Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

"A merchant from Liyue, with heterochromatic eyes, and bound by a contract with the Geo Archon, I'm becoming more and more interested in you."

A faint, ethereal voice drifted on the wind, almost imperceptible. In the empty house far from Mondstadt, Xuan Yue, who was resting with her eyes closed, didn't notice anything. But Xuan Qing heard the words on the wind clearly, and something was brewing in her purple eyes...

Liyue——

"Gui Zhong, make arrangements and send someone to coordinate with Xuan Yue and the others." Morax handed a letter to Gui Zhong, who was assisting with the paperwork.

"Hmm, it seems that everything went smoothly for Xuan Yue and the others without them revealing anything. They even helped us further promote our business development." Gui Zhong nodded in praise as he looked at the letter written by Xuan Qing.

"After all, he is Xuanqing, a former top figure who ruled over a region. His vision allows him to easily see the current situation in Liyue," Morax commented.

"Haha, it's Xuan Yue who's more childish compared to Xuan Qing. This letter is full of her pitiful complaints." Gui Zhong pointed to a few lines on the back of the letter and laughed.

The letter read: "Morax, do you have any way to find Barbatos? I feel like being a mortal is harder than cultivating. I've been locked up in Xuan Qing's sea of ​​consciousness for days, getting scolded every day, and I only managed to kill a dozen low-level monsters with a single arrow by accident. If this continues, I feel like I'm going to go crazy before Xuan Qing does. (T^T)"

Morax couldn't help but laugh: "Hahaha, indeed, compared to Xuanqing's aloofness, Xuanyue is more genuine. Having them around adds a lot of fun."

“Luckily, Liu Yun and the others aren’t here. If they knew about this, Xiao Xuan Yue might really become depressed.” Gui Zhong paused. “But Xuan Yue is right. Barbatos’s continued refusal to show himself isn’t a solution. How about we…”

"Don't worry, Xuanqing probably already has a plan. He just hasn't told Xuanyue yet. Otherwise, given Xuanqing's personality, he would have told us about the situation in Mondstadt directly in the letter, instead of just asking us to come and meet him."

"Huh! How did you figure that out?"

“After all, this is someone else’s territory, and he’s the Demon God who controls the wind. If he wanted to, he could sense the contents of Xuan Qing’s letter. That’s why he used ‘you’ as the first word in his letter. I’m afraid Barbatos has already noticed them, perhaps even right in front of them.” Morax explained to Gui Zhong while reviewing the documents.

"As expected of Xuan Qing, but Xuan Yue could tell at a glance that he wasn't pretending at all."

"Trust Xuanqing; he has his own plans."

One month later——

"Xuanqing, is your plan feasible?" Xuanyue looked at the shopping list Xuanqing had written, somewhat troubled. It wasn't that he didn't know how to buy things; during his month in Mondstadt, he had become acquainted with most of the Mondstadt residents. Now, the entire Mondstadt knew that a Liyue merchant was temporarily residing there, investing a considerable amount of Mora in the Knights of Favonius, which had significantly improved their lives. Consequently, the people of Mondstadt had become much more enthusiastic about this foreign merchant.

What's troubling Xuan Yue right now is the list of hook fruits, apples, sunset fruits, and several large boxes of raw meat.

“Oh, these are for the wolves,” Xuan Qing said, somewhat muttering to himself as they sat in their room.

"Wolves? Why?"

"Didn't you listen again yesterday? I've repeated it for the 15th time."

"Uh, the story was too soothing, I fell asleep..." Xuan Yue's voice sounded a little embarrassed.

"To make a long story short, we need to find the Wolf King, who was once one of the strong contenders for the divine position in Mondstadt."

"Oh, I found out later that he's now also a member of Barbatos's retinue, so what brings us to see him this time?"

“Let him pass on our message.” Xuan Qing replied while packing his belongings. “Morac and his men are already on their way. Now that we’ve gotten over the identity issue, we can start casting our net.”

"Oh, so you're trying to trap me like a turtle in a jar?"

“Barbatos is harder to catch than a turtle. He blends in with a bunch of mortals, so we have to use some tricks to lure him out and force him to show himself.”

"Hey, you don't understand again. Anyway, you can do it today. I'll just watch the show. Also, you should be careful too."

"Understood." Xuan Qing took the documents and went downstairs.

