"Come down for a chat..."
Bonanus softly repeated these words. After a moment, she realized they were meant for her!
So she had been discovered long ago! But then again, that made sense. Given Granny Ping's strength, she was among the very top Adepti, one of the highest rank.
If she couldn't even sense this little commotion, then Granny Ping would truly be old and senile.
Of course, that was absolutely impossible. Don't forget, Granny Ping could still use the "Granny Ping Shockwave!" That was a major killer move!
Granny Ping was both a powerhouse and a support. She was also beautiful in her youth. If miHoYo added a young version of Granny Ping to the gacha, the banners would absolutely explode.
After all, who doesn't like Ping?
Thinking all this, Bonanus simply gave a slight nod. Within a few minutes, she leapt down, offering a gentle smile to the two below.
"Sister Ping, it's been a long time."
Bonanus figured she certainly wasn't older than Granny Ping, but wasn't sure of the proper form of address, so she settled on 'Sister Ping'.
Besides, even Bosacius called Granny Ping 'Sister Ping'. But this form of address could mean two things: first, that Granny Ping truly was older than Bosacius.
Second, it could just be a habit Bosacius had, and perhaps Granny Ping wasn't actually older than him.
Regarding the ages of these Adepti, Bonanus didn't know much from her previous life's game knowledge, so she could only make an educated guess.
And even if she got the address wrong, she could always correct it later. After all, she'd spent quite a few Mora to buy some passive item or another from the System, which was supposedly quite reliable.
Seeing Bonanus arrive, Granny Ping merely smiled gently, while Yanfei looked somewhat surprised.
Having just heard that two Yaksha Adepti had returned to Liyue Harbor, she had assumed they would be like the Vigilant Yaksha, not appearing in the city except during great crises.
She never expected to meet one of them here at Granny Ping's. Yanfei was astonished, though seeing Granny Ping's calm demeanor, her surprise faded.
Yanfei held great respect for all the Adepti, such as when facing the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao.
Legend spoke of a Hydro Yaksha from Liyue's earlier days, both beautiful and powerful, wielding control over the Hydro element.
That Hydro Yaksha, like the Pyro Yaksha, was very close to humans. Mortals often heard them say, "If peace ever reigns, we too wish to experience mortal life."
Because they were so amiable towards mortals, they had many titles among the people back then. However, as time passed, many had forgotten.
Thinking this, Yanfei couldn't help but stand up, speaking respectfully.
"Might I ask if Great Adeptus Bonanus has encountered some trouble in coming here?" Yanfei inquired curiously. She couldn't possibly be here about legal matters, could she?
"Yanfei, she's here to see me," Granny Ping said with a kindly smile. Her expression didn't seem at all surprised by Bonanus's arrival.
But that was normal. The commotion from repelling the recent invasion had been quite significant. As an Adeptus, Granny Ping would certainly have noticed it.
She must have noticed her presence then as well.
"Bonanus, it's been so long since you returned. Come, sit down, have some fine tea!"
Seeing Granny Ping's warm welcome, Bonanus said nothing more and simply walked over, plopping herself down beside the two.
"Sister Ping, I finally get to see you! The first thing I thought when I came to Liyue was wondering where you might be."
"Haha, you're still the same as ever, your words as pleasing as always."
Granny Ping smiled, setting down her teacup. Though her eyes were narrowed, one could still tell she was happy about Bonanus's return.
After a moment of joy, Granny Ping let out a soft sigh. The return of an old friend always brings great delight, but it also stirs up certain sorrowful memories.
"It's good you're back, it's good you're back..."
In Granny Ping's eyes, Bonanus, the fourth of the Yakshas, was gentle and serene, able to interact amiably with mortals. The third, Menogias, was similar, though Menogias seemed more lively.
In the early days, Menogias always liked to come with Bonanus to chat about this and that. After all, they were all women, so topics were plentiful.
Mortal women in their youth loved beauty, and even Adepti were no exception. So the three of them would often discuss what ornaments looked prettiest.
Their relationship could be said to have been extremely close. Sadly, fate is fickle. When Granny Ping later heard that one had gone missing and the other had perished, how her heart ached.
Whenever she thought of Menogias and the other Yakshas suffering from karmic debt and dying by their own hands, Granny Ping's heart felt unbearably heavy.
And now, Bonanus, who had been declared missing and presumed dead, had returned to Liyue alive. This brought Granny Ping's heart some measure of comfort.
"Big Brother and I went through many troubles, but we returned safely in the end." Seeing Granny Ping's expression, Bonanus nodded slightly and continued.
"You've truly suffered. Now that the world is relatively peaceful, you can finally fulfill your old wish of experiencing mortal life."
"It might have to wait a few more years. After all, I've made another contract with the Geo Archon." Saying this, Bonanus's expression held a touch of helplessness. Blame that unreliable big brother of hers!
Selling her off without her consent was just too much!
She dared not violate a contract, especially one established by Rex Lapis herself. She had no desire to suffer the Wrath of the Rock—her little frame couldn't handle it!
"Eh, I also made a contract with the Archon, yet I'm still here enjoying mortal life, aren't I?"
"Our duty is to protect Liyue. Once we've done what we must, our leisure time is ours to enjoy."
Hearing this, Bonanus nodded slightly. However, with the contract binding her, wanting to travel freely like the Traveler would probably be difficult.
At most, she could only wander around Liyue. Unless some important matter required her to go abroad, she could forget about it.
But perhaps she could ask the Archon for leave? Given His character, he'd likely agree, right?
Thinking this, Bonanus couldn't help but narrow her eyes and smile. If possible, her first stop would be Mondstadt!
After all, that was where "the main character" first arrived. If it's the sister, then girl-time it is; if it's the brother... well, let's not bother with Aether.
And she had to get a good "look" at whether Lord Barbatos was really a man or a woman. Surely the Anemo Archon, symbol of freedom, wouldn't mind her impertinence, right?
After all, it's very "free"!
"You're smiling so happily. What are you thinking about?" Seeing Bonanus so delighted, Granny Ping grew curious.
"Ah, nothing, nothing." Bonanus shook her head slightly. These inner thoughts absolutely could not be known by Sister Ping!
That would be instant social death! She didn't want to become an outcast in Adeptal circles!
Gently picking up her teacup with those sharp, large hands, Bonanus took a sip, then narrowed her eyes again, asking Granny Ping curiously.
"Sister Ping used to love beauty so much. Why choose an elderly form to wander among mortals?"
"An old lady's form can't show off Sister Ping's beauty at all!"
Bonanus really wanted to see the youthful version of Sister Ping! Adepti couldn't truly age unless they wished to; otherwise, it was absolutely impossible.
"Hehe, who knows? Perhaps it's simply to better blend into Liyue Harbor," Granny Ping replied with a smile.
"I want to see how Sister Ping looked in her youth! After all, Sister Ping was stunningly beautiful back then, enough to make even my heart flutter!"
"Haha, if there's a chance in the future, I'll let you see again. But for today, let's leave it at that, alright?"
Hearing this, Bonanus's eyes sparkled slightly, the tuft of hair on her head swaying back and forth, looking very pleased.
Did Sister Ping's words mean there would be a chance to see it someday? That would be wonderful!
Yanfei: 'I feel like I can't get a word in edgewise....'