"Then… see you in Liyue."
Cael smiled, hands on his hips.
"Mm. See you in Liyue."
"See you in Liyue… you big pervert."
Paimon huffed, though anyone with eyes could tell she was reluctant to part.
Cael chuckled, pulling out the last ten bags of sunflower seeds from his pack and handing them to her.
"That's all I've got left. Eat them sparingly."
Paimon accepted them, her chest feeling oddly warm.
"Hmph… once we get to Liyue, I'll just make Lumine buy more anyway…"
Cael waved goodbye and turned toward the inn.
Before leaving Mondstadt, he wrote a letter—
telling Hu Tao that he was on his way back.
Stone Gate
Crossing Stone Gate meant only one thing—
Leaving Mondstadt behind.
Cael paused and looked back.
"A whole month," he muttered.
"That trip was actually pretty fun… didn't expect Mondstadt to have so many—"
No. Stop. Bad thought.
[Tch.]
"Hey! Don't 'tch' me," Cael protested.
"Just making sounds already tells me you're insulting me!"
[...Issuing rewards.]
[Mondstadt Settlement Complete]
Normal Achievements: 12Archon-level Achievements: 7Hidden Achievement: 1
[Dull Blade upgraded to Tier 3]
[Origin Power Recovery: 1.13%]
[Creatable Vision count: 1]
"…That's it?"
"So much effort for one tier?"
[At least you can comfortably beat Dvalin now.]
"Wow, thanks. Truly touched."
Wangshu Inn
After days on the road, Cael finally arrived at Wangshu Inn.
"Ahhh… finally! A proper meal!"
He brushed leaves from his hair and headed inside.
Living off boar meat and Sunsettias had nearly turned this trip into survival training.
Inside Wangshu Inn — Rooftop Level
"Brother Fushe, why hasn't Xiao come back yet?"
A woman with fiery red hair and a flame-colored trailing dress leaned on her hand impatiently.
She was Yingda, one of the Five Yakshas.
Before her stood Fushe—tall, broad-shouldered, with four muscular arms, all of them currently busy holding groceries… while wearing an apron.
"He already returned," Fushe replied calmly.
"He's resting on the roof."
Yingda frowned.
"Did he stay up all night slaying demons again?"
"The karmic debt's been gone for centuries! At this rate he'll wipe out every monster in Liyue!"
"…Occupational habit," Fushe said after a pause.
"I don't have that level of motivation," Yingda yawned, stretching lazily.
"Six hours of work a day already exhausts me…"
"You're pushing your luck."
A sharp voice cut in.
Minu returned from patrol, arms crossed, glaring.
"Lord Agarest personally enforced rest schedules back then. And some people took advantage of it."
"Tch. You're such a nag," Yingda shot back.
Another figure arrived, carrying a basket.
Long flowing blue hair, gentle eyes, and a soft presence—
It was Bonanus.
"Enough, you two," Bonanus said gently.
"Xiao isn't late. Today's a gathering—he wouldn't miss it."
"He's just upset."
"Upset?" Yingda perked up.
"He tried bargaining while buying groceries earlier," Bonanus explained, smiling.
"Lost miserably. Almost pulled out his Yaksha mask before I stopped him."
"…Seriously?" Yingda's eyes lit up.
At that exact moment—
"Yingda."
A voice sounded directly behind her.
"WAAH—XIAO!!"
She spun around, furious.
"Stop appearing behind people like that!"
Xiao looked away.
"Not my problem."
Yingda immediately grabbed his hair and messed it up.
"…!"
Bonanus laughed softly.
"Alright, enough. We should ask the owner for a quiet area."
Fushe lifted all the ingredients with ease—
two arms for baskets, one for a crate, one for a massive iron pot.
Bonanus smiled.
"Brother Fushe, your arms are really convenient."
Fushe laughed awkwardly.
"Lord Agarest told me six hundred years ago my build was perfect for carrying groceries."
"I didn't believe him back then… but now?"
Minu suddenly spoke again.
"Since the Geo Lord announced six months ago that Lord Agarest is alive…"
"…has anyone actually met him?"
Silence.
"I—I'm scared to," Bonanus admitted, blushing.
"The Geo Lord said not to seek him out," Yingda added.
"Same," Fushe nodded.
Xiao spoke calmly.
"I met him once. He was testing something called 'Dark Pitch-Black Flash Ultra Zero Burst.'"
"…"
"…"
"…And you survived?"
Yingda stared.
"I am a miracle," Xiao replied flatly.
Bonanus rubbed her temple.
"Why is Lord Agarest's disease still contagious…"
"He's doing it on purpose," Yingda sighed.
"After all," Fushe added,
"both Lord Agarest and the Geo Lord are Xiao's ideals."
Bonanus glanced at the sky.
"Alright. Ingredients are ready. Fushe and I will cook."
"The rest of you, borrow the kitchen."
The others nodded and left.
Among the Five Yakshas—
Only Fushe and Bonanus could cook.
And Fushe's cooking?
Even Bonanus conceded defeat.
As for almond tofu—
Xiao once declared it:
Second only to Lord Agarest's.