On the path to Mt. Hulao, Yunqin chattered away like a restless sparrow, deep in lively conversation with Paimon.
They discussed everything from Liyue Harbor's latest delicacies to local folklore, and Paimon listened with sparkling eyes, her emotions rising and falling with every tale.
Lumine watched them but had no heart to join the cheerful chatter.
Her brow remained slightly furrowed, the weight of Rex Lapis's demise pressing down on her like a heavy stone. The image of Moon Carver's furious expression flashed repeatedly in her mind.
Given Rex Lapis's combat prowess, honed through the Archon War, even an Archon at their peak strength would struggle to assassinate him so silently.
Unless—Rex Lapis had faked his death.
But what would be the purpose of faking his death?
Countless questions swirled in her mind, leaving her too agitated to appreciate the beautiful scenery around them.
"Lumine! Why are you walking so slowly?" Yunqin suddenly doubled back and casually slung an arm around her shoulders.
Lumine blinked, turning to look at Yunqin.
Her voice carried a hint of exhaustion. "I just feel like something's wrong with Rex Lapis's death, but I can't figure out what."
"Hey, if you can't figure it out, just set it aside for now!" Yunqin shook Lumine's arm, her tone as light as if she were discussing a trivial matter. "Let's find Mountain Shaper first. Maybe he'll have more ideas?"
"Oh, right! What do you like to eat?"
"Once we've sorted out this Rite of Descension business, I'll take you fishing in the creek. My grilled fish is amazing!"
Lumine was momentarily taken aback by Yunqin's cheerful distraction. After a moment's thought, she answered honestly, "I'm not picky. I can eat pretty much anything."
"What? How can that be!" Yunqin exclaimed, her voice rising as if she'd heard something utterly unbelievable. "How can you truly appreciate the joy of food if you're not picky?"
"Think about it! If you eat bland bread and vegetables every day, then suddenly bite into a hot, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside piece of grilled fish—that feeling of bliss~"
Seeing that Lumine still wasn't "getting it," Yunqin simply grabbed her hand and quickened their pace. "After this is over, I'm taking you!"
"We can even grill extra fish to make dried fish snacks. That way, you won't have cravings with nothing to eat when you're traveling!"
Lumine watched the sparkle in Yunqin's eyes and listened to her vivid descriptions of the grilled fish's aroma. The heaviness in her heart gradually lifted, and a faint smile touched her lips. "Alright," she said. "I'll have to try your cooking then."
"Me too! I want grilled fish and dried fish snacks too!" Paimon hurriedly flew over, afraid of being left out. "You can't just feed the Traveler! I want more too!"
"Don't worry, don't worry, there's plenty for everyone." Yunqin patted her chest confidently, her chin held high. "When it comes to eating, drinking, and having fun, I'm a master! I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
Chatting and laughing, the three of them arrived at Mt. Hulao.
The path along the way was lined with amber.
Lumine couldn't help but stop and stare. Paimon flew right up to a piece of amber, her tiny hand reaching out.
"Don't touch it!" Yunqin's tone suddenly turned serious as she grabbed Paimon's hand. "This amber is formed from flowers planted by Mountain Shaper. They're called 'Mountain-Stomping Hollyhocks.' If any outsider steps on them, they'll instantly be trapped in amber."
As she spoke, she raised her hand and condensed a wisp of Geo energy, hurling it at a nearby piece of amber.
Crack!
With a sharp sound, the amber shattered, revealing a dusty and disheveled figure inside.
"Ouch! Finally out!" The Treasure Hoarder rubbed his shoulder as he slowly stood up.
He eyed Lumine and Paimon warily, his hand secretly reaching for the dagger at his waist. But when he saw Yunqin's Vision, his face fell, and he lowered his guard.
Assessment complete: He's no match for her.
Yunqin asked him how he'd gotten trapped.
The Treasure Hoarder sighed. "I heard there was an Adeptus on Mt. Hulao, so I came to pray for some wealth. Next thing I knew, I was stuck in this damn amber."
Yunqin waved her hand dismissively, not saying much more. "Hurry up and get down the mountain," she urged. "Don't come poking around here again. If you get trapped next time, no one will be around to save you."
As the Treasure Hoarder scrambled away, Paimon floated curiously over to Yunqin. "Why would the Adeptus plant something like this? It seems so dangerous."
