Yelan had just scouted the area and found no threats. On her way back, she saw Yanfei and the others but noticed the Traveler wasn't with them, so she returned to check.
The two Inazuman "tourists" had already left. Yelan said:
["Heh… I hope those two visitors from afar can keep this incident under wraps."]
Kuki Shinobu could definitely manage that, but Arataki Itto was less certain.
It's not that he's a blabbermouth, but his brain isn't the sharpest. Without Shinobu by his side, he might let something slip without even realizing it.
Hey, I've got an idea—why not lock Arataki Itto in Liyue's prison?
That way, he'd get to experience the "long-awaited" Liyue jail, prevent any leaks, and even solve his occasional problem of going hungry.
Well, maybe that's a bit much. Even if Arataki Itto spilled the beans, most people wouldn't believe him anyway.
In the book, Yelan said she would continue investigating the Chasm.
["Also, it seems someone lent a hand at the last moment… It's a good thing, but I couldn't sense their identity. They must be quite the expert."]
Tall, yes, quite tall—though whether they're human is another question.
In any case, Yelan left as well, leaving only the Traveler and Xiao.
[Xiao: "You knew I was waiting for you?"]
[Traveler: "Yeah, it's pretty obvious."]
[Xiao: "…Is it? There's a place I'd like to visit. If you have time, come along."]
The Traveler naturally didn't refuse Xiao's request. The two headed to Pervases' temple.
Everyone still remembered this Yaksha. The temple had been renovated, and people often visited to pay their respects.
Once there, Xiao began to tell a story—a story about the Yakshas.
[Xiao: "…A Yaksha's life, put nicely, is one of valor and battle prowess. Put plainly, it's just endless killing."]
["I'm the same. I've lived a long time… If I could die saving others, it wouldn't be such a bad thing."]
With such thoughts in Xiao's heart, it's no wonder he considered sacrificing himself.
[He continued: "Hmm. Or perhaps… this way of thinking is itself a form of madness."]
Faced with Xiao's "extreme" mindset, Paimon brought up Ushi's words.
[Paimon: "Ushi said he doesn't understand grand principles. He just thinks you should stick with whoever makes you happiest."]
["Living in this world might not have so many rules. So… he hopes you understand that even if Yaksha power harms people, it doesn't mean you can't be with everyone."]
Ushi had only "mooed" four times, yet it conveyed so much information.
The readers had an epiphany. Though Lucian didn't specify the timeline, they sensed that the Xiao from the Lantern Rite story came after this event.
It seemed Xiao truly took Ushi's words to heart. In the future, he began trying to blend into mortal life, even if there was some reluctance involved…
[Traveler added: "There will always be someone to stand by your side."]
[Paimon continued: "Yeah, like people with Visions—they can handle your power to some extent, right? And, and… ugh, anyway, tons of people care about you!"]
And, and… and what? Paimon couldn't think of anything else—maybe just the Adepti or something.
What Paimon meant was that there are always tough folks who aren't afraid of Xiao's "jinx."
Like those with Visions—they're pretty durable.
The Traveler, though without a Vision, is tough as nails and can handle it.
Lucian's the same. Living with the "Lone Star Calamity" himself, if his fate wasn't strong, he'd be the one in trouble.
[Xiao sighed: "…Ha, those words sound like something Bosacius and the others would say."]
["Those guys used to say that once the world was at peace, they'd live among mortals. It seems… I was the only one who didn't think that way."]
The Yakshas who wanted to blend into mortal life didn't survive, while the one who only wanted to end his life in "killing" did.
But thankfully, Xiao survived as a great hero. Right, the great↑ hero→ of Qingce↑ Village!
Unlike Archons, when Yakshas die, they truly return to the Ley Lines with little left behind.
Liyue's Ley Lines are too stable, unlike Inazuma's, which occasionally leak taint.
With Bosacius, it's unclear whether the Bosacius in the Chasm was his actual remnant soul or just a "memory" created by the palace.
Without some opportunity, reviving the Yakshas might require alternative methods.
Anyway, Doraemon Lucian is thinking of other solutions.
Lucian: I want to give the Yakshas complete lives.
Putting that aside, back to the story. Xiao introduced the names of the other Yakshas—the ones Bosacius kept muttering even after losing his memory.
["Conqueror of Demons is me. Menogias is General Kapisas."]
["Then there's General Chizapus, Bonanus, and General Musatas, Indarias. I heard people call the five of us the 'Guardian Yakshas.'"]
Lucian kindly provided beautiful character portraits for the Yakshas, allowing readers to finally recognize them.
So the Yaksha who loved making clothes was called "Menogias." Judging by his portrait, he always had a gentle smile, almost like a "male mom."
It's hard to imagine what he'd look like unleashing his "boundless slaughter."
Bosacius, the four-armed giant, exuded an overwhelming sense of security with his appearance and stature.
The two female Yakshas, Bonanus and Indarias, won over countless readers with their stunning looks.
Turning the page, the kind-hearted Lucian drew all their portraits as shattered, symbolizing their deaths.
Readers: Shikikan, XXX, XXX, XXXXX.
Though they cursed Lucian's "phone number," the readers had to admit it was the truth.
[Xiao: "…Yanfei and Yelan were right. I've always prepared for the worst. This mindset is deeply ingrained… but it's the best approach I can think of."]
It's clear Xiao realized his "desire to survive" wasn't strong enough.
But always preparing for the worst isn't necessarily bad—it's just a difference in personality.
Most people prepare for the worst while hoping for the best. Xiao's different. Once he makes that plan, he's ready to sacrifice himself for it.
["In that moment, if not for the Emperor's intervention, I likely wouldn't have escaped."]
["In the end, I still troubled others."]
Zhongli's brow furrowed. He had guessed Xiao would think this way, which is why, in the story, he didn't follow openly. He only trailed secretly out of concern.
In the end, he had to act, and Xiao still thought this way. Sigh.
Seeing Zhongli's expression, Lucian came over, patted his shoulder, and comforted, "It's fine, you're not human."
"…" Zhongli was silent, unable to retort.
It'd been a while since he saw his friend Lucian. Perhaps it was time to test if his friend's skills had improved.