"Airi, how's the preparation going?" Xuanqing asked the maid who was checking the goods.

After all, such a large estate needs people to manage it, so Xuanqing and the others recruited some people to help. Ai Rui was the head maid, quick-witted and with a good business sense, so Xuanqing promoted her to this position to manage it together with her brother, the butler, Viktor.

"Everything is ready."

"Alright, the people from Liyue will arrive in a few days. Arrange for some people to accompany them to transport the goods. I'm going out to discuss some more business, so I probably won't be back until very late."

"Okay, Grandpa, have a safe trip."

Xuan Qing nodded and left the manor, heading towards the Wolf Territory.

"Awoo~" The howls of wolves echoed through the valley, and the timid would probably turn to jelly and be unable to get up.

"Hmph, the Wolf King is near." Xuan Qing's purple eyes flickered slightly. After sensing the Wolf King's aura, he picked up a bow and arrow out of thin air and ran in that direction.

"Awooo!!" Seeing that the human ignored their warnings, the wolf pack called out to their companions, one cry louder than the other, and charged toward the ignorant human.

Xuan Qing watched the wolf pack attack without taking it seriously. He nocked an arrow, fired, and ice spikes appeared on the ground, blocking the wolf pack's path of attack.

Unbeknownst to him, Xuan Qing found himself in an open area that appeared to be ruins, surrounded by a dense pack of wolves.

“Wolf King, I have a deal I’d like to discuss with you,” Xuan Qing said, seeing that there was still no movement around him. “It concerns Barbatos.”

At this moment, a strong wind blew up all around, and the leaves blocked Xuan Qing's vision. When he opened his eyes again, a giant wolf with white and blue stripes appeared in front of him.

"Human, do you know what you're saying?"

"Heh." Xuan Qing sneered, took out a talisman and threw it into the air. A magic array unfolded, covering the open space.

"Alright, Andrius, now that you've come out, it means we can sign a contract. I just hope that no one else, not even the demons, will overhear it."

"Tell me your purpose first, and how dare you, a mere mortal, address me by my name!" The Wolf King was somewhat angry, feeling insulted by being addressed by a mortal.

Xuan Qing sighed, covered his eyes with one hand, and his clothes changed noticeably. When he took his hand down, the aura he exuded before the Wolf King was no longer that of a mortal, but that of a demon god.

"Now, how about we have a proper talk?" Xuan Qing's purple eyes opened, exerting an invisible pressure on the wolf king opposite him.

"You are a demon!"

"Please calm down. If I wanted to fight you, you are not the same as Pirias now. You wouldn't last a breath against me." Xuan Qing released his pressure after speaking, instantly making the Wolf King understand the difference between them.

"The wolf will never yield!"

“I didn’t ask you to submit. I said I wanted to make a deal with you.” Xuan Qing withdrew his oppressive aura and said to the Wolf King, “I know you are now Barbatos’s servant. I need you to pass on a veiled message to him.”

Why should I help you?

"Just because it's almost springtime and your wolf clan's food reserves are about to run out, if you don't find a food source soon, the wolf clan will suffer heavy casualties and will even fall apart."

"..." The wolf king fell silent. What Xuan Qing said was true. Without food, the wolf pack would be broken up, or even migrate and disperse, and their numbers would gradually decrease. Even he, as the wolf king, could not solve this disaster.

"Here you go." Xuan Qing waved his hand lightly, and the food on the list appeared in front of the Wolf King.

"What do you want me to say to him?"

"It seems you've agreed. Those who break their promises will be punished."

"Breaking your promise?"

"Don't worry about it. I am a demon god from Liyue, on the other side of the mountain. Liyue values ​​contracts and has its own order, which is very orderly."

"I am very curious as to why a demon god from another realm would come to Mondstadt. Is it to start a war with Mondstadt?" The wolf king's eyes flashed with murderous intent again.

"For personal reasons, out of respect for me as the Night Demon God Joavis, and my purpose in coming here is naturally to find Barbatos."

The wolf king remained unmoved: "What do you need me to do?"

"Tell him to come find me. If he doesn't, I will unleash a blizzard in Mondstadt. I wonder if the demon god, who has just awakened from his slumber, still has the power he once had to blow away the blizzard that has swept through Mondstadt."

