Previously, Yunqin had been worried that she had "accidentally killed" Venti. Even though they had explained it to her, it seemed Yunqin didn't completely believe them.
Paimon quietly tugged at Lumine's sleeve, brought her little head close to her ear, and muttered softly, "Looks like she's still worried about Venti."
"Killing someone is no small matter. It's normal for her not to believe our words. Let's hear what Zhongli and the Adeptus have to say." Lumine patted Paimon, signaling for her to relax.
Cloud Retainer's wings trembled slightly, and she instinctively wanted to step forward and interrogate her on "what exactly happened?", but she was stopped by a look from Zhongli.
He shook his head gently, signaling her to calm down, and then turned to Yunqin. His tone remained peaceful, without the slightest hint of blame, "Who is this person who was 'killed'? How did you meet them?"
Seeing this, Yunqin's anxious heart settled down a little.
She recounted the experience of meeting Venti in full detail, explaining every single detail clearly, even repeating the lyrics Venti had been singing at the time a few times over.
"Venti?" Hearing this name, Zhongli smiled knowingly.
"So it was him. That fellow's abilities are quite vast; even if I were to make a move, I might not necessarily be able to injure him." Cloud Retainer breathed a sigh of relief.
"So he really is one of Mondstadt's Four Winds?" Yunqin's eyes instantly lit up, full of pleasant surprise. "But he clearly just looks like an ordinary bard..."
"While he isn't technically one of the Four Winds, not all Adepti need to maintain a dignified facade," Zhongli explained with a smile.
Cloud Retainer also echoed, "Exactly!"
Yunqin finally relaxed completely, her usual cheerful smile returning.
After a moment, Zhongli spoke up: "The preparations for the Rite of Parting aren't complete yet. We still need to prepare the Everlasting Incense."
"I'll go too! I'll go too!" Yunqin immediately raised her hand, eagerly trying to follow them out.
But before she could take another step, Cloud Retainer grabbed her by the scruff of her neck, yanking her back like a kitten.
Cloud Retainer regarded her with an ambiguous smile. "You stay here. Catch up on your training first."
Yunqin looked at the amusement in her Master's eyes and had a bad feeling about this.
Before she could even resist, Cloud Retainer pushed her inside, leaving her with no chance to struggle.
Lumine, Paimon, and Zhongli had just stepped out of the adeptal abode when they heard Yunqin's miserable wail from behind them: "Master! I was wrong!"
Paimon turned to look back, but Lumine grabbed her.
"Don't look back," Lumine smiled helplessly, her voice carrying a hint of understanding. "We'd better not get involved in this kind of 'adeptal teaching'."
Zhongli couldn't help but show a faint smile.
For Yunqin to be able to make a fuss so freely and carelessly, unburdened by the secrets of her bloodline, was perhaps the best reward they could ask for.
The three of them made their way down the mountain path, heading towards Bubu Pharmacy.
Just as they reached the foot of Mt. Aocang, Lumine subconsciously glanced back at the clouds shrouding the peak. Bathed in the setting sun, it looked serene and peaceful, yet a trace of worry inexplicably rippled through her heart.
"What is it, Traveler?" Zhongli noticed her unusual demeanor, stopped in his tracks, and asked.
"It's nothing," Lumine shook her head and replied softly.
She had actually already guessed Zhongli's true identity.
To be so highly respected by Cloud Retainer, to know Yunqin's matters inside out, and to even seem acquainted with Venti...
Who else could he be but the Geo Archon, Morax?
As for the one hiding in the shadows...
With both the Adeptus and Rex Lapis present, Yunqin should be safe.
Along the way, the three of them discussed the preparations for the Rite of Parting.
When Lumine mentioned that Hydro Yunqin had also attacked her and Paimon, Zhongli's expression grew grave.
His footsteps slowed, his tone turning rather heavy. "For her to attack you, and to even dare strike at Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, it is clearly no indiscriminate attack. As for her true purpose... that will require further investigation."
Lumine and Paimon nodded.
They drew further and further away from Mt. Aocang.
In the unnoticed Elemental Space, amidst a pile of Dull Blades, one particular Blade began to emit a black light. The Festering Desire, previously shattered by "Hydro Qin," had reappeared!
The blade was covered in cracks, looking as though it had long lost its vitality.
But at this moment, a faint black gleam lit up from within the cracks.
Shortly after the Traveler left, a faint trail of black mist drifted through the air, silently bypassing the adeptal barrier outside the adeptal abode, and ultimately disappearing in the direction of Yunqin.
After being lectured by Cloud Retainer, Yunqin sluggishly dragged herself back to her room.
The room wasn't large, but she had decorated it so that it was filled with traces of Rex Lapis—a clay figurine holding a Jade Shield sat on the bookshelf, a statue wielding a polearm stood on the desk, and even the head of the bed was piled with three small statuettes wearing cloaks embroidered with Geo patterns...
These were all the treasures she had hoarded over the years.
She brought over a low stool and pinched a piece of soft cloth.
From left to right, she dusted the clay figurines one by one; when brushing past the corners of their clothes, her movements were so gentle, as if she were afraid of shattering fragile glaze.
When she reached the largest, life-sized clay figurine, Yunqin stopped.
She had sculpted this one herself for her birthday last year, modeling it after the Statue of The Seven. A sachet she had made by hand hung on its chest, stuffed with dried Qingxin petals.
She took off the sachet and brought it to her nose. The faint, fresh fragrance drifted into her nose, sweeping away her earlier fatigue.
Yunqin hugged the clay figure tightly to her chest, turned around, and threw herself onto the bed. She rolled around twice tangled in the light yellow quilt, a satisfied blush spreading across her cheeks. "Lord Rex Lapis's scent really is something else~"
Once she had her fill of rolling around, she pulled out a novel with a flashy cover from under her pillow—Reborn: Falling in Love with Rex Lapis During the Archon War. The edges of the pages were frayed from use, showing she had clearly read it no less than ten times.
She curled up at the head of the bed, completely engrossed.
When she read the part where "Rex Lapis blocks an attack for the heroine," she couldn't help but giggle out loud. Her bare feet dangled and swayed gently. If she had a tail, it would probably be wagging high up in the sky by now.
Crack—
A faint, crisp sound suddenly came from the corner of the room, like a dry twig snapping underfoot.
Yunqin pouted in annoyance, quickly shoved the novel back under her pillow, and carefully returned the clay figure to its original place, re-hanging the sachet back onto it.
She tiptoed toward the source of the sound.
Reaching the corner of the wall, Yunqin's eyes suddenly widened.
There was actually a round hole broken through the wall!
The barrier edict set by Master had been destroyed!
Aside from the barrier at the entrance, she didn't even know how to dispel the edicts in the rest of the room herself. Who had such great capability to dare do such a thing?
She scratched her head, muttering inwardly.
But on second thought, Master was right outside. Who would have the guts to trespass into the adeptal abode?
She leaned close to the hole and examined it carefully, suddenly clapping her hands together: "The barrier must have gone too long without being replaced, falling into disrepair!"
She measured the size of the hole with her hands, her eyes instantly shining as bright as stars: "Not too big, not too small—just big enough for me to squeeze through!"
Since it was an opportunity granted by the "will of heaven," she couldn't be blamed for sneaking out to have some fun.