Chapter 118-121
---
Chapter 118: Please Fulfill Our Wish
Now let's talk about Amon.
After leaving Barbatos' room, he returned directly to his own. Amon raised his head and glanced out the window.
The heavy rain had stopped without anyone noticing, and the air was filled with the rich scent of earth. After the land of Liyue had been nourished by the rain, new green branches sprouted on the treetops. A faint rumble of thunder lingered in the sky, hinting that another downpour could come at any moment. This uncertainty meant no ship dared venture out to sea. Sailors could only wait for the thunderstorms to pass before making further plans.
Amon lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
He muttered to himself, "I don't know what's going on, but I'm not sleepy, and I have so much energy."
This, however, was not a solution. After some time, Amon sat up and lit the spirit lamp on his bedside table.
The arrival of a new night meant that the lamp could be used again. Moments later, the figures of a man and a woman slowly appeared before him.
This scene startled Amon. He had used the spirit lamp several times before, but each time, it attracted only one ghost. This was the first time two spirits appeared simultaneously.
He noticed that the woman was holding the man's hand. These two spirits must have been a couple.
"Do they have a shared wish that has not yet been fulfilled?" Amon wondered.
At that moment, the woman looked up at Amon, her expression a mix of excitement and hope.
"Excuse me... can you fulfill our wish?" she asked softly.
The man beside her added earnestly, "As ghosts, we are powerless to accomplish many things and can only seek help from the living. Kind stranger, please assist us."
Looking at the two spirits, whose faces were full of tension and expectation, Amon became curious about their wish.
"Tell me your wish first. As long as it is within my ability, I will do my best to help you," Amon replied.
Hearing his response, the couple looked at each other and immediately beamed with joy.
"Thank you so much, young man," the woman said, bowing.
The man stepped forward and explained, "It's simple. Please play hide-and-seek with our child on our behalf."
"Now that the rain has stopped, you can go out. Please travel to the north of Tianheng Mountain, find a child named Childish Jiang, and play hide-and-seek with him. Please!"
"Our wish is simple: to hear our child's laughter one more time."
Hearing the name "Childish Jiang," Amon immediately understood the couple's wish.
Childish Jiang.
Perhaps many players are unaware of this NPC in Liyue. But if you've ever encountered a stout adult standing on the slopes of Tianheng Mountain, asking players to play hide-and-seek, you'd know him. As long as players find him, they can receive a treasure chest. That is Childish Jiang.
When Amon first encountered Childish Jiang in the game, he found him peculiar. Despite being an adult, Jiang still enjoyed playing hide-and-seek. He called Amon "big brother" or "big sister," oblivious to the fact that he was older.
Later, Amon learned about Jiang's backstory and realized how tragic his life had been.
Childish Jiang's mind remained forever childlike. His father had died during a mission, leaving their family in hardship. To protect Jiang during a dangerous moment, his mother had told him to play hide-and-seek and hide, but she never returned to reunite with him.
The young couple had long since passed away. The Millelith erected two stone tablets at the door of Childish Jiang's house, but Jiang, in his innocence, never noticed. He often stood outside his home, waiting for his parents to return.
Retracting his thoughts, Amon looked at Childish Jiang's parents and nodded gently.
"I understand. I will help you fulfill this wish," he said.
The couple bowed deeply, gratitude shining in their ghostly eyes.
"Thank you, thank you so much, kind young man. As long as we can see our child smile once more, we will have no regrets," they said earnestly.
Then, their forms began to drift toward Tianheng Mountain, eager to return to their home.
Amon followed quickly. Using his ability to release "Chihayaburu" twice in succession, he managed to keep up with the spirits.
Before long, Amon arrived at a small house on the slopes of Tianheng Mountain. There, he saw a boy squatting on the ground, hands covering his ears, trembling in fear of the thunder.
It was clear that this was Childish Jiang—twenty years younger.
Childish Jiang's mother gazed at her son, tears welling up in her eyes. She wanted to run to him, to embrace him tightly, but her husband gently stopped her, shaking his head.
As much as Jiang's father also longed to hold his child, he understood their reality—they were no longer alive, merely ghosts destined to fade away. He didn't want Jiang to endure the pain of another separation.
The mother stared at her son intently, silent tears streaming down her face. Eventually, she relented and chose to follow her husband's wishes. They would watch from a distance, taking solace in seeing their child safe and healthy.
