Upon learning Xiao's true identity, the self-proclaimed "Adeptus Who Grasps the Stars and Seizes the Heavens" became extremely excited.
[Adeptus Who Grasps the Stars and Seizes the Heavens said excitedly: "To think I'd actually meet the legendary 'Vigilant Yaksha, Guardian Yaksha' in my lifetime!"]
Wang Ping'an: I've always believed in your existence!
Other readers, however, were somewhat displeased - how did this guy get to meet his idol? Why him! We want to see the Vigilant Yaksha's gorgeous face too!
It's all Shikikan's fault for describing Xiao's appearance multiple times in the book, making us unbearably curious. Yet the illustrations only show Xiao's mask and back - never his face! How cruel!
After reading this story, it seems to have fixed the "bug" where Liyue people only worshipped Rex Lapis. Now they adore both Rex Lapis and Xiao equally, with Xiao's fanbase in Liyue skyrocketing.
Liyue now truly feels vibrant and full of life. Some worship the God of Salt, others the God of the Stove, some the yakshas, others Ganyu and Shenhe, and of course there are those who worship "that woman."
But what's more remarkable is that nearly all of them still worship Rex Lapis simultaneously. Only Rex Lapis remains the eternal faith - "Come back, my proudest faith~!"
Beyond Liyue, the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt and the Matra in Sumeru also greatly enjoy the yaksha stories. Though in Sumeru, since Lucian's books were labeled "Forbidden Knowledge" by the sages, few people read them openly.
Meanwhile in Fontaine, nearly every member of the Maison Gardiennage has read them, as they were personally recommended by their great Lady Furina.
In the story, the fraudster revealed his "fan credentials" - he had grown up listening to tales of Xiao. Liyue readers complained: "Seeing this guy so happy hurts worse than death itself - why does he get rewarded?!"
The impostor continued explaining how after finding a "Sigil of Permission," he initially just enjoyed pretending to be an Adeptus before gradually going down a darker path. Essentially, he got too into roleplaying and lost touch with reality.
The real Wang Ping'an nodded along, grateful Lucian's book had exposed Xiao's existence early in Chapter 1, allowing him to be "guided back" by his idol before straying too far.
[Adeptus Who Grasps the Stars and Seizes the Heavens: "From now on I shall forsake evil, live virtuously, and never again tarnish the Adepti's reputation!"]
This indeed reflected Wang Ping'an's real-life actions - since reading about Xiao, he'd dedicated himself to good deeds. He performed them anonymously, only recommending others read "Records of the Guardian Yakshas."
Readers remained dissatisfied though - this guy meets his idol, makes a promise, and that's it? Where's the justice? Nevermind whether he'll keep his word - what about reimbursing his victims?
The story continued as the Traveler returned to Wangshu Inn to question the owner.
[Paimon: "Boss, was the 'Adeptus Who Grasps the Stars and Seizes the Heavens' staying here?"]
[Verr Goldet: "'Adeptus Who Grasps...' Oh, you mean that fake Adeptus with the mask?"]
["His registered name here was 'Wang Ping'an.'"]
Many readers chuckled - the name hardly matched his behavior. Nobody was surprised the owner saw through his act, given the real Adeptus Xiao lived there. She'd even instructed Yanxiao to look after Xiao, clearly knowing his identity.
[Verr Goldet: "He's already checked out, saying he wanted to travel the mountains alone..."]
["Oh, he left a note for any traveler accompanied by a 'talking fairy spirit' who came asking after him."]
[Paimon: "Talking fairy spirit? Who's that?"]
This exchange drew more laughter - adorable Paimon kept collecting nicknames. Fortunately she was currently cheering by the shore and didn't see this part, or she might have "set the sea ablaze" to roast everyone like fish.
The letter explained Wang Ping'an's repentance and decision to wander as an ascetic. Several passages stood out:
[I, who falsely claimed to be an Adeptus, always wore a mask.]
[Yet the true Adeptus only dons his mask before evil spirits.]
[If my mask concealed a heart corrupted by evil...]
[Then the Vigilant Yaksha's mask hides the part of him that resembles humans.]
He mentioned returning all ill-gotten gains and gifting useless items to the Traveler.
[Waiter: "What would you like to order, sir?"]
[Xiao: "Grilled Tiger Fish."]
[Paimon: "Not Almond Tofu?"]
[Xiao: "This... was what Pervases enjoyed in life..."]
[Xiao: "I merely wished... to taste it for myself."]
[Xiao: "'Braving storms to hunt the tiger in seas; Returning through snow to slay demons with ease.'"]
'Alatus Chapter: Act I: The Butterfly in the Sophora, the Dream of Exorcism - End'
Readers finally nodded in approval, though some still felt he deserved jail time. Since he returned everything, he might truly keep his promise.
"That human part..." Xiao gazed at his demon-conquering mask. He never considered himself like other yakshas - they had lives beyond slaughter, while he knew nothing else. The others had tried integrating with humanity; he alone avoided such thoughts. Or perhaps he'd considered it, then instinctively retreated. After his siblings' deaths, the idea vanished completely. He couldn't fathom having any "human" aspects - that belonged to other yakshas.
Guizhong had already crafted Xiao-themed automatons (not for profit, but to help Liyue remember him). Yaksha stories need no pity or tears, but their sacrifices deserve remembrance. What better way than making them part of daily life?
After finishing the story, Barbara grew even more awed by Lord Barbatos' greatness. While Xiao's tale was moving and heroic, wasn't Barbatos equally magnificent for saving him at a crucial moment? She prayed Barbatos might relieve Xiao's karmic burdens.
Inazumans sighed wistfully - guardian yakshas... Their archon had once been like that, but their generation had never witnessed it. What had the Raiden Shogun and great youkai truly accomplished? They longed to know!
Shikikan, when will you write Inazuma's stories?!
...On second thought, given Inazuma's current situation... better not.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Lucian: About Xiao
"That guy? He might seem cold and aloof, but he's actually quite approachable. I wrote about how short he is, and he hasn't stabbed my knees with his Primordial Jade Winged-Spear yet, has he?"