[Pervases: "You came from the 'Vigilant Yaksha,' didn't you?"]
["I can sense his presence on you... and the increasingly thick scent of 'karmic debt.'"]
["Sigh... has he been enduring that pain for thousands of years still?"]
["It truly shames me."]
[Paimon: "Don't say that! You gave your life for Liyue too, didn't you?"]
[Pervases: "Though life is precious... compared to what the 'Vigilant Yaksha' bears, death is but a coward's escape."]
These words made many people's hearts ache for Xiao. Though he says yakshas need no sympathy or tears, how could anyone not feel sorrow for suffering worse than death itself?
Despite enduring this pain, he still eliminates demons and protects the righteous—never relinquishing his duty to guard Liyue even as the karmic debt grows heavier.
To bear this burden yet remain steadfast in protection for millennia—this is why everyone's hearts break for him.
Diluc and Rosaria nodded. Like Xiao, they too protect their nation from the shadows.
But they are merely human, with fleeting lifespans—they typically wouldn't live long enough to become entangled with karmic debt.
By contrast, Yae Miko should be more concerned about "karmic debt."
Fortunately, she prefers slacking off and isn't as diligent as Xiao, so karmic entanglement likely won't be her fate.
Moreover, karmic debt is intrinsically tied to the resentment of fallen gods. The yakshas suffered so terribly mainly because the battles in Liyue were exceptionally brutal—other regions didn't reach such extremes.
Returning to the story, Pervases sighed softly.
[Pervases: "Ah... how I wish I could taste authentic 'Grilled Tiger Fish' one more time..."]
["'Braving storms to hunt the tiger in seas; Returning through snow to slay demons with ease.'"]
[...A moment of silence]
Green hills and blue waters, souls drifting free;
Leisurely lives, fans swaying with glee.
Braving storms to hunt the tiger in seas;
Returning through snow to slay demons with ease.
Pervases' poem should be read in reverse: Because they "braved storms to hunt the tiger" and "returned through snow to slay demons," they could enjoy "green hills and blue waters" and "leisurely lives with swaying fans."
[Paimon: "He's... completely gone now, isn't he? I really hope someone will remember this yaksha named 'Pervases.'"]
Paimon's wish came true—because Lucian wrote this story into a book, now everyone remembers.
Just like with Guoba's tale, the stories of the yakshas are gradually returning to public awareness.
But this is only one part of the yakshas' saga—many readers are already emotionally devastated.
Who knows how they'll react when they read about Bosacius' story later...
Xiao was currently wondering: How many days until Pervases' memorial? I should bring some Grilled Tiger Fish for him too.
Yanxiao, ever considerate, was already researching how to perfect this dish.
"Pervases..." Cloud Retainer lamented, "This Adeptus shall go fish hunting at once!"
"Such impatience," Lucian remarked, shrugging.
"You're coming with me!" Cloud Retainer grabbed Lucian's arm.
"You're the only Hydro Vision-bearer present," she noted, eyeing the Vision at his waist.
"..." Lucian fell silent. Damn... she's right!
Without another word, Lucian immediately grabbed the Traveler's hand—misfortune loves company!
The Traveler reacted swiftly, seizing Paimon in turn.
Meanwhile, Chongyun—who was with another Hydro Vision bearer—was also deeply moved.
After all, the yakshas and his exorcist family were essentially "colleagues."
Exorcists are merely human with fleeting lifespans, yet even within their brief lives, they suffer karmic erosion, often meeting painful ends.
It's unimaginable—just how thick must Xiao's accumulated karmic debt be after millennia? What kind of agony has he endured all these years?
Yakshas cannot grant wishes—because even their own wishes remain unfulfilled.
Yet they truly succeeded in protecting others' dreams, giving Liyue's people the space to realize their aspirations.
With all this... how could one not admire them?
In the story, the Traveler took the incense burner and seven-star lamp "borrowed" from Pervases to find Xiao, explaining Pervases' situation.
[Xiao: "So even 'Pervases' couldn't let go of Liyue... May Liyue's present peace put his spirit at rest."]
Xiao's use of "even" here is telling—because he himself is the yaksha who cannot let go of Liyue.
If anything, seeing Liyue's current peace would indeed reassure Pervases—hence his final line about "leisurely lives with swaying fans."
The Adepti's protection, the yakshas' vigilance, Marchosius' sacrifices, and Rex Lapis' planning weren't in vain—today's Liyue thrives in peace.
Yet regrets remain—like never sharing another meal of Grilled Tiger Fish with old comrades.
In the story, Xiao and the Traveler began preparing an Adeptal ritual. Xiao specifically warned against carelessness, lest it backfire and sever soul from body.
For some reason, Paimon blushed faintly upon hearing this.
(No idea why—she just did during the quest. Cute, though.)
If a soul truly became severed, it would be Director Hu's time to shine! How about a premium coffin, compliments of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
The body could be buried properly, the soul sent to the afterlife—everyone gets a bright future!
But the Traveler in the book clearly wouldn't give Hu Tao more business, successfully completing the ritual instead.
[Adeptus Who Grasps the Stars and Seizes the Heavens (Spirit): "This is... Hm? You seem familiar."]
The fraudster's spirit had been summoned.
[Traveler: "Omae wa mou shindeiru."]
[Adeptus Who Grasps the Stars and Seizes the Heavens: "Na-nani!?"]
["Impossible... This Adeptus must be dreaming!"]
Seeing his disbelief, the Traveler decided to personally convince him—with fists. Whether this was to prove he wasn't dreaming or for personal satisfaction remained unclear.
[Adeptus Who Grasps the Stars and Seizes the Heavens: "S-stop! I surrender...!"]
After a thorough beating, even his habit of calling himself "This Adeptus" was cured.
["Spare me, great Adepti! There won't be a next time, I swear!"]
He was addressing Xiao and the Traveler—clearly excluding Paimon.
Luckily Paimon wasn't present, or she'd have waved her tiny fists while offering sharp commentary!
(Though she'd only dare comment—not actually fight.)
[Xiao: "You've spent your days deceiving others, impersonating Adepti, exorcising without eliminating evil—endangering countless lives."]
["Continue this path, and you'll be ensnared by demons—plunged into eternal damnation."]
Hearing this, the readers frowned.
It reminded them of Shenhe's father—wasn't he exactly such a case? Lured by demons into irreversible ruin?
In the book, the fraudster was utterly cowed by Xiao's 2.8-meter-tall aura.
[Adeptus Who Grasps the Stars and Seizes the Heavens (clasping hands reverently): "M-may I ask... your honorable name?"]
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Xiao: About Pervases
"He too was a brave and skilled yaksha. May he rest without pain now... Liyue's burdens... I'll carry them."