"Sir," Jiang's mother said to Amon, her voice solemn, "please play hide-and-seek with our child."
Amon nodded. "Rest assured, I will not let you down."
Understanding that this was no ordinary game of hide-and-seek, Amon approached Jiang, who was still trembling and covering his ears.
"Little one, what are you doing?" Amon asked softly.
Jiang raised his head at the sound of Amon's voice. He was thin, unlike the chubby adult version Amon knew from the game.
But his eyes were the same—clear as water, innocent as heaven.
"Big brother, I'm waiting for my parents to come home," Jiang answered honestly.
In his naive mind, Jiang could not distinguish between good or bad people. Whenever someone spoke to him, he always answered truthfully.
Thunder rumbled again in the sky. Jiang trembled but rem
ained at the door, waiting for his parents.
---
Chapter 119: The Work Is Done, and I Leave, Hiding My Identity and Name
In the distance, Childish Jiang's mother covered her mouth and cried.
She felt an overwhelming guilt for not being able to stay with Childish Jiang and watch him grow up.
Seeing Childish Jiang standing alone at the door, waiting for relatives who would never return, broke her heart.
Childish Jiang's father was silent, his face etched with sadness.
In the past, due to his work, he had little time to spend with Childish Jiang.
Now, all he wished for was that Amon could play with Childish Jiang on their behalf, even if only for a short while.
When Amon heard that Childish Jiang was waiting for his parents, he felt as though a knife had been plunged into his heart.
Childish Jiang's mental disability left him unable to comprehend the concepts of life and death.
In his innocent mind, his parents would return—it was only a matter of time.
That's why he had been waiting here.
Rain or shine, he continued waiting.
Amon couldn't bear to see the child so steadfastly clinging to an impossible hope.
He spoke softly, "Childish Jiang, I am a friend of your parents. They asked me to come see you."
Hearing Amon's words, Childish Jiang instinctively raised his head.
This big brother knew his name—and was a friend of his parents?
The word "parents" held a special meaning for Childish Jiang.
He tilted his head and asked, "Big brother, why didn't Mom and Dad come back themselves? Why did they send you instead?"
Amon squatted down, gently stroked Childish Jiang's head, and replied softly, "Because your parents went to a faraway place and won't be back for a while.
"They were worried you might feel lonely, so they asked me to come and play hide-and-seek with you. That's why I'm here."
Hearing about playing hide-and-seek, Childish Jiang's eyes lit up, and he became visibly excited.
"Yay! Hide-and-seek is the most fun game in the world!"
"Childish Jiang loves playing hide-and-seek!"
"Big brother, come find me! But first, close your eyes and count to ten. No peeking!"
"Mom said that if you peek while playing hide-and-seek, you won't grow taller."
Childish Jiang explained the rules of hide-and-seek to Amon with utmost seriousness.
In the distance, Childish Jiang's mother chuckled softly when she heard him repeating her old joke.
She had made the comment in passing, never expecting Childish Jiang to remember it so clearly.
Seeing the joyful smile on Childish Jiang's face brought tears to her eyes.
Childish Jiang's father also smiled, deeply touched.
The moments he failed to cherish in life—he now entrusted to Amon to fulfill.
Amon couldn't help but smile at Childish Jiang's innocent enthusiasm. "Alright, I'll count to ten. Go hide quickly."
"Nineteen…"
As Amon started counting, Childish Jiang rushed off to find a hiding spot.
He seemed well-practiced at the game, quickly concealing himself behind a large tree.
When Amon finished counting, he turned to find a small foot sticking out from under the tree.
It was unmistakably Childish Jiang.
Amon chuckled and called out, "Childish Jiang, are you hiding well?"
The innocent boy replied earnestly, "Big brother, I'm hiding! Come find me~"
"Do you need a hint to find me?"
Before he could finish, Amon had already walked over.
"Gotcha, little guy!"
Childish Jiang gasped in surprise. "Wow, big brother, you're amazing!"
"I thought I found such a great hiding spot, but you found me so quickly!"
"No way! I need to hide somewhere better. Big brother, count again, just like before!"
Laughing, Amon leaned against the tree and began counting as Childish Jiang eagerly ran off to hide again.
