"Azhdaha, you're still as willful as ever."
Zhongli held Azhdaha up in the air. Though she kicked her little legs furiously, the height difference prevented her from breaking free and running off to freedom.
"Hmph, Morax. You may want to retire, but don't forget—the Gnosis is still with you."
"As long as you carry that Gnosis, you have a duty to protect the people of Liyue. You shouldn't just stand here watching them die!"
"I was sealed beneath Mt. Hulao because I harmed those mortals. Yet now, you stand by and do nothing while they suffer?"
Azhdaha hadn't been part of the mortal world for long, but she had grown fond of these people. There were kind-smelling young ladies, storytellers on stage who praised Morax, and chefs at Wanmin Restaurant who let her eat for free. She didn't want anything bad to happen to any of those who had shown her kindness.
That was why she was so frustrated with Zhongli's approach. Even though he had explained his reasoning, she still couldn't help wanting to step in.
"When one era transitions to another, bloodshed and sacrifice are inevitable."
"Those who fall are the pioneers of the age of humanity. They will be remembered by history, just like those who have 'died' before me."
Without giving Azhdaha time to think, Zhongli stuffed her into the giant firework tube. She struggled and poked her head out.
"Morax, what are you trying to do? Wait... I don't recall you having Pyro or Electro, do you?"
"Without triggering an Overloaded reaction, you can't launch me anywhere!"
Before Azhdaha could get any more cocky, a voice rang out: "Solid as rock!" A Geo pillar rose from the ground and slammed into the firework tube. The impact sent Azhdaha flying out.
"Morax! I'll be back!"
Through the hole Azhdaha had blasted in the roof, Zhongli roughly calculated her landing point. Satisfied, he picked up his teacup and downed the rest in one gulp.
...
Though many Vision holders had joined the battle, the situation in Liyue Harbor was still far from optimistic. The external threat from the monsters had been barely contained, but internal instabilities were growing by the minute.
In a hidden corner, a group of Fatui agents stretched their limbs. Lying on the ground before them were the Millelith soldiers who had been guarding them.
"You guys sure have bad luck. Getting backstabbed by your own people."
A Fatui squad leader poked one of the Millelith soldiers with a twig. The soldier glared back, gritting his teeth, which brought the Fatui agents a great deal of satisfaction.
"Since you Millelith didn't mistreat us and even gave us lunch, I'll spare your lives. But don't even think about running off to report this."
The Fatui bound the soldiers tightly and tossed them into an abandoned building. But someone nearby wasn't pleased.
"Gentlemen, I think we should just kill them. They heard our conversation. They'll definitely report it to the Tianquan."
"I'm worried something might go wrong. That Tianquan has been suppressing us noble families for too long."
"You're questioning our decision?"
"Wouldn't dare."
A Fatui agent brandished a knife and glared at the noble family member, who immediately backed down. His obedient, cowering demeanor pleased the Fatui agents.
Watching the Fatui strut around, many of the noble family members gritted their teeth in resentment. Some were already plotting how to get revenge once they left Liyue Harbor.
"If those Millelith hadn't stopped us from leaving and locked us down, we never would have teamed up with these Fatui scumbags."
"Heh, it's too late for regrets now. The moment you ambushed those Millelith, we were all in the same boat."
A Fatui squad leader walked up to the head of one noble family and patted his cheek. He never thought he'd live to see the day he could humiliate the leader of a Liyue noble family.
The clan leader's face turned purple. Never in his life had he suffered such indignity. But to survive, he had to stay silent. The squad leader was right—there was no turning back now.
"Don't push us too far, Fatui!"
An elderly, dignified clan leader finally couldn't hold back his anger and snapped at the squad leader. They might be leaving Liyue, but that didn't mean they could be trampled on. They had their pride.
"Oh? Are you threatening me? You dare threaten me? Oh no, my head's spinning. I can't remember anything. I've forgotten where the secret tunnel out of Liyue Harbor is."
The squad leader flopped backward and lay on the ground, pretending to be incapacitated. The noble family members watched his theatrical performance with growing fury.
But before they could speak, a sword pierced through the chest of the clan leader who had spoken out. He collapsed in a pool of blood.
"The one who offended you has paid the price. I hope you'll honor your end of the deal."
A grim-faced noble family member wiped the blood off his sword, his gaze toward the squad leader cold. The Fatui squad leader shrugged and got up from the ground.
This sword-wielding noble was the first to strike the Millelith. Using their trust, he had killed several of them. Such ruthlessness explained how he had taken control of such a large family despite being a bastard.
The Fatui squad leader glanced at him imperceptibly and inwardly sneered. He had no respect for such people, but that didn't stop him from playing along. At least this man still had some use.
"Haha, don't worry about that. Since we Fatui promised to get you out of Liyue Harbor, we'll keep our word."
"Now then, why don't you folks clear the way for us? With all those monsters out there, if we die, no one will know the secret tunnel out of the city."
The squad leader's tone was smug. Many of the family members gripped their weapons tightly but dared not harm the arrogant Fatui. They were their only hope of escape.
Watching the family members take up arms to clear the path for them, the squad leader burst into laughter. His men joined in.
"Brothers, don't you think these people are pathetic? They could have stayed honorable, but instead, they chose to be our dogs. How hilarious."