Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Honestly, Chongyun absolutely did not sign up for this shit.

When he was presented with a commission to exorcise a ghost from Wangshu Inn, he thought nothing of it. The inn was, after all, smack in the middle of Dihua Marsh, which attracts quite a plentiful number of monsters. It’s no wonder that a place like that would be haunted by something-- he just didn’t realize what that something was.

“Exorcist Chongyun, at your service!” Ah, yes, he remembers greeting the boss of the inn with such a confident grin. “Please direct me to the area of concern. I’ll take care of it.”

He should’ve known, then, from the sheepish smile the woman wore while she led him towards the balcony. It was brightly-lit, serene, pleasant winds-- basically, every single thing that a haunted area is absolutely not. Alas, Chongyun was still naive then, and promptly sat cross-legged on the veranda, waiting patiently.

That was a whole ten minutes ago.

Now, he’s staring at the pointy end of a very ancient-looking spear, and the unmistakeable tattoos of the man wielding it immediately betray his identity. “State your name,” Xiao says menacingly, and Chongyun briefly wonders if the adeptus greets every visitor this way. “And explain to me how your mere presence carries such an atrocious heat to it.”

“A-adeptus Xiao!” Chongyun stutters through his name, leaning his head back to try to get as far away from the spear as possible. “I was called here to exorcise a spirit!”

“That you did,” Xiao sighs, and he retracts the weapon, much to Chongyun’s unfathomable relief. “In fact, the moment your noisy footsteps stomped up the stairs, the ghost I had invited to stay within the inn immediately vanished.”

What.

“You... invited?” Chongyun’s eyes widen. “I was unaware of this! Please, a thousand apologies, I was commissioned by the boss of this inn--”

“Her?” Xiao raises an eyebrow, and turns away. “Hmph. A likely story. She of all people knew that the spirit was welcome.”

“Wait, no!” Chongyun gets up on his feet, and the panic rising in his throat is already enough to make his pale face fluster. “Please believe me, I’m telling the truth! She said it was scaring the guests, and...”

“Enough,” Xiao hisses, and a blast of wind sends Chongyun falling back onto his bum. “I know you human exorcists. Always hungry for fame, putting your noses in places where you don’t belong.”

At that moment, it clicks in Chongyun’s head. The story about how the ghost was scaring patrons, and how Xiao had invited it... both of those could be true at the same time. A haunted inn is bad for business, and thus such a situation would send many scrambling for help-- but an inn cursed by an adepti would not even exist.

Because the adepti would destroy it.

But the boss, that sly Mondstadt woman, she managed to find a solution that would benefit her without inciting the wrath of the stray adeptus who had taken up residence. She called for an exorcist, yes, and then immediately delivered that exorcist right to Xiao. And while Xiao has had many names in history-- Conqueror of Demons, Alatus the Golden-Winged King, Bane of All Evil-- the exorcists had another name for him:

Stuck-up Persnickety Bastard. After all, Xiao absolutely despised human exorcists, and he made his feelings abundantly clear. Many times. Consistently, over the last thousand-or-so years. When Chongyun was still a child, he gasped at the audacity of adults who dared to refer to an adeptus of Liyue with such venomous words, but now...

And so, the inn owner wielded the weapon of Xiao’s well-known bias. Then, she tossed it right towards Chongyun, piercing him till its hilt. Yes, indeed, that is all he is right now: bait for Xiao to take his anger out, a misdirection from the actual owners who had secretly wanted the ghost gone themselves.

Chongyun has been swindled. Absolutely played for a fool.

Unfortunately, before he can explain any of this to Xiao, the adeptus continues. “And you have yet to answer my question. What is that... repugnant heat, emanating from your body? It is as if the souls of a thousand men are stuffed within you. It’s horrible.”

The phrase of ‘I can barely handle being around the soul of a single person’ is left unsaid, but easy enough to guess.

“Oh!” Chongyun fans himself, trying to cool off. “It’s my congenital positivity, Adeptus Xiao. I’m born with an excess amount of positive energy. The condition is so rare, it occurs every thousand generations or so.”

“Are you serious.” Xiao looks... almost tired. “Humans still manage to find new ways to get in my way. I’m impressed.”

“Ah,” Chongyun says, putting a hand to his chest and bowing. “It’s nothing I trained to obtain, just a birth--”

“I’m not actually impressed. I despise it,” Xiao clarifies in a deadpan. Chongyun swallows hard. “Go back and tell every other exorcist in Liyue to keep their noses out of my business.”

“B-but!” Chongyun clams up at the injustice of it all. “Adeptus Xiao, please understand, I had only taken the commission to help the inn! They--”

A sudden gust swipes across Chongyun’s face. It feels suspiciously like a slap. “Do I need,” Xiao begins, in a rather dangerous tone, “to repeat myself?”

At this moment, Chongyun could choose to back down. He could meekly bow his head to the adepti and walk away shamefully with all his limbs intact. It wouldn’t feel good, but it would, ultimately, be the sane course of action.

Unfortunately, Chongyun’s youth (and the rising heat of his body) makes him prone to infrequent bouts of insanity.

“Adeptus Xiao, I only wished to follow the exorcist code-- to protect all in Liyue from evil spirits!”

Xiao turns away and stares him in the eyes. The look within Xiao’s piercing amber gaze nearly makes Chongyun’s heart stop.

“Are you implying,” Xiao growls, “that I cannot protect you pathetic humans myself?”

“No!” Chongyun immediately waves his hand in front of him. “Wait, that’s not what I mean at--”

Xiao grabs Chongyun by the collar.

And then the adepti unceremoniously picks the boy up and chucks him off the edge of the balcony.

If this was one of Xingqiu’s storybooks, now would be the time where Chongyun’s life flashes before his eyes. He would think of his past lovers, his pains, his triumphs, his regrets... but instead of all that, he just screams in terror and he tumbles through the open air, and right as he closes his eyes, praying for a quick demise, a strong air current from below suddenly rushes up to meet him, billowing into his airy clothes and slowing his fall significantly enough that he manages to land on his own two feet.

Turns out, Xiao isn’t exactly the type to just murder humans via balcony-tipping. It was just an... expressway to get Chongyun out of his face, ASAP. The adepti had used his Anemo energies to cushion his fall, but really, that only crushes Chongyun’s spirit even further.

Chongyun takes a deep, deep breath as he tries to suppress the boiling anger within him.

“...Stuck-up persnickety bastard,” he mumbles bravely, so quiet that even he himself can barely hear it. Unfortunately, it is apparently still too loud, for a strong gust of wind suddenly slams into him, picking him up and tossing him into the waters of the marsh. “AAAHH--!!”

-----

Xingqiu visits Chongyun while the young exorcist lies in bed, running a massive fever.

“And what did you call him?” Xingqiu interrogates his dear friend with a smile that is far too enthusiastic. “Is it the old nickname? Stuck-up--”

“Shhhh,” Chongyun moans, and Xingqiu presses another cold towel to his forehead. “Not so loud... he’ll hear us...”

Xingqiu looks around the room. “I see no adepti in sight, Chongyun. Besides, while a myriad of legends describe Adeptus Xiao’s great deeds, none of them have included being able to hear you over a hundred-mile distance.”

“If there were, I would believe it,” Chongyun mumbles. He cracks open an eye, looking at Xingqiu with an utterly pitiful expression. “I whispered it, Xingqiu, and yet...”

Xingqiu smiles to himself, opening one of the many books he has brought along. “And he who is adorned with a tattoo that shines like a vein of jade within Rex Lapis’ own beating heart is humanity’s eternal protector. He is the wings in every bird that flies across Guili Plains, and he is the wind in every breath that bristles the reeds of Dihua Marsh. So you just need to be outside Guili Plains and Dihua Marsh, and next time, he won’t hear you!”

Chongyun closes his eyes again. “Great. Good to know.”

“Oh, and here’s the first mention of Xiao’s distaste for exorcists.” Xingqiu leafs through a few yellowing pages before spotting the paragraph he seeks. “And he spoke, voice bellowing across the fields: should the foolish exorcists once again encroach upon the yaksha’s prey, they shall turn from the hunter to the hunted, for the world of adepti would corrupt the blood of mortal men. His spear of jade would take their heads from their bodies, and as their flesh bled freely, he would cry out, O Rex Lapis, how foul are those who taint your legacy!”

“Charming,” Chongyun remarks blithely.

Xingqiu puts the book down. “I have a feeling you don’t like Xiao.”

“Only a feeling, Xingqiu?” Chongyun feels himself heating up again, and takes a deep breath. “No, Chongyun... happy thoughts...”

“I find that speaking your mind tends to alleviate stress in the long run,” Xingqiu suggests.

“You’re only saying that because you find it funny when I freak out.”

“Absolutely hilarious,” Xingqiu confirms. “But no, I’m serious. Holding back will only build up resentment, and a build-up of any negative feeling within you always comes back thousandfold, doesn’t it, Chongyun?”

“Buh.” Chongyun knows that Xingqiu’s right. “...Can you bring me a popsicle while I say it?”

“Anything for you,” Xingqiu laughs, and he gets up to fetch a popsicle.

Chongyun turns his head and grunts: “And a real popsicle, Xingqiu-- the one with Qingxin-infused water, not the Jueyun Chilli Extract!”

“That was only one time, Chongyun.” Xingqiu sighs as he comes back with an honest-to-god, untainted popsicle. “Would you like me to put it in your mouth for you as well?”

“No,” Chongyun says, taking it from Xingqiu’s hands. His fever, however, makes him too clumsy to even hold a popsicle stick, and he immediately drops it on his nose. “Ow!”

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Xingqiu hums, and he takes the popsicle before putting it into his friend’s mouth. “Well then, get everything off your chest, Chongyun.”

Chongyun sucks on the refreshing dessert, before lazily pushing it out his mouth with his tongue. “I just can’t accept it, Xingqiu,” he begins, face souring with a grimace. “Ugh, just... the way he spoke down to me, looked at me like... like an insect, a fly buzzing by his ear... I have the utmost respect for Adeptus Xiao, and I know he has defended Liyue from evil thousands of years before either of us were born. But in his eyes, we’re not comrades, just... dumb sheep, getting in his way. I can’t stand it. What made him so hateful towards us?”

“I could hazard a guess,” Xingqiu says, and while one hand keeps the popsicle within licking distance of Chongyun’s mouth, another reaches for a new book. “Thus, divine endowment doth carry with it that ultimate and unbreakable trial: to lose kin, friend, or ally, to face the impossibility of redemption, to burn in everlasting anger and know no respite. To become the foe of an ancient evil was to abandon hope of both reward and resolution in his endeavors, and his torment was that of the preta, which is to be without satiety after ten thousand--”

“Xingqiu, I don’t care,” Chongyun says frankly. “Just... could you imagine, if he actually worked with us? Adepti and humans, finally side by side? Whatever it would look like, such a future would be much preferable to the meagre comradeship we have now... the day-to-day ills of humans still plague us, and there are still hundreds upon thousands suffering when there are only enough exorcists for a dozen. They only come out of hiding for once-in-a-lifetime events, without realizing that a ‘lifetime’ is made of ten thousand more days.”

Xingqiu shrugs, closing the book. “I do understand your feelings. Imagine if instead of reading of adeptal feats, I could witness them in person... such wonder they would inspire, the writers of this world would rush to create the most thrilling of novels!”

A beat. Xingqiu laughs. “And, of course, they would aid in the pursuit of justice, righting the wrongs within our walls.”

“Thank you, Xingqiu,” Chongyun sighs, and he manages to crack a smile. “I do feel better now.”

“See, what did I say?” Xingqiu sticks the popsicle back into Chongyun’s mouth, and then lets go, leaving Chongyun to hold it now. “Always good to express your feelings. Either in words or in writing.”

“You’ve also helped me make up my mind,” Chongyun says with an air of determination. “I’m going to stop Xiao’s hatred of humans.”

“I’m glad I-- huh?” Xingqiu blinks. “What?”

Chongyun pops the dessert out of his mouth. “He has disparaged my clan and the work of all the exorcists in Liyue for generations upon generations. It’s time that someone tried to reach out to him, rather than call him names and get tossed into marshes.”

Xingqiu sighs, putting a hand on his chin as he leans forward to press his elbow to his thigh. “Chongyun, is this one of your passionate episodes? Should I grab another towel?”

“No. I am cool as a lotus root.” Chongyun sucks on his popsicle defiantly. “Xiao had never met one with such congenital positivity as I. He definitely didn’t like it... but that means there are some things even an immortal adepti has never experienced. Surely, there is something that will get him to treat humanity with kindness once again-- it’s just not happened yet.”

“A romantic notion,” Xingqiu says. “Keep going and you’ll be the star of your own martial arts novel.”

“Please stop making fun of me,” Chongyun half-begs. “I actually want to do this.”

“I know,” Xingqiu says. “Which is why, when you decide how you want to go about your journey, I’ll come along.”

Chongyun turns to look at Xingqiu. Some of the melted popsicle dribbles down his lips. “Really? Will your family let you?”

“They’re already used to my escapades,” Xingqiu reassures. “Besides... I think they trust you, even if sometimes they may grumble that you are a bad influence.”

“If only they knew it was the other way around,” Chongyun sighs, a smile spreading across his face. “I’ll hold you to that, then.”

“First, you should hold your popsicle in your mouth, or should I wipe your cheek for you?”

“Ugh, be quiet. I’m sure you’ve had your cheek wiped plenty of times, little lordling of the Feiyun that you are,” Chongyun retorts.

-----

When Chongyun recovers from his fever, Xingqiu invites him for lunch at the Wanmin Restaurant.

Chongyun’s first reaction is to ask if they could go anywhere else. Wanmin Restaurant is, after all, a lover of all things hot and spicy, which mixed with Chongyun’s condition can lead to disastrous results. In fact, it already has: while Chongyun cannot recall the incident, he feels even his ears turn red with shame whenever Xiangling recounts the story of him jumping atop tables and chasing her around with his weapon. It was, without a doubt, one of the most mortifying events of Chongyun’s life, and thus, one of Xingqiu’s fondest memories.

Unfortunately, Xingqiu insisted. “We have to go there, Chongyun,” he had said, with a smirk on his face that betrayed an all-too-familiar sense of mischief. “I’ve arranged a meeting with someone who will help you on your quest.”

“Why there, Xingqiu? Do you enjoy eating in front of me while I cannot take a single bite?”

“I’ll make sure Xiangling doesn’t put any Jueyun Chillis in the Crystal Shrimp this time,” Xingqiu promised.

And so, Chongyun is here: sitting at a table, alone, with one order of Crystal Shrimp (already gone cold, just as requested). Xingqiu is decidedly late, and Chongyun, being the polite boy he is, refuses to start eating till his companion is here and ready to tuck in as well.

Xiangling gives Chongyun a somewhat pitiful look. “Hey, Chongyun! You’ve been sitting there for a while now. Do you think Xingqiu’s stood you up?”

“Maybe,” Chongyun sighs, looking at his meal. His stomach growls. Ugh. “Perhaps he got distracted by a novel.”

“Aww,” Xiangling says. “Hey, cheer up! If he doesn’t show up, I’ll give you another bowl of Crystal Shrimp, on the house!”

“Don’t worry, Xiangling. That won’t be necessary.”

Xingqiu finally appears, weaving through a rather thick crowd to reach the tables of Wanmin Restaurant. “Here I am. Sorry for the wait-- the person I wanted you to meet was stuck in a meeting with my father that went over schedule.”

“Meeting with your father?” Chongyun looks around at the busy streets. Whoever this person is, they must be of some import to be in a meeting with the head of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. “Well, where are they?”

“Oh? Did I lose him?” Xingqiu turns around. “Mr. Zhongli! Over here!”

Mr. what.

A man steps out of the crowd, dressed in an impeccable suit and piercing amber eyes. For a moment, Chongyun shivers-- the colour of Zhongli’s eyes are eerily similar to Xiao’s, and for that, the unwanted sensation of Xiao’s cold stare returns to him. When Zhongli takes a seat, however, a rather warm smile spreads across his face, one that puts Chongyun’s fears to rest for a moment.

“Zhongli, of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! I didn’t realize the guest Xingqiu had invited was you,” Chongyun says, and he gives Zhongli a short bow while seated. “It’s an honor to meet you!”

“Likewise,” Zhongli greets. “You must be Chongyun, then. ‘A heart of clear water, a face of ice’-- the exorcist who charges little more than a few hundred Mora for his services. An innocuous sum, a few hundred, but when compared to the cost of many others, turns out to be astonishingly cheap.”

