Mu Yang felt a bit uneasy.
Even though he had picked plenty of Wudao tea leaves and rare fruits to bring as gifts,
he still lacked confidence.
Because he was facing Cloud Retainer.
Cloud Retainer's affection for Mu Yang was like that of a doting elder.
Their first meeting, when Mu Yang appeared as a youth,
left her with the impression that he was still a child.
Truth be told, who was older wasn't entirely clear.
Over the years, Mu Yang had grown accustomed to it.
A few years ago, when his memories were in disarray, he suddenly stopped visiting Mt. Aocang for the Moon-Chasing Festival.
Cloud Retainer could understand,
because back then, Mu Yang was at least still active in Chenyu Vale,
safe and sound.
But this time, he was fine before leaving from Mt. Aocang,
then vanished for hundreds of days.
Given how much she cared for him, she must've been frantic.
But that wasn't all Mu Yang was worried about.
Before leaving, he had left Cloud Retainer with some burdens.
He had passed Sumeru's mechanism trade to her.
If Cloud Retainer could handle that,
the book Linyuan Xianyu might be another story…
Better not think too much. What's coming will come.
Mu Yang arrived at Mt. Aocang.
He found the tall, elegant lady intently studying parts on a table.
Mu Yang was slightly surprised. His eyesight was sharp,
and he could clearly see the parts on the table—components engraved with inscriptions.
"What the heck? Isn't that Scarlet King technology?!"
Where did Cloud Retainer get those things?
A showdown between Liyue's mechanism arts and Scarlet King technology…
Cloud Retainer, deep in her work, suddenly paused.
She looked sharply in Mu Yang's direction.
It was really him!
She adjusted her glasses, as if trying to see more clearly,
making sure it wasn't a hallucination from overworking or longing.
Mu Yang said softly, "Stop looking. It's me."
Hearing his voice, Cloud Retainer confirmed it was him.
She started to rush over,
but then, realizing her proud nature,
she turned her face away and resumed tinkering with the elemental components,
ignoring Mu Yang with a "Hmph!"
Seeing her act this way, Mu Yang knew she wasn't truly angry.
In fact, she might not be angry at all.
One meal, one pot of tea, and she'd be won over.
With that in mind, Mu Yang didn't pay her any mind either.
He walked past the stone table, entering Cloud Retainer's Adeptus abode.
In the kitchen, Mu Yang thought for a moment.
Cloud Retainer didn't have any must-have dishes.
If anything, she loved anything delicious.
Mu Yang had once asked her what her favorite dish was.
Her answer was:
"Eating with good friends—any dish becomes unforgettable."
Researching mechanisms and cuisine with friends was her true love.
So, Mu Yang bringing food to watch her tinker with mechanisms?
That was an instant win.
Soon, Mu Yang served [Braised Meat Balls], [Squirrel Fish], [Crystal Shrimp],
and other delicious dishes on the table.
Cloud Retainer was sensible. The moment Mu Yang brought out the first dish, she had already cleared away the parts.
She looked at the [Braised Meat Balls], a classic Liyue dish.
The vibrant green scallions contrasted beautifully with the deep red meatballs.
The meticulous knife work made the meatballs melt in the mouth, rich but not greasy.
Mu Yang teased, "Finish it all, and you'll surely have great fortune."
Cloud Retainer, immersed in the food, didn't respond.
She didn't know how to respond,
because that was something she had once said to Mu Yang…
No trouble couldn't be solved with a good meal.
At any rate, Cloud Retainer was no longer upset.
Mu Yang cleaned up the dishes and brought out a pot of Wudao tea.
Sitting with a friend in the mountain breeze, sipping fine tea,
his mood calmed.
Who could still dwell on worrisome things?
Mu Yang had returned safely.
He was still himself, unchanged.
That was enough.
Once the atmosphere settled, Mu Yang asked about the Scarlet King technology.
At this, Cloud Retainer's enthusiasm flared.
The story traced back to Mu Yang's contributions.
During his Sumeru preparations, he had sold complex Adeptus mechanisms to the Akademiya.
Though he didn't disclose the source to Dori,
who was Faruzan?
She was a woman of action.
After confirming the mechanisms came from Mu Yang, she traveled to Liyue.
Mu Yang's tavern was the most famous around Chihu Rock.
A little inquiry led her straight to it.
At the second floor's [Muyu Snow City], she persisted relentlessly.
Shenhe, unsure what to do, secretly sent a message to her Master, Cloud Retainer.
Cloud Retainer hadn't expected a mortal to analyze Adeptus mechanisms to such a degree.
She personally came to bring Faruzan to Mt. Aocang.
The two became "friends across generations."
Of course, the hundred-year-old was the younger one (doge).
So, Mu Yang hadn't left a burden but rather a gift for the lonely old bird!
No wonder Cloud Retainer was so happy talking about it.
An unintentional move had turned into a masterstroke.
The mechanism issue was resolved, but what about Linyuan Xianyu?
"Has Yanfei come looking for you?"
"This one does not reside in Liyue Harbor. Why would she seek me?"
Cloud Retainer said, taking another sip of tea.
Mu Yang noticed her furrowed brow, as if she'd made progress on the mechanism arts.
It seemed the Wudao tea's vintage had improved.
The old batch needed replacing.
Mu Yang stopped disturbing Cloud Retainer's research on Scarlet King technology.
After a quick farewell, he headed to Liyue Harbor.
The book matter was better asked of someone else.
Pushing open the door to [Muyu Snow City], he saw Shenhe.
Mu Yang had imagined many scenarios,
but none occurred.
Shenhe only said softly, "Master, welcome back."
Mu Yang nodded in acknowledgment.
As he went upstairs, his heart felt a slight sting,
leaving a bitter taste.
Was the power of the red rope binding her soul really that strong?
He hoped he could soon master the power to change her fate.
But what Mu Yang didn't expect was:
After closing the shop, Shenhe rushed to the third floor and gave him a big hug.
She wasn't emotionless—she was just diligently completing the tasks her Master had given her.
At work, she couldn't let her Master down…
Mu Yang, a bit helpless, said, "Silly child…"
…
Late at night,
Shenhe put away the jade hairpin Mu Yang had given her in a box.
Then she slept soundly,
the most peaceful sleep she'd had since Mu Yang left.
Sitting at his desk, Mu Yang came to a realization.
They didn't blame him—they were just worried for his safety.
Mu Yang let out a long breath.
From Shenhe, he learned that Yae Miko had helped with Linyuan Xianyu.
But she didn't continue writing it.
Instead, she used the drafts Mu Yang had written for Ei for a hunger marketing campaign,
stirring up some hate for Xianyu in the process…
Still, the book hadn't stopped updating, and his identity wasn't exposed.
"That woman—should I thank her or not?"
He couldn't think about it anymore. The image of Yae Miko covering her mouth and chuckling kept popping up.
Better to focus on future plans.
He hadn't appeared in so long. Joining some version events seemed reasonable, right?
While planning future activities, Mu Yang sorted through letters.
Shenhe was meticulous, always organizing his mail.
"An invitation to Diluc's Dawn Winery Festival… Too bad I missed it…"
Mu Yang kept flipping through.
"This is the one—Windblume's invitation."
Mu Yang looked at the two cards adorned with dandelions in his hand.
"Let Shenhe take a break too. I'll bring her along for a trip…"