"Late Night – The Vacant Lot Behind Wangshu Inn"
Tonight, the sky was as clear as a mirror. Moonlight streamed down upon the world, shining through every leaf gap, slipping across the stone steps behind Wangshu Inn. A gentle breeze whispered through the air, carrying with it the damp scent of grass and earth after a light mist. The whole scene was deathly still, only the rustling leaves sounded, like a lullaby for those still awake.
Mei yawned non-stop, eyes barely open, dragging her feet lazily toward the appointed spot.
The moment she saw the figure standing in the clearing, all traces of sleep were violently kicked out of her head.
It was Xiao. Still wearing that solitary and silent look, he stood under the moonlight. his sleeves fluttered in the wind, hair lightly tousled by the night mist, and those amber eyes gazing into the distance as if lost in some unreachable dream.
- Mei (stunned, blushing inwardly): Oh my! Is this... the legendary beautiful man incarnate?
- Mei (clutching her chest, thinking): Aaa, my little heart is racing! Stay calm, Mei! Do not lose your dignity in front of Xiao again!
At that exact moment, Xiao turned around. His cold, misty eyes happened to meet Mei's... not-so-awake gaze.
- Xiao (calmly): ...You're here.
- Mei (startled, stammering): Ah... yeah... hello, Xiao.
- Xiao: If you're here, then let's begin.
- Mei: Actually, Xiao, I wanted to ask you something...
- Xiao: ...
- Mei (holding out an incense burner): Does this look familiar to you?
Xiao took it, carefully inspecting the patterns, textures, and the glaze worn down by time. For a moment, the moonlight hit the burner just right, lending it an almost sacred air.
- Xiao (thoughtfully): This incense burner... is very well-made. The one who crafted it must have had deep knowledge of adeptal arts.
- Xiao (returning it): It was likely created solely for summoning or spirit rites.
- Mei (surprised): Wow, didn't think I'd be that lucky.
- Xiao: Where did you find it?
- Mei: At the abandoned shrine south of Tianheng Mountain. While I was there, I even met someone you know!
- Xiao (slightly surprised): Someone I know?
- Mei: Master Dong Que... he also asked me to send his regards to you.
Mei then began recounting her encounter with Dong Que. The more she talked, the quieter Xiao became. His eyes gradually turned somber. He listened silently until she finished, then softly replied:
- Xiao: That sounds like Dong Que, indeed.
- Xiao: But seeing Liyue as it is now... perhaps he finally got what he wished for.
He let out a small sigh, as if setting down an ancient burden, then turned to Mei.
- Xiao: If there's nothing else, let's begin the ritual.
Mei nodded firmly, filled with determination. Together they laid out the ritual offerings on a small table. Xiao stepped to an open spot nearby and drew a circle on the ground using a branch.
- Xiao: Alright. Now for the crucial part.
The night wind returned, carrying the dry rustle of leaves, as if the whole world held its breath for the upcoming ceremony.
- Xiao (serious): The process has four steps: incense offering, mind purification, incantation, and the arrow shot.
- Xiao (glancing at Mei): I'm leaving this part to you.
- Mei (face pale): Huh!?
Her jaw dropped like a student caught off guard in a pop quiz. Xiao said nothing more, simply nodded to signal the start.
- Mei (scratching her head nervously): Umm... can I... not do the arrow part?
- Xiao (flatly): No. This is adeptal magic.
- Xiao: If the ritual isn’t completed, the magic will backlash. And then... you're on your own.
Mei gulped hard, inhaled deeply, and stepped up to the table to begin the ceremony.
- Xiao: First is "Incense Offering." Light a stick and offer it to the Rock King Emperor.
Mei grabbed one of the massive incense sticks, clumsily lit it, and placed it into the burner.
- Xiao: Next is "Mind Purification." Focus entirely on the being you're trying to summon. Clear your thoughts.
Mei closed her eyes and tried to picture the face, mannerisms, and voice of the Heavenly Commander. The more she thought, the angrier she got.
- Mei (muttering): That bastard... that damned bastard...
- Mei (struggling): No, no... clear my mind... must purify...
- Xiao: Then comes the "Incantation." Say it aloud: "Di Ba Yaksha, tam shi ya jie."
- Mei (loudly): Di Ba Yaksha, tam shi ya jie!
- Xiao: Lastly, the "Arrow Shot." Fire it toward the circle. This seals the pact.
Mei tightly gripped the arrow, took a deep breath, then hurled it toward the drawn circle.
Thud!
The arrow flopped to the ground halfway, weak and pitiful.
- Xiao (wide-eyed): ....
- Mei (cringing inside): As expected from me... a total miss.
- Xiao (expressionless): Ritual... failed.
- Mei (awkwardly): Sorry... Xiao, I've never really used these things before so...
- Mei (face in hands): Huhu... I'm so weak... it's embarrassing!
- Xiao: It’s fine. Just keep doing it until it works.
- Mei: ...
With a sigh, Mei restarted the ritual under Xiao's instructions.
Attempt two... still missed.
- Xiao: Again.
Attempt three... miss.
- Xiao: ...
Attempt four... not even close.
- Xiao (covering his face): How can one mortal be so hopeless?
