Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

The Great Compassion Tree King stood on her high position, looking at the silent Xuan Yue who was being held captive. She sighed, then walked down the steps one by one until she stood before Xuan Yue.

Xuan Yue was startled when a pair of jade-like feet suddenly appeared in front of her, thinking she had been discovered while trying to watch the drama unfold. But in the eyes of the Great Compassion Tree King, she was just a child frightened by the guards.

"Little one, how old are you?" the Great Tree King asked gently.

Xuan Yue was thinking to himself (should he answer with Xuan Qing's number or mine?). Fortunately, he had interacted with many young people in Mondstadt, so he just gave a random number: "16 years old".

Upon hearing this, the Great Compassion Tree King asked again, "Is there anyone else in the house?"

“I only have one brother… but he suddenly disappeared, so I came looking for him… and that’s how I got here…” Xuan Yue tried hard to organize his thoughts. He had no choice; he had never lied before, so he could only give a half-truthful answer.

The Great Tree King's eyes revealed compassion: "I'm sorry for making you go through all this. How about this, you come back to the rainforest with me. My home is very close to your hometown. I can use my authority to help you find your brother as compensation, how about that?"

"Really...really?" Xuan Yue was somewhat surprised, but still wanted to try.

"Um, what's your name?"

"Qingyue."

“Nasita,” Ahmar, high above, called out the name of the Great Tree King. “This human carries the aura of a demon god.” His cold words and powerful pressure swept over Xuan Yue.

(Oh no, what excuse should I come up with?) Xuan Yue lowered his head, his face hidden in shadow as he pondered. The oppressive aura was insignificant to him, but he still had to put on an act.

"Pfft!" Xuan Yue spat out a mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning deathly pale. His body slumped to the side like a kite with a broken string, expecting to hit the floor, but unexpectedly, the Great Compassion Tree King, who was closest to him, caught him in its arms and released its oppressive aura.

"Stop!" Seeing the Great Tree King intervene, Ahmar withdrew his oppressive aura.

The Great Compassion Tree King looked at the unconscious Xuan Yue in his arms and sighed: "I'll keep this child. I'll go back first and come back to discuss it with you later."

"Hmm." Ahmar responded, his gaze remaining fixed on the unconscious people until they were out of sight, before turning his attention to the guards: "Tell me."

……

The Great Compassion Tree King carried Xuan Yue back to Sumeru. Just as he placed her on the soft couch, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

The one who entered was the Great Tree King's scribe: "My lord! Something terrible has happened!"

"What's the matter? Tell me slowly."

"A group of patients appeared in the Order House, with black spots resembling scales appearing on their bodies, as well as weakness in their hands and feet."

"I'll be there right away. While you're at it, send someone to check on the child." After giving these instructions, the Great Tree King hurriedly left the room with the scribe.

As soon as they left, Xuan Yue, who had been keeping his eyes closed, opened them: "It's begun." He showed no pity for the current situation of these people. He was already well aware of the cruelty of the Demon God War. After all, it was the choice of those in power, and they had to bear it.

Xuan Yue got out of bed and looked out the window at the sea of ​​people below, all anxiously seeking medical help, her gaze indifferent.

—At the gate of the Order of the Fathers—

"What! You have no idea! Aren't you scholars? How could you not know? My child is dying!" the woman at the door shouted.

"My child was reading a storybook and suddenly fainted! These scale-like things have grown all over his body! You don't know?! We'll ask the Tree King!" a father cried out, holding his young child.

"Yes, yes, yes! The Tree King is all-knowing and all-powerful, we want to see the Tree King!"

"We want to see the Tree King!"

"Lord Tree King!!!"

The crowd was beginning to show signs of rioting, and the discipline officers were about to lose control.

"Everyone, the Tree King has appeared!" the scribe shouted hastily, temporarily calming the rioting crowd. Then, the Great Compassionate Tree King appeared before them. She frowned slightly, looking at the children and young people who lay weakly on the ground or held in their families' arms.

Their bodies and hands were covered in dark, scaly patches, which seemed to be spreading all over their bodies.

"Everyone, this is the first time this kind of illness has occurred. I will go to the World Tree to find the answer and the solution. Please don't panic." The Great Tree King said these words to comfort everyone, and at the same time, he used some of his power to suppress the illness and buy some time.

By the time the crowd had dispersed, it was already evening.

"Um... sir..." Xuan Yue said weakly. He knew his own persona. It was just pretending to be weak. It wasn't like he hadn't done it before. It was just that Xuan Qing was stubborn and wouldn't listen to reason.

When the Great Compassion Tree King saw the person who came, a smile appeared on his face: "You're awake. Is there anything else that's bothering you?"

Xuan Yue shook her head and said, "Well, I think I'll go back to Liyue first. I feel like you'll be very busy afterwards..."

The Great Tree King looked at the child before him and sighed inwardly: (This child is too sensible. He almost lost his life and still thought of not causing me any trouble, but...)

Thinking of the demon's words and the deadline, she couldn't help but sigh and say, "Alright, I'll send someone to take you home."

"No...no need, I can walk back by myself...I still remember the way..." (If I have someone follow me, I definitely won't be able to get back. Who would live in a celestial abode!) Xuan Yue cried out inwardly, but in the eyes of the Great Compassionate Tree King, he was just being too considerate and unwilling to trouble himself, thus freeing up manpower.

"How about this, I'll send a message to the demon gods of Liyue and have them send someone to pick you up, okay?"

(No way! I have no dignity!) Xuan Yue was on the verge of a breakdown. He couldn't imagine what would happen if Morax and his gang found out about his situation.

"No need... Thank you for your kindness, Tree King. But the Emperor and the Heavenly Emperor are very busy, so please don't trouble them."

"Wait, who did you say?" The Great Compassion Tree King keenly sensed the person Xuan Yue was referring to, or rather, the Demon God.

"Don't you Liyue worship the Geo Archon Morax? How come you have another Archon?"

"Doesn't Your Majesty know? A few years ago, we in Liyue gained a new Demon God. He calls himself the Night Demon God, Ruyavis, and we people of Liyue revere him as Lord Mingye Tianjun." Xuan Yue said neither humbly nor arrogantly, his eyes even shining brightly. He was really good at promoting himself; he successfully changed the subject. Hehe, now there's no need to worry.

"So how much do you know about this demon god?" The Great Tree King had a premonition that this demon god was probably the one in question.

"The Celestial Lord is on par with the Emperor, a demon god who wields the power of 'Order,' so half of Liyue's peace depends on the Celestial Lord." Hearing the word "Order" from Xuan Yue's mouth, she knew her premonition was correct.

"The taboo has disrupted the order!"

"What will be the consequences of further delay!"

"Three years' deadline, or divine punishment will descend!"

.........

Xuan Yue's words echoed in the Great Compassion Tree King's ears as she carefully recalled them. Seeing this, Xuan Yue knew her reminder had worked. Seeing that she was still deep in thought with her eyes closed, she left a letter and gently placed it beside her.

"I'm leaving..." Xuan Yue carefully retreated and closed the door.

The moment the door closed, Xuan Yue patted her chest, nearly scared to death. Even if she hadn't known that the Great Compassion Tree King had no intention of laughing at her, she would still have been shaken.

"Hurry back to Liyue and tell them." Seeing that no one was around, Xuan Yue immediately used her power to teleport to an open area, then summoned Shao Yang and flew back to Liyue on her sword.

The question is why he didn't tear through space and go back directly. Because he is Xuan Yue, not Xuan Qing. (π_π)