[Location: Wangshu Inn, Liyue]
[Time: 2:00 PM]
The massive elevator creaked as it ascended the hollow trunk of the great tree. Wangshu Inn wasn't just a hotel; it was a fortress watching over the marshes.
"I still can't believe you put the bike in your stomach," Paimon grumbled, hovering next to Aether. "Paimon wants a storage stomach too! Imagine how many sticky honey roasts I could hide!"
"You'd just get fat," I remarked, leaning against the railing.
"HEY!"
The elevator chimed. We stepped into the reception area. The boss, Verr Goldet, looked up from her ledger. Her eyes narrowed instantly as they landed on me.
[Great Sage]
Target: Verr Goldet.
Affiliation: Liyue Qixing (Public), Mondstadt Intelligence (Secret).
Threat Level: Low (Combat), High (Information).>
She smiled, a professional, practiced expression. "Welcome to Wangshu Inn. Table for four?"
"Xiangling ran to the kitchen already!" Paimon pointed toward the smell of smoke. "She said she smelled a 'worthy rival'!"
"We need rooms," I said, placing a bag of Mora on the counter. "And tell the chef to send up his best Almond Tofu to the top balcony."
Verr Goldet paused. "The balcony is... reserved for a VIP. Guests aren't allowed—"
"It's not for me," I interrupted, my eyes glowing slightly silver. "It's for the one watching us from the roof."
She stiffened slightly, then nodded. "I see. You are well-informed."
[Location: The Top Balcony]
[Time: 2:15 PM]
I left Aether and Paimon to deal with the luggage and climbed the stairs to the highest terrace. The wind was stronger here, carrying the scent of Dihua Marsh and... blood. Old, dried blood mixed with sharp Anemo energy.
He was there.
Leaning against the railing, staring out at the distant ruins. Xiao. The Vigilant Yaksha.
He didn't turn around.
"Leave. This place is not for mortals."
"Good thing I'm not one," I said, walking closer.
Xiao turned instantly. His spear, the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, materialized in his hand. His golden eyes bored into mine.
"I felt it. That vile energy. You smell like the dragon that poisoned the Wind God... yet different."
"Durin?" I scoffed. "Don't compare me to that rotting corpse. I'm very much alive."
"Demon," Xiao hissed. His mask materialized on his hip, glowing ominously. "If you are a threat to Liyue, I will remove you."
Whoosh.
He vanished.
[Shadow Motion]? No. pure speed.
[Great Sage]
Suggestion: [Thought Acceleration].>
Time slowed. The world turned gray. I could see Xiao mid-dash, his spear aimed at my neck. He was fast. Much faster than Venti or the Regisvine.
I didn't dodge. I raised my left arm.
"[Dragon Scales]: Partial Manifestation."
"[Steel Strength]."
"[Dragon's Haki]: Armor."
My forearm turned into a jagged gauntlet of black dragon scales reinforced with Haki.
CLANG!
The sound was like a temple bell being struck. A shockwave blew the potted plants off the railing.
Xiao's spear point was stopped dead against my forearm. Sparks flew.
He looked genuinely surprised. "You blocked it?"
"I'm sturdy," I grunted, shoving his spear back. "Now, calm down, short stack. I'm not here to fight."
"Short... stack?" Xiao's aura flared green. The air grew heavy, suffused with the screams of defeated gods. This was his Karmic Debt.
[Great Sage]
Type: Karmic Corrosion / Tataigami.
Effect: Continuous mental and spiritual damage.
User Status: [Pain Nullification] is active. Immunity confirmed.>
He prepared to plunge, the Anemo elements gathering for his signature Lemniscatic Wind Cycling.
"Stop!" Paimon's voice squeaked.
Aether burst onto the balcony, holding a plate of Almond Tofu. "We brought food! Don't kill the hotel guests!"
Xiao froze mid-air, then landed gracefully on the railing. He stared at the Tofu, then at me, then at Aether. The mask on his hip dimmed.
"Traveler..." Xiao crossed his arms. "You associate with dangerous creatures."
"Raiden is a friend!" Paimon insisted, hiding behind Aether. "Mostly! He eats weird stuff, but he's nice!"
I rubbed my arm. The scales receded back into my skin. "I ordered that for you, by the way."
Xiao looked at the plate. His hostility lowered, but his guard remained up. "Why?"
"Because you look like you haven't slept in five hundred years," I said bluntly. "And because I wanted to see if the legends were true."
Xiao took the plate. He didn't eat it immediately. "Legends are often exaggerated. I am a tool of slaughter. Nothing more."
He looked at me again. "You... your soul. It is not singular. It is a chaotic mix of voices."
He senses the Ancestors? Or maybe the thousands of monsters I've eaten?
"I carry my history with me," I replied cryptically.
Xiao took a bite of the Almond Tofu. For a split second, the pained scowl vanished from his face, replaced by a look of nostalgic peace. Then, the mask returned.
"If you intend to harm Liyue," Xiao said quietly, "I will not hesitate next time. Scales or not."
"If I wanted to harm Liyue," I leaned over the railing, looking toward the harbor, "I wouldn't start with the Inn. I'd start with the bank."
Xiao actually snorted. A tiny, almost imperceptible sound. "Hmph. Boring."
[Location: Wangshu Inn Kitchen]
[Time: 7:00 PM]
Night had fallen. The inn was bustling.
I sat at a table with Aether and Paimon. Xiangling was in the kitchen, apparently having a "Cooking Battle" with Smiley Yanxiao. The sounds of furious chopping and shouting were audible from the dining room.
"So," Aether whispered, "That was an Adeptus?"
"A Yaksha," I corrected, sipping tea. "Demon Slayer. The last of his kind. He's suffering from spiritual poisoning."
"Can you fix him?" Paimon asked, munching on a chicken skewer. "You know, with your... smoochy skill?"
I choked on my tea. "Don't call it that. It's [Lust]."
"Whatever! Can you?"
I thought about it.
"Maybe. [Lust] can manipulate life force. I could probably drain the corruption out of him, or pump him full of positive energy to counteract it. But..."
"But?"
"He's proud. If I tried to 'heal' him, he'd probably stab me again. He thinks his suffering is his penance."
Suddenly, a massive burst of heat exploded from the kitchen.
"DONE!" Xiangling shouted.
She marched out, holding a platter of Golden Shrimp Balls. Smiley Yanxiao followed, looking defeated but happy.
"I admit defeat!" the ghost-fearing chef declared. "Your wok control is superior!"
"Raiden! Aether!" Xiangling slammed the food on our table. "Victory dinner! Then tomorrow, we head to the Harbor!"
I grabbed a shrimp ball.
Liyue Harbor.
The Rite of Descension was in two days.
Rex Lapis was going to fake his death. The Fatui were moving.
[Great Sage]
Analysis: 15% Complete.
Possibility of Mimicry: [Yaksha Mask] (Transformation). Requires more data.>
I smiled, my silver eyes narrowing.
"Hey, Aether. When we get to Liyue... let me handle the Fatui. I need a workout."
Aether looked at my grin and shuddered. "Just... don't eat Childe, okay?"