Heyu Teahouse, second-floor open-air stage.
Ji Ming sat with "Grandpa" Zhongli from Wangsheng, sipping tea and listening to storytelling. As a modern young man, he wasn't much into the genre—every tale circled back to Morax anyway.
Two days had passed since the housewarming banquet. He'd set two tables: one for the Eight Brothers of the Old Nine Gates, the other for everyone else:
From Wangsheng: Hu Tao, Zhongli, Old Meng, and Miss Yiguan.
From Wanmin: Xiangling (he'd invited Chef Mao and neighbor Su Erniang, but both were too busy).
From Jueyun Karst: Shenhe, Ganyu, and Cloud Retainer—heavy hitters, all.
In short, lively and smooth. Both tables cared about Ji Ming; beyond polite nods, they didn't mingle. Ji Ming sprinted between the two, drank far too much, and—once again—Old Meng hauled him to bed.
Perhaps on account of the free feast, he and Zhongli had grown chummier. Lately the elder liked to drag him out to wander—like today: Zhongli listened, Ji Ming drank tea. Mutual noninterference.
"Young friend," Zhongli murmured, "do you not enjoy tales of the Lord of Geo?"
"Mm… not that I dislike them. It's just Tian Tiezui makes everything too easy. I don't like stories where the hero wins by flexing. Even Morax couldn't guard Liyue with a single chest-thump. There had to be other adepti and Liyue folk who bled for it."
Zhongli's eyes warmed.
"Wisely spoken. The true Morax did not shield Liyue without cost."
Ji Ming waved off the praise.
"Neither of us has seen Morax. Let's not debate him. Didn't you notice the storyteller and the patrons are glaring at us?"
"You wish to meet Morax?" Zhongli asked.
"Can he drop gold coins for me?"
"…No."
"Then I'm not interested."
Zhongli chuckled softly. Something in Ji Ming felt familiar. Among the Qixing, there was one who also held little reverence for gods—though she was sharper, while he was… pleasantly indifferent.
The boy had already apprenticed to Cloud Retainer; with a nudge, he'd also met Xiao at Wangshu Inn. If fate favored him, he'd grow closer to the other adepti too.
Liyue would enter an age of human governance. Zhongli had already met in secret with the Tsaritsa. When the plan reached its peak, he would let Liyue try to walk alone.
Of course, without a god's aegis, Liyue would be beset by perils. The Qixing would guard the front; a youth with adeptal ties like Ji Ming could guard the shadows.
If the boy proved worthy, perhaps this Gnosis need not be given to the Ice God. Perhaps leave it to the boy himself. A free-spirited Geo Archon might help Liyue govern itself better.
Ji Ming scratched his ear, noticing Zhongli staring.
"Zhongli, what's with the look?"
"Do you enjoy opera?" Zhongli asked.
"Haven't watched. Hard to say. Judging from my restlessness, probably not."
"Yun Master performs shortly. Worth your time."
He had heard of her: current head of Yun-Han Opera Troupe, Liyue's "Master Yun." The Yun family had been smiths until an ancestor went rogue for theater; now they were a dramatic dynasty. Yun Jin was its jewel — first-rate at composition and singing, and strikingly handsome in bearing.
Ji Ming had never seen her. Since he was here, he ought to give it a proper look.
Tian Tiezui's session ended. A lingering pipa line floated out. A graceful figure drifted from behind the curtain—like an autumn breeze, rich but never heavy.
Yun Jin took the stage to thunderous applause. Even Zhongli clapped—more than he'd given Tian Tiezui.
When the applause died, Zhongli glanced at Ji Ming with a small smile.
"Well, young friend? Do you like opera now?"
"Not sure about opera… but I certainly like Master Yun."
Ji Ming watched without leering. From the front-row seats, their earlier banter had likely reached the stage. The heroic young woman twirled on her toes and hid a smile behind her sleeve—then launched into the aria.
The piece told of adepti and archons—subjects that didn't thrill Ji Ming—but out of respect for Yun Jin, he kept quiet beside Zhongli.
When the curtain fell, Ji Ming turned.
"Master Yun is deservedly beloved. The timbre sits well on the ear. You do know where to enjoy life."
"In future, you could come often," Zhongli said. "Her opera is the best of our age—missing it would be a shame."
