Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

They followed the "Young Master" quickly into the "Northern Bank" and closed the door. To show his sincerity, the "Young Master" also moved all the fools who were still in the Northern Bank to wait outside.

[Young Master]: "Alright, we can discuss the main topic here."

Paimon: "So the 'Northern Bank' is for winter!"

"Young Master": "Haha, although Liyue is the most important commercial center in Teyvat, our country is also very wealthy."

Paimon retorted without holding back, "Yeah, poor countries can't afford diplomats who take advantage of the Knights of Favonius."

The "young master" remained noncommittal, but soon took a box from the safe behind the bank counter and handed it to Kong: "Here, this is for you."

Paimon: "What is this?"

Kong opened the box, inside which was a talisman. He had never seen this one before; the only one he had seen before was the one on Qingyue.

[Young Master]: "Who knows? Sometimes money can only buy 'things,' but not 'names.' Simply put, this thing is a token. It's a token that will prevent the 'Three-Eyed Five-Manifestation Immortal' from harming you."

Paimon: "You mean... an immortal?"

Xuan Yue: (What...are they planning...?)

"Young Master": "Leaving the city and heading north, west of Guili Plains, there is a stone forest called 'Jueyun'. The people of Liyue believe it to be the abode of immortals."

Sora: "You said 'believe'..."

[Young Master]: "That's right, they believe in the legends, so they only worship the immortals on the outskirts of Jueyun Pass and dare not venture further in. But I don't need to 'believe'—because I 'know' that the immortals of Jueyun Pass are real."

Xuan Yue: "What do you want with the immortals!"

"Young Master": "Haha, friend, we're on the same page now. What reasons do you think people have for seeking immortality? Some seek wealth, some seek healing, some seek marriage... and they're all seeking justice. And you—don't you want to heal your dearest friend?"

Xuan Yue looked at Xuan Qing, whose breathing was steady, as if he were asleep. He was actually very conflicted. What if those people saw him like this...

Seeing that Xuan Yue remained silent, "Young Master" continued his explanation: "The Seven Stars have dispatched the Thousand Rocks Army to search for an assassin among the spectators. But can a mortal assassinate that Martial God who swept through armies? The Rock King Emperor has never abandoned his divine power; this crude response is not up to their usual standard. It raises suspicion..."

Empty: "Is it to cover up the real killer?"

"Young Master": "Or...it's to cover something up, I can't say for sure. Right now, the Northern Bank can't indefinitely delay the Thousand Rock Army's search, but the Sages have no scruples. Liyue was founded by the Geo Archon and the Sages—of course, by force. If anyone in Liyue can help you now...it can only be the 'Three-Eyed Five-Manifestation Sages' of Jueyun Karst."

"Of course, if you're lucky, you might encounter the God of Order, who has awakened from his slumber. He's a god even our Queen fears. Although he doesn't hold one of the Seven Gods' positions, he's truly deserving of the title. With such a major event happening in Liyue, surely he won't remain secluded." "Young Master" specifically reminded them before they left.

Xuan Yue: (I'm so sorry, the original body is indeed still asleep...) In his arms...

But Xuan Yue really couldn't say it out loud. Since they were going to Jueyun Realm, they had to be quick, since they would have to go back sooner or later anyway.

Xuan Yue: "I'll lead the way."

Kong: "Then let's hurry up and go."

The two of them grabbed the talismans and rushed out the door, running quickly towards Jueyunjian.

"You! Wait for me!" They were running too fast, leaving Paimon far behind. Kong turned around, quickly braked, and ran back, pulling Paimon into his arms and carrying him to catch up with Xuan Yue ahead...

—Amidst the Clouds—

"Hmm? The aura of the Unfettered Record... Let's go out and take a look." Xiaoyue sensed someone's arrival and wanted to go out to investigate. Then she saw Kong and Paimeng walking ahead, scouting the way for Xuanyue who was carrying Xuanqing.

"Who are you, and why are you trespassing into 'Jueyunjian'?" Xiaoyue revealed her figure, startling everyone. Xuanyue took out a cloak from somewhere and covered Xuanqing with it to prevent her identity from being exposed.

“We were entrusted by someone…” Kong took out the talisman and stepped forward, letting Xiaoyue take a closer look.

"The 'Record of No Taboos'... I haven't seen this thing for many years. It turns out that mortals still possess remnants." Xiaoyue paused, then introduced himself: "I am the Three-Eyed, Five-Manifestation Immortal, the True Lord Xiaoyue Zhuyang. Travelers, state your purpose."

Paimon: "Actually..."

Xuan Yue interrupted the conversation, "Watch out! The pursuers are coming!"

The Thousand Rock Army had indeed arrived before them: "Assassins! They actually managed to sneak up here!"

Thousand Rock Army soldier: "Boss, we've gone too far into 'Jueyun's Lair'..."

Qianyan Army Instructor: "This... there's no other way. Capturing the assassin is the top priority. We have to go even if it's tough!"

Seeing that they were about to rush over, Kong immediately drew his sword to fight, while Paimon hid to the side, unaware that Xuan Yue had already quietly approached Xiao Yue.

Xuan Yue transmitted her voice: (Old friend, do me a favor...)

Xiao Yue was somewhat surprised, looking at the person in front of her who resembled Xiao, and asked: (Who are you!)

Xuan Yue: (I am Xuan Yue...)

Xiaoyue: (Heavenly Lord! You're awake!)

(Hmm... but Ah Qing is unconscious now... do you have any ideas?) Xuan Yue gestured for him to look at the person in her arms. Xiao Yue, seeing Xuan Yue secretly reveal the face of the unconscious person, temporarily suppressed her worries and transmitted her voice: (This is difficult... Li Shui and I are more skilled in talismans and formations. You'll probably have to go to Liu Yun. She often goes out to find herbs to experiment with her mechanisms; she knows more about these things than we do.)

