Jiang Chen's trip to Sumeru had come to a successful conclusion.
In just a few short hours, he had accomplished a great deal—reviving the Dragon King Azhdaha, stirring up trouble in Sumeru, resurrecting the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, and casually beheading Il Dottore along the way.
By the time he finished discussing matters with the Greater Lord, night had already fallen.
After bidding farewell to Zhongli and Venti, Jiang Chen sped back toward Liyue Harbor alone.
Zhongli, stopping at the Chasm, parted ways with him.
"You go on ahead."
"I'm going drinking with him."
He planned to catch up with Azhdaha, so he wouldn't be accompanying Jiang Chen further.
Jiang Chen had no interest in alcohol, so he simply waved and accelerated toward the harbor.
Meanwhile, in Snezhnaya, the Fatui had just confirmed something unsettling.
"The Doctor is truly dead."
In every sense of the word.
All of his segments had been decapitated in the same instant—erased from existence at the root.
This discovery left the Harbingers utterly baffled.
What in the world had happened?
Why?
So far, no one had any answers.
As the room remained steeped in silence, Arlecchino strode in.
"We have news."
"The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata has been resurrected in Sumeru."
"Both Barbatos and Morax were also present."
"And the Doctor was executed in broad daylight—without even a chance to resist."
"The perpetrator appears to be that Jiang Chen."
"The reason? Human experimentation—on children."
Her tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
Good riddance.
Tartaglia, upon hearing Jiang Chen's name, instinctively clutched his side—his kidneys throbbing with phantom pain.
"Him again?"
Pantalone frowned deeply.
This guy... is he deliberately targeting the Fatui?
Arlecchino wasn't done.
"There's more bad news."
"Scaramouche has vanished—likely killed."
"Inazuma has also lifted its Sakoku Decree."
"Our agents there have been expelled."
"The Gnosis operation in that region is now dead."
Silence.
Scaramouche too?
Two Harbingers, gone in one fell swoop.
The remaining members exchanged uneasy glances.
"We should consult Her Majesty."
"If this continues... our plans will never come to fruition."
Tartaglia sighed, rubbing his temples.
Why does it feel like Jiang Chen is systematically dismantling the Fatui?
First the Doctor, now Scaramouche—who's next?
If Jiang Chen heads to Fontaine, will he just kill the Harbinger stationed there too?
How are we supposed to operate under these conditions?
This called for the Tsaritsa's direct intervention.
Jiang Chen's strength was no joke—the Doctor hadn't even reacted before dying.
And considering his performance against Osial…
None of them stood a chance.
He might not even have gone all out yet.
This was a problem only the Cryo Archon could handle.
The Tsaritsa listened to their report with a weary sigh.
After a moment's contemplation, she spoke.
"I will speak with Morax and the others."
"Continue your duties—but cautiously."
"Leave this matter to me."
Jiang Chen's actions had thrown a wrench into her plans, and she needed to address it personally.
Then, as if struck by a thought, she added:
"Suspend all high-risk operations for now."
"Wait until I've spoken with him."
No point risking more casualties.
The Harbingers had no objections.
What else could they do?
Once alone, the Tsaritsa massaged her temples.
This calls for a trip to Liyue.
She would meet this Jiang Chen face-to-face.
Whatever his motives, he was now a direct obstacle.
Jiang Chen, oblivious to the Tsaritsa's impending visit, wouldn't have cared even if he knew.
Let her come.
Maybe he'd even ask to examine her Gnosis while she was at it.
As for the two dead Harbingers?
They had it coming.
No further explanation needed.
By the time Jiang Chen returned to Liyue Harbor, night had fully descended.
Rather than heading home, he made a beeline for the Jade Chamber—planning to mooch dinner off Ningguang while discussing the Akasha Terminal's expansion.
He found her dining alone by the window, savoring the night view—a rare moment of leisure for the ever-busy Tianquan.
"Set another place."
His voice startled her, but she quickly called out:
"Baixiao!"
Jiang Chen materialized across from her.
Moments later, Baixiao entered with an extra set of utensils, inwardly grumbling.
This guy just appears out of nowhere like a ghost!
Next time, will he just pop up silently beside Ningguang's bed?!
Shuddering at the thought, she set the table and left—knowing the two had matters to discuss.
"Was it Azhdaha today?"
Ningguang poured Jiang Chen tea (knowing he disliked alcohol) while inquiring about the commotion at Tianqiu Valley.
"Yes."
"And I also visited Sumeru."
"This is for you—soon, it'll work here too."
He handed her the Akasha Terminal.
Ningguang blinked in surprise.
"Sumeru's Akasha Terminal?"
She knew of the device—but it only functioned in Sumeru, didn't it?
Jiang Chen grinned.
"The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata is back."
"I've arranged for the Terminal's network to expand across Teyvat."
"Try it out—you'll see."
With this, the true information age could begin.
Now, they just needed to populate it with content.