"No need. I'm not in love with the form. If it's only because I find Master Yun beautiful, it'd be disrespectful to come just for that."
A man of the streets, but with firm boundaries. Free-spirited, yet comfortable to be around—good friend material. Likely his mother's influence; even his surname followed hers.
As Ji Ming reached for the bill, a server hurried over.
"Sir, please—Master Yun is covering your tea. Might the two gentlemen step inside to speak with her?"
Ji Ming glanced at Zhongli.
"You know her?"
"We've exchanged words. Not close."
Just a Vision-delivery sort of acquaintance—barely counts.
"Alright," Ji Ming nodded. "Lead the way."
They followed through staff corridors and parted curtains until, at last, they reached the dressing room where Yun Jin was removing her makeup.
She looked into the mirror, met Ji Ming's reflection, and spoke first.
"Greetings, honored sir."
Honored? That was new. Yun Jin's tongue was sweet—no wonder she had crowds of admirers.
"I'm Ji Ming. Just call me by name. This is Zhongli, consultant to Wangsheng. I hear you know each other."
Ji Ming sat down casually with Zhongli—startling Yun Jin a bit.
"Yes. Mr. Ji Ming is delightfully free-spirited. I like free spirits."
Zhongli added dryly,
"Less courtesy with him, Master Yun. Too much will make him bristle."
"To prove his point," Ji Ming nodded.
"Speak freely, Miss Yun. And to repay the tea, I'll answer straight."
Tea as a favor? Odd lad. Yun Jin blinked, then smiled.
"Mr. Ji Ming, I have a dream."
A dream, huh? Ji Ming had one too—be the man beside the Tianquan, then rule Liyue. Kidding. The Tianquan was chained by rules; Ji Ming preferred freedom.
"My dream," Yun Jin said, "is for opera to be loved by the young. As you saw, most listeners are older. Young faces like you and Mr. Zhongli are few."
Ji Ming raised a hand.
"But young people do come—like us two."
Yun Jin shook her head.
"I heard you earlier. You like me, not the opera. I'm grateful for your respect, but I want your honest thoughts."
Even Zhongli looked intrigued. Traitor.
Ji Ming sighed and issued a universal safety disclaimer.
"First, I don't know opera. Please forgive nonsense. These are not suggestions—call them idle talk."
"Mm-hm. I'm all ears."
"Please don't be that serious…"
He cleared his throat.
"Young folks love personal heroism. Adepti and archon epics are legendary, but hard to identify with."
Yun Jin parsed the phrasing.
"You mean… more focus on the single protagonist?"
She was excited—she herself was young, and privately loved Xinyan's rock. Opera had to evolve with the era; the old grow old, the young rise.
Seeing she wasn't offended, Ji Ming pushed on.
"In short, give them catharsis. For instance: 'A downtrodden youth rises in one stroke, washing away past shame.'"
"That sounds wonderful!"
"Right? And Miss Yun, push the energy in your delivery sometimes. Your voice is too beautiful—one hardly senses the fire."
"More, please!"
"Trim a bit of pipa. Add drums and guzheng. When the youth is in the dumps, use pipa and a low flute. When he breaks through, snap into driving drums and zheng ostinato. Instant adrenaline."
At the height of enthusiasm, Yun Jin's cheeks flushed and she burst into applause.
"Got it, got it—rock music!"
…An opera master by day, rock girl by night?
Ji Ming froze.
"Er… best not. Rock might attract the young, but you'll lose the elders. I'd hate to be the one who wrecks Yun-Han's banner."
The clapping dwindled, and Yun Jin looked a touch abashed. Spotting his expression, she whispered,
"Mr. Ji Ming… can you keep a secret?"
"What secret? I didn't hear a thing. Did Miss Yun say something?"
"Thank you!"
Dropping the pretense entirely, she stuck out her tongue.
"To thank you for the ideas, I'll give you a Yun-Han VIP card. Henceforth, no ticket fees at our venues—and tea and snacks on the house."
A treasure indeed. He accepted at once.
From today on, Ji Ming was Yun-Han's most devout fan—and Master Yun's most loyal follower.
Only one worry remained: at this rate, Yun-Han Opera might drift from Liyue's top opera troupe… into Liyue's hottest rock band.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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