I'm in the Teyvat running group

"When I heard the news of the final battle in Mondstadt, I begged Grandma to hurry up..." Xiangling nestled her head in Yunxiu's arms, her voice even tinged with sobs: "How could you go and fight such a huge monster? I heard Grandma say that monster was almost as powerful as the immortals. I always thought something had happened to you, which is why I wrote those poems..."

"It's alright, it's alright." Yunxiu hugged and stroked Xiangling's warm back until Xiangling had completely calmed down before saying, "See, I'm fine... Um... have you heard any other news?"

"Of course I heard you! You womanizing bastard!"

Chapter 62 The Emperor Hosts a Banquet, and the Winds of Change Stir Up

"I actually heard it a long time ago!" Xiangling said angrily. "Grandma has been telling me what you're doing."

It seems that the Emperor has indeed been watching her all along... Yunxiu broke out in a cold sweat, but she didn't find it strange. Just like the debate between Wendy and the Doctor before, nothing comes without a price.

The protection I've received since childhood, and the gift of the divine artifact, didn't come for nothing, even though the Emperor said he'd need my help in the future.

But from any perspective, with the cover of his earth-shattering identity and a smooth start, the Emperor truly deserves the title of "father." And given his relationship with Wendy, he most likely already knows the whole story.

"I'm sorry." Yunxiu had thought of many things to say, but in the end, he could only utter such a pale sentence. He hugged Xiangling again, and then took out the Guoba doll and the Wind Spirit Immortal Robe that he had prepared beforehand, and handed them to Xiangling like treasures, saying, "Xiangling, this is a gift I prepared for you..."

"I don't care about the gift." Xiangling sat down opposite Yunxiu and said seriously, "Promise me, Xiuxiu, that you will never do something like this when you're not sure you're going to do it again."

"And..." Xiangling took the doll and squeezed it, saying, "It's quite normal for other girls to like my Xiuxiu. After that poem and some pictures circulated, there's now a 'Yunxiu Guardian Association' in Liyue Harbor."

"what?"

"The president is Sister Lan Yan."

"ah?????????"

"Alright, alright." Xiangling picked up the fairy clothes and doll, and dragged Yunxiu out of the room: "Take me to see Miss Sugar. I want to see if you've been deceived by a bad woman, Xiuxiu."

"what??????"

That's it?

A bewildered Yunxiu was led to Sugar's alchemy workshop. Watching Xiangling go in, Yunxiu, who was about to follow, was pushed out by Xiangling: "Someone else wants to see you. Go to the reception room! I want to have a good talk with Miss Sugar!"

"Huh?" Dizzy from the barrage of bombshell news, Yunxiu followed the head maid to the reception room, his heart pounding with anxiety. He had considered many possible outcomes, even the worst one: he would have to spend a long time appeasing the furious Xiangling. But the unexpected twist was so shrewd and unique that even he hadn't anticipated it.

But what exactly is this "Yunxiu Guardian Association"...?

I knew Lan Yan liked reading supernatural tales, and might even have a good interest in light novels, but I never expected her to be such a witty person...

As they walked towards the reception room, the head maid knocked on the door, and a kind-faced, gentle-looking old woman opened it herself. Her face wore a knowing, warm smile, and she gave Yunxiu an approving look. It was none other than Granny Ping, Xiangling and Yanfei's master!

"Grandma, how come it was you personally..." Yunxiu was taken aback and blurted out instinctively, "They should know your identity..."

The fact that Granny Ping is an immortal was not kept secret from the high-ranking officials of various countries. Naturally, no country could afford to neglect her when she was on its territory. Could there be something inside...?

"Come in, child," Grandma Ping said gently. "Everyone is waiting for you."

"Okay... okay."

The reception room wasn't large, but it was decorated quite luxuriously, filled with the style of Liyue. The room was spacious and square, with a dark carpet with auspicious cloud patterns on the floor, making no sound when stepped on.

The room was filled with a delicate, pleasant fragrance, which, upon closer inspection, could be seen to be emanating from an incense burner in the corner. Exquisite landscape paintings of Liyue hung on the walls on both sides, many of which were works by famous artists. Yunxiu even discovered one of her father's paintings...

In the very center of the room was a huge tea table carved from golden nanmu wood. The surface of the table was as smooth as a mirror, and the edges were also carved with exquisite rock patterns. There was a set of exquisite tea utensils on the table, and several delicate cushions surrounded the tea table.

The person sitting in the main seat, leisurely brewing tea for everyone in the room, was none other than the one Yunxiu was thinking of.

“Emperor…Mr. Zhongli!” Yunxiu immediately strode forward, took the cup of tea from Zhongli’s hand, and obediently turned around and sat in the last seat.

