The nation that symbolizes freedom
The city-state of Mondstadt
"The seeds of freedom are sown in Mondstadt's soil~"
"He gave us the wind of freedom, blowing, blowing, blowing~"
"People sing songs of victory, drink wine that burns the throat, admire the flowers that symbolize the wind~ and the wind that symbolizes freedom~"
...
After considerable effort, Mondstadt's finest bard, Venti, finally brought his performance to a perfect close. He gently inhaled the cool air.
Mondstadt's wind, Mondstadt's air—how wonderful!
With the performance over, Mondstadt's people returned to their own affairs. The off-duty Knights of Favonius also went back to their posts, guarding Mondstadt's safety.
Usually, after a performance, Venti would head to a tavern for a drink—provided he had enough Mora, of course.
If he had no Mora, he could pay with his poetry, assuming the tavern owner allowed it. Otherwise, he might have to work off his debt.
But now was not the time for drinking. The old man of the nation of contracts had invited him to the land of rock. That was a rare occasion!
What was that stubborn old man thinking? Inviting him out of the blue? How intriguing. Looks like something fun is about to happen today!
Sneaking into a quiet, unnoticed alley...
Venti crept into the dark corner, tiptoeing like a mischievous thief. Quite amusing to watch.
He looked left and right. Seeing no passersby, he vanished in an instant. His departure was accompanied by a whisper of wind and specks of green starlight.
Sensing this, the people of Mondstadt thought the Anemo Archon had come again—that the god had once again turned his gaze toward the city of freedom.
After some time...
Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...
The wind of freedom swept across all of Mondstadt's lands. At the same time, that same wind once again stepped onto the land of rock.
---
Northern Liyue Border
This was the border between Mondstadt and Liyue. Those who passed through here were usually travelers, gourmands, or merchants.
Arriving here, Venti leaped onto a tree branch. The higher he stood, the farther he could see. Watching the carriages coming and going in the distance, he grinned.
"Haven't been to the nation of contracts in a while! The air here is still the same!"
Venti closed his eyes, taking in everything around him. He planted his hands on his hips, eager to go see the old man.
No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than he vanished again. In his hands were two bottles of dandelion wine—his precious reserves!
These two bottles had been buried underground for years. He had never been willing to drink them, no matter how much he craved them. This time, he was really treating the old man!
After a bit more travel...
---
Liyue Harbor
Yujing Terrace
Yanfei's Residence
Venti arrived at the meeting place Zhongli had mentioned. The moment he got there, he saw the old man sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea.
"Old man! I'm here!" Venti called out loudly.
Hearing his voice, Zhongli glanced over. This drunkard finally arrived. But... could you not use the front door? There's a perfectly good gate right there...
Little did Zhongli know, when he had brought the three Yakshas back, he hadn't used the front door either.
Venti hopped over and sat on the stone chair beside Zhongli. Without hesitation, he slung an arm over Zhongli's shoulder and grinned.
"Old man! Don't always look so glum! I brought two bottles of fine dandelion wine! How about a taste? Ehe!"
Seeing Venti's enthusiasm, a vein bulged on Zhongli's forehead without him realizing. Hold it in. You're asking for a favor. You must hold it in.
"Barbatos, traveling all the way from the nation of wind, you must be tired." Zhongli set down his teacup and spoke stiffly, his words polite.
"Eh? Not at all! I'm thrilled that you invited me, old man!" Venti laughed heartily. As he laughed, he uncorked the dandelion wine.
"And just call me Venti. That's my mortal name!"
Venti introduced the name he used among humans. It wasn't actually his own, but a friend's—he was merely borrowing it.
"Speaking of names, I go by Zhongli among mortals as well." Zhongli replied casually.
"Wow! I didn't expect you, of all people, to change things up! That's rare, that's rare—definitely worth celebrating!" As Venti finished speaking, the dandelion wine was successfully uncorked.
The moment the bottle was opened, its refreshing fragrance spread.
Dandelion wine had a light herbal scent. It was quite a healthy drink, and for those who loved wine, its flavor was excellent.
Dandelion wine was a very wholesome beverage. Its unique bitterness could lift one's spirits.
Because it could reduce heat, detoxify, reduce inflammation, and disperse swelling, it was beloved by many in Mondstadt. Still, one shouldn't drink too much—it was still alcohol.
"Here, old man! Let me fill your cup!" Venti snatched the teacup from before Zhongli and poured the dandelion wine straight in.
Seeing this, Zhongli said nothing. He naturally raised the teacup now filled with wine, clinked it gently against the drunkard's, and downed it in one go.
"Come on, let me refill!" Seeing how amiable the old man was, Venti grinned even wider. Had this stubborn old man finally come around?
How rare!
Seeing Venti about to pour him another, Zhongli realized he couldn't let this continue. He cleared his throat and said calmly,
"The reason I called you here is to ask for your help."
Hearing this as he poured, Venti just grinned and said playfully,
"Who would have thought that the great Morax would come to a humble bard like me for help..."
"Go on! What is it?"
Venti responded directly. If it was something he could help with, he would. If not, he would politely decline.
But judging by the old man's serious expression, it wasn't something trivial, was it? If so, that would be bad—he wasn't good at fighting!
"I have a friend. While she was guarding Liyue's borders, she was ambushed by villains and severely injured. I need you to take her to the nation of wind."
"Also, I need your help in healing her." Zhongli spoke calmly. After saying this, he once again picked up the teacup of wine and drank.
This dandelion wine was indeed of the highest quality. This drunkard had really gone all out this time. Quite surprising.
"No problem! Leave it to me!" Hearing such a simple request, Venti slapped his thigh and agreed immediately. Just helping with treatment in exchange for a favor—not bad at all!
Surely, when he came to visit in the future, the old man wouldn't say anything. What a good deal.
"May I ask who it is?" Venti picked up the dandelion wine and gulped it down directly. Drinking from a cup was uncomfortable—chugging straight from the bottle was much more satisfying.
"Her name is Bonanus. She is an adeptus who returned to Liyue just a few months ago." Zhongli explained calmly.
"Ha! Her. I've heard of her. News from your side has reached Mondstadt, after all~" After downing nearly half the bottle, Venti nodded.
His face was already flushed, but he wasn't drunk—just a bit red.
"Leave it to me. Take me to see her." Venti said readily.
Seeing how smoothly things had been settled, Zhongli nodded reassuringly. This guy might seem unreliable, but he was actually quite dependable.
After all, he was still a god—a god who 'governed' a nation. If a god promised something, he would see it through.
Zhongli slowly stood up and led Venti into the room, ready to have him take Bonanus to the city of freedom.