Liyue.
On a quiet street, Zhongli—who had just been contemplating his long-term retirement plans— suddenly froze mid-step.
A sharp, murderous sword intent swept across the land.
"This sword intent…"
For the first time in a long, long while, Zhongli's composed golden eyes revealed shock.
Even the imminent unsealing of the Vortex God Osial hadn't caused him the slightest worry.
But this sword intent?
Not only did it weigh heavily on his chest— it carried a power that even he felt pressure from.
If the people of Liyue knew…
Their rock-solid faith—their unshakable respect for the Geo Archon— would be shattered instantly.
Because the Geo Archon himself—
was wary of this sword intent.
"This surpasses even the might of the Heavenly Principles… Where did it come from?"
Zhongli frowned.
But the answer came to him almost immediately.
That miraculous manga shop— and the mysterious owner he couldn't see through.
Beyond that man, Zhongli could not imagine anyone capable of unleashing such sword intent.
Not even the Heavenly Principles.
"As expected… Boss Han is truly unfathomable."
He sighed with emotion.
And quietly made another decision:
After retiring, he must visit that manga shop often.
To enjoy its stories— and perhaps even exchange knowledge with the enigmatic owner.
Someone who could wield such power… must possess vast, profound wisdom.
Zhongli was looking forward to that future conversation.
Meanwhile—
The sword intent continued expanding.
After sweeping through Mondstadt and Liyue, it surged outward, blanketing the whole of Teyvat.
Guyun Stone Forest – Beneath the sea
Osial had been enthusiastically working on breaking free.
Just one more day— and freedom would be his.
But the moment the sword intent passed overhead—
He froze.
"Wh-What is this?!
Stronger… STRONGER than Morax?!"
Terror filled every scale of his body.
He immediately stopped tearing at his seal—afraid the sword intent might notice him and erase him on the spot.
"Thank goodness it merely passed by…"
Osial waited a long time, trembling, before breathing again.
He decided to postpone breaking the seal until tomorrow.
Freedom was close— but getting obliterated right before achieving it?
Absolutely unacceptable.
Inazuma – Tenshukaku
Deep in meditation, Raiden Shogun's violet eyes snapped open.
"This ruthless, murderous aura…"
A trace of seriousness appeared on her eternally stoic face.
A monumental event indeed —Raiden Shogun showing an expression.
"It seems to come from the direction of Liyue…
Is it the Geo Archon?"
But she quickly dismissed the idea.
This sword intent felt stronger than even her Musou no Hitotachi.
It could NOT have come from Morax.
"No matter.
If it does not disturb Inazuma's Eternity, I need not intervene."
She closed her eyes again— yet deep inside, a faint ripple trembled.
Eternity was closest to the Heavenly Principles.
But if there existed something even stronger than the Heavenly Principles…
Then what should she pursue?
What should she believe in?
She did not yet know the answer.
All over Teyvat, gods stirred.
Shock. Fear. Confusion.
And somewhere far above, in Skyfrost Nail's forbidden heavens—
even a certain "overseeing existence" cast its gaze downward.
Solace Book House
Inside the shop, Noelle was trembling uncontrollably under the sword intent.
Han Feng simply waved his hand.
"It's enough."
The four ancient swords vanished instantly.
If he let this continue, far too many unwanted eyes would be drawn to him.
Though even if he knew how many gods were panicking right now, he wouldn't be afraid—
Only annoyed.
The sword intent dissipated from Teyvat.
People everywhere sighed in relief.
A few more seconds, and many might have fainted outright.
"Boss… th-that reward was terrifying!"
Noelle exhaled shakily as she stepped to the counter.
Even protected by the store's shielding, being that close to the swords had nearly overwhelmed her.
If not for Han Feng, she wasn't sure she'd still be standing.
"Prepare dinner," Han Feng said with a light smile.
No explanations.
The Zhu Xian Formation was better left mysterious.
"Right away, Boss!"
Noelle didn't pry further.
If anything, her reverence deepened.
Boss Han was truly the strongest being she had ever seen.
Becoming his maid—was absolutely the greatest decision of her life.
Just then—
A pink door materialized in the air.
Han Feng and Noelle were used to this by now.
Soon enough, Lumine and Paimon stepped out.
"Boss Han! We're back!"
Paimon floated over energetically.
"You two always arrive exactly when dinner's ready. Perfect timing, huh?"
Han Feng pinched Paimon's cheeks.
"No! We rushed back because we sensed a super scary aura!
We were worried!
Boss Han's place is the safest, after all!"
Paimon protested loudly.
Of course, wanting dinner was part of it— but she wasn't going to admit that.
"Yes, Boss Han, that pressure earlier was terrifying.
Paimon was so scared she dove straight into my arms."
Lumine teased.
Finally, she could get revenge for all the times Paimon teased HER.
"That's not true! I—I did NOT!"
Paimon crossed her arms.
Her voice wavered.
But she refused to admit defeat.
Lumine chuckled and let it go.
The truth was—
They both felt the same:
Boss Han's shop was the safest place in the world.
"Noelle, Paimon… you probably don't know yet.
That sword intent just now— Boss Han released it."
Noelle said while setting up dinner.
"WHAT?! Boss Han??"
Lumine nearly yelped in shock.
She knew Han Feng was strong— but not THAT strong.
Even at her peak… she wouldn't have been able to withstand that pressure.
Paimon's reaction was even more extreme—
She grabbed Han Feng's leg tightly.
"Boss Han!
From today on, I'll follow YOU!
Please take care of me!!!"
Her eyes sparkled like twin galaxies.
A thigh like this— must be hugged for dear life.
I, Paimon—
hereby become Boss Han's No.1 loyal underling!
"You're impressive, I'll give you that."
Han Feng rubbed Paimon's cheeks again.
"Alright, let's eat."
Noelle brought out a feast from the Gourmet Tablecloth.
Smells filled the air.
Lumine and Paimon finally suppressed their lingering shock and began eating happily.
Mid-meal, Paimon suddenly remembered something.
"Oh! Boss Han!
Lumine and I should reach Liyue tomorrow!"
"That's right!
We'll get to see the Rite of Descension soon.
I've never seen an Adeptus before!"
Lumine said excitedly.
Meeting immortals was secondary— her true goal was gathering information about her brother.
This time, she had not forgotten.
Your brother may now rest in peace.
"Hmph! Immortals? For what?
With Boss Han here, what Adeptus can compare?"
Paimon crossed her arms proudly.
"If Boss Han wants, he could probably one-shot them all!"
Earlier she had been very excited for the Rite of Descension— but after witnessing Boss Han's sword intent?
Immortals?
What immortals?
Boss Han could flatten them with a casual sneeze.
Boss Han— suppresses ALL existence.
"You! Honestly, every sentence from your mouth is Boss Han this, Boss Han that!
There's no more loyal bootlicker than you."
Lumine flicked Paimon's cheek helplessly.
This little creature already praised Han Feng nonstop before— now that she saw his power firsthand?
She'd probably chant "Boss Han supremacy" every morning.
Noelle didn't speak, but in her eyes was full agreement.
Immortals?
She didn't know.
But Boss Han?
Absolutely strongest.
Becoming his maid was truly her greatest blessing.
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