“Ohhh! Mr. Zhongli!” Xiangling greets the man enthusiastically while bringing out a bowl of Wanmin’s Boiled Fish for Xingqiu. “You guys didn’t tell me Mr. Zhongli was coming! Give me a moment, I’ll bring you the usual!”

Xingqiu takes a deep breath, enjoying the scents of his piping hot meal. “I was surprised to hear you ate here often as well, Zhongli. Xiangling must truly be renown nowadays.”

“Haha, while that is partly the reason I first arrived, there is something else that draws me here,” Zhongli explains. “You see, chef Xiangling is always open to criticism, which has introduced me to a delightful array of old flavors-- but excuse my ramblings. We are not here today for me to give a lecture on Liyue’s culinary traditions.”

Zhongli turns to look at Chongyun, right as Xiangling places a (delightfully appetizing) dish of salt-and-pepper tofu onto the table, along with a tall glass of tea smelling faintly of violetgrass. “I heard from Xingqiu that you are seeking to take on what sounds to be an impossible endeavor,” Zhongli says, and for a moment, it seems like he keeps his expression deliberately blank: “You seek to reconcile the relationship between humanity and Adeptus Xiao.”

“Yes, that’s exactly right,” Chongyun says, popping a Crystal Shrimp into his mouth. The bouncy skin of the dumpling and the cold juice of the oozing meat is a delicious combination. He swallows before continuing, not wishing to show a lack of table manners to one of Liyue’s most powerful men. “Adeptus Xiao has always, from long before I was born, disparaged human exorcists and looked down upon our power. But are we not important facets of Liyue society as well? I would not dare to say we are anywhere equal to an adepti, but at least, we deserve better than... than...”

“O, plight of humans, it is like witnessing the suffering of scurrying rats, cried the yaksha,” Xingqiu recites. “Volume Five of To Reap What We Sow: the Degradation of Humanity as Observed by Adepti. First manuscript published roughly six hundred years ago.”

“...Better than rats,” Chongyun mumbles.

Zhongli takes a bite of his meal of a moment, thinking on what to say. “Indeed, Adeptus Xiao’s rather negative perception of humanity has been recorded in legends for hundreds upon thousands of years,” Zhongli confirms. “Many would argue that seeking reconciliation is a fool’s wish.”

Chongyun chews on his Crystal Shrimp a little unhappily.

“...However,” Zhongli continues, “I find such determination in the face of overwhelming adversity to be an admirable trait. As such, I’ve taken some time to look through the legends of old, and compiled a list of the most intriguing demons described within them. These evil spirits are either too powerful for even adepti to vanquish, or possess a unique trait which makes them too difficult to kill. Should you find a way to be rid of them, that would impress even the most stone-hearted of adepti.”

The well-dressed man pulls out a folded note from his pocket, handing it to Chongyun. “I have placed them in order, from least to most dangerous. However, even the first on the list will put the inexperienced traveler in grave peril, should the legends about them be true.”

Chongyun opens the note. Zhongli’s handwriting is incredibly neat. “First on the list... Fuxi? What’s that? Even I’ve never heard of such a demon.”

“The Fuxi is a bird described in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, published nearly two thousand years ago. It is said to possess the face of a man, but a body of a chicken. While not threatening in appearance, the curse it brings is what makes it so dangerous,” Zhongli explains. “As legends describe, the first time the Fuxi was spotted, the Archon War began. Then, after the war’s end, the Fuxi was spotted again, which begun the endless conflict between adepti and the restless spirits of those slaughtered deities.”

“No way,” Chongyun says. “So, looking at this demon... spells war?”

“If the legends are true, then yes,” Zhongli says. “The adepti could not risk finding this creature, lest they look upon it and incite another bloody conflict. They did know, however, that it was spotted in Mt. Taishan both times. With the help of Rex Lapis, they chose to bury the entirety of the mountain, sealing all life upon it into the underground, away from anyone’s eyes. Now, what used to be Mt. Taishan is simply called Taishan Mansion. In the past, Taishan Mansion was also a place where humans faced arduous trials to pass the rites and become adepti-- but now, Taishan Mansion is abandoned, and Treasure Hoarders may seek to encroach upon its grounds. Should the creature still live within its depths...”

“Leveled an entire mountain?" Chongyun shakes his head. “The Geo Archon is strong, but surely that’s a bit much.”

“I believe it,” Xingqiu says.

Zhongli shrugs, taking a sip of his tea. “There is no way to prove the authenticity of legends till you investigate yourself, is there?” Somehow, there seems to be a knowing twinkle in his eye, like the way Xingqiu’s eyes sparkle as he hands Chongyun a tainted dish.

Chongyun narrows his eyes. Wangshu Inn’s betrayal is still fresh on his mind, it seems, and he’s come out a little more skeptical than he used to be. “I suppose it’s worth taking a look,” he says. “Taishan Mansion... that’s under Jueyun Karst, isn’t it? In the waterfall that surrounds the path upwards.”

“Correct,” Zhongli says. “However... on the chance the legend is true, both of you should take due precautions to avoid looking at the demon.”

Xingqiu tilts his head. “How do you propose we fight it? Close your eyes and swing our swords wildly?”

“Haha, thankfully, I have a better idea,” Zhongli says. “For that, I’ll have to bring you to a friend of mine.”

-----

Childe folds his arms, giving Zhongli a wide grin. “Oh, Zhongli, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve got just the piece of Snezhnaya technology to help with your friends’ predicament.”

Chongyun is, frankly, not very thrilled with the idea of enlisting the help of a foreigner. Xingqiu immediately called him xenophobic, but really, it’s more because a struggle of Liyue should remain as that-- and, also, because the Snezhnayan people don’t have the best reputation. After Northland Bank begun to drive several Liyue banks out of business, whispers of conspiracy had begun circulating through the land, leading them to have a less than pristine image.

In any case, they’ve met the Snezhnayan diplomat in front of said bank, where he dips in for a moment before coming out with a small sack. “Here you go,” Childe says, and he hands the bag over to Chongyun. “There are a few balls within the sack the size of marbles. When tossed with force, they’ll emit a thick fog of smoke as well as Mist Grass Pollen. It’ll attract electro cicins, which are annoying normally, but in the smoke, you can track targets by seeing where their bolts of electricity are flying. That way, you can corner and beat down whatever you’re after without having to actually see it through the fog.”

“Thank you,” Chongyun says, giving Childe a bow. “We’ll not forget this help!”

“It’s nothing,” Childe laughs. “When Zhongli spoke to me a day ago about two boys who wanted to appease that grumpy adeptus, I knew then that I absolutely had to see how that would play out. Even a foreigner like me knows that Adeptus Xiao is of a... particular disposition.”

“A stuck-up persnickety bastard,” Xingqiu says casually, and Chongyun nearly drops the sack. Childe lets out a full-bodied laugh, while Zhongli seems to be struggling not to smile.

Chongyun stammers, looking at his friend incredulously. “Xingqiu, please...!”

“You said it first,” Xingqiu retorts with a smile. “And to his face.”

“I did not say it to his face,” Chongyun immediately clarifies-- not just for Xingqiu, but everyone within earshot.

“Oh, oh--” Childe catches his breath. “I was going to go with ‘cute’, but that works too.”

...Cute?

“Ahem,” Zhongli clears his throat, catching everyone’s attention. “While I enjoyed our meal and this meeting, I’m afraid Childe and I have other matters to attend to now. I wish you all the best on your journey-- and, should you turn up empty-handed, I will be glad to tell you the legends of another demon.”

Chongyun pockets the precious sack. “Thank you both again for your invaluable contributions,” he says, clasping his hands together and giving them both a deep bow. “May you be blessed with good health and fortunes.”

Xingqiu gives them a bow as well, though not nearly as formal. “Let’s get to packing, then, Chongyun,” he says. “I’ve already taken the liberty of asking Xiangling to prepare us some meals for the trek.”

Chongyun grimaces. “Specifically without chillis or slime condensate, I hope?”

Chapter Text

On the first day of their trip, something already goes wrong.

The meals packed by Xiangling are made with great care, taking into account Chongyun’s inability for spiciness of any kind as well as Xingqiu’s liking towards more non-traditional flavors. Unfortunately, on their first lunch stop, Xingqiu opens his bag and realizes she has forgotten to label which set is made for who, leading to the most dangerous game of guess-and-check where the remains of Chongyun’s dignity (and their stomachs) lie on the line.

“I think this one’s yours,” Xingqiu says, taking a bite. “Oh... nevermind. She stuffed pepper into the meatballs. Oh, maybe this one... mm, delicious, but no, she added some chilli paste...”

Chongyun sighs wearily. “Am I really going to sit here and just watch you take a bite out of every meal while I slowly starve?”

“Yes,” Xingqiu replies. “Or you can take your chances. I’d be more than happy to see the results of your gamble.”

Chongyun decides to wait.

Eventually, Xingqiu opens the third box and grimaces upon slurping on the noodles. “Oh, ice-cold, absolutely dusted in grinded Mist Flower. This one’s definitely for you.”

“Thank you very much,” Chongyun says, snatching the box back and greedily inhaling the noodles. “Damn, chat’s sho gud,” he sputters with his mouth full, enjoying the preserved slices of frozen boiled fish along with the freezing noodles.

“Don’t speak with your mouth full,” Xingqiu chides, and Chongyun shoots him a withering glance. “Come now, no chivalric hero spits their meal all over their shirt.”

“Pishh off,” Chongyun retorts, before devouring the rest of the noodles. While Xiangling cooking can be hit-or-miss (and when involving slimes, very fucking miss), when sticking to strict conditions, every meal is absolutely fantastic. Of course, she does enjoy flexing her creativity, which is why even in the more restrained dishes...

...there can be a surprise.

And so, Chongyun slurps up the noodles at the bottom of his dish, before suddenly spitting it out onto the ground. “Bleh!!”

“Hm?” Xingqiu blinks. “What’s wrong? Was there spice at the bottom?”

“No,” Chongyun groans. “A puddle of slime condensate. Which I had thought you promised was not included.”

Xingqiu lets out a chuckle at Chongyun’s misfortune, before taking a bite of his meal and quickly spitting it out as well. “Pwah, oh, wow, uh-- you didn’t see that.”

Chongyun smirks. “What’d she sneak into yours?”

Xingqiu grimaces. “Lizard tail.”

All in all, they were hearty meals, just with little... twists.

The rest of their journey, apart from rather interesting mealtimes, is generally uneventful. The stray hilchurl outpost is easily dispatched with their combined might, with their Hydro and Cryo Visions freezing entire camps with ease. After making their way through Tianqiu Valley, they climb partways up Jueyun Karst, till they reach the pavilion overlooking the entrance to Taishan Mansion.

“Well, here we are,” Xingqiu says, admiring the view. “I must say, the scenery seems to become more incredible each time I return. My father and brother come here often, providing offerings to the adepti for continued fortune in our businesses.”

Chongyun licks on his popsicle, cooling down in the shade of the pavilion. “I can’t imagine trekking out all the way here just for that.”

“I agree. Truth be told, other than the revered Rex Lapis and his keen eye for business, I doubt many of the adepti care about mortal trifles concerning Mora,” Xingqiu laughs.

“Don’t say that out loud. Please have respect for our esteemed adepti, especially here of all places. You might curse yourself.”

“Not all of them are so sensitive,” Xingqiu says with a smirk, and Chongyun narrows his eyes.

Yes, amongst the humans who know about Xiao-- which is not many, for he is not a popular deity like the ones Xingqiu’s family prays to for riches and fame-- he has a rather touchy reputation. Chongyun has a flashback to being tossed off the balcony of Wangshu Inn and shivers. “Alright, enough rest,” Chongyun says, getting up. “Let’s get that Fuxi.”

“Wait,” Xingqiu says, taking out a book. “Let me write something down about this view. The afternoon sun is particularly breathtaking today.”

“...Really?”

“Please, Chongyun?” Xingqiu gives a winning smile, and Chongyun sighs, before sitting back down. “Thanks, I knew I could count on you.”

All in all, Xingqiu finishes his observations rather quickly. After scribbling down the last character, he pockets his precious notebook and pencil. “I’m ready. Let’s go. You still have the smokebombs that Snezhnayan guy gave us?”

“Of course,” Chongyun says. “I’m not as careless with my belongings as you are with things that aren’t books.”

Xingqiu and Chongyun make their way down the cliffside, expertly climbing to the bottom of Jueyun Karst where Taishan Mansion’s entrance sits. Zhongli had told them where to find it: down on the water level of the lake underneath the pavilion, just by the waterfall. From the dust that gathers at their feet while they step on the ancient stone which leads to the door, it’s clear that the two of them are its first visitors in a long, long time. “Hardly anyone climbs down,” Xingqiu hums. “They’re mostly content with tossing Mora and other offerings off the pavilion overlooking the lake.”

Just as Zhongli had said, they soon come across a massive door with glowing red lines. “This must be it,” Chongyun says, and he touches the ancient door in front of him, before backing away in surprise as its glow turns from red to blue. “Whoa, okay-- wasn’t expecting that.”

“The ancient technology of adepti is really something else,” Xingqiu admires. He butts ahead of Chongyun, before forcefully giving the door and shove, and though the heaving stone is much too heavy to be pushed by Xingqiu’s force alone, it registers their intent and opens for them. “Well, except for security. I can see why Zhongli feared that Treasure Hunters would find their way in here.”

Xingqiu walks ahead, before looking back at the slightly apprehensive Chongyun. “Well, what are you waiting for, Chongyun?”

“I’m just thinking...” Chongyun starts, before he sighs. “I’ve told you many times about my congenital positivity, right? What if, even when it comes to this ancient demon--”

“You’re worried your congenital positivity will scare it off,” Xingqiu finishes for him. “So if we don’t find it, even if it does exist, it might just be because of you.”

“Exactly.” Chongyun rubs his forehead. “Though, I guess if we close the door behind us, it can’t run out, right? So I might as well try.”

“That’s the spirit,” Xingqiu says, clapping his friend on the shoulder. “Pun unintended.”

Chongyun glares.

“I’ll lead the way,” Chongyun decides, and he trots off ahead, holding his head high. Xingqiu follows him with a smile on his face, and as they descend into the domain, they draw their weapons in anticipation.

As they go deeper, a startling realization sinks in: this place is hot. Chongyun thinks it might be his emotions heating him up, but when Xingqiu starts sweating as well, he realizes it’s the air itself. “What’s with this place?” Chongyun pants, taking a swig of cold water. “I have to keep an eye on my limits... I may not last long down here, if it gets worse.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve got your back,” Xingqiu says. And then he splashes Chongyun with a gush of Hydro.

“Pfffh!” Chongyun nearly stumbles down the remaining steps in surprise. Xingqiu’s mischief, however, successfully cools him down, albeit at the cost of drenching his clothes. “Please... warn me before you do that again.”

“Giving a warning takes away the fun,” Xingqiu quips, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Enough of that, though. It seems like we’ve reaches the bottom of the stairwell.

Soon, the both of them realize the source of the heat. Upon the raised platform of the abyssal domain rests a large collection of massive Pyro slimes-- and the liquid beneath the platform is oozing magma. “Looks like we’ll have to fight through them to go deeper in,” Chongyun says, and Xingqiu nods. “You ready, Xingqiu?”

“I should be asking you,” Xingqiu says. “You’re already red in the face.”

They both dash forward, slashing into the slimes with deadly precision.

The combination of Hydro and Cyro abilities rushing out from the both of them manage to freeze even the swelteringly hot Pyro slimes, leaving them sitting ducks for the slice of Xingqiu’s blade and the steel of Chongyun’s claymore. One by one, they go down, swiftly dispatched by the duo. “Tell me if you get too hot,” Xingqiu says mid-combat, watching Chongyun’s blush creep up from his cheeks to the rest of his face.

“Fine for now,” he says, before smashing another Pyro slime to bits. “Focus on yourself.”

It’s clear from their fluid movements to the banter in between that the two are in perfect sync, expertly clearing out their foes without breaking a (metaphorical) sweat. “Rain outlines your fate,” Xingqiu says coolly, his slash sending the last of the slimes right into the path of Chongyun’s blade, and in a flash, all their foes lie vanquished, turned into nothing but the slime condensate Xiangling would eagerly collect were she with them.

Chongyun rubs away his sweat, before quickly popping another popsicle into his mouth. “Mmff-- the heat here’s melting away my stash,” he complains, before traversing deeper into the domain. “Wait, Xingqiu, come look at this. What’s a tree doing, growing down here?”

Xingqiu follows Chongyun, and the both of them stare at the tree that towers before them. “Huh. I have no clue,” Xingqiu says, eyes sparkling. “Fascinating. A tree should not survive in such a place... I must make note of this.”

