Guided by Childe, Lumine and Paimon made their way to Jueyun Karst, where they soon encountered an adeptus at the foot of the mountains.
The adeptus stood on four hooves, antlers rising from his head—his form resembling an exceptionally handsome deer.
Seeing humans approach, the adeptus spoke:
"Who are you, and for what reason do you trespass into Jueyun Karst?"
Lumine produced the item Childe had given her and presented it.
[Ningguang: If you think about it carefully, Childe's words in the video amount to sowing discord—deliberately driving a wedge between the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti, and doing so in the Traveler's name to ensure the Adepti would believe it.]
[Paimon: That's true! This Childe really isn't a good person—he dragged us into this on purpose. He must have planned to use us from the very beginning, which is why he saved us.]
[Childe: I genuinely wanted to befriend you. Besides, you really were wanted. The version of me in the video made a perfectly reasonable analysis, didn't I?]
[Ningguang: The Liyue Qixing are the seven people who revere Rex Lapis the most. There is no possibility that we would commit such an act. At this point, it is obvious—this is a Fatui conspiracy.]
[Childe: I'm not so sure. Keqing once claimed that what truly carried Liyue to where it is today was not Rex Lapis, but human effort—and that she resented the all-knowing Archon who insisted on intervening in everything. "Does he really understand it all?" she asked. I was shocked when my subordinates overheard that. So that's how the Yuheng views Rex Lapis.]
[Paimon: Huh!? How could that be?]
[Keqing: I did say such things in the past. But after taking responsibility for Liyue's affairs myself, I've come to deeply understand the burdens Rex Lapis bore for thousands of years. The problems I face now are endless. More often than not, I find myself wondering—what would Rex Lapis do? Perhaps he really does understand everything. It was I who was immature.]
[Childe: Even so, you still said those words. That alone constitutes disrespect toward a god.]
[Keqing: I don't agree. If there is a problem, it should be spoken aloud. If there is no answer, it should be pursued relentlessly. After all—who can guarantee that even gods never make mistakes?]
[Paimon: Now I'm starting to think… maybe Childe was right after all…]
[Yae Miko: Hmm. Interesting. I don't quite get it.]
[Nahida: Keqing is simply very earnest about her responsibilities.]
The adeptus examined the talisman and spoke slowly:
"The Talisman of Suppressing All Evil… It has been many years since I last saw this. To think that mortals still possess remnants of it."
"I am Moon Carver, one of the Three Eyes and Five Manifestations. Traveler—state your purpose."
Lumine explained everything: what had happened at Yujing Terrace, and the suspicions Childe had raised.
Moon Carver's expression darkened.
"Outrageous. Utterly outrageous!"
"The Liyue Qixing… how deeply disappointing."
"At the Rite of Descension, how could anyone possibly assassinate Rex Lapis? And after the deed, how could they cast suspicion upon innocent mortals in attendance?"
"Traveler, I am already aware that you have been falsely accused. I have formed a judgment in my heart—but my own decision may yet be flawed. This matter must be reported to the other Adepti."
"Go. Take your talisman, and deliver my message."
"Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer often dwell among these peaks, though fate may not grant you an audience. Seek them if you can."
"And there is also the Vigilant Yaksha, the Conqueror of Demons. You may find traces of him at Wangshu Inn."
On the road to Wangshu Inn, Lumine encountered a petty thief whose companion had become trapped in the mountains. After helping resolve their predicament, she met a second adeptus—Mountain Shaper.
Mountain Shaper, a pale-brown crane, rebuked her sternly:
"You trespass upon sacred ground, and even release criminals at will. Ignorant mortals—come forward and receive admonishment at once!"
Paimon hurriedly explained, "We were sent by Moon Carver! Look—this!"
Lumine presented the talisman.
Mountain Shaper paused.
"Moon Carver… He sent mortals to deliver a message?"
"…Hm? The Talisman of Suppressing All Evil? To think such an object still exists in this world. In ages past, Rex Lapis forged it himself and bestowed it upon mortals. Even then, it was rare—and over millennia, nearly all have been lost…"
"Very well. Speak. I will hear your account. I will verify it afterward—Liyue Harbor is not far from here. Should there be falsehoods, you will not deceive me."
Lumine recounted the events in full.
Mountain Shaper inhaled sharply.
"Rex Lapis… assassinated? At the Rite of Descension?"
"Liyue… the mortal realm… Who would dare commit such an act? No—what power even exists in this world that could assassinate Rex Lapis?"
"We Adepti follow the Archon's decrees and protect Liyue. As human society prospered, we gradually withdrew into the mountains—this was an act of goodwill toward mortals."
"But now… Rex Lapis… Rex Lapis… Ah…"
"Traveler, I understand. And Moon Carver's intent is also clear."
"Once I have settled matters here, I will convene with the other Adepti."
After bidding farewell to Mountain Shaper, the Traveler continued onward. Along the path stood a stone table and chairs, etched with words.
Paimon read them aloud, one by one:
"Here Cloud Retainer dwells.
Here Guizhong rests.
Here Rex Lapis once borrowed strength."
Paimon analyzed seriously, "Rex Lapis must refer to the Geo Archon. Guizhong… I'm not sure. And 'Cloud'—that should be Cloud Retainer, the adeptus Moon Carver mentioned."
