Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
After squeezing every bit of potential from the Hydro Mimic, his spirit was fully restored. Cloud Retainer had also finished her research on Alice's cloak, and Victor Wang was promptly driven down the mountain.
This time, however, he wasn't alone.
"You really want to enter the mortal world?"
"No need to worry, Master has already given her consent."
"…I'm worried you won't be able to adapt to society."
Shenhe had lost her mother at the age of five and was offered as a sacrifice to monsters by her father at six. Ever since then, her life had been spent in the solitude of Mt. Aozang. Her understanding of human society had remained frozen at that point—essentially, it was as if a small child wanted to integrate into society. Under Cloud Retainer's strict tutelage, she might even have less worldly knowledge than an ordinary six-year-old.
How could one not worry?
"There's an Adeptus in Liyue Harbor named Ganyu. You may have heard of her. She has worked at Yuheng Pavilion for countless years. Master asked me to seek her guidance in learning how to live in the mortal world. Though I can't say I know her well… we have at least met. And since Master raised her too, she is technically my senior sister. There shouldn't be a problem."
"Ganyu… she is reliable enough. Then you know where Yuheng Pavilion is, right?"
Though her face was expressionless, Shenhe spoke with a peculiar confidence. "I know. I observed once. All one needs to do is jump down from Mt. Tianheng."
"…You don't have a flight license. And parachuting straight onto Yujing Terrace is… let me just take you by the normal path."
"Flight license?"
"You need one to fly over the city."
"But when Master taught me how to use the Wind Glider, she never mentioned that. In the mountains, no one cares if I fly wherever I please. Why make such a strange rule?"
"This is how I see it: if people without a license could fly freely over the city, then the moment someone had an accident, not only would they injure themselves, but they might fall on others. Even if they didn't hit a person, damaging rooftops and walls would still be wrong."
"My flying technique is excellent. I would never have an accident," Shenhe said stubbornly.
"That's exactly the problem. I know you, so I believe you. But how can strangers believe you? And how can you believe strangers? That's why the license system exists. A trusted authority evaluates and certifies you. With that proof, everyone can trust you."
"I… think I understand. It's like how Ganyu has spent all these years in Liyue Harbor, and though I hardly know her, she trusts Master. Because of that, she'll trust me as well."
"Exactly!" Victor Wang nodded with satisfaction. "By the way, banks formed from the same principle. People dare deposit their Mora there, trading real coins for a string of numbers in an account, because they trust the power behind the bank."
"So, in the end, it's all about caring for the safety of strangers. That's what people call human kindness, right?"
"Yes. City regulations on flight might have other reasons, but this is without doubt the most human one."
As they conversed, the two arrived at Yujing Terrace.
"Could you inform Ganyu that Shenhe is here to see her?"
Listening to the bustling chatter of clerks at work—not deliberately noisy, but overwhelming when gathered together—and watching the endless flow of people entering and leaving Yuheng Pavilion, Shenhe couldn't help but remark, "It's so lively here."
"It is. But Liyue Harbor is lively everywhere—especially at morning markets, night markets, mealtimes, and festivals. Even the quietest roadside teahouse is far livelier than Mt. Aozang. I hope you can get used to it."
"Since I have chosen to break free of the red rope, I will no longer resist crowded places."
"Shenhe! And Victor?"
Still looking half-asleep as always, Ganyu stepped out and immediately noticed the striking presence of Shenhe, then called to them.
"Alright, you two should talk. I'll be off."
Victor Wang waved goodbye. By his own reckoning, he had been away from Liyue Harbor for seven days. The results of the Bubble-Blowing Contest, the Abyss Order's next moves, the publication progress of Chronicles of Shenzhou's Broken Sword, and of course, the many dishes he had gone without for a week—all awaited him.
The day passed quickly in busyness.
"Victor, are you inside?"
The next morning, he hadn't even slept until waking naturally when someone came knocking.
Urged on by the banging and the calls, Victor Wang opened his bleary eyes. "Shenhe?"
"Victor, you really are here. I thought I had the wrong room."
"Hold on!"
Victor Wang hurriedly dressed, checked his pocket watch, and saw it was only 5:30 AM. Outside the door, sure enough, stood Shenhe. "How did you know I was staying here?"
"I asked Ganyu. She told me."
"Ganyu? And how did she… never mind. You really are up early."
"In the mountains, I always woke at this time to cultivate."
"But now that you're in the mortal world, you should adjust your training to fit society. At least sleep until seven in the morning—it won't hurt."
"Ganyu said the same. But she also wakes at five."
"…Ahahaha."
Well, that was Ganyu. Alongside Keqing, she was one of Liyue's notorious overtime duo. It wasn't hard to imagine how diligent she must be. Victor Wang sighed. "So, she asked you to find me as part of your worldly training?"
