Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

After Xuan Yue's anger had subsided, Xuan Qing put him back on her shoulder.

"Wendy, you need to learn a lesson."

"Oh dear, Grandpa Qingyue, I'm just telling the truth." Wendy even sounded aggrieved; anyone who didn't know him would probably have been fooled.

"This petty squabble can end here. I just heard about the thief from the guards." Diluc crossed his arms and looked at the group of people in green, yellow, and white. "Let me make this clear first: I admire your audacity in daring to steal the Sky Harp. Even if you're idiots, you're the kind of idiots you see only once in a millennium."

"We didn't steal it! The real culprit is someone else—" Paimon immediately panicked. If they had stolen it, they wouldn't have bothered to argue, but someone else had intercepted it. They were just scapegoats.

“This is the rising star of the Knights of Favonius, how could he steal Mondstadt’s relics?” Wendy argued in support of Kong, sticking to his guns and denying everything.

"A rising star...? Ah, it's you. What, are you acquainted with that bard?"

Kong: "Actually, we're not that close."

"Hmm... As a traveler, I am willing to lend a helping hand to Mondstadt in its time of crisis."

"It's such a waste for someone like that to join the Knights of Favonius. The Knights of Favonius... have always been hesitant and inefficient on the issue of Stormterror. They're also weak and conservative in their diplomacy with the Fatui. Tsk... never mind, I don't want to bring this up anymore." Diluc appreciated the air's actions, but he clearly had some resistance to the Knights of Favonius.

"Alright, first answer why you stole that violin." Xuan Qing could tell that Diluc had run out of patience with their attempts to change the subject, so she stopped them in time.

“It seems Lord Diluc really dislikes the Knights of Favonius.” Wendy was somewhat troubled. “Do you really want to know? It might get you into trouble involving the Knights.”

"Ha. I'm not afraid of trouble; I myself am trouble for the Knights."

"So, if I were to tell a true story, would you believe me?"

"It depends on the situation, I will make a judgment."

"Where is Grandpa Qingyue?" Wendy asked Xuanqing after receiving Diluc's answer.

"I'm fine with it. If we can resolve the dragon scourge in Mondstadt, it would save us a lot of Mora in the business world."

"So, will you two grandfathers pay me for my performance?" Wendy's eyes lit up.

Diluc: "The reward ranges from 5 Mora to the Sky Harp, depending on your story."

Xuan Qing: "Price will be appraised later."

"Very good. I'll add another match then—"

Wendy took out his harp and sang the story again, explaining the whole story. But from Xuan Qing's perspective, it seemed this guy was completely disregarding the risk of exposure.

(Could it be just for drinking?) Xuan Yue and Xuan Qing whispered to each other. Xuan Qing looked at Diluc, who was deep in thought after listening to Wendy's singing and playing.

(It seems you guessed right.)

Diluc: "This is an important secret. Why did you let me know this?"

"Why? Hmm, perhaps it's because the wind direction is changing. What do you two think?"

Diluc: "Interesting. Give me some time, and I can try to make the connection..."

Xuan Qing: "I can provide some information."

"Oh, does Grandpa Qingyue have any insights?" Paimon was not as nervous as when they first met; on the contrary, he was quite excited.

"According to Paimon's description, if you fail to obtain the Sky Harp, then the only ones capable of accomplishing this within the city are probably the Fatui. Diluc doesn't need to send any more people to gather information, after all, they wouldn't be foolish enough to leave such an obvious and mysterious relic of Mondstadt in the Goethe Hotel."

Sora: "Where would it be?"

"There are many ruins outside Mondstadt, but only about 10% of them were once inhabited by the Fatui. I'll send people to help, and I'll give you an answer tomorrow night."

Diluc: "Stranger, you seem to have escaped suspicion because of your status as a member of the Knights of the Order. The only distinguishing feature on the wanted poster is blond hair; the guards shouldn't come after you. But bard, you'd better not leave the tavern."

“No problem! I like pubs.” Wendy was pleased with the suggestion.

"Here you go." Xuan Qing handed Diluc a bag of Mora, which was quite heavy.

"Why is that, sir?"

"This guy's drink money."

"Grandpa Qingyue, you're the best!" Wendy tried to hug Xuanqing, but he dodged her.

"This is your reward, but considering that you spend most of your money at the tavern, it's easier to just give it to Diluc."

"Hey, you really know me well."

"Each each other."

Diluc: "Well then, we'll meet again here after the tavern closes tonight."

See you tomorrow, everyone.

"Chirp chirp." (See you tomorrow.)

"See you tomorrow, Grandpa Qingyue and..." Paimon was a little unsure how to address the bird.

"You can just call him Xuan Yue."

"Alright, goodbye Xuan Yue."

---

Kong and Paimon wandered around Mondstadt with some trepidation. Just as Diluc had said, the soldiers were initially suspicious, but once they remembered their identities, they ruled them out as suspects, which relieved them.

