"They say the carps in Chenyu Vale possess spirituality. The stories here are truly fascinating…"
Mu Yang hadn't visited this teahouse much before.
After all, since he was in Yilong Wharf, he could simply brew tea and drink it at home.
There was no need to come here specifically.
Seeing Lingyuan beside him listening with rapt attention, Mu Yang didn't interrupt her.
He continued listening to the storyteller above.
"…The raging waves surged, seemingly about to swallow Chenyu Vale whole. The leading Thousand Rock Army instructor ordered his men to cross their shields, armor, and blades to form ladders…"
"All the Thousand Rock soldiers firmly held these ladders with their arms, thinking only of letting the civilians climb to higher ground as quickly as possible, completely disregarding their own safety."
What a coincidence.
Fujin had so many great achievements that could be told.
Yet on the first day he came to listen, it just happened to be the episode about flood control.
"Clarisse! Green garlic!"
As if on cue, this black bird who loved watching the excitement didn't mind stirring up trouble.
It was as if she had heard Mu Yang's inner complaints.
She materialized from his shoulder and listened together to the story of the flood she had caused…
"At that time, from both shores came a series of crisp clanging sounds like jade striking against each other…"
The storyteller performed a segment of vocal mimicry.
"With each ring, the waves lowered. With two rings, the water steadied. With three rings, the floodwaters covering the mountains receded like tea that had been drunk dry…"
The story reached a segment and paused there.
Although the three people present who were involved knew that many details were different.
For example, the Thousand Rock Army hadn't been stationed there yet at the time.
But they didn't bother to nitpick.
That was a thousand years ago after all.
The storyteller was only speculating based on some fragmented legends.
There was no need to be too harsh on them.
Lingyuan was very happy after listening.
She told Mu Yang that this teahouse used to have storytellers too.
But they only told tales about escorts and jianghu matters.
After all, it was Chenyu Vale's local flavor.
Mu Yang expressed his understanding.
It wasn't until last year, when the Carp Immortal Fujin reappeared before everyone.
She had returned to participate in the Toulong Ceremony.
Only then did the storyteller gather some legends and newly compile Fujin's stories.
As long as someone told about Fujin's deeds, it was fine.
As long as they didn't portray Fujin as a villain.
Lingyuan didn't care whether their adaptations were accurate or not.
She couldn't be bothered to correct humans.
This story belonged to Fujin. There were three people present.
The remaining one was Changsheng.
Lingyuan said she already knew the news of Changsheng's recovery.
"I know you always keep your word. So, Fujin will return to us next year, right?"
Mu Yang nodded. "Mm."
An answer so simple it couldn't be simpler.
Yet it was so reassuring.
Lingyuan happily took the pocket money Mu Yang gave her and returned to the mountains.
Today had truly been full of pleasant surprises. Ever since Mu Yang regained his memories, it had almost been nothing but good news…
Several days later.
Poisson Town.
A white-haired youth jumped off the boat.
In truth, for this short distance.
Mu Yang didn't need to take a boat at all.
He was simply acting as a merchant and didn't want to attract too much attention.
Yes, Mu Yang had ultimately decided to come to Fontaine as a merchant to familiarize himself with the place.
After all, not every nation could use combat as an excuse.
Mondstadt had the dragon disaster, Liyue fought Archons, Inazuma had sword trials.
Fontaine's enemies were invisible and intangible.
Yet they hung over everyone's heads at all times—
The prophecy of doom.
This was Mu Yang's first time traveling to Fontaine in the Teyvat world.
He had to admit that because of the Hydro Archon Furina's performances.
The people of Fontaine were still quite optimistic about the prophecy for now.
There was none of that tragic despair before the end of days.
Mu Yang recalled the Fontaine storyline.
It was only after the incident in Poisson Town erupted that the people here truly began to panic.
Before that, only the main characters like Lyney and the others were preparing for the prophecy.
Mu Yang walked into Poisson Town.
This was a small port.
It was called small in terms of area and infrastructure.
But its throughput was actually quite large.
Not only did it handle trade with Yilong Wharf, almost all transactions in southern Fontaine were related to this port.
However, you simply couldn't imagine how backward this port was.
Not to mention developing it to the scale of Yilong Wharf.
There wasn't even a decent place to rest here.
Mu Yang didn't know much about this port from the game before.
So he could only find a resting female dockworker to chat with.
Miss Jalade naturally answered everything when such a handsome young man asked her questions.
However, her words were full of complaints.
This place was very far from the Court of Fontaine, yet there were neither shops nor inns for lodging.
There was only one tavern that served alcohol…
"I don't even drink. Who knows how miserable I am here. I really want to transfer to Romaritime Harbor…"
"Romaritime Harbor is the one facing the desert, right?"
Miss Jalade nodded. "Yes, but facing the desert might make my skin dry. Never mind, maybe I should just go back to the city…"
In the end, after finishing her complaints, Miss Jalade returned to her post.
And continued working hard…
This was the life of Fontaine's working people.
After listening to so many complaints, Mu Yang also summarized some information.
The previous consul had wanted to expand Poisson Town, but due to the various cumbersome procedures of Fontaine's civil servants.
It was repeatedly delayed. In a fit of anger, that consul resigned and quit.
Mu Yang knew about Fontaine's civil service system.
It really didn't do human things.
Thinking back to the "lost keycap" quest he had done before.
He still found it insane even now.
Since there was no place to rest in Poisson Town, Mu Yang simply took a boat to the other side of the river.
Then traveled by land to the Opera Epiclese.
His luck today wasn't very good.
The Opera Epiclese had neither a case being personally judged by Neuvillette.
Nor was there a performance by Furina.
So he could only go look at the Fountain of Lucine.
It wasn't yet quitting time, so there weren't many people strolling here.
Most of them were out-of-town tourists like Mu Yang.
Mu Yang followed what others were doing and tossed a Mora into it.
Unlike others who prayed for children or blessings.
He only wanted to pray for an opponent to test exactly how strong he was now.
The moment this thought appeared in Mu Yang's mind.
He sensed an unusual movement coming from the water.
However, it didn't belong to the big whale.
The All-Devouring Narwhal was just a small pet and couldn't speak in human language.
Nor was it the resentment of the girls killed by Vacher.
It was something even deeper in the water than those resentments…
That "person" was questioning Mu Yang.
"…Detected rationality… and power."
"…Variable, who are you? Successor of the Narzissenkreuz, or a hound of the gears?"
Mu Yang frowned tightly.
Just like in Sumeru, he had once again triggered something that the native residents couldn't perceive.
He was also familiar with this sentence.
Mu Yang countered, "[Master] Rene, or should I call you [Narzissenkreuz]?"