Wangshu Inn.
This inn was built atop a massive stone pillar, serving mainly to provide food and lodging to passing travelers.
The owner, Verr Goldet, had ties with Ningguang of the Liyue Qixing. Any guest of special standing who entered Wangshu Inn would soon have their information passed onto Ningguang's desk.
Just like now. Koji and his companions, honored knights of Mondstadt's Knights of Favonius, were certainly not unknown figures.
"It's been so long since I last saw Yanfei. This time, I finally can," Eula said with some anticipation.
"You know someone in Liyue?" Noelle asked in surprise.
"Yes, I do. We have a good relationship. Back when we were tracking Abyss Order contraband, we happened to save Yanfei. Ever since then, we've stayed in touch by letter. She's a very good pen pal." Eula nodded.
"Yo, isn't that Adeptus Xiao? Not coming down to sit with us? We've got almond tofu here," Venti called up to the tattooed youth perched in the trees.
At hearing "adeptus," Xiao nearly lost his footing and fell headfirst.
"Please don't call me that." Xiao leapt down with helplessness in his voice.
For ordinary mortals, the title "adeptus" was fine, but in front of the Anemo Archon himself, one of the Seven presiding over the world, he couldn't bear it.
Xiao treated Barbatos with utmost respect—not just because of his identity as one of the Seven, but also because of the past.
Once, in battle, Xiao had exhausted his strength, and the karmic debt of his yaksha form erupted, eroding his sanity. Just as he was about to lose himself completely, a flute melody reached him, calming his mind and suppressing the corruption.
The one playing the flute had been Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. Only he could have done such a thing.
"Who's that?" Noelle asked curiously.
Anyone who could know the Anemo Archon was clearly no ordinary person.
"Hehe, this is the vigilant guardian of Liyue, the youthful adeptus, titled the 'Conqueror of Demons,' formally known as the Vigilant Yaksha, the Great General of Yakshas."
The voice was steady and resonant, like the solidity of rock itself, bringing reassurance with every syllable.
It came from a tall, poised, handsome man. His attire bore a strong resemblance to Huaxia traditions, his amber-golden eyes radiating the weight of ages, as if they had seen through all worldly splendor.
"!"
Xiao instinctively straightened. The Geo Archon himself had appeared. But it was understandable—since the Anemo Archon had entered Liyue, the Geo Archon could not ignore it.
Zhongli gave Xiao a slight nod, a silent gesture to treat him as an ordinary man of Liyue.
"Old man, long time no see." Venti grinned.
Eula and Noelle felt their breath stop. To be addressed this way by the Anemo Archon… Zhongli's identity was undeniable. The Geo Archon, Rex Lapis, the God of Contracts, Morax.
They had heard of him—an even older god than Barbatos.
No wonder his presence carried that extraordinary air.
"You drunkard, what are you doing in Liyue?" Zhongli said impatiently.
At such a critical time, he had no good face to give him. He strongly suspected the Anemo Archon had come just to stir up trouble.
"You just said yourself I've got nothing to do, so isn't it only natural I came to Liyue?" Venti laughed, his roguish grin showing he was here precisely because Zhongli didn't want him here.
Zhongli clenched his fist. If not for fear of exposing his identity, he would've already speared this bard into the ground.
"And these must be the renowned honorary knights?" Zhongli turned to Koji and Lumine with calm composure.
"Zhongli, have you ever seen my brother?"
With Venti having confirmed his identity, Lumine didn't hesitate to ask directly.
"I have. I cannot say too much. This is part of a contract. But in time, you will certainly meet him." Zhongli nodded.
As the God of Contracts, he would not violate agreements so easily.
Lumine nodded. Just knowing her brother wasn't imprisoned was already enough. She could search slowly.
But… if Aether was safe, yet still hadn't come looking for his sister, then from now on, he had no place at home.
"Purification."
Koji looked at Xiao. Raising his hand, he invoked the Blessing of Purification. A divine light descended, and the karmic debt plaguing Xiao for centuries dissipated into nothing.
"This…"
Xiao froze. The karmic debt—demonic resentment from slain gods—that even the Geo Archon could only suppress, was gone entirely.
A weightless relief washed over him, as though he had been given a new body.
"Such an astonishing ability. I must thank you, my friend." Zhongli's eyes flashed with rare surprise before softening into gratitude.
The yakshas had dwindled to only Xiao. Zhongli had long feared for his fate. To see Xiao freed was beyond price.
"Thank you. If ever you need, call my name, and I will answer."
Xiao bowed solemnly. This was his savior. Without this, he knew one day the karmic debt would have consumed him, turning him into a beast that would devastate Liyue.
"It's nothing. But if you continue cleansing demonic remnants, the debt will return," Koji warned.
"I understand."
Xiao did not mind. It had taken centuries to reach this state. Even if he could now endure for centuries more, it was worth it.
"…My friend, please accept this as thanks."
Zhongli thought for a moment, then produced a golden, interlocking device resembling a Luban lock: the Prison of Parting Dust.
It had been given to him by a young woman with wide sleeves, both as a covenant and as a challenge. Since Koji had purified karmic debt, this relic could serve as a gift. Guizhong would surely approve—she had once treated the yakshas as siblings.
To Koji, the Prison of Parting Dust was a familiar relic. To receive it from Zhongli was astonishing—it was practically a keepsake of Guizhong.
"?"
The moment he touched it, he sensed something strange within, though he showed no sign outwardly.
Hehe… got it.
"It's a beautiful lock. Though, I already have a weapon." Koji turned his hand, showing his Divine Sword: Dawn.
There was no stronger blade in all Teyvat.
"Indeed, a divine sword. Stronger than any weapon I have ever seen."
Zhongli's gaze lingered, his evaluation of Koji rising yet again.
Compared to Lumine, who had yet to recover her full strength, Koji's power was already overwhelming.
(End of Chapter)
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