During the meal, Lumine and Paimon began talking with Shao Yun about the things that had happened to them recently.
First, Lumine and Paimon had spent several days with Shenhe at Mt. Aozang. During that time, they not only enjoyed the mountain's beautiful scenery but were also warmly hosted by Cloud Retainer.
After listening, Shao Yun swallowed the food in his mouth and asked with concern, "Cloud Retainer… she didn't… I mean, she didn't cause you any trouble, did she?"
After all, back then he hadn't taken the side of the Adepti. If by chance… one must guard against the intentions of others!
Paimon scratched her head in confusion and asked innocently, "Trouble? What trouble? Cloud Retainer was super nice to us."
"In her domain, we ate well, played well, and when we left, she even gave us a little mechanical bird!"
Paimon said this mainly because neither she nor Shao Yun had told Lumine about what had happened at the Jade Chamber.
So, she didn't understand why Shao Yun would ask such a question, nor what was behind it.
Lumine sensed the deeper meaning in Shao Yun's words. She leaned closer, putting her lips near his ear, and explained in a voice that almost only the two of them could hear.
"You mean when you ended up casting your vote for Ningguang, right? Actually, I already told Cloud Retainer about that."
She went on, "Cloud Retainer said that as an Adeptus, she was willing to accept the consequences of failure. She believed it was all because she lacked Mora."
"She also especially asked me to convey the Adepti's apologies to you, for tricking you into joining that meeting about Liyue Harbor's future. She deeply regrets what Xiao did."
Hearing Lumine's explanation, Shao Yun suddenly understood. "Oh, I see… To willingly accept failure and bear the consequences—that really is a fine virtue."
"I didn't take it too seriously, honestly. It's all in the past now. If I'd wanted to hold a grudge, I would've struck back at the Jade Chamber right then and there…"
Then, as Lumine and Paimon continued their back-and-forth chatter, Lumine suddenly asked Shao Yun a question.
"By the way, Shao Yun, do you know someone named 'Yanfei'?"
The moment he heard the name "Yanfei," an image immediately appeared in Shao Yun's mind—a young legal advisor with antlers that curved downward.
He nodded. "I've heard of her. She's a very famous legal consultant in Liyue Harbor, right? Why, did something happen?"
Lumine began to describe in detail the experience she and Paimon had after parting with Shenhe and returning to Liyue Harbor.
She recalled, "When we were leaving Mt. Aozang to return to Liyue Harbor, Cloud Retainer entrusted us with a gift to deliver to Madame Ping."
She continued, telling of their visit to Yujing Terrace to meet with Madame Ping.
There, they happened to run into Yanfei. While they were catching up, one of Yanfei's junior law students and a young oni from Inazuma suddenly appeared.
Lumine continued, "Yanfei introduced them to us. Her junior's name is Kuki Shinobu, and the oni youth is the head of the Arataki Gang, named Arataki Itto. Shinobu even called herself the second-in-command of the gang."
Hearing those two names, Shao Yun was a little surprised.
He muttered to himself, "Arataki Itto? Kuki Shinobu? Those two actually came to Liyue?"
He began thinking about the progression of the story and realized that Yanfei's search for the Great Spirit Lantern—Xiao's second Story Quest—must be about to begin.
Strange… why doesn't my head hurt?
Lumine tilted her head curiously at his words.
"You know them?"
Shao Yun nodded, recalling the encounters he'd had with Arataki Itto.
He thought of the time when he had accepted Itto's request to act as a witness for his sumo match with Kujou Sara, though the match never actually took place…
And later, at Kujou Sara's grave, when Itto had sworn vengeance for her.
Shao Yun responded calmly, "Yes, I know them. We've crossed paths."
To him, Itto's nonsensical vow—to gain strength and avenge Kujou Sara—wasn't a matter of much importance.
As for Shinobu, giving her money to buy a figurine was no big deal either.
Lumine continued the story.
"Apparently, Kuki Shinobu came to Liyue to get her lawyer's license."
"As for that guy Arataki Itto, according to Shinobu—but Yanfei says—he came to Liyue to learn skills. The moment he heard Yanfei was descended from an Adeptus, he dropped straight to his knees and begged her to teach him!"
"Yanfei thought at first he wanted to study law; but then he said he wanted to kill some enemy! Yanfei nearly called the Millelith right there. Who knows what kind of grudge he has with this person—makes me curious."
Since Shao Yun had never told Lumine or Paimon about Arataki Itto, neither of them knew what had really happened.
After hearing this, Shao Yun said evenly, "Wow, he really is persistent."
Paimon then took over, continuing, "Later, when we were talking, Arataki Itto found out Madame Ping was an Adeptus, and right away he knelt before her, begging to be her disciple."
"But Shinobu thought it was way too embarrassing and dragged him away."
Shao Yun remembered how, back at Kujou Sara's grave, Itto had sworn he'd gain power to seek vengeance against him. He had thought Itto was just being impulsive, with a three-minute attention span. But now, it seemed he had really meant it.
And truly, this guy did what he said—kneeling before everyone he met… Well, you couldn't entirely blame him. After all, Liyue did have a lot of Adepti.
At this point, Lumine carried on, "A few days later, Paimon and I saw Arataki Itto again at Liyue Harbor."
"Only this time, it wasn't about apprenticeship. He was being arrested by the Millelith… for harassing one of the Liyue Qixing."
Shao Yun blinked in surprise. "So, did he kneel before Ningguang this time, or Keqing?"
He figured Keqing was more likely. In Itto's eyes, she probably looked like some heroine of justice.
Lumine shook her head. "No, it wasn't one of the Qixing. It was Uncle Tian, fishing at the harbor."
Realization dawned on Shao Yun.
Most likely, Itto had seen Uncle Tian's scholarly bearing and mistaken him for some hidden master, then dropped to his knees to become his disciple.
After all, in Liyue's wuxia novels, the old fisherman was often a secretly powerful master.
The thought made Shao Yun laugh out loud.
"Well then, after sitting in Inazuma's jail, now he's sitting in Liyue's jail. What's next, accompanying Klee in the Knights' confinement room?"
Honestly, before Kujou Sara's death, Arataki Itto and Klee could've really hit it off!
The image of several Millelith carrying Itto away popped into Lumine's mind.
She recalled that dramatic moment and told Shao Yun, "Actually, at that time Itto was this close to being taken away.
"But we spoke to Keqing and the Millelith, explained the situation, and they let him go."
"After that, when Itto heard from Keqing that Paimon and I were the great heroes who had saved Mondstadt and Liyue, he actually dropped to his knees in front of me, begging me to teach him some skills." Lumine added, her tone carrying a touch of pride.
Shao Yun teased, "So did you? I think with your abilities, you'd make a fine teacher."
Lumine smiled awkwardly, