"Hehe... Director Hu is absolutely right."
"Come on, maiden, let's go deal with myself."
The Doctor nodded hastily, then looked at the girl beside him, his tone shifting as he spoke steadily.
"Mm."
"Sister Hu Tao, until we meet again. I must go complete my mission."
The girl looked at Hu Tao in front of her and nodded with a smile.
"Hehe, be careful now."
"I may not understand it all, but it sounds very dangerous."
Hu Tao looked at the girl and nodded.
"I will be."
The girl nodded and followed the Doctor and the many Fatui toward the distance.
"Oh my, are all Fatui so well-behaved now?"
"They're so different from what this Director remembers."
Hu Tao put her hands on her hips, watching the departing Fatui with a smile.
"So that was the Doctor..."
"What does 'segment' mean though..."
Qiu Yue stood beside Hu Tao, murmuring with some confusion.
"That's roughly how it all happened."
"Afterward, Director Hu brought me back."
Qiu Yue looked at Qiu Bai and explained.
"Hahaha..."
"That's quite interesting."
Qiu Bai looked at Qiu Yue and chuckled softly.
"Are you talking about those Fatui?"
"They were so strange - after injuring me, they were still so respectful."
Hu Tao spread her hands, looking at the two in front of her with confusion.
"Perhaps Director Hu has strong leadership abilities."
"They unconsciously started treating you as their superior."
Qiu Bai crossed his arms over his chest, looking at Hu Tao with a smile.
"Really?"
Hu Tao widened her beautiful plum blossom eyes, looking at Qiu Bai and asking happily.
"Really."
Qiu Bai nodded upon hearing this.
Then he checked the time - it was almost time for Ningguang banquet.
"Let's go and see that banquet."
"The time is approaching."
Qiu Bai turned around, looking at everyone and reminding them.
"Hehe..."
"How wonderful."
Zhongli smiled and nodded.
Then everyone followed Qiu Bai, slowly walking toward the reception area below the Jade Chamber.
Hu Tao, Qiu Yue, Venti, Azhdaha, Zhongli.
Cloud Retainer, Shenhe, Raiden Ei, Lumine, Paimon, and Qiu Bai all arrived at the Jade Chamber.
At this moment, there was an early-prepared stage on the Jade Chamber.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, you've arrived."
"Please come this way."
Ningguang walked over to Qiu Bai with graceful steps and spoke with a smile.
Then she led everyone to sit at the table in front of the stage.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, you've all come."
Xiangling looked at Qiu Bai and the others with a smile.
"Lulu~!"
(wДw)
At this moment, Guoba stood on the table, looking at this group of people around him, his pupils widening in shock.
"Old friend, how have you been lately?"
Zhongli looked at Guoba on the table and asked with a smile.
"Marchosius, it's been a long time."
Azhdaha also looked at Guoba and nodded with a smile.
"Lulu lulu~(^▽^)"
Guoba looked at the two people greeting him, his face filled with happy expressions.
"Guoba looks very happy."
Xingqiu looked at Guoba and spoke with a smile.
"Yeah, Guoba only shows this expression when he's eating."
Chongyun looked at Xingqiu beside him and nodded.
Lumine rested one hand on her chin, her face bearing a cute smile.
She looked at the surrounding Jade Chamber and the slowly rising Xiao Lanterns.
Paimon also curiously observed the surroundings.
Many tables around them were filled with people.
The atmosphere was lively and bustling.
Beidou, Keqing, Ningguang, and Ganyu sat at the edge of a table, seemingly chatting about something.
Then Baishi walked over to Ningguang side and seemed to say something.
Ningguang lips curved into a smile as she stood up.
"First, Ningguang would like to thank everyone for taking time from your busy schedules to attend this banquet."
"New year, new atmosphere, and the Lantern Rite is about to begin."
"I've specially invited Mrs. Yun Jin to present 'The Divine Damsel of Devastation' for everyone!"
Ningguang looked at the many people before her and spoke with a smile.
Immediately, warm applause erupted around them, and countless Xiao Lanterns rose into the sky from the Jade Chamber.
Fireworks also bloomed simultaneously.
Raiden Ei watched this scene, her lips also curving into a smile.
"Hehe..."
Cloud Retainer watched this scene and chuckled twice.
Then she turned her gaze to Qiu Bai beside her.
At this moment, Qiu Bai sat in his chair, watching the brilliantly lit stage, his lips curved in a smile.
"The Divine Damsel of Devastation?"
Qiu Bai murmured.
Shenhe held a teacup in her hands, watching Yun Jin slowly emerge on stage.
She also showed an expectant smile.
"Alas~"
Yun Jin slowly turned around, revealing her beautiful eye makeup.
"The autumn swan breaks its pair, hard to find another."
"The foolish heart bears foolish grudges, lost in madness."
