Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

The next morning, at Dihua Isle—

Xiao: "So, the two Heavenly Lords have come to Xiao's place... to rest?"

Xiao, holding He Puyuan, first glanced at Xuan Qing, who was working on the accounts next to him, then at Xuan Yue, who was helping him sweep away demons. They didn't look like they were here to rest at all…

Xuan Qing: "It's rare for Morax to be here on business, and you're here too, so you can take a break."

It was actually Xuanqing's idea to come to Dihua Isle to find Xiao. After seeing Ganyu yesterday, he was worried that Xiao would force him again. So, he came to Xiao's place early this morning. And sure enough, he caught a yaksha who hadn't slept all night, busy dealing with monsters...

Xuan Yue: "Most of things here have been taken care of, but the Traveler and the others have been gone for far too long. Does Ning Guang need to talk to them about a lot of things?"

Xuanqing closed the ledger and said, "Do you think there was any flaw in what the storyteller said last night?"

Xuan Yue shook her head: "I knew there was a problem when I saw your disdainful expression, but I didn't know what it was."

Xuan Qing: "Why did Gan Yu appear so conveniently right after the storyteller finished speaking, inviting him and Paimeng to the 'Jade Pavilion'? They were telling the Emperor's story this morning; storytelling usually unfolds according to time periods, so tonight should be the next part of the Emperor's tale."

Xuan Yue: "So, last night's storytelling was actually a setup by Ning Guang. The purpose was to pique the interest of the Traveler and Paimon."

Xuan Qing nodded approvingly: "That's right. Gan Yu carelessly didn't tell the Travelers the code, so they'll probably have to take a risk and find another way to get to Qunyu Pavilion. Last night, I heard that there was a long passage in the book that mentioned Ningguang's whiteboard. I'm afraid she still needs the Travelers and Paimon to help her investigate something."

Xiao was completely stunned; he hadn't understood a thing.

Xuan Yue: "By the way, Xiao, have Liu Yun and the others negotiated with the Seven Stars yet?"

Xiao nodded and said, "Yes, the negotiations went well, but... it seems that Liu Yun and Qi Xing got into an argument in the end, and I... couldn't understand what they were arguing about..."

Xuan Qing: "As expected of Liu Yun..."

Xuan Yue: "Haha, Xiao, it's alright. But since we have to wait so long, how about... we try a picnic!"

"? Picnic... what is that?" Xiao looked confused.

Xuan Qing smiled indulgently, then stood up and stretched out a hand to Xiao: "Let's go, I know a place nearby where we can have a picnic. Take my family to try it out. Don't worry, I've prepared several plates of almond tofu in my space this time."

Xiao looked at the hand, hesitating... but the hand had already taken his.

Xuan Yue: "A Qing... you're mistaken, they're our family members. Let's go, Xiao... I'll tell you, there are lots of other things to eat on a picnic! I learned this back in Inazuma!"

Meanwhile, on the other side—

Ningguang: "I have been waiting for you for a long time, the one who has returned from Jueyun."

Paimon: "Oh, it's Ningguang! Nice to meet you. We prepared a gift; we hope you like it!"

Ningguang: "For me? Thank you so much. I invited you two here, but you've gone to so much trouble."

Paimon: "No problem, no problem, hehe~"

Looking at the magnificent building, Kong exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "The 'Qunyu Pavilion' is beautiful."

“Haha, I’m so glad you like it too. This palace floats above all the mountains, offering a clear view of Liyue Harbor.” Ningguang was very proud of this celestial palace: “I started saving up for its construction when I was learning to do business. After becoming ‘Tianquan,’ I invited top craftsmen to continuously expand it… Initially, it was only the size of a room, but now it can block out the true Silver Moon from the sky above Liyue.”

Ningguang: "I believe that one day... its shadow will envelop the Seven Kingdoms."

(This woman has great ambitions...) Kong thought to himself, and dared not be careless.

“There aren’t many outsiders qualified to enter the ‘Gallery of Jade,’ but the acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius has been corresponding with me and speaks highly of you. So, from the first day you arrived in Liyue, I began to spread my spies out…” Ningguang confidently and unreservedly revealed her information to the newcomer, because she had the confidence to do so.

