Chapter Text
“No demonic presence detected. All threats eliminated… for now.”
Xiao muttered to himself as the last karma-infused hilichurl dissolved into dust. The sun beat down relentlessly over the rolling green plains of Wangshu, the occasional yellow/red trees dotting the scenery giving little relief in their shade. The primordial jade-winged spear, Xiao’s signature weapon, disappeared with a simple flick of his hand as the yaksha, too, soon vanished from sight. Only barely visible traces of black smoke signifies that the yaksha had been here.
In the small room at the highest point of Wangshu Inn. The room was bare except for a bamboo table, some bamboo stools, a dresser, and a mat. Xiao reappeared in the middle of the room, and settled down cross legged on the mat before beginning his meditation. The meditation was necessary after completing his day’s slaughter so as to quell the karmic debt rising within him, for it threatens to overwhelm him at any moment.
You killed us!
How could you slay your own kind?!
Kill everything!
I’ll kill you all!
Destroy everything!!!!
The screams and cries of anguish and hatred from his fallen comrades rang sharp and clear in Xiao’s mind as if they were right beside him, and he could feel the karmic debt wrap around him like bloody silk, smothering, choking as he tries to break free.
Beads of sweat appeared around the yaksha’s young, flawlessly handsome face, a facade hiding his age and experience.
Suddenly, the screaming faded away into the distance, and the karmic debt loosened its death grip on Xiao’s consciousness. Xiao could feel a pale, turquoise-coloured energy emanate from below, which he had deduced must be the reason why the demonic energy from his karma was purified. Quickly suppressing the remaining karmic debt, Xiao was able to complete his meditation faster than usual. Xiao’s curiosity was piqued; who, or what, was down below, that had the ability to purify demonic energy?
Xiao peered out from the window at the verandah below. A foreign-looking young man with blonde hair and a tiny flying fairy-like creature were admiring the scenery. It seems that this young man was the source of this energy. Because his karmic debt was suppressed far quicker than expected, Xiao was in a good mood. He decided to entertain this young man.
He quickly teleported to the verandah, a small distance away from the young man.
“To the blind, everything may not be as it appears…” he said, attempting to sound sagely and wise as he stole a glance at the young man. The young man had a pretty, innocent face framed with the softest, sunshine coloured hair. Xiao quickly looked away again for fear he may end up staring. To the young man, however, he just seemed disinterested and aloft.
Clearly, the young man and his fairy companion were startled by his sudden appearance and the young man nearly tripped over himself.
However, the young man recovered quickly and flashed a radiant smile at Xiao. He fumbled about his pockets for a moment before pulling out a Sigil of Permission.
“A Sigil of Permission? You came prepared,” Xiao remarked, slightly surprised. His eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms as he wondered how the young man came to be in possession of one. What if he had malicious intentions to Liyue? Xiao decided to warn the young man.
“Though this only prevents me from hurting you myself. Doesn’t stop you from getting hurt in other ways,” he added.
The flying fairy companion seemed confused as she scratched her head and said, “Uh… Paimon doesn’t get it…”
“Too much contact with our world is breaking the rules,” Xiao replied, already regretting his decision to meet with the young man. He was afraid that his karmic debt may affect him and his companion if he stayed too long.
“Mortal souls are not as robust as those of adepti, nor can your blood carry this level of adepts energy,” he explained. This was all rubbish, but the young man and his companion need not know that. Xiao didn’t want to scare them away either by revealing the truth of his karmic debt.
Finally, he said, “It’s for your own good. Leave, now.” As he turned to leave himself, the flying fairy spoke up again, her shrill voice carry a hint of urgency.
“Wait a sec, we came here to…” she cried out.
However, Xiao had already retreated back to his room at the top of Wangshu Inn, as he settled beside the window to watch the two from a distance. Due to his adeptal abilities, he could still hear their conversation. He felt slightly embarrassed about eavesdropping on them, but at the moment, his curiosity prevailed.
“Argh! Paimon’s… peeved! All he does is think about himself!” He heard the little fairy exclaim. Xiao narrowed his eyes. He did not like the young man’s companion very much. Just when he thought that was it, the fairy continued her rant.
“Paimon wants to give him an ugly nickname…”
What?! The audacity! Xiao was somewhat angered. What a rude creature!
“But if you tick off an adeptus, the only thing you’ll probably find in treasure chests is cabbages! Bluergh!”
Xiao scoffed.
That’s right, you insolent creature. Keep your mouth tight if you know what’s good for you.
The only reason Xiao was not impaling this creature on his spear was because of her pretty companion, who seemed to have the ability to purify demonic energy. Xiao was curious and fascinated at the same time. Plus, the young man had a likeable face, though Xiao would rather die than admit it something as superficial as that.
“Ugh… Guess we should go ask the boss lady of the inn about just how she manages to talk to adepti,” the little fairy said eventually as the young man nodded in agreement.
Moving away from the window and settling back down in meditation, Xiao closed his eyes.
Hmph, Verr would tell them that he does not like to be disturbed, and they would soon leave without bothering him again. Though, he was slightly dejected at not seeing the young man again, but that was for the best. He had no capacity for mortal attachments.
***