Genshin Impact: Rise of the Desert

When Kong woke up again, he found himself in Moscow, in the room that Ivan had provided for him.

"How did I get here?" Kong muttered, shaking his head to clear his mind. "Right, Ivan, Candice, and Arecino are all fighting, I... I have to go help them!"

As he spoke, Kong smashed open the door and stumbled out.

"The traveler has awakened."

"Quickly inform Hatten and Paimon!"

"Traveler, please slow down."

Kong was supported by a Janissary guard, which helped him regain his balance.

Kong looked around and saw a group of Janicheri guards surrounding him, looking at him with worried eyes.

Kong asked, "How is the war going?"

A guard replied, "The war is over. The Abyss Princess was defeated, and the Dark Gate was destroyed. However... Regent Sistan and Esen Taishi died in battle. The Great Khan suffered a mental breakdown for some reason and was taken away by the Wind God for treatment."

Kong was momentarily dazed, but made a decision in an instant.

Once the situation in the Sumeru Khanate is stabilized, I'll take some time to visit Mondstadt, Wendy, and see how Ivan's treatment is going.

When Kong heard someone say to inform Candice, he knew exactly what these desert people wanted him to do.

Ivan left the Khanate after the death of the regent and grand tutor he had appointed before his departure, and the post-war desert was undoubtedly at its weakest point in history.

Whether it's Liyue's revenge or Sumeru's counterattack, a politician is needed to act as regent and manage the attitudes of various countries towards the Sumeru Khanate.

Therefore, Kong was needed as the regent of the Sumeru Khanate.

For both personal and public reasons, Kong should become the regent of the Sumeru Khanate until he selects a qualified statesman or Ivan recovers.

After all, the invasion of the Abyss was instigated by the Abyss Princess, who is also Sora's sister.

However, since Sora and Hikari are on opposing sides, publicizing their relationship would likely have the opposite effect. Therefore, instead of publicizing it, they simply extended an invitation without mentioning Hikari.

Kong will agree, because he is a good person.

After pondering for a moment, he said to the guard beside him, "Take me to Candice; she must need my help."

The guard nodded: "Someone has already informed Hatten, and she will be here in a while."

"No need, let's go find her instead." Kong patted the guard on the shoulder. "I need to walk around and clear my head."

The guards said no more and led the way in the void.

Walking through the streets of Moscow, the number of people was significantly less than before the war, but people still maintained an optimistic attitude towards life.

Just by looking at people's expressions, it's clear that the war hasn't just ended.

Sora arrived at a house where a street performer he had met in Ormos Port, Tarane, was sitting at the door.

Talane strummed the morin khuur, which he hadn't played in a long time, and sang loudly, his voice filled with sorrow.

Seeing Kong staring at Talane, the guard introduced her to Kong: "Talane is a tragic woman. She once accepted the marriage proposal of the Khorasan commander, but the Khorasan commander was surrounded and killed by a group of thirty men. During the War of Independence, she became the bride of the Transoxiana commander, but Transoxiana died due to Babel's despicable cheating. Later, the regent Sistan became her husband, but Sistan died in battle not long ago. The three brothers of the Timurid family are deeply in love with Talane."

Kong keenly sensed something and asked, "Won't people around her say she's a jinx to her husbands? Won't someone bully her?"

The guard shook his head: "To insult a martyr's widow? No one thinks their neck is harder than a scimitar. Besides, it's common for women to lose their men. Tarane has always lived in the rainforest; she just can't accept it."

Listening to Tara's mournful singing, Kong asked again, "Does this song have a name?"

The guard thought for a moment and said, "This is a song she sang for the three Timurs, in remembrance of them, called 'The Gate of Timur'."

.........

On the edge of the azure grassland

A new moon slowly rose in the clear blue sky.

The horse has a white mane and gilded knots tied to its hooves.

The stirrups of the desert people rattled in the wind.

They grow up in the wind and laugh in the rain.

The goat milk they drank could flow from the milk jugs all the way to the horizon.

Sleep well, my dear, sleep peacefully.

Tomorrow you will embark on a long journey.

Go chase the dawn

May you return safely to my side.

Was it you who kissed me?

Standing in front of Timur's door

The newly sprouted buds are growing vigorously.

Am I your arrow, or your bowstring?

Your passion burns like fire; all those songs are sung for you.

And you will eventually leave me and disappear into the vast wilderness.

I was bathed in moonlight

We encountered a fog along the way

I saw herds of livestock on the horizon, carrying heavy quiver loads.

I held an arrow and cleaved the moon in two.

In this green thicket

I live for Timur.

I fiddled with the wheat awns across the river.

I saw a golden glow shining on the nearby hills.

I was in tears

A clinking sound came from beside my ears.

I prayed by the campfire.

I have always understood

I am neither your sister nor your wife.

.........

As Tarane sang, Kong felt his head grow increasingly dizzy, and he felt as if the whole world was spinning.

He lost consciousness.

When Kong woke up again, he was on a beach. He patted his head and said, "Damn it, where am I? I think I've forgotten something..."

Ah, yes, he and his sister traveled through the void and through various worlds, but just as they were about to leave this world, a strange god blocked their path and sealed them away.

"Right, I need to find my sister!" Kong made up his mind, rubbing his rumbling stomach. "Before that, let's fill our stomachs first."

Kong made a simple fishing rod using tree branches and bark, handcrafted fishhooks from scrap iron he found, hooked earthworms onto the hooks, and then threw them into the sea.

After waiting for a while, he caught a heavy object, thinking it was a big fish, but it turned out to be a little girl.

After confirming that the little girl was alright, Kong decided to continue his fishing trip.

As evening approached, Kong lit a campfire, the grilled fish was ready, and the little girl woke up at that moment.

"So, what do you mean by saying you drifted here from beyond the world?"

(End of the book)