Mondstadt, Dawn Winery.
At the entrance, two maids trimming potted plants were slacking off.
One of them, eyes sparkling with infatuation, said, "Ugh, it's so hard to choose. He and Master Diluc are both so handsome. I want them both!"
"You're obsessing over this again…" The other maid rolled her eyes so hard they nearly reached the heavens.
Her friend was probably beyond saving, swooning over every slightly good-looking guy she saw.
"What's wrong with thinking about it? Daydreams are meant for the daytime, aren't they?"
She changed the subject, "By the way, don't you think he gives off a vibe kind of like Master Diluc?"
"Yeah, yeah, but I heard someone say, the Vision…"
Hearing footsteps approaching, both maids immediately fell silent, pretending to focus on their work.
Miss Adeline knew their habits well, but she had no time for lectures right now.
She needed to deliver this crate of Master Diluc's prized apple cider and wine to their distinguished guest.
In the reception hall,
Diluc stood and shook hands with Mu Yang, "A pleasure doing business, Mr. Mu Yang."
"A pleasure doing business."
The two had reached an agreement on the supply issue.
The previous batch of Dandelion Wine from De Gui had issues, and Mu Yang naturally wouldn't pass off inferior goods.
So, he scrapped it all and switched suppliers.
Thus, he came to Dawn Winery.
It was also a chance to expand the variety of drinks, like apple cider and wine.
Of course, these were for the second floor; the first-floor customers wouldn't touch this stuff.
"Doesn't anyone ever wonder why the owner of the winery doesn't touch a drop of alcohol?"
Mu Yang lifted the half-full glass of wine on the table, only to drink alone.
As the owner of Mondstadt's largest winery, Diluc had only poured a glass for Mu Yang during their business discussion.
He himself didn't drink a drop.
Diluc countered, "A year ago, a mercenary bent on slaying dragons turned around and started running a tavern in Liyue Harbor. Doesn't anyone there find that curious?"
Miss Adeline entered, placing a crate of fine wine on the table.
She nodded courteously and left.
Mu Yang picked up a bottle of wine from the crate, "Business is settled. Sure you won't have a glass?"
Diluc stuck to his principles.
Though his work with Mu Yang was done, he had plenty more to handle today.
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
Seeing Diluc's resolve, Mu Yang said no more. With a flick of his sleeve, he stored the crate of prized wine in his system space.
As he walked out of Dawn Winery's gates, Mu Yang could still feel the gazes around him.
Some came from the maids' curiosity.
Others were from Diluc's informants, but Mu Yang didn't care.
He almost wanted Diluc's people to witness what came next.
What expression would Diluc have if he knew that this crate of precious wine, acquired at great cost,
was being offered by Mu Yang to the Anemo Archon at Windrise?
Mu Yang strolled leisurely toward Windrise, letting the breeze guide him, or he might miss Venti.
The breeze brushed his face, carrying the aroma of fine wine.
Mu Yang couldn't help but sigh.
He was already some distance from Dawn Winery, yet the air still carried the scent of alcohol.
It spoke to the depth of Dawn Winery's reserves.
No wonder even Venti coveted the treasures in their cellar.
Of course, our bard had neither money nor, given his identity, the means to act on it.
From start to finish, he could only savor the scent carried back by the wind.
He wouldn't really sneak into the cellar to steal a drink, would he?
As Mu Yang crossed the mountains, he spotted two unexpected figures.
One blue, one red—a combination of ice and fire.
It was Eula and Amber, patrolling the area.
As the Scout Knight, Amber naturally noticed Mu Yang first, waving to greet him.
With a light leap, Mu Yang landed beside them.
Jumping from such a height, he made not a single sound.
The fiery girl beamed with enthusiasm, "Long time no see, Mu Yang! How've you been?"
"You're too close, Amber. What if he's here on some strange commission?"
Eula pulled Amber back, chiding her for being too trusting.
"No commission. I'm running a tavern business now."
Mu Yang spread his hands. He didn't even carry a sword—how could he be dangerous?
Did Eula believe him?
Of course not. How could someone who lived by the blade just walk away from it?
"A tavern business? Did you just come from Dawn Winery?"
Amber deduced his direction, which seemed to point to Dawn Winery.
Mu Yang nodded, "Yes, and now I'm heading to Windrise."
The other party were proper titled knights.
Even a dragon wouldn't challenge the local powers.
