During the horseback journey, Shenhe sat behind Lumine, her hands gently placed under Lumine's ribs as she held her tightly.
Since Shenhe needed to guide the way, Lumine rode Buell in front, while Shao Yun followed closely behind on Carrot.
Along the road, the four of them chatted idly, bringing up all sorts of topics.
They spoke of amusing tales from Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon's travels across three nations. Of course, many of Shao Yun's experiences were deliberately omitted, as some of his stories might be too shocking for Shenhe.
After all, things like a sea full of corpses, or mountains of blood and bodies—those weren't sights ordinary people could stomach. And matters like slaying gods were hardly things one should boast about casually.
Shenhe also shared interesting stories from the mountains and forests, as well as the great torrential rains that had struck the Liyue region a few months prior.
When the heavy rains were brought up, Shao Yun quickly shifted the topic and asked a rather meaningless question.
"Shenhe, why do Adepti always prefer living in higher places?"
Shenhe turned her head slightly and replied, "Master said that mountain environments are tranquil, far from worldly disturbances, which helps the Adepti focus on their cultivation."
"Moreover, living at high altitudes allows the Adepti to overlook all of Liyue Harbor, making it easier to protect this land and its people."
Shao Yun responded absentmindedly, "So that's how it is."
…
Eventually, the group arrived at the abode of Mountain Shaper.
The abode was nestled high up between two enormous statues. Since the mountain paths were steep and treacherous, riding on horseback was far too dangerous, so they decided to continue on foot.
However, upon reaching the entrance, they discovered it was veiled by Adepti magic, preventing direct entry.
Just as Lumine and Paimon found themselves helpless, a friendly Seelie appeared quietly and dispelled the barrier.
Though Shao Yun had anticipated this, witnessing such a wondrous Seelie with his own eyes still left him astonished.
As they were about to step into the abode, Lumine suddenly halted, turned around, and raised her hand to stop Shao Yun.
"Shao Yun, you stay outside and keep watch for us. If we get trapped inside, remember to find a way to rescue us."
Hearing this, Shao Yun couldn't help but feel puzzled, thinking this was somewhat unnecessary.
Although Mountain Shaper was closely connected with Sea Gazer, it was unlikely her abode would be filled with amber traps like those of Mt. Hulao.
Still, since it was his wife's request—and not an unreasonable one—Shao Yun agreed.
With a helpless sigh, Shao Yun nodded.
"Alright, I'll wait here for you all. Good luck!"
Then he couldn't resist teasing Lumine a little.
"If you need help, just scream."
Lumine couldn't help but laugh, giving his chest a light pat.
"Haha, very funny."
With that, Lumine, Paimon, and Shenhe stepped into the abode of Mountain Shaper.
Shao Yun shrugged as he watched their figures disappear.
He looked up at the sky, noticing the sun was already tilting westward, and muttered, "Well, another day of adventuring without me. Guess this counts as a countryside outing… just with too many third wheels."
Taking advantage of Lumine and Paimon's absence, and with no one else around, Shao Yun secretly pulled out a fresh cigar from his pack, lit it, and savored it.
As for the previous cigar—barely smoked a quarter through—he had already tossed it into the trash bin at Wanmin Restaurant.
After all, he didn't care about such small change; there was no need to be stingy.
Leisurely smoking his cigar, Shao Yun passed the time, taking in the scenery around him.
Suddenly, he felt a gaze upon him, which struck him as strange.
Looking around, he indeed spotted a dark teal silhouette on Mt. Tianheng.
Though distant, he could only make out the vague outline of the figure, and mistakenly assumed it was Cloud Retainer.
Well, parents worrying about their children is normal… especially when it comes to someone as wooden as Shenhe.
So, he waved and called out loudly.
The figure, realizing it had been discovered, suddenly flickered—and in an instant, appeared right before Shao Yun.
But instead of Cloud Retainer, it was Xiao.
Shao Yun couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and confusion.
On one hand, he mused that his Adepti fate was strong today. He always had the feeling that when he was out at sea, Liyue's Adepti were watching him.
On the other hand, he hadn't even met Yun Jin or Beidou yet, and Xiao was already here.
Could it be Xiao just hangs around Mt. Tianheng, waiting to "clock in"?
With arms crossed, Xiao fixed Shao Yun with a cold gaze and asked flatly, "You've returned to Liyue?"
Unfazed by Xiao's usual way of greeting, Shao Yun answered calmly, "Hello, Xiao. Seems you're more well-informed than Cloud Retainer—knowing we've come back from Inazuma."
Xiao shook his head slightly. "Not because I am well-informed. I just happened to meet Cloud Retainer earlier."
