Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Early in the morning, Xuan Yue happily flew off to Mondstadt to find the Traveler, carrying the letter written by Xuan Qing in its beak. As for Xuan Qing, he had gone out early that morning, and Xuan Yue said he didn't know where he went—surely he couldn't have gotten lost…

Kong and Paimon had just received a letter from the Knights and were about to go find Diluc when they saw Xuan Yue flying over.

Paimon: "Hey, Xuan Yue's here! You really love joining in the fun, but what's this?"

Kong took the letter from Xuan Yue's mouth: "It's Qing Yue's letter."

Paimon: "Quick, look at what's written on it!"

I opened the envelope, and the contents of the letter immediately revealed the writer's personality:

Traveler:

Xuan Yue entrusts you with your care for two days; you will surely repay me handsomely.

Paimon: "This style is obviously Qingyue's."

Kong: "Qingyue asked us to take care of Xuanyue for the time being, so Xuanyue, please give us your guidance."

Xuan Yue: "Chirp chirp." (Please give me your guidance.)

Paimon held Xuan Yue in his hands and said, "Xuan Yue, don't run around. We're going to Dawn Winery to find Diluc, and we also have a letter for him."

Kong: "Then let's go."

Because the incident was urgent, both Kong and Paimon ran to the Dawn Winery.

"Lord Diluc! Listen to me, we were just at the Knights of Favonius..." Paimon was very excited to explain his purpose as soon as he saw Diluc.

Diluc: "Is this a challenge from the Abyss Order? I already know. Thank you for making the trip."

Paimon: "Huh?"

Diluc: "Dawn Winery's intelligence network is not limited to business intelligence."

Paimon: "So, what does Lord Diluc intend to do?"

Diluc: "What are your opinions?"

Sora: "Let's join forces with the Knights..."

Diluc: "That would play right into the hands of the Abyss Order. They know I don't get along with the Knights and want to force me to show myself to them."

Diluc: "Once my identity is exposed, my future actions will inevitably be subject to interference from the Knights. After all, no organization that holds power is willing to let outsiders 'act as agents of justice.'"

"Ugh... The Abyss Order has really created a big problem for them now. Those cunning fellows." Paimon stomped her feet in anger, startling the Crescent Moon in her palm, which then flew to Kong's head to continue watching the show.

Paimon: "Ah! Xuan Yue... I'm sorry, I forgot you were here..."

Xuan Yue: "Chirp chirp chirp." (I'm not going to argue with you.)

Diluc: "There is still a way, but we need to establish some intelligence advantage first... the intelligence that was deliberately concealed in the challenge."

"Deliberately concealing? You mean the parts that are incomprehensible?" Paimon stared at the letter, wishing he could bore a hole through it to find the hidden information.

Diluc: "It must be some kind of 'cipher' format that only they understand, circulating internally."

Kong: "Could it be that the 'challenge' was actually meant for our own people?"

Diluc: "So that wasn't just a 'challenge,' it was their own 'announcement of action.' When opposing sides clash, the 'hero' in one side's eyes is inevitably the 'villain' in the other's."

Diluc: "Since I've been playing the 'villain' for so long... the Abyss Order making me their target will surely unite their forces."

"...Wow...Does being a hero mean you have to have such a brilliant mind?" Paimon's head was spinning.

Xuan Yue: (If it were Xuan Qing, he probably wouldn't have given such a detailed explanation. Paimon, you should be grateful.)

Diluc: "I just know them very well, just as I said, 'heroes' are also 'villains' from another perspective."

Paimon: "So what should we do with all that incomprehensible intelligence...?"

Diluc: "If you don't understand, just ask. It's simple. I've already located one of their bases... If you're interested, come with me."

Since the parties involved had said so, Kong and Paimon naturally agreed. With Kong and Diluc's skills, they easily captured an Abyss Mage. Under coercion and enticement, the Abyss Mage honestly confessed the truth.