Fortunately, Amon remembered the hiding spots from his experiences in the game and found the boy easily every time.
"Big brother, you're incredible! You found me again!"
"I haven't had this much fun playing hide-and-seek in ages. Thank you, big brother!"
Childish Jiang's laughter rang across Tianheng Mountain, full of unbridled joy.
Not far away, his parents watched the scene unfold with relieved smiles.
Seeing Childish Jiang safe, sound, and happy reassured them.
Their hearts were at peace.
Once their wish had been fulfilled, they knew their time as spirits would soon end.
The couple exchanged glances, their faces filled with gratitude and serenity.
As their forms began to fade, they looked at Amon.
Childish Jiang's mother spoke earnestly, "Thank you so much, sir. You have helped us fulfill what we regretted not being able to do ourselves."
Childish Jiang's father added, "Yes, seeing his smile again has given us peace. We are forever grateful to you."
Their bodies gradually became transparent, glowing faintly before dissolving into the air like fireflies on the wind.
Childish Jiang suddenly paused, his laughter ceasing as he seemed to sense something.
"I don't know why, but I miss my parents so much right now," he murmured.
"Big brother, do you know when my parents will come back?"
Amon gently patted his head and said, "Childish Jiang, when the peach blossoms bloom, your parents will return."
"The peach blossoms?" Childish Jiang tilted his head. "When will they bloom?"
"I don't know, but I'll wait for them!" he exclaimed.
In the distance, his parents watched with smiles on their faces.
Silly child, they thought.
We've already returned.
You just didn't realize it.
We'll stay with you, always—in another way.
Just then, Childish Jiang pointed excitedly at a tree. "Big brother, look! Are those peach blossoms blooming?"
Amon followed his gaze.
After the day-long rain, the tree was indeed in bloom, its branches adorned with delicate pink petals.
"Yes," Amon whispered. "Your parents must be on their way back now."
And then, a man's voice called out, "Childish Jiang, your father and mother are back!"
Childish Jiang froze before sprinting toward the voices, tears of joy streaming down his face.
"Dad! Mom! You're finally back!"
"Can you stay this time? Or take me with you?"
His mother knelt, embracing him tightly, tears flowing freely.
"No, we're not leaving. We'll stay with you from now on."
His father joined them, enveloping his wife and son in a protective hug.
Meanwhile, Amon watched silently from a distance, smiling before quietly walking away.
When the work is done, I leave, hiding my body and name.
With a touch of his Gnosis, Amon granted the fading souls a second chance at life—not through calculation, but from a fleeting, uncontainable instinct.
For now, that was enough.
As Childish Jiang's parents gazed
skyward in gratitude, they whispered, "Was that a god?"
"Who else could possess such power?"
"Thank you, Dear Archon. From now on, we will serve you forever."
-
Chapter 120: Changes Brought by Gnosis
As Amon was leaving Tianheng Mountain, a system notification echoed in his mind.
> "The wish has been fulfilled through the Spirit Guiding Lamp. Congratulations to the host for obtaining an Intertwined Fate."
Seeing the pink stone in his inventory, Amon promptly opened the gacha pool.
A golden light descended from the heavens, breaking through the clouds and illuminating his surroundings.
It revealed a five-star skill called 'Wind's Grand Ode', Venti's elemental burst.
This ability unleashes a storm of arrows that gathers enemies into a single point.
In the Mondstadt and Liyue regions, Wind's Grand Ode is exceptionally effective for grouping monsters and enhancing the gaming experience.
However, many players have often criticized its inability to affect larger monsters, especially those found in Inazuma.
Fortunately, the version of 'Wind's Grand Ode' that Amon acquired had no such limitations.
It could attract any enemy, regardless of size or strength.
This unique enhancement made the skill invaluable to Amon.
After unlocking it in his skill library, he immediately felt a new affinity with the wind element permeating the world.
As he summoned a storm in his palm, Amon reflected.
Was this an additional effect of 'Wind's Grand Ode'?
Without much effort, he could now summon and manipulate wind elements at will.
To test his theory, Amon activated Kazuha's 'Chihayaburu' ability, using it to enhance his mobility.
With the added power of 'Wind's Grand Ode,' Amon soared higher and farther than ever before.
In no time, he returned home.
The house was silent; the children were all resting.
Not wanting to disturb their sleep, Amon retreated to his room.