Though exhausted, Mei clenched her teeth and prepared for another round. Holding the arrow tightly, she whispered to herself:
- Mei: I can do it... this time for sure.
Right then, a cool, firm hand landed on hers. Xiao had appeared behind her without a sound, holding her hand seriously... very seriously.
- Xiao (quietly): Relax your body. Aim true. Use all your strength.
Mei nearly steamed on the spot. Her face turned tomato-red, and her heart was pounding like crazy.
- Mei (internally screaming): So close... too close! I’m gonna pass out right here!
Whoosh!
The arrow flew through the night and struck the center of the circle with a solid thunk. Mei's eyes went wide, jaw dropped in disbelief.
- Mei (stammer): I... I did it!
- Xiao (calm): Your part is done. I’ll take over now.
- Xiao: Brace yourself to meet him.
- Mei (still dazed): Ah... okay...
Xiao stepped toward the circle and began chanting unfamiliar symbols before slamming his hand to the ground. A blinding light burst from the ritual circle, scattering dry leaves and dust.
- Xiao (commanding): Arise!
The air grew heavy. In the haze, a blurred figure began to materialize — the Heavenly Commander.
He appeared in a rumpled fake adeptus outfit, hair a mess, and a dazed expression like he had just woken up.
- Heavenly Commander (confused): Huh... where is this place?
- Heavenly Commander (looking down): My body... why does it feel weightless...?
- Mei (arms crossed, scoffs): You're dead. Dead people don’t weigh anything.
- Heavenly Commander (panicking): What!? D-Dead!?
- Heavenly Commander: That can't be! I clearly just dozed off at Wangshu Inn!
- Heavenly Commander (realizing): Ah, yes. Of course. I must be dreaming.
- Heavenly Commander (laughing): Haha! Truly I am magnificent — even my dreams resemble the celestial realm!
- Mei: Dream, my foot... this guy is beyond saving.
- Mei (pointing at him): You bastard! Faking adeptus status, stirring up chaos, and nearly sending me to an early grave!
- Mei: Today marks the end of your legacy!
- Heavenly Commander (screaming): Insolent! You dare act this way in my dream!?
He lunged, preparing to strike — but a massive force suddenly froze him midair.
- Xiao (chanting calmly): Still.
Instantly, the Heavenly Commander was paralyzed, fist mid-punch, face frozen in pure confusion.
- Heavenly Commander (shocked): What... what is happening!? I can't move!
Xiao stepped forward like a silent guardian. With him standing there, Mei practically gained a power boost. She charged in, blood boiling.
- Mei (rolling up sleeves): Heh... with the great one guarding me, why not throw hands? You're about to learn what Justice tastes like!
Then she let loose.
Wham! — A punch to the gut.
Smack! — A slap to the left cheek.
Smack! — And another to the right.
- Mei (panting, shaking her hand): Hmph, this guy’s face hurts to punch!
- Xiao (watching): ...
- Xiao (thinking): Is this... how mortals enact justice?
- Heavenly Commander (on the verge of tears): Please... stop... give me back my celestial status...
- Mei (mocking): Oh, just a few slaps and you're crying already? Weren’t you some all-powerful sage?
- Heavenly Commander (sniffling): I... I admit it! I pretended to be an adeptus...
- Heavenly Commander: Please forgive me! I swear it won’t happen again...
- Mei (pointing to Xiao): I’m not the adeptus. HE is. That’s the real deal!
- Heavenly Commander: What!?
Xiao stepped forward, a deadly aura radiating from him.
- Xiao: You impersonated an adeptus, failed to banish evil, and endangered innocents.
- Xiao: Eventually, darkness would've consumed you, leaving you corrupted for eternity.
- Heavenly Commander: Y-You’re...
- Heavenly Commander (bowing): May I humbly ask your name?
- Xiao: ...
Seeing him stay silent, Mei interjected:
- Mei: Who else? He’s the Demon Subduing Great Saint.
- Heavenly Commander: F-For real...
- Mei (confident): Look at that presence. No way he's not.
- Heavenly Commander (realizing): Heaven truly blesses me. Even in death, I get to meet the Yaksha Guardian!
- Heavenly Commander: It really is you!
- Mei: You know Xiao?
- Heavenly Commander (teary): Of course! I grew up hearing tales about the Demon Subduing Great Saint!
- Heavenly Commander: One day, I found the Forbidden Codex among my grandfather's relics.
- Heavenly Commander: At first I just liked pretending, but I got in too deep and lost my way.
- Heavenly Commander (sincerely): I won't make the same mistakes again.
- Heavenly Commander (turning to Mei): And I'm truly sorry for almost getting you killed...
Hearing that, Mei softened a little, waving him off.
- Mei: Fine, you're forgiven... for now.
- Heavenly Commander (facing Xiao): Before the Demon Subduing Great Saint, I vow... from now on, I’ll live honestly and do good.
- Xiao: I will remember that. Now go.
- Heavenly Commander (grateful): Thank you... I won’t forget this moment.
With that, his soul gradually faded into nothing, as though he had never existed. Xiao turned to Mei.
- Xiao: The matter is settled. I'm leaving.
- Mei (nodding, a bit reluctant): Then... goodbye, Xiao.