Zhongli returned to Liyue. He knew Venti was determined to make a scene. He would deal with it when it happened. Annoying. The damn wine-drinking poet did it on purpose.
"The Mondstadt Honorary Knight purified the affliction on the Demon-Subduing Sage…"
On the Jade Chamber Ningguang received the courier from Wangshu Inn. Her brow lifted. Seated at the Celestial Balance position she knew something about karmic impurities.
"Arrive in Liyue and already win the Demon-Subduing Sage's friendship. This Honorary Knight is not ordinary." Ningguang smiled with meaning.
Adepti may have vanished from mortal sight for years. Their influence had not faded.
As for Zhongli she did not worry. Her inquiries found nothing decisive, but she could safely assume he was one of the adepti.
Fine. They would meet once the visitors reached Liyue Harbor.
An Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius deserved respect in other lands.
Wangshu Inn.
"Xiao, do you have a Dustsong Pot?" Koji asked.
"What is a Dustsong Pot?" Lumine asked, curious.
"A realm-teapot made by an adeptus. It can serve as a dwelling. The interior space is vast."
Lumine's eyes lit up. A portable home.
"I don't have a Dustsong Pot. Take this and when we reach Liyue Harbor ask Gechen for one."
Xiao produced a small golden jade plaque carved from a piece of amber and handed it to Koji.
Yakshas are fighters. Making a realm with adeptal power is Gechen's specialty.
"If Gechen sees this and has an extra Dustsong Pot she'll give you one."
It was a trinket Zhongli had forged long ago. Not powerful. A commemorative token. Gechen would understand at a glance.
Whoosh.
In the next moment Xiao vanished without a trace.
"Let's rest here one night. Tomorrow we head to Liyue Harbor." Koji said.
…
Next morning Koji and the others left Wangshu Inn. They crossed the Guili Plain and arrived at Liyue Harbor.
"Rock-element power. It's returning." Lumine held a crystal of Geo energy. As she expected, her elemental power was slowly restoring.
Eula and Noelle gaped. You could gain elemental power so easily?
Those who could not obtain a Vision would feel bitter.
Koji suggested, "Lumine, you could condense a meteor of rock from the sky and shout—"
"—Tenki Banshō!"
Pfft.
Venti spat. That move was way too familiar. It was the old man's signature skill. Don't ask him how he knew. He had experienced it personally.
"Never mind. Condensing a meteor is extravagant. I don't have that much elemental power." Lumine shrugged. She needed to conserve energy for fights.
From a high vantage they could see all of Liyue Harbor. Built into the mountain. Facing the sea. Ships came and went. Not as few as in the games.
Liyue Harbor. A gathering of a thousand ships and merchants. Prosperous. The largest trading port in Teyvat.
The antique architecture made Koji feel at home. It was like ancient China.
"So beautiful." Lumine said. She was moved.
"No wonder it's ruled by the old man." Venti admired.
"You go explore first. I'll look for the old man." Venti vanished. He was curious how the old man had been living in Liyue these years.
"I'll go find Yanfei. I'll meet you later." Eula went ahead. Noelle followed to reserve an inn. With the festival the crowds would be large and rooms scarce.
"Lumine, want to see Liyue from the sky?" Koji smiled.
"Huh?"
"I'll carry you."
Lumine blinked. She needed a wind glider to hover. They had to take off from Mount Tianheng behind the harbor.
She didn't want to start climbing so soon after arrival.
"Of course I'll carry you."
Koji hugged Lumine from behind. He used the protection of flight and lifted them into Liyue's sky.
"Your hand—"
Lumine's voice trembled. Not from fear. Koji's hand was too close to her slime.
Because she faced away, Koji did not see Lumine flush. She was embarrassed.
"A bit higher?" Koji inched his hand forward. So close it nearly touched.
Lumine's slime was not huge. It was not flat either.
"No!" Lumine turned red and glared. He was shamelessly taking advantage.
She had never suffered such loss. She turned her head to glare at the lecher.
"Mm."
Because they were so close Lumine's lips brushed Koji's. Their breaths touched.
Lumine's pupils shrank. Her face reddened.
Her first kiss.
Koji froze. What just happened? Lumine turned her face away quickly.
Lumine felt faint. Her carefully preserved first kiss was gone so carelessly.
"My first kiss. Lumine, you must take responsibility." Koji said.
Lumine's teeth itched with anger. She hadn't even said anything and he blamed her. Who wasn't someone's first kiss?
"Koji, did you do it on purpose or by accident?" Lumine was furious. The consequences were serious.
"You turned your head on your own, though I carried you into the sky." Koji protested. He hadn't intended to kiss her.
"…"
Lumine knew that. But it wasn't just his hand. If she hadn't turned, it wouldn't have happened. Both were responsible.
"Paimon, did you see anything?" Lumine asked, smiling kindly.
Paimon shook her head frantically. "Paimon saw nothing at all."
Her instinct said say nothing extra or be put into the cooking pot.
"The view above is nicer. Koji, do you think my brother is in Liyue?"
Koji stopped moving. Lumine relaxed into his embrace.
"You'll meet him." Koji did not answer directly.
In Liyue Lumine would encounter Aether face to face for the first time.
"If I meet Aether I'm probably no match. He woke earlier. His power might be fully restored. If needed, remember to help me." Lumine said.
Knowing her brother was awake in Teyvat felt wrong. If he had awakened long ago why didn't he come find her?
Maybe he was watching from somewhere, eating and drinking in comfort.
"All right. If you want me to beat up big-brother I know a few moves." Koji offered.
"Don't call him big-brother. Shameless." Lumine snapped.
(End of Chapter)
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