Although he expected to fall asleep easily, he found himself wide awake after tossing and turning.
Not only was he unable to sleep, but he also felt unusually energized.
"Could this be a side effect of obtaining the Gnosis?" Amon wondered.
He speculated that the transformation had altered his physical state, making sleep unnecessary.
After all, gods do not typically require rest.
Even Ganyu, with her half-adeptus bloodline, often worked tirelessly without exhaustion.
Yet, Amon couldn't help but think of Venti, who often indulged in deep, peaceful slumbers.
"Why does Venti, a god, sleep so easily?" Amon mused.
Shaking off the thought, Amon decided to get out of bed.
"If I can't sleep, I might as well go for a walk," he reasoned.
Perhaps, he thought, he might even encounter some interesting events.
When Amon opened his door, he was surprised to see Kamisato Ayaka standing in the hallway.
The little white-haired girl looked as if she had just woken up.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she seemed confused, like a student waking up to find an empty classroom.
When she saw Amon, her face brightened.
"Brother Amon, I only closed my eyes for a moment, but it seems I slept for too long."
Ayaka had been eagerly anticipating their discussion about Liyue's stories but had unintentionally fallen asleep.
Her disappointment was evident as she pouted, her frustration clear.
Seeing her reaction, Amon chuckled softly and ruffled her silky hair.
"Don't worry, Ayaka. We can continue the story tomorrow."
Noticing her rumbling stomach, Amon added, "You must be hungry. I kept some food warm for you in the kitchen. Go and eat before it gets cold."
Hearing this, Ayaka's face lit up.
"Thank you, Brother Amon!"
She ran to the kitchen, opening the pot to reveal a bowl of rice soaked in tea.
"Wow, it's ochazuke! This is my favorite!"
Ayaka's delight was palpable as she took a bite and exclaimed, "This is so delicious! Brother Amon, your cooking is amazing!"
Amon smiled, pleased by her joy.
"I overheard you mention your favorite food earlier today, so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm glad you like it."
Touched by his thoughtfulness, Ayaka felt warmth in her heart.
As she continued to eat, her happiness filled the room.
"Eat slowly, Ayaka. There's plenty of time," Amon said, amused by her enthusiasm.
To others, Kamisato Ayaka was the graceful and refined princess of Inazuma.
But here, with Amon, she felt free to be her true, carefree self.
…
After watching Ayaka enjoy her meal, Amon decided to check on Qiqi.
The little girl diligently practiced gymnastics every night, and Amon wanted to see her progress.
Knocking on her door, Amon called softly, "Qiqi, may I come in?"
A moment later, Qiqi's soft footsteps approached, and she opened the door, peeking out with her large, peach-colored eyes.
"Of course... please come in," she whispered.
Amon stepped into her simple room, noting the tidy desk and the birdcage housing a small sparrow.
It seemed Qiqi spent her evenings not only stretching but also caring for her feathered friend.
"Why aren't you sleeping, Amon?" Qiqi asked. "Are you feeling unwell? Qiqi can... prescribe some medicine for you."
Her concern was evident, her gaze filled with worry.
Amon smiled gently and reassured her.
"I'm not sick, Qiqi. I just can't seem to sleep tonight, so I thought I'd get some fresh air."
Relieved, Qiqi nodded and sat on her bed, her small legs dangling as she looked out at the moonlit night.
After a moment, she tugged on Amon's sleeve.
"Amon... Qiqi wants to go outside and play. Is that okay?"
Chapter 121: Walking in the Night
Since Amon's talisman helped her, Qiqi can now go out during the day without being affected by anything. However, she can still clearly feel the strange gazes from the people of Liyue.
There is surprise and curiosity in their eyes, but most look at Qiqi with fear, as if she is an outsider.
This makes Qiqi very sad. She does not want to frighten people, so she is always careful and keeps a low profile whenever she goes out during the day. If she happens to draw attention, she does her best to appear friendly.
But after a while, Qiqi still feels uneasy. Being constantly watched with wary eyes makes her uncomfortable.
Qiqi really wishes to go out at night—when the streets are empty and silent. Only then can she avoid scaring others and escape the unfriendly gazes.
...
Hearing Qiqi's request, Amon nodded without hesitation. "Alright," he said.