"Only because that evil sacrifice sealed the disaster's fate"
"Were it not for the heroine's sword, all would perish~!"
"Mortal bonds are hazy, immortal bonds surge."
"Heavenly bonds scatter, the crimson palace invites."
"Red silk binds and breaks the woodcutter's game."
"Snow and mud, the swan's traces far away."
"The crane returns but sees not the ancient marker."
"Spider silk weaves in vain, soul banners flutter."
"Cause and effect in the red dust, misty smoke dissipates."
As the song ended, Yun Jin slowly opened her eyes.
The audience below was silent - the singing had already moved their hearts to震撼.
For a moment, they forgot to applaud.
"The Divine Damsel of Devastation should end here."
"But today I add one more verse—"
"To sing—for all of you—to hear—"
"A high tune need not lack recognition."
"There are those who know the music and harmonize with clear words."
"Red tassels flutter, sword like shooting star."
"Pointing straight at angry tides to cleanse the sea."
"When the crane returns..."
"In the vast heaven and earth with no support..."
"Departing alone..."
"Today we meet again, old and new friends fill the hall, gathering at this moment."
Yun Jin looked at the many audience members below and spoke with a smile.
"Wonderful!!!"
Warm applause erupted from below.
Yun Jin also covered her chest with one hand and bowed slightly in thanks.
"How was that? I sang pretty well, didn't I?"
Yun Jin walked over to Shenhe and Lumine and asked with a light smile.
"It was so beautiful!"
"If there's a chance, Paimon wants to learn too!"
Paimon clapped her hands and said excitedly.
"It was very beautiful, and thank you."
Shenhe sat in her chair, looking at Yun Jin gratefully.
"This sounds like Shenhe story."
"Though this immortal doesn't understand these things, this immortal loves to listen."
Cloud Retainer looked at Shenhe beside her and spoke with a light smile.
"Mrs. Yun Jin opera skills."
"Are still so excellent."
Qiu Bai looked at Yun Jin in front of him and spoke admiringly.
"By common rationality, indeed so."
Zhongli also nodded upon hearing this.
"Oh my, Yun Jin, you sang so beautifully!"
"This Director wants to learn a thing or two after hearing it."
Hu Tao looked at Yun Jin and spoke with a smile.
"Very beautiful..."
"If only Inazuma had performances like this too."
Raiden Ei looked toward Yun Jin direction, nodded, and spoke with a light smile.
"Mrs. Yun Jin opera singing is truly exceptional."
"Mr. Zhongli often takes me to listen, each time more amazing than the last."
Qiu Yue looked at Yun Jin and spoke.
"In ancient Liyue, there were also those like Mrs. Yun Jin."
"But one can only say that times are progressing."
Azhdaha looked at Yun Jin, nodded and smiled.
After being restored by Qiu Bai, he had existed in the mortal world for seven hundred years.
Three hundred years ago, he was bound by erosion and thus sealed by Morax.
"It seems inviting Mrs. Yun Jin today was the right choice."
Ningguang held a wine glass, looking at Yun Jin with a smile.
"Really wonderful, hey!"
"Don't just drink by yourself, I have some here too."
Beidou looked at Ningguang beside her with helplessness.
Keqing looked at Beidou and Ningguang beside her.
She shook her head helplessly and continued eating on her own.
"Yun Jin sang so well, even Guoba loves listening."
"Look how happy Guoba is."
Xiangling looked at Guoba on the ground, happily bouncing up and down.
"Hahaha."
"I'm going to write this scene into a novel."
Xingqiu smiled, then stroked his chin, thinking to himself.
"It's my aunt story, sung so well."
Chongyun looked at Yun Jin and clapped his hands.
"Thank you all..."
"Yun Jin is truly flattered."
Yun Jin looked at everyone and spoke with a light smile.
"Moreover, thanks to Shenhe, The Divine Damsel of Devastation could become more complete."
"Plays may end, but life does not. I believe that in the future, you will surely integrate smoothly into Liyue Harbor."
Yun Jin looked at Shenhe and spoke.
"Thank you. I think I've already found the opportunity for change."
Shenhe looked at Yun Jin gratefully.
Cloud Retainer looked at Shenhe and also showed a comforting smile.
"Everyone, drink and eat! At such a banquet."
"How can we not drink to our hearts content!"
Venti raised his wine glass, looking at everyone with a smile.
"Hahaha, this time I'll drink with you!"
Azhdaha looked at Venti not far away, raising his wine glass and laughing heartily.
Upon hearing this, Raiden Ei also smiled and raised her wine glass.
Zhongli nodded and also raised his wine glass.
"Hehe..."
Qiu Bai chuckled softly, then also raised his wine glass and clinked it with the others.
"Happy Lantern Rite!!!"
Everyone shouted joyfully, then all raised their glasses and clinked them together!
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Now you can read 30 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)