Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Xuan Qing was disturbed by Wendy's words and felt restless all day, unable to concentrate on his studies. He decided to get up and go for a walk to clear his head...

Under the setting sun in Mondstadt, the entire meadow was bathed in a golden glow. Looking at this picturesque scene, Xuan Qing felt as if he were seeing the original Guili Plain. The lilies blooming on the grassland added a unique beauty. Gui Zhong was crouching among the flowers, preparing to catch butterflies, while Morax leaned against a tree not far away, taking a nap with his eyes closed. Ruo Tuo, arms crossed, jokingly teased Gui Zhong, making Gui Zhong want to jump up and hit him. Mark Hughes stepped in to break them up…

He couldn't help but reach out his hand, but the image shattered, and he realized he wasn't in Guili Plains, nor in Liyue, and they weren't here either. His hand was silently withdrawn...

He kept walking forward until the sun set and the moon hung high in the night sky. He traversed mountains and plains, and unknowingly found himself on the sea. Ice surged beneath his feet; the thick ice prevented him from falling in, but he was neither far nor near the shore…

In the woods behind him, Kaiya watched the unfolding scene from a short distance away. He lowered his head and pondered for a while, then looked up again, only to find the figure had vanished. At the same time, he sensed danger approaching.

"Um... I just happened to be passing by and got lost in thought. Mr. Qingyue wouldn't be so petty, would he?" Kaiya didn't turn around, but behind him was Xuanqing holding an ordinary sword pointed at his neck. If he turned around, he would surely die on the spot.

Xuan Qing: "Aren't you tired of following me all this way?"

Kaiya: "You see, sir, you seem to have something on your mind, so I just got curious..."

Xuan Qing ignored Kaiya's glib tongue, sheathed his sword, and prepared to leave.

Kaiya: "Hey! Sir, it's so late, aren't you going to go for a drink together? Maybe I can help you out of your predicament..."

Xuan Qing: "Stop thinking about it. You won't get any information from me."

Kaiya: "It's really heartbreaking for you to say that, sir. How about we talk about your own life? In exchange, I'll share my past with you, how about that?"

Xuanqing: ...

Xuan Yue's side—

The crescent moon materialized in its true form and flew above Mondstadt: (Night Hero...who is the Night Hero?)

When Xuan Yue heard Wendy say that "Hero of the Night" could resolve Xuan Qing's inner conflict, he pressed for details about who he was. As it turned out, the unreliable poet told him a story, a mysterious figure who only appears at midnight to punish evil and promote good.

So he waited until nightfall to search the skies above Mondstadt, but instead of seeing any mysterious figures, he caught a few "night owls".

Diluc: "Although I avoided the guards' patrol route... I didn't expect to run into you here."

Kong: "I knew it! You're the Night Hero!"

Diluc: "'Night Hero'?... Did you come up with such a cliché name?"

Paimon: "Huh? You haven't heard of it yourself? The whole of Mondstadt is talking about the 'Night Hero'!"

Diluc: "Boring rumors, whatever, consider it proof of peace."

Paimon: "Hehe~ Now the mystery of the 'Night Hero' is finally solved!"

Diluc: "...Okay, stop calling me by that name, it makes me feel uncomfortable."

Paimon: "Exactly. 'Night Hero' is too lame! It should be changed to a more romantic title."

Paimon: "Hmm...hmm...yes..."

Diluc: "Sure?"

Sora: "Correct?"

Paimon: "The 'Just Man'! Mr. 'Just Man,' what exactly happened just now?"

Diluc: "...It's the Abyss Order."

Paimon: "It's them again?"

Diluc: "I wonder what kind of scheme they're plotting lately, like they're doing some kind of reconnaissance. I've already seen through their tricks so many times... and they still won't give up."

Xuan Yue, who was hiding to the side, couldn't help but chirp, which startled the three of them.

Diluc: "Who's there!"

Xuan Yue: (Oh no, how could I make such a silly mistake...)

With no other option, Xuan Yue flew down from the wall and landed on Kong's shoulder.