Abyss Mage: "I'll talk, I'll talk! Cough cough cough... Stop it, I'll confess everything!! The Order... the Order has gathered all the forces that hate 'Night Heroes,' preparing to launch a surprise attack on Mondstadt through the main gate around 10 PM tomorrow night... That's all I know... Really, I... can't take that kind of fire anymore..."

Diluc: "Is that all? Hmm... Never mind, I doubt you'd dare to hide anything anymore."

Empty: "Tomorrow night at 10 PM..."

Diluc then swiftly and decisively dealt with the abyss mage, which startled Paimon.

Diluc: "Now that I have the intelligence, I'll make some preparations. If possible, I hope you can keep an eye on the Knights' movements regarding this matter."

“Yes, sir! As you command, Master Diluc!” Paimon’s sudden unusual behavior caught Diluc’s attention.

Diluc: "...What's wrong with you all of a sudden?"

Paimon: "Since, since just now... Lord Diluc has been ranked number one on Paimon's list of 'people Paimon should never mess with'!"

Diluc:......

null:……

Xuan Yue: (Hahahaha.)

-----

The scene shifts to an unused room on the second floor of the Knights' Order building. Xuan Qing sits in a chair, casually passing the time by reading the books in the room. Clearly, he is waiting for someone.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Mr. Qingyue, I just finished a meeting and I'm late." A voice rang out, and the person who entered the room was Kaiya.

Xuan Qing: "There are extenuating circumstances. I am not an unreasonable person."

Kaiya: "Does the gentleman have any dietary restrictions?"

Xuan Qing: "No."

Kaiya soon brought a plate of fruit and a cup of tea and placed them on the table before sitting down opposite Xuanqing.

Kaia: "So where do we begin?"

Xuan Qing: "Captain Kaiya, why don't you answer a few questions for me? Of course, in return, I can answer any questions you may have in person."

Kaiya: "Oh? Then why wouldn't Mr. Kiyotsuki hide anything from me?"

Xuanqing: "I believe Mr. Kaeya has also heard of Liyue's contract, which stipulates that those who break their contracts will be punished for breaking their promises."

Kaeya: "Sir, you're a straightforward person, but... I doubt you'd ask about anything too private. Like, the Knights' internal secrets or something..."

Xuan Qing: "You don't need to pretend you know nothing. We reached an agreement last night. I just want to know, what does Dawn Winery mean to you?"

The room fell silent. Kaeya's expression showed a moment of surprise, but he quickly regained his smile. "Sir, you've investigated me specifically..." He paused and continued, "I was abandoned by my parents... and then taken in by the former owner of Dawn Winery, who is also Diluc's father." Kaeya's tone was as if he were telling a story, not his own.

"When I first arrived, I was very uneasy in the unfamiliar environment. I was cautious, afraid that the owner of this house might be unhappy and throw me out again, leaving me to wander alone. Back then, Diluc was not like he is now. He shared almost everything he could with me, such as... toys, snacks, and my father... Even now, we still play the same childish games as before."

Xuan Qing listened quietly; he understood what Kaiya meant, even though he hadn't uttered the word…

Kaiya: "I actually have a very good answer to your question, sir. You already have the answer in your heart, don't you?"

Xuan Qing: "Thank you."

Kaiya: "In exchange, how about you take some time to watch a play with me?"

Xuan Qing: "The contract has been established, and I have no intention of violating it."

Kaeya: "So... um?"

Downstairs, Kaeya saw the Traveler and Paimon appear in their line of sight, and they walked towards the soldier named Hoffman downstairs.

Kaiya smiled slightly and said, "Sir, our conversation ends here for today. I will take my leave now. I hope you will do me the honor of accompanying this lowly cavalry captain to a performance tomorrow night."

Xuan Qing didn't answer, but Kaiya knew he had agreed. She smiled slightly and went downstairs to prepare for the scene to come...

(The answer...it's all the same, it's just going back again...) Xuan Qing's face showed difficulty, and his lips visibly paled...

(Joavis...you...you're such a coward...)