At Wangshu Inn in Liyue, Li Mo sat on the stage. He had finally finished telling the story of the ninth life—the tale of Xiao. Having spoken for so long, his throat was parched.
Meanwhile, below the stage, the audience had listened while watching the projections above the inn. They were deeply moved. They had recognized that the young yaksha named Alatus in the story was none other than Xiao, the Conqueror of Demons who still guarded Liyue today. And the polearm formed from Hepuyuan's body—that was the very weapon Xiao always carried.
Realizing this, the audience began to discuss animatedly.
"Alatus—in ages past, the Conqueror of Demons was first called Alatus before Rex Lapis renamed him Xiao."
"As one of Rex Lapis's earliest followers, Xiao contributed greatly to the founding of Liyue."
"How touching!"
"So even the mighty Conqueror of Demons went through such trials."
"What a pity he isn't here. If he could witness these memories, he would surely shed tears."
"As Brother Bosacius said, being able to follow Rex Lapis into battle was truly Xiao's blessing."
"I heard the Conqueror of Demons often keeps watch at the harbor. Can someone go fetch him?"
"He really ought to hear these stories."
The people of Liyue held great respect for Xiao, the Conqueror of Demons. It was thanks to his protection that Liyue enjoyed its current stability. But Xiao disliked showing himself in public; he often guarded Liyue from the shadows.
What the audience did not know was that Xiao had been crouched on the inn's roof since the very first day the storyteller began speaking. Now, as Li Mo told the story on stage, Xiao listened from above. He did not know how the storyteller had learned these things, but the telling had brought back memories of his departed brother Hepuyuan.
Xiao had planned to stay on the roof, watching the storyteller to ensure he posed no threat to Liyue. But now, for the sake of news about Hepuyuan, he had no choice but to reveal himself.
The next moment, the sound of shattering roof tiles came from above. Then, before the astonished eyes of every listener, a young man with a bare upper body, wearing a green mask and holding a green polearm, leaped down from the window above. He landed on the floor with a soft thud.
In terms of age, the Conqueror of Demons was an "elder" of the highest standing in Liyue. But in appearance, no matter how many years passed, the people of Liyue still saw him as a youthful adeptus. Now, before the entire crowd, Xiao, who usually hid in the shadows protecting Liyue, had appeared at Wangshu Inn.
"It really is Xiao! Why was he on the roof? Has he been listening up there the whole time?"
"Incredible—he heard the storyteller's tale."
"Greetings, Conqueror of Demons!"
"Look, the Conqueror of Demons's eyes are moist. He really is crying."
"Well, anyone would cry hearing such a story."
The audience was first shocked, then they bowed to Xiao. But a gentle breeze seemed to surround him, and no one could get within several paces.
After landing, Xiao ignored the other listeners. He stared straight at the storyteller on stage and spoke slowly.
"I know that Brother Hepuyuan did not enter the underworld. He must still be in the cycle of reincarnation. Please tell me—after countless reincarnations, where is Brother Hepuyuan now?"
As he spoke of Hepuyuan, Xiao gripped the green polearm in his hand tightly. His body trembled.
Over the long years, Xiao had grown as indifferent as Zhongli to most things, quietly guarding Liyue. But now, because of Hepuyuan, he could no longer contain his feelings. He had appeared openly.
Watching the young adeptus descend from the roof, Li Mo sighed. He wanted to tell Xiao that he himself was Hepuyuan, his brother. But to avoid interfering with his storytelling mission, he could not yet reveal those secrets. He could not expose his identity.
So he answered, "You are right. Hepuyuan's reincarnation is far from over. He will continue to be reborn in every corner of Teyvat, meeting more people and making more history."
Xiao cared nothing for making history. He only wanted to know where Hepuyuan was now. "Please tell me—where is Brother Hepuyuan now?"
Not only Xiao, but when the stories of the Raiden Shogun, Shenhe, and Barbatos had been told, the same question had been asked. Li Mo could not answer. "I am sorry, but until all the reincarnation stories have been told, even I do not know where your Brother Hepuyuan is."
To avoid complications, Li Mo told a kind lie.
Hearing this, Xiao clenched his polearm even tighter. He was unwilling to accept it, but knowing that Hepuyuan was still alive brought him some comfort. He did not press the storyteller further.
Instead, he looked around the inn. His gaze finally settled on a corner where the Raiden Shogun and Zhongli were sitting. He walked over to them.
When he passed by Zhongli, Xiao hesitated for a moment but did not stop. When he passed by the Raiden Shogun, his brow furrowed slightly and he gave a cold snort, remembering how she had mocked him earlier.
Finally, he sat down in the empty seat beside Barbatos.
Seeing Xiao's rudeness, Ei snorted coldly and was about to teach the short adeptus a lesson. But her sister Makoto quickly stopped her.
"Don't act rashly," Makoto whispered. "He is our brother's little brother. In a sense, he is our little brother too. Do not hold it against him."
Ei was taken aback. Indeed, her brother's little brother was also her little brother. And not only Xiao—there were also Qiqi, Barbatos, Shenhe, Kazuha, and even Dvalin. Because of her brother's repeated reincarnations, they had all become connected in intricate ways.
Ei snorted coldly. "For our brother's sake, I'll let it slide this once."