The aftermath of the battle was a scene of surreal calm. The remaining Hilichurls, their monstrous champions defeated, had scattered into the forest. The Geo Lawachurl stood frozen, a monument to its own thwarted rage, while the Cryo one had been methodically dismantled by Keqing and the Millelith.
Two of the Millelith warriors approached the immobilized Geo Lawachurl, carrying thick, heavy ropes. "We will transport it far from the village, where it can cause no more harm," one of them announced for Ren's benefit.
Keqing caught the lead warrior's eye and gave a subtle, almost imperceptible shake of her head, followed by a sharp, downward gesture. The message was clear and unspoken: Take it out of the child's sight, and then make sure it never threatens anyone again. Permanently. The warrior gave a curt, understanding nod. He would not have his men destroy the beast in front of Ren, but Liyue's justice would be served.
Ren, however, was already past the conflict. The moment the immediate danger was over, his focus had snapped back to his primary mission. He turned away from the subdued monster and walked over to the shaken but unharmed merchants, his expression shifting from one of intense concentration back to his usual bright, open innocence.
"Are you all alright?" he asked, his voice full of genuine concern. "That was scary. I'm glad no one was hurt." He then gestured to the heater prototype, which one of the Millelith had prudently moved to a safe location during the fight. "Now, as I was saying, this is a device to help keep you warm on cold nights like the one we're going to have soon..."
The merchants stared at him, their minds still reeling. This child… this small, goofy boy who had just single-handedly neutralized a creature that could shatter boulders, was now calmly, cheerfully, trying to sell them a heater. The sheer, profound absurdity of it was almost too much to process. They listened, their attention absolute, their respect and awe so profound it was almost a physical force. They didn't just see an inventor anymore; they saw a protector, a pint-sized guardian angel.
With the situation on the road finally settled, the delegation, now accompanied by the grateful merchants and villagers, made their way to their final destination: Qingce Village.
Nestled in a valley of breathtaking beauty, surrounded by terraced fields that climbed the hillsides like giant green staircases, Qingce was a picture of peace. But the news of the attack, and of their miraculous rescue, had traveled faster than they had.
As they entered the village, they weren't met with the skepticism they had encountered elsewhere. They were met with a hero's welcome.
The village elder, a kindly woman with a face as wrinkled and wise as the ancient trees that dotted the landscape, greeted them personally at the village entrance. "We have heard what you did," she said, her voice full of a deep, heartfelt gratitude as her gaze fell upon Ren. "You protected our people. You protected our friends. The blessings of the Geo Archon are surely upon you, child."
The story had already taken on a legendary quality. The merchants, their voices full of awe, recounted the tale to the assembled villagers—how the monsters had appeared from nowhere, and how the small, blue-eyed boy had stood against them, not with a sword, but with shields of unbreakable ice and a power that seemed to command the very winter.
That evening, Ren once again gave his demonstration in the main village square. This time, the entire population of Qingce was present, from the youngest children to the oldest grandparents. They listened with rapt attention, their faces full of a reverence and trust that was absolute. When he switched on the heater and its gentle, smokeless warmth began to spread, a collective sigh of wonder and appreciation went through the crowd.
The villagers would not hear of them leaving. "You are our honored guests!" the elder insisted. "You have protected us. You must stay the night. We will prepare a feast!"
The atmosphere was one of joyous celebration. The villagers helped the shaken merchants settle their goods and tend to their minor wounds. They treated the Millelith warriors not as guards, but as honored champions, plying them with fresh spring water and local delicacies.
And Ren… Ren was the undisputed star of the village. He was no longer just a delegate from the Harbor; he was "the little hero."
The children of the village, their initial shyness overcome by a deep, reverent curiosity, flocked to him. They would follow him as he explored the village, his boundless energy seemingly unaffected by the day's dramatic events. He frolicked through the terraced fields, his laughter echoing in the quiet valley. He would create small, harmless Cryo butterflies that would flutter around the giggling children, who would chase them until they dissolved into sparkling mist.
The elderly, in particular, adored him. They would watch from the porches of their homes as he played, their faces full of fond, gentle smiles. His innocence, his bright and cheerful nature, was a balm after the terror of the attack. He was a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in a world with monsters, there was also a profound and powerful goodness.
As the sun set, casting a warm, golden glow over the tranquil village, Keqing stood on a small bridge, watching the scene. She saw Ren sitting with a group of elderly women, patiently explaining the regulator dial on a small, hand-drawn diagram, while a gaggle of children played nearby with a small, glowing Cryo boar he had just created for them.
A rare, genuine smile touched her lips. This mission had been a resounding success, but not in the way she had expected. She had come to sell a product and had ended up witnessing a legend in the making. The goofy, brilliant, impossibly powerful child had not just won them a contract; he had won the hearts of the very people they had come to serve.