“Xingqiu, I will sooner melt and die,” Chongyun reminds his friend, before marching onwards. “There doesn’t seem to be anything more here... looks like I’ve either scared it off, or the Fuxi doesn’t exist--”

”Fuuuuuushiiiiiii....”

Xingqiu and Chongyun both reach for their weapon, eyes darting for the source of the sound. It’s a distant moan, and it seems to be coming... from below them? “Zhongli said the Fuxi’s cry sounds just like its namesake,” Xingqiu notes, and Chongyun nods. “You still have the smokebombs?”

“Right here,” Chongyun says, pulling out the sack. The moan rings out again, and it is soft but very obviously underneath where they are standing. “It’s below us, by the lava.”

He looks at Xingqiu. “It’ll be too hot. You have to splash me.”

Xingqiu immediately obliges, swords of water appearing as he sprays water all over Chongyun. ”Phwaa-- I meant later, not now!”

”Fuuuuuuuuushiiiiiiiiiii....”

Chongyun climbs to the side of the platform, looking over and preparing to jump. “I’ll cool the lava surface for just a moment so we can land. Once we do, I’ll toss the smokebombs so we don’t accidentally look at it.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Xingqiu agrees. “Maybe you do have it in you to be a martial arts hero after all.”

“On the count of three,” Chongyun says. “One... two... three, go!”

They both leap off a little too fearlessly, and Chongyun expertly sendings blades of ice rushing down to create a thin platform just strong enough for them to land on. Then, Chongyun tosses the smokebombs, small marbles clinking upon the lava surface before quickly engulfing them in smog that smells of Mist Grass Pollen. “He wasn’t kidding,” Chongyun says with a cough, and soon enough it is so thick the two can barely see each other save for the glow of their Visions.

The Electro Cicins seem to come out of thin air, and though they zap the two boys, the pain from them is miniscule. The most important thing is they manage to target something else-- bolts of Electro power dash in the air, concentrated on something in front of them, in the exact same direction the moan originated from. “Right there,” Xingqiu calls out, and he immediately thrusts his blade forward. “Oh-- I hit something hard!”

”Fuuuuuuukshaaa!!.”

“Did Zhongli mention anything about armor?” Chongyun quickly asks, slamming his claymore in strange sound’s general direction. As with Xingqiu, his blade also hits something hard, again, and again, and-- wait, the texture of this rock, the sound it makes when it falls... “Wait, Xingqiu, we’re just hitting Cor Lapis!”

Suddenly, with a final swing from Chongyun’s claymore, the Cor Lapis vein in front of them bursts with a loud crack, and then the sound of... something that definitely isn’t rock.

“Fuck saaaaaake!”

Something crumples to the floor in front of them.

If either of them could see each other, they would definitely be staring in bewilderment.

“...Do we...” Chongyun starts, his foot nudging the strange-- and fleshy-- creature. He doesn’t feel any feathers. “Do we... keep hitting it?”

“Sure,” Xingqiu agrees, and he immediately starts smacking it even harder.

“Wait, wait, stop!!” Right, okay, that’s definitely a human’s voice. Chongyun backs off, and then gestures for Xingqiu to back off, except Xingqiu can’t see him through the fog, so he just keeps going at it. “AAAARGH!”

“Xingqiu, don’t kill it!” Chongyun reaches out blindly and manages to catch Xingqiu’s collar, pulling him back. “That’s a man!”

“It could be a trick,” Xingqiu retorts.

“Or it could literally just be a man,” Chongyun replies, and the smog begins to clear up. Sure enough, as their surroundings come into view, around is lies an assortment of smashed Cor Lapis... and a man, dressed in rather archaic-looking clothes, sporting a pretty nasty black eye (courtesy of Xingqiu). “See? If it was a demon, it would’ve quickly fled when I came closer.”

Xingqiu tilts his head, studying the whimpering man beneath them. “So the cry of the Fuxi... was just this man’s moans?” He looks around. “But where did he come from?”

“I think...” Chongyun looks up at the massive vein of Cor Lapis they had both smashed. “Maybe he was trapped in the Cor Lapis?”

Xingqiu thinks. “I’ve heard tales of wicked men being trapped within amber as punishment for their cruel deeds, especially upon the peaks of Mount Hulao by the Mountain Shaper. I suppose it’s not too much of a stretch to assume that you could seal someone in Cor Lapis too. But there must’ve been space for some air, since the man’s moans could be heard once we defeated the slimes.”

“Uuurgh...” the man groans in pain. “End my misery...”

“Let’s get him out of here, Xingqiu,” Chongyun says, quickly picking up the strange man and slinging him across his shoulders. “Who knows how long he’s been trapped down here? He needs medical help!”

“From the look upon his clothes...” Xingqiu smiles. “Probably over a thousand years, for his garb is typical of militia upon the end of the Archon War!”

“Stop joking around and help me,” Chongyun snaps, climbing back up the platform.

Xingqiu, upon seeing Chongyun look away, pouts indignantly. “I wasn’t joking, though...”

Chongyun quickly ascends the stairs, out of the domain and back into the crisp air of Jueyun Karst. Xingqiu follows closely, channeling the healing properties of his Hydro Vision to undo the damage he’s inflicted on the poor man. He’s a martial artist first and foremost, however, so his healing capabilities aren’t quite enough.

Right as they leave Taishan Mansion, Chongyun looks up and spots a group of people walking along the bridge above the lake, resting on the pavilion. He waves to them frantically.

“Hey! You guys up there! Is anyone a healer? We need help!”

One of them rise to their feet, heeding Chongyun’s call. She is a woman with purple hair, and, from how she confidently leaps from the high-up pavilion and lands expertly on both feet without a hitch, clearly strong. “What’s happened?” She looks at the man Chongyun is carrying. “How is he hurt?”

“It’s... complicated,” Chongyun says, before gently putting the man on the floor. Xingqiu, however, is studying the woman, recognition written all over his face.

“Keqing,” Xingqiu greets, before lowering into a bow. “Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. You honor us with your presence.”

Though they’ve just battled out of a domain filled with lava, Chongyun feels his face go red hot. “Of the... Liyue Qixing...?!”

Keqing doesn’t seem to pay attention the boys, instead rolling the man over and narrowing her eyes. “Nasty black eye,” she notes, and Xingqiu grins sheepishly. She traces the “Though... other than that, he seems fine.”

“Fuck... sake,” he moans, opening his eyes. Keqing looks him over again, then the second time, and then her eyes widen and she stumbles back in shock.

“This garb, that scar... no, that’s impossible... the fabled general of the Huangjin Rebellion?!” Keqing immediately draws her sword, pointing it at Chongyun and Xingqiu. “What acts of necromancy have you two wrought?!”

“Wait!” Chongyun raises his hands up in surrender. “We didn’t do anything, I swear. We found him trapped in the Cor Lapis in Taishan Mansion.”

“What Chongyun said,” Xingqiu backs up. Keqing narrows her eyes. “Look, you don’t have to believe us right away. But at least don’t strike us down now. I think even the Yuheng might have a hard time explaining what happened to the second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild.”

Keqing pulls back, sheathing her sword. “I’ve heard of you,” she says. “Xingqiu. Aspiring envoy of justice and the shining hope of the Guhua Clan’s arts.”

“You’ve heard of him,” Chongyun mutters, “but not me?”

“You will come back to Liyue Harbor with me, along with this man,” Keqing commands. “If it is as you say, then the man you’ve rescued is the notorious Zhangjue, a sorcerer-general who raised an army against Rex Lapis after the end of the Archon War... only to be defeated and sealed within the veins of the earth for the rest of eternity. At least, until now.”

“No way,” Chongyun says.

“No way,” Xingqiu says, but with much more excitement.

-----

It’s not every day that you get an audience with the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing... especially not against your will.

Chongyun and Xingqiu are shuttled back to Liyue Harbor with Keqing at top speeds, horses charging across the valleys in under a day. She had cut her agricultural survey short for this urgent matter, and they are making it back to Liyue Harbor in record time. While she is too busy penning a multitude of frantic letters to entertain them, they are well taken care of, with the horse carriage being luxuriously stocked with soft pillows and plentiful snacks, much befitting the reputation of the richest in Liyue.

“So you’re saying,” Keqing interrogates, eye flitting over to the fainted man they’ve since tied up in case he really does pull off some wicked sorcery, “that you went in to find an ancient demon called the Fuxi. And instead, you someone managed to free a man from a heart of Cor Lapis instead... without realizing... because you tossed smoke bombs.”

“Yes,” Chongyun confirms with a nod. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but let us speak with Zhongli and the Snezhnayan diplomat. They’ll corroborate our story.”

“Zhongli, huh...” Keqing nods in recognition of that name. “Yes, the old-fashioned gentleman from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. I know him. He’s likely the best candidate for authenticating the identity of this man, with how well-learnt he is. Very well-- I will summon him for a meeting over dinner at the Liuli Pavilion. That shall cast two birds with one stone.”

Chongyun bows, thanking Keqing for her mercy, but his tone betrays the sigh underneath his voice. Xingqiu, on the other hand, seems positively inspired, scrawling down paragraph after paragraph in his notebook at record pace.

“And upon the mass of Cor Lapis, they spotted... no, it should be more dramatic than that,” he says aloud to himself. “They gaped at the size of the shining stone, like Rex Lapis’ beating heart iself, and within it, encased in the gold... yes, perfect, perfect.”

“You’re enjoying this,” Chongyun notes, and Xingqiu has the audacity to nod.

“Isn’t it incredible, Chongyun?” Xingqiu points at the man. “If this man is who Keqing says he is, we’ve uncovered a piece of history itself! Yes, it won’t fulfill your quest to appease Adeptus Xiao, but it is they say... ‘the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’. It would be a little anticlimatic if we just succeeded on our first try.”

Chongyun closes his eyes. “Unlike you, Xingqiu, I have no family reputation to save me. Yes, I hail from a clan of exorcists, but our skills are...”

“Underappreciated,” Xingqiu hums. “Misunderstood. Dismissed as hogwash.”

“Yes, yes,” Chongyun says. “So I’m not as carefree when faced with the idea of getting into trouble with the Liyue Qixing.”

“Don’t worry,” Keqing says, not looking up from her letters. “I have no intention to punish two boys who were at the wrong place at the wrong time. Though, if we do uncover necromancy, that will be another topic... but looking at you two, I doubt it.”

As they pull into Liyue Harbor, a myriad of servants-- no doubt all under the employ of the Yuheng herself-- come up to the carriages, escorting them out as well as hauling the tied-up man off. They made a beeline towards Liuli Pavilion, and though Xingqiu had previously packed up some meals for Chongyun to enjoy, the exorcist has never been within the prestigious venue himself.

“Lady Keqing, it is our pleasure,” the man at the door greets, letting the three of them in. The interior is spectacularly decorated, with tinted windows letting in a soft, comforting glow of light-- and right there, calmly sipping his tea, is Zhongli.

He looks up at the sound of the door opening and puts down his cup. “Exorcist Chongyun. I heard you and your friend encountered an unexpected roadblock.”

“Indeed we did,” Chongyun says with a bow, somewhat pleased in a rather petty-vengeful way that Zhongli calls him by name but not Xingqiu. “You see, upon descending into Taishan Mansion, we found no beast, but a man trapped in Cor Lapis.”

Keqing gestures to her servants, and they bring in the captive, laying him unceremoniously upon the table. Zhongli studies him, for a moment, amber eyes narrowed in concentration, and then a flicker of... amusement?... passes his face, as he smiles, just for a moment.

“That scar across his neck, the site of his beheading... indeed, this is Zhangjue of over two thousand years ago,” Zhongli declares, perfectly calm.

“Truly?” Keqing looks at the man. “Alright. In that case, he cannot be allowed to live. Guards! Take this--”

“Not so fast,” Zhongli says, raising an arm to cut Keqing off. She glares at him, but nevertheless holds her guards back, allowing him to speak. “This man may have raised a rebellion against Rex Lapis... but surely, two thousand years of being trapped within the earth is punishment enough. The fates happened to bring these boys upon him, and so the fates may have decided that he has paid more than enough for his misdeeds.”

Keqing sighs, shaking her head. “This is why I hesitated to meet with you. Zhongli, with all due respect, I’m sure the ‘fates’ you speak of will not stop this man from leveling half of Liyue in cursed magic, should the legends of his power even be partly true. As the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, I have a duty to the people, first and foremost, and I shall not take such a risk with their lives.”

“A valiant notion, but possibly misguided,” Zhongli retorts in that imperceptibly calm tone of his. “It would be a great shame if after the rescue of this man-- nay, this historical relic-- he was simply sent to his death.”

“Historical relic? Of course that’s what you’re after,” Keqing snaps back. “No nuggets of historical trivia can possibly make up for the sheer danger this man poses to Liyue. Besides, you’ve quite enough trivia swimming about in that empty head of yours.”

“Wow,” Xingqiu whispers, “she’s really going for the ad hominem.”

“Xingqiu, please,” Chongyun whispers back, the two of them awkwardly caught between the back-and-forth.

Xingqiu turns to Chongyun while the two of them continue trading verbal blows, both refusing to cede their ground. “Whose side are you on, Chongyun?”

“Me?” Chongyun thinks for a moment. “I think... I support Zhongli. Being stuck for two thousands years, moans barely audible... it gives me hot flashes of fear just thinking of such a cruel fate. Surely he’s paid enough.”

Xingqiu nods. “The merciful judgment of an optimistic hero, not yet world-weary.”

“What? You disagree?”

Xingqiu shakes his head. “No, I’m with you on this, Chongyun. Besides, just as Zhongli said, imagine the stories this man could tell--”

Keqing bangs her hand on the table, spilling Zhongli’s tea all over the unconscious man’s face. Zhongli simply takes out a handkerchief and starts cleaning. “We will execute him. We will send his body to your funeral parlor. If he comes back to life, as historical fantasies have described, we will just kill him again, and send him right back to you. And that will be that. The people of Liyue should not be risked just for the pursuit of historical knowledge!”

“I respect your stance,” Zhongli says calmly, “but should you not consult the rest of the Liyue Qixing before moving ahead, as per protocol?”

“Protocol does not allow for time-sensitive matters such as these-- he could wake up at any moment!” As if on cue, once Keqing says that, the man begins to stir as Zhongli wipes his face, and she draws her sword. “I do not wish to sully this place. Ningguang would have my head, drawing such bad omens towards one of her favorite establishments. But if I must...”

“Whe...where...” The man blinks blearily, looking up. “Where am I...? Who am I?”

Keqing does not falter. “Do not move an inch, or I will take your head from your shoulders.”

The man looks around in panic, and Xingqiu looks between Keqing’s sword, Zhongli’s unreadable expression and the guards outside ready to pounce, before turning to Chongyun:

“I’m gonna say something.”

“Oh my archons, Xingqiu, please don’t,” Chongyun begs.

Xingqiu takes a step, bravely putting himself between the man apparently named Zhangjue and Keqing’s sharpened sword. “Lady Keqing, please excuse my boldness, but I cannot stand idly by without voicing my concerns.”

Keqing shakes her head. “You going to back Zhongli up?”

“No, I would rather we seek a reasonable middle ground,” Xingqiu offers calmly. “I fully understand the enormous concerns surrounding Zhangjue’s power. I am an avid reader, you see, and can recite the Romance of the Three Kingdoms in my sleep. However, within those records, did it not state that he only raised his might against Rex Lapis because of the suffering of Liyue’s people? The peasants were starved, and the Archon himself seemed impassive to their plight. Yes, his rebellion did pave the way for a bloody civil war within Liyue, but his intents were righteous, his cause just. Why would he, then, raise his hand against Liyue when he gave everything to fight for a better one?”

Keqing takes in Xingqiu’s words, sword still raised. Chongyun swallows, staring at how dangerously close the weapon’s sharp point is to Xingqiu’s gentle smiling face, and when Keqing finally retracts it, he lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. “I will be honest, I am no historian,” Keqing says. “I had only seen grandiose re-enactments and plays...”

“Of which, twist Zhangjue into a villainous figure,” Xingqiu says. “History is written by the victors, after all.”

“I-I don’t know what’s going on,” the man blubbers. “Wh-who are all of you people...?”

“Besides,” Xingqiu hums, “it seems his millennia-long imprisonment has made him daft. It would not be humane to execute one who will not bring harm to others. Lady Keqing, I plead that you give him leniency.”

Keqing sheathes her sword, giving Xingqiu a bow. “Very well. Guards, please keep him tied, but bring him to the hospital for a check-up on his mental state. Be on the lookout for any devious tricks, but do not kill him.”

