Ren Kai showed a look of anticipation.
Soon he would see Qiqi.
And Liyue's other god—
The Stove God, Marchosius… also known as Guoba.
Along the way, Ping'er and Cloud Retainer kept chatting with the pink fox, trying to coax information about Mr. Ban out of her.
Neither of them dared to question Ren Kai directly.
Madara's overwhelming presence made that rather intimidating.
Unfortunately for them, after being punished several times, the pink fox had grown much smarter.
She easily resisted their sugar-coated tricks.
"It's getting dark."
"Why don't we speed up?"
Cloud Retainer said as the last rays of sunset faded away.
"With Mr. Ban here, what are you afraid of?"
Guizhong replied with her usual mischievous grin.
"…."
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer were speechless.
"Is it because the Geo Archon is injured?"
"Have the monsters in the mountains become active again?"
Ren Kai asked, slightly irritated.
According to Rexas's memories, after the Archon War ended, many powerful beings still roamed the land.
There were underground beasts, wandering spirits, and demon kings of various races.
Nighttime in the mountains often descended into chaos.
Back when Rexas and Morax were both present, the mountains had been peaceful.
But now—
Rexas had died.
Morax was injured.
Azhdaha was severely wounded.
Liyue's pillars of stability had fallen one by one.
The situation here was becoming increasingly dangerous.
"Hehe."
"With Mr. Ban here, those insignificant pests are nothing to worry about."
Guizhong's confident smile reassured Ping'er and Cloud Retainer.
"Guizhong… you seem to trust Mr. Ban quite a lot."
Ping'er said with a meaningful smile.
From what she knew, Mr. Ban had never appeared in Liyue before.
"So what?"
"Mr. Ban's strength speaks for itself."
Guizhong calmly brushed off the question.
Ping'er fell into thought.
She felt like she was missing something important.
Meanwhile, Cloud Retainer carefully scanned the surroundings.
Night had already fallen.
Fortunately, Guili Assembly was not far ahead.
"Hehe."
"Mr. Ban must be seeing such a prosperous city for the first time."
Guizhong spoke proudly.
You've been in seclusion for so long, you probably don't even recognize it.
At night, Guili Assembly glowed with countless lights.
Its size and population even surpassed Liyue Harbor.
Everywhere was filled with laughter and lively chatter.
"Yes."
"Thanks to the efforts of Lady Guizhong and the Geo Archon, so many people can live peacefully."
Ren Kai gazed at the vast city ahead.
He couldn't help recalling the ruins of Guili Plains in the game.
The difference was enormous.
"Hehe."
Guizhong beamed brightly after hearing his praise.
"Guizhong has been acting strange today."
"She's unusually nice to Mr. Ban."
Cloud Retainer whispered to Ping'er.
"You two are going too far!"
"You're talking behind my back again!"
Guizhong suddenly darted between them, splitting them apart.
"Sigh…"
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer sighed helplessly.
Trying to take advantage of Guizhong was nearly impossible.
They couldn't even whisper without being caught.
Amid the playful antics of the three women, the journey never felt dull.
Soon, they arrived at Guili Assembly.
Unlike Liyue Harbor, which was backed by mountains and facing the sea, this city stood on a vast plain.
Before them rose an enormous fortress city.
The walls were ten meters high.
Several Guizhong Ballistae were mounted along the ramparts.
Every wall had gates guarded by the Millelith.
Above the main gate were three large characters—
Guili City.
"Lady Guizhong has returned!"
A Millelith soldier on the wall spotted her and shouted excitedly.
"Open the gates!"
"We just closed them!"
"And now we have to open them again!"
"Stop complaining! Didn't you hear Lady Guizhong has returned?"
"Oh—right!"
Several soldiers strained with all their strength to pull open the heavy gates.
They rushed outside to greet her.
"Greetings, Lady Guizhong!"
"Greetings, honored adepti!"
"Welcome back!"
The soldiers looked at them with admiration.
"You've all worked hard."
"Has anything happened while I was away?"
Guizhong asked warmly.
She wanted to know whether Guili Assembly had encountered any trouble during her absence.
"Reporting, Lady Guizhong."
"There were no attacks outside the city."
"But… your residence…"
One soldier hesitated.
"But what?"
Guizhong looked confused.
"What could possibly happen at my home?"
"A little girl escaped."
"They say she's a zombie."
"Many people saw her."
"Since she came from Lady Guizhong's residence, no one dared approach or capture her."
"At noon she ran out through the eastern gate."
The soldier explained nervously.
"…What?!"
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer froze.
Hadn't they sealed her away?
"What exactly happened?"
Ren Kai looked toward Guizhong.
"Ahem…"
"I've been trying to revive her."
"Perhaps the seal weakened because of it."
Guizhong said awkwardly.
"Which direction did she run?"
Ren Kai stepped forward and asked the soldier.
"Um… honorable warrior."
"I heard she ran toward the seaside."
The soldier pointed toward Yaoguang Shoal.
"I'll gather people and bring her back immediately."
Guizhong said anxiously.
"No."
"You all stay in Guili City."
"I'll go find her."
After thinking briefly, Ren Kai left those words behind and sprinted toward Yaoguang Shoal.
Night in Teyvat was not like the peaceful world five hundred years later.
Ferocious beasts, monsters, and wandering spirits were everywhere.
"Guizhong… you were careless."
Cloud Retainer stood directly in front of her.
She was afraid Guizhong might rush out impulsively.
Many creatures were already eyeing Guili Assembly, hoping to seize its fertile lands and resources.
"Stay calm."
"And trust Mr. Ban."
Ping'er also stepped forward to comfort her.
"I should have prepared better."
"I never expected the girl to run out of the city."
Guizhong sighed regretfully.
"But it's alright."
"Mr. Ban personally went to find her."
"And the girl can protect herself."
"I believe he'll bring her back safely."
Despite her regret, her confidence returned when she mentioned Mr. Ban.
Ping'er and Cloud Retainer exchanged astonished glances.
"What exactly is the relationship between you and Mr. Ban?"
"And why did the Geo Archon meet him alone?"
Cloud Retainer finally blurted out the question she had been holding back.
"Exactly."
"You can't keep this from us."
Ping'er added.
"You can keep guessing."
"If I tell you, I lose."
Guizhong placed her hands on her hips with a smug grin.
"I'm going back to prepare the gathering."
"You two can keep guessing."
"Bleh!"
Before they could reply, she skipped away into Guili City.
She only wanted to hurry back home and prepare the banquet.
When Ren Kai returned with the little girl—
She intended to make up for her mistake properly.
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