Shenhe and her group decided to start with the Wonder Core.
Beidou suggested splitting up to work more efficiently, and the others agreed.
According to Old Zhang, the blacksmith, forging the Wonder Core required two rare minerals: Starsplinter Iron and Subrosium.
The former resonated with Visions, while the latter was extremely scarce on the market.
However, rumors suggested that people in the Tianheng Mountain region knew a secret method for locating Subrosium, so they decided to investigate there first.
Starsplinter Iron was abundant in the Tianheng Mountain area. After gathering it, only the Subrosium remained.
Yun Jin inadvertently recalled their earlier conversation and stole a glance at Shenhe, lost in thought. She wanted to seize this opportunity to ask about something, but hesitated, unsure how to bring it up.
Just as she was hesitating, Paimon exclaimed, "Ah! There's a village over there! Maybe we can ask the villagers where to find Subrosium!"
Shenhe glanced at the village—the very one she had once lived in—and merely nodded.
As they approached the village, she immediately recognized the elderly man she had met before.
"Uncle Mingjun," she greeted.
Mingjun looked up in surprise. "A'He, you've come again... I thought you wouldn't return."
"We need to find the Subrosium for something."
"Subrosium... I'm not familiar with it, but there should still be records in the village. You can search for them," Mingjun said, shaking his head.
"Very well."
With those words, Shenhe strode forward without hesitation, entering the village.
Paimon scratched her head, looking puzzled. "What's going on? Does Shenhe know people here?"
Mingjun glanced at Yun Jin, Lumine, and Paimon before asking, "Where's the black-haired girl?"
"Black-haired?"
"The one with eyes as beautiful as Noctilucous Jade. She came here with A'He last time, but this time it's you all," Mingjun explained.
"You must be referring to Qin Yu," Yun Jin said.
"That's right, I remember her name now. Are you also A'He's friends?"
"Absolutely!" Paimon declared, planting her hands on her hips.
"I see... very well, very well..." Ming Jun murmured, then drifted into a reverie. He didn't react to Paimon's calls.
"What a strange man," Paimon whispered.
Yun Jin's suspicions deepened. "Let's find the Subrosium first, shall we?"
"Right."
The trio—Yun Jin, Paimon, and Shenhe—searched the village and indeed found a record titled "Miscellaneous Notes on Mountains and Stones."
It stated that legend held that the Subrosium could be found at dusk in the center of the lake south of Tianheng Mountain, by looking in the direction of the setting sun.
Meanwhile, Yun Jin also discovered two other records: a father's journal and a chronicle of the village's history. Both documents detailed a tragic event involving a family, and the mentioned daughter might very well be...
Thinking of this, Yun Jin approached Shenhe.
"...Um, Miss Shenhe?"
Shenhe tilted her head. "Hm?"
"You're the true protagonist of the legends Father has heard, aren't you?"
Shenhe nodded calmly. "Yes."
"As I suspected, the true Divine Damsel of Devastation isn't as glorious as the legend portrays. The truth is... brutally cruel."
Yun Jin hesitated for a moment before saying earnestly, "Miss Shenhe, I want to revise the Divine Damsel of Devastation, removing the parts that don't align with reality."
"Why revise it?"
"Because you are the protagonist of this story, and I can't ignore your feelings," Yun Jin replied.
Feelings... Shenhe's heart remained as calm as ever. Even the mention of her past stirred no emotion within her.
"It doesn't matter. I have no feelings. Besides, I think the revised version is better."
During her time living with Qin Yu, Shenhe had been influenced by her and had read novels and story collections. Though she didn't fully understand the many emotions and nuances within them and still had much to learn, she knew one thing for certain.
"If my past were written as a story, it would undoubtedly evoke sorrow. I'd rather inspire others than make them suffer."
Shenhe paused, then added, "Besides, someone has already accepted me completely."
"She accepts both my joys and sorrows, responding with a warm embrace."
"She's embraced my past completely. Now I feel light and happy, so there's no need for you to worry about me or feel uneasy."
Yun Jin exclaimed in surprise, "Oh... I see!"
Shenhe's words put Yun Jin's mind at ease.
"...Perhaps we could revise other parts," Yun Jin mused, deep in thought.
"Do we still need to make changes?" Shenhe asked, puzzled.
"Just the ending," Yun Jin clarified. "The original ending—where the Adeptus remains separated from the mortal world, forever unable to return—is a classic. But in the past, the Adepti have fought alongside us."
"In ancient Liyue, there are countless tales of Rex Lapis, the Adepti, and humanity uniting against formidable foes."
Yun Jin smiled. "Hearing your story makes me realize that fate can't be so easily severed! Let's add another stroke to the ending! But I can't reveal it yet. Please look forward to it."
