In the livestream, Guinaifen was uncharacteristically silent.
When she saw Gouba walking alone into the mountains to slumber, she suddenly felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow.
The stories of Liyue always resonated deeply with people from Earth.
The audience was immersed in the tale, with only a few discussing the new character who had appeared briefly.
——————
As Granny Ping spoke, Gouba gazed at his own statue, lost in thought.
"You once told us that eating and drinking are the greatest joys of mortal life—because the best food must be infused with spiritual energy, and the finest drink must be the essence of heaven and earth."
"You said this was the most important thing—that one must fill their belly before setting out on their journey."
Following Granny Ping's words, Gouba seemed to recall some of the things he had once said.
The matter of eating and drinking could be small or great.
In its smallest form, it could be a handful of millet and a sip of spring water from the rocks.
In its grandest form, it could be a jug of wine shared under the stars, walking the mortal world for millennia…
Granny Ping walked up beside him. "Old friend, in the time you've been asleep, Liyue has grown so prosperous, so beautiful… Are you happy?"
Xiangling also approached. "Gouba… Why didn't you tell me something so important?"
Gouba tilted his head and smiled. "♪~"
Mu Yang spoke softly. "Xiangling, right now… he is just Gouba."
As Mu Yang said, Gouba's intellect had greatly diminished—he couldn't even speak. How could he have told Xiangling?
Only then did Xiangling realize that her concern had clouded her judgment, making her forget even this.
Granny Ping stepped in to console her, explaining that everything had two sides.
Though Gouba's intellect was not what it once was, he had also cast aside his worries, truly living without a care in the world.
In this vast world, who could claim to be entirely free of sorrow?
In truth, Gouba had gone further than most.
He had once been the God of the Stove, bringing the smoke of hearths and the warmth of fires to Liyue.
Later, he let go, taking away suffering and calamity from Liyue.
Now, unburdened, he was simply resting.
Granny Ping told Xiangling, "If you care for him, you must take good care of him—walk with him, run with him, eat, drink, and enjoy life together."
"I will! I promise I'll do it…"
As they talked, the sky grew late.
Keqing, having matters to attend to, left first.
Xiangling, however, invited everyone else present to her home for a celebration feast.
"Master, Dad always asks about you—he's always telling me to invite you over."
Afraid Granny Ping might refuse, Xiangling even brought up her father.
"Ah, well, in that case, I'd be honored."
"Let's go. Take our time walking this old road, down the mountain, and see what everyone in the city is up to."
Lumine walked at the front, chatting and laughing with Xiangling and Paimon.
She was particularly sensitive to moments like these.
Though Mu Yang hadn't said anything, he was surely reminiscing about the past.
When the time was right, Mu Yang would surely tell her everything himself.
For now, she wouldn't disturb the old friends catching up.
Mu Yang and Granny Ping walked at the back of the group.
Naturally, Gouba was with them too.
Though his memories were hazy, perhaps he simply felt at ease beside these two.
Mu Yang hesitated before speaking. "Ah Ping…"
Ah Ping replied slowly, "It seems you've remembered more than just Marchosius."
She had keenly noticed the look in Mu Yang's eyes.
She guessed that Mu Yang had also remembered Guizhong—and understood why she had taken on the identity of "Granny Ping."
The migration back to Liyue Harbor was closely tied to Guizhong's death, so it was no surprise Mu Yang would recall her.
Mu Yang: "At Wangshu Inn, Xiao told me… some things are better forgotten."
"And what do you think?"
Mu Yang sighed. "In this regard… none of us can compare to Marchosius."
His meaning was clear—neither he nor Ah Ping could let go as effortlessly as Marchosius had.
Mu Yang still carried the memories of his friends in Chenyu Vale.
Ah Ping, too, still held Guizhong in her heart, choosing to live among mortals in the guise of an old woman.
[Do adepti always have to talk like this?]
[Stop speaking in riddles, Mu Yang! What exactly did you go through?!]
The two fell into silent understanding, saying no more.
Just as players were about to curse HoYoverse for yet more cryptic storytelling—
The scene shifted into Mu Yang's memories.
A short animation played:
Mid-journey, Mu Yang suddenly stopped and looked toward the distant sky.
Dark clouds gathered, lightning splitting the heavens.
Dust storms rose from the earth, as if battling the sky itself.
Beyond that, towering waves surged across the sea.
Mu Yang resumed his lightfoot technique, only to hear the voice of Cloud Retainer.
Looking up, he saw the adepti also rushing toward the battlefield.
The scene slowed as Mu Yang diverted some of his power to the figure flying at the forefront—
The Streetward Rambler, Ah Ping.
The scene shifted again, transitioning to the next moment.
By the time Mu Yang and the adepti arrived, they saw five yakshas struggling to maintain Guizhong's fading form.
Ah Ping stepped forward, reaching out to touch Guizhong's face. "Guizhong…"
Guizhong forced one last smile. "Goodbye… Ping'er…"
As Guizhong dissolved into dust, Ah Ping caught the fragments that fell from her eyes…
The scenes that followed flashed by in quick succession—
The great flood that destroyed the Guili Assembly.
Morax announcing the migration back to Liyue Harbor.
The short animation ended.
The sheer density of information sent the chat into chaos:
[Was that the great flood that destroyed Guili Assembly?]
[Guizhong was this beautiful and you're telling me she's gone?!]
[Ping'er?! This is Granny Ping?!]
[Still calling her Granny Ping? From now on, it's Ping'er!]
[Why are the figures on those five stone pillars so blurry?]
[They're yakshas, right? I think I saw my boy Xiao!]
[Holy **, Guizhong died right in front of Zhongli—this damn erosion…]
[Speaking of erosion, this must be Mu Yang's recovered memories…]
[Sob… Mu Yang, let go of that spicy meat bun…]
[Enough talk, I'm with Xiao—just forget it, really.]
...