When Su Han arrived at the Jade Chamber, someone was already there, having waited for a long time.
This person was the Anemo Archon, Venti.
Three days ago, Su Han had repelled Stormterror and threatened Venti, demanding compensation. If he refused, he would attack Mondstadt.
To appease his anger, the Anemo Archon had been racking his brain for the past three days.
Su Han handed the pastries to Klee and said with a smile, "Here you go. This is what big brother specially prepared for you. There are over twenty different kinds inside."
"Wow! Big Brother, you're the best!" Klee opened the bag. Inside were pastries shaped like little animals, which instantly captured the little loli's heart.
Seeing the little cutie's attention completely absorbed by the pastries, Su Han gave Shenhe a look. She understood and took Klee off to play in the distance.
Su Han turned to Venti and said, "Lord Anemo Archon, have you prepared the compensation? And just to be clear, I have no interest in those old vintage wines of yours."
"Uh… don't worry. The things I've prepared will definitely satisfy you," Venti said, taking out three items: a pendant, a pair of shoes, and a bracelet.
All three items radiated a rich elemental power, and their style was ancient and simple. One could tell at a glance that they were items with a long history.
"What are these?"
"They were once the relics of my comrades in arms. I have kept them in my collection for a long time. Now, I'm giving them to you. Don't underestimate these three things."
"The 'Tear of the Azure Sky' was my friend's most beloved treasure. It can not only gather the Hydro element but also heal its wearer during battle."
"The 'Dandelion Breeze Boots' are the same. Their effect is to allow the user to walk on the wind and soar through the sky for a short time."
"And the third item is Vennessa's bracelet. It can create a powerful Anemo shield to protect the user from harm."
Looking at the three items he had given away, Venti's eyes were full of nostalgia.
His former companions were all gone now. If not for the matter with Dvalin, he would never have taken out these sentimental objects.
After he finished, Venti looked at Su Han and asked, "Are these items enough?"
"They're enough! I didn't realize you were so generous. As expected of the Lord Anemo Archon, truly magnanimous," Su Han said with a wide smile as he accepted the treasures.
But for some reason, seeing his smile, Venti felt the urge to vomit. This person is so disgusting. When there's no benefit, he curses me out. When there are benefits, it's 'Lord Anemo Archon,' is it?
"Alright, since the compensation has been paid, I should be going. I hope that Liyue and Mondstadt's relationship will not worsen because of the Stormterror incident."
"You can rest assured about that. I, Su Han, will absolutely not carry out a personal vendetta. Our Liyue and Mondstadt are brothers," the man said righteously.
Venti's face turned black. He snorted. "You have a very special way of treating your brothers." Threatening to attack Mondstadt at the drop of a hat. Whoever becomes your brother has truly had eight lifetimes of bad luck.
Seeing the Anemo Archon turn to leave, Su Han suddenly reminded him, "You don't have the ability to purge the Abyssal poison from Dvalin's body, do you? Just like how Zhongli has no way of stopping Azhdaha's erosion."
"There are some things that even Archons cannot do," Venti said, stopping in his tracks without turning around. He wasn't as incompetent as Su Han made him out to be. It was just that he really couldn't purify the poisoned blood in Dvalin's body.
Hearing this, Su Han said, "Perhaps you should go and see Dvalin now. His condition should have improved somewhat."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Venti turned, looking at him with confusion. He didn't understand what he meant. Dvalin should be recuperating from his injuries right now. Why would he say that his condition had improved?
Su Han explained, "My power is a bit special; it can purify the power of the Abyss. The attack that day was my full strength. Maybe, and I'm just saying maybe, Dvalin has regained some of his clarity."
At the time, he had used his Purification Power at full blast. Perhaps Dvalin had obtained some relief because of it.
Venti nodded. "Alright, I'll go and see Dvalin. If it's really as you say, then please, lend me a hand." Before Su Han could reply, he had already turned into a clear breeze and vanished from the Jade Chamber.
Just then, Ningguang, who had heard that the Anemo Archon had arrived, came rushing over. But when she entered the hall, she saw only Su Han sitting on a chair.
"Where is the Anemo Archon?"
"The singer-bard dropped off the treasures and left. This is the compensation he sent. You can choose one. They are all ancient relics from the Anemo Archon's companions."
It had been a long time since he had given Ningguang a gift. Today was a good opportunity.
Ningguang looked at the three items on the table, and her gaze was ultimately drawn to the sapphire pendant. The magnificent blue gem was simply too beautiful.
Su Han glanced at the pendant and felt that it was also very suitable for Ningguang. "Here, let me put it on for you."