The guards filter out the room, bringing the man with them. Zhongli, who had watched the proceedings silently from his seat, suddenly gives Keqing a slight smile. “The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is one of Liyue’s most classic pieces of literature,” he says. “I am surprised you have not read it yourself.”

“Oh, fuck off,” Keqing curses. “Had you been a little less insufferable and a little more well-spoken like Xingqiu here, perhaps I would’ve seen the reason in your words sooner. Do not expect me to change my mind whilst speaking to a brick wall.”

“I am humbled by your praise,” Xingqiu says. “Now... it would be a shame to come all the way to Liuli Pavilion and not partake in its excellent meals. Shall we?”

“Yes,” Chongyun says eagerly, if only so they can move on quickly. Seeing a man’s life get argued over isn’t exactly the best of appetizers, but from the growl that Chongyun’s stomach makes, it’s apparently enough.

Keqing takes a seat at the table as far away as possible from Zhongli, while Xingqiu and Chongyun sit next to one another opposite to the funeral director. “I did not realize you were a connoisseur of classic works yourself, Xingqiu,” Zhongli says in between ordering dishes. “Your family had neglected to mention that.”

“Oh, they think it’s unconducive,” Xingqiu replies. “But since I’m the second son and not the heir apparent, they’ve let me do what I want.”

“Unconducive? That is a shame,” Zhongli says. “You carried yourself well while addressing the Yuheng. I do believe most tend to tremble in fear in the presence of her sleek blade.”

“I would not stab a child,” Keqing deadpans.

“Hey, we’re not children,” Chongyun retorts, stuffing his face with a delicious salad of cold noodles and shredded chicken. “We’re independent adults!”

“Don’t speak with your mouth full,” Xingqiu chastises, and once again, Chongyun gives him a withering look.

Keqing corrects herself. “I would not stab anyone in general for the mere act of disagreeing with me. In fact, I greatly welcome such opposition! Critical minds are essential for Liyue’s future,” she says, and a smile returns to her face as her serving of Golden Shrimp Balls appears from the kitchen. “The worst thing anyone can do is suck up to me just because of my title of Yuheng. I despise that.”

Chongyun polishes off his salad in record time, before staring at his empty plate in silence. Zhongli looks at him, raises an arm and orders seconds. “Oh, thank you very much,” Chongyun says.

“It is my pleasure. Besides, the both of you have had quite an arduous journey.” Zhongli sips at his tea. “I have not expected the legend of the Fuxi to have been based on the moans of a trapped man. Reality truly is stranger than fiction.”

“It’s too bad... well, not that the demon doesn’t exist--” Chongyun clears his throat. “If that demon’s not real, how about the rest of the list?”

“The other demons I have listed all come from the same text, but I would not be so quick as to dismiss their legends entirely,” Zhongli says. “After all, while there was no demon with a chicken’s body within Taishan Mansion, you did uncover a man who had begun a civil war. In that vein, looking upon him-- the supposed Fuxi-- truly was an omen of war. As time went on, the story was twisted until only the legend of the Fuxi remained. Even the most ridiculous of rumors hide grains of truth.”

Chongyun thinks this over, and then pulls out the list. “Alright then. Let’s look at the next demon.”

Zhongli reads the name. “Fei, a monster taking the form of an ox with one eye and a snake’s tail. Wherever it is near, water dries to nothing and grass withers all at once. It is said to bring plague with it.”

“That sounds pretty bad,” Xingqiu says. “Why haven’t the adepti killed it yet?”

“They have, several times,” Zhongli explains. “However, as you know, there are some evil spirits within Liyue that are undying. Though they may be temporarily dispatched, eventually after the passage of some centuries, they return. The Fei is easily recognized by the destruction it brings, but to be noticed at all, it first must bring that destruction.”

“So people suffer and die no matter what,” Chongyun mutters, shaking his head. “That’s terrible.”

“It need not be so grim. You may take the role of... preventive measures, so to speak,” Zhongli says. “There have been a worrying spike in child illnesses to the north of Liyue, around Stone Gate which borders Mondstadt. I suggest you head there and ask around to see if such occurrences are linked to negative spiritual activity. Should you find a Fei and slay it before Xiao even realizes it has returned, I am certain he would be most impressed.”

Chongyun nods. “Thank you for the leads once again, Zhongli. Even if there isn’t a spirit, I’d like to see what I can do to help. We will set off right away!”

“Right now, Chongyun?” Xingqiu sighs as the boy gets up in excitement and dashes out of the restaurant. “Please excuse my dear friend’s rudeness. While he is well-versed in martial arts, he still has much to learn of the chivalric code.”

“Oh, no, don’t let us hold you back,” Keqing says. “Go out and... well, do whatever it is that you are doing.”

“Thank you both for the exquisite meal,” Xingqiu says with a bow, before chasing after his friend.

Keqing dabs her mouth with her handkerchief. “Waitress, bill please. Shall we split it, Zhongli?”

Zhongli looks genuinely surprised. “I had believed the Liyue Qixing are always eager for the opportunity to treat their guests.”

“I’m a little more forward-thinking than that. I believe the foreign term is ‘going Dutch’,” Keqing says. “So?”

“...Ah. A fresh approach to the age-old tradition of fighting to pay the bill in order to subtly display your own wealth. I would support it, but there may be a problem. I did not bring any Mora, you see...”

“Are you fucking serious.”

-----

“Chongyun, you shouldn’t run off like that!” Xingqiu catches up with this friend, clapping him on the shoulder. “Really, you’re lucky neither of them took offense.”

Chongyun gives Xingqiu a puzzled look. “So I’m the reckless one for rushing off, even though you literally put yourself in front of Keqing’s blade?”

“She said she wouldn’t stab anyone.”

“Yeah, after you did it,” Chongyun immediately retorts. “What if their argument got worse? What if the guy really did cast some bad magic?”

“Well, then I would’ve been blown up and died,” Xingqiu hums.

Chongyun’s face falls. “You can’t just say that. Between the two of us, I think you could afford to be a bit more careful.”

“I respectfully disagree,” Xingqiu says. “After all, chivalry is found not in trouncing a weak opponent, but rather through the bravery of facing an enemy that may very well defeat you. It is when you take a stand against a force greater than yourself that you truly embody the chivalric code of heroes.”

“Look, I just don’t want you to get hurt,” Chongyun replies honestly. “Other people can’t fathom it, with how you put on that nice and polite face, but between the two of us, if Xiangling asks someone to swallow a live octopus whole, you’d probably do it.”

“Of course not,” Xingqiu says. “I would trick you into doing it.”

“Very funny.”

“You know,” Xingqiu starts, “you can’t impress Adeptus Xiao when you’re still too afraid to step out of your comfort zone.”

Chongyun bristles slightly. “What do you mean? I travel across all of Liyue chasing ghosts and spirits. I hone my martial arts and exorcism rites every day. My discipline is unrivalled.”

“Yes, but those are all things you’re used to,” Xingqiu argues. “You don’t even dare to eat a spicy dish.”

“My congenital positivity won’t allow it.”

“Excuses,” Xingqiu says, but he decides to drop the topic as he notices Chongyun’s skin flush a little. “Oh, are you actually angry? Don’t take this the wrong way.”

“No,” Chongyun says. “Okay, maybe yes. You’re the talented one between us, talking your way out of every mess, keeping cool without a hitch, reviving a dead martial arts style by just... doing it...”

Meanwhile, I’m an exorcist who hasn’t even seen a ghost and got tossed off the balcony by one of our most revered adepti, is what Chongyun doesn’t say but Xingqiu can guess.

“We’ve got different strengths,” Xingqiu shrugs. “Well, there’s no point sulking, is there? Let’s pack up and head to Stone Gate. Do you think Wanmin Restaurant is still open?”

“I-- okay, fine, but tell Xiangling to label the meals this time, alright?”

Chapter Text

When the duo arrive at Stone Gate, the first order of business is finding an eatery.

Not that they’re peckish by any means-- Xiangling has packed them quite the feast for their journey, along with very clear labels on which meal belongs to who, bless her heart. Rather, eateries are where people gather and gossip is exchanged. “I heard there’s a teahouse right up there,” Chongyun says, pointing upwards. “We’ll get information from the patrons.”

“Chongyun’s investigative genius strikes again,” Xingqiu teases, and he only smiles back at the boy’s glare. The two of them ascend up the stairs of Stone Gate, bordering Mondstadt, and indeed they come upon an eatery-- though it is a little less grand than Chongyun had expected, with only an old man at the stall with two tables.

Nevertheless, it’s a start. “Hello, mister,” Chongyun greets politely, giving the old stallowner a bow. “We’ve come from Liyue Harbor to investigate the recent spate of child illnesses. Have you heard anything about it?”

“Ahh, yes,” the old man says with a sad shake of his head. “It’s unfortunate. Very few live up here, running inns and teahouses for travelers leaving and entering Liyue. So it’s all the more worrying that all the children have taken ill...”

Chongyun nods solemnly. “I understand. It must be a very stressful time for everyone. Pray tell, do you know anything more about their illness? The symptoms they have, perhaps?”

“Well, it all starts the same way...” The old man hums. “The children begin complaining of a fever, then comes the nausea... after that, they won’t be able to keep their lunch down...”

“Sounds horrible,” Chongyun mumbles. “Has anyone else seen to the children? Any aid administered?”

“Ah, a doctor from Liyue Harbor came to check on them,” the old man says with a bright smile. “The capital is such a distance away, I didn’t think anyone would come out here, much less the renown Dr. Baizhu!”

Xingqiu looks up in curiosity. “Dr. Baizhu? The green-haired man with a white snake around his shoulders?”

“Yes, the very same!” The old man nods. “He gave the children a bitter mixture of herbs, which improved their condition, but soon they fell ill again. Unfortunately, he, too, was confounded by their illness. ‘It doesn’t seem to be anything of a viral nature’, he had said...”

“So even the great Dr. Baizhu is stumped,” Chongyun mutters to himself. “Very well. The two of us will launch out own investigation into the issue! Dr. Baizhu is likely correct-- I have reason to suspect it is not a disease in the usual sense, but rather a demo--”

Xingqiu slaps a hand over Chongyun’s mouth. “We’ll be on our way,” Xingqiu says quickly, before pulling his friend away from the confused old man.

Once the two of them are out of earshot, Xingqiu finally releases Chongyun. “Bwuh!” Chongyun wipes his mouth with his sleeve. “What was that for, Xingqiu?”

“Chongyun, you can’t just go around spouting to people that there’s a demon roaming about,” Xingqiu sighs, crossing his arms. “Firstly, you may not even be right about that. Secondly, it would cause unnecessary panic. It’s bad enough their children are sick. Imagine the fear they would feel upon learning they could be cursed as well?”

Chongyun blinks, before scratching the back of his head. Xingqiu’s got a point. “I guess you’re right...”

“Of course I’m right,” Xingqiu quips, a smile breaking over his face. He spends just a moment more lording over Chongyun before deciding he’s gloated enough. “Well, let’s not dally. Where shall we start in our investigation, oh great exorcist?”

Chongyun thinks to himself. “What did Zhongli say about the Fei? Water dries up and grass withers around it? Let’s look for anything in the surrounding area that fits such a description.”

Then, Chongyun points up, to the high peaks above Stone Gate. “And I believe a high vantage point would give us a better view of the place.”

“Excellent plan,” Xingqiu compliments with a clap, sounding so genuine that it must be sarcastic. Chongyun, who is practically immune to Xingqiu’s teasing via ceaseless inoculation, heads off towards the guardpost, climbing up and then leaping onto the mountainside.

“Harrumph!” Chongyun may be young, but he’s had training in all sorts of exorcist arts, which includes the necessary skills required for traversing the land. Xingqiu, as well, is no stranger to climbing up sheer rockfaces-- just another day in the life of one who has singlehandedly revived a dying clan’s martial art.

Eventually, the two of them reach the top, pulling themselves onto the cliff’s edge. “Whew,” Chongyun sighs, stretching his body. “A good work-out before demon exorcising never hurts.” He takes out a popsicle, ready to bite down on it to cool off.

Xingqiu, however, is quickly distracted by something else entirely. “Chongyun, look,” he says, tugging his friend’s sleeve. “Is that... a little girl?”

“That’s ridiculous, how could a little girl--” Chongyun turns his head, and. Oh yeah. That’s a little girl. She’s got a cute little purple frock, complete with a deep magenta beret atop her tiny head of light purple hair. “Whoa. We should bring her home, it’s dangerous for a child to be this high up near the cliffsides.”

Chongyun approaches the girl, calling out to her as he does. “Hey there! What are you doing out here? It’s dangerous, be careful of monsters and--”

As the girl turns around, Chongyun sees the paper talisman hanging from her headpiece, lazily flapping in the gentle breeze as she blinks slowly at the boys. Instantly, Chongyun can sense it-- the adeptal energy in this girl’s body, just barely contained by that seal.

There’s no mistaking it. She’s a fucking zombie.

“Hello,” she greets politely, and Chongyun’s eyes widen to the size of medallions as he drops his popsicle. “I am... Qiqi. Who are you?”

“Oh, archons,” Chongyun says first, and then he tugs Xingqiu over. “Are you seeing this? She’s a zombi--”

“My name is Xingqiu,” he greets politely in return, giving Qiqi a bow. Qiqi returns the courtesy the best she can, nearly toppling over onto her face in the process. “This is my friend Chongyun.”

Chongyun blinks at Xingqiu, before turning back to the girl. “I... yes, zombie or no, she’s still a little girl. Qiqi, you should get off the mountain. You could fall and hurt yourself.”

Qiqi tilts her head, bringing a finger to her mouth inquisitively. “Fall and hurt...? I know how to fall correctly. It’s part of my daily stretches.”

Daily stretches?

“I am under orders from Dr. Baizhu,” Qiqi explains, and suddenly, the dots connect. This is the rumoured ‘little girl’ receptionist of Bubu Pharmacy-- Chongyun’s never seen her before, and the tales of her being a zombie had been dismissed as nothing but fear-mongering surrounding the mysterious yet very accomplished doctor. “Bring medicine to the sick children. But I need fresh Qingxin. So, I’m picking some now.”

“I see,” Chongyun replies. He’s read the descriptions of jiangshi in old records: they can be dangerous, but also ‘domesticated’. As Qiqi is clearly capable of following orders, she’s likely in the latter category. “Well, allow us to help you! We wish to help the children of Stone Gate as well.”

Xingqiu nods along, agreeing to the plan. “Six hands are better than two, right?”

“Um... okay,” Qiqi says with a nod. “Thank you.”

She points a little higher up, upon the peaks on the other side of Stone Gate, separated by a long fall. “Over there. Let’s go.”

“Ah, if we glide over, we should be able to reach the top quickly enough,” Chongyun muses. “Off we go--”

“I have a better idea,” Xingqiu suggests. With a flick of his wrist, he pulls out his sword, summoning spectres of watery blades to his side. “Qiqi, I see a Cryo Vision on you. Chongyun’s got one too. How about we make a bridge of ice across? I’ll spray water, and you two freeze it.”

“What--” Chongyun clicks his tongue. “Xingqiu, that’s unnecessarily dangerous. We can just--”

“Okay,” Qiqi readily agrees, and Xingqiu sends out a quick splash of water in one smooth movement of his legs, as if kicking a barrelful of water over. Qiqi summons a ball of ice which flicks around her, freezing the water mid-air, creating the perfect bridge.

Chongyun just stares as the both of them casually climb up the flimsy ice surface, as if there was not a sheer drop right beneath them. “Oh, fine,” he mutters, and he tries not to shake in fear as he follows the other two, ascending up to the other cliffside.

With a few more similar motions of Hydro and Cryo, the bridge is complete, and they make it to the top in record time. Chongyun breathes a sigh of relief as they all touch down upon solid, non-icy ground. “There we go,” Xingqiu says. “Thank you very much, Qiqi.”

“Oh... you’re welcome,” Qiqi mumbles, sounding almost surprised. Does Baizhu rarely thank her?

Xingqiu then turns to Chongyun, giving him a bold smirk. “That wasn’t so bad, was it? Like I said-- sometimes, you’ve got to step out of your comfort zone.”

“It was a dangerous stunt which could’ve gotten all three of us killed,” Chongyun retorts as the bridge falls apart behind them. Xingqiu only shakes his head in that frustratingly patronizing way of his before turning back to look for Qingxin flowers.

While Xingqiu and Chongyun are learnt in the ways of various martial arts, herb-picking isn’t one of their fortes. Chongyun uses Qingxin-infused water to cool down, but he’s never had to go gather it himself. Thankfully, Qiqi gives them a quick crash course as she expertly locates the first Qingxin. “This flower,” she says, holding it up. Its leaves are dry, crisp, and the petals a beautiful white. “It grows on mountaintops. The higher you are, the more Qingxin.”

