With Madame Ping's words, Qingyun Peak fell silent, only the wind howling through.
The Adepti's expressions varied, all tinged with regret—Cloud Retainer in particular.
Guizhong, the God of Dust—lively, inventive, and a lover of merriment.
Back when Guili Plains were a bustling market, Guizhong often invited friends over. The Adepti gathered, savoring the God of the Stove's exquisite cooking.
They watched the sun set red over distant mountains, breathing the endless scent of Glaze Lilies. Even after millennia, Cloud Retainer remembered it vividly.
As a crane adeptus, she was cool and reserved, with few friends. She and Guizhong became friends through their shared love of invention, often sparking ideas together—bickering into friendship.
Madame Ping and Guizhong bonded over music. Their differing philosophies led to frequent clashes of thought and debate—sometimes even calling the Archon to judge.
But precisely for that, they were confidantes, often traveling together, feeling mountaintop clouds and dawn breezes.
Life then was noisy yet peaceful, long and unhurried.
No one foresaw the sudden rise of the Archon War.
The once-bustling Guili Plains were engulfed in flames; Guizhong fell in battle.
Cloud Retainer would never forget the scene—Guili in flames, no longer lively. When she and Madame Ping arrived, all they saw was their old friend's divine remains.
Sky lanterns rise and fall; people meet and part.
When the lamp goes out, so does life—even for Adepti. After Guizhong's passing, Madame Ping's heart changed; she put away her jade-like looks and took on today's aged form, walking Liyue's bustling mortal world.
Cloud Retainer, since then, seldom left Jueyun.
Even passing the Guili Plains, she dared not look. The gruesome end of an old friend, even for millennia-old immortals, is hard to let go.
Ding-dong-dong—
Clear chimes rang as Madame Ping shook her bell, playing a bright, cheerful melody.
This was Guizhong's proud creation—an instrument that could both compose and perform. After Guizhong's fall, Madame Ping asked the Archon for the bell, listening to the melody her friend left behind.
Ironically and regretfully, over the years after Guizhong's death, Madame Ping's musical philosophy slowly blended with Guizhong's, birthing a new piece.
Sadly, the soulmate was gone; she'd only played it once.
Now, in the clear, pleasant chime, Madame Ping's stooped figure slowly faded—replaced by a slender, airy beauty in green. So fair she seemed beyond reach, her face like mountaintop wind—soft and pure.
"This world turns from sea to mulberry field, again and again. Perhaps one day we too will return to dust."
Bell in hand, Madame Ping sighed, jade features pensive.
"Next time, let's go to Guili Plains together," Cloud Retainer said, voice distant. "Though there's no longer a sea of Glaze Lilies, at least… there is wind and earth… and remnants of the past."
Meeting Guizhong again in memory, Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper also grew wistful.
Beyond mourning an old friend, the relentless passage of time filled them with helplessness.
If even the hardest rock can't withstand the years, perhaps—as Madame Ping said—one day they too will return to dust, to meet old friends elsewhere.
"Master, the tea is ready."
At that moment, a tall, elegant white-haired beauty approached with a teapot, breaking the mood.
Shenhe, cool and otherworldly, said nothing much, yet eased the gloom.
"Little Shenhe's ferocity is much more restrained now," said Moon Carver, in human form, with some emotion.
Though not an adeptus, Shenhe's exceptional talent endeared her to them.
Sadly, being too severed from the mortal world is no good for a human—especially for one with a baleful, lonely fate. Bound by red rope to suppress her ferocity, her seven emotions were also dampened, making her colder and more solitary.
"Perhaps we should let her visit Liyue Harbor."
Madame Ping returned from her grief, looking at the beauty seemingly forged of ice and snow.
Being human, isolation from the world won't do.
"I had the same thought—let her temper herself in Liyue Harbor. But given her nature, Ping, you may need to guide her, lest she cause unnecessary trouble."
Cloud Retainer paused, then mused, "I recall you have two disciples in Liyue Harbor—both girls. Perhaps they could watch over Shenhe too."
Better to have juniors communicate than ask Madame Ping for everything.
"Alas, one of mine is besotted with Blue Star lately, and Xiangling is obsessed with foraging ingredients. When Shenhe descends, I'll give them instructions."
"Blue Star?" Mountain Shaper asked, curious. They seldom left Jueyun and knew little of Liyue's news, let alone Blue Star.
Madame Ping smiled. "Remember the man who slew Osial yesterday? A great prophet from Blue Star, who can freely travel between Blue Star and Liyue Harbor. I hear from Ganyu that my disciple Yaoyao has quite the immortal fate—she seems close to him."
Thinking of Ken, the Adepti fell silent.
Such power reminded them of the Archon War. Only Archons reached such heights.
To be on good terms with Ken would be good.
Cloud Retainer smiled. "I dare not ask that my disciple form some special bond. I only hope she can be… normal. If she can freely blend into human life, that is gift enough."
While her master and the other Adepti spoke, Shenhe stood quietly by, listening to her elders' counsel.
Otherwise, she showed little reaction—more like a lifeless doll, that clear face expressionless.
"Only, Shenhe has lived in Jueyun for years. Integration may not be easy," Mountain Shaper mused.
Cloud Retainer was troubled. "Even with Ganyu in Liyue Harbor, she's been there 3,700 years and still can't blend in. It's vexing."
With Ganyu's example, Cloud Retainer doubted Shenhe could integrate.
Though human, Shenhe's temperament was far more solitary than Ganyu's.
