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Regarding the book Detective Fengdu written by Ye Ruo, many residents of Mondstadt spent their free time trying to brainstorm the real-life prototypes for the characters. For instance, in the beginning, many readers were convinced that the two protagonists were actually based on the partnership of Ye Ruo and Eula.
Meanwhile, Diluc had his own theories. He believed the story was based on his own history, specifically representing himself and Kaeya. However, as far as Ye Ruo was concerned, all these theories were born of nothing. There was a very real possibility that these two protagonists had absolutely nothing to do with anyone in the city. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, was purely coincidental.
While he looked at the novel, Diluc sighed softly. He maintained a very good relationship with Ye Ruo, as both of them had once served as excellent captains within the Knights of Favonius. His mind drifted back to that fateful day when he and his father encountered the drake Ursa. In his desperate attempt to protect his son, Diluc's father, Crepus, lost his life. Ye Ruo had hurried to the scene as fast as he could, but it was a pity that he was still a step too late to prevent the tragedy.
Diluc knew all too well that the entire event was a conspiracy orchestrated by the Fatui. His friend had been delayed by a crowd of Fatui agents, and when he finally broke through and rushed to the site, he was covered in injuries. It all went back to the words of the Doctor. Even if that Harbinger only made a few random moves and dispatched a small amount of combat power, it was enough to cause immense trouble for them at that time.
Later, the Inspector General, Eroch, ordered a complete cover-up of the incident, which made Diluc absolutely furious. However, his friend Ye Ruo was even more enraged. With a single, devastating blow, Ye Ruo had knocked the Inspector General into a stone wall with such force that it seemed he wouldn't be able to be pried back out. Ye Ruo took personal responsibility for handling the aftermath of that matter.
Because he had been brought into the order by the Grand Master himself and held the prestigious title of Wind Knight, he possessed a high status that even the corrupt officials couldn't easily suppress. Even the Chief Inspector could only look at him with a resentful glare, unable to stop his investigation. He couldn't beat Ye Ruo in a fight, and he couldn't pressure him politically. Because of this, Diluc's father was able to have his honor restored in the records.
In that dark encounter, only Ye Ruo had managed to reach Diluc in time. The rest of the Knights of Favonius seemed to be a step behind, and even Kaeya had been held back by the Fatui's interference. Coupled with the betrayal of the Inspector General and the painful death of his father, Diluc had become disheartened with the order. He withdrew from the Knights and began a long trip across the mainland fueled by a strong hatred for the Fatui, fighting them wherever they appeared. Later, he heard that the Chief Inspector had indeed been colluding with the Fatui and that Ye Ruo was the one who finally uncovered the evidence.
The reason the other members of the Knights had arrived so late was directly related to the Chief Inspector's meddling. Once Grand Master Varka returned to the city, he began a massive liquidation of Inspector Eroch and his henchmen, reorganizing the Knights from the ground up. Following that, a series of promotions occurred, such as Jean moving from captain to Acting Grand Master. During that period, Ye Ruo also temporarily left the knight order to continue his shadow struggle with the Doctor. He would disappear for a while and then return just as suddenly. Until now, he had continued this pattern. Time really flew too fast; in a flash, so many years had passed. Thinking of this, Diluc showed a warm smile and then called over his bartender.
Charles, I want you to send my friend a good batch of our finest wine. I believe that with the bundled sales of our Dawn Winery products, Ye Ruo's new work will become even more popular than it already is. Make sure it gets to him today.
Out in the wilds of Mondstadt, a captain of the Knights of Favonius Reconnaissance Company was also active. She had striking ice-blue hair, and even with her practical combat attire, it was impossible to conceal her graceful and seductive beauty. With a perfectly curvy waist and a figure that exuded strength, she was the picture of a refined knight. Her snow-white, tight legs were visible despite her rugged gear, marking her as a full-fledged cryo beauty. She was Eula, Ye Ruo's partner from years past. As the captain of the guerrilla team, she spent most of her time active in the field, destroying the Abyss Order's outposts and providing vital support to knights stationed in the mountains and deep forests. Even the Grand Master had praised her as an excellent fighter who was comparable to the Dandelion Knight herself.
Currently, Eula was resting in a very quiet spot high in the mountains, holding a book produced in Mondstadt. The title on the cover was Detective Fengdu. When reading this book, her expression was unusually serious, though the corners of her mouth would inadvertently rise every few pages. For someone who was usually perceived as arrogant and cold, this was a rare and private side of her character. She knew exactly who had written it. Eula let out a soft, cold snort as she turned a page.
It's really unexpected that a guy like you would suddenly decide to do something like this. You even wrote about partners fighting together as one. It would be great if there really was a mysterious treasure of wind like that. Then you and I could become one, and then, wait just a minute.
Realizing the implications of what she was thinking, Eula's cold face suddenly turned a bright, embarrassed red. She slammed the book shut and looked around to make sure no one was watching. What on earth was she thinking? Two people becoming one? Why did she have to think of such a shameful picture involving that guy Ye Ruo? She was still a respectable girl, after all.
That's it! It must be Ye Ruo's fault for writing it this way! I've made a note of this grudge! And don't think I've forgotten about that other book, the one about debuting as an idol. You actually wrote me as a tsundere character who eventually joins an idol group. I remember this grudge as well!
As the mountain breeze blew past, it carried the shame and anger of the knight into the distance. Meanwhile, back in the city, Ye Ruo was quietly observing the crowd. Inside a local tavern, a bard named Venti was singing poems and telling stories for the patrons. As a traveler from another world, Ye Ruo knew very well that this bard was actually Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, Barbatos. Despite how it might look to an outsider, the Wind God hadn't simply abandoned Mondstadt to its own devices before disappearing into legend. Some might feel he was an irresponsible deity for leaving the people to be free, but Ye Ruo knew the truth.
This god often appeared at critical times to solve difficult problems for the people, even if he did so from the shadows. As for the times he missed important events because he was falling asleep for centuries, there wasn't much anyone could do about that. He had to take the blame for tragedies like the death of Rostam and the transformation of the Crimson Witch of Flames, even if he hadn't been awake to stop them. As for Venti, he woke up from time to time and wandered the world. His whereabouts were usually unknown, and you never knew where he might turn up next. It wouldn't be surprising to find him playing the flute in Dihua Marsh one day and drinking in Mondstadt the next.
However, Venti encountered a bit of a problem just after finishing his latest performance at the tavern. A particularly drunk resident stumbled up to him and poked a finger toward his chest. The man had a skeptical look on his face as he challenged the bard.
Since you verbally claim to be the best bard in the entire world, I have a question for you. Do you know anything about the legendary Wind Mystery Treasure? If you're as good as you say, you should know all about it!
This question made Venti stop in his tracks, his eyes blinking in genuine confusion. He tilted his head to the side, looking completely lost. What Wind Mystery Treasure? Why haven't I ever heard of such a thing?