Genshin Impact's Sweet and Hard Free People

Joint actions by two countries are rare in history, and reaching a consensus must be driven by something more important behind the scenes.

That matter was the turmoil in the Sea of ​​Ashes that was mentioned in the letter from the Knights of Favonius to Ningguang.

Just as the Dead Sea, composed of flames and lava, was about to extinguish, it ignited once more. The winds, dormant for millennia, surged in again, foreshadowing the coming of change…

Before the evolution takes place, the gods will not easily intervene, and insignificant humans will naturally seek out the mysteries within.

The group was somewhat stunned, not expecting that the Knights of Favonius of Mondstadt and the Seven Stars of Liyue had reached such a consensus.

Xin Hui finally understood that this was a joint operation by two countries to investigate the Silent Sea.

"So, you and Gan Yu are going to lead the team to Mondstadt, join the Knights of Favonius, and then head to the Sea of ​​Ashes?"

Chapter Sixty-Five: All Personnel Mobilized

"Logically speaking, that is indeed the case." Ke Qing remained noncommittal, but she did not deliberately exaggerate how dangerous the Sea of ​​Ashes was; she merely described its unusual activity.

"That must be very dangerous, right?" Xin Hui also knew about the existence of the Ember Sea. Although the legend has been passed down for generations and adventurers have been trying to conquer that place, very few people have been able to return safely.

"Sigh, I don't want to say anything discouraging, and the Hall of Rebirth is also too busy to help. I can only wish you a safe return." Hu Tao didn't try to promote the Hall of Rebirth's business like she usually does at times like this. She just felt that Jinjihai was no ordinary place, judging from its name.

Naturally, it's quite normal for her to have this thought. The danger level of the Silent Sea is no less than that of the accident that happened in the Layered Rock Abyss last time, or the dangerous cold light of the Frost Nail.

Perhaps... Xinhui suddenly thought of something, his eyes lit up, as if he had made a decision.

He quickly shoveled all the food from the bowl into his mouth and forced himself to swallow it.

“I’m going to the Sea of ​​Ashes with you too,” Xin Hui said with a determined look in his eyes.

"You're going too?" Ke Qing suddenly became flustered, clearly caught off guard by Xin Hui's words.

"Ah Xin." Gan Yu also clung tightly to his blue robe at this moment, looking at him with pleading eyes, "Don't go, just stay in Yi Yu Pavilion."

However, no matter how they tried to persuade him, Xinhui remained steadfast in his convictions.

"Alright, I'm not going sightseeing, I have something really important to do," Xinhui said in a reassuring tone. Although she appreciated their concern, she wondered if they really needed to worry about her like this.

After all, Xin Hui is now considered an extraordinary person who can wield two elemental forces.

“As I mentioned before, my source of power is not only the Frost Nail and the Rock Heart Glass. I suspect that there are many more sources of power scattered elsewhere.”

Xin Hui was solemnly telling them his secret, and combined with Ke Qing's description of the abnormality of the Ember Sea, Xin Hui deduced that the Ember Sea was hiding his third source of power—the Source of the Wind Sea.

The wind, which has not moved for thousands of years, must have been guided by the source of the wind and sea.

However, all of this is based on Xin Hui's speculation, and the true situation can only be determined after entering the Silent Sea.

"So, Xinhui, your reason for going to the Sea of ​​Ashes is that you want to find your source of power?" Keqing suddenly felt a little incredulous.

If he said that, then the anomaly in the Sea of ​​Ashes is largely related to Xin Hui. As a Seven Star, considering the purpose of the mission, he must take Xin Hui with him.

"Yes," Xinhui answered affirmatively, sitting there.

If you look closely into the depths of his eyes at this moment, you will discover a fierce expression that is completely different from his usual demeanor.

As for why Xinhui had such thoughts, it was of course because of the "boundary" exploration incident he experienced with Hu Tao last time.

The tragic story of the goddess of life, Yimeng, constantly reminds him to be prepared for anything. Since the gods are no match for the laws of nature, he should not attract the attention of the heavens.

However, Xin Hui, who possessed the "lost pearl" formed from the ultimate life law of the Goddess of Life, had already embarked on a path of no return. Just as Xin Hui had once told himself, if that day really came, he would stand up with the same determination and heroism as before...