“Got it,” Chongyun nods, and he turns to his side to hop up another surface. Xingqiu follows him, and the both of them rise up to find three Qingxin flowers at the top-- great-- and an incredible vantage point of the entirety of Stone Gate, even till the first stretches of Dihua Marsh.

Xingqiu walks forward, clearly amazed. “Wow,” he breathes, and he pulls his notebook out of his bag. “Give me a second. I’ve got to record down this view.”

“Leaving me to do all the work, I see,” Chongyun quips as he studiously picks away at the white flowers. “While you’re recording, do look out for dried lakes and wilted grass.”

As Chongyun hustles and bustles around Xingqiu, the aspiring novelist does as he’s told, surveying the landscape with a sharp eye. When he actually does come across something interesting, the tone of his voice betrays his surprise that they’ve actually got a possible lead: “Chongyun, there. Towards the west. Do you see it?”

Chongyun tucks away the bundles of Qingxin, staring out to where Xingqiu is pointing. There it is, clear as day: one of the pools upon Wuwang Hill seem to be drying up, and around it lies quite a stretch of brown, dying grass. “That pools... it must be one of the water sources that feed the lakes down below Stone Gate,” Chongyun notes. “If the Fei is active, it could be spreading disease by contaminating that water source!”

Xingqiu nods, lacking any sarcastic quips. This very well could be serious. “Let’s not run off without telling Qiqi where we’re going,” Xingqiu reminds first, and the two of them glide down to where Qiqi is picking more Qingxin.

Chongyun holds out the bundle he’s already collected. “Here, I hope this helps. We’ve got to go investigate something that we think has to do with the child illnesses, so the two of us will be off now. Stay safe.”

“Investigate...?” Qiqi blinks, before nodding. “Okay.”

And then, as they turn around, she says: “Bring me.”

“Huh?” Chongyun turns around, clearly surprised. The zombies described in old records rarely ever deviate from orders given, to an almost detrimental effect: they are incapable of denying harmful orders, and sometimes stuck for eons trying to fulfill an impossible one. To go from herb-picking for a cure to suddenly wanting to come along is... interesting. “Qiqi, it might be dangerous. You’d best stay on your course.”

Qiqi shakes her head. “Orders. To help cure children. If you find the cause of the illnesses-- then I will help.”

“She’s got a sword, and a Vision,” Xingqiu notes. “I doubt Dr. Baizhu would just let her roam freely if she wasn’t capable of defending herself. It’s worth bringing along some extra help.”

Chongyun wrinkles his nose. Though she’s definitely a very unique zombie who happens to be replete with adeptal energy, he doesn’t like the idea of involving a child in conflict, undead or not. Still, if she wants to come along... facing off a demon might be a little much for just the two of them. “Okay, but I don’t want you to get hurt,” Chongyun says, and he gets down on one knee to meet Qiqi’s eyes level. “Promise me that if it gets dangerous, you’ll focus on escaping.”

“Only Dr. Baizhu and I can order me,” she answers frankly. Little shit.

Chongyun sighs and holds out his pinky finger. “It’s not an order, just... a promise. Here, we’ll pinky swear on it.”

Qiqi tilts her head. “Pinky... swear?”

“You’re not too good with kids,” Xingqiu teases, and Chongyun huffs. “It’s how friends promise to each other, Qiqi. You lock pinkies together to seal a pact.”

“Seal... a pact? Friends?” Qiqi seems more and more confused, but eventually reaches out and does just that, locking pinkies with Chongyun. “Okay. Pinky swear.”

With that done, Chongyun looks up over the distance. “Alright. Off we go.”

-----

Signs that something is wrong comes relatively quickly, before they even reach the pool Xingqiu had noticed.

Scattered bones of hunted boars, felled bamboo trees, and, of course, the dying grass... Chongyun’s eyes narrow as they approach their destination. “I think this is really it,” he whispers to Xingqiu, and Xingqiu raises an eyebrow. “I think we’ve actually got a demon on our hands.”

“Don’t jinx it,” Xingqiu replies with a sly smile. “You might just scare it away again.”

Chongyun sighs bitterly. Xingqiu’s absolutely right-- though it would be good to chase such a creature away from Stone Gate, it would only end up inhabiting and terrorizing some new populace someplace else. This is one of those cases where a peaceful exorcism isn’t an option. In that case, they’ll have to either devise a plan to trap it somehow, or call someone else who isn’t afflicted with intense congenital positivity to slay the beast. Chongyun would much rather the former, but when people’s health and happiness is on the line...

Qiqi trails behind them, hopping after the two. For a zombie, she’s rather sprightly. “Dead herbs,” she notes with a slight hint of sadness.

“That’s right,” Chongyun mumbles, crunching on his popsicle to keep calm. “We’re getting closer.”

Soon, the sound of rushing water meets their ears. The pool had a small waterfall feeding into it, and that’s exactly what they’re hearing now. They’re nearly their target. “Get ready,” Chongyun says, pulling out his claymore. The other two unsheathe their swords. As they creep closer, they hear a low, growling sound, signalling that something is nearby. “We’ll turn the corner and burst out of the bamboo all at once,” he commands, and Xinqiu filters to his left while Qiqi takes her place to the right. “On the count of three. One... two... three!”

As they leap out of the foliage, Xingqiu cries: “Hark, forces of evil. I am Xingqiu, fire of the Guhua Clan’s renaissance, and by my cold steel shall you be smote!”

They rush in and see a camp of sleeping Treasure Hoarders, making a growling noise with the cacophony of snores.

Now it’s Chongyun’s turn to leer at Xingqiu. “Fire of the Guhua Clan’s renaissance, huh?”

“Oh, let me have my moments,” Xingqiu retorts, a rare blush finding its way across his face. “In any case... what are Treasure Hoarders doing here?”

Before they put away their weapons, Qiqi suddenly rushes into the thick of sleeping Treasure Hoarders, giving the two of them the slip. “Hey, wait!” Chongyun tries to catch her, but it’s too late-- all at once, the world is suddenly encased in ice as she unleashes a powerful burst of adeptal energy, sending all the Treasure Hoarders flying.

“Eek--”

“Urgh--!”

“What the--”

“Guess we’ve got no choice now,” Xingqiu notes, once again summoning swords of Hydro to his side. Their enemies quickly scramble to their feet, grabbing their weapons of improvised bombs and shovels. “Let’s be rid of them.”

Chongyun sighs, heaving his claymore back into his arms and rushing in to fend off one of the brawlers before it lays a hand on Qiqi. “Spirit blade, attack!” He coats all their weapons with a touch of Cryo, and combined with their proximity to water and Xingqiu’s Hydro, it freezes over the men, leaving them vulnerably to their pummeling. “From whence you came!”

Soon enough, the three of them beat the men into submission, smashing their weapons and cornering them. “We surrender!” One of them plea, throwing their hands up. “Just take the goods, they’re all in the pool!”

“The... goods?” Chongyun raises an eyebrow in confusion. “Elaborate.”

“What-- you kids aren’t here for the contraband?” At their words, Xingqiu immediately scoots over to the water, reaching in and pulling out a heavy, waterlogged bag.

He quickly unties it, dumping out a bunch of writhing slugs. Xingqiu quickly leaps back, clearly not very happy with the gross discovery. “Hey, be careful with those! They’re imported from Inazuma!”

“Gross...” Chongyun turns back to the Treasure Hoarders, claymore still pointed at them. “What are they?”

“What-- they’re Inazuman sea slugs, of course! Smuggled through the borders with great risk! Restaurants in Liyue Harbor would pay top dollar for this quality!” At that moment, Chongyun imagines Xiangling’s excitement at their discovery and promptly decides to believe them.

However... “It seems they’ve been sucking in all the water,” Chongyun notes. “Are they toxic in large quantities?”

“Er...” That’s enough of an answer. “We didn’t want to leave them there for so long! But the buyer wouldn’t pay up! So...”

“...And that’s why the illness it only affects children,” Xingqiu deduces. “Because they’re more sensitive to the dosage that must’ve come from the slugs and contaminated the water downstream. The grass surrounding the pool also started wilting because of the poison. That explains why Dr. Baizhu couldn’t figure out what it was either-- even he wouldn’t be able to identify Inazuman contraband.”

“Pointlessly endangering others for illicit monetary gain... that can’t be forgiven,” Chongyun says, and he eyes the slugs wriggling on the ground. “Ugh, I guess we can’t leave them in there, either...”

Qiqi tilts her head. “Can I go home now?”

“Soon,” Chongyun says, turning his head away from the Treasure Hoarders.

And that moment is all it takes for them to strike at Qiqi.

It all happens in slow motion. One of them, a big brute, rises to their feet, swinging their fist-- Chongyun realizes and tries to get between them but he’s too slow-- Xingqiu sends out a burst of Hydro but it won’t reach in time--

Right then and there, the world explodes in wind and fury.

The Treasure Hoarder in question is blown back with such force that he snaps a tall bamboo as he crashes into it. Chongyun and Xingqiu instinctively cover their faces at the sudden force, and when Chongyun finally manages to crack an eye open, he sees...

He sees Adeptus Xiao, standing in front of Qiqi, staring down the Treasure Hoarders with the most piercing glare they’ve ever seen. “I rarely interfere in the trifles of mortals,” he declares, “but you shall not lay a hand on her.”

“Wh... what,” Chongyun breathes in utter shock, and as the Treasure Hoarders shrink in fear, Xiao turns his gaze onto Chongyun. “Adeptus Xiao-- you--”

“It’s you. Man of a thousand souls,” Xiao calls out. It’s not said out of endearment. “You shall take this girl back to Liyue Harbor. Ensure no harm comes to her.”

And just like that, Xiao disappears in a wisp of wind, only the carnage of broken bamboo and cracked stone to tell anyone he was ever there at all.

“Wait, Adeptus-- argh!” Chongyun curses, reaching out to grasp nothing but air. “Qiqi, I didn’t realize you know Adeptus Xiao.”

Qiqi tilts her head. “Xiao...? Sound like a historical artifact to me...”

-----

“Beautiful. Entrancing. Elegant, yet powerful... Chongyun, what other words would describe Xiao well?”

“Asshole,” Chongyun groans, and Xingqiu can’t help but let out a laugh.

The journey back is, thankfully, uneventful. After turning in the Treasure Hoarders to the Millelith (including the one who Xiao has basically nearly murdered), they advise the boys to bring the contraband-- wriggling and all-- back to Liyue Harbor to be properly processed instead of dumping a bunch of toxic slugs into some random pothole somewhere.

On the way back, Xingqiu, enraptured by Xiao’s heroic rescue of Qiqi, suddenly began writing page after page within his notebook-- as well as trying to pick Qiqi’s brain for the possible reason surrounding his protectiveness of her, though Chongyun stops him from going too far. (“I don’t know what you’re scheming, Xingqiu, but I’m not going to aid you in interrogating a little girl, zombie or not,” Chongyun deadpaned, and Xingqiu frowned, revealing to Chongyun that he’s clearly hit the bullseye.) Instead of commiserating in misery with Chongyun, seeing Xiao has sparked off some kind of novelist brainworm within Xingqiu, and Chongyun can only imagine the extremely overpowered martial arts hero based off the adeptus that Xingqiu is likely creating for his novel-which-is-totally-being-written, I-don’t-just-write-chapter-one-over-and-over.

They send word of what happened to Zhongli, and receive a reply when a letter falls into Chongyun’s hands after a flock of cranes fly overhead. I see you have landed in quite a conundrum. The Millelith may wrongly detain you for holding onto such contraband, so I recommend entering Liyue Harbor by the dockside, before meeting me at Liuli Pavilion by taking the second set of stone stairs down the main street. You shall not be bothered by any Millelith upon taking such a route. I shall find someone who will take them off your hands.

Miraculously, the waterlogged slugs manage to survive the journey, and at the gates of Liyue Harbor, Qiqi turns to bow to them-- again, nearly tipping over in the process. “Thank you for helping,” she says politely. “Xingqiu, and... who are you?”

“Oh, come on,” Chongyun groans. “...Whatever, it’s alright. Go back to Dr. Baizhu, Qiqi.”

As she disappears down the street, Xingqiu sighs. “Oh, to be favoured by an adeptus... do you believe Xiao has a soft spot for children, perhaps?”

“I don’t care,” Chongyun blithely remarks.

Following Zhongli’s instruction, they make their way through Liyue without running into too many officials, which brings into question how Zhongli knows this route through the city. “I knew there was something shady about him,” Xingqiu says with a sparkle in his eye. “We should dig into his history!”

“No,” Chongyun flatly rejects. “I don’t want another extremely powerful person to hold a grudge against me. Adeptus Xiao is more than enough.”

As they roll up to Liuli Pavilion, Zhongli is there, waiting patiently for the two of them. “There you are,” he greets, amber eyes falling upon the sacks they’re wheeling in. “That is quite a haul indeed. I do hope the price it fetches shall soothe the disappointment of not finding an actual demon.”

“Price?” Chongyun blinks. “Oh, we’re... being paid for them.”

“We shall take no mora for submitting these contraband goods,” Xingqiu declares. “They were illegally seized, and accepting any reward for them would be an insult to the laws of Liyue. As long as they will no longer pollute water sources, we are happy with any arrangement.”

For once, Chongyun lets Xingqiu speak for him. The both of them are goody-two-shoes, after all-- even if Xingqiu is a little more mischievous about it. “Ah, I should have expected such an answer from two of your righteous disposition,” Zhongli notes with a hint of a laugh. “Well, the buyer shall be very happy to hear about that as well. Let me introduce you two.”

As they enter Liuli Pavilion, Chongyun spots a woman with black hair and red dress, absolutely demolishing an entire crab. She doesn’t even notice them as they come in, instead opting to rip the crab’s claw off before crunching in between her teeth, cracking through the hard shell without breaking a sweat before sucking out the meat within.

Damn.

“Oh! Captain Beidou,” Xingqiu says. “I should’ve guessed.”

“Mmmrrrm?” Beidou looks up, mouth full of crab, but upon recognizing Xingqiu, her one eye lights up in delight. “Mrrrmmmkid! Hey, kid! I didn’t expect you to be in the contraband trade too!”

“Ah... sorry, you’re mistaken,” Xingqiu quickly corrects. “My friend Chongyun and I had only come upon these Inazuman sea slugs by accident. We have no intention of accepting any mora for them. We only wish that they do not harm the people of Stone Gate any further.”

Beidou looks almost disappointed for a moment, before turning to Chongyun. “So you’re Chongyun! Exorcist kid!”

“I-- exorcist, yes,” Chongyun says, bowing to greet the woman. “Not kid, though.”

“I’ve heard lots of things about you, kid,” Beidou says, utterly ignoring Chongyun’s protests. “About how you bravely bust into the most haunted of houses without breakin’ a sweat! And you only take a few hundred mora for payment every time. You sure you don’t want any tip for this haul, kiddo? I admire the generous spirit, but I doubt rates like those pay the bills.”

Chongyun about to say something, but his stomach quickly betrays him by letting out a loud growl. “...A meal at this exquisite venue is more than enough,” Chongyun compromises, and Beidou lets out a loud laugh.

“Alright, then!” She waves them all over, including Zhongli. “Let’s dig in! I won’t lie, I’m not normally the type to indulge in these high-class places, but Zhongli insisted. I would’ve chosen Wanmin myself, but I guess you don’t wanna exchange contraband right on the streets of Chihu Rock, do you? Hahaha!”

“I have taken the liberty of ordering a delicious boiled fish, stewed in garlic and served ice cold,” Zhongli explains, and Chongyun’s mouth waters at the prospect. “I have been speaking to Xiangling and learnt of your... disposition towards colder foods.”

“Thank you very much!” Chongyun claps his hands together, bowing before the bowl. “I’ll enjoy every morsel!”

As they go through their meal, Beidou grabs another crab and starts talking while she snaps it in half with one hand. “Zhongli’s been telling me about your quest as well,” she says, slurping up crab meat as she does. “You want to impress some sort of legendary adeptus, huh?”

“Oh, yes,” Chongyun answers while polishing off the fish. “Adeptus Xiao. We’ve been tracking down old demons recorded in fables, but currently we haven’t run into any.”

“Adeptus Xiao...” Beidou thinks for a moment. “That’s the adeptus that looks like a young boy and fights demons all day, right?”

“That is correct,” Zhongli says. “He is titled Conqueror of Demons for his vital role in the banishment of evil spirits from Guyun Stone Forest.”

