Above Liyue Harbor
The Xiao lanterns carried all the sincere wishes toward places touched by wind. The children of Liyue all hoped their wishes would be seen by the divine.
Just a few minutes after the lanterns rose, loud booms echoed through the air as blooming fireworks burst into view. In an instant, the atmosphere throughout Liyue Harbor grew even more heated.
The fireworks illuminated the entire darkened sky. They came in different colors, some forming interesting patterns that the children absolutely loved.
Everyone stood together, raising their hands to celebrate the beauty of this day. Couples embraced, enjoying their moment of romance.
Poets began improvising verses on the spot. Every year, Lantern Rite brought them endless inspiration.
Travelers from other nations quietly admired the unique customs and scenery. Even the Millelith soldiers rarely relaxed, watching the fireworks for a while.
---
Wanmin Restaurant
Wanmin Restaurant was equally bustling. Every private room and seat was filled, with people still waiting in line. The staff could hardly keep up.
"Haha! Chef Mao... another two kilos of good wine!"
Inside a luxurious private room, a woman named Beidou, captain of the Crux Fleet, shouted loudly. Her face was flushed red—clearly, she'd had quite a bit to drink.
"Go Beidou!"
"Nothing can stop our captain! Such tolerance for alcohol!"
The speakers were members of the Crux crew. Today, the entire fleet had rarely disembarked together to enjoy the feast.
"I... am Beidou! How could I possibly not... hold my drink?" Beidou's words began to slur, her body swaying unsteadily.
"You're drunk." Ningguang took small bites of her food, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Hearing this, Beidou immediately took offense. This old woman dared to doubt her drinking ability? Absolutely unacceptable.
"Ridiculous! I'm Beidou!" Beidou's vision started swimming. Maybe she'd shouted too loudly—her head suddenly throbbed.
"Captain, you okay?" The crew members drinking nearby asked with concern. They'd clearly seen her wince just now.
"I'm fine, fine. Keep drinking." Beidou waved it off, took a few deep breaths, and recovered her composure.
Hearing this, the crew dropped the subject. Pushing it further might upset her—they knew their captain's temperament.
"The mighty Captain Beidou of the Crux Fleet, reduced to such a pathetic state. Imagine if news got out." Ningguang covered her mouth with a light laugh.
In Ningguang's eyes, Beidou looked utterly undignified right now. Still, she had to admit—Beidou's capacity for alcohol was truly impressive.
She drank like it was water. An absolute beast.
"Heh heh, care for some, Lady Ningguang?" Beidou propped her chin on one hand, throwing a suggestive glance, once again challenging her.
Seeing this, Ningguang simply shook her head with a faint smile. This woman... if she weren't so sharp, Beidou might actually succeed in getting her drunk.
Just as Ningguang was about to respond, the door opened and Xiangling walked in.
"Sister Beidou! Your drinks are here!" Xiangling carried in a wooden crate of beverages, her face bright with smiles.
"Xiangling! Our fleet found plenty of new ingredients this time. Tomorrow, I'll take you to get them!" Beidou hooked an arm around Xiangling, announcing loudly.
"Thank you, Sister Beidou!"
Xiangling's face lit up with surprise. Every time Beidou returned, she brought ingredients and local specialties. The two were very close.
Not just Beidou—the entire Crux crew adored Xiangling. Seeing her arrive, everyone greeted her warmly.
"Xiangling, I've never seen you drink, little girl. How about joining us for some fun tonight?" Beidou pinched Xiangling's plump cheek with her slightly flushed hand.
"No... no thanks! I still have lots of work to do!" Xiangling quickly shook her head. Sister Beidou reeked of alcohol!
Seeing this, Ningguang cleared her throat lightly and came to Xiangling's rescue.
"Xiangling, you should head out now. I have matters to discuss with Captain Beidou."
At this, Xiangling beamed, said a quick goodbye to everyone, and swiftly exited the private room.