"I'm very much looking forward to it."
Shenhe gazed once more at the desolate village.
On her previous visit, she had wanted Qin Yu to accept every part of her, including all her past.
Now, she felt nothing, even when recalling those memories.
It will no longer evoke any true emotion in me.
With this thought, Shenhe said to Ming Jun, "I will never return here again."
Ming Jun's heart churned with conflicting emotions. "A'He..."
"Because I have a new home now."
"You... you've started a family?" Ming Jun was stunned.
While Shenhe settling down and returning to the mortal world was undoubtedly a good thing, he never expected it to happen so quickly.
It hasn't even been a year since our last meeting!
"Started a family?" Shenhe, interpreting the words literally, nodded. "Yes, Qin Yu and I—"
"No, no, no!" Yun Jin interjected hastily.
She had heard from Hu Tao that Shenhe and Qin Yu were already living together, but cohabitation didn't constitute a family in the traditional sense.
"What's not right? Qin Yu and I are a family, aren't we?"
Ming Jun exclaimed in shock, "You and that girl have formed a family?!"
"Mm-hmm."
Lumine facepalmed. "I don't think that's what she meant..."
Shenhe noticed the others' startled reactions, their faces full of question marks, and realized she must have said something wrong, though she couldn't understand what.
Isn't "starting a family" simply forming a family? she wondered. Qin Yu and I are family now, so isn't that already "starting a family"?
Yun Jin explained, "People often say 'settling down and establishing a career.' In simpler terms, it means getting married and having your own business. So 'settling down' here means getting married."
"Getting married..." Shenhe pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I understand now."
The others breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Then I want to ask," Shenhe continued, "can I marry Qin Yu?"
Paimon looked utterly bewildered. "Huh?"
Lumine's eyes widened.
Yun Jin gasped, blinking rapidly, thinking, What kind of question is that?!
Shenhe has such an extraordinary air about her, but her personality is truly unique... Yun Jin gathered her thoughts and explained:
"If Tianquan Ningguang were to amend the law, it might be possible... theoretically speaking! But it's just a theory. Any change to the law would have significant repercussions, especially something like this."
After speaking, Yun Jin blushed slightly and asked with curiosity, "Um, Miss Shenhe, do you want to marry Qin Yu?"
"Is marriage a deeper bond than romantic relationships?"
"That depends on the couple," Yun Jin explained. "Some couples argue more after getting married, their bond not as strong as when they were dating. But there are also couples who grow even closer after marriage."
Paimon tilted her head in confusion. "Shenhe, why are you asking about this? Could it be you're dating Qin Yu?"
"No, not at all."
"Oh, I see... I thought that might be the case," Paimon said, scratching her head, unsure how to react.
Every word Shenhe spoke struck them like a shock to the heart.
Yet, despite all her questions, she revealed nothing, leaving them with an inexplicable sense of disappointment.
Meanwhile, Shenhe absorbed the information she'd gathered. So this is what it means to settle down and start a family. So marriage doesn't necessarily deepen a relationship...
Ming Jun then asked, "A'He, are you... living with that young woman?"
"Yes, she's my family," Shenhe said softly. "Now that I have a place to belong, a place where I should stay, I won't be coming back here."
Ming Jun was overwhelmed with emotion, unsure how to respond to her words.
Shenhe continued, "So, until fate brings us together again, Uncle Mingjun."
"...Very well, until fate brings us together again."
Shenhe cast one last glance at the village before turning and walking away without looking back.
Yun Jin, Lumine, and Paimon bid farewell to Ming Jun and followed after her.
According to the records, they had successfully obtained the Subrosium at dusk.
Upon returning to the blacksmith shop, Shenhe handed over the Starsplinter Iron and Subrosium to Old Zhang, then immediately asked if she could use his equipment to craft Talismans.
With Old Zhang's permission, the two began working on the Wonder Core and Talismans separately.
Compared to the Wonder Core, crafting the Talismans was clearly easier.
Shenhe finished first and glanced at the sky. The last rays of sunset had faded, replaced by the newly arrived night.
Having spent more time than intended, Shenhe knew it was time to return home. With this in mind, she handed the Talisman to Yun Jin.
"Please give this to Ningguang," she instructed.
Yun Jin stammered, "Eh? W-won't you deliver it yourself? Once the Wonder Core is finished, we can all go together to claim our rewards!"
Paimon chimed in, "Yeah, Shenhe, weren't you going to ask Ningguang a question?"
"It's getting late," Shenhe replied.
At this, Paimon realized, "Could it be because—"
"Mm, Qin Yu asked me to come home early."
"I knew it!"