“Also titled Stuck-up Persnickety Bastard by exasperated exorcists,” Xingqiu adds, and Beidou’s ensuing guffaw shakes the entire table. Chongyun quickly takes a sip of ice water to stop his face from going red. “Chongyun can confirm.”

“No I cannot,” Chongyun lies.

Zhongli finishes off his tea and turns to Chongyun. “Would you like me to direct you to the next possible target? I am more hopeful of this one.”

“Of course,” Chongyun says, handing the list of demons back over. “Thank you again for your tireless help, Mr. Zhongli.” Even if it’s not produced any results yet.

Zhongli takes a gander at the third name. “These beasts are named Chongyong-- similarity to your name notwithstanding, they are luminescent yellow snakes with the fins of fish, and inhabit the waters of Guyun Stone Forest. Spotting any is foretelling of a great disaster.”

“Beasts, plural,” Chongyun notes, and Zhongli nods.

“It is not the Chongyong itself that you should fear. Rather, if you find any, it is a sign that something may be stirring within Guyun itself. Normally, it is Adeptus Xiao’s dominion to deal with the demons of olde which rise there. However--”

“I’ve handled a few myself,” Beidou brags. “Split a few sea monsters’ skulls into two, without breaking a sweat!”

Chongyun nods. “So you’re saying that if we spot any of these glowing snakes, be prepared for a fight... and if we win, surely it’ll impress Adeptus Xiao?”

“Yes,” Zhongli confirms. “Which is another reason why I have invited Beidou to eat with us. If it is not too much--”

“Of course the two of them can come along on the Crux Fleet!” Beidou lets out another hearty laugh before chugging down a cold glass of alcohol. “We swing by Guyun all the time, so we’ll drop you off there. But you sure your parents won’t be mad, Xingqiu?”

“They’ve already accepted that I’m somewhat of a free spirit,” Xingqiu answers with a smirk.

Beidou cracks her knuckles. “Alrighty then. As payment for the contraband-- welcome aboard!”

She rises from her seat, and-- hands still covered in oil from demolishing the crab-- reaches out to ruffle the hair on their heads. Chongyun grimaces and realizes he’s long overdue for a shower anyway. “You two get ready. We’re sailing off tomorrow, right at dawn.”

“Understood,” Chongyun confirms. “Thank you for having us.”

“No problem, kiddos,” Beidou laughs. “Plus, a friend of Xiangling’s is a friend of mine-- speaking of, I’m sure she’ll love these slugs!”

Oh. Oh archons. Oh no.

Xingqiu tries not to laugh when Chongyun goes pale. “Perhaps we should cater our meals from a different person for our next journey,” Chongyun meekly suggests, but it’s overshadowed by Beidou grabbing the cart and hauling it off.

“Oh, no, she won’t be too busy to cook for us, Chongyun-- the opposite! She’ll have a field day with all these! Enough to feed the entire Crux Fleet! And she’s the fastest damn cook I’ve ever met-- she’ll prepare enough rations for the trip, singlehandedly!”

Chongyun feels his stomach churn.

“Also, let me cover the tab,” Beidou offers generously, slapping down a bag of mora. “Ningguang’s ‘broke the law’ tax wasn’t too harsh this time around, so I can actually afford it. Feels good to not have to run to your Snezhnayan sugar daddy, doesn’t it, Zhongli?”

Snezh-- Snezhnayan--

Chongyun sputters out chunks of fish while Xingqiu gives Zhongli a scandalized smirk. Zhongli, on the other hand, seems perfectly calm at such a remark. “Yes, Childe does often pay for my meals here. However, this time, I have come prepared.”

He takes out his wallet (oh archons he has one), opens it (holy shit it’s happening) and reaches in to find... nothing.

“Ah,” he suddenly breathes, as if he’s just come to an earthshattering realization. “Of course. I must fill it with mora first.”

“Xingqiu, I don’t get how this is the same guy who’s such a history buff he can rattle of names of old demons,” Chongyun whispers, and Xingqiu just shrugs.

“Even the grandest of martial arts heroes have their quirks,” Xingqiu reasons. “Zhongli’s just happens to be... this one, I suppose.”

“Nice try, prettyboy,” Beidou smirks. “Well, I’m off! I’ll see you kids on board by dawn tomorrow, right?”

Xingqiu turns around. “Of course, Beidou.”

“That’s Captain Beidou to you now, kid,” she replies, and there’s just the slightest flash of danger at the edge of her grin.

Chapter Text

Turns out, Xingqiu can get seasick.

Such a discovery is a surprise to even Xingqiu himself. After all, his family loves seafood, and he’s no stranger to boatrides. In fact, he’s known Beidou not only in a business capacity, but also because she loves dragging along enthusiastic young kids on impromptu adventures. Which is why she still treats him as a child, nevermind how he’s no longer actually a kid nor even requires his family’s permission to leave the house (his mother became quite cross that one time Beidou brought Xingqiu on a joyride that made him late for dinner. For a week straight. Because it was a week long).

Beidou, however, has never brought Xingqiu out as far as to to Guyun Stone Forest. The reason is obvious: it’s dangerous, especially for a kid. Forgoing the fact that she herself was splitting sea-monster skulls herself as a very early age, Beidou isn’t quite a fan of involving kids in that sort of trouble. Thus, Xingqiu’s experience with the sea has been limited to the calm temperament of Liyue’s shoals, gentle rippling tides and gorgeous sandbanks.

So when the Crux Fleet begins hitting the more turbulent tidal-waves that ripple through the seas, far away from Liyue Harbor...

...Chongyun finds himself patting Xingqiu on the back as he, the genius son of Feiyun and and prodigious heir of an entire martial arts renaissance, gracelessly huddles on the floor in the vain attempt to keep his lunch within his stomach.

“How the tables have turned,” Chongyun notes with just the barest hint of amusement, sitting next to his dear friend as he groans. “This is the point where martial arts heroes go ‘the mightier they stand, the harder they fall’ or something, right?”

“Spare me your indignation,” Xingqiu mutters, curling up even tighter. “At least I did not retch in front of Beidou while eating the slugs.”

They’re in one of the rooms under the Crux Fleet’s deck, as close to the middle of the boat as possible. It’s apparently supposed to reduce movement, according to Beidou, but every croak of the wooden boards as the ship turns and tosses only elicits another croak from Xingqiu’s long-suffering lips.

“They were gross,” Chongyun justifies. While Xiangling’s seasoning was perfectly on point, the texture was... just... and with how sensitive Chongyun’s senses are, darned congenital positivity... there was no winning. But he manages to stop himself from actually throwing up. “And Beidou found it funny.”

Xingqiu cracks an eye open, forcing a smile in spite of his seasickness. “Beidou finds almost anything funny, Chongyun. When I was younger, I once witnessed her receive a ten million mora fine upon returning to Liyue Harbor, personally delivered by the marvelous Tianquan herself.” The way Xingqiu accentuate’s Ningguang’s title betrays his obvious distaste for the woman.

“Ten million--” Chongyun chokes. “How’d she respond?”

“Beidou asked the Tianquan if flashing her bare breasts would help cover the fee, as her body is ‘worth about a hundred million alone’,” Xingqiu recalls, with an genuine smirk coming to his face at the memory. Chongyun proceeds to choke even more, blushing furiously at the implication. “In fact, the Tianquan’s face turned the exact same shade of red as yours right now, Chongyun.”

“I-- wuh--” Chongyun continues rubbing Xingqiu’s back wordlessly, choosing to turn his head away instead. “Sailors are something else.”

“They really are,” Xingqiu says with a chuckle. At least he’s not so sick he can’t laugh. “At the time, I didn’t get it, and when I did, I was aghast... but now, I realize that the bravery Beidou showed in simply daring to stand up to the Tianquan... truly, such a scene is worthy--”

“--Xingqiu, if you say ‘my martial arts novel’, I will throw you overboard,” Chongyun mutters, and for a moment it sounds like Chongyun’s the one in pain between the two. Xingqiu laughs, and then--

“LAND HOOOOO!”

A horn blares, and just like that, the ship comes to a sudden stop. It is then that Chongyun learns why all furniture on a pirate ship is bolted down to the floors and walls: the very vessel itself tips dangerous to the left, and he yelps. “Whoa, whoa, whoa--” Chongyun holds Xingqiu close with one arm before grabbing the leg of a chair with another, keeping them both in place as the floor tilts to a fourty-five degree angle.

Xingqiu immediately buries himself in Chongyun’s body with a pained noise, but thankfully, the exorcist’s quick reaction had prevented the worst of it. While he’s still seasick, Xingqiu’s kept his lunch in his body, and didn’t get ragdolled across the floor from their sudden docking. That’s a win in Chongyun’s books.

When the ship finally returns back to its upright position, Chongyun releases a sigh he didn’t realize he was holding. “Hey, Xingqiu, you okay?”

“I am,” Xingqiu manages to say, and Chongyun helps his friend rise to his feet. “Thanks to your timely, heroic intervention.”

“Don’t mention it,” Chongyun responds with a smirk, and Xingqiu lightly punches him in the shoulder. “Hey!”

“You are meant to deny such compliments,” Xingqiu quips, the color almost immediately returning to his face as the boat remains stable. “To maintain humility even at the peak of one’s power-- that is a tenet of the chivalric code.”

Chongyun waves off Xingqiu’s words as they climb up the stairs and onto the deck. When they poke their heads out of the cabins, they realize it’s dark out: the moon hangs high in the sky, stars scattered around it.

“Wow,” Chongyun admires. The lights of Liyue Harbor tend to obscure the beauty of the night sky-- but in the seas of Guyun, away from human civilization, the stars truly shine in the darkness.

As they clamber onto the deck, they join the rest of Beidou’s crew in dismounting the vessel, feet landing on the wet sand of Guyun Stone Forest. Beidou is already on the ground herself, giving orders and handing out lanterns to her crew.

“Hey, kids!” She waves the two over, and though both wrinkle their faces slightly in protest to being called ‘kids’, they respond anyway, walking towards her. “Here we are, Guyun Stone Forest. How’d you like it? Kinda dreary place, isn’t it?”

She gives them a lantern each, the Geo Crystalflies trapped inside emitting a soft, illuminating light onto the sands in front of them. As Chongyun turns around, he holds up his lantern, and the stone spires of Guyun which give the place its namesake reveal themselves to him.

“Ah, but perhaps its foreboding atmosphere is part of the charm,” Xingqiu notes, in that annoying way where he pretends to be a narrator in a storybook rather than talking about things normally. “After all, is this not where Rex Lapis himself slew the many evil archons that threatened humanity? ‘The graveyard of fallen gods’... yes, a place like this deserves its reverent stillness.”

Chongyun mouths nobody cares before waving to Beidou. “Thanks for the lift. When will you guys be sailing back?”

“My men and I have to mine out a lot of Crystals here to even think about turning our usual profit, especially with the current market, so... probably tomorrow afternoon,” she shrugs, before squinting at the moon. “Let me find the North Star... well, it should be about 11pm now. You kids got a whole night to go look for glowing snakes!”

Someone in the crew tosses Beidou a basket, and she catches it easily with one hand. “Oh, yeah, before I forgot-- take this.” She gives it to Chongyun, and upon opening, he finds a carved horn as well as some (reasonable, not slug-related) snacks. “If you run into danger, or you actually find the Chongyong or whatever they’re called, blow into that horn. It’s modified from the ones Hilchurls use, so it’s extra extra loud. The whole crew will come running!”

Chongyun gives Beidou a deep bow. “Thank you again for your help! We’ll forever be in your debt.”

“Don’t sweat it, kid,” Beidou laughs, and she gives Chongyun a pat on the head. He frowns.

With that, the Crux Fleet’s crew set off with pickaxes and shovels, leaving the two boys to their own devices. Chongyun studies their surroundings-- he knows about Guyun, of course; this place is infamous in its own right amongst his clan. In the past, young exorcists-in-training would be sent here to endure the demonic spirits which rise from it. Such trials by fire were common in the past, when human life was worth a little less and glory a little more.

But nowadays, the worst of the evils that plagued Guyun have settled down, till even the most devoted of exorcists have decided to leave this faraway place to the dominion of Adeptus Xiao alone. All Chongyun has are tall tales that are thousands of years old, detailing the epic battles that have taken place upon Guyun’s soil, centuries after Rex Lapis had buried Liyue’s old gods. “Well, I guess we should get to high ground,” Chongyun suggests.

“A wise choice,” Xingqiu hums, and he follows Chongyun’s lead as they set off to one of the imposing stone structures that rise high above the ground. “You know, I read in a book that those massive stone cliffs are actually Rex Lapis’ spears. The very same one he used to pin down the bodies of rival archons. They’ve been eroded by the ravages of time, but don’t you think you can see the spear-like structure to them, Chongyun?”

Chongyun raises an eyebrow. “Does your excessive reading of Liyue’s literature leave you with any knowledge of this place beyond fiction, Xingqiu?”

“Hey, it’s real history,” Xingqiu scolds. It may be, but the way Xingqiu explains it makes it sound more like legend than anything. Plus, Liyue is no stranger to embellishing their Geo Archon’s achievements. “That said, a place which has seen such strife will likely be filled with monsters. It’s best we keep our wits about us.”

“You needn’t tell me twice,” Chongyun responds, and they walk along the shoreline, sand sifting around their tall shoes. In due time, they locate a Hilchurl camp, and though they try to sneak around them, Chongyun ends up alerting the lookout by stepping on a stray branch-- still, they dispatch their foes quickly enough, icy claymore and drenched sword.

The climb up to the top of Guyun’s towering stone structures is much more arduous than the enemies which stand in their way. Chongyun has braved many physical tests, but scaling such a tall spire with a basket of food in tow and a lantern’s handle clenched between his teeth to illuminate the uneven rock surface is something else entirely. Xingqiu, who has seemingly managed a full recovery from the seasickness, makes a show of climbing a little faster, a little more recklessly, and Chongyun would chastise him if not for the lantern handle in his mouth.

As characteristic of the two, Xingqiu gets away with his bouts of not-so-subtle swanking, and he leaves Chongyun in the dust. He pulls himself up onto his feet with a harrumph before turning around, giving Chongyun a wave. “I’d tell you what the weather is like up here, but I think it’s best you find out for yourself,” he teases, and Chongyun narrows his eyes in exasperation before continuing up the slow-and-steady way.

Chongyun reaches the top, just a minute later, and he drops the backet onto the pillar’s peak before sighing. “You need to be careful,” he admonishes, even though he knows Xingqiu won’t listen. “Leaping around while climbing like that-- you could tire yourself out before you reach the top. It’s dangerous.”

“I am eternally grateful, to have a friend so devoted to my own safety,” Xingqiu says, giving Chongyun a bow. Chongyun groans. “Now, I suppose all that’s left to do is look for any sign of the Chongyong in Guyun’s waters.”

And so, the two boys sit.

And wait.

And wait.

To be honest, Chongyun didn’t think anyone would come out of this lead in particular-- but it was interesting enough to pursue, with Beidou offering to bring them on her pirate ship and all. Plus, he managed to discover that Xingqiu does, indeed, possess a weakness. “I’m surprised,” Chongyun hums as he cracks open the basket, before casually tossing one of the meat buns into Xingqiu’s waiting hands. “I didn’t think that, of all the foes we’ve faced, you’d be bested by nothing but the rocky seas.”

“Oh my goodness,” Xingqiu sighs, and it’s clear he’s not used to being teased back in turn about his shortcomings. “Well, the ‘rocky seas’ are more treacherous than even the cruelest of spirits. Even the worst of demons cannot compare to the many lives swallowed by the ocean tide.”

Chongyun shrugs, biting into his bun. It’s deliciously seasoned, courtesy of Xiangling, and, of course, free of any peppers. She pouted a little while preparing the meat filling, saying something to the effect of ‘a bun without peppers is like a book without papers’, but Chongyun honestly doesn’t get the hype. It’s good enough as it is.

Of course, if he says that aloud, Xingqiu will get on his case about ‘you wouldn’t know if you’ve never tried’. So the exorcist keeps it to himself, finishing up the filling bun before grabbing his flask of Qingxin-infused water off his hip. The cooling air of Guyun leaves Chongyun at little risk of his own congenital positivity acting up, but it’s always good to finish off a meal with a refreshing dri--

Xingqiu slaps him on the back the moment the water hits his lips. Chongyun spits.

“Look,” Xingqiu calls out, and Chongyun is about to smack his best friend in the face when he’s stopped short by the genuine wonder upon Xingqiu’s expression. “The sea, Chongyun!”

