Just as everyone's speculation reached its peak, a figure clad in yellow robes entered their sight.
In an instant, all vigilance was relaxed.
It was Zhongli.
He had feared he was already too late. Anxiety gnawed at him, and so he had hurried straight out of the city gates.
To catch up with Idris, he had even activated his perception.
The scene outside the gates slowly came into focus.
Pedestrians passed by in ones and twos—
yet there was no sign of Idris and the others.
As time slipped away, Zhongli's mood grew heavier.
Finally, with a quiet sigh, he turned around, preparing to head back into the city.
And then—
His gaze met Idris's.
Idris was standing near the gate, brows slightly furrowed, clearly puzzled by Zhongli's haste.
Zhongli walked over, emotion flickering in his eyes.
"So this is what they mean by books containing houses of gold," he murmured with a wry smile.
"It's Mr. Zhongli," Nahida said softly after recognizing him.
"He looks… really anxious. What happened?"
"I chased after you," Zhongli explained with a sigh.
"But I couldn't find you. I thought you had already left."
Then his tone turned serious.
"An Abyss Mage appeared in Liyue. I was worried they might threaten the city."
Idris's expression hardened instantly.
"Liyue too? Where?"
"At Wangshu Inn," Zhongli replied.
"Not long after you left. Fortunately, Xiao dealt with them."
He frowned.
"Normally, Abyss Mages linger near settlements at most. They rarely attack directly. But today… it was as if they'd lost their minds."
Something felt deeply wrong.
"So," Idris said calmly, already understanding,
"you came to find me because…?"
"I want to return to Sumeru with you," Zhongli said plainly.
"And ask the Grand Sage to help investigate the Abyss Mages."
Idris thought for a moment, then nodded.
"That's fine. But I won't promise results—only that I'll do my best."
Zhongli paused, then smiled in understanding.
"That's enough. Let's go together."
It wasn't that Idris lacked confidence.
He simply refused to make unconditional promises—especially to someone who hadn't exactly greeted him warmly at first.
Nearby, Ganyu hesitated, stepping forward only to stop again.
Seeing Zhongli and Idris speak so evenly extinguished a certain thought she had been nurturing.
Sensing this, Shenhe did something rare—she leaned close and whispered:
"Senior Sister… What's wrong? The Grand Sage is leaving and you already can't bear it? Isn't that a bit… clingy?"
"Our master said overly clingy girls aren't very likable."
Even Shenhe felt embarrassed saying this, yet Ganyu didn't get angry.
Instead, her face flushed red.
"Don't talk nonsense. If the Grand Sage hears you, he might not even take you to Sumeru."
"That won't happen," Shenhe replied calmly.
"The Grand Sage always keeps his word. But Senior Sister… you want to go too, don't you?"
The knowing look made Ganyu turn away in flustered silence.
After a few final words with Zhongli, Idris turned to Ganyu.
"We're heading back to Sumeru first. If the Guizhong Ballista blueprints are ready, please deliver them to Sumeru.
If that's inconvenient, I can come fetch them myself."
"No trouble at all!" Ganyu replied quickly.
Zhongli couldn't help but glance at her.
When did Cloud Retainer's disciple become this easygoing?
Idris smiled faintly.
"And I won't let you make the trip for nothing. If you come to Sumeru, just give my name. Someone will escort you into the city."
With that, he led the group out of Liyue.
Ganyu stood there, dazed, unsure how she even made it back to Jueyun Karst.
Cloud Retainer took one look and understood.
"Something troubling you, my disciple? Is it about your Grand Sage… boyfriend?"
Ganyu froze, then lowered her head.
"I… I don't know…"
Cloud Retainer smiled gently.
"Matters of the heart are complicated. Speak freely."
Ganyu poured out her feelings—her admiration, insecurity, and fear that she couldn't stand beside Idris as an equal.
She conveniently skipped the fake relationship part.
To her, there was nothing fake about it.
After listening, Cloud Retainer said softly:
"If you truly care for him, then face it bravely.
A man as outstanding as Idris is worth trusting. There's no need to fear the future."
"And if doubts remain, then take time to understand one another.
No matter the outcome—your master will always stand behind you."
Ganyu felt something loosen in her chest.
If fate allowed it, she believed she could one day become Idris's partner in truth.
Until then, overthinking would only burden her.
On the road back to Sumeru, the four were suddenly intercepted.
Abyss Mages.
Idris's patience snapped.
In his previous life, he'd been bullied endlessly by the Abyss.
Now that he was in charge, they still dared to show their faces?
Unforgivable.
His eyes turned cold as elemental power surged in his palm.
But Zhongli moved first.
Without even drawing his spear, he struck—
and the Abyss Mage's shield shattered instantly.
"These damned pests," Zhongli growled.
"One day, I'll wipe them out completely."
He had restrained himself for far too long.
And now—
Zhongli charged straight at the Abyss Mages.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito