Only Yu Jin was left in the Good Hunter Restaurant. After Lisa briefly understood the characteristics of the Golden Tree Sapling, she couldn't wait to go back and study it.
According to her, there was also an alchemist named Albedo in Dragonspine, whose knowledge might even surpass hers.
So she wanted to study the Golden Tree Sapling thoroughly with Albedo. The original Great Golden Tree had indeed filled her with awe, making her unable to even think of studying it.
However, this Golden Tree Sapling, which she had personally nurtured to sprout, was a different story. It was still small and within human comprehension.
Time gradually passed. Under the surprised gaze of Sara, the Good Hunter Restaurant's waitress, Yu Jin stayed at an outdoor table from morning until evening.
As expected of a Great Adventurer, he easily accomplished what others could not!
Not long after the fiery clouds appeared in the sky, the scattered Black Knives gathered together again.
Soon, the Good Hunter Restaurant, already crowded due to dining hours, became even more packed.
"Looks like you had a lot of fun?" Yu Jin looked at the various items the Black Knives had acquired, feeling a sense of relief.
They were finally starting to act like normal people.
"Yes, it felt really good." The Black Knives nodded, a smile gracing their lips as if recalling the daytime activities.
"When are we departing?" Yu Jin looked at the sky, stood up, and walked onto the street. He had been sitting for a long time and needed to stretch his legs.
"Probably tomorrow." The Black Knives followed closely behind Yu Jin.
"Then I'll go take a look too." Yu Jin nodded. He was genuinely curious how the Black Knives had arrived.
He had a hunch it was probably that guy Patches who arranged it. Speaking of Patches, he was also a mysterious fellow.
It seemed like he had experienced many worlds. Every time Yu Jin asked him, his bald head would shake like a rattle drum.
"Naturally." The Black Knives nodded, all agreeing.
Chatting and laughing along the way, Yu Jin and the Black Knives finally returned to their house in Mondstadt before nightfall.
Looking at the crowded courtyard, Yu Jin stroked his chin. This wouldn't do. Not everyone liked to hide in the shadows like the Black Knives.
If many people arrived all at once in the future, he might really have to sleep on the floor. It seemed he would need to find a bigger house sometime.
The courtyard was a bit noisy, with the Black Knives recounting their day's experiences to their companions. Looking at their lively and beautiful faces, one by one.
Yu Jin suddenly realized that they seemed to have never had anything to record their faces. Ordinary people might look in a mirror to check if their attire was appropriate, but they, for such things, would probably steer clear.
"Come here, let's gather together." Yu Jin waved his hand, calling the Black Knives to him.
"My King, do you have any commands?" The Black Knives obeyed Yu Jin, encircling him.
Yu Jin looked up at the Black Knives, then waved his hand downwards, "Squat down, a little lower, you're too tall."
The Black Knives did as they were told, gradually lifting their skirts and squatting down.
"Good, heads closer, let's huddle together." Yu Jin stood in the middle, directing the Black Knives to pose.
"Very good, three, two, one."
"Smile! Click!"
The final "Click!" sound was made by Yu Jin himself. Because the Kamera he was pretending to hold with his hands made no sound at all.
"Swish, swish, swish!" A total of twelve photos flew out from between Yu Jin's hands. One for each person, and Yu Jin kept one for himself.
"Judging by your appearances, I doubt you've even looked in a mirror. I'm taking your picture so you can compare it later and see if you were prettier when you were young or when you're old."
Yu Jin said as he tucked the photos into the Black Knives' hands.
"No, My King. This is a weakness, we don't need this." However, when it came to Alecto, she shook her head and did not accept it.
The faces of the Black Knives were meant to remain hidden in the dark; being able to walk in the sunlight was already a great blessing.
If she accepted a photo today, the Black Knives' weaknesses would only grow. The nature of the Black Knives did not allow them to leave any weaknesses.
"This is my test for you. When your faces are seen by everyone, but no one knows you are assassins, that is when you will truly be Black Knives."
"Simply hiding in the dark, anyone can do that. I hope you will be more unique."
Yu Jin seemed to have anticipated that Alecto would refuse him, so he eloquently spouted a string of words.
Alecto was silent for a moment, then smiled and took the photo, "Then, My King, please look forward to it."
"However, we have all shown our faces, but why is My King still hiding? Everyone has speculated about your appearance for a long time, and we are about to leave. My King, could you satisfy our small wish?"
Alecto looked at everyone smiling in the photo, and Yu Jin, who was still wearing his helmet in the center, slowly said.
As soon as Alecto finished speaking, Yu Jin felt the burning gaze behind him. Just as Alecto said, curiosity about Yu Jin's face was something everyone shared.
"…"
Yu Jin was silent for a moment. Then he smiled, scratched his head, and said, "Actually, it's not that I don't want to show you, it's just that I'm too ugly, and I'm afraid I'll scare you."
"Never mind, never mind."
Yu Jin said, also touching his cheek. He didn't know when he had become that ghastly appearance, but fortunately, as long as he covered it, it was fine.
"This subordinate spoke out of turn." Alecto saw Yu Jin's unnatural demeanor and realized she had said the wrong thing. She immediately knelt on one knee, lowering her head.
"It's alright, it's alright." Yu Jin helped Alecto and the others who had knelt with her to their feet. He himself was just a bit melancholic, it wasn't to the point of being unspeakable.
"Alright, you all continue chatting." Yu Jin sat back down in his chair, looking at the Black Knives not far away.
Aside from the initial awkwardness, the courtyard quickly became lively again. However, the topic always inexplicably drifted back to Yu Jin, which made him a little troubled.
The bright moon set in the west, and the rising sun appeared in the east.
The slightly golden morning light spilled into the courtyard, and a new day arrived.
"It seems it's almost time." The Black Knives looked up at the sun, which was halfway risen in the east.
Soon, their long dresses faded, and silver-black scales reappeared on their bodies.
Correspondingly, their figures also re-hid in the darkness.
"My King, let's go to a secluded place." The Black Knives said.
Yu Jin nodded and walked out, facing the morning light… Outside Mondstadt, there were vast plains, so finding a deserted place wasn't too difficult.
Soon, twelve figures appeared on a hillside: Yu Jin and the Black Knives.
The Black Knives and Yu Jin waited, and this wait did not last long. Accompanied by a vast and obscure aura, a constantly disintegrating and expanding spatial portal appeared not far ahead.
The border of the portal was red and gold, and inside it was bizarre and kaleidoscopic.
There was the aura of a Fire Keeper and Patches, which was normal. Yu Jin had known for a long time that the Fire Keeper was not simple.
But what truly surprised Yu Jin was that there was also the power of the Greater Will within it! When did that old bastard become so kind?
Yu Jin stepped forward and tried to reach out. A sudden sense of fragility came from his hand. Yu Jin knew that if his hand went any further, the spatial portal would completely collapse.
So he gave up trying and said to the Black Knives behind him, "Go back, it won't last much longer."
The Black Knives stepped forward and said to Yu Jin, who was deep in thought, "My King, do you have any other commands you need us to convey?"
"Heh, you found out after all." Yu Jin shook his head, then pulled out another letter.
"Go back and give him a message, just say: Greater Will, you old bastard, can you stop coveting The Lands Between? You're so petty."
"Finally, give him this letter too, and thank Him for me. Without Him, you wouldn't have been able to come."
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