Compared to the anticipation of the Inazumans, the people of Suru were much calr—because they couldn't even see the prophecy book at all.
The Fontaine folks were fine with it too; as long as there was a story to read, they didn't care which nation it ca from.
However, after everyone finished reading Xiao's legend, they discovered that, just like with Venti's story before, there was a small extra chapter at the end—"Unrelenting Suffering."
[All demons and evil spirits bear karmic debt.]
[So take the form of monsters, lurking in the caves of immortal mountains, wreaking havoc upon the mortal world for decades.]
[Others manifest as plagues and calamities, bringing suffering to the world for centuries.]
[We, the yakshas, honor our contracts to subdue demons and vanquish evil.]
[Yet after a millennium of slaughter, a millennium of accumulated karmic debt, a single misstep could turn us into terrifying ghosts ourselves.]
[In monts of delirium, we too beco fearso enemies.]
[A thousand years of tribulation, endless slaughter.]
Here, Lucian drew an illustration—a scene of Xiao fighting against his masked self.
[Life and death burn fiercely, all forms are formless.]
Readers recalled the line from Wang Ping'an's letter: "The mask of the 'Vigilant Yaksha' conceals his human side."
Albedo remained silent. Like Xiao, he too feared the possibility of losing control, and in that mont, he found himself empathizing with Xiao.
Xiao suddenly opened his eyes—everything just now seed to have been a nightmare. He walked to the riverbank, where his reflection still showed his masked self.
He jolted awake again, this ti seemingly in soone's ho.
[Baizhu: "You've been unconscious for a full day. Fortunately, you woke up now, or you'd have missed this year's Lantern Rite."]
[Qiqi peeked in. "I carried you back. I'll go get your dicine."]
People began imagining this scene. Though Xiao wasn't tall, Qiqi seed even tinier.
Qiqi carrying Xiao? Wouldn't his feet drag on the ground?
By the ti Qiqi returned, Xiao had already disappeared without a trace.
On the streets of Liyue Harbor, Xiao walked weakly, one hand covering his face, amidst the peaceful and bustling pre-festival atmosphere.
Here, Lucian drew Xiao's face for the first ti—a full close-up, delivering a devastatingly beautiful visual impact.
So who already felt heartache for Xiao now harbored "wicked thoughts" upon seeing his beauty, entertaining disrespectful ideas about the adeptus.
This face, this expression—who could resist? This might sound a bit indecent...
Even ordinary folks couldn't help it, and Arataki Itto was no exception. "Damn, this guy's handso! Can we get him to join the Arataki Gang?"
Even his lackeys couldn't respond to such a wild proposal. No way, absolutely no way, right?
"This face... if only he were taller, he'd be the perfect model," Chiori mused.
Dori pondered how to "monetize" Xiao. "Hmm... if we could get him as an endorser, we could make a fortune in Liyue."
However, the emotional high from Xiao's beauty was short-lived, as "sorrow" quickly reclaid its place in readers' hearts.
As Xiao wandered the streets of Liyue Harbor, he kept seeing fleeting visions of his masked self.
That madness seed to cling to him, making it hard to distinguish reality from illusion.
In his daze, the masked "Xiao" before him vanished, replaced by a little girl holding a Nuo mask.
[The little girl smiled. "Did I scare you, big brother?"]
["It's okay. Nuo masks are ant to frighten evil spirits—they're really powerful. You don't need to be afraid of it."]
[Noticing Xiao's exhaustion, she asked, "Big brother, are you tired?"]
["Grandpa, can we get big brother a bowl of fernted glutinous rice balls?"]
===✧✦✧===
The scene shifted—Xiao had returned to Wangshu Inn, where Venti, for so reason, was also present.
Lucian also drew an illustration of Venti, sitting casually on the rooftop with one knee raised, exuding an air of unrestrained freedom.
Readers couldn't help but laugh. Why is it always you, Anemo Archon?!
Last ti it was your own short story, and now you're showing up in soone else's?
What, did you hear the keyword "alcohol" or sothing?
[Venti raised a glass with a grin. "Hey, friend! Such a fine day—care for a drink?"]
[He sniffed the air. "Oh? Seems like you've already had a little sothing..."]
[Xiao replied, "No need. Tonight, I wish to rest."]
[Venti chuckled. "Heh, that's good."]
["Ah, just for one night, why not take off that mask?"]
===✧✦✧===
The story ended, misunderstandings resolved—the Anemo Archon truly was magnificent!
Honestly, the Anemo boys in Lucian's books might not be tall, but they were all so gentle.
What struck readers more was Venti's final line: "Why not take off that mask?"
The mask concealed Xiao's human side. With it on, he was the yaksha who bore all burdens; only by removing it could he steal a mont of peace.
"Waaah, Lord Barbatos!" Barbara was moved to tears. Even in a story about a Liyue adeptus, her own god had a shining mont.
To portray Barbatos so beautifully, Shikikan must be a devout believer too!
Barbara tore out the illustration of Venti and pasted it on her wall.
She'd done the sa with all his previous illustrations, and now her room was adorned with several.
Venti didn't find his appearance in Liyue strange—after all, Baizhu had ntioned it was the eve of the Lantern Rite.
With his personality, how could he miss Liyue's Lantern Rite?
Yae Miko smirked. This Anemo Archon... is he going to start frequenting Inazuma too?
While other archons rarely leave their nations, you really live up to being the God of Freedom, huh? Always wandering around.
But a free-roaming god was a good thing. Inazuma needed a little "freedom" right now.
Nahida, who also yearned for freedom, thought of her earlier encounter with Venti as she read.
Back then, the Anemo Archon had appeared before the barrier, wine bottle in hand, asking if she wanted to step out for a break.
Then he'd taken "her" to Liyue to watch the live-action "Battle Against the Demon God." Truly, freedom incarnate.
But Nahida wanted to solve Suru's problems herself, so she hadn't asked Venti for help.
Only by resolving Suru's issues alone could she prove herself a worthy archon, capable of leading her people.
Leaving aside the foreigners, the people of Liyue had already begun making changes.
A few days later, when Wang Ping'an arrived at Pervases' Temple with his construction team, he found the place in ruins—yet a long line of people waited to offer incense.
So had even taken it upon themselves to build shrines for the other four yakshas ntioned in the story.
With the tales of the adepti concluded, it was now ti for the Traveler's story.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice-Over: Nahida - About Venti
"The God of Freedom enjoys all the world has to offer. Wherever the wind reaches, his traces remain, and the stories carried by the wind enrich his wisdom."
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