Chongyun puts down his flask, and then he sees it:

Just like how the stars in the sky shine brightest in the darkness, the murky depths of Guyun’s seas make the glowing lights within its waters more beautiful than Chongyun could ever imagine. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the Lantern Rite, in a way-- every amber lantern floating off into the sea transforms into a shimmering light once it floats far away, decorating the seas in its own set of shining stars.

Chongyun is not here for poetic inspiration, though. “Wait,” he gasps, eyes darting over the sea’s shimmering lights in disbelief. “Is that the Chongyong?!”

“Blow the horn,” Xingqiu calls out, and Chongyun dutily grabs the horn before huffing into it with all his might. His face turns slightly red at the exertion, as well as the adrenaline that runs through his veins, but he must keep his cool-- this is an essential moment.

As the horn’s call reverberates across Guyun, Xingqiu looks around for something to quickly rappel down the cliff’s edge with. He finds it in a sturdy rock which juts out the surface, and he quickly pulls at the vines of surrounding plant life, cutting off a sizeable length with his sword. “Let’s get down quickly,” Xingqiu says, and though he seems calm and collected, the excited glint in his eyes betrays his own excitement. “Help me tie these vines around the rock, and then tie one around your own waist.”

“Wait, we’re jumping down?” Chongyun’s eyes widen at the incredulity of Xingqiu’s suggestion, but, at the same time, his hands quickly fly into action, doing as Xingqiu commands. They both want to get down the shoreline as quickly as possible, and that’s the fastest way down, isn’t it? “Xingqiu-- you sure these vines will hold?”

“I have no idea,” he admits, an adventurous smirk playing across his face. “But I’m sure both you and I can, and will, survive worse in the future.”

As Chongyun tightens the vine around his own waist, he steps out and looks over the edge. This is insane, he thinks, but when he sees the innumerable lights dotting the sea’s waters, a courage he didn’t know he possessed fills his chest. There comes a time in every man’s life where time is of essence, and the opportunity fleeting, yet close enough to be grasped with one brave leap--

And so, they leap.

It is, as Chongyun expected, not actually a good idea.

The first thing that goes wrong is Xingqiu’s knot undoing itself. Turns out, skilled as he may be in the martial arts, he hadn’t paid much attention to the many lesson about tying knots he surely must have received as a son to a textile business. Or maybe he did, and failed to take into account how the thicker, tougher vines of a plant need a bit more tautness than a piece of cloth.

“Xingqiu--!” That part is easy to solve-- the moment the vine unwraps itself around Xingqiu, Chongyun immediately grabs his friend before Xingqiu himself even realizes he’s in danger. He puts his arms around Xingqiu’s chest, yanking him close, and Xingqiu, finally noticing what’s happened, wraps his arms around Chongyun’s shoulders in self-preservation. The next problem, however, is that the combined weight of both is a bit too much for the vine, and when they both reach the end of the rope, instead of bouncing harmlessly near the bottom of the cliff, an ominous ripping sound meets their ears.

Xingqiu blinks. “Oh, no. Ice slide,” he says cryptically, as the vine breaks and fails to halt their terrifyingly fast descension. “Quick!”

Chongyun’s brain doesn’t quite work as fast as Xingqiu’s, but when Xingqiu pulls one hand off the back of Chongyun’s neck to reach for his sword, he thinks he gets it.

Xingqiu sends a blast of Hydro under them, and immediately, Chongyun lets go of Xingqiu to swing his claymore at it. His weapon swings with a burst of Cryo, and suddenly, they’ve created an impromptu slide of ice mid-air. Xingqiu makes contact with it first, and they’re still whizzing down dangerously fast, but as their combined Vision powers interact with one another in perfect sync, the slide eventually gets less and less steep, finally plateauing--

--before depositing the two, face-first, right on the sandy shoals. At a safe speed, at least.

“Pfftgaah,” Chongyun chokes, and he yanks a shocked crab off his sleeve as he forces himself up. “You alright?”

“Mfffine,” Xingqiu sputters, spitting out a mouthful of wet sand with a rare undignified expression. He wipes his lips with his sleeve, before a smile slips across his face along with a sudden burst of laughter. “Hahaha-- wow, we really took the short way down, didn’t we?”

“I’m never following any suggestion of yours ever again,” Chongyun utterly lies, directing his focus back to the reason why they leapt off so excitedly in the first place. “We nearly perished before even seeing the sea beast these Chongyong must be foretelling!”

Finally at the shoreline, Chongyun quickly approaches the waters. If the sight was incredible to behold from up high, it’s even more stunning close-up-- it is as though hundreds, no, thousands of little glowing balls have flooded into the sea, rippling across the waters in--

Wait.

Balls?

“From what I know,” Xingqiu begins, “most snakes tend to be more... snake-shaped.” It seems he’s noticed the same problem as Chongyun has. Without further ado, Chongyun ventures forth into the waters, wading knee-deep as he reaches out to grab one of the glowing orbs--

--only to be met with a horrible, overwhelming stinging sensation, like a thousand needles being pierced into his skin at once. Chongyun pulls his hand away in pain, yelping as he does so. “Ow, ow!!” He flicks his now-red palm in agony, face grimacing as he does so. “It bit me!!”

“...Bit you?” Xingqiu tilts his head, and he wears that Expression on his face that foretells how he’s about to solve some great mystery. “No, actually, I don’t think it did.”

He grabs Chongyun’s arm, pulling his wailing friend out of the waters. In the dim moonlight alone, as their lanterns lay abandoned on the cliff uptop, he studies the welts on his arm closely. “Chongyun...” He almost doesn’t want to continue speaking, because he knows what he says will be a disappointment to them both-- but the truth comes out eventually. “These are jellyfish stings.”

“What,” Chongyun gapes.

At that moment, the both of them are pulled away from the glowing lights by the sound of hurried footsteps. As they turn to its source, they spot Beidou rushing towards them, the rest of her crew in tow. Even in the darkness, they can see the wonder in her one good eye as she approaches the glittering sea, a wide grin breaking across her face as she takes in the sight.

“Whoa!” She lets out a raucous laugh, before walking over the two and patting them enthusiastically on the head, ruffling one boy’s hair for each hand. “I haven’t seen a swarm of glowing jellyfish like these since I was a wee girl. Sightings like these happen only every dozen of years or so! You two have pretty good luck!”

“It’s actually jellyfish,” Chongyun groans. “I went and grabbed a jellyfish.”

He feels his face heating up at the absurdity of it all. What are the chances that they’d come across a once-in-a-lifetime rare natural phenomena while trying to find spirits fitting the exact same description? Dejected, Chongyun immediately plops onto his arse on the beach, rubbing his temples. “Calm down, Chongyun...” He takes a deep, disappointed breath, before exhaling loudly. “Can’t believe we both nearly died for this.”

Beidou tilts her head. “Aww, are you two disappointed that they weren’t the Chongyong that the funeral parlour consultant was talking about?”

Xingqiu crosses his arms as he looks at his sulking friend. “Do forgive him,” he says, giving Beidou a bow. “He’s not trying to rude... it’s just that we’ve set out several times to try finding a spirit, and all those times, we’ve come out empty-handed. He’s a little fatigued, that’s all.”

Beidou nods, not really understanding but also understanding all the same. “I see, I see...” She walks next to Chongyun’s side, before sitting down on the sands next to him. She gestures at her crew, beckoning them to rest, and they all begin to relax on the sands, enjoying the gorgeous sea in front of them. “Hey, Chongyun, look up.”

“Mmm,” Chongyun hums tiredly, but he looks up all the same, turning to Beidou. But she then shakes her head, before pointing back at the sea.

“I meant, look in front of you.” She lounges back, palms pressing into the wet sand with a contented sigh. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? My crew and I have scoured the seas, but I doubt anyone’s seen anything like this before. This is an incredible moment!”

Chongyun stares at the glittering dots scattered across the shoreline, floating lazily in the gentle tide. On hindsight, it’s so obvious they’re a passing swarm of jellyfish-- snakes move in a completely different way, and have a different shape. “I guess,” he mutters, and as he presses his palm against the sand, he winces again at the welts on his hand. “Ow.”

“Here, let me help with that,” Beidou offers, and she take his arm before plunging it back into the sea. “Jellyfish stings can’t be washed with alcohol or water, like normal wounds. Seawater’s the best way. Keep running your hand along the shore, and you’ll feel better soon.”

Chongyun does as he’s told, and, as Beidou said, the pain alleviates slowly. “Now, with that settled...” She looks up at the moon hanging overhead, its crescent shape like a little twinkling smile of amusement. “Chongyun, you ever heard the phrase ‘it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey’?”

He blinks, before nodding. “Yes, I’m well-informed on many sayings. Xingqiu rambles on and on about various quotes from his favorite novels--”

“Hey,” Xingqiu interrupts. “They’re words of wisdom, thank you very much.”

Beidou laughs at the two’s back-and-forth. “Well, just as refresher-- it means that we shouldn’t lose sight of what’s in front of us, even if it might not be the goal we have in mind.” She spreads her arms out wide, gesturing at the jellyfish swarm. “Look at this, Chongyun! Many people wouldn’t even believe you, if you described the sight in front of us. But, because it’s not exactly the goal you were chasing after, even the most breathtaking of vistas turn a little dull, eh?”

Chongyun thinks on her words, for a moment. “Yeah, that’s how I feel,” Chongyun mutters. “I mean, it’s amazing, yeah. But it’s...”

“It’s not the Chongyong,” Beidou hums. “It’s not a sea monster. It’s not your ticket to impressing that adeptus.”

Chongyun nods silently along. As he does so, Beidou gives him a strong pat on the back, and it’s almost enough to send him right into the waters. “Well, let me tell you, kid-- I used to be the same way, once! Many years ago, I set out to kill a beast. I cared only about the glory, the glamour, and bringing that sea monster’s head back home with me-- every time I sailed out and found naught but red herrings that led to nowhere, I got more and more hopeless. I thought, hell, does this thing even exist?”

That’s definitely a relatable thought. Chongyun keeps nodding. “It was my crew members that broke me out of that cycle,” Beidou says, and she looks over at her crew with great fondness. They’re laughing, jeering in their own little circles, chugging bottles of alcohol and admiring the view. “When we turned up empty-headed, they’d all say... cheer up, Captain Beidou! Let’s hit the tavern, that’ll put a smile on your face!”

She gives Chongyun a big, beaming smile. “I did find it, in the end, and I did kill it. But while I’m very proud of that-- it’s not my most prized memory.” She stretches her arms out again, gesturing to the many crew members around them. “Cuz the most valuable thing I got out of the journey was the friends I made along the way. One day, I realized that even if I never found that beast, I wouldn’t regret being a sailor. Not for a second.”

They fall into silence, for a moment, as Beidou continues to look out over the ocean. Chongyun, taking in her words, does so too-- the bitterness in his heart lets go, for a moment, and as his eyes fill in with the sights, he realizes, oh, this is beautiful. “What a view,” he breathes, and his lips twitch upwards. “Yes... I understand what you mean, Beidou. Thank you.”

“There we go,” Beidou says, happy to see a smile returning to Chongyun’s face. “Well, I’ll leave you two kids alone-- gotta go gather my crew again, or this short break will turn into a whole vacation of its own, hahaha!”

As she gets up, Xingqiu steps forward, taking her place in the sand next to Chongyun. “I should’ve brought my notebook with me,” he muses, and they sit together on the beach, looking at the jellyfish. “What a sight to commit to memory. I’m afraid that the words that come after witnessing such an event shall pale in comparison to the words that come to mind right now...”

“Xingqiu, if you brought your notebook and got even a splash of seawater on it, you would cry,” Chongyun deadpans, and Xingqiu chuckles, if only because Chongyun is absolutely right. “Don’t worry, I’m sure the endless prose that flows out your fingertips shall do justice to this. If anyone can even read it.”

“Oh, my penmanship is perfectly fine,” Xingqiu utterly lies. It is terrible, and everyone knows it. “Anyway... Chongyun, I want to thank you seriously.”

Chongyun raises an eyebrow. “What for?”

“For saving me,” Xingqiu responds with slight disbelief, an amused smirking finding its way back onto his face. “How heroic you were, clutching me with your strong arms as the vines unravelled around me!”

“Right, that thing...” Chongyun sighs. “Well, Xingqiu, I am but a humble exorcist, exercising the core tenet of chivalric humble-ry by denying your praise.”

“Shut up,” Xingqiu immediately quips, and he punches Chongyun in the arm. “I mean it, Chongyun. Thank you.” And then, looking directly into Chongyun’s eyes-- “You are my dearest friend in this world.”

Chongyun doesn’t know why his face heats up at those words. There’s something about sitting next to Xingqiu under the night sky, with an illuminated sea at their feet and glittering stars above their head. Xingqiu’s eyes shine with something that... isn’t mischief, for once, and it’s throwing Chongyun off-- but in a good way? A good way, yeah.

He makes a mental note to drink more water later. His congenital positivity must be acting up from that dangerous fall they just barely survived. “You too,” he manages to say back to Xingqiu. “Rest assured that no matter what ridiculous plan you cook up, Xingqiu, I will always be there to save you.”

And though Chongyun says that in a rather joking way, everything in Xingqiu’s smile screams a genuine sense of gratitude. “Chongyun, I’m glad I met you,” he hums, and.

Hm.

What is this feeling.

Chongyun tears himself away from Xingqiu’s golden eyes, but though he now stares out over the ocean, it does little to still the sudden racing gallop of his own heart. His congenital positivity must really be acting up. He decides to drink something cooling right now, and he empties the rest of his Qingxin water into his mouth with one swill before conjuring a popsicle of ice with his own Cryo energies. “Me too,” he mutters, and he puts the popsicle in his mouth while ignoring how he’s begun to sweat.

”You too, me too,” Xingqiu notes with a laugh. “That’s cheating.”

“Cheating what?” Chongyun crunches on the popsicle in defiance. “You’re the well-spoken one between us. I merely echo your sentiments.”

“I see,” Xingqiu hums, and he adjusts his sitting position to-- to lean against Chongyun’s shoulders, somewhat. Somehow, that makes Chongyun’s body temperature rise even further. “Well, I’m glad you too, Chongyun.”

And then, just like that, they stay there for archons-knows-how-long, Xingqiu contentedly humming to himself as he looks over the ocean while Chongyun desperately tries to stop himself from internally overheating.

The desperate struggle to curb the forces of his congenital positivity give Chongyun little room to wonder why it is even happening in the first place. And, eventually, when Xingqiu’s head lulls to the side and rests onf Chongyun’s shoulder, it gets even worse. The exorcist is so preoccupied with cooling down, in fact, that he doesn’t even notice Xingqiu has fallen asleep till the other’s soft snores finally break through the heaty miasma, and, somehow, help to calm him down.

He wraps his arms around Xingqiu’s chest, gently carrying him away from the shoreline and to a drier, safer location. He finds an abandoned tent, pitched up by some other adventurer in times long past, and he sets Xingqiu down under it, before lying next to him. When he shuts his eyes, his congenital positivity somehow flees him all at once, and when he sleeps, it is one of the best sleeps he’s ever had.

-----

It is the trip back to Liyue that takes them by surprise.

When Chongyun awoke, he was already on the ship itself-- “Good morning,” Xingqiu greeted, not even bothering to take his eyes off the loose papers he’s desperately scrawling on while hunched over a desk next to Chongyun’s bed. “I woke up first, and found Beidou. You were sleeping so soundly, we both couldn’t bring ourselves to wake you up-- so we carried you here.”

“Oh-- thanks.”

Xingqiu manages to get pages upon pages of notes about Guyun and their escapades before the seasickness overtakes him again, as the ship inevitably begins to rock from side to side. But soon, Chongyun realizes that even he’s feeling a little queasy-- it’s quite a bit more turbulent than their journey out.

“This is... rather unbearable,” Chongyun understates, and Xingqiu mutters something unintelligible while huddled up under the bedsheets. “Maybe I should go and ask Beidou what’s up.”

But before he can entertain that thought any further, Beidou comes to them-- bursting into the room, absolutely soaked in head to toe. “Hey, kids,” she calls out, and the cheery expression she’s worn all the time before is gone now, replaced with something serious and frantic. “You two have Visions, right?”

“Huh--? Oh, yes,” Chongyun says, fingers brushing over the Cryo Vision upon his belt. “What’s up?”

“We’ve hit a pretty bad storm--” Beidou is cut off by a terrifying creeeeak as the ship turns violently to the left. “Bad enough that there are Hydro Slimes showing up on our deck, pelted onto the ship like raindrops from the sky. My men are struggling to man the sails while fighting them off at the same time.”

“Say no more,” Xingqiu gasps, and he forces himself to his feet. “We shall go and defend your crew.”

