If there's someone who's usually carefree and laid-back,
when they say they're angry, it's often not genuine anger.
But when such a person suddenly falls silent,
staring at you without saying a word, that's when they're truly furious.
Lingyuan didn't speak, and Mu Yang, for a moment, didn't know where to begin.
From version 2.7 to 3.4—that's over 200 days.
How many things could have happened during such a sudden disappearance?
Forget the main storyline in Sumeru for now.
Even just Dori and Alhaitham's village supply chain might have run into issues.
Thankfully, he had left some precautions before heading to the Chasm.
He wondered if Cloud Retainer had covered for him…
There were too many things to deal with now. For the moment, he'd pretend to know nothing.
"It's not even Lantern Rite. Why are you waiting here?"
"Lantern Rite just passed, and you disappeared for 200 days."
Lingyuan's tone was full of resentment.
Mu Yang frowned, "200 days?"
His voice carried confusion and doubt.
With that, he glanced back, where only faint traces of black mist lingered around the fragments.
He didn't say much,
letting his body language do the talking,
effectively shifting the blame to Clarisse.
This tactic worked on Lingyuan.
She had fought alongside Mu Yang against the corrupted Clarisse before,
so she knew how formidable Clarisse was.
Sure enough, Lingyuan sighed, unable to keep blaming Mu Yang.
She was just too worried about him,
fearing he'd be trapped for centuries again, like before…
Lingyuan stopped sulking and transformed into her human form.
The great beauty's temper came and went quickly.
On the way back, Lingyuan shared some huge news—
Fujin had awakened.
Mu Yang understood immediately. No wonder this silly beast's temper had cooled so fast.
It was because Fujin had woken up.
However, this good news wasn't enough to truly lift Lingyuan's spirits.
Fujin's situation was much like Changsheng's.
Though she had awakened, her injuries were too severe.
She could only take human form on the day of the Toulong Ceremony, briefly regaining some memories.
The rest of the time, she was just a slightly stronger fish…
"I went to see her, but she didn't want to meet me."
Lingyuan's head drooped as she spoke, visibly dejected.
Mu Yang wasn't surprised.
Ever since Fujin started interacting with humans, she disliked letting others see her true form.
She probably felt embarrassed about being so "bare."
Now, treating Lingyuan as a stranger, she was even less likely to show herself.
Mu Yang comforted her, "I have a plan."
Lingyuan's gloom lifted instantly. "I knew you'd have a way. What should we do?"
She grabbed Mu Yang's shoulders, shaking him excitedly.
The thought of seeing Fujin soon had her over the moon.
Mu Yang patted the back of her hand, signaling her to calm down.
This needed careful planning.
No matter how much Fujin remembered, she would attend the Toulong Ceremony.
Nowadays, Chenyu Vale's Toulong Ceremony was mostly a formality, greatly simplified.
This was where Teyvat's all-purpose ace came in.
As long as they waited for next year's Toulong Ceremony,
they could have Lumine visit Chenyu Vale and restore the event to its former grandeur.
Then Fujin would surely awaken.
In the original storyline, Fujin had recovered step by step this way.
There was no need to mess around now.
After thousands of years, what was one more?
Lingyuan had no counterargument. It was indeed a good plan.
She asked Mu Yang, "The helper you mentioned—is that the one called Lumine?"
Mu Yang nodded.
Though they hadn't formally met or been introduced,
Lumine frequently visited [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor], so it was normal for Lingyuan to know her.
Unexpectedly, Lingyuan said, "She came to Qiaoying Village before, twice, and I sent her away both times."
Mu Yang was incredulous. "That actually happened?"
Good grief, not even Paimon could stop her?
Well, it made sense. Disappearing without a word for over 200 days?
This wasn't a game—in Teyvat,
Lumine would definitely check [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor] upon returning to Liyue Harbor,
since she had a room on the third floor.
Not finding him after passing by so many times would naturally raise suspicions.
Plus, he had told Shenhe he'd be back in a few days.
How could those two not worry?
He'd been a bit overconfident. He should've absorbed more power from the Nail of the Cold Sky.
"Why did you send her away?"
Lingyuan was blunt. From Lumine's demeanor, it was clear she knew nothing about Mu Yang's current state.
She guessed Mu Yang was deliberately hiding it,
so she didn't reveal the truth and instead sent Lumine away.
She knew Mu Yang's nature—he didn't like others worrying about him.
Mu Yang showered the silly beast with praise.
But he was also curious. Why did Lumine come twice?
After learning Mu Yang was safe, she shouldn't have been so anxious, right?
Suddenly, Mu Yang recalled something and asked Lingyuan,
"Was she a bit anxious the second time she came?"
Lingyuan was surprised. "You even know that? You understand her so well?"
With her confirmation, Mu Yang's doubts cleared up.
It must've been about Collei.
Lumine had passed through the mines from the Chasm's depths, reaching The Sumeru's Great Red Sand,
and then made it to Gandharva Ville…
There, she met Tighnari and Collei.
Through their interactions, she must've learned about the Eleazar disease.
Mu Yang's earlier Sumeru trip had already revealed his ability to suppress forbidden knowledge.
Lumine, not wanting her new friend to suffer, wanted Mu Yang's help.
That explained her persistence.
This was actually one of Mu Yang's plans for entering Sumeru.
But it wasn't ideal—it'd steal the spotlight and involve heavy labor.
So, he had long abandoned it.
Now, though, it didn't matter.
Sumeru was now the Little Auspicious Grass King's domain.
A god of wisdom with only 500 years of experience, yet bearing millennia of legacy and praise.
That was the flaw in Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's plan.
Mu Yang didn't dwell on it. Protecting Sumeru wasn't his responsibility.
And now, it was all a done deal.
He'd rather think about what to eat.
The residents of Yilong Wharf were as warm as ever,
welcoming Mu Yang's return after the Lantern Rite like a hero…
During the meal, Mu Yang asked Lingyuan if the affected tea leaves had been dealt with.
Lingyuan replied that, although a few batches were sold, it had been handled.
Mu Yang looked at her skeptically, surprised that Lingyuan could handle merchants.
Lingyuan explained, "The merchants didn't press the issue. They were satisfied after compensation."
"But a pink-haired Fontainian with a notebook was asking around in Qiaoying Village."
"In the end, that young escort, Gaming, got rid of her with two meals."
Mu Yang noted this, later sending Gaming a small gift.
Gaming was puzzled, thinking it was just his duty.
Though at odds with his father, he didn't want their tea to make newspaper headlines.
So, he sent the Fontainian reporter, Charlotte, away.
After the meal and chat, he realized it wasn't what he thought.
Charlotte had actually come to thank them.
Though they didn't know why the tea was faulty,
it was because of that batch that she traced it back to a counterfeit food processing workshop…
After handling Yilong Wharf's affairs, Mu Yang flew to Mt. Aocang.
He had a bad feeling.
How was he going to appease the great immortal bird…
=====
Check out newly uploaded story [っ^▿^)۶]
Anime Crossover: Diego's Bizarre Adventure