"He said he wanted some peace and quiet."
"People used to flock to Mt. Hulao to pray to the Adeptus—some for wealth, others for safety. The noise made it impossible for him to meditate, so he planted these 'Mountain-Stomping Hollyhocks' as a 'barrier' to keep people out."
Yunqin scratched her head.
"How do you know all this in such detail?" Lumine couldn't help but ask.
Yunqin's cheeks flushed, and her voice dropped. "When I was little, I always wanted to come to Mt. Hulao to play with Mountain Shaper... but I kept accidentally getting trapped in the amber multiple times..."
Lumine and Paimon stared, utterly dumbfounded.
Yunqin laughed sheepishly, not elaborating further, and pulled the two of them along as she continued up the mountain.
Soon, they reached the summit of Mt. Hulao. On the flat peak stood another Treasure Hoarder, wearing the same clothes as the man from before. He was pacing anxiously, constantly glancing down the mountain.
When he saw Yunqin's group, he thought they were there to arrest him and immediately turned to flee. But Yunqin called out, "Your brother has already been rescued by me. You should leave this place quickly too."
The Treasure Hoarder froze, then turned back to look.
After confirming Yunqin wasn't lying, he thanked her profusely, moved by her kindness. In the end, Yunqin had to urge him down the mountain as well.
Just then, the clear cry of a crane echoed through the air.
Everyone looked up to see a "giant goose" slowly flying out of the adeptal abode—it was none other than Mountain Shaper.
"Whoa! A giant goose!" Paimon exclaimed, quickly flying to Lumine's side. She tugged on Lumine's sleeve and whispered, "This couldn't be Yunqin's Master, could it?"
"That's not her!" Yunqin quickly explained, afraid Paimon would mistake them. "My Master, Cloud Retainer, is also a giant goose, but she's a white giant goose~"
Mountain Shaper slowly landed in front of the three of them.
His gaze swept over Lumine and Paimon with a hint of scrutiny before finally settling on Yunqin. His tone was laced with exasperation. "You rascal, sneaking out to play again?"
Before Yunqin could explain, Lumine stepped forward, holding out the Sigil of Permission, and recounted the events of the Rite of Descension.
"What?!" Mountain Shaper's demeanor instantly changed, his adeptal energy surging violently around him. "Someone dared to strike at Rex Lapis?! The sheer audacity!"
His gaze shifted back to Yunqin, his tone turning serious. "Yunqin, return to Mt. Aocang immediately and stay by your Master's side. Do not wander off again anytime soon, lest you encounter danger!"
With those words, Mountain Shaper said no more, flapping his wings and departing.
-
The scene shifted to Mt. Aocang, where Lumine, Paimon, and Yunqin stood still.
"The Adepti all react the same way to the news of Rex Lapis's passing," Paimon muttered with a sigh. "I wonder if Cloud Retainer will be any different."
"Well, Rex Lapis was the pillar of Liyue, after all," Yunqin said, sighing deeply. She looked up toward the distant peak of Mt. Aocang, her face gradually turning pale. "Now... I have to face my Master."
"What's wrong?" Lumine asked, confused.
"I'm scared she'll find out I snuck out to play," Yunqin shivered. "With what happened to Rex Lapis on top of that, she's definitely going to be angry. She might even punish me."
Lumine and Paimon couldn't help but chuckle.
Paimon flew over to Yunqin and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry! Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper both dote on you. Your Master won't really punish you."
"Just apologize sincerely, and she'll surely forgive you!" Lumine added, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Yunqin still hesitated, scratching the back of her head. Her gaze drifted toward the nearby woods as she whispered, "How about... you guys talk to my Master first, and I'll just hide in the trees for a bit?"
With that, she spun around, ready to bolt into the woods.
But the moment she turned, she saw a crane standing right before her.
"Master!" Yunqin froze, stiff with fright.
The next second, she moved so fast she became a blur, zipping behind a large tree. Only half her head and a pair of wide, round eyes peeked out as she muttered under her breath, "You can't see me, you can't see me..."
Lumine and Paimon stood stunned, exchanging bewildered glances.
Cloud Retainer stared at the fluffy half-head behind the tree, a flicker of exasperation in her eyes. "Why are you hiding? I knew you'd snuck out to play the moment you set foot on this mountain."