TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!
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"Granny Ping…"
Paimon was astonished that Granny Ping turned out to be a fairy, yet she quickly remembered that adepti possessed the art of transformation. Taking the form of an elderly woman was likely deliberate, perhaps also connected to losing Guizhong, her kindred spirit… Recalling the lively scenes from earlier, Paimon deeply empathized with the sheer contrast. That kind of loss must feel unbearable.
Ganyu also spoke up. "I only remember being cared for by Cloud Retainer when I was young. After the Archon War ended, I remained in Liyue Harbor to fulfill my contract. I did meet Guizhong a few times back then, but I never knew there was such a past…"
Cloud Retainer gently fanned her wings, her gaze seeming to pierce through the ages, what she saw all belonging to the old days of Guili Plains. "If it were not for your search for that adeptus, these past events would likely have quietly faded away under the erosion of time."
No one spoke. At last, everyone followed Cloud Retainer into silent reflection.
Cloud Retainer then broke the mood herself and asked, "Now that you know the fairy who saved that person was Streetward Rambler, what do you intend to do? Will you mention these matters to her?"
Ganyu immediately grasped the meaning behind the question. "Is Cloud Retainer worried that… bringing up the past again might make Ah Ping feel sorrowful?"
"Precisely. Whether it is this adeptus or Streetward Rambler, the passing of an old friend is a sorrow we are unwilling to revisit."
"But if I may speak frankly… perhaps this is only your speculation? Ah Ping and I have both lived in Liyue Harbor for a long time, so our perspectives may differ."
"What do you mean by that?" Cloud Retainer asked.
Ganyu then explained. "For me, mostly due to lifespan and partly for other reasons, I have witnessed countless farewells. I understand the pain of losing family and friends."
"But whether it is a city or its people, everything always moves forward. Ah Ping understands this even more clearly than I do. That is why; despite witnessing so many partings, she still chose to remain in Liyue Harbor."
"In Liyue Harbor, she has helped many people and will continue to guide many more. Those people will all become her friends, accompanying her to admire flowers and discuss music."
"Losing a kindred spirit is indeed painful, but life goes on. The future will always hold new friends waiting for her—such as Lumine, Victor Wang, and Paimon."
Lumine said, "Ganyu is right."
Victor Wang said, "I'm very glad to have met Granny Ping."
Hearing her own name mentioned, Paimon eagerly added, "We even asked Granny Ping for her opinion about adding a music festival to the Lantern Rite! She didn't think it was too avant-garde at all—she even said she was really looking forward to it. We should just invite her to participate. Who knows, maybe we'll even see her perform on stage!"
"…Hmph, you youngsters certainly have flexible minds," Cloud Retainer said, acknowledging Ganyu's view. She then turned to Paimon. "But your words make it sound as though this adeptus is some old fossil incapable of accepting a music festival at the Lantern Rite. Hmph. This adeptus will soon be moving to Liyue Harbor as well. By then, perhaps I will better keep pace with your way of thinking—and better understand Streetward Rambler's thoughts too."
"Hehe… Oh, right. If you're going to live in Liyue Harbor, you won't still keep this appearance, will you?"
"Of course not."
A surge of adeptal power roiled outward, obscuring everyone's vision. In the blink of an eye, Cloud Retainer transformed into a tall, mature woman with a cool, aloof expression, wearing red half-rim glasses, blue feather-shaped hairpins, and long dark hair cascading to her waist.
Whether to preserve her status as an elder or simply due to her fashion sense, Cloud Retainer's human form looked exceptionally mature—so mature that standing beside the others, anyone would say she was an entire generation older.
"The adeptal bird really turned into a human!"
"A mere transformation technique. This adeptus can perform it with ease. It simply wasn't necessary before. Come—this adeptus also intends to see Streetward Rambler and inform her of my relocation. In the future, we can visit each other often."
Just as Cloud Retainer was about to depart, Ganyu stopped her. "Wait a moment. Since you've taken human form, should you choose a human name?"
"A human name? That makes sense… This adeptus is quite well-known. Even if I were to call myself 'Liuyun,' it would still be easy to recognize me."
Paimon questioned skeptically, "I know you're famous, but is it really that exaggerated?"
"Hmph. This adeptus' illustrious reputation is not something you all could fully comprehend. Ganyu is right. From now on, when before others, you may call this adeptus 'Xianyun.'"
"Xianyun…?"
The name immediately evoked the phrase "idle clouds and wild cranes." Cloud Retainer's true form was indeed an adeptal crane, and while the phrase was complimentary, was it appropriate to liken an adeptal crane to a wild one?
Even Paimon, who usually spoke without restraint, did not dare ask outright.
Ganyu noticed the same thing and cautiously explained, half-questioning. "This name should come from a passage in [Thrice Annotated Version of the Full Record of Pristine Pavilion], describing an adeptus who rises with the clouds and rainbows, dwells alongside the sun and moon, possesses keen wisdom and clarity of principle, and roams free of all bonds—hence called 'Xian.'"
"Rising with clouds and rainbows, dwelling with the sun and moon?" Paimon's eyes widened. "That sounds like something only an incredibly powerful adeptus could do!"
"Those lines are actually describing Cloud Retainer," Ganyu said.
"Huh?" Paimon's eyes widened even more. "So, Cloud Retainer is really that amazing?"
Cloud Retainer shot back, "What else would you expect? In your eyes, is this adeptus merely a slightly larger bird?"
Paimon hurriedly denied it, though the guilt in her eyes was far too obvious. Fortunately, Cloud Retainer did not dwell on it. She once more rode the wind, carrying everyone toward Yujing Terrace.
Granny Ping—whose form was hardly distinguishable from countless other elderly women in Liyue—was, as usual, brewing tea and tending flowers. Sensing an old friend's aura approaching, she paused her work in advance and waited for her guests to arrive.
"What an auspicious day this is. Why has everyone come to visit this old woman today?"
"Granny Ping, we have something we'd like to talk to you about."
Though Paimon spoke, she did not step forward, clearly trying to push the responsibility onto someone else. Coincidentally, Cloud Retainer stood at the front, so Granny Ping looked to her, waiting for her to continue.
Cloud Retainer nodded. "Some matters—not particularly important ones. I will be moving to Liyue Harbor. Shenhe bought a house."
"Hehe, I heard Yanfei mention it this morning. That's wonderful news. From now on, when I have free time, I can come here to drink tea, admire flowers, and watch the people come and go."
"You already knew? Hah, then this trip of mine was for nothing."
Cloud Retainer shook her head and began to step back, when Paimon immediately whispered, "What about our matter?"
Cloud Retainer whispered back, "Your idea—naturally, you should be the ones to say it."
"But it involves Guizhong. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for us to say it?"
"Ahem, then… Ganyu, you say it."
"Huh?" Ganyu stepped forward in confusion.
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