Chapter 16 - Chapter 16

"Well, Yuehai Pavilion is up in Yujing Terrace, at the foot of Tianxing Mountain. It's over there, at the highest point, see?"

Xiangling pointed through the window, showing Jiang Ning the direction.

"Over there... looks like a very powerful administrative institution."

"Of course it is!" Xiangling said, "Yuehai Pavilion is an essential institution for running Liyue Harbor."

"And everyone working there is very capable too, so if your senior sister works there, she must be quite amazing."

Xiangling spoke.

Jiang Ning looked at Xiangling, who was enthusiastically explaining, and then glanced at the distant Yuehai Pavilion. The magnificent office building appeared to have only one light still burning at this hour.

"It's almost nine o'clock, and someone's still working? Are they really that dedicated?" Jiang Ning thought silently.

"However, the Yuehai Pavilion should be closed for the day now. If you want to go there, you'll probably have to wait until tomorrow," Xiangling said.

"I see... Let's look for a place to stay then. If we can't find anything, my senior disciple and I can make do at Mount Tianheng," Jiang Ning replied.

After all, their master Cloud Retainer had always maintained a hands-off approach to their training. Because of this, both he and his senior disciple had extensive experience living in the wilderness, and they could even manage to eat and sleep well.

It was all thanks to their master's nurturing.

Jiang Ning suddenly felt a sense of nostalgia that was better left unremembered.

"The wilderness? That won't do!" Xiangling exclaimed in shock. The wilderness was still very cold at night during this season.

So after thinking for a moment, Xiangling suggested: "Why don't you tell me who your senior disciple is? Perhaps I know them, and I could help you find them."

For some reason, Xiangling felt a sense of familiarity with these two people before her. Their auras were somehow comforting, and their appearances were quite distinguished, especially Jiang Ning, who naturally inspired trust.

Jiang Ning said, "Our eldest senior disciple is called Ganyu. Have you heard of her?"

At the mention of Ganyu's name, Xiangling froze.

"Your senior disciple is Lady Ganyu?"

Jiang Ning quickly asked, "You know her?"

"Of course! Who in Liyue Harbor doesn't know Lady Ganyu's name? There's even a saying in Liyue: 'The Qixing may come and go, but the secretary is eternal'... Lady Ganyu has been the Qixing's secretary for several hundred years, hasn't she?"

"Several hundred years?" Jiang Ning was startled.

"Lady Ganyu is your senior disciple, and you didn't know? Lady Ganyu is half-human, half-adeptus, from the Qilin clan..." Xiangling continued.

"They say that Lady Ganyu once claimed her horns were just a family heirloom accessory. It wasn't until she had seen generations of the Liyue Qixing come and go that people realized something was unusual and discovered that Lady Ganyu was actually half-adeptus."

"I see... Then, Xiangling, could you take us to find Senior Sister Ganyu?" Jiang Ning quickly asked.

"Just call me Xiangling! As for Lady Ganyu, you can go directly to the Yuehai Pavilion. That one light that's still on must be from Lady Ganyu's office - she works overtime every day," Xiangling explained.

Jiang Ning and Shenhe exchanged looks. They now understood why Cloud Retainer was always an empty-nester.

Because she had a workaholic disciple...

Now that they knew where their senior disciple was, things would be easier. Jiang Ning said to Xiangling:

"Thank you very much, Xiangling."

"You're welcome! I'm glad I could help. Since you're Lady Ganyu's fellow disciples, you're now friends of Wanmin Restaurant. Come eat at our place, and I'll give you a discount," Xiangling said with a smile.

As expected of a girl who grew up in Liyue Harbor - even while being kind, she still had that subconscious behavior of securing return customers.

"Alright, it's getting late. We'll visit another day," Jiang Ning said after paying, bidding farewell to Xiangling.

"Hehe, goodbye, you two!" Xiangling waved with a smile.

So this is the Yuehai Pavilion...

Jiang Ning curiously examined the main entrance to the Yuehai Pavilion, where Millelith guards stood watch.

This place was said to be where Liyue's officials of all ranks and important institutions conducted their business, as well as the headquarters of many major commercial guilds.

Of course, many wealthy and powerful individuals also resided here.

Unfamiliar faces naturally had to be questioned as per protocol.

Upon learning they were here to see Ganyu, the Millelith guard didn't dare to be negligent and asked Jiang Ning to wait briefly while someone was sent to inquire with Ganyu.

"Does Senior Sister Ganyu work overtime this late every day?" Jiang Ning asked the guard at the entrance.

"Well, Lady Ganyu works overtime here every day, and sometimes she doesn't even go home. This is something anyone in Liyue Harbor would know if they asked around," the Millelith guard replied very politely.

After all, once identities were confirmed, if these two really were Lady Ganyu's fellow disciples...

Given Lady Ganyu's status as an adeptus, these two must be disciples of the immortals, and thus couldn't be treated carelessly.

Although there was still quite a distance to the Yuehai Pavilion, the Millelith seemed to have their own unique way of conveying messages.

In just two minutes, a hurried figure emerged from inside, followed by a Millelith guard.

A young woman stopped in front of Jiang Ning, carefully examining both him and Shenhe. Jiang Ning also carefully observed the young woman before him.

His first reaction was amazement.

Soft blue hair tied in a low ponytail that fell to her waist.

Her eyes were full of tranquility and peace, her face captivating and fair, her skin delicate.

The young woman's graceful figure revealed elegant curves beneath her black bodysuit and undershirt.

Over the black bodysuit was a white skirt, showing only the curves of her chest and her flawless bare back.

However, it didn't appear revealing; rather, it gave off an ethereal feeling.

Against the backdrop of the black bodysuit, her slightly shapely yet straight leg lines were just right.

Combined with the pair of inhuman horns on her head, this was clearly Ganyu.

"I'm sorry you had to be announced so late... You must be Shenhe, but you... has Master taken on another disciple?" Ganyu looked at the two people before her, first greeting the Millelith guard, then addressing them.

The Millelith guard, seeing that Ganyu apparently knew at least one of them, tactfully left the scene to the three of them.

Shenhe nodded slightly: "Yes, Senior Sister Ganyu..."

Then fell silent.

Ganyu tilted her head. Indeed, just as Master had said, she was a quiet, reserved junior disciple who wasn't good with words. The adeptal energy around her was very similar to Master's.

As for this one...

Looking at the fair-skinned, bright-eyed, and handsome Jiang Ning.

For some reason, Ganyu felt quite fond of him.