A humble merchant like Mu Yang could only answer their questions honestly.
"Business is done, and you're going to Windrise?" Eula's suspicion deepened.
"If you two doubt me, you're welcome to come along."
So, the two joined Mu Yang on his way.
On the road, Eula stayed silent, positioning herself between Mu Yang and Amber.
But that didn't stop Amber from chatting with him.
"…You wouldn't believe how excited Lumine and Paimon were when they talked about you. They could go on for days, haha."
…
"Amber's grandfather was from Liyue, right? Lumine mentioned it to me…"
Eula couldn't take it anymore and urged them to pick up the pace.
At Windrise,
Eula stood with her arms crossed, waiting to see how Mu Yang would explain this flimsy lie.
To her surprise, with a flick of his right hand, Mu Yang produced the crate of fine wine out of thin air.
He placed it before the Statue of the Seven.
Then, with a slight bow, he performed a respectful gesture, "An offering to the Anemo Archon."
This left Eula and Amber dumbfounded.
"You came to Windrise to offer wine to Lord Barbatos?"
Mu Yang nodded, his expression as if to say, "What else?"
Did they think he was here to climb trees and pick leaves for someone?
Amber was puzzled, "But isn't Rex Lapis the guardian of the commercial capital?"
"Amber, Rex Lapis has already…"
Mu Yang quickly cut Eula off, "Of course, I'll pay respects to His Lordship, but I'm here because of something from before."
"Something from before?"
Mu Yang explained that he had, after all, talked about slaying dragons in the past.
But that was then, and this is now.
Now, Mu Yang had taken on a new role, partnering with Dawn Winery for Dandelion Wine and other fine brews.
Naturally, he had to offer a cup to Mondstadt's wine-loving Archon to seek forgiveness for his past offenses.
It's called loving the trade you take up.
Eula turned her face away, scoffing at Mu Yang's behavior.
She hadn't pegged him as the reckless, untamed type before.
How did becoming a merchant flip his mindset so completely? That was quite the transformation.
Unexpectedly, Eula's dismissive glance proved to be a stroke of genius.
Someone was trying to steal the wine meant for the Anemo Archon!
Eula reached out and yanked Venti out from behind the statue.
Venti tried to play it cute, "Ehe, good afternoon, everyone! Want to hear a song?"
"Bard, don't try to weasel out of this. You were about to steal the wine, weren't you?"
"Oh, come on, 'steal' is such a harsh word. I was just going to taste it for the Anemo Archon first."
Venti pulled out his lyre, "I wouldn't drink for free. I'd turn this bottle of fine wine into a beautiful melody to sing the praises of the Anemo Archon's greatness!"
Mu Yang spoke up, "Sorry, Mr. …Bard?"
"Venti."
"Mr. Venti, this wine is my offering to the Anemo Archon. If you really want a drink, you can have this bottle instead."
Mu Yang produced a plain, unmarked bottle and poured a glass for Venti.
"What's this?"
"The Water of Life."
Venti raised the glass, "Oh, just water? Perfect! I can drink as much as I want during the day, and the nuns can't complain, right?"
Amber snapped her fingers.
The 'water' in the glass caught fire…
"This… how can this be water?!"
With a flick of his hand, Mu Yang extinguished the flame and even added a small ice cube.
Venti downed the glass in one gulp and gave a thumbs-up.
He seemed very satisfied.
Mu Yang then gifted him the bottle of 'Water of Life' as well.
"I hope the Anemo Archon can forgive my past offenses."
Venti patted Mu Yang's shoulder, "Don't worry, the Anemo Archon never sweats the small stuff."
Eula and Amber shook their heads.
This bard, spinning tales about Lord Barbatos—had he really gotten lost in his own stories?
Some of the Anemo Archon songs he wrote would have the nuns chasing him from the Cathedral of Favonius all the way to Windrise if they heard them.
Did Venti really understand the Anemo Archon?
Before leaving, Mu Yang invited the three of them, asking Amber to pass a message to Acting Grand Master Jean and the others.
His tavern was about to open, and if they had time, they were welcome to come by.
During the opening period, friends would get free drinks.
Venti saluted with respect, "Brother Mu, for this moment, I must sing a song in your honor!"
Mu Yang / Eula / Amber: …
The group parted ways, each going their own direction.
Looking back at the Statue of the Seven, the crate of fine wine had already vanished…