After over a month of investigation, Lumine finally resolved most of the issues concerning the Chasm and Dainsleif.
However, that object, resembling the Celestial Nail, came crashing down.
Although it helped her defeat the mechanical serpent,
its energy caused immense pressure within the depths of the Chasm.
Now, the interior has become extremely dangerous, and Lumine feels they should retreat for now.
She plans to return and investigate further once things stabilize in a few days.
That nail didn't fall for no reason.
Moreover, it wasn't Lumine's attack that caused it to drop.
Someone must have been helping her from the shadows.
Lumine's first thought is of Mu Yang.
However, Mu Yang specializes in Cryo elemental powers and sword techniques.
In that moment, Lumine sensed a powerful Hydro elemental force.
Moreover, it seemed to carry a power similar to that of Chongyun and Shenhe—something akin to the arts of an Adeptus.
Lumine is puzzled and decides to return to Liyue Harbor to ask around about what happened.
Besides, she kind of misses Mu Yang.
Having been away for so long, she wonders if he's been thinking of her.
On this matter, Lumine is likely to be disappointed.
Shenhe tells her that after the two of them left, Master Mu Yang set off to handle his own affairs.
He hasn't returned since.
Without thinking, Paimon asks, "Didn't he say where he was going?"
Shenhe shakes her head. "No."
Although Mu Yang has been gone for a while, given his strength—capable of standing toe-to-toe with the Raiden Shogun—he should be in no danger.
Lumine then asks Shenhe if she's familiar with Liyue's Adeptus families.
As it turns out, Lumine is overthinking things.
Besides Chongyun's family, Shenhe has no interest in learning about other so-called families.
This straightforward girl does whatever her master instructs.
She obediently listens, manages the shop, and blends into Liyue Harbor.
Occasionally, she visits her senior, Ganyu, or goes out with the employee Xinyan.
Where would she find the time to dig into things hidden in the shadows?
Moreover, the person who shot down the Celestial Nail to help Lumine was Yelan.
This is not someone Shenhe could investigate even if she wanted to.
With no other options, Lumine decides to return to the depths of the Chasm in a few days to investigate further.
Paimon chimes in, saying that before they left that day, she glanced back.
At the spot where the nail fell, there was something glowing.
They should definitely check it out.
The players' storyline "Perilous Trails" begins here.
Lumine and Paimon soon arrive at the bottom of the Chasm.
The eerie atmosphere makes little Paimon very uncomfortable.
Even after spending half a month here, she still can't get used to it.
"Ugh… If it weren't for the investigation, I wouldn't want to come here."
Paimon complains, but her role as a guide still needs to be fulfilled.
She flies ahead to scout the path.
Suddenly, she turns back and shouts, "Look over there! It looks like someone's there!"
Lumine follows Paimon's pointing finger and sees a very familiar figure from behind.
There's no mistaking it.
It's Yanfei, the nominal lawyer of Mu Yang's tavern.
"Hey! Yanfei!"
Paimon shouts while waving at her.
Yanfei hears the voice and quickly turns around, surprised.
"Lumine and Paimon? I never expected to run into you in a place like this."
[You can run into us in the strangest of places.]
[That's the power of Paimon's shady navigation skills.]
[Without her, we'd have way fewer creepy quests.]
Paimon asks Yanfei why she's in a place like this.
Doesn't her work usually keep her within Liyue Harbor?
Yanfei doesn't know where to begin.
She only says, "This job is a bit complicated."
Then she changes the subject. "So this is what the bottom of the Chasm looks like. It's my first time seeing it."
Suddenly, she notices a "tail" following Lumine and Paimon.
Yanfei hurriedly says, "Please do me a favor. If someone's looking for me and asks about me, just say you haven't seen me!"
This sudden turn of events leaves Paimon's brows furrowed.
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
Lumine, on the other hand, looks utterly shocked.
"Yanfei, don't tell me…" She takes half a step back. "You're not breaking the law, are you?!"
Yanfei knows Lumine is joking, but she's in no mood for jokes right now.
"It's not like that. This matter is a long story."
"In short, I'm leaving it to you to cover for me. See you later!"
With that, Yanfei dashes off and disappears.
She heads straight toward the direction of the Celestial Nail.
"Hey, Yanfei!" Paimon tries to call after her retreating figure, but Yanfei doesn't hesitate for a moment.
Now Paimon is panicking.
She's starting to wonder if Lumine's joke might actually be true.
"Do you think she really broke some law and escaped here?"
"Could it be something… really scary…?"
Lumine also finds it odd, but she doesn't believe Yanfei is that kind of person.
Otherwise, Mu Yang wouldn't have entrusted most of his business to her.
Hearing this, Paimon starts to show off.
She wags her index finger.
"Don't be too naive. This world is pretty complicated. Better prepare for the worst."
"If something's really up, we'd end up as her accomplices!"
[Alright, alright, look at know-it-all Paimon acting tough. Just wait, I'll make you fly, believe it!]
[Life mentor, I'm enlightened.]
[How does Paimon say this stuff without cracking up?]
Lumine never imagined the day would come when Paimon would call her naive.
If this little treasure didn't have Lumine by her side,
anyone could trick her with some tasty food.
Lumine says helplessly, "Paimon, you're the one who's both complicated and naive."
At this point, Paimon is caught in a dilemma.
When they stayed at [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor], Yanfei often visited.
They talked a lot and could be considered close friends.
But if Yanfei really broke the law, should she cover for her?
As Paimon wrestles with this, a loud voice echoes through the depths of the Chasm.
"Hey! Hey, you guys over there!"
Paimon panics even more, thinking the people chasing Yanfei have arrived!
Should she sell Yanfei out or not?
The voice echoes, and the more Paimon listens, the more familiar it sounds.
"This voice… I think I've heard it somewhere…"
Lumine has already spotted the newcomer—it's Arataki Itto, whom they met in Inazuma.
By his side is a green-haired woman wearing a ghost-masked armor.
As they get closer, Arataki Itto recognizes Lumine and Paimon.
His hearty laughter follows…
"Hahahahaha… It's you two! Are you vacationing in a place like this?"
Lumine rolls her eyes. "What do you think?"
Itto is as carefree as ever, but Lumine is curious about the woman behind him.
She quickly asks Itto who she is.
Before Itto can introduce her, the woman speaks up.
"Hello, I'm Kuki Shinobu, a member of the Arataki Gang."
Itto continues her introduction. "Haha, almost forgot! Let me introduce you."
"This is the most awesome person in the Arataki Gang—Shinobu!"
[Itto's external brain.]
[The only reliable person in the Arataki Gang.]
This introduction piques Lumine's interest in Kuki Shinobu even more.
After all, Arataki Itto is the guy who thinks "the world revolves around him, the great Arataki Itto."
Yet now, he's openly admitting that Kuki Shinobu is the most awesome member of the Arataki Gang.
But what are these two doing in Liyue?
And in a place like the Chasm, no less…