The hangover was brutal. Waking up, Ji Ming felt like his skull might explode.
"I have been ravaged by wine and women—how wretched I look. From this day forth, I quit drinking!"
Rubbing his temples, he swore it in a daze. He didn't even like alcohol; last night was just the joy of reunion with his sworn brothers so he… had a few… jars?!
Damn those traitors. Knowing he couldn't hold his liquor and still egging him on—and no one even walked him home.
Wait. He remembered staggering back to the courtyard drunk… so why was he in bed now? And in just a white sleeping shirt—someone had tended to him.
Could it be… Miss Not-Worth-Mentioning from Wangsheng?
"Don't get ideas. I had Old Meng look after you," a voice said. "You were pitiful, no escort, so I reluctantly helped you part of the way."
He turned. Hu Tao sat at the desk by the window, holding a copy of "Autumn's End: Sword Notes." Same Wangsheng uniform, ancestral Trigram Hat perched on her head.
She yawned and clearly found the book less interesting than the boy. Seeing him wake, she looked over at once.
Ji Ming rubbed his eyes and sat on the bed's edge, grinning.
"Many thanks, Hall Master Hu—supporting a street rat like me. Your noble personage was truly put upon."
"Tch… save the flattery. Get up and drink this hangover soup. It's not cold yet."
She'd wanted to cook it herself, but Old Meng and the attendant had both blocked her—even Zhongli advised against it. Hu Tao was a little miffed. Was her cooking really that bad?
Ji Ming downed the bowl in one go—perfect temperature, even a little hot.
Hu Tao tilted her head.
"Last night you said you were drinking with friends. But Xiangling tells me… you don't really have friends."
Normal. Xiangling only knew Ji Ming as a street swindler; she had no idea about the Old Nine Gates.
"Old friends," he said. "I've been in the jianghu for years. You two little girls don't know half of it."
She stuck her tongue out.
"So you brag drunk and sober, huh?"
Ji Ming pretended not to hear. He set the bowl down and glanced at the bed and other furniture.
"I'll pay you back for these. Consider them purchased."
"Being formal with me?"
"With our relationship, formality is appropriate, no?"
Right—neither childhood sweetheart like Xiangling nor just a normal friend. With her, he would keep it formal.
Hu Tao bared her little tiger teeth.
"No being formal. This Hall Master is giving them to you. You'll take them and be good."
Ji Ming shook his head.
"I dislike owing favors. Please forgive me, Hall Master."
Stubborn as rock. Fine—let him be. She had more pressing questions anyway.
"Ji Ming—three years ago, did you fight in an alley at Feiyun Slope?"
"Did I? Sorry. That's ancient history. Can't recall."
Face calm, he took clothes from the rack and began dressing.
"I have things to do today, so I'll take my leave. In a few days I'm holding a housewarming banquet. I'll send an invitation—do honor us."
Hu Tao stared, unable to tell if he had truly forgotten. At last she nodded.
"I'll come. No 'do me the honor' needed—we're friends."
"Mm. That works."
Leaving the main room, Ji Ming finally exhaled. He'd fought plenty these ten years, all over Liyue Harbor—but that brawl three years ago… he remembered well.
He'd lied to Hu Tao again, and what of it? He was a swindler; swindling was normal.
But calling someone a friend and then lying… made him feel filthy. He didn't have many friends.
No helping it. He'd taken Hu Tao's grandfather's money and favor—so he would bear her burdens. That's how the world works.
Enough dwelling.
He left the courtyard. Invitations were already written. Cloud Retainer and Senior Shenhe were far out in Jueyun Karst; he'd deliver theirs first.
Before leaving, Cloud Retainer had given him an adeptus talisman—it would let him pass adeptal wards freely, and in danger he could clutch it and shout; the nearest adeptus would come.
As Cloud Retainer's disciple, he was "junior nephew" to the other adepti.
He set out at once. As a longtime runner of Liyue's roads, Ji Ming had inevitably "borrowed" treasure like the Treasure Hoarders, so he knew the wild paths by heart. He quickly reached Guili Plains.
Prosperity had given way to broken walls. He felt the ache but didn't slow. Left at the fork led to Jueyun Karst. Right led to Wangshu Inn, rumored to be the Tianquan's intelligence post—so the whispers went.
Hilichurls were unavoidable, and they traveled in packs. Ji Ming circled wide, returned to the main road, and looked for a camp to refill water.
A handsome youth materialized on a tree limb, hidden by leaves, watching Ji Ming drink.
"…Adeptal aura," the youth thought.
Ji Ming's nose twitched. He turned and spotted the expressionless youth on the branch. His hand jerked—the waterskin did a full 360-degree freefall, splashed the campfire, sent sparks flying.
Zero points on the dive.
Realizing he'd startled the man, the youth flashed down, arms folded, voice spare.
"You carry an adeptal aura."
Ji Ming kept a straight face, picked up the dented waterskin, and took a sip.
"I'm a new disciple of Cloud Retainer. Which senior uncle would you be?"
Drop from a tree like a ghost—if not an adeptus, then what, a specter? Honestly, that entrance was horror-story tier.
"Xiao. A yaksha general under the Lord of Geo. Liyue folk prefer 'Conqueror of Demons.' Call me what you like."
Ah. That one. Xiao wasn't widely "popular" in folk worship; he wasn't the bringer of blessings—he was the slayer of demons. Had he come because of Ji Ming's adeptal scent?
…Damn. He hadn't prepared Xiao's invitation. He couldn't not invite him now.
"Ahem. Senior Uncle Xiao, a pleasure. In a few days I'm hosting a housewarming in Liyue Harbor—Feiyun Slope, just right of Wangsheng. Please do me the honor."
Xiao shook his head.
"Just call me Xiao. I don't like noisy places. Where are you headed, and why at Guili Plains?"
"Paying respects to Master and Senior. And to deliver invitations."
Xiao stepped closer, gauged Ji Ming's height, then gestured for him to stoop and rested a hand on his shoulder.
The world lurched. In the blink of an eye, they stood in Jueyun Karst, the central lake glass-clear.
But Ji Ming wasn't staring at the view. He replayed the last second—and snuck a glance at Xiao.
…Did Senior Uncle just tiptoe for a moment?
Xiao's gaze cut sideways, cold.
"Hmph. Disrespect to an adeptus."
"Ahem—forgive me, Senior Uncle Xiao. Your junior is ignorant."
Ji Ming chuckled weakly. He hadn't expected Xiao to sense that. Truly an adeptus—unfathomable.
Xiao didn't bother with correcting titles further. He blurred and vanished.
"Give Cloud Retainer my regards."
Ji Ming cupped his hands and shouted into the wilds.
"Senior Uncle Xiao? Senior Uncle Xiao! Won't you come in to see Master?!"
Only echoes answered. He didn't seem keen.
"Disciple, daring to bellow here and disturb your Master's peace—seems Ganyu hasn't taught you etiquette."
Welp. One leaves, another arrives. Ji Ming smiled and walked forward to greet her.
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