Yujing Terrace.
Charlotte arrived at Ningguang's office.
"Lady Ningguang."
"I think it's ti we stirred up a bit more buzz for tomorrow's paper."
"We've already been building hype for the school opening this whole ti."
"Not enough."
Ningguang shook her head.
"It's been a while since you ran a scandalous rumor about and Mr. Xia, hasn't it?"
"…Lady Ningguang, are you suggesting—?"
"We can tie the two stories together. After all, he's the principal and I'm the vice principal."
Charlotte mused, "So… sothing like, 'Lady Ningguang makes a late-night visit—what's really going on between her and the principal?'"
Ningguang nodded approvingly. "Very capable. Write exactly that."
"Understood, Lady Ningguang."
Charlotte nodded and was just about to leave when—
"Wait."
"Yes, Lady Ningguang?"
"Co with to the Sumr Shop."
"Ah… but it's really late…"
"Tch. Journalism is all about authenticity, isn't it?"
"…Yes, ma'am."
---
The next morning, Zhu Zi ca back from outside with the latest issue of the newspaper and, as usual, began reading it aloud to the boss.
When he reached the entertainnt section, there was a freshly published gossip piece—complete with "photo evidence."
Xia Zhi looked up, slightly surprised.
"Did Miss Ningguang stop by the shop last night?"
"No idea, Boss. You told us at dinner to rest early, so we shut the place down pretty quickly and all went back to our rooms."
"Then you didn't hear anyone knocking?"
"Nope!"
"...I see. Got it."
Xia Zhi lowered his head thoughtfully.
So Ningguang had stopped by late at night… but since she hadn't knocked, it probably wasn't anything urgent.
After breakfast, Mada Ping brought Yaoyao over to the shop. The two Adepti showed up as well.
This ti, Ganyu didn't return to Yuehai Pavilion and instead joined everyone on the trip to the school.
Tomorrow was the grand completion ceremony. Ganyu had already arranged all tasks for the Secretariat and carved out two full days to be present.
When they arrived, the first thing everyone noticed were the two enormous stone monunts standing tall at the school's entrance.
The one on the left was engraved with a dense list of nas. The one on the right, however, remained blank for now.
Keqing and Zhongli stood by the monunts, waiting to greet them.
Diona tilted her head, curious. "Why's this stone on the right got nothing on it?"
Keqing smiled and explained, "The list hasn't been finalized yet. That monunt is for the nas of all the staff mbers of the school's first term."
Xia Zhi nodded. "You're free to explore the place. I'll be talking so official matters over with Miss Keqing and Mr. Zhongli."
"Got it, Boss!"
The girls cheerfully split into small groups and wandered off, chatting and laughing.
The two adeptus remained standing where they were.
Mountain Shaper gazed at the monunt, his eyes landing on his own na—second from the top.
"Why is your na listed before mine?"
"Because I did more work."
"That's not possible."
Mountain Shaper frowned.
"I clearly worked one more night than you."
"That's what you think."
"What's that supposed to an…"
"I'm a fortune-teller, you know. Did you really think I wouldn't notice you sneaking off in the middle of the night?"
"...So?"
"So technically, I worked one more night than you did."
"..."
Mountain Shaper looked at Moon Carver in silence for a mont, then shook his head in defeat.
"I honestly can't win with you."
—
As the principal, Xia Zhi should've had quite a bit on his plate right now.
But thanks to his exceptionally capable vice principals, all the major tasks had already been handled, leaving him surprisingly free.
Still, just wandering around idly didn't feel right—he should at least help out with sothing.
So, after thinking it over, Xia Zhi decided to head to the kitchen and give his disciple Xiangling a hand with cooking.
Halfway there, a strange thought crossed his mind: Wait a second… could it be everyone's been so eager to solve everything just to free up… so I can focus on cooking?
—
In the afternoon, the Jade Chamber—originally floating above Yujing Terrace—was maneuvered to hover right beside the school.
