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Chapter 38: Jean Guesses the Truth
"A traveler named Lumine?"
Jean nodded thoughtfully. "So, we need to wait for this traveler to arrive before we can fully resolve Dvalin's corruption?"
"That's right," Venti confirmed. "But keep in mind, the Abyss Order is involved in this incident. I cannot act openlyâotherwise, they will recognize my weakened state."
Venti spoke with a calm expression, effortlessly weaving his lie. "Also, you should avoid using your new purification abilities in front of the Abyss Order. If they realize Mondstadt possesses such power, it will bring unnecessary trouble to the city."
Jean's expression turned serious. "I understand."
At this moment, she fully grasped the Archon's dilemma. Lord Barbatos has not yet regained his full strength. They needed to buy time for him.
After a brief pause, Jean hesitated before asking, "Lord Barbatos, is there anything I can do to help you recover your strength?"
Venti waved a hand dismissively. "I'll handle that myself. For now, focus on strengthening Mondstadt. Clear out the monsters near the city, and in doing so, you'll grow stronger, too."
He gave Jean a small, knowing smile. "Jean, I have high hopes for you. You possess the same virtues as Vennessa. I trust you will continue to lead Mondstadt forward."
Jean's breath caught.
Vennessa.
The great hero of Mondstadtâthe warrior who once led her people to freedom.
The woman Jean had admired since childhood.
Hearing such praise from Barbatos himself felt like a dream.
If Barbara knew about this, she would be so envious...
Jean clenched her fists in determination. "Yes, Lord Barbatos! I won't let you down!"
The moment she finished speaking, Venti and Aiden vanished into thin air.
Jean exhaled slowly.
"As expected of Lord Barbatos..." she murmured.
But as her thoughts settled, something tugged at her memory.
That other man⊠why did his aura feel so familiar?
Had she met him before?
Shaking her head, Jean dismissed the thought. "I should focus on understanding this Chat Group first."
She pinched her thigh, just to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The sharp sting confirmed reality.
Pulling up the group member list, her eyes widened slightly.
Aiden.
So he's here, too...
Jean's mind raced. The distinct wind aura she had felt earlierâit was his.
No wonder his presence had seemed so familiar!
If Aiden is involved⊠then everything starts to make sense.
This Chat Groupâthis mysterious abilityâcould very well be his doing.
And if Aiden knew Barbatos personally, thenâŠ
Jean's gaze shifted to another name on the list.
Wendy.
Her heart pounded.
The clothing⊠the mannerisms⊠the elemental auraâŠ
Could it be?
No.
Jean exhaled and quickly dismissed the idea. If Lord Barbatos doesn't wish to reveal his identity, then I shouldn't pry.
She would pretend not to know.
---
Liyue, Qixing Headquarters
"So, Jean has joined the Chat Group."
The moment Jean's name appeared in the list, Keqing stormed into Ningguang's office.
"If we hesitate any longer, we might miss our best opportunity," Keqing said urgently.
Ningguang sighed, rubbing her temples. "Calm down. This may not be a bad thing."
Keqing frowned. "How is this not bad? Mondstadt is strengthening itself while we sit here and wait! If we keep delaying, Inazuma, Sumeru, or even Fontaine might get involved before we do. That would only make things more complicated!"
Instead of responding, Ningguang gave Keqing a strange look.
Keqing blinked. "What?"
"Keqing, think logically," Ningguang said smoothly. "Inazuma? Completely isolated. The Sakoku Decree ensures that no one enters or leaves. Aiden won't be going there anytime soon."
Keqing pursed her lips but said nothing.
"As for Sumeru," Ningguang continued, "their Dendro Archon has been missing for centuries. The Akademiya controls everything, and they're far too arrogant to take an outsider's wisdom seriously."
Ningguang's voice dripped with mild disdain.
"Sumeru scholars believe their knowledge surpasses all others. Even if one of them did join the Chat Group, they would likely dismiss it as irrelevant."
She crossed her arms. "Though I must admit⊠their rainforests produce valuable resources. Liyue imports a great deal of food from Sumeru each year. We cannot afford to strain relations with them."
Keqing considered her words carefully. "So you're sayingâŠ"
"We must act quickly, but without panic."
For once, Keqing agreed. "Then let's move forward immediately."
Ningguang nodded. "Yes, it's time."
---
Meanwhile, in Mondstadt
Aiden had no idea that Keqing and Ningguang were already accelerating their plans.
He didn't particularly care, either.
In his view, both of them were competent enoughâif they couldn't handle the situation, then Morax himself would step in to clean up the mess.
At that point⊠well.
So much for human governance.
If the Qixing proved incapable of leadership, Aiden had no intention of leaving Liyue in their hands.
For now, though, he had more pressing concerns.
He stretched lazily, enjoying the comfort of Jean's guest room.
When he finally got up the next morning, he noticed someone quietly cleaning the living room.
A young girl dressed in a deaconess uniform.
Barbara.
Aiden smirked to himself.
It seemed Jean's little sister had arrived.
---
(*Author's Note: Personally, I've always believed that Jean knew about Venti's identity. After all, Dvalin directly calls him Barbatos later in the story. It would be strange for someone as intelligent as Jean to completely miss the signs.
Also, Wendy is just too suspicious. With Jean's abilities, it wouldn't take much investigation to confirm her suspicions.
Of course, this is just my interpretation!*)
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