“There’s no need for such formality,” Zhongli continued calmly. “Sit down across from me.”

"Okay... okay."

“This cup of smoky haze is made from the finest tea leaves from Qiaoying Manor.” Zhongli extended his hand and explained, “It would be even better if it were stronger. Although we should respect the customs of different countries, this old-fashioned Liyue native still prefers this flavor.”

Indeed, there is no one older than you in Liyue...

As Yunxiu slowly sipped her tea, she felt relieved, not because the tea was particularly delicious, but because the big boss had personally poured her tea.

It's highly likely that this matter was handled well, but it's unclear what other instructions Zhongli will give him later...

“Old friend, your old-fashioned style might make it hard for young people to talk to you.” Wendy, who was sitting next to Zhongli, said with a grin, “It’s alright, he’s very satisfied with what you’ve done. He even refused when I suggested you take an important position in Mondstadt.”

“I didn’t refuse, I just wanted the child to choose for himself.” Zhongli replied casually, then refilled Yunxiu’s tea before continuing, “Since we parted, you have spearheaded major events related to the three executives and thwarted the Abyss Order’s conspiracy.”

"Regardless of their initial intentions, they have already shaken the balance of power among the seven kingdoms." He took a sip of tea before continuing, "We have gathered here not to demand answers, nor to seek instructions, but rather..."

"He wants to ask what you think about what's going to happen next~" Venti picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup, and said, "Old-fashioned Liyue people, they talk too slowly."

"Ah..." After carefully looking around, Yunxiu noticed a purple figure sitting in the corner besides Jean, Wendy, Zhongli, and Granny Ping. She gestured and asked, "Who is that...?"

"No need to worry."

“Alright…” Yunxiu thought for a moment before saying, “Although it’s hard to believe, the reason I initially chose the lady was simply because she was one of the easier ones to sway among the Fools.”

"Oh?"

“The lady’s arrogance and personality make it impossible for her to make rational choices at crucial moments, and her strength is not considered strong among the Executors.” Yunxiu looked at Qin, then paused and continued, “With our strength, we do have a high chance of killing or capturing her alive, and this will become a breakthrough in the confrontation between Mondstadt and Winter’s End.”

"As for Arecino, she is a moderate in the Fools, has good relations with many of the executives, and has a grudge against the Doctor, who also adopts many children. I think it would be relatively safe to make a deal with her."

"Finally, there's the Doctor. Although I don't deny that I really want to kill him..." Yunxiu shrugged and said, "But I think even if the whole continent held a referendum, even many members of the Fools would want to kill the Doctor, it's just that no one has the chance."

"As for the next step..." Yunxiu pondered for a moment, then looked at Zhongli and said, "I wonder if this year's Immortal Invocation Ceremony will still be held..."

"Hmm?" Zhongli was not surprised when he heard the words "Invitation to the Immortals to Discuss". Instead, he said to Yunxiu, "Then you will have to find out for yourself."

Okay... I knew there wasn't such a simple thing behind all this.

After all, even this part of the original story is actually quite confusing. The biggest problem is not actually Zhongli's faked death or the shift from divine rule to human rule.

Rather, it's because Zhongli hasn't actually retired; he's just stopped giving public guidance once a year.

In reality, he gave just as much private guidance, and may even have done more work...

"But... how am I supposed to find out?" Yunxiu scratched his head, because he didn't even know where to start, since the Traveler's journey began with the assassination of the Emperor.

In the original work, if we consider that the young master released Osel, we might be able to find a way out from the Fatui's factory. But the problem now is that with the Doctor's death, the Lady's release process has only just begun, and the Fatui's whereabouts are definitely more secretive...

“The answer is right here.” Zhongli put down his teacup and pointed to the figure in the corner. “Besides, this young lady should be able to make a deal with you.”

"Who is this...?" Upon hearing this, Yunxiu couldn't help but look at the purple figure with curiosity.

With a flick of her wrist, a purple veil draped from the brim of her hat rose from the ground, revealing the purple and white armor of the Inazuma General beneath. And beneath the Inazuma armor lay a slender, graceful figure with an upright posture.

Her long purple hair was tied into a neat single ponytail at the back of her head, and a hint of lightning flickered in her purple phoenix eyes.

A long sword, quite familiar to Yunxiu, was hanging at her waist. Its purple blade, hollowed-out seal, lightning-like hilt, and dark purple scabbard made Yunxiu's eyelids twitch.

This is the legendary sword bestowed upon him by the shogun, Kirigiri no Kaiko, once used by the Inatsuma warrior Kirigiri Takane!

