Angel's Share.
"Is it really okay?" Venti held the fine wine that he could usually only look at but not touch, feeling it was exceptionally hot in his hands.
Jun Bai crossed his arms: "If you don't want it, put it back."
"I'll take this bottle. He's paying."
Venti decided instantly and placed the wine on the counter.
Jun Bai also picked up a bottle of Apple Cider and placed it on the counter. The bartender quoted a Mora amount that Venti would need to busk for three months to possibly pay off.
It was very expensive, yet Jun Bai's expression remained calm when settling the bill. As early as when designing his background, he had thought about the Mora issue and had specifically emphasized that during his three thousand years as a God, he had been continuously accumulating wealth.
In other words, he had added a rich-bro setting for himself.
After the two Gods bought the wine, they found a spot in the tavern and sat down.
Venti opened the wine stopper, his movements extremely impatient.
Jun Bai poured himself a cup of Apple Cider but did not drink it immediately. After pondering for a moment, he asked: "Venti, regarding Dvalin, how do you plan to handle it?"
Venti's action of gulping down the wine paused. He put down the bottle, remained silent for a while, then chuckled lightly: "You are still as direct as before, Jun Bai."
"Things that must be faced eventually are better said directly."
"Indeed." Venti was silent for a moment. "Dvalin has now endangered Mondstadt's safety. If it continues like this, I can only fulfill my duty as one of the Seven Rulers of the Mortal World."
The duty of the Seven Rulers of the Mortal World to protect the people of the Seven Nations.
Venti had never taken action against Dvalin. One reason was that under his secret protection, the people of Mondstadt had not suffered any real casualties only property losses.
The second reason was the relationship between Venti and Dvalin.
The feelings between a God and his dependent could not be explained in a few words. Venti still needed time to mentally prepare himself before taking action against Dvalin.
Jun Bai said in a deep voice: "You know that Dvalin is innocent. Moreover, it has given a lot for Mondstadt in the past."
"But there is no way. Being in this position, some things cannot be avoided just because I don't want to do them." Venti smiled. "No matter how good my relationship with Dvalin is, if it harms the residents of Mondstadt, then I can only take action."
Although right now, with Venti present, Dvalin had not managed to harm anyone. But as time passed, the Abyss's erosion on Dvalin would gradually accelerate.
And Dvalin would also become more ferocious.
At that time, would Venti still have the ability to protect Mondstadt in the hands of an increasingly violent Dvalin?
This delicate balance would be broken sooner or later.
The atmosphere gradually became oppressive.
Suddenly.
"Ehehe." Venti stuck out his tongue. "Of course, that is the last resort only to be used when things reach an irreparable point."
"The best solution is naturally to purify the Abyss curse on Dvalin. As long as it breaks free from the Abyss's control and returns to its former appearance, then all problems will no longer be problems."
Jun Bai pretended to be puzzled and said: "From the sound of it, you already have an idea?"
"That's right." Venti nodded proudly.
Jun Bai, who knew the main storyline inside and out, really wanted to ask what he was being proud of. Purifying the Abyss curse seemed to have nothing to do with you, right?
The piano was stolen by me, the tears were picked up by me, the curse was purified by me, and even the dragon was fought by me.
As for you, Anemo Archon Barbatos, aren't you just playing the role of slacking off and paddling?
"Speaking of which, Jun Bai, thank you." Venti personally poured a cup of wine for Jun Bai. "Thank you for stepping in today to protect the people of Mondstadt City."
"Even without me, you could have protected them."
"One thing at a time. This thank you still needs to be said." Venti smiled and raised his cup toward Jun Bai.
Jun Bai raised his cup in response: "If there is any place where I can help, feel free to say so. Dvalin is also my friend."
"Rest assured, I'm not the type to be polite."
"But I have just finished nirvana, and my strength has not yet recovered to its peak period, so the help I can provide is limited."
"..."
Afterward, the two Gods chatted freely at the wine table.
In the end, the chat concluded with Venti finishing two bottles of wine and collapsing drunk on the table.
At this moment, Jun Bai received a notification from the system that Lumine had already resolved the issues at the three temples and had returned to the Knights of Favonius.
"Venti, I have something to do so I'll take my leave first. Here's some money for you to buy wine." Jun Bai left a bag of Mora on the table, then stood up and left Angel's Share.
The sound of the door closing rang out. Venti, who had been lying on the table, "full health revived." Looking at the bag of Mora on the table, his eyes lit up. "If I use these Mora sparingly, it'll be enough for me to drink for three months. Jun Bai, good brother, you really understand me!"
"Bartender, another bottle!"
...
At the entrance of the Knights of Favonius.
"So, the dragon disaster has temporarily come to an end." Paimon followed beside Lumine, her tone carrying a slight complaint. "We ran to three temples in a row. I'm so hungry now. Lumine, let's go to The Deer Hunter restaurant and have a big meal."
Lumine touched her stomach: "I am indeed a bit hungry. Perfect, Acting Grand Master Jean gave us a decent reward. Then let's listen to you and go eat something good."
"Yay!" Paimon spun once in the air, then flew ahead. "Hurry, hurry."
Lumine smiled helplessly behind her, then followed Paimon to The Deer Hunter.
Paimon took the menu and ordered more than a dozen Mondstadt specialty dishes in a row. Lumine paid the bill behind her.
"You can really eat. This meal costs fifty thousand Mora." Lumine teased while looking at the table full of dishes.
Paimon looked a little embarrassed. At this time, the relationship between the two was not as close as it would be later in the plot.
So when spending such a large amount of Mora in one go, Paimon still felt embarrassed.
"After we finish eating, let's go to the Knights of Favonius to inquire about information regarding my brother and the Anemo Archon."
"Okay, I'll go with you." Paimon nodded vigorously.
"Anemo Archon?"
At this moment, a youth came to Lumine's side: "May I ask, do the two of you have business with the Anemo Archon?"
Lumine looked toward the voice and was immediately shocked.
Although he had changed into different clothes and his hair color had turned black, Lumine still recognized Jun Bai at a glance.
"You are the person who repelled Stormterror!"
Paimon widened her eyes: "So you are the one who unleashed that fire phoenix!"
Jun Bai frowned, looked Lumine up and down, then put on a sudden realization expression: "So it's you."
"Please keep your voices down, the two of you. I don't really want to attract other people's attention." Jun Bai raised his index finger to his lips, signaling Lumine and Paimon not to alarm the people around them.
He pulled out the chair in front of Lumine and sat down: "The two of you, nice to meet you for the first time. I am Jun Bai from the Liyue Qixing Thousand Rocks Army."
"I would like to know why the two of you are looking for Mondstadt's Anemo Archon. And also..." Jun Bai looked at Lumine, "May I ask, is your brother a man who looks very similar to you and wears exotic clothing?"
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