"Lucian, this adeptus wishes to ask..."
Lucian assumed an attentive listening posture.
"Could you teach this adeptus how to write novels that people will enjoy?"
"This adeptus knows many strange tales—writing them into books would surely be interesting."
Lucian was speechless. He had expected profound wisdom from you, perched between two mountains, but never anticipated such a request.
Originally, Cloud Retainer had sought Lucian for serious matters, but now that those doubts had been resolved, the conversation naturally turned casual.
"Master Cloud Retainer... you wouldn't write about me, would you...?" Ganyu's instincts tingled with alarm.
"Hm? Is that not allowed?" Cloud Retainer sounded puzzled. "Ganyu's stories would surely be fascinating to write."
"Absolutely not!!" Ganyu refused firmly, though her tone remained gentle.
Lucian, listening nearby, broke into a cold sweat.
Oh no... if I write about Ganyu later... will she shoot me with an arrow?
Ganyu noticed Lucian's unease and guessed the reason.
Her delicate face instantly flushed red. "M-Mr. Lucian, you wouldn't...?"
Since Lucian was a guest and not yet familiar, she couldn't outright demand anything. Instead, she fixed him with a soft, reproachful gaze.
"Ahem. Cloud Retainer, I can certainly teach you how to write novels, but could you also teach me adeptal arts in return?"
Unable to endure Ganyu's expression, Lucian chose to change the subject.
"Adeptal arts?" Cloud Retainer wasn't opposed to teaching them, especially since Lucian was no ordinary person.
However, adeptal arts required talent and perseverance—not just anyone could master them.
"This adeptus makes no guarantees that you'll succeed," Cloud Retainer stated bluntly.
"Naturally." Lucian nodded in understanding. He would learn what he could.
And so, the two became mutual mentors.
Shenhe, finally catching on, realized: I've gained a junior brother!
Junior brother... Now I'm a senior sister too... Hmm, I must look after him properly.
"Running around Mt. Aocang is such a hassle. Cloud Retainer, why not move to Liyue Harbor?" Lucian suggested.
Ganyu voiced her support—she also wanted Cloud Retainer to live in Liyue Harbor.
"Move to Liyue Harbor..." Cloud Retainer pondered.
Ganyu and Madame Ping had long since settled there, and even Rex Lapis had taken mortal form and moved in.
Could it truly be more comfortable than this adeptal abode?
"We shall see. After this invention is complete." Cloud Retainer didn't agree immediately.
Lucian didn't press further. Judging by her tone, she was already inclined to move—she just hadn't fully decided yet.
"As for the troublesome mountain paths, the first adeptal art this adeptus shall teach you is 'Divine Striding.' It is easy to learn but hard to master, making it ideal for beginners."
Divine Striding, as the name suggested, allowed one to move faster. With enough practice, one could even achieve flight.
Lucian nodded in approval.
But that wasn't all. Cloud Retainer was indeed skilled at conversation—or at least, she had much to say. After teaching Lucian the basics of Divine Striding, she continued chatting.
"This adeptus has read your books. Is the Anemo Archon truly still so... carefree?"
"And Rex Lapis—living in Liyue Harbor, does he truly never carry Mora? Should this adeptus also refrain?"
Lucian answered each of Cloud Retainer's questions.
Upon learning that she lacked the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor or Northland Bank to cover her expenses, Cloud Retainer fell into thought once more.
Would her modest Mora savings suffice for life in Liyue Harbor?
Hmm... If she controlled her spending, it should be manageable... right?
Little did she know that once she arrived in Liyue Harbor, she'd be utterly unable to resist splurging on every novelty—useful or not.
She'd end up just like post-retirement Furina, buying anything fun without a second thought.
But Furina was a superstar with an overflowing treasury and the help of Lady Navia managing her finances.
Cloud Retainer, for now, lacked such wealth. She'd need to find ways to earn more Mora later.
The group chatted until late into the night.
"Let us stop here for today. Lucian may stay in this adeptus' abode." Cloud Retainer transformed back into a great bird and flew off to her dwelling.
"I shall take my leave now," Ganyu said.
She had taken a day's leave from the Qixing, and it was time to return.
Lucian also headed into the great bird's abode to rest. Since he hadn't yet mastered Divine Striding, he'd remain on Mt. Aocang for now.
But the Rite of Descension was approaching—he had to learn the art within the next few days.
Suddenly, Shenhe tugged at the hem of Lucian's robe. (This time, he wore Liyue-style attire, hence the flowing hem.)
(As a side note, his Vision's placement had also changed—now hung from a waist chain at his lower back, a style learned from Zhongli.)
"Junior brother, come with me down the mountain," Shenhe said calmly.
She didn't want Cloud Retainer to know of their descent, so she spoke only after the adeptus had left.
Junior brother? Me?
Lucian was puzzled. Though he was learning adeptal arts from Cloud Retainer, there'd been no formal apprenticeship ceremony. Did this count as initiation?
Not that he minded. After all, Cloud Retainer had indeed become something of a mentor to him—being considered a disciple was fine.
Without resistance, Lucian obediently followed Shenhe.
At first, Shenhe remained silent. Only when they reached the mountain's base did she speak.
"Junior brother, do you know of my fate?" she asked as they walked.
The fate of "Lone Star and Calamitous Omen" destined her to never form close bonds.
But since Lucian was now her junior brother, she wanted to try nonetheless.
Normally, asking such a question would make Shenhe nervous—fearing the loss of this new connection. But due to her red ropes, she felt no such tension.
"I know. 'Lone Star and Calamitous Omen,' right?" Lucian replied.
Shenhe glanced at him, noting his calm expression, and said no more.
Of course, Lucian wasn't bothered. Even if your fate is ordained by the Heavenly Principles, what does that matter to me, an outsider?
As they walked, Shenhe—feeling her duty as a senior sister—guided Lucian in using Divine Striding.
Practice brought true understanding. After repeated attempts and Shenhe's hands-on teaching, Lucian actually managed to perform the art.
Just as that woman had said, this adeptal art was easy to learn.
But at Lucian's current level, it hardly lived up to the "Divine" in its name.
What would have taken Shenhe half an hour alone ended up consuming an entire night for the two of them.
By the time they reached the village where Shenhe had lived as a child, dawn was breaking.
"Junior brother, your talent is exceptional—to grasp Divine Striding so quickly." Shenhe praised him expressionlessly, even patting his head.
"Ahem, let's just head inside." Lucian couldn't handle such praise.
Having seen Ganyu perform the art, he knew his own skill paled in comparison.
Shenhe nodded and entered the village first, Lucian following behind.
The place had long been abandoned. The house from her childhood lay in ruins, covered in dust and cobwebs.
White cloth fluttered inside, marking the former residents' passing.
Shenhe observed it all impassively, showing no emotional reaction.
Yet in her heart, she knew: her ties to the mortal world were truly severed.
Resentment? Acceptance? Both existed, yet neither left a ripple in her heart.
As she touched the drifting white cloth, she wondered: Does this shroud include one for me?
Faint traces of mortal bonds—perhaps the "her" of the mortal world had already died in that cave.
Devoid of emotion, not even an adeptus would be so detached. In such a state, could she still be considered alive?
Lucian, standing beside her, noticed Shenhe staring at the cloth. Without a word, he reached out and patted her head.
Shenhe felt the warmth atop her head. Her expression didn't change—she couldn't feel emotions, but touch and warmth still reminded her she was alive.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Shenhe: About Lucian · First Meeting
"My junior brother? An interesting person. Though I don't fully understand the stories he tells... I don't dislike them."