The Old Ninth Sect's sweep lasted the entire morning, yet yielded little of value.
Those bold enough to show their faces on the streets were mostly low-level thugs—not true gang members. That, in itself, was hardly surprising. A real gang like the Old Ninth Sect didn't move openly like street punks. They operated with discipline, especially those secretly backed by noble families.
After regrouping at Rock & Stone Teahouse to exchange what little intelligence they had gathered, Ji Ming parted ways with his sworn brothers. Until they had solid leads, acting rashly would be pointless. For now, he'd have to gather information on his own.
If that was the case… then perhaps it was time to look into the great families.
On paper, the Liyue Qixing preached fairness and justice, but in practice, most of its members still came from powerful clans. With the exception of the Tianquan and the Tianshu, nearly every seat was firmly rooted in aristocracy.
Let's start with the Li Clan, Ji Ming decided.
Quietly.
For now, he didn't want to alarm his two senior sisters or Cloud Retainer.
As for the Fatui—that was a mutual exploitation arrangement. A dangerously sharp double-edged blade. Useful, but only if handled with extreme care. Occasionally squeezing them for Mora or information, though? Entirely fair game.
That thought sparked another idea.
Why not use the Fatui's intelligence network?
Even the average Liyue citizen knew how vast Fatui influence was. Information on local gangs should be trivial for them.
Ji Ming decided he'd stop by Northland Bank later. For now, though, he headed toward Wanmin Restaurant to see if Xiangling was busy. If not, he could chat with her and kill some time.
Entering Chihu Rock, he spotted the familiar building from afar—and the equally familiar sight of a bustling chef and a constantly snacking Guoba. He quickened his pace.
"Xiangling! I'm here to hang out!"
"Ji Ming? Perfect timing—help me out! I'll pay you with a bottle of milk!"
"Milk's a bit plain. I want a bottle of Fanta—uh, Sparkling Berry Soda."
"Anything you want! Just get to work!"
Thus, Ji Ming was promptly captured by an evolved black-hearted capitalist and sentenced to two hours of unpaid labor.
To be honest, service work wasn't his forte. He wasn't exactly built for this kind of job.
Fortunately, this was Wanmin Restaurant. No one dared question Xiangling's cooking. Picking a fight here was the same as declaring war on the entire neighborhood—and the consequences were… severe.
Time slipped by unnoticed as Ji Ming worked. Wiping tables, he called out reflexively:
"Miss, one plate of Golden Shrimp Balls—5,700 Mora total. Thank you for your patronage!"
"Golden Shrimp Balls cost 5,700 Mora," a calm voice replied.
"But what about you, Ji Ming? How much do you cost?"
That sentence alone was enough to sour his mood. Recognizing the voice, Ji Ming's expression darkened.
"Keqing, what exactly are you implying?"
Despite his tone, Keqing simply propped her cheek on one hand and stared straight into his eyes.
"Someone wants to meet you," she said lightly. "A breathtakingly beautiful woman."
"Not interested. Pay up and leave."
Seeing persuasion fail, Keqing glanced toward the kitchen.
"Chef Mao," she called, "your waiter's service attitude seems… lacking."
Ji Ming ground his teeth, ignoring the surrounding diners' you-absolute-idiot looks.
"Are you the Yuheng," he snapped, "or a matchmaker?"
"Obviously the Yuheng. And the Tianquan wants to see you. Are you going or not?"
The Tianquan?
Ji Ming frowned. He'd never met her. They were over a decade apart in age. No shared interests whatsoever.
Unless—
Unless she already knew something.
Invite him to the Jade Chamber, host a banquet, smash a cup—and have hidden guards rush out to mince him into meat paste.
Yeah. No. Absolutely not.
And she even sent Keqing as the messenger. Did she know how much he disliked this self-righteous noble heiress?
"I'm not going," he said flatly. "Finish eating and leave. This one's on me. Don't show up in front of me again."
That icy dismissal wiped Keqing's composure clean off her face.
"Ji Ming," she said sharply, "even if we despise each other, basic courtesy should still apply."
"Oh? You want courtesy?"
He straightened instantly.
"Lady Yuheng, thank you for gracing this humble establishment with your presence. Unfortunately, I am far too crude to step into refined halls like the Jade Chamber. Please take your leave."
Keqing's fist clenched. She seriously considered punching that infuriatingly handsome face.
Then her eyes lit up.
"If you don't go," she said sweetly, "I'll tell Ganyu."
Ji Ming: "?!"
You absolute menace.
Keqing burst into laughter, clearly delighted—then remembered where she was and flushed slightly, shooting Ji Ming a glare to save face.
From the kitchen, Xiangling crouched behind the counter, peeking out with wide eyes.
He knows the Yuheng? Since when?!
Is the Tianquan trying to snatch him away?! Unacceptable!
Just as the chef prepared to intervene, Ji Ming sighed.
"Fine. I'll go see the Tianquan," he said. "But after this, don't come looking for me again."
As if she'd want to. Keqing turned to leave—
—and Ji Ming grabbed her wrist.
"Hey," he said irritably, "are you planning to dine and dash?"
"Didn't you say you'd treat me?" she replied innocently.
She wasn't short on Mora. She just wanted to see him suffer.
Ji Ming let it go—for now. He'd settle accounts with her later. Especially since he'd be poking around the Li Clan soon anyway.
Still, exploiting him and threatening him with Ganyu?
Absolutely unforgivable.
Utterly heinous.
Dragged into the kitchen by a warm hand, Ji Ming was confronted by Xiangling's serious gaze.
"Tell me," she demanded. "Is the Tianquan trying to force you?"
"What do you even mean by 'force'?"
"You know! That kind of force! So—is she?"
"…Probably not. I've never met her, and someone like the Tianquan wouldn't know me either."
Xiangling deflated instantly, reverting to her usual cheerful self. She dashed to the stove, poured a steaming glass of milk, and held it to his lips.
"Then everything's fine! Drink your milk!"
"Hey—weren't you going to give me soda?"
"Soda's unhealthy. Here, only milk is allowed. Drink it."
Her eyes curved into a smile. Though she was two years younger, Ji Ming was eternally categorized as a kid in her mind—unhealthy things strictly forbidden.
Unable to resist, Ji Ming took the glass and drank. After a sip, he frowned.
"…Xiangling, did you add sugar?"
She tilted her head, tapping her lip innocently.
"Nope. Pure, natural milk."
Really?
Ji Ming smacked his lips.
For some reason… it tasted ridiculously sweet.
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