Paimon: What?!

Ningguang: "Finally, when you headed to Wangshu Inn, we got a general idea of ​​your movements."

Paimon: "Could it be that Boss Philgoldette is one of your people?!"

Ningguang: "No. The entire Wangshu Inn is staffed by our people."

Paimon clutched her head, feeling like it was about to explode. She now felt immense pressure; the power of "Tianquan" seemed far greater than they had anticipated.

Kong: "Not long ago, I also encountered 'Yuheng Star'..."

"You met him near the Terminal, right?" Ningguang said unsurprised, but this confused Paimon: "You weren't spying on him from the sky the whole time, were you?"

Ningguang: "Haha... It's difficult to spy from this distance, isn't it? ... You can rely on your [eyes and ears]. I'm very interested in you, so it's only natural that I'm paying attention."

“Ke Qing said that Qi Xing would not harm the Emperor.” Kong pointed out the key point directly. Qing Yue had told him that he could talk to Qi Xing, so he wanted to see what kind of explanation Qi Xing could give.

“Well, given your frequent interactions with immortals, it’s understandable that you don’t trust us. We invited you here today to clear up some misunderstandings.” Ningguang gestured for Kong to follow her to the edge of the pavilion’s base. “You’ve probably heard of the ‘War of the Demon Gods,’ haven’t you?”

Empty: "I'm not quite sure..."

Ningguang smiled slightly: "Many demon gods have existed in this world, and there have been protracted wars that only ended two thousand years ago. During that time, countless lives were lost, and countless lives were shed. In the end, only seven victors remained on the continent of Teyvat. They built kingdoms and city-states on the ruins of the defeated, beginning the Age of the Seven Gods." She then pointed to the sea beside her, where the "Lone Cloud Pavilion" was located, and said, "Do you see the 'Lone Cloud Pavilion'? That's not a natural feature, but a giant rock spear thrown by the Emperor during the war. Beneath the rock spear, suppressing the Emperor's defeated enemies: the former demon gods who failed to attain the position of one of the Seven Gods."

Ningguang: "Not only do demon gods die, but even the Seven Rulers of the Mortal Realm have changed hands over the past two thousand years. The passing of the Celestial Emperor is a catastrophe unimaginable for Liyue, but the Teyvat archetype... will not collapse. The next Geo Archon will appear sooner or later, but how can we forget the Celestial Emperor? By then, the relationship between the people of Liyue and the Celestials will surely be different from the past. Even in the new era, the Liyue Seven will still be the Celestial Emperor's former subjects."

"The crime of raising a sword against the Emperor... do you think we can bear it?" This was Ningguang's reply.

(Just like Qingyue said...) Kong Xin had an answer in his heart and continued to ask, "But why did you hide the 'Immortal Ancestor's Manifestation'?"

Ningguang: "Hehe... That day at Yujingtai, it happened so suddenly, I was caught off guard. You were there, you should have seen it all."

Kong and Paimon nodded; they were indeed startled at the time.

"The Seven Stars' enemies have already lurked within Liyue Harbor. If we don't take action, we'll be at a disadvantage. Hiding the Immortal Ancestor's remains is necessary; only through this can I shift from the open to the covert, using stillness to counter movement." Ningguang didn't mince words, directly stating her purpose, leaving only Paimon still in the dark.

Sora: "It seems to be 'him'."

Paimon: "What kind of riddles are you playing..."

Ningguang immediately saw that the traveler knew in his heart: "The correct answer."

Paimon:? ? ? ?

Ningguang smiled at Paimon's expression but said nothing. Instead, she invited, "Ha... The scenery outside is beautiful, but the wind is a bit strong at high altitudes. Gentlemen, the hall is ready to welcome you. Please come in with me."

Paimon was still wondering: (What answer? Who is it?)

But she was quickly captivated by the interior of the Jade Pavilion: "Wow! What a huge living room! I've never seen such a luxurious room before..."

Ningguang: "Please feel free to make yourselves at home."

Paimon (starry-eyed): "Really?!"