Of course, all of that is just a prelude.

For Xinhui now, it is still necessary to find out the source of his power.

Even at his peak, he could only run away from the forces of nature, let alone now that he's just a weakling with diminished power. This desire to regain his strength naturally influences Xin Hui's mindset.

"...I can't do anything with you. As the team leader, I naturally have the right to decide who to take on the mission...Remember, don't leave my sight during the mission." Ke Qing finally covered her forehead and reluctantly agreed after a moment of hesitation.

"Then, the time is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Everyone should prepare early. As for Hu Tao..." Ke Qing gave some instructions to everyone at the end of the meal. When she looked at Hu Tao with her purple eyes, she didn't know how to decide on the latter's plans.

It was thanks to Hu Tao who had been listening to their conversation that Ke Qing realized that she felt it wouldn't be good for her to stay in Yi Yu Pavilion alone after they left.

However, Hu Tao hesitated a bit at this moment, and asked timidly, "Is the Sea of ​​Ashes... really that dangerous?"

He changed his previous frivolous attitude and instead became more serious.

Gan Yu then took the initiative to explain to her, "The Sea of ​​Ashes, I've heard, is a place filled with ashes and scorching heat, devoid of any life..."

After a lengthy explanation, Hu Tao also gained a deep understanding of the lurking dangers in the Silent Sea.

“Since it’s so dangerous, I’ll make an exception and go along.” As Hu Tao said this, she glanced at Xin Hui out of the corner of her eye.

Xin Hui knew that Hu Tao was acting this way because she was so determined to keep her promise to "never abandon her again." Was she afraid of encountering danger in the Sea of ​​Ashes?

Xinhui didn't intend to stop her, having learned from the experience with "boundaries." Perhaps sometimes your intentions in stopping her are good, but it would be a big mistake to impose your own ideas on Hu Tao.

Walnut also possesses the Eye of God, clearly qualifying her to travel to the Sea of ​​Ashes. Judging from this situation, Keqing is somewhat at a loss with her.

In this way, the so-called action belonging to the Seven Stars actually turned into a full-scale mobilization of the Yiyu Pavilion.

"Then let's all go. If everyone from Yiyu Pavilion goes, we can look out for each other." In the end, it was Xinhui who made the final decision for Keqing.

Under the dim yellow light, figures flickered inside Yiyu Pavilion. Clearing the dishes and tidying the table, it seemed there was nothing more interesting than several people vying to help Xinhui wash the dishes.

After the commotion subsided, the long night began. And for Xinhui, it was naturally a sleepless night as well.

I wonder if I'll encounter that drunkard on my way to Mondstadt tomorrow, and whether the winds of freedom are still blowing in Mondstadt.

In addition, the Nail of Frost, the Crystal Heart, and the Source of the Wind and Sea, about which there are already some clues, are waiting for Xin Hui to find.

Xin Hui lay on the bed. A ray of moonlight shone through the window in the light rain. Although he was surprised, it unexpectedly calmed his restless heart.

I just hope... nothing unexpected happens during this operation...

Chapter Sixty-Six: Borrowing Some Divine Power

The rain caresses all things, providing silent nourishment, which manifests itself in the fresh and invigorating feeling the next morning after the rain stops.

Xin Hui didn't emerge from Yi Yu Pavilion for quite some time, not because he was lazy, but because he had been wiping his one-handed sword, [Divine Favor].

Although the ice-blue longsword still shone with divine brilliance, its power had dissipated to the point of almost disappearing.

Wiping the sword doesn't mean sharpening it. It simply means touching it and carefully feeling the yearning for the [Divine Favor].

"Do you also want to regain your former power?" Xin Hui murmured, looking at the faint glow on the surface of the ice-blue longsword. After he finished speaking, the surface of the longsword flickered again.

It seemed to be echoing Xin Hui's words, but it was also enough to demonstrate the spiritual power of this divine artifact.

“I understand…” Xin Hui had come to understand the yearning of [Divine Favor].