"In that case, this must be where Cloud Retainer and the other Adepti once gathered for meals."
"Hehe—if that's true, maybe we could make food that Adepti like. Think that might catch Cloud Retainer's attention?"
Nearby were several recipes and traces of cooking. Using them as references, Lumine recreated each dish. Soon after, a mountain gate rumbled open.
Lumine immediately entered.
No one was in sight—but an adeptus' voice echoed through the air.
"Hm. The aura of the Talisman of Suppressing All Evil… I do not know your purpose, but in recognition of your sincere offerings, I shall grant you an audience."
After passing through layers of mechanisms, the Traveler finally met Cloud Retainer, a white crane.
"To pass through my abode and its mechanisms—you possess some skill. I am Cloud Retainer. Speak. What business do you have?"
Lumine asked, "Were all these mechanisms created by you?"
Cloud Retainer replied proudly, "Naturally. My mastery of mechanisms was praised even by Guizhong and Rex Lapis themselves."
Paimon asked curiously, "This place is huge—and you live here alone? With so many mechanisms… Did you isolate yourself to study them?"
"Just like the legends say—Adepti leave the mortal world, hide away, and research incredible things…"
Cloud Retainer answered calmly, "I merely find social interaction troublesome and sought peace and quiet. Yet not long after I found it, you arrived—talisman in hand."
"Enough. State your purpose at once. Do not disturb my rest."
Lumine explained what had happened in Liyue once more.
Cloud Retainer was visibly shaken.
"Rex Lapis… assassinated?"
"How could this be!? Who would dare commit such a heinous crime!? Absurd—utterly unbelievable. I must go and verify this myself…"
"No… perhaps I should suppress Liyue Harbor at once, until the other Adepti arrive…"
Paimon waved her hands frantically. "W-Wait! What do you mean by 'suppress'? You're not going to destroy the entire harbor, are you!?"
Cloud Retainer replied coldly, "Only to employ decisive measures, to prevent further chaos."
Lumine said firmly, "But you are an adeptus who protects Liyue. Shouldn't you be protecting its people?"
Cloud Retainer answered, "Indeed. By decree of Rex Lapis, we have guarded Liyue for over 3,700 years. But now that villains run rampant, extraordinary measures are unavoidable."
Paimon turned to Lumine in panic. "Lumine, think of something! She's serious—she really will suppress the entire harbor!"
Lumine said, "We offered tributes. According to the contract—"
Paimon immediately added, "Exactly! We made all that food just for you—you ate it all! We asked you to protect Liyue Harbor, not suppress it! At the very least, shouldn't you listen to everyone first?"
Cloud Retainer snorted.
"Contract? With the God of Contracts already assassinated, those words ring with bitter irony. The mortals of Liyue Harbor often cast aside contracts themselves, and are exceedingly adept at blurring truth and falsehood…"
"However, since you invoked the name of a contract, I cannot disregard it entirely. And you do possess the Talisman of Suppressing All Evil."
"Sigh. When Rex Lapis forged this talisman, he sealed adeptal power within it to aid mortals in battle. Now, little of that power remains—it serves only as a token."
"Even so, a token cannot prove your trustworthiness. I will personally verify what you have said. Moon Carver's intent is clear as well."
"Leave at once. Do not disturb me further."
With that, Cloud Retainer took flight.
[Ningguang: After seeing the responses of the three Adepti, I finally feel relieved. When I sealed the venue, it must have been because I saw the Fatui present. I never expected such a misunderstanding to arise. Fortunately, the Adepti did not act rashly—each chose to investigate rather than suppress Liyue outright.]
[Keqing: Childe urged Lumine to reach the Adepti as quickly as possible, before Liyue's messengers arrived. He clearly intended to mislead them—to incite the Adepti against the Qixing. The Fatui's tactic of "killing with a borrowed blade" is truly vicious.]
[Jean: Yes. That is why I have always been wary of the Fatui. In Mondstadt, they act recklessly, exerting pressure through destruction…]
[Paimon: Compared to that, the Fatui in Fontaine are actually pretty kind. Almost cute.]
[The Knave: I would not call myself kind. Fontaine is my homeland—I love it, and I fought the prophecy with all my strength. But for the sake of obtaining the Gnosis, I always reserve the option of using any means necessary.]
[Paimon: Wow… The Knave is really honest. Thankfully, Neuvillette handed over the Gnosis—otherwise Fontaine would've been in chaos longer.]
[Ningguang: In any case, the Fatui's plan in Liyue failed. How could the wisdom of Adepti, honed over millennia, be manipulated so easily? They did not accept a single narrative—they chose investigation.]
On screen, Lumine and Paimon arrived at Wangshu Inn.
The moment they stepped onto the balcony, Xiao appeared beside them.
"Mortals of flesh and blood—what you see is not necessarily truth. The Talisman of Suppressing All Evil… it seems you came prepared."
"But understand this—it only ensures I will not kill you. It does not mean you will not be harmed."
Paimon spread her hands. "I… I don't really understand."
Xiao replied coldly:
"You tread too close to the realm of gods and demons—that alone is transgression. Human souls are not as resilient as those of Adepti. Your blood cannot withstand such dense adeptal karma."
"This warning is for your own sake. Leave—while you still can."