The day after crossing the Stone Gate Teahouse off his list,
Mu Yang chose a suitable time to visit the Heyu Teahouse again.
"Here's hoping for better luck today," he thought.
The "good luck" Mu Yang referred to wasn't just about the Heyu Teahouse's star performer, Yun Jin.
It also included the teahouse's owner, Master Fan Er.
Ever since Mu Yang had subtly hinted at his interest in acquiring the Heyu Teahouse,
the old man had been avoiding him, unwilling to meet.
So, these past few days, when Mu Yang visited, he could only sit and exchange stares with Tea Master Liu Su, listening to his storytelling.
Mu Yang knew a bit about Master Fan Er's situation, but he hadn't expected the old man to be so stubborn…
Mu Yang climbed the steps and arrived at the entrance of the Heyu Teahouse.
On the stage, Liu Su was at a critical point in his story, which today seemed to be about Ningguang.
"With her decisive and thunderous methods, Lady Ningguang offended the renowned maritime trade guild, the Jade Dragon Association."
His voice rose and fell dramatically, accompanied by exaggerated gestures.
"At that time, the head of the Jade Dragon Association, known as 'Sea Flame,' was a dominant figure at the docks, a towering and robust man with the strength to wrestle sharks…"
…
"To know what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment!"
This was Liu Su's usual trick.
The audience booed, urging him to finish Lady Ningguang's story.
Liu Su ignored them, took a sip of tea, and said he needed a break.
Then, with a smile, he came forward to greet Mu Yang. "Mr. Mu, please come in, please come in…"
Liu Su was a perceptive man.
The first time Mu Yang visited the Heyu Teahouse, Liu Su could tell from his demeanor that the young man was extraordinary.
Wasn't this the protagonist straight out of a storybook?
Later, he saw Mu Yang conversing effortlessly with the erudite Mr. Zhongli.
Mu Yang even offered a few pointers that turned Liu Su's storytelling into a hit, earning both applause and profit.
So, addressing this young man as "Mr." came naturally to Liu Su.
Of course, it helped that Mu Yang was generously liberal with his tips…
Mu Yang entered the teahouse. "Is Master Yun…"
Before he could finish, Liu Su cut in.
"You've come at just the right time! Master Yun returned to Liyue Harbor yesterday and will take the stage soon."
Mu Yang chose a seat and ordered the most expensive pot of tea.
"Brother Mu, what a coincidence."
Coincidence, my foot! Don't you, Zhongli, have work to do?
How are you, a guy who doesn't have to clock in, always running around like me?
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's guest consultant was just too idle—Hu Tao needed to crack down harder!
Despite his internal grumbling, Mu Yang pulled out a chair for Zhongli.
"Mr. Zhongli, did you specially 'take leave' to come here because you heard Master Yun is performing today?"
Zhongli responded with a simple "Mm" and casually ordered a few snacks.
He didn't stand on ceremony with Mu Yang at all.
Having spent these past few days together, Zhongli had figured out how to interact with Mu Yang in their mortal guises.
He poured himself a cup of tea. "Today's performance is Walking in the Snow. These snacks pair perfectly with it."
Mu Yang: …
Soon, the Heyu Teahouse was packed.
Everyone had come for Yun Jin.
This was also Master Fan Er's confidence in refusing to sell the teahouse.
The Mora Yun Jin earned from a single performance was enough for him to close shop for a month and live in luxury—he wasn't short on money.
The teahouse gradually quieted down.
Yun Jin, dressed in her performance attire, stepped to the front of the stage.
She bowed with clasped hands and began her performance…
Walking in the Snow was a one-person play, depicting a difficult trek through the snow.
The character in the play was lost in a snowstorm, bewildered, helpless, and alone…
Though it wasn't snowing season,
Yun Jin's performance transported the audience to the depths of winter, with goose-feather snow falling from the sky…
Mu Yang was drawn in completely.
At that moment, he felt as though he had returned to the Sunken Sword Pool, surrounded by ice and snow, alone…
Yun Jin's monologue on the stage sounded more and more like his own experience…
By the time the performance ended, Mu Yang hadn't touched the snacks on the table.
"Mr. Zhongli, what do you think of this new rendition of Walking in the Snow?"
Before Mu Yang could fully process the performance, Yun Jin had already approached their table.
Zhongli offered his critique, praising her progress.
When it came to Walking in the Snow, Zhongli was undoubtedly the most qualified to judge.
This play had not only helped Yun Jin break through her creative bottleneck but also earned her a Geo Vision.
Judging by her performance, it seemed Yun Jin had made new breakthroughs during her absence.
After his critique, Zhongli introduced, "This is Brother Mu Yang from Chenyu Vale."
"Mr. Mu Yang, a pleasure to meet you," Yun Jin said, clasping her hands.
"Speaking of Chenyu Vale, Mr. Mu Yang, are you familiar with that snow-covered mountain?"
Mu Yang nodded. He didn't just know it—that mountain existed because of him.
Yun Jin brought it up because, to truly experience Walking in the Snow, she had climbed a snowy mountain.
She had initially considered Mondstadt's Dragonspine, but it was too dangerous.
Neither the Yun-Han Opera Troupe nor her father had agreed to it.
So, she turned to Mt. Mingyuan.
There were no ferocious beasts there, only the legend of the Sunken Sword Pool.
It was said that only those with unwavering resolve could reach the summit.
After much pleading, her father agreed, but only with an escort.
The escort, however, was no match for Yun Jin, and she climbed the final stretch alone.
Just like the traveler in the play,
she pushed through the swirling snow and, by great fortune, saw the legendary Sunken Sword Pool.
It was then that she noticed the unusual glow emanating from her Vision…
Mu Yang glanced at Zhongli beside him.
Old fox, no wonder Yun Jin broke through the barrier without me noticing.
Zhongli sipped his tea, saying nothing.
For the sake of this immersive experience, Mu Yang didn't press the matter.
Yun Jin asked Mu Yang, "I saw a crystalline fragment at the bottom of the pool. Has Mr. Mu Yang heard any legends about it?"
"Probably the remnant of some sword's blade, like the other famous swords around it, just missing its hilt."
Mu Yang replied, then asked, "Why do you ask?"
"It just felt… different from the other famous swords in the pool. It was more like…"
Yun Jin paused to think.
"…more like the lonely, lost traveler in Walking in the Snow…"