"What exactly are you..." Before the wolf king could finish speaking, ice spread out beneath Xuan Qing's feet, and a blizzard swept through the area.

"Seven days is the limit." After saying that, Xuan Qing tore through space and time and disappeared from the spot.

"Barbatos..."

On the cliff—

A pair of hands that had been playing the piano stopped his music: "Ah~, the otherworldly demon god Ruyavis, the limit is 7 days, then let's go in 6 days. Oh, this dandelion wine is truly never tiring to drink."

Meanwhile, on Xuanqing's side—

"Will this method work? You're not really going to send down that blizzard in seven days, are you?" Xuan Yue's voice came through.

"Why not? Don't forget that our authority is order itself. Mondstadt was once covered in snow, but Barbatos easily blew it away. Don't you think there's anything wrong with that?"

"Hmm... let me think... never mind, I can't figure it out. Anyway, in your words, the net has been cast, and we're just waiting for the fish to run into it."

“That’s a case of willing takers; you and Morax should learn from that.”

"He's a broken rock, no fun at all."

“Xuan Yue, our true form is also stone…” Xuan Qing was embarrassed (-_-||).

“Uh…” Xuan Yue was a little embarrassed.

"Alright, let's take a look next... Hmm, Viktor has already packed the Mondstadt-style clothing he ordered, as well as the Mondstadt food recipes and such. Let's go back and check them." Xuanqing checked these things as he walked back to the manor.

"Hey, Qingyue!" Aaron ran over from a distance, and Qingyue put away her documents and stopped.

"Is there something you need?" Xuan Qing asked, glancing at Aaron. He wasn't dressed in knight's attire or casual clothes; instead, he was dressed in something particularly flamboyant. In Liyue, humans only dress up for important occasions, and it seemed Mondstadt was the same.

"What, can't I just say hello and chat with you if there's nothing wrong?"

"That's certainly possible, but you have an important occasion to attend right now."

"Hehe, yes...yes, never mind, it's nothing that can't be said, it's just a family gathering."

"Oh, that's really important. Go early, don't be late."

“Oh, Qingyue, I came to see you because I wanted to introduce you to those nobles. You want to develop your business in Mondstadt, right? I think we are not only friends, but also business partners, so I want to give you a hand.”

"Thank you, but no need." Xuan Qing decisively refused: "During my month in Mondstadt, countless people came to discuss business with me, especially nobles with the surname Lawrence. They said they wanted to restore the glory of the nobility, but I refused them directly."

"Oh, it's those people. They're just unwilling to give up on the idea of ​​the aristocracy's power being overthrown."

"I know. As for your family, I believe helping me will come at a price, so I won't trouble them."

"Alright, then be careful on your way back. I've heard there are a lot of robbers roaming around here lately, and it's hard to guard against them."

"Thank you for informing me." Xuan Qing bid farewell to Aaron, watching his hurried departing figure, before walking back to the manor alone.

On the way, he had just opened the file when an arrow flew towards him, which he quickly dodged.

"Sorry, it slipped, but I don't think it will happen again next time. If you don't want this arrow to be shot, then hand over your valuables." A group of masked bandits with weapons appeared in front of Xuan Qing.

(Oh dear, it seems these people have been watching us for a while now, following us all the way.)

(bother!)

(Uh, Xuanqing, you wouldn't...)

(Some goods haven't been purchased yet, they're not on the list, and there's still the need for manpower recruitment, food supplies, medicine subsidies, etc. Just now, Aaron was too angry, so...)

"I'm in a bad mood anyway, so I'll use you as my target." Xuan Qing drew his bow and arrow and charged towards the group of bandits.

(My condolences to you all.) Xuan Yue thought silently.

……

--the next day--

"Ha~, the party was too late yesterday, I almost didn't get up this morning. Hey cousin! What are you doing here..." Aaron was a little surprised to see Cyril at the entrance of the Knights, but when he walked over, he saw a group of people who had been knocked unconscious and tied up.

"Did you bring these people? What did they do?" Cyril asked, turning to them.

"Huh? I don't know. Wait, there's a note here." Aaron picked up the note from the ground and read it.

"Robbers, time of crime: evening, gang: 25 people, total stolen amount: over 15 rupees (found in the nearby bushes)"

Aaron looked at the handwriting on the note; how should I put it, it was very elegant and refined…