"I do have a way to help Shenhe integrate into Liyue."
Suddenly, a clear voice came from afar.
The Adepti turned.
Through drifting cloud came two figures, one in white, one in black. The white one was debonair, peerlessly handsome; the black one steady and composed. They walked on cloud, robes billowing in the breeze, transcendent.
The speaker had been Ken.
"Mr. Ken?"
Moon Carver rose first, looking at the white-clad youth, then at the unfamiliar face beside him, surprised.
The other Adepti were also caught off-guard.
Grateful as they were for Ken's defense of Liyue, they didn't understand why he brought a stranger to Jueyun.
"Friends—don't you recognize me?"
At their puzzled looks, Zhongli spoke, and the long-hidden divine pressure flared. Clouds scattered; grasses bent.
Madame Ping froze, blurting, "Morax?!"
In fact—
In the game's original plot, Madame Ping is the first to recognize Zhongli.
Because when Zhongli arranged the Rite of Parting, he had the Traveler borrow the Cleansing Bell.
The bell was Guizhong's creation—known only to them. When the Geo Archon kept it, he used it to preside over rites and music. Since someone knew of the bell, Madame Ping inferred his identity.
But reality differs from the game.
Having seen spoilers, Zhongli chose not to ask Madame Ping for the bell, to make the act more convincing.
Though the Rite lacked some ritual—making him uneasy—he refrained for the plan's sake.
Thus, Madame Ping only learned now, when Zhongli revealed Morax's divine aura.
The Adepti were shocked—more than that, overjoyed.
Only Shenhe stayed wooden, seemingly unfazed, those clear eyes fixed on Ken.
"My old friends—long time no see. Are you well?"
Zhongli landed with Ken, his voice resounding like a bell, striking hearts.
The Adepti fell quiet.
They hadn't processed it.
Moments ago they were reminiscing on Guizhong's death, grieving again over the Geo Archon's passing.
In the next instant, the Archon was "alive."
"Archon, why is this?"
Mountain Shaper spoke first.
The Archon's "death" had seemed strange. Who in the world could slay him without a sound?
But after seeing the divine body, some things had to be accepted.
Now that Zhongli revealed himself, they had questions.
Sitting on a stone bench, Zhongli explained everything from start to finish.
Upon hearing he staged it as a test because he was abdicating, the Adepti felt a mix of emotions.
Though protectors of Liyue, they appear only against great foes.
The Archon, however, has worried over Liyue's development for millennia.
Now, after thousands of years of toil, it is time to rest.
"So that's the truth. In any case… knowing you are unharmed fills us with joy."
"It seems Mr. Ken stepped in not only because of the Jade Chamber, but also due to you?"
In her youthful form, Madame Ping smiled at Ken.
Because her young disciple was with this great prophet, Madame Ping had a very good impression of him.
"Madame Ping?"
Ken regarded the beautiful lady, thought a moment, and spoke.
She wore deep green—a saturation like mountains' verdure—shading richer along her graceful lines. Golden embroidery at her waist added a touch of earthly warmth.
Her blue hair was swept up with a wooden hairpin.
Her fair face was exquisitely ethereal; icy-blue eyes glimmered.
Nothing like the stooped Madame Ping of before.
"Eh? So you recognized me at a glance, great prophet?"
Madame Ping's expression was a bit delighted—so different from her usual kindly poise—like a carefree fairy strolling mountain paths.
Ken smiled slightly, tacitly confirming.
One must admit, the Adepti in human form each had their own transcendent grace.
Even talkative Cloud Retainer, in human guise, had extraordinary poise.
"I've met him," Shenhe said suddenly, breaking her silence.
From the moment Ken arrived, Shenhe had been watching him, as if to confirm something. When business was done, she spoke.
"Eh?" Cloud Retainer was surprised.
"That day, an outsider came to Jueyun. It was him. He left me a… a card."
From her Vision pouch, Shenhe took out a calling card and handed it to Cloud Retainer.
Cloud Retainer glanced—Ken's name was indeed on it.
"That day I accompanied the Traveler to deliver a letter. While admiring the scenery in Jueyun, I ran into Shenhe," Ken said, sipping immortal tea.
Cloud Retainer's gaze deepened. She didn't insist that Shenhe form bonds in the mortal world, but if it were with someone like Ken, it would be a good thing.
Recalling Ken's earlier claim, Cloud Retainer asked, "You said you had a way to help Shenhe integrate into Liyue?"
"That's right," Ken set down his cup, unhurried. "If you trust me, let her follow me. I happen to need a store manager for my Liyue specialty shop. Nothing helps one adapt to human life faster than a job like that."
Meeting different people daily—prime training for social skills.
With Ferrylady helping, Shenhe should improve after a while.
Most importantly—
The Liyue Specialty Store had long lacked a proper manager. Mondstadt has Mona; Liyue Harbor could very well have Shenhe.
Cloud Retainer's heart stirred. "Naturally we trust you. But as a great prophet, might you change Shenhe's fate?"
He arrived with the Archon. Why wouldn't they trust him?
And they'd seen Ken's abilities. If he could alter Shenhe's fate, it would be a blessing.
They didn't ask the Archon for a reason—if he could, he'd have offered. His silence meant he couldn't, for now.
"If fate allows someday, I will help."
Ken didn't promise outright; it depended on the system's draw.
But once bound by an invitation with Shenhe, the system would roll for Shenhe-related items—perhaps even a fate-changing tool.
…