After resting for a while in the private room at Wanmin Restaurant, the group tidied their things, adjusted their attire, and stepped out of the room.
Outside the door, they were greeted by a crowd packed outside Wanmin Restaurant. Some even held Kameras, looking as if they intended to pass the photos down as family heirlooms.
"Adepti! Real adepti!"
"May the adepti bless us, bless my business to always sail smoothly!"
"The adepti look so handsome, much better than that deadbeat at my house!"
The braver members of the crowd shouted loudly. Those less bold only dared to watch furtively from a distance.
Among these people, there also seemed to be some wearing masks and dressed quite differently from the people of Liyue, quietly observing.
The reason these people couldn't get closer was that the perimeter of Wanmin Restaurant was now fully occupied by the Millelith.
These soldiers had been dispatched by the Qixing to maintain order here and, incidentally, protect the adepti's safety—though the adepti certainly didn't need protection from mortals like them.
But appearances had to be kept up.
"Please, everyone, do not crowd!"
"Please, everyone, do not gather in this area!"
The Millelith soldiers currently had pained expressions as they maintained order. Tomorrow was the Lantern Rite; the place was already crowded enough...
Now, with the adepti's arrival, both those in the know and those unaware all wanted to catch a glimpse, which was quite bothersome.
Zhongli crossed his arms, looking at the scene outside without a word. He turned and slowly walked towards the locations of Chef Mao and Xiangling, seemingly preparing to say something.
"Chef Mao, my sincere apologies for causing a bit of trouble for your esteemed establishment."
"Ah! What trouble are you talking about, Mr. Zhongli? For us chefs, this isn't trouble! It's excellent business!"
Chef Mao placed one hand on his hip, casually waving the other, laughing heartily.
'This was a joke! So many people—he was thrilled, not troubled! After all, making Mora? A little thing like this was nothing.'
"To be honest, I should thank Mr. Zhongli for bringing three esteemed adepti to grace our humble restaurant. I truly feel honored."
"Moreover, I've admired the adepti since I was a child."
Chef Mao spoke with admiration. Though he was just a somewhat famous chef, he also had a heart that yearned for divine recognition.
Simply put, he wanted to obtain a Vision, to gain adeptal power!
"Mr. Zhongli, Mr. Zhongli! How were the new dishes I cooked?"
Xiangling, hugging the furry Guoba, unhesitatingly interrupted the conversation between her father and Zhongli. Her eyes sparkling like stars, she looked expectantly at Zhongli, waiting for a response.
"Chef Xiangling's dishes were very delicious. However, I must still mention some minor flaws and offer a few suggestions."
"Mhm, okay! Please tell me, Mr. Zhongli!"
Zhongli and Chef Mao began discussing how the dishes could be improved, what seasonings would be more flavorful, and what things should not be used...
...such as Hilichurl undergarments...
Meanwhile, Bonanus merely gently patted Bosacius's back, uttering words of comfort, her eyes curved into crescents like a pair of smiling moons.
From her occasionally upturned lips, one could tell Bonanus wasn't really there to comfort Bosacius, but rather to enjoy the spectacle.
"Big Brother Bosacius, you've weathered all the great storms before. Please don't let this little 'undergarment' shatter your inner peace!"
"What you say makes sense..."
"But if you knew what that thing was, why didn't you tell me?" Bosacius wore an expression as if he'd eaten something unspeakable, faint black lines seeming to ripple across his lavender-skinned face.
"And Alatus! You've guarded Liyue for so many years. Surely you could tell what that thing was at a glance! Why didn't you warn me either?"
Bosacius rubbed his head, which was feeling a bit unwell. If not for his strong constitution, he might have vomited long ago upon learning he'd eaten an 'undergarment.'
'These were his own family! What kind of family torments their big brother like this? This was truly a calamity!'
"The foremost of the Five Foremost Yakshas, the strongest Yaksha under Morax, the Great Marshal Tengshe—Bosacius, would have his composure broken by a single dish."
"Not afraid of becoming a laughingstock if word got out." The corners of Xiao's mouth lifted slightly. He crossed his arms and responded flatly.
"Hey! Is that any way to talk?" Bosacius frowned, but as the big brother, he wouldn't dwell on it. He just shook his head slightly.
'Forget it! Later, he'd just thoroughly rinse his mouth out! Until the skin was raw!'
"Having you all is truly my... fortune. Really." Bosacius waved his hand, twisted his slightly sore neck, and changed the subject.
"It's been so long since I came to Liyue. I wonder how the other adepti are faring? Like, where is Sister Ping now?"
"And... how is Azhdaha doing now?"
Bosacius asked curiously. He was very curious about what had become of his old wartime comrades he hadn't seen for so long.
Back then, due to his madness, no one knew his whereabouts, so he was unaware of the events surrounding Azhdaha's sealing.
He was unclear, but had heard rumors. Even though he'd lost his memory, during his wanderings, he had overheard some mortal soldiers discussing it.
"The Dragon King Azhdaha willingly allowed himself to be sealed underground by the Geo Lord with the aid of the other adepti. However, too much time has passed now. His memory has likely been eroded and lost too much."
Xiao responded plainly. Mentioning the name 'Dragon King Azhdaha' before the Geo Lord would surely make him feel quite uncomfortable.
Back then, Zhongli could have killed Azhdaha in The Chasm, eliminating a future threat to Liyue.
But he did not do so. He only decided to seal the Dragon King Azhdaha there and spoke no more of the matter.
The Dragon King Azhdaha was originally just a spiritual piece of ore. It was Zhongli who brought it out from the earth, carved the great stone into a dragon, and gave it eyes.
Azhdaha and Zhongli made a pact to coexist with the humans on the surface. If the pact was broken, Azhdaha would return underground.
But a force was gradually devouring Azhdaha's memories. This force was called "Erosion."
Compounded by humans excessively mining ores, altering the geological strata, making the Dragon King increasingly irritable.
At first, he could still control it. But the changes to the strata, along with the erosion, caused him to lose his memory. His benevolent draconic nature was "eroded."
In the end, he turned, becoming an avenger bent on destroying Liyue and killing Morax.
Zhongli had once tried to halt the power of Erosion, but failed. Finally, Azhdaha and Zhongli engaged in a great battle, and Azhdaha was sealed away.
Within the underground seal, over the immeasurably long years, his power gradually dissipated, and his form became twisted from various torments.
The faint, reverberating clank of shackles and the Dragon King's low roars echoed among the mountains, much like his memories.
Over the years, Xiao would occasionally go to the mountains to check on the situation, and incidentally, would also train Ganyu.
"It seems... this is the Dragon King Azhdaha's final resting place..." Upon hearing about Azhdaha's sealing, Bosacius couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
"Erosion and greed... truly dreadful things."
Bosacius shook his head again, letting out a soft sigh, and continued asking.
"And what about Sister Ping? Surely nothing happened to her? She is, after all, very powerful."
"Sister Ping now walks the mortal realm in the guise of an elderly woman. The mortals call her Granny Ping."
"What? No way? Sister Ping always loved beauty, meticulously dressing up no matter the occasion. She would actually, unprecedentedly, wander the mortal world with the heart of an old woman?"
Bosacius was surprised. In the past, if he found some slightly nice-looking ornament, Sister Ping would pester him until he gave it to her.
Not just him—other adepti, and even Morax, had been similarly harassed, as this woman loved adornment.
"Who knows? She must have her own profound reasons for doing so."
Xiao casually shrugged. His expression showed he didn't know why Granny Ping did this.
"You two, stop chatting. Mr. Zhongli is finished talking. We're ready to go out now." Bonanus reminded them from the side.