Despite the trio's varying expressions, Shenhe remained impassive. "Please ask Ningguang to save the question for me. We can discuss it later."
"Sigh, fine, fine. Go home and rest easy," Paimon said with a resigned shake of her head.
"Thank you."
Shenhe bid farewell to the group. As she passed a shop, she remembered Qin Yu's fondness for food and bought a few steamed buns on her way home.
Reaching her doorstep, she pulled out her key.
With a click, the lock disengaged, and Shenhe stepped inside.
"I'm home."
Qin Yu, who was lying on the sofa reading a book, smiled. "Hmm, tired?"
"No, none of it was too difficult. Here, this is for you."
Qin Yu put down her book and sat up. "You bought steamed buns? But we're going out to eat soon, so we won't be able to eat much. Let's split one first?"
"Okay."
As Qin Yu ate her half of the bun, she listened to Shenhe recount what had happened after they parted.
When she heard about Ming Jun asking Shenhe if she had gotten married and Shenhe's response, she suddenly choked.
"Cough, cough, cough! You... you really said that?"
"I did."
A blush crept across Qin Yu's face.
Oh my god, thank goodness I didn't go with Shenhe! If I'd been there... Qin Yu shuddered at the thought.
At least they didn't misunderstand and think we're married.
Seeing a smear of meat filling sauce on Shenhe's lip, which she hadn't noticed, Qin Yu naturally wiped it away with her thumb and then licked her thumb clean.
Evaluation: B
"Shenhe, you... how did it feel going back?" she asked, her tone concerned.
"Nothing."
"Nothing at all?"
"Nothing at all."
Qin Yu relaxed. Good. As long as there was nothing.
Leaning back against the sofa, she said, "Shenhe, you've gathered all the materials, right? You could have given them to Ningguang first, and then you could have asked that question."
Exactly! The question I still can't figure out for the life of me! Qin Yu thought, secretly pursing her lips.
It's impossible not to dwell on it.
Shenhe nodded. "That's right."
"But you told me to come back quickly, so I did."
Evaluation: A-
Qin Yu was overjoyed, though she tried not to show it on her face. Still, her voice betrayed her elation.
"Oh, I see."
The more Qin Yu thought about it, the happier she became, her mood lifting completely.
She joked with a smile, "So, whatever I ask you to do, you'll do it?"
"Mm-hmm."
Evaluation: A+
Qin Yu's heart raced. If I told Shenhe I wanted to kiss her, would she do it? She probably would, but... no, no, I can't let my mind wander like that!
Turning her burning, crimson face away, she murmured, "I see..."
"Qin Yu."
"What is it?" Qin Yu asked casually, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
Shenhe said calmly, "I'm starting to understand why Father became the way he did."
"Huh?"
Why bother trying to understand him? Is Shenhe thinking about reconciling?
Qin Yu thought to herself that she would never reconcile if she were in Shenhe's place.
If she ever encountered those monsters who nearly cost her and Keqing their lives again, she would rush at them without hesitation and beat them beyond recognition.
Fortunately, Shenhe didn't follow through with this supposed reconciliation.
"I think the pain of losing someone important must be very heavy, very deep. I just understand that. Of course, everything he did was still wrong."
Qin Yu looked at Shenhe with relief. "Shenhe, you're becoming more like an ordinary person!"
"Really?"
"Definitely."
Is that so? Shenhe didn't quite understand; she lacked the feeling to grasp it.
But if Qin Yu said so, it must be true.
It doesn't feel bad.
But her expression still hasn't changed much... Qin Yu thought, leaning closer to Shenhe and touching the Red String around her wrist, her curiosity growing stronger.
What would happen if Shenhe took off the Red String? Would she show more emotions?
The Adepti had used the Red String to suppress Shenhe's emotions, both to protect her from her inauspicious fate and to prevent her from harming others as she grew up.
But Shenhe said she would be calm as long as she was by my side, that I was her Red String...
Then it should be fine to untie it, right?
"What are you doing?" Shenhe asked, puzzled.
Lost in thought, Qin Yu startled at Shenhe's close proximity. "I-I was just... smelling you, Shenhe."
This feels even worse now!
Evaluation: S
"Smelling me? Do I have a particular scent?" Shenhe asked.
"It's the same as always."
Qin Yu inhaled deeply, her expression relaxing.
"It's quite reassuring," she murmured.
Evaluation: SS-
Shenhe instinctively pulled Qin Yu into a hug. Feeling the warmth and inhaling the familiar scent, the hazy emotions in her heart seemed to gain definition, gradually solidifying into a distinct form.
She wanted to say something, but her still-vague feelings couldn't find the right words.
She only realized that this emotion was intensely fervent.
So fervent that without the Red String, it might erupt with overwhelming force.