For Amon, fulfilling the requests of his family members is a given. Not for any particular reason other than the fact that these little ones are family.
At that moment, Small Ayaka appeared in the doorway. She hugged Amon's other arm and said in a playful tone, "Brother Amon, can I come out with you?"
"I... also want to visit Liyue."
Small Ayaka, having grown up in Inazuma, has only heard stories about Mondstadt and Liyue. She has heard about Mondstadt's fields of blooming dandelions and the winds of freedom that sweep across the land.
Liyue, on the other hand, is a city of trade and contracts, with its unique architecture and renowned Lantern Festival. Ayaka has only ever heard vague descriptions of these things and now wishes to see them for herself.
Looking into the little one's big, pleading eyes, Amon finds it impossible to refuse.
After all, Small Ayaka often dreams of her brother Ayato disappearing and Amon taking his place as her real brother. Just the thought of her reliance on him makes it hard for Amon to say no.
"Alright," Amon agrees, "Let's go for a walk."
Hearing this, Small Ayaka beams with joy, hugging his arm tighter.
"I knew Brother Amon is the best! I like Brother Amon the most!"
Seeing her reaction, Amon chuckles softly.
Why does the future Shirasagi Himegimi seem so childish?
It seems that all children are easily satisfied.
...
Soon, the three of them leave the house, stepping out into the moonlit streets.
Liyue, under the soft glow of the moon, feels both familiar and foreign to Qiqi. For Small Ayaka, everything here is new and exciting, as it's her first time in the city.
Amon, however, has grown accustomed to the city after spending some time there. Acting as their guide, he explains the sights to Ayaka and Qiqi.
"That's the port," Amon says, pointing to the distant harbor. "You arrived by boat from there, Ayaka."
He then looks at Qiqi and smiles. "And you're wondering where the coconut milk comes from? That's Yuehaiting. I get your supplies from there."
"You can only drink one bottle at a time, though. If you drink too much, there won't be any left. So drink sparingly, okay?"
Walking slowly through the streets, Amon holds the hands of the two little ones. Their shadows stretch long under the moonlight.
Unlike the bustling activity of daytime, Liyue at night has a tranquil beauty. The moonlight bathes the ancient buildings, whispering tales of the city's long history.
Small Ayaka looks up at Amon with curiosity. "Brother Amon, what kind of god is Rex Lapis?"
Having grown up in Inazuma, Ayaka only knows about the Raiden Shogun and knows little of Mondstadt's and Liyue's gods.
Amon instinctively wants to dismiss Morax as a nobody—a retired god obsessed with idleness and having others foot his bills.
But as the words form, Amon holds them back.
Although Morax now enjoys a life of leisure, his contributions to Liyue's development cannot be denied.
Amon gazes at the night sky thoughtfully. "You mean the Geo Archon," he replies.
"I don't know much about him. If I had to guess, I'd say he's a traditionalist who's very meticulous in his actions.
"But overall, he seems like a good god. At the very least, he's governed Liyue well."
As Amon speaks of Morax's governance, he finds himself thinking of Keqing—the young aristocrat who is also one of Liyue's Qixing.
Despite her noble status, Keqing is openly critical of Morax's methods, believing Liyue no longer needs the guidance of gods.
She firmly believes the Qixing alone are capable of managing Liyue's affairs.
Keqing is likely the only person bold enough to oppose the god so openly.
Thinking about her, Amon recalls her tsundere nature. It must be quite interesting to spend time with someone like her.
Speaking of which, little Keqing shouldn't be very old now.
Perhaps she's busy experiencing life, digging coal, or moving bricks?
Amon's musings are abruptly interrupted when he notices a figure in the distance.
A small girl in an elegant purple dress stands under the moonlight. Her outfit, made of the finest Liyue fabrics, radiates an air of nobility.
She wears a cat-ear headband and an old hairpin. Her youthful face, though childish, hints at the beauty she will grow into.
As Amon looks at her, he is struck by familiarity.
Isn't this young Keqing?
He never expected to meet her during a midnight stroll.
What could Keqing be doing out so late at night?
...
Though I've researched Keqing's background extensively, I still find parts of her story unclear.
I'll do my best to portray her character well, though.
And as challenging as Keqing's role may be, her iconic black stockings and elegant demeanor remain a highlight.
Finally, remember to sleep early and take care of yourselves!