Chongyun knows this is a dire situation, but still-- “Are you sure you’re okay, Xingqiu?”

“When faced with arduous circumstance, one must think beyond their own personal comforts,” Xingqiu responds, which basically means absolutely not, but you’re not going to stop me, Chongyun. Which is exactly the answer Chongyun was expecting, really.

“Thanks, you two!” Beidou breathes a sigh of relief, before pointing at the stairwell. “Now, come on-- let’s go!”

The two rush out, and the moment Beidou opens the hatch, Chongyun and Xingqiu immediately realizes she’s not at all exaggerating about a ‘bad storm’. The howling winds are strong enough that they smash into the boy’s faces immediately, before they’ve even climbed onto the deck. And when they do, they’re immediately pelted by heavy drops of rain, whisked around aggressively by the outrageous winds-- outrageous enough to bring slimes in its wake, apparently.

“Over there!!” Beidou calls out to a group of Hydro slimes that are hopping towards a bunch of crew members who are desperately trying to pull at the ship’s sails. “Handle that pack-- I need to get back to the wheel!”

“Roger!” Chongyun shouts as he pulls out his claymore, and the two boys rush towards their foes without a moment’s hesitation. Xingqiu’s Hydro powers may not be of much use here, but his bladework remains immaculate, slicing through the Hydro slimes that Chongyun freezes into place with a flick of the wrist.

Together, they make quick work of the slimes onboard, leaving the crew unharmed and able to battle the storm without needing to worry about being attacked as well. But as soon as they dispatch one wave, the next one comes, and the next-- the storm simply isn’t letting up. “Another one down,” Xingqiu breathes as they get rid of the fourth set of slimes, and though the howling winds leave them both unbearably cold, he’s sweating all the same. “I suppose it’s a good thing I didn’t bring my notebook, after all--”

Another massive wave crashes into the ship of the ship, and this time, it lurches to quickly to its side that both boys are knocked off their feet. Chongyun immediately sends out a blast of Cryo, freezing his very hands to the surface of the wooden deck-- but Xingqiu isn’t blessed with the same ability, and he goes tumbling, tumbling, hitting the side of the deck before--

“XINGQIU!” Chongyun immediately breaks his hands free before sending himself barreling down the tilted ship. The momentum of the storm sends Xingqiu overboard, but before he’s tossed into the deadly waves, Chongyun reaches out to grab his hand, and suddenly they’re stuck here, Xingqiu’s entire body hanging off the deck while Chongyun desperately tries to remain on himself. “Hold on tight--!”

“Chongyun--” Xingqiu gasps in shock as another wave hits the ship, and it only worsens the ship’s angle. Chongyun can’t keep his feet planted normally, and though he manages to freeze his lower body to the deck, it’s only a temporary solution before the ice eventually melts when Cryo energies dissipate-- and that eventuality will come in just a few more seconds. “Chongyun, you’re going to fall off, too!”

Chongyun grits his teeth, pulling Xingqiu up with all his might-- but the boat lurches even further, and he tumbles forward. Now, Chongyun’s knees are the only thing pinned between the side of the deck and going overboard with his friend. “Just hang out, Xingqiu!”

Xingqiu’s eyes glint with something that Chongyun doesn’t quite recognize, and a look of cold determination crosses his expression when he says: “Chongyun, you need to let me go.”

”No way,” Chongyun rasps, even as his own precarious footing begins to slip. “I’m not letting you fall overboard!”

“Chongyun, it’s either me or the both of us!” Xingqiu shouts back with a fierceness Chongyun hasn’t even known the boy possessed, and though he refuses to acknowledge the truth in his words, the reality of them is very quickly coming to pass. “Let me go, Chongyun!”

Chongyun takes a deep breath, and shakes his head. “I’m not letting you go,” he declares, and he looks up into the sky before bellowing into the distance-- “ADEPTUS XIAO, HELP!”

The stormy skies clear like a lightning bolt splitting across the night sky.

It is as though someone cleaves across the very clouds themselves, parting them like a man’s head from their shoulders. But much less grim, and much more welcomed, especially when a particularly strong gust sends the boat creaking back into upright position-- enough for Chongyun to just barely pull Xingqiu back on board, and they both collapse onto the floorboards in exhaustion at the ordeal.

“Wow,” Xingqiu wheezes, too shocked to even be cognizant of how he’s lying on top of Chongyun’s body. “I didn’t know you could call for him like that.”

Chongyun’s eyes are shut as he breathes deeply in sheer relief, letting air back into his lungs. “There’s a saying amongst exorcists... when one comes across foes beyond human dominion, begin seeking the Demon Conquering Yaksha’s opinion.” He wipes the rainwater off his eyelids, and realizes the pitter-patter of the pelting storm has also ceased. “Which literally means, call his name in the worst of times, and he’ll come running to save you-- but only in the most dire of situations, or he’ll not be happy.”

And I bet Xiao isn’t happy at all right now, Chongyun thinks blearily to himself.

And then he realizes Xingqiu is lying on top of him and promptly shoves him off with a sudden, inexplicable panic.

“Oof--” Xingqiu rolls onto his side, bonking his head as he does so. “Come now, you could’ve just asked me to give you space.”

“Sorry,” Chongyun quickly apologizes, not at all sure what came over him. “Ugh, my arms just moved on their own-- it’s my congenital positivity.”

Xingqiu raises an eyebrow, but before he can say anything, Beidou comes rushing over, thundering footsteps on the deck as she reaches out and pull the two boys into a tight hug-- one for each arm, picked up like they weigh nothing more than a feather. “Good job!!” She lets out a thundering laugh, loud and very, very relieved. “I saw what was happening, but I couldn’t get there in time-- good thing you got back in deck, Xingqiu, or I would’ve jumped into the ocean to go searching!”

“Ah, thank you,” Xingqiu wheezes softly, Beidou’s powerful embrace squeezing the air out of his lungs. “Is the crew alright?”

“All on the deck are accounted for,” Beidou confirms, and they both breathe a sigh of relief. “Still... what exactly happened? The storm just parted ways for us. What a miracle!”

Chongyun looks around, and though he sees no boy-adeptus in sight, he spots residual Anemo energy in the air, fluttering down in the form of dissipating jade feathers. It seems that, this time, Xiao had just come and gone, leaving nothing but his incredible spearwork behind as sign he was ever there at all. “It’s the work of adepti,” he says, and Beidou looks at him in shock. “I, uh... called one for help--”

“You can do that?” Beidou gapes. “Shit, Chongyun, you’re amazing!”

“Oh, wait,” Chongyun says, realizing Beidou’s misunderstanding his call for Xiao as a special ability of sorts. “Actually, anyone who needs help in Liyue can call out--”

“You rock!! That’s some rad exorcist powers!” Beidou hugs Chongyun even harder, and his lung capacity is thoroughly crushed by Beidou’s enthusiastic gratitude. It causes him to cease function mid-explanation, and all that comes out Chongyun’s mouth is a sputtered gasp for air. “Man, am I glad that Zhongli got me to drag you kids along, hahaha!!”

Xingqiu, if only out of amusement alone, plays along with Beidou’s misconception. “Indeed-- Chongyun may be young, but he’s not gotten a reputation for being an exorcist with a 100% success rate for nothing. In fact, he’s so effective, sometimes people don’t pay him because they can’t believe it was ever haunted in the first place.”

Chongyun’s ears turn red as he recalls several embarrassing memories of such incidents. “Well, kid, you won’t have to worry about that from me,” Beidou promises. “When we get back to Liyue, I’m buying you both a meal! The grandest meal from all our Crystal Chunk profits!”

-----

She does not manage to buy them a meal.

The moment the crew cheer upon seeing Liyue Harbor’s outline in the distance, it is quickly dimmed by a rather imposing sight upon its docks. Xingqiu and Chongyun don’t realize why the crew’s gone quiet, at first, till Xingqiu sees her first: a woman with cream-white hair, dressed in gold and adorned in jewelry.

Tianquan Ningguang.

She stands right at the very edge of the pier, and though they are too far away to see the expression on her face, it is as though her gaze alone pierces into all their souls. “Oh hey!” Beidou, on the other hand, seems surprisingly happy about this turn of events. “Not even serving a warrant this time-- just coming up to personally greet me! Man, we’re really getting along great!”

Chongyun looks at Xingqiu in worry. “I... wonder what Beidou’s definition of ‘getting along great’ entails,” he whispers, and though Xingqiu had been displeased upon spotting Ningguang, Chongyun’s quip does put a smile back on his face.

Indeed, the moment they pull up on the docks, Ningguang is quickly backed up by a rather imposing unit of Millelith. Beidou rolls outs the ladder, hopping down to greet the sour-faced noble with naught an iota of shame on her face. “Ningguang, good to see you!”

“Beidou.” As the two boys climb down behind Beidou, they are both torn between sneaking away as Ningguang is distracted or watching what’s about to go down between the two. “Did you have a permit to leave?”

“Absolutely not!” Beidou throws her head back in a laugh. Ningguang stares. “Oh, don’t be such a tightass, Ningguang-- here, I got you a gift.”

“I do not accept bribes,” Ningguang deadpans, but Beidou is absolutely undeterred. One of her crewmates toss her a rather crummy-looking sack, and she remains utterly unimpressed as Beidou pulls it open. “...And I would hope that, should you try to do so anyway, you would wash--”

“Ta-dah!!”

Beidou pulls out a porcelain vase from the sack, and, wow, Chongyun has to admit-- it’s beautiful. As the afternoon sun shines onto Beidou, the antique in her hands gives off an incredible sheen unlike any pottery Chongyun has ever seen in Liyue. It must be from abroad, or very, very old. The way it reflects like off its immaculate aquamarine surface mimics that of a mother-of-pearl, shimmering on the beachside and begging to be collected.

Ningguang’s eyes widen slightly. It seems she is, actually, somewhat impressed. “...Quite a treasure you’ve got there,” she hums. “It will not save you from your fine, no... but perhaps it will pay off quite a chunk of it--”

“Ningguang, I care not for the fine,” Beidou declares, and she drops to her knees. “With this beauty from the Crux Fleet, retrieved from the rarest of kilns on the shores of Inazuma-- Ningguang, I ask for your hand in marriage!”

What.

Xingqiu’s eyes go as wide as medallions at the shocking twist, and he mutters something to himself about bombastic proposals he’s read in books. Chongyun, on the other hand, just lets his jaw hang in disbelief at this turn of events. “What,” Ningguang seethes, confirming she’s thinking the exact same thing as they are. “What are you talking about, Beidou.”

Beidou looks up, a fully confident grin streaking across her face. “What else could I mean?”

“You are absolutely ridiculous,” Ningguang rasps, and her fingernail guards clink together as she fidgets-- fidgets? Beidou, pirate chief, putting the Tianquan herself on a spot? “Get out of my sight. I want to speak to the boys you’ve dragged along with you.”

“Aww,” Beidou sighs, and Chongyun just barely registers the fact that oh archons why does Ningguang want to talk to them. “Well, floor’s all yours-- have at them.”

Xingqiu’s face remains neutral, utterly unreadable. Which Chongyun knows is just a sign that he’s screaming internally, and very loudly. “Greetings, Tianquan,” he says, giving Ningguang a deep bow. Chongyun quickly follows suit, and he wisely lets Xingqiu do the talking. “What business do you seek with my friend and I?”

“Good afternoon, Xingqiu.” The fact that she knows Xingqiu by name is testament to his family’s wealth. He doesn’t let any reaction to it show on his face. “An interesting choice of company you’ve attained.”

“‘Tis their interesting attributes that lead me to seek their companionship,” Xingqiu responds with a fully polite tone, and Ningguang lets out a chuckle before turning to Chongyun.

“Captain of the Crux Fleet, and the rumoured exorcist with a 100% success rate,” she hums, and Chongyun blushes as he realizes she’s talking about him. “I’ve heard much about you, Chongyun. How your mere presence can banish even the foulest of spirits... and how you raise skepticism about the very art of exorcism, if grabbing a chair and sitting in a corner is enough to free even your most haunted of clients from their demons.”

Ah. Yes.

Chongyun did not exactly expect to crack open his deepest insecurities on her opening sentence, but man, here they are. “...Yes,” he decides to say, maintaining his bow to her. “I was born with something called congenital positivity. It only occurs every thousand generations or so-- I won’t fault you if you’ve never heard of it. That means I repel evil for miles around.”

“I see,” Ningguang says, and her face finally reveals a smirk. “A rare gift that only comes once an era... I think that is perfect for what I have in mind.”

Xingqiu instinctively steps in front. “With all due respect,” he interrupts, “Chongyun is currently on a very important journey of his own right now. We are honored to receive your attention, but this may not be the right time to accept jobs.”

Chongyun’s lips part wordlessly, partly at the way Xingqiu immediately snubs Ningguang in the most polite way possibly, and partly at how he even dared to try. But, on second thought, if there’s anyone who would put their foot down against the Tianquan, it would be Xingqiu-- though a meek bookworm he pretends to be, there isn’t anything that stokes his fiery passions more than a villain, and, in his eyes, Ningguang’s a textbook example.

Many speak in hushed tones about her, with rumors ranging from reverent ravings of her wisdom, to ugly swears that curse her name. But all agree on one thing: the only morals Ningguang has is the ‘mora’ part of it. Though speculation runs rampant and almost nothing is confirmed, the fact that she stands out so much amongst the Liyue Qixing speaks volumes of itself: she will do anything to build her floating Jade Chamber, the price be damned.

And now, the woman of such a fearsome reputation is currently smiling at Xingqiu’s barely-restrained hatred, before deciding to completely ignore him and continue speaking to Chongyun. “I’m sure he is more than capable of answering for himself,” she says, and she extends a hand to Chongyun, who only just realizes that his teeth are chattering in fear. “And perhaps it will help you impress that adeptus you so covet the approval of.”

“--Huh?” Chongyun looks up in shock. “How did you--”

“How did I know? I am acquaintances with a certain Mr. Zhongli,” she declares. “That man is well-versed in a great deal of affairs. As such, when I was presented with a unique predicament of the spiritual nature... I decided to ask him for any recommendations. He gave me your name, told me of how you were off adventuring with Beidou on an illicit boatride, and, well-- the rest is history.”

Chongyun blinks. “Zhongli recommended me?” To Ningguang? Chongyun knows that he’s garnered some attention, but while Zhongli’s been quite supportive of his Xiao-related pursuits, he didn’t expect the consultant to speak highly enough of him to garner even the Tianquan’s attention. “I see... very well. What is the predicament you so face?”

Xingqiu crosses his arms, and though Chongyun knows him enough to realize he’s not too happy with this turn of events, he remains silent to let Ningguang speak. “I’ll keep it simple: I need you to exorcise a spirit from the Jade Chamber.”

“The Jade Chamber?” Chongyun pipes up in shock, and even Xingqiu’s eyes widen at the thought. “I know evil can inhabit any place, but... what spirit would haunt the Jade Chamber?”

“Truth be told, I have not encountered it myself,” Ningguang explains. “But my secretary swears up and down that something is following her. Stalking her in the shadows, dashing behind corners as she turns them... she has been unable to sleep well, if at all, from this spirit’s harassment.”

Chongyun nods in understanding. “I see... I shan’t stand aside when someone needs help. I’ll help exorcise this spirit.”

“Excellent,” Ningguang says, clapping her hands together at a deal well-made. “As for the matter of your payment...”

“Ah, I only accept a courtesy fee of a few hundred mora, regardless of customer.” Chongyun knows Ningguang could probably pay him enough to let him retire for the rest of his life, but that’s not what he’s after.

“How gentlemanly,” Ningguang says back, and the edges of her smile are just slightly patronizing. ”A heart of clear water, and a face of ice. I see your scholarly appellations are not unwarranted. Few would turn down a reward from me.”

“It is simply a matter of principle,” Chongyun says, before giving another bow out of nervousness.

The Tianquan shakes her head. “However, I wasn’t going to offer you mora in the first place.”

Chongyun blinks. “Oh?”

“You see, my secretary, Ganyu, knows Adeptus Xiao,” Ningguang explains. “Very well, in fact. She would be glad to tell you all about him, should you save her from her ghostly visitor.”

“I see!” Chongyun’s enthusiasm peaks in an instant, and he has to mentally squash it back down so as to not lose himself to his congenital positivity. “Lead the way, then!”

Xingqiu grits his teeth. “My lady, I shall come along, if that is fine with you.”

“Of course,” Ningguang all-too-readily agrees. “Well, let us set off. I do hope you succeed in hunting down the so-called Paoxiao that haunts Ganyu so.”