Xuan Yue: (I understand... I will go find her...)

Xiaoyue: (However, how come you all mingle with mortals...) He still remembered how Xuanqing refused to associate with mortals before.

My thoughts drifted far away whenever the Xuan Yue was mentioned: (My suggestion...)

Cutting the Moon: ...

By this time, the Qianyan Army that had arrived had all been knocked unconscious, and they sheathed their swords to continue their previous conversation. He saw Xuan Yue holding Xuan Qing and, with a worried expression, hurriedly asked, "How is it? Does the immortal know what happened?"

Xuan Yue shook her head and said, "This immortal wants us to go to the cave of another immortal. Perhaps she can heal Qing Yue."

Paimon: "I see..."

Shaving Moon: "Now, let's get back to the main topic—traveler, tell us your thoughts."

Sora: "That's how it is..."

Kong and Paimon took turns recounting what had happened, with Xuan Yue adding details. Initially, Xiao Yue had only harbored suspicions, but those suspicions vanished after learning Xuan Yue's true identity…

"Outrageous...outrageous!!! The Seven Stars of Liyue...truly disappointing. How could anyone assassinate the Emperor during the 'Invitation to the Immortals Ceremony'...and after the Emperor's assassination...how can the suspicion be shifted to the mortals who witnessed the ceremony?!" Xiaoyue's anger surged instantly: "Traveler, I am already aware of your injustice in being falsely accused of being an assassin. I have already made my judgment. However, my decision alone may be flawed, and I must inform the other immortals. Go. Take your 'Unrestricted Password' and deliver my message."

Paimon: "Who are you going to see?"

"The True Lord of Water and Mountain Management and the True Lord of Cloud Retention and Wind Borrowing are often here, but you may not have the chance to meet them—just let fate decide. There is also a Great Sage Who Subdues Demons and a Dharma Protector Yaksha. Go to the 'Wangshu Inn,' you might find traces of them." After saying this, Xiaoyue turned to Xuanyue and said, "You should go to Mount Aozang; that is the residence of the True Lord of Cloud Retention and Wind Borrowing."

Xuan Yue: (This is the right thing to do... Sha Yue...)

Xuan Yue spoke into the air: "Let's split into two groups. I'll take Qing Yue to the cave of True Lord Liu Yun Jie Feng first, and we'll meet there."

Paimon: "But... there's only one copy of the Unbridled Record. If we split up..."

Xuan Yue: "Pai Meng, Qing Yue has another talisman here, which was bestowed by the Heavenly Lord many years ago. It is similar in function to your 'Unrestricted Record' and should also be effective."

Kong: "There are probably still quite a few pursuers on the road. Can you handle them?"

Xuan Yue: "Hahaha, if you can't beat me, you can still run away." (At the very least, I can fly.)

Paimon: "Well... okay, you guys be careful."

After making up their minds, they parted ways at two different intersections. Once Xuan Yue could no longer see Kong and Paimon, she quickly found a secluded spot and spread her wings.

Golden wings with black edges swept across the sky and landed in front of the stone gate of Mount Aozang.

Xuan Yue: "Liu Yun! Are you there?!"

Very well, no sound came from inside the stone door. It seems that woman is in seclusion again, studying her mechanical arts. There's no other way; Xuan Yue can only resort to her tried-and-true method…

"Liu Yun, do you remember when your little Gan Yu rolled down the mountain? Do you remember when you messed up your mechanism and it exploded, turning your white fur black? Do you remember when you were called 'Big Bird' during your travels in the mortal world? Do you remember..." Xuan Yue spilled out almost everything he remembered about Liu Yun; he was sure she would come out.

"Nonsense! Who's spouting nonsense here and disturbing this immortal!" Liu Yun flew out of the cave in a fit of rage. She wanted to see who was making such a racket in front of her.

Upon exiting the cave, he saw a face resembling the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons. He was initially startled, but quickly realized who it was. He then exclaimed, "Who are you! How dare you spread such rumors about this immortal!"

Xuan Yue's lips twitched. It was so obvious, hadn't she realized it yet? Besides him, who else knew about her dark history from 500 years ago?

Xuan Yue: "Liu Yun, do you really not recognize me?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun looked at him more closely, leaving Xuan Yue speechless: "I am Xuan Yue..."

Liu Yun: ∑(??д??lll) "!!!!"

Xuan Yue: "Alright, we can catch up later! Quickly, help me check on Xuan Qing!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun immediately opened the cave entrance and let Xuan Yue and the others in. As soon as Xuan Yue placed Xuan Qing on the stone platform, he began a thorough examination…

"How is it?!" Xuan Yue asked anxiously from the side.

Liu Yun finally stopped and said, "The Heavenly Lord's body has no internal or external injuries, so the problem is probably with his soul..."

Xuan Yue: "We've already separated, so how could his soul still have problems?"

“I’m not entirely sure about that either, but I do have a way to wake the Heavenly Lord up…” After saying that, Liu Yun lit three incense sticks next to the stone bed.

Liu Yun: "The Soul-Awakening Incense is made by grinding a glass bag into powder, drying it, and then mixing it with the juice of glass flowers..."

Xuan Yue: "Stop, I know it's complicated to make. So what are the side effects?"

Liu Yun: "The Heavenly Emperor will be weak for a while, but it won't be a big problem."

Xuan Yue patted her chest, finally relieved: "That's good."

As for their words, the sleeping one had no way of knowing...

Are you still hesitating?