Watching her leave, Ningguang shook her head slightly. That girl always looked at her with a hint of suspicion, but regardless, she was still quite likable.
Seeing Xiangling sent away by that old woman, Beidou merely glanced at her dismissively before ignoring her. She grabbed another bottle from the crate and continued drinking with her crew.
"Crux Fleet!"
---
Third-Round Knockout
Beside Wanmin Restaurant stood an establishment specializing in beverages, named "Third-Round Knockout."
Business was booming here as well. Their unique snacks were excellent, and their drinks were top-notch.
The only downside was the owner's stinginess—always looking for loopholes to squeeze out a bit more profit.
Third-Round Knockout's fine liquor attracted all the drink enthusiasts and miners exhausted from a day's work. It was also a favorite spot for storytelling enthusiasts.
After all, you could enjoy a drink while listening to the storyteller Iron Tongue Tian spin his tales. What a life!
"Slap! There and then, Rex Lapis slammed the table and rose! His sharp gaze swept across the assembled adepti as he declared loudly:"
"'Let no foreign enemy continue their rampage unchallenged!'"
Iron Tongue Tian narrated rhythmically and passionately, his storytelling skills drawing the audience deep into the tale.
This place was also Zhongli's favorite haunt. If he weren't accompanying Director Hu, he'd probably have found a seat here long ago, quietly sipping tea and listening to stories.
Many assumed that storytelling audiences consisted mainly of the elderly. But two exceptions proved them wrong.
Both were young—outstanding representatives of the younger generation and Vision holders. Their names: Chongyun and Xingqiu.
Chongyun had planned to use Lantern Rite's bustling chaos to investigate areas where evil might lurk unnoticed. Unfortunately, Xingqiu intercepted him.
Through persistent persuasion and various forms of teasing, Xingqiu eventually wore Chongyun down. Left with no choice, Chongyun accompanied him to listen to stories.
Chongyun was an itinerant exorcist who traveled extensively to perform exorcisms. As heir to an exorcist clan, he'd possessed extraordinary abilities since childhood.
These abilities weren't learned from any master—they were innate, stemming from his "pure yang constitution."
This "pure yang constitution" caused demons and spirits to flee from Chongyun on sight. Despite his extensive combat experience, he'd never actually seen a single ghost or monster.
He diligently practiced exorcist arts and martial techniques, traveling far and wide to seek out rumored haunts of evil—all to prove his exorcism skills had nothing to do with his special constitution.
To this day, this exorcist still searched for places where spirits might appear.
His friend Xingqiu was the second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild in Liyue Harbor. Since childhood, he'd been known for his diligence in study and polite demeanor.
In everyone's eyes, Xingqiu was a rising star among the younger generation.
He appeared to be a refined, cultured youth, but he also possessed a surprisingly lively side.
Xingqiu's skills and knowledge earned widespread admiration, yet he occasionally vanished without warning.
Sometimes he'd visit Heyu Tea House to pester Mr. Yun for new beverage recipes. Other times, seizing the right moment, he'd present this same Mr. Yun with fine tea leaves.
All this effort aimed to motivate Mr. Yun to develop new operas, ensuring an endless supply of chivalrous tales for Xingqiu to enjoy.
Other times, he'd venture into the wilderness to perform heroic deeds—eliminating rampaging monsters and stopping bandits who blocked the roads.
He'd even help crying children retrieve kites stuck in treetops. All this fell within Xingqiu's definition of "heroic conduct."
A true righteous knight, through and through!
Right now, Xingqiu listened intently to the storyteller's tale of Rex Lapis. He was completely engrossed, eyes fixed without blinking.
Beside him, Chongyun chewed on an ice pop made from special ingredients, propping his cheek on one hand as he too listened carefully.
"Thus and so! And so it was..."
"Thus and thus! And so it went..."
The storyteller grew increasingly animated, and the audience roared with approval. Just as everyone prepared to sip their drinks and continue listening, the storyteller snapped his fan shut and announced loudly:
"If you wish to know what happened next, tune in next time!"