Time quickly passed to the early hours of the morning, and there was one more person than planned.

Wendy: "You're here."

"Huh? Aren't you... a traveler?"

"Aren't you... Qin?"

The newcomer was none other than Jean, the acting Grand Master of the Knights.

“First, I contacted more than one person. Second, this person is just ‘Jane,’ not Jean as ‘Chairman.’ Even as a Knight of Honor, you wouldn’t have the opportunity to contact her,” Diluc explained.

"What a surprise. I'd heard about the Sky Harp, but I never expected it to be you... So, is it true that the purifying power of the harp's music can restore the Wind Demon Dragon to normal?"

"That's right! Wen Yuan is currently actively involved on the front lines in resolving the Stormterror incident. He truly lives up to his reputation as a rising star of the Knights of Favonius." Wendy showered Sora with praise, making Sora a little embarrassed.

"Knock knock knock," came the knocking sound from the door. "It's me," came Xuan Qing's voice, but this time Xuan Yue was not by his side.

"Please come in." Diluc went to open the door.

Xuanqing wasn't surprised to see Jean. After all, a reasonable explanation was needed after the Dragon Plague was resolved. He and Diluc couldn't be fully exposed, and neither the Traveler nor the Bard were convincing. Naturally, only Jean, a figure with deep influence in Mondstadt, could provide a convincing explanation.

Of course, even if there was some surprise, it wouldn't show on his face.

"Is Mr. Qingyue also joining this operation?" As the acting leader, Jean naturally knew Xuanqing. Xuanqing's entry permit was to be handed to Jean, but it concerned trade between Liyue and Mondstadt, and this was the first time the two had met in an informal setting.

"The leader flatters me. Logically speaking, this is Mondstadt's internal affair, so I won't interfere too much. At most, I'll provide intelligence." Xuanqing stated his position as soon as he arrived, after all, he was from Liyue.

"Thank you. Due to diplomatic pressure from the 'Fools,' the Knights of Fathom Trees' find it difficult to publicly express goodwill towards Stormterror. That would be interpreted as tacit approval and inaction, so I had no choice but to act in secret."

"Hmph, that's one of the reasons I dislike the Knights. But I didn't expect you to trust a stranger of unknown origin so easily..." Diluc was referring to Sora and Paimon.

Qin: "Even someone as strict and cautious as our senior is someone we're willing to trust?"

Diluc: "Everyone says not to call me senior... Fine, let's cooperate this time since it's a rare occasion."

"Senior?" Kong asked, unusually so, but he seemed to be focusing on the wrong thing.

Qin:......

Diluc:......

"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. I believe Diluc must have some inside information to bring Jean here." Xuanqing skillfully diffused the awkward situation.

"Yes, in short, I have a general idea of ​​the true whereabouts of the Sky Harp. The conflict between Mondstadt and Winterspring is essentially a conflict between the Seven Kingdoms and the Seven Gods. The 'Fools,' led by the God of Ice, are coveting the divine power left behind by the God of Wind..."

Wendy: ...

Xuanqing secretly glanced at Wendy: ...

"So they'll propose taking over the city's defenses?" Kong recalled the scene yesterday morning when he and Paimon returned to Mondstadt and encountered the breakdown of negotiations between Jean and Winter's Messenger. At that time, Winter's Messenger did indeed propose that the Knights of the Night hand over the management of Mondstadt's defenses to them, and also said that they would kill that evil dragon.

Xuanqing: "Taking over the city's defenses and making this move in winter is tantamount to testing Mondstadt's bottom line. Fortunately, the guild leader did not back down, otherwise Mondstadt's situation would be very worrying."

“That’s right. If the Knights stop their attempt to openly kill the Wind Dragon, then… the Sky Harp will be the only source of the Wind God’s power they can obtain.”

“Then it’s my turn.” Xuanqing took out a map with several red circles marked on it, but one of them had a clear red cross. “These are the places where the Fools have been active in the past two days. I asked Xuanyue to investigate. This is where they keep the Sky Harp. If you go now, you should be able to stop them before they move the Sky Harp back to Winter.”

“No wonder Xuan Yue isn’t with you today.” Paimon noticed the detail, and Xuan Qing didn’t deny it: “Yes, he’s tired and sleeping at home. I’ll leave the mission to you. After all, this is a diplomatic struggle in Mondstadt, and it’s not very convenient for me, a Liyue native, to go.”

"Then let's meet up again after we get the Sky Harp."

"Well, have a safe journey. Wait... in Mondstadt, shouldn't we say 'May the Anemo Archon protect you'?"

Wendy, somewhat speechless, transmitted her voice to Xuan Qing: (Xuan Qing, you are not allowed to imitate Xuan Yue.)

Xuanqing: (Is it possible that I'm imitating you?)

Wendy: ...

"Then let's go, stranger." Diluc led them through the night...