Shenhe pondered for a moment. This was the first time her little brother had entrusted something entirely to her. So she absolutely didn't want to disappoint Jiang Ning.
"To the north is the Wangshu Inn. When I came down the mountain before, I visited an adeptus there on Master's behalf. Liyue Harbor should be to the south... Let's take a rest for now."
"According to Master's wishes, we shouldn't be in too much hurry to reach Liyue Harbor."
Shenhe spoke at a measured pace, clearly not used to speaking so much at once.
Jiang Ning agreed, "Then let's follow Sister's suggestion and spend the night at Wangshu Inn... By the way, how much do they charge? Do we have enough Mora?"
After helping the villagers at the foot of the mountain, they had received payment and learned that this world's currency was called Mora.
It was named after Morax, created by Rex Lapis using his geo powers, and was said to also serve as an excellent medium for alchemy.
This gave Jiang Ning a new understanding of Liyue's Rex Lapis. To have control over the world's entire minting rights—he must truly be the most powerful.
"As for Mora, there's no need to worry. Because of that adeptus's presence, whenever I visited on Master's behalf, I never needed to pay. The owner always said that as disciples of the adepti, we don't need to pay Mora."
Shenhe explained.
Jiang Ning said, "Mm, we should still pay though. It feels odd otherwise..."
He wasn't someone who deserved special privileges.
Previously, it was probably only because Sister was unfamiliar with worldly matters that she hadn't paid. While the title of "adeptus disciple" was convenient, it also had its drawbacks.
Since Master had asked him to take care of Sister, he should start with these small things.
Like paying Mora for food and lodging.
Heading north, they could see the towering Wangshu Inn in the distance, built atop what might have been an ancient tree or mountain peak. Its classical style made Jiang Ning feel somewhat nostalgic... It reminded him of the ancient architecture from his former country.
The System conscientiously provided commentary along the way. [Silk Flower, a plant that can be used as material for fine fabric.]
Perhaps due to their proximity to the inn, there were soldiers in armor standing guard with long spears. With the soldiers present, monsters like Slimes and Hilichurls were notably fewer in the area.
These soldiers, uniformed in geo-elemental colors, were clearly Liyue's official military.
The Millelith, Liyue Harbor's army, was also the official organization responsible for Liyue Harbor's security. Though they didn't interact much, at the end of each year, the Millelith would come up the mountain to make offerings to the adepti, expressing gratitude for protecting Liyue and fighting alongside Rex Lapis in the old days...
So Jiang Ning was somewhat familiar with them.
Seeing Jiang Ning and Shenhe, they conducted a routine inspection. Jiang Ning cooperated fully, and after a few simple questions, the Millelith let them pass.
After walking a bit further, Shenhe asked puzzled: "Why did we need to accept their inspection?"
Jiang Ning was startled: "Wait, when you came to visit the adeptus before, you weren't inspected? How did you manage that?"
Shenhe replied: "With my technique, I could easily slip in without being noticed..."
It seemed that because Sister wasn't good at dealing with people, she had chosen the safest method... avoiding contact entirely.
Jiang Ning said: "Well... Sister, that's not right..."
Shenhe didn't argue: "Mm, okay, I won't do it again. I'll listen to you."
With Jiang Ning, Shenhe was absolutely obedient.
Jiang Ning said: "Well, just watch how I do things, and you can follow my example."
Shenhe nodded slightly.
As they were chatting, a round, water-formed monster lurked in the nearby stream, waiting for its chance. It suddenly jumped up, attempting to crush them from above.
Corresponding to the seven elements, Teyvat had seven types of slimes, lacking intelligence and attacking anyone they saw. This one attacking them was a Hydro Slime.
The two walked straight past without even looking. After they passed, the Hydro Slime, now frozen solid, crashed to the ground and shattered.
"We're almost there... hm?"
Jiang Ning seemed to notice a cloud of dust in the distance, and the ground was trembling slightly. With his excellent hearing, he could even hear cries for help from afar.
"Sister!" Jiang Ning looked at Shenhe.
Shenhe drew out her polearm, Calamity Queller. "Mm, understood."
As they rushed toward the scene, Jiang Ning said while running: "Last time you handled the monster extermination, Sister. This time it's my turn to stretch my legs..."
When Jiang Ning spoke, Shenhe naturally complied: "Then I'll watch your back."
The closer they got, the clearer they could hear the cries for help, along with the serious, resolute voices of the Millelith.
"The people of Liyue are behind us! We cannot retreat! Even if we die, we must hold the line!" "Reinforcements with a Vision are on their way, just hold on!"
Behind the Millelith were panicked civilians and younger soldiers helping people evacuate. Their faces were filled with anxiety, teeth clenched, desperately wanting to help their seniors bear the burden.
Some of the older Millelith soldiers were wounded to varying degrees, with some even lying unconscious on the ground.
Between them stood a large, muscular Hilichurl, covered in grayish-yellow skin that looked extremely rough, even more massive than a usual Mitachurl.
"A Lawachurl... No wonder. A single Mitachurl wouldn't be enough to challenge these coordinated Millelith forces."
Jiang Ning looked at the Millelith with admiration in his eyes. Whether it was his former homeland or current Liyue, they were so similar. Soldiers who would fight to the death without retreat for their people, they were all the same.
"Sister, I'm going in!" Jiang Ning gripped his Geo polearm and leaped forward. "Everyone fall back, I'll take over the battlefield!"
Jiang Ning smiled, sweeping his polearm to mark out the battlefield.
The Geo Lawachurl, as its name suggested, was characterized by heavy geo elements.
High HP, formidable defense, and most terrifying of all, its incredible strength.
Ordinary Vision bearers couldn't handle it; only the Millelith's captains, working with their well-trained formation tactics, could reliably hunt one.
But this Geo Lawachurl, which had caused such heavy casualties among the Millelith, was like a toy in Jiang Ning's hands. He played with it at will.
"Stone upon stone! Ice, manifest!" Jiang Ning bombarded it with both Geo and Cryo elements.