The next day, Lovia wrapped herself in her familiar hooded cloak and stepped out of her small cottage.
She didn't bring the letter she had written to Mr. Sun Sanyu, because this time she planned to go to the Feiyun Commerce Guild to find Xingqiu.
She had told Neuvillette that she needed to stay for a few more days. Besides packing her bags, mentally preparing for a journey to a foreign land, and saying goodbye to her friends, there was a more secret reason.
The stories she had published in Liyue under the pseudonym "Fictional Historian" were missing one last piece—the most impactful one in her plan.
She wanted to leave a "trump card" for the readers of Liyue!
Early morning in Liyue Harbor was shrouded in a thin mist, carrying the salty scent of the sea breeze.
Thinking about taking the initiative to visit and having to say goodbye in person made Lovia feel her heart skip a beat. She silently rehearsed her words in her mind as she walked along the familiar streets.
When she passed the bustling Wenyensuite, her pace unconsciously slowed down. On the new book recommendation board outside the bookstore, a familiar name caught her eye—"Zhenyu."
Lovia was slightly stunned.
Zhenyu? Isn't that Xingqiu's pen name?
Her curiosity was immediately piqued.
In her memory, Xingqiu seemed to have only written "A Legend of Sword," and wasn't that book only popular in Inazuma?
Could it be... in this world, he has a new work?
Her social anxiety's hesitation lost out to the prospect of "Zhenyu's new work." She tugged at her Hood to ensure her face was well-hidden, then lowered her head and quickly walked into Wenyensuite.
The store was thick with the scent of books. Readers in small groups were either browsing the shelves or standing in corners talking in low voices. Lovia went straight to the section labeled "Liyue Masterpieces," and as expected, saw many beautifully bound volumes in a prominent position. The author's name was clearly "Zhenyu."
In addition to a reprint of the familiar "A Legend of Sword," there was another book beside it that she had never heard of: "the lonely cry of the remnant night."
Lovia: "?"
There really is one?!
Lovia was even more surprised. She carefully picked up the copy of "the lonely cry of the remnant night." The cover was deep blue, featuring silhouettes of a lonely cliff and a waning moon, creating a cold and desolate atmosphere.
Flipping to the title page, she saw a line of small text: Dedicated to all the guardians who walk alone through the long night, yet keep their hearts toward the bright moon.
This theme seemed somewhat different from Xingqiu's previous martial arts style.
This caused a strange stir in her heart.
"He really... wrote a new book?" Lovia murmured to herself.
Just as she was about to flip through a few pages, she overheard the discussion of two nearby book lovers.
"Mr. Zhenyu's new work has such a grand scope," a passerby lamented.
"Indeed. Who would have thought that in the story, the Yaksha suppressed under Guyun Stone Forest wasn't a traitor, but a hero who sacrificed himself for righteousness?" his companion agreed. "'Though this body be defiled, the heart may face the bright moon.' That final line from the Broken-Winged Yaksha was truly heart-wrenching."
Traitor? Hero? Broken-Winged Yaksha? Guyun Stone Forest?
What on earth? Is this really a book written by Xingqiu?
Lovia was bewildered. She immediately took "the lonely cry of the remnant night" to the counter, quickly paid the Mora, hugged the book tightly to her chest, and almost ran out of Wenyensuite, temporarily canceling her trip to the Feiyun Commerce Guild.
She was too curious—curious about what Xingqiu had actually written.
Returning to her temporary cottage, she closed the door tightly and impatiently opened "the lonely cry of the remnant night."
As the pages turned one by one, the plot gradually unfolded before her.
The book tells the story of a youth named Xingyun who accidentally discovers a sealed diary at Guyun Stone Forest, leading to a series of events.
The owner of the diary is the "Broken-Winged Yaksha" Xiao, who was historically labeled a "traitor." However, the diary reveals that it wasn't betrayal at all, but Xiao's plan for self-sacrifice. Xiao was being eroded by karma and faced losing control. To avoid dragging down his comrades and to wipe out the enemy army in one fell swoop, he decided to fake his defection, eventually leading the enemies into a trap to perish together with him.
After reading it, Xingyun believes this truth and begins investigating everywhere to rehabilitate Xiao's name.
But the authorities and the public don't believe him. Familiar characters like Zhongli, Hu Tao, and Ningguang appear in the story. Furthermore, Xingyun encounters a warning from an Adeptus of Mt. Aocang who has an old grudge against Xiao (it's that woman!). However, Xingyun doesn't give up. Following the diary's clues, he finds the site of the final battle, discovers inscriptions left by the Rex Lapis and Xiao's weapon, thoroughly proving that Xiao was a hero who sacrificed his life for righteousness.
Ultimately, Xingyun returns to Liyue with the evidence, causing a massive sensation. Although the authorities acknowledge Xiao's contribution and build a cenotaph for him, they do not disclose all the brutal details for the sake of stability. (Xiao: Who are you saying is dead?)
By the end of the story, Xiao's stigma is washed away, and people gain a deeper understanding of history and heroes through this event.
Lovia closed the book and took a deep breath, trying to calm the surge of surprise in her heart.
Xingqiu's "the lonely cry of the remnant night," with its premise of "a hero bearing a stigma while the truth is buried by history," was spiritually so similar to the stories she wrote under the pseudonym "Fictional Historian."
Using characters well-known to Liyue people to construct a completely different story—it was even bolder and more complete than her own concepts.
"So... I'm not the only one fictionalizing..." she whispered to herself. Her disbelief flashed and then transformed into an enlightened joy. "Xingqiu—no, Zhenyu—he has also taken a similar path. Was he inspired by the stories of Lovia and the Fictional Historian, or did he already have this intention?"
The pace of implementation was so fast!
Thinking of this, the social anxiety Lovia felt about saying goodbye in person was suddenly mostly dissipated by a mischievous impulse.
She looked at the brand-new copy of "the lonely cry of the remnant night" in her hand, and a brilliant idea came to mind.
Since Xingqiu has already written such a story, what would happen if she gave his own work back to him as a parting gift?
Or... read it aloud in front of him?? And give Mr. Zhenyu a round of enthusiastic praise?
The thought gave her a sense of unprecedented excitement and fun. Her remaining social anxiety retreated before the great temptation of "having some fun." Moreover, after Xiangling's guidance during this period, she had long since considered them friends. Combined with the inexplicable confidence Neuvillette had given her, Lovia suddenly felt... teasing a friend... might be quite interesting?
Would Xingqiu get angry? Can friends do this?
Could she... even be considered Xingqiu's friend?
Lovia hesitated for a moment but finally took action. She tucked "the lonely cry of the remnant night" into her coat, hurriedly wrapped herself in her hooded cloak, and left the house.
[Bonus Chapter Progress: 59%]
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"