Su Han handed over everything he had prepared to the other party.
Fifty thousand copies of Adventure King, along with twenty Den Den Mushi.
With these, Xingqiu would not have to worry about any problems in Sumeru.
Once everything was ready, Dvalin used magic to store the items away and disappeared into the sky.
"Since we've decided to have a gathering, I'll go invite everyone."
"Go on, go on. But wait. What are we eating tonight? Let me get things ready first."
Venti might be lazy at times, but when it came to food and drinks, he was absolutely enthusiastic.
Su Han thought for a moment and asked, "How about barbecue?"
With the weather so hot, drinks naturally called for grilled skewers.
Venti's eyes lit up, and he immediately declared that he would let everyone taste his cooking skills.
Two hours later.
Su Han's friends gradually arrived. Recently, everyone had been busy, so far fewer people could attend.
For example, Ningguang was currently in a high-level meeting.
Keqing had been appointed as the administrator of the new city of Guili and was overseeing the construction of the port, making it impossible for her to come drink.
In the end, only a limited number of people could make it.
To fill out the group, Su Han even invited Zhongli's friend, Tian Tiezui. (TL/N: He's Uncle Tian. Check the wiki if you don't play genshin.)
"I never expected to have the chance to drink Boss Su's wine. What an honor, what an honor."
"You flatter me, Brother Tian. Aren't we all friends?"
Seeing that Su Han carried no airs, Tian Tiezui smiled happily.
Soon after, Xiangling's father, Chef Mao, also arrived. It was his first time visiting, and he seemed a bit reserved.
"Greetings, everyone. I brought some good wine today. Let's drink to our hearts' content later."
Venti and Zhongli exchanged a smile.
This boss was truly generous. He had even brought workers carrying barrels of wine and ingredients. This gathering was bound to be lively.
Just as Su Han and Mona were skewering meat, the Den Den Mushi in his arms began to ring.
"Give me a moment. I need to handle something."
Su Han stood up and went upstairs.
He answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Su Han, it's Xingqiu."
It was his first time using a Den Den Mushi, and he sounded extremely excited.
Xingqiu had never imagined that he would be able to contact Su Han directly from Sumeru.
Now he would not be bored anymore. Being able to chat with friends every day meant that even doing business would not feel tiring.
Su Han smiled and asked, "Did the goods arrive?"
"Yes. The comics came just in time. I originally thought people in Sumeru would not like comics, but who would have guessed that twenty thousand copies sold in a single day? If you had not sent more today, I might have gone home tomorrow."
Inside the shop, posters of Adventure King were being put up.
Promotions for the comic were also being released.
Everything was developing in a positive direction.
After chatting for a while, Su Han heard Dvalin's voice through the Den Den Mushi.
"Since the items have been delivered, I will return to Liyue."
"Mr. Dvalin, please wait a moment."
Xingqiu packed up the gifts he had purchased that day and said with a smile, "This is a present I prepared for Su Han. Since you are heading that way, could I trouble you to deliver it to him?"
People from Liyue had a habit. Whenever they traveled for work, they always found ways to bring back gifts.
He was no exception.
Dvalin laughed. "Of course. After all, Su Han is my friend as well."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Xingqiu watched him leave, then sat on the rooftop and picked up the latest volume of Adventure King to read.
This volume had been released after he departed, so he had not read it yet.
Now it was perfect for passing the time.
However, Xingqiu did not notice that on a branch above his head stood an exceptionally agile peregrine falcon.
Liyue.
In the backyard of the comic shop.
After ending the call, Su Han returned to the courtyard.
With Chef Mao's apprentices handling the grilling, Mona and the others were finally freed.
Everyone sat together, enjoying cold beer and skewers while discussing the story of the comics.
"I think the Black Fox in the fox spirit comic is really too sinister. It can not only corrupt people's minds but also drive them into a frenzy. Just thinking about it is terrifying. The Southern Kingdom Princess and Yan Ruyu are the best examples."
At the mention of the Black Fox, Chef Mao could not help but shiver.
Everyone burst into laughter at the sight.
Tian Tiezui teased, "What are you afraid of? There's no Black Fox in our world. Even if there were, the Geo Archon could suppress it."
"But I always feel like this so-called Black Fox sounds strangely familiar."
Mona, who was munching on peanuts, listened to Chef Mao's words and felt an odd sense of familiarity.
Yet when she tried to think carefully, she could not grasp it.
At that moment, Venti took a sip of beer and said softly, "You don't mean the Abyss, do you?"
"That's it!"
Mona's eyes lit up as she finally remembered.
What could resemble the Black Fox other than the power of the Abyss?
Darkness.
Turbidity.
The corruption of souls.
Only the power of the Abyss could accomplish such things.
Su Han quietly found a place to sit and listened to their discussion.
"What is the Abyss?"
Both Tian Tiezui and Chef Mao were ordinary people and naturally did not know what the Abyss was.
Chongyun explained upon hearing the question.
"The so-called Abyss is an evil power that comes from beneath the earth. It stands opposite to the power of this world and can corrupt souls and cause people to fall."
Good heavens.
That sinister?
Tian Tiezui and Chef Mao were startled.
Why did it suddenly feel as though the world was full of danger?
At that moment, Zhongli looked at Su Han, who was enthusiastically devouring skewers, and smiled. "Since the main person is here, why not let him talk about the Black Fox?"
In truth, the old gentleman was also curious about his intentions.
So far, every step Su Han had taken seemed to carry deeper meaning.
For example, Under One Person allowed people to gain insight into their true selves.
Adventure King encouraged people to muster the courage to pursue their dreams.
But Fox Spirit Matchmaker was the one comic Zhongli could not quite understand.
At first, he thought Su Han wanted everyone to gain a clearer understanding of love. Yet as the story progressed, he began to feel that he was mistaken.
Because the power of the Black Fox in the story was essentially identical to that of the Abyss.
Hearing the old gentleman's teasing, Su Han showed a helpless expression.
They had been chatting perfectly well. Why drag him into it?
He was enjoying his food.
However, since the old gentleman had called him out, he could not continue pretending to be oblivious.
So Su Han wiped his mouth and said with a smile,
"Since everyone is so interested, I'll briefly explain. If you're truly curious, just wait. The comic updates quickly. The upcoming chapters will focus on the Black Fox."
Hearing the author himself speak, everyone listened attentively.
After all, such an opportunity was rare.
Even if they could not see the latest chapter, getting a preview of the plot was exciting enough.
"The so-called Black Fox is just as you've guessed. I drew inspiration from the power of the Abyss."
"It is not only evil, but it can also corrupt people's minds."
"So if the power of the Abyss continues to spread corruption, it could even control a person's consciousness."
At this point,
Zhongli and Venti exchanged a glance.
Just as they had suspected, Su Han understood the Abyss very well.
If not for the war five hundred years ago, even they would not have known the true nature of the Abyss.
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