Mona frowned tightly at the woman on the ship. "When did I ever try to steal your things?"
Beidou's voice rang out, strong and sharp.
"I clearly saw you reaching for our cargo. And you still want to deny it?"
"I… I just wanted to touch it!"
Beidou leapt from the ship and landed hard on the dock. She leveled her massive Sword at Mona, violet lightning crackling along the blade. A cold smile tugged at her lips.
"That's what every thief says."
Seeing this woman refuse to back down, Mona raised her grimoire. Hydro energy gathered in her hands.
Beidou lifted a brow.
"Oh? A Vision bearer. No wonder you dared target the Alcor. Let me see what you can do."
She lifted her Sword and charged, unleashing a flurry of heavy swings.
Mona dodged every blow effortlessly.
"Mirror Reflection of Doom!"
Ripples of water rolled across the ground beneath Beidou's feet. A column of water burst upward.
Beidou moved aside, but Mona's skill covered a wide area. The splash caught her before she could fully evade.
"Tch."
Mona pressed the attack. Streams of water rushed toward Beidou again and again.
Beidou dodged with ease at first, but the barrage was relentless, leaving her no opening to counter.
The elemental energy in Mona's strikes was powerful—stronger than she had expected.
Mona couldn't land a clean hit, and Beidou couldn't get close.
After several exchanges, the fight settled into a tense stalemate.
"Captain! I'll help you!"
A white-haired boy in samurai clothing rushed in with his blade drawn…
---
"Bleh. Traveler, this wine is watered down. It's awful!"
Venti spat twice after taking a sip of the wine Kael had bought from Third-Round Knockout.
"You're kidding."
Kael took the jug and drank a mouthful.
Bitter. Thin. Watered for sure.
The usual rich aroma was gone, diluted until only a bland bitterness remained.
Chef Mao overheard them as he passed by.
"That's from Third-Round Knockout, right? Their quality's been getting worse ever since they got famous. Everyone in Liyue knows their owner, Degui, waters the wine but still charges full price."
"Ah…"
Kael suddenly remembered a similar plot from the game, though he'd forgotten since Third-Round Knockout didn't have any major quests.
Venti shot him a sideways look. "You weren't planning to fool me with this, were you?"
Kael gave an awkward laugh.
"I really didn't know. Just sing properly tonight, and I'll get you better wine later. I promise it'll be good."
If needed, he'd go up to the Jade Chamber and buy some of Ningguang's private stash.
During those hazy days he'd spent in the Jade Chamber, she'd shared plenty of rare wine—Venti definitely hadn't tasted those yet.
Venti brightened. "Now that sounds reasonable."
"Venti, are you ready? The customers can't wait anymore!"
Xiangling hurried into the courtyard.
Everyone tonight was here for Venti's performance. They hadn't even been seated for long before they started calling for him to come out.
"Alright, I'm coming."
Venti picked up his Lyre and followed Xiangling into the main hall.
---
Venti sat at the center of Wanmin Restaurant's hall, music ringing softly through the space.
His youthful voice carried a weight of age and mystery, tinged with an enchantment no mortal could resist.
The moment he began, everyone fell silent.
The bustling restaurant turned still as the entire room listened, breath held, to his story woven in song.
Yun Jin sat at the table beside him.
Her fingers tapped lightly on the table in rhythm with the melody, her head swaying unconsciously.
When Venti finished, thunderous applause burst forth.
Yun Jin blinked as if waking from a dream and joined the clapping.
His singing style was completely new to the people of Liyue, utterly different from opera.
But art didn't have to follow a single form. Anything that moved the heart—anything brought to its peak—was art.
Seeing Venti bow and prepare to step offstage, Yun Jin quickly rose and hurried after him.
"Mr. Venti, please wait."
She caught up to him, eyes bright with excitement.
"Mr. Venti, I find your stories and songs incredibly moving. Would you be willing to join the Yun-Han Opera Troupe?"