But hidden beneath that beautiful face was a murderous aura as vast as mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

She stood up gently, and with just a tiptoe, she stood directly in front of Yunxiu, as if she had flashed like lightning, almost impossible to resist!

"clang!"

An invisible shield of light suddenly appeared on Yunxiu's body. Arcane protection, protection against evil, and spell counterspells surged out of him one after another, and layers of protective light shields appeared on Yunxiu's body in succession.

Layers of protective aura made Yunxiu look like a war god. The huge energy fluctuations filled the entire room in an instant. Even Qin next to him was dumbfounded. Only Zhongli silently moved the table back a little.

The surging protective aura tightly shielded Yunxiu in the very center, instantly sending the girl flying!

Fortunately, her skills are among the best even in Teyvat.

Despite being thrown back, she remained calm and gracefully took a step back, spinning elegantly as her skirt and hair traced beautiful arcs, landing as lightly as a feather.

She wasn't angry, or even a little uncomfortable. Instead, she put on a somewhat mournful face and said, "ε=('ο｀*))) Sigh, I'm a beautiful girl, you know! I'm the kind of cute, aloof, universally loved, and every boy in a light novel would want to marry me!"

"You didn't react at all? You actually used so many defensive spells! Aren't you even a little bit tempted, embarrassed, or at a loss?" she said with exaggerated "indignation." "And I even went out of my way to come up with such a cool pose and entrance! I'd been preparing for so long! I was hoping you'd get a little taste of my charm, and you treat me like this! Honestly, all that effort wasted!"

"...?"

Chapter 63 The Tale of Tsukihime's Eastern Journey: Imperial Letter

Yunxiu was completely petrified, and all the elemental auras on her body seemed to weaken at this moment.

My mind went blank, leaving only this pretty face that was indeed quite charming and beautiful, but which seemed to be saying "Come praise me!"

Silence, silence is the Uji Bridge tonight.

"Pfft—" Wendy couldn't help but let out a suppressed laugh.

Zhongli silently picked up her teacup and took a sip, but she couldn't suppress the upward curve of her lips.

Qin slumped into a chair, rubbing her forehead. It seemed this wasn't unusual for her, but it still gave her a headache…

Grandma Ping gave a helpless smile as she looked at Yunxiu, who was standing there dumbfounded.

"I... thought... it was a sneak attack..." He awkwardly extinguished the magical light around him, revealing a helpless expression, and said, "May I ask who you are, miss..."

"You big-headed devil! You big-headed devil, you ambushed me! You big-headed devil, you ambushed me!" A barrage of words rained down on Yunxiu, who then put on an angry expression and said, "I am the Thunder Moon Princess! This is clearly a greeting full of love, you really are just a magic-obsessed mage!"

At this moment, Yunxiu had completely forgotten about the doctor, the lady, and the servant. This real Inazuma beauty had completely overwhelmed his strong heart!

"Miss Raiden..."

"Ok?"

"Miss Tsukihime..."

"Ok!"

This woman is such a hassle!

But if you look at it from another angle, this just shows how silly Yunxiu is. He keeps saying he wants anime girls, but when he actually comes to the anime world and sees real, authentic anime girls, he gets annoyed! It's clear that all otaku are pretty much the same in this respect. Even though Yunxiu is considered quite perceptive, he still struggles to handle this kind of genuine silliness…

"Miss Yueji, what kind of deal are you referring to?" Yunxiu calmed her inner urge to complain before continuing, "If possible, please discuss this under the witness of the gods."

"Transaction~" Yueji drawled, crossing her arms and sitting down on the spot. Her tone was tinged with sarcasm. "Mr. Yunxiu~ is so good at transactions~! You managed to coax that troublesome fourth seat into submission, but when it comes to me, all I get is a dry, lifeless transaction~!"

"Uh..." Yunxiu looked around at the "elders" for help, hoping that someone would step in and smooth things over.

Zhongli stared intently at the tea set in front of him, beginning to examine the small cup made of fine Chenyu Valley jade, and occasionally holding it up to the sunlight to carefully observe the patterns inside.

Jean made an "X" gesture and quietly walked behind Wendy, shielding her in front of him.

Grandma Ping showed a helpless expression, sat down next to Zhongli, and began to study the top-notch tea set with him.

When Yunxiu turned her gaze to Wendy, he tapped the glass bead at his waist, which transformed into a harp. He began to pluck the strings, playing a somewhat decadent and somber piece of music for Yunxiu, instantly pushing the awkward atmosphere in the room to its peak.

“Okay…” Yunxiu took a deep breath. Even as a long-time anime fan, he couldn’t lose!