"No. She said in human life the most important thing is work. If I could understand that, then I would have succeeded in entering the mortal world.
"So, she gave me a job—as her assistant. I helped record statistics, sort documents, and categorize files. But it was dull. Very dull. Sitting in that little room doing the same thing all day.
And exhausting. More tiring than cultivation. Yesterday we didn't finish until midnight, and today I must go again at five.
I told her this was wrong. She said this is simply how human society works. If no one worked, society would collapse.
I pointed out that Liyue Harbor had been fine before I came, so clearly my not working would change nothing.
She hesitated, then explained that to live in society one must earn money, and to earn money one must work. She also explained the concept and importance of money.
I said you can earn money without working. She insisted it was impossible. So, I came to you."
Expressionless as ever, she finished her complaint with: "You're the one I'm closest to in Liyue Harbor."
"Wait, wait… that's a lot to process…"
Victor Wang pressed a hand to his forehead, then burst out: "Starting at five and ending at midnight? That's insane!"
"Right?" Shenhe blinked.
"Unfortunately… Ganyu is correct. Without working, you really can't earn money. You still don't fully understand money. Its essence is equivalent exchange—you must give to receive. Even robbing requires time and strength, and you will be caught. Kids should never try that."
"I'm not a child."
"Adults can't do it either!"
Shenhe deflated slightly.
"But Ganyu's schedule is far too extreme. If work hours were from nine to five, would you go back?"
After some thought, Shenhe shook her head. "I dislike such repetitive tasks."
"I see. Then how about monster subjugation?"
"You can earn money by fighting monsters?"
"Yes. And it's considered proper work."
"Hmm… I've slain many monsters in the mountains before. Who owes me payment for those?"
"Pff—hahaha! You really are… so innocent… and adorable…" Victor Wang couldn't help laughing at her unexpectedly earnest logic. "Come on, I'll take you to register as an adventurer. Luckily, Katheryne works 24/7."
…
Since she possessed a Vision, the Adventurers' Guild offered Shenhe a one-time rank evaluation. Under the stunned gaze of a senior adventurer, Shenhe pierced straight through a weakened Pyro Regisvine with a single thrust of her spear.
"Congratulations. With senior adventurer Victor's recommendation, you've passed the Guild's evaluation test. By protocol, you are hereby recognized as a senior adventurer."
"Good! That way I can take four commissions a day and earn more Mora. Your temperament suits pure subjugation commissions—direct, efficient. Just remember: with the Treasure Hoarders, only confiscate their Treasure Hoarder insignias. Those who can't pay or have serious crimes should be knocked unconscious and delivered to the Millelith. We try to avoid killing people."
"I don't understand."
"I'll go with you."
…
After completing four commissions, plus the Guild's full-attendance reward, Shenhe pocketed nearly fifty thousand Mora.
"After working so hard, it's time to spend some."
"Spend?"
"Use money. Let's go eat at Wanmin Restaurant first. I'll also introduce you to more friends."
"I know Xiangling. Master spoke of her. Chongyun… I think we're related by blood. Xingqiu… his character is poor; I think he once threatened Chongyun. Hu Tao—I knew of her when she wandered the mountains. And a woman in white—we've never spoken.
"These are the people who visited Mt. Aozang to see you the other day. We've met. Except for Xingqiu, I can consider the rest friends."
Hearing her assessment, Victor Wang chuckled.
"Friendship isn't so simple. If you've only met a few times, that's just an acquaintance. The bond is shallow, dispensable.
True friends are those you contact often, who share your joy and ease your sorrow, who help in hardship. And you must be able to do the same in return. That is a real friend.
As for Xingqiu—though you misunderstand him, if you asked Chongyun whether Xingqiu is his good friend, he would say yes without hesitation."
"Xingqiu and Chongyun are good friends? I don't understand… But you and I… we're good friends, right?"
Her gaze was uncharacteristically uneasy, as if afraid to hear a denial. Victor Wang mischievously shook his head.
"We're not…?"
"Your relationship with me goes beyond good friends. You're my lifesaver. In every story and play, they always say: 'A life-saving debt can never be repaid, save by… ahem.'"
Had he truly died in those desolate mountains, then even if resurrected, with both the Geo Archon and the Anemo Archon erased from memory, who knew when Zhongli and Venti might have restored what was lost? And even if resurrection had been assured, would the intent of someone willing to save him become meaningless?
That intent weighed just as heavily.
"You really think that way? I'm glad. But I need no repayment. Just be my very first good friend."
That… that was far too straightforward. Transparent in her purity. If she had been a tsundere, she'd have been completely overwhelmed by now.