It was originally Xin Hui's sword, which had accompanied him throughout his thousands of years of journey. It was originally a weapon that was extremely bright and sharp, protected by divine power. Moreover, the sword was spiritual, so it was understandable that he wanted to restore its former glory.

However, Xin Hui doesn't have that ability right now. To restore the power of [Divine Blessing], it's necessary to re-enhance its blade with divine power, but Xin Hui hasn't even restored his own power, so where would he get divine power from?

After thinking it over and over, a sudden idea struck me.

Divine power is naturally reserved for gods, and the gods of Liyue are both far away and right before our eyes. Take, for example, the old man Zhongli who spends his days idly drinking tea.

Therefore, Xinhui took the [Divine Favor] to the Hall of Rebirth to find Zhongli.

Inside the Rebirth Hall.

A young woman with dark eyes and short hair wore the distinctive black uniform of the Rebirth Hall, adorned with gilded patterns. Her features were striking, her thin lips slightly red. She smiled as she used her slender, gloved fingers to record the Rebirth Hall's income and expenses from the previous day on a whiteboard.

The girl with short hair and bangs was recording the accounts while glancing at Mr. Zhongli not far away.

This is me, the ritual attendant of the [Wang Sheng Tang], my real name is not worth mentioning.

The man on the right is Mr. Zhongli, the most knowledgeable guest elder in the [Hall of Rebirth].

She was truly at a loss for words when it came to Mr. Zhongli. Although he mostly brought her trouble, she was also captivated by the image of Zhongli's blog posts.

Because of Mr. Zhongli, Wangshengtang has accumulated countless extra accounts, especially recently, as business has been slow and they are now operating at a loss.

I wonder what the sect leader will think after seeing this. I suppose she wouldn't care about these things.

Yesterday, I went to the market with Zhongli and witnessed firsthand Mr. Zhongli's spending power. For example:

"Although this night-blooming jasmine is small, its color is truly a translucent blue. It's a rare find and worth buying."

"The windmill chrysanthemums are attached to the wet glaze and then fired in the kiln. It's interesting. The petals turn to ash in an instant, but the shape is forever imprinted... Such a clever idea, it would be a shame not to buy it."

“Amber is difficult to mine, so to find a pair that are so similar in shape is truly a masterpiece. We should buy them.”

"..."

Fine night-blooming jasmine… exquisite porcelain… a pair of amber stones… [Also a gift for the young lady, a chrysanthemum]…

Yes, that's right, I received it. Mr. Zhongli is a wonderful person.

In addition, Mr. Zhongli also told them about the moments of enjoyment that female attendants experience in life.

“When Xiangling is on duty, she should go straight to Wanmintang for meals, not Xinyuexuan or Liuliting.”

Yi Guan Xiao Mei remembers that on that occasion, the head of the Northern Bank, Dadalia, also accompanied them.

"As long as it tastes good, I have no complaints... But, is chopsticks the only thing provided here?" Winterborn, who can't use chopsticks, seems to be having a hard time getting around in Liyue.

At this point, Mr. Zhongli will remind him, "In order to experience the true flavors of Liyue, you'd better start practicing your chopstick skills."

At this moment, Miss Xiangling from Wanmintang asked Zhongli, "Mr. Zhongli, today's ingredients include Qingquanlin pork. Should we replace the salt and pepper tofu in the set meal?"

Under normal circumstances, Mr. Zhongli would answer, "I want both."

That's definitely Mr. Zhongli's personality.

To celebrate Xiangling's successful tasting of the new dish, a tip was given as is customary during the winter solstice.

Mr. Zhongli was generous and magnanimous, valuing loyalty over profit. Although he always passed on the costs of his generosity to us at [Wang Sheng Tang]...

That's good, at least that bill was sent to the Northern Bank.

Although sometimes she didn't know where Mr. Zhongli was making those unknown purchases, it gave the attendant a bit of a headache.

[Hey, can you help me out? Let's sneak these things into the bill and get them reimbursed. I'll treat you to a meal.]...

Oh dear, once you're entangled with Mr. Zhongli, there's nothing you can do.

"Mr. Zhongli, you have a guest." The maidservant, having finished collecting the accounts, reminded Zhongli. She had noticed Xinhui entering through the side door of the Rebirth Hall; he was a familiar face.