Paimon: "Oh! It's Xuan Yue! You startled me. But what are you doing here? Where's Grandpa Qing Yue?"

Xuan Yue lowered her head at the mention of Xuan Qing, looking particularly dejected.

Kong: "Could something have happened to Qingyue?"

Diluc: "Unlikely. With Qingyue's skills, there are probably few who can rival her in the entire Mondstadt."

Paimon: "Then!...Could it be the Fools?"

Diluc: "Jane has received word that the lady has returned to Winter, and they are no longer in danger."

Paimon: "What else? Oh... if Xuan Yue could talk..."

Xuan Yue: (I can say it! Oh well, might as well try anything.)

Xuan Yue flew directly onto Diluc's shoulder and pointed in the direction of Xuan Qing's manor, indicating that he should follow him to the manor to talk to that big iceberg.

"Could it be that Xuan Yue wants to watch the show?" Paimon guessed, noticing that Xuan Yue was pointing directly at the fallen Abyss Mage.

This time, Xuan Yue didn't shake his head. To be honest, he really wanted to see it, but the main problem was that no one here could understand him. Oh well, since he knew that "Night Hero" was Diluc, he could just find a reason to bring Xuan Qing to him later. With that thought, Xuan Yue continued to watch the show with a clear conscience.

Kong Kanxuanyue did not shake her head and said, "It seems so. Last time, Xuanyue flew away on its own and Qingyue came out to look for it. I hope it won't be the same this time."

Xuan Yue: (Hey, that's Xuan Qing! Not me!)

Paimon: "Oh yeah! Then why don't we just let Xuan Yue stay with us and return him to Qing Yue later?"

Diluc: "In that case, this guy is yours. I've been chatting with you for so long, so why don't you do me a favor?"

Paimon: "Huh? What kind of help does Lord Diluc need?"

Diluc: "Keep my identity a secret. Especially don't let the Knights of Favonius know about my actions."

Just then, footsteps came from not far away.

Paimon: "Huh, what's that sound? Is it reinforcements from the Abyss Order?"

Diluc: "Just a few minor characters, you should be able to handle them easily. I can't let these brutes hold me back, so I'll leave it to you to deal with them. Don't forget to keep this a secret, see you later."

Paimon: "Hey! You're just leaving like that?"

Unfortunately, Diluc had already quickly gone far away. Instead, soldiers from the Knights of Favonius arrived. Xuan Yue watched as Sora and Paimon's lie was exposed, leaving them extremely embarrassed. But as she watched, she sensed something strange about the Knights' attitude. The leading soldier of the Knights told Sora and Paimon to come to the Knights' headquarters to see him the next day.

Xuan Yue: (What to do? I've only been watching half the show, and my brain is about to explode!)

But it was already very late, and if he didn't go back soon, Xuanqing would probably come looking for him again.

Paimon: "Sigh, is Xuan Yue leaving too?"

Xuan Yue: "Chirp chirp!" (Goodbye!)

Kong: "Bye-bye. Go back properly this time and don't wander off again."

After Xuan Yue returned home and transformed into human form, she noticed that Xuan Qing was looking out the window alone. He was looking towards the snow-capped mountains, and behind the snow-capped mountains... was Li Yue.

Xuanqing turned to look at him: "You're back."

Xuan Yue: "Um... Ah Qing... can I talk to you about something...?"

Xuan Qing smiled helplessly: "Is it because you didn't have enough snacks or because you didn't get enough of the show..."

Xuan Yue chuckled, realizing that Xuan Qing's offer made it highly likely he would agree: "Well, I'd like to go with Kong and Paimon these next couple of days. They're going to the Knights' Order to get something tomorrow, and I'm really curious..."

Xuanqing nodded and said, "Yes, I happen to have something to do these two days and I have an appointment to meet with someone. I'll write a letter and you can take it to that traveler tomorrow. I'll ask him to take care of you for a while."

Xuan Yue cheered happily, "Ah Qing, you're the best..."