"No, Mountain Shaper, you've really misunderstood."
After much explanation, Su Bai finally managed to convince Mountain Shaper that Paimon was not his child. But the old adeptus's shifting eyes made Su Bai's head ache. What was wrong with this elder? He hadn't been like this before. Could it be the effects of erosion?
Thinking this, Su Bai hesitated about whether to tell Mountain Shaper the news of Rex Lapis's assassination. If Mountain Shaper suffered further erosion because of it, he would truly be a sinner.
"Little Su Bai, do you have something you want to say to me? You've been looking hesitant."
"Speak plainly. Hesitation is unbecoming."
Mountain Shaper's words made Su Bai take a deep breath and smile bitterly. He had been considering the elder's wellbeing, but the elder didn't appreciate it. Fine, he would just say it directly.
Su Bai told Mountain Shaper everything Lumine had witnessed. Knowing it was all part of Rex Lapis's plan, Mountain Shaper inwardly praised the Archon. Truly impressive, Rex Lapis—so playful.
Outwardly, however, Mountain Shaper displayed three parts shock and seven parts rage. He spread his wings and flapped them violently, the powerful gusts nearly blowing Paimon away.
"Hmph, the Liyue Qixing. How dare they. This adeptus will go to Liyue Harbor right now and demand an explanation."
With that, Mountain Shaper prepared to fly to Liyue Harbor. If Su Bai hadn't reacted quickly and grabbed his leg, the adeptus would have already taken off.
"Little Su Bai, let go."
"Mountain Shaper, please don't rush to Liyue Harbor. Brother Xiao asked me to tell you to come to a meeting first. Surely you wouldn't want to make that yaksha angry, would you?"
Mountain Shaper paused. Though the plan was indeed proceeding as arranged, he felt oddly irritated. When had that Conqueror of Demons become so close with little Su Bai? Despite his annoyance, Mountain Shaper pretended to reluctantly agree.
"Very well. I'll go see the Conqueror of Demons first. Little Su Bai, let go."
"Alright, I'll let go. But Mountain Shaper, we're adepti. Going back on one's word won't do."
"Hmph, this adeptus wouldn't stoop to deceiving a child like you."
Su Bai let go. Mountain Shaper stretched his bird legs, shot Su Bai a glare, and flew off toward Wangshu Inn.
Watching Mountain Shaper's retreating figure, Su Bai scratched his head in frustration. Well, it seemed he had earned the elder's resentment. Getting any freebies from Mountain Shaper in the future would be difficult.
"Honestly, living for thousands of years and still holding a grudge against an eighteen-year-old."
"Forget it. Enough of that. Paimon, what are you thinking about? You keep swallowing."
"Huh? Was I? I was just thinking about Sweet Madame."
Paimon looked in the direction Mountain Shaper had vanished, her eyes sparkling. Such a big bird—how long could she eat it?
Su Bai was speechless. Good thing Mountain Shaper was far away, or little Paimon would be in serious trouble. Speaking so disrespectfully to an adeptus was a grave offense.
"Let's go. One more adeptus to visit, and our task will be complete."
"But this last adeptus is very close to Rex Lapis. Neither of you should say anything foolish in front of her, or we'll all be in trouble."
Su Bai was worried Paimon might start thinking about Sweet Madame or other strange things, so he had to warn them. He had heard Mountain Shaper say that Cloud Retainer had once had feelings for Rex Lapis. She had withdrawn from that pursuit because she felt she couldn't compare to an adeptus named Guizhong.
"It seems Rex Lapis was quite popular back in the day. How come I've never heard of him having children?"
Su Bai shook his head. This was not the time for such thoughts. He could already imagine Cloud Retainer's fury when she heard the news. Upsetting the elder at that moment would be disastrous.
In contrast to Su Bai's distress, at the secret base of the three little ones somewhere in Nantianmen, Azhdaha was fiddling with some magical contraption with Klee and Qiqi. Ever since experiencing flight, Azhdaha had longed to soar freely through the sky.
"Sister Toto, where did you find those feathers? They're practically made for wind gliders! Even Klee's glider isn't this good."
"A wind glider made with these feathers will be the best in the world."
Inside the base, Klee was threading feathers onto a wing. Feeling the abundant Anemo energy within them, she exclaimed in admiration. These were top-grade alchemical materials.
"Of course it's the best. I went through a lot of trouble to get them. Too bad I only got this many. Next time, I'll get more and make gliders for both of you too."
Azhdaha looked at the nearly finished wind glider, unconsciously touching the red spot on her forehead, feeling very pleased. Hmph, stingy Morax wouldn't give her a wind glider, so she'd make one herself. No reason could stop the great Azhdaha from taking to the skies.
She patted the giant firework tube beneath her. It was now her treasure. After experiencing high-speed flight a few times, she had grown to love this device that let her move swiftly through the air.
But she had accidentally put a huge hole in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor last time, so she was forbidden from playing with it anywhere near the parlor—even if the destination was elsewhere.
"I wonder how fast Cloud Retainer's feathers grow back. And that Mountain Shaper—he's hiding in Liyue Harbor. I can't find him anywhere."
"Forget it. I'll keep bothering Cloud Retainer. At worst, she'll peck me a few more times."
Inside Cloud Retainer's abode, Shenhe was unceremoniously chased out by the adeptus. Tossed out with her was a bag of ginger, garlic, cinnamon, bay leaves, and other seasonings.
"You unfilial disciple! Are you trying to cook me?!"
Cloud Retainer's voice echoed from within. Shenhe was baffled. She had noticed her master was shedding a lot of feathers lately. She had found some books in Su Bai's abode and learned that these things could help with feather loss.
"Could it be because of the heat? Did Master shed her feathers on purpose?"
Shenhe tilted her head in confusion. Why was Cloud Retainer so angry? She hadn't said anything wrong. How inexplicable.
"Su Bai, haven't we reached the top yet? I'm so tired from climbing this mountain."
"Paimon, you're flying. How can you be tired? Lumine hasn't even complained about being tired."