As Junze fled swiftly under countless gazes, there was one person watching him closely.
Shenhe.
Shenhe did not need to maintain order at the scene, nor did she need to search for the missing Junze.
So she was the only one free to track the so-called Inkshadow Adeptus.
Like a shadow following its form.
Where she had stood, frost fragments scattered across the ground. Her figure had already vanished.
The method was remarkably similar to the movement technique Ganyu had used earlier.
Just as Junze slipped into a grove to hide, he caught sight of Shenhe appearing behind him.
Shenhe? Why is she here?!
He was startled.
Why would someone who cultivated in the mountains year-round suddenly come to Liyue?
And why here?
Don't tell me… she's following me?
Junze's brow twitched.
See? This is the consequence of pretending to be an adeptus in Liyue.
Sooner or later, real adepti or their successors would come looking.
Once they saw his true appearance, the lie would collapse instantly.
Still, he steadied himself.
Fortunately, I was fast enough. She probably didn't notice where I hid.
Watching Shenhe land and glance around with faint confusion, he quickly devised a plan.
Ice lotus condensed in his palm.
Black mist coiled around it.
Shenhe narrowed her eyes as she surveyed the surroundings.
He disappeared.
In such darkness, once that black mist concealed its aura, tracing it was extremely difficult.
She stepped forward slowly, her vigilance fully raised.
No movement could escape her perception.
At last, she noticed something.
About a hundred meters ahead, a faint cluster of black mist writhed subtly.
A remnant left behind by that adeptus.
And for reasons she did not understand, her gaze locked onto it.
She could not look away.
Her awareness of her surroundings loosened for just a fraction of a second.
Shenhe approached the mist swiftly.
Suddenly, it burst open like spilled ink and wrapped around her.
!!!
The instant the mist enveloped her, Shenhe reacted.
"Manifest!"
With a sharp cry, icy winds surged outward.
A spectral image like a maiden's soul flickered behind her.
Talismans formed from Cryo energy rose around her as frost-feathered sigils guarded her sides.
Layer upon layer of silver frost condensed, repelling evil.
The black mist that obscured her vision began to dissipate.
But just as she was about to step out—
Boom!
The hidden ice lotus exploded.
Caught off guard, Shenhe had no time to retreat and could only defend in place.
And Junze seized the opportunity to escape.
He had not poured full power into the mist or the lotus. He only needed to stall her briefly.
Sure enough.
One or two seconds after he fled, Shenhe broke free from the remaining haze.
She realized she had been tricked.
Yet she did not seem angry.
After all, tracking an unknown adeptus like that could easily provoke resentment.
She stood quietly for a moment.
Then she crouched, as if noticing something.
Her fingers brushed against lingering Cryo energy on the ground.
This is not my elemental power.
And the technique… is somewhat similar.
Though Junze had escaped, Shenhe had already picked up subtle clues.
——
Back at the night market—
"Ze!"
Ganyu was nearly in tears.
Yanfei followed beside her, apologizing repeatedly.
"Senior, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
But Ganyu had no mind to respond.
Her thoughts were consumed by her missing disciple.
"Keep searching," said Eula softly, patting Yanfei's shoulder.
Even Yanfei, usually composed and clever, had a tremor in her voice.
Ganyu searched frantically through the crowd.
"Ze! Ze! Answer Master!"
Junze was the dearest part of her heart.
Losing him felt like having a piece of her very being torn away.
It was not only pain. It was suffocating terror.
For the first time in her long life, Ganyu was this flustered.
She did not dare imagine what would happen if her disciple truly vanished.
At that moment—
"Master!"
Junze stepped out from behind a large tree.
When he saw her like that, he immediately regretted everything.
Why did I insist on transforming? Why did I run so far?
"Ze!"
Ganyu froze.
Then she rushed forward and embraced him tightly.
So tightly it was as if she wanted to press him into her body.
Only that way could she be sure he would never disappear again.
Her voice trembled.
"Where did you go? Master was so worried!"
"Master… I'm sorry."
Junze lowered his head.
There might be white lies later.
But this apology was genuine.
"You naughty child. You're too disobedient."
Even as she scolded him, she held him tighter.
What is lost and found again becomes infinitely more precious.
Even now, fear lingered in her heart.
Thank goodness he was safe.
Junze pouted.
"Master, I know I was wrong. So… so don't say I'm not obedient, okay?"
Ganyu blinked in confusion.
Junze muttered seriously,
"If I'm not obedient, then we can't become husband and wife. And Ze won't be able to kiss Master."
Ganyu froze.
Then, through her tears, she burst into laughter.
"You child… you're still thinking about that?"
His solemn worry chased away much of her fear.
"It's very important," Junze insisted, clenching his tiny fist.
Ganyu wiped her tears and gently stroked his head.
"Alright. Ze is still very obedient."
"Hehe."
Junze grinned foolishly.
Playing dumb. Acting cute. Acting spoiled.
He had mastered it when it came to Ganyu.
"Master, let's go home."
He gently patted her back.
Right now, she was the one who needed rest.
"Mm. Master will take you home."
Ganyu stood and held his hand tightly.
Yanfei and Eula watched the pair from a distance.
Yanfei finally exhaled in relief.
"I'll have to properly apologize to Senior later…"
For now, she did not dare approach.
And so, the one tall and one small figure slowly left the night market together.
----------
Patreon Advance 30 Chapters: patreon .com/FicVibe