Two massive structures, each with a completely different architectural style, now floated side by side in the sky. And oddly enough, they looked quite harmonious together.
Ningguang descended from the Jade Chamber and ca over.
"Miss Ningguang, you ca to see last night?"
"Yes. I had wanted to discuss a few things about the school, but since you'd already turned in for the night, I figured I'd leave it for later."
"Apologies. You made the trip for nothing."
"No need. It was a spontaneous visit anyway. And besides, we still have ti to talk now."
"Mm."
Ningguang didn't say a word about the photo in the newspaper.
But that wasn't particularly important.
That evening, Xiao arrived at the school from the Guili Plains.
Being the Adepti, he could command the wind and travel incredibly fast.
It wasn't long before his figure silently appeared outside the door. He raised his hand and knocked.
Zhongli glanced toward the door and nodded. "Co in, Xiao."
Xiao pushed the door open and saw Zhongli, the two adeptus, and Mada Ping sitting around a table—playing cards.
"Lord Morax..."
"Co, have a seat."
"Yes."
Xiao silently entered, pulled over a chair, and sat down beside Zhongli, watching the four of them play.
Mada Ping glanced over at Xiao, noting that his expression looked much better than before, and quietly felt relieved.
After a while, Xiao softly said, "Lord Morax... about the matter I ntioned last ti regarding The Chasm..."
The Chasm?
The other three paused, looking up at him.
Zhongli kept his eyes on his hand of cards and replied slowly, "There may be danger on this journey. But if you are determined to go... play that..."
Xiao fell silent for a mont before speaking again. "By your order, I have guarded the Guili Plains for over a hundred years and never once left my post. Only in the case of the naless Yaksha... I respectfully ask for your permission."
His tone was serious—earnest.
As they continued playing, the three adeptus exchanged glances.
It was rare for Xiao to make such a request. As a Yaksha, especially after the other four had vanished, he had grown even more withdrawn and solitary in his duties.
Zhongli laid down a card. "In that case, you may go."
Xiao bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Lord."
Zhongli asked, "How is your body now?"
Xiao replied, "After Mr. Xia treated , the karmic debt that had been building up inside was completely purged. There shouldn't be any danger during this mission. Besides… Mr. Xia also gave sothing."
"Oh?"
Xiao lifted his hand, revealing the string of Bodhi beads he now wore around his wrist.
Mountain Shaper looked at them and said, "I saw that thing appear on your hand during the Lantern Rite dinner at the shop. What does it do?"
"At the ti, I didn't know either. Mr. Xia only said it might help . It wasn't until I returned to the Guili Plains to continue purging the evil spirits that I discovered its true purpose."
"What is it?"
"It helps dispel karmic debt."
"!"
All three adeptus were visibly stunned.
"It can actually do that?"
Xiao nodded. "I've tested it several tis. Each ti I finish slaying corrupted creatures, I just rotate the beads, and the effects of the karmic backlash vanish instantly."
Zhongli cast a glance at the beads on Xiao's hand. "That's an incredibly rare item. You should thank Mr. Xia properly."
"Mm…"
Seeing that Xiao looked like he still had sothing on his mind, Zhongli asked, "Is there more to this?"
Xiao hesitated, then confessed, "Yes. Mr. Xia didn't just give it to without reason. He asked for sothing in return."
"What condition—wait, I win."
"Mr. Xia said... if I wanted to go to The Chasm to investigate the matter of the naless Yaksha, I'd have to travel with Miss Yelan and protect her along the way."
Moon Carver paused. "So essentially, that item... was Mr. Xia's paynt for her protection?"
"Yes."
Xiao nodded.
"Mr. Xia also asked not to tell Miss Yelan about it."
Zhongli fell silent for a mont, then suddenly said, "No. You should tell her."
"Lord Morax… I… Understood."
Xiao hesitated, but ultimately agreed.
After all, if Lord Morax said so, there had to be a deeper reason.
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