Ningguang: "I invited you here because I consider you friends. When friends come to visit, the most important thing is for them to have fun."

A whiteboard covered with information came into their view.

Empty: "That is..."

"Huh? Is this the 'legendary wall'?" Paimon asked curiously.

Ningguang: "Oh? You guys are very well-informed."

Paimon: "Because even the storyteller is saying...so many people are looking to buy the paper on the wall, it's famous!"

Ningguang: "Because that wall holds the secrets of Liyue. Merchants are always passionate about secrets. But Traveler, Liyue's trade secrets mean nothing to you. You are special, and you know that yourself, don't you?"

Ningguang: "If possible, I would like to gain your trust. But if you had to choose between me and Keqing, who is more trustworthy..."

Sora: "I will choose Keqing."

Kong didn't hesitate. He believed that a kingdom could not move forward by relying solely on the power of the gods. Just like Mondstadt next door, even though Venti never interfered, Mondstadt's combat power should not be underestimated.

Ningguang revealed an "I knew it" expression: "I originally thought that too much rigidity leads to breakage. With her personality, becoming one of the Seven Stars meant I'd have to handle some things behind the scenes. But after she said, 'The era of the immortals is over. If even the Seven Stars of Liyue don't dare to face this fact, what will become of Liyue's future...'"

Ningguang: "Many of my doubts have been dispelled. Yes, I don't deny that the Emperor's passing seems to benefit the Seven Stars. But for the sake of Liyue, I cannot let the rumors of a 'Seven Stars usurping the throne' hold me back from my proper actions."

Sora: "As expected, the Fools are behind these rumors as well?"

Ningguang: "Hmm... It seems you've fully understood what I'm trying to say since just now. I ordered the news to be blocked and the Celestial Body to be hidden, firstly to temporarily stabilize the situation, and secondly to avoid... what happened in Mondstadt."

Ningguang: "The Fatui have already taken far too many covert actions that cross diplomatic lines since the death of the Emperor. As the [Tianquan] responsible to Liyue, I can no longer afford to be elegant in my confrontation. Approving the preparations for the 'Sending Off the Ascendant Ceremony' is merely to buy some buffer time for the Seven Stars to fully take over Liyue..."

Paimon: "Hmm... Just as Qingyue and the others said, the Seven Stars provided the ritual venue only because they could use us to achieve their own goals."

Kong had another question: "Judging from what you're saying, you've already negotiated with the immortals, right? Then what about that Heavenly Lord? Hasn't he awakened?"

Ningguang shook her head: "It's a pity that almost all the immortals came to this event, but we didn't get any information about the Heavenly Lord from them. But from the few words of that True Lord Liuyun Jiefeng, I can tell that the Heavenly Lord is very weak right now, and they don't want this matter to disturb him."

Paimon: "Oh, I see... Oh, right, there's one more thing, may I say it?"

Ningguang quite liked the little guy and said gently, "Speak freely."

Paimon: "I heard that guests who give a gift when they meet someone receive some benefits... Are we entitled to them?"

Kong knew what she was up to the moment he heard her voice: "Paimon, can't you say something else?!"

Ningguang: "Hahaha... It's okay, I like straightforward people. I've troubled you quite a bit lately. How about this, as an apology, you can choose anything you like from here."

Paimon: "Alright! I've been waiting for this line—I've already decided! What I want is—that piece of paper on the wall!"

null:???

This has really stumped him.

Paimon: "Don't look at me like that! Don't you understand? Even if that piece of paper on the wall is only the size of a fingernail, it can sell for a fortune! If... if it weren't for the whole torn piece... um! I can't even imagine how many Mora it would be worth!"

Empty: (This answer is very Paimon-esque...)

With Ningguang nodding in agreement, Paimon immediately chose the whiteboard in the very center. He spotted the obvious words "The Fools" at a glance…

In Xuanqing's words: (Unsurprisingly, they've fallen into the enemy's trap again...)

Kong already knew this was part of Ningguang's scheme, but it suited him perfectly; he wanted to see what kind of conspiracy the "Fools" were plotting behind the scenes...