Lu Chen looked at Zhuzi's panicked expression and wondered—was Ei really that intimidating?
"Alright, alright. Didn't we say not to get all worked up?"
"We're not here to cause you trouble."
Still visibly shaken, Zhuzi couldn't calm down. From the way she looked, you'd think she'd committed some grave, unforgivable sin.
"Lu? What's all that noise back there? Sounds like quite the commotion," Master Mao called curiously from the window of Wanmin Restaurant.
"It's nothing," Lu Chen waved. "Zhuzi just got a little too excited seeing an old friend. Master Mao, can I get another order of steamed black-backed perch?"
"Coming right up!" Master Mao called back.
"You two go ahead and eat. The steamed perch will be ready in a minute—"
At the outdoor table behind Wanmin Hall, only Lu Chen and Miko were eating.
It had been a long time since Lu Chen tasted the food at Wanmin Hall. Unfortunately, Xiangling wasn't around—Master Mao said she had gone off again, searching for exotic ingredients.
Miko nibbled on the grilled tiger fish Lu Chen brought her, eyes narrowing in contentment. She really had a thing for anything fried.
Ei, however, had no appetite. She simply looked at Zhuzi and gave her a gentle, reassuring smile.
"We only came to you for a small favor. We're not here to make things difficult."
Zhuzi looked up cautiously. "Really? General?"
Ei gave a slight nod. "Of course. I won't pursue your past actions. And if you complete what I ask of you, I'll reward you handsomely. Your parents back in Inazuma will benefit too."
Zhuzi didn't really care much for money—if she did, she wouldn't have set out to travel the world. But hearing that the General herself would forgive her crime made her heart waver.
"What would you like me to do...?"
"Deliver a message," Lu Chen said, handing her two prepared envelopes.
"There are two letters. This one is for the Kamisato family—make sure you personally hand it to the family head, Kamisato Ayato. The other is for Beidou, the leader of the Crux Fleet. It's your letter of introduction. Give it to her, and she'll take you back to Inazuma."
"B-Back to Inazuma...?" Zhuzi blinked, stunned.
"I know what you're thinking," Miko said with a graceful smile, dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief. "After all, you risked everything to escape from Inazuma."
Zhuzi nodded. She didn't know who Miko was, but from her elegance and poise, she could tell she was someone important.
"If you succeed," Miko said with a wink, "you won't have to sneak back and forth between Liyue and your homeland anymore. And neither will anyone else from Inazuma~"
"You mean..."
"We're lifting the isolation decree," Lu Chen said directly.
"R-Really?!" Zhuzi's eyes widened in disbelief.
Ei nodded. "It's true. But making it happen will take effort from all of us. Your help is important."
Lu Chen looked at her. Zhuzi was the only person in Liyue who both came from Inazuma and knew it well. Anyone else probably wouldn't even find the Kamisato Estate, much less make it through Ritou.
The letter to the Kamisato family was meant to warn Ayato and Ayaka about the Fatui, and the schemes of the Tenryo and Kanjou Commissions. It also included directives for handling the ongoing war with Watatsumi Island. With the real Raiden Shogun absent, Inazuma was like a headless dragon. Someone needed to lead.
Lu Chen and Ei both trusted the Kamisato family.
He imagined the siblings' confusion upon receiving the letter. Weren't they preparing to resist the Vision Hunt Decree? Now the Shogun herself had "defected"?
The story sounded so ridiculous that Lu Chen worried Ayato might not believe it. So he included a token in the letter.
The Kamisato family had once been favored by the Raiden Shogun. All three—Lu Chen, Ei, and Miko—were considered benefactors to their household. Lu Chen believed Ayato was smart enough to steady Inazuma through the coming chaos.
Zhuzi left Wanmin Hall overwhelmed—torn between fear and elation. Just as she stepped out, Master Mao appeared with a steaming bowl of boiled black-backed perch.
"Eat up!" Lu Chen pushed the fish toward Ei.
Ei didn't seem that interested. She picked up a rice bun from the side instead.
After a small bite, she let out a soft hum. It was slightly sweet, and she liked it.
Still, seeing Lu Chen's disappointed look, she reluctantly added a piece of fish to her plate.
Lu Chen grinned—until Ei was hit by the spice and started coughing nonstop, her cheeks turning bright red.
Lu Chen quickly patted her on the back, thinking, So much for changing her palate...
After the meal, the day had grown late.
Lu Chen bid Master Mao farewell, then strolled through the streets of Liyue with Ei and Miko. He also left word at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and Bubu Pharmacy.
Time was running out—and right before it ended, a small incident occurred.
Lu Chen spotted Ningguang hurrying toward them with several Millelith soldiers in tow. She seemed to be looking for them. But just as she approached—
The mission timer hit zero, and the trio vanished into thin air.
Back in Woodcutter's Valley, in a quiet farmhouse, Xiao—still unconscious—slowly faded from the bed as well. The blanket collapsed gently over the now-empty mattress.
...
[Time Remaining: 0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds]
[Return initiated...]
When Lu Chen opened his eyes again, he was back in the familiar modern setting of the RV.
At the same time, six pairs of eyes stared at him—unblinking. The mood was... strange.
"Lu Chen!?" Barbara's bright blue eyes sparkled. "You're finally back!"
"Yeah... we're back." Lu Chen looked around. Everyone was here.
Venti took off his headphones. Zhongli set down his teacup. Qiqi and Hu Tao sat side by side—probably watching TV before—and both turned to look at him. Even Diluc, who should've been busy at his coastal store, was here, visibly tired.
Venti stepped over and frowned. "How could you not tell us anything about something this serious? You disappeared after drinking with Tony, and then Barbara said you went back to Teyvat. I thought she was just giddy from her performance and making things up..."
Lu Chen gave an apologetic smile. "It was kind of urgent. Sorry about that..."
"Exactly! Such a huge thing!" Hu Tao huffed. "When I heard what happened, I rushed right over! I was worried you'd kick the bucket and become my next client!"
Lu Chen looked at them all—those who had gone to the Starlight Carnival and those who hadn't. They'd all gathered here like they were keeping vigil. He was genuinely moved.
But the most urgent matter now... was Xiao.
After gently placing the unconscious Xiao on the bed by the window, everyone's expression turned serious.
Venti leaned in anxiously. "What happened? Why's he in this state?"
"Karmic backlash?" Zhongli checked Xiao's pulse, golden eyes narrowing.
"Yes. And it was unlike anything before," Lu Chen said with a nod. "But... better one short pain than endless suffering. From now on, Xiao won't be tormented by karmic debt again."