Shao Yun realized then, So it was Cloud Retainer who said it. Tch, here I thought Xiao had good sources.
"I see." He puffed on his cigar, exhaling a stream of smoke.
Xiao frowned slightly at the smoke, then at the cigar between Shao Yun's fingers, and remarked with mild displeasure, "Hmph. Seems I came at a bad time."
Glancing at his cigar, Shao Yun sighed. "Why is it that every time I light one of these, you Adepti of Liyue show up? Are you all anti-smoking ambassadors?"
Xiao averted his gaze from the cigar. "Forget it. Just don't litter and risk causing a forest fire."
With a chuckle, Shao Yun replied, "Still, by the words of the Liyue folk, my Adepti fate is strong today. I just met Cloud Retainer a while ago.
"You're not also here out of worry for Shenhe, are you?"
After a moment's silence, Xiao said, "Yes. She is Cloud Retainer's disciple, after all. I do have concerns for her."
He left it at that, then changed the subject. "But enough of Shenhe. When you sailed back to Liyue, did you sense anything unusual in the sea?"
Shao Yun knew well that Osial's wife, Beisht, had long sought vengeance for her husband. Ever since Osial's suppression, she had been waiting for her chance.
He found it odd—why could gods have wives, but the Seven Archons could not?
But then again, this world was nothing but a grand stage of Waiting for Godot, absurd and bizarre. No point nitpicking.
Besides, a wife avenging her husband was only natural.
Still, Shao Yun had learned from Cloud Retainer not to stir unnecessary confusion. He merely shook his head.
"How should I put it… I'm not exactly a skilled fisherman, nor a sailor."
Xiao caught his meaning: Shao Yun truly did not know.
"No matter. The seas are our concern. Leave them to us Adepti."
Shao Yun shrugged, relaxed. "Oh, well then, good luck to you Adepti."
His gaze shifted toward the entrance of Mountain Shaper's abode.
Xiao followed his eyes, then asked, "So tell me—what business do you have at this abode? Does it concern Shenhe, Cloud Retainer's disciple?"
Shao Yun gave a slight nod and explained in detail about Ningguang's reconstruction of the Jade Chamber, and Shenhe's errand to "borrow" the Sunset Vermillionite.
After all, there was nothing here that needed secrecy.
Finishing the last drag of his cigar, Shao Yun said slowly, "In short, Shenhe went with Lumine and Paimon to borrow the treasure known as the Sunset Vermillionite."
"As for me, I'm waiting here. If anything goes wrong inside, like a defense mechanism similar to Mt. Hulao, I can rush in and save them."
"Though honestly, with Shenhe there, I doubt I'll be needed."
Xiao blinked, nodded slightly, and said calmly, "I see. Then keep searching at your pace. I'll take my leave."
With that, he vanished in a flash.
Shao Yun didn't feel like talking more, and Xiao wasn't the chatty type either, so their exchange ended there.
…
Not long after Xiao left, Shenhe emerged from the abode, carrying a massive Sunset Vermillionite.
Back when the scene had only been described, it was easy to skim over. But seeing it in person—this stone was enormous, practically a small mountain.
Shenhe's figure seemed so small beneath it, as though it might crush her at any moment.
Yet her steps were steady and light, bearing the colossal weight with ease, like Atlas in Greek myth holding up the heavens.
But unlike that burly Titan, Shenhe's frame was slim and delicate. The contrast made the sight all the more astounding.
Expression calm, Shenhe walked up to Shao Yun and said plainly, "The Sunset Vermillionite is secured. I'll deliver it to the construction site first."
Staring at the boulder on her shoulder, Shao Yun—though knowing her strength—still couldn't help but say, "Shenhe, be careful. Don't hurt your back."
Though you'll never turn into an 'old uncle,' I'll still say it anyway.
Shenhe responded dully with a soft "Oh," before adding, "Lumine and Paimon already reminded me as well. Thank you for your concern."
Shao Yun blinked, taken aback, and said, "Well… no need to be that polite. Just stay safe. Even if the stone was lost, it wouldn't make much difference for Ningguang's building."
Shenhe gave a small nod, then suddenly kicked off the ground with force, almost like using lightness skill, carrying the colossal stone as she sped toward the Jade Chamber's construction site.
Watching the rapidly moving boulder, Shao Yun muttered under his breath, "Truly, the girl next door has grown up—strength to move mountains, spirit to awe the world…"
Not even five minutes later, Lumine and Paimon also emerged from the abode.
Lumine adjusted her dress and hair, then looked toward Shao Yun, who was waiting patiently at the entrance.
"Shao Yun, we're out. Let's hurry to the construction site of the Jade Chamber."