It had to be said, for a beauty of the elegant and noble type, wearing this kind of accessory was a perfect match.
Ningguang looked at the pendant on her chest and asked with a smile, "Is it beautiful?"
"Of course. It's just that your current dress doesn't quite match. It would be better if you changed into something else."
"I'm afraid that if I did change, a certain someone would get jealous again," Ningguang said, rolling her eyes at him, not believing his words at all.
Her current dress was of the conservative type that didn't show any skin. The long dress that showed her thighs, she hadn't worn it in a long time. As for why, it was because of this bad man in front of her, who said he didn't like other merchants staring at her.
Su Han chuckled. "We can just wear it at home."
"Hmph. In your dreams! Since there's nothing else, I'll be going back now. I originally rushed over because I was afraid you would get into a fight with the Anemo Archon, but I didn't expect to be a step too late. I hope the Anemo Archon won't be angry after being swindled by you."
"Angry? I'm afraid that Anemo Archon will have to thank me later," Su Han said with a look of disdain.
Ningguang was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
You cut off his companion's wing. Does he have to thank you for that? Unless he's gone mad.
Su Han grinned. "You just wait and see. In all likelihood, the Anemo Archon will have to come and beg me."
As long as the Traveler, Lumine, was not awake, that guy Barbatos definitely had no way of clearing the Abyssal poison in Dvalin's body. If his Purification Power had an effect on Dvalin, then in no more than two days, Venti would have to come back.
Ningguang couldn't be bothered to play riddle games with him and left with her secretaries.
At this time, inside Stormterror's Lair, Dvalin was sleeping in his nest. The wound on his tail had long since scabbed over. He was a dragon, after all, and his self-healing ability was very strong. However, it would still take some time to grow back his wing.
But he didn't know why, ever since he had returned that day, he felt that his mind was much clearer, and he no longer fell into that state of madness and chaos.
Today was the same. Dvalin lay in his ruined nest, the blood-red color in his eyes having faded a great deal. However, the poisoned blood in his body still tormented him.
Sigh, who can save me? I don't want to lose my mind either. But it's just too painful.
Recalling the recent period was like a nightmare. The pain in his body could not be resolved, and he wanted to ask for help, but no one could hear his voice. In the end, Dvalin could only become an angry avenger, walking the path of destruction and chaos.
Outside Stormterror's Lair, because of Dvalin's recovery, the wind here was no longer so violent, and instead had a gentle feel to it.
Two hours later, Venti, riding a gentle breeze, arrived. He looked at the changes in Stormterror's Lair with a surprised expression.
"This is… the storm has weakened. Could it be that what that guy said was true?" Venti couldn't quite believe it, but everything before him confirmed Su Han's guess.
Perhaps Dvalin had really recovered a little. However, so as not to provoke him, Venti still chose to hide his body and sneak in. At this moment, he was like a little thief, his advance very slow.
It took him a full hour to reach the center of the ruins. He closed his eyes and felt the taste of the storm. The aura of destruction had indeed lessened a great deal.
"I hope Dvalin has recovered some of his clarity. Otherwise, I'm really at my wits' end," Venti thought. Although he had been swindled by Su Han, he still hoped to be able to save his companion, Dvalin.
He continued to advance until he reached the underground lair, without being driven away or discovered. This made Venti breathe a sigh of relief.
However, as he landed, Dvalin, who had been sleeping, opened his eyes. A trace of blood flashed through them.
"It is you, Lord Barbatos."
"Dvalin, you… you've really regained your clarity?"
"Mm. However, the poisoned blood in my body has not been purged. I don't know why I've become so much clearer. It seems that after I was injured a few days ago and came back, I just woke up after a sleep," Dvalin said, confirming Su Han's guess.
Venti's face was full of joy. For Dvalin to not be in a frenzy and to be able to communicate with him was truly wonderful.
"I'm so sorry, my companion. For five hundred years, this is the first time I've known that you were injured because of my summons. And even knowing that you were suffering, I was unable to save you. I'm truly sorry."
Looking at the sincere Anemo Archon, Stormterror sighed. "At the time, I thought I would be fine. Unfortunately, I underestimated the power of the Abyssal poison. From that day on, I had always hoped you would come here. But as time went by, I waited and waited, and in the end, the ones who came were the people of the Abyss."
Venti's face flushed red. So it really is my fault. I was having too much fun outside. I thought that since there was no war, I didn't need to summon Dvalin. It was all my mistake.
However, Dvalin didn't mind these things, because Mondstadt was the most free nation, after all. He had not bound him, and he had not forced him.