not only ambush their leader but also lecture him, were furious. They raised their weapons, ready to teach this old man a lesson.
"Shut up, all of you! Whatever Senior Zhao says, you listen. This is a legend in our treasure hoarder circles."
"Back in the day, Senior Zhao went in and out of the three major treasure hoarder camps seven times. You were all still playing in the mud."
The one-eyed leader silenced his men. Hearing how formidable this old man was, they quickly shut their mouths. None of them were foolish enough to risk their lives, which was exactly why they stuck to robbery and avoided violence.
"Senior, I was blind not to recognize you. Please, spare my life."
"Don't beg me; save it for the Millelith."
As the old man spoke, the 'son' behind him pulled a Pyro Vision from his pocket, a flash of red light emanating from his waist. At the same time, Millelith soldiers emerged from the surrounding bushes. With their leader captured, the other treasure hoarders were easily subdued.
"Uncle Zhao, thank you. We'd have had a much harder time catching this gang without your help."
"Enough. Don't be so formal with me. Your father and I have been friends for years. No need to stand on ceremony about something this small."
"But I have to say, this plan of yours, Millelith boys came up with, is pretty clever. This is the eighth treasure hoarder gang in two days, isn't it? Uses fewer people and works like a charm."
"If your father had thought of this back then, you'd have caught me long ago. You're much smarter than your old man."
The old man's eyes grew distant as he looked at the bound one-eyed leader. Once upon a time, this young man's father had tied him up just like this. The young officer scratched his head sheepishly.
"Haha, Uncle Zhao, that's all water under the bridge. If you hadn't fought your way through the treasure hoarder camps to save my father back then, I probably wouldn't be here today."
(A/N: I ordered a fried skewer set and unexpectedly discovered that putting the fried vegetables inside the bread was even better than meat. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it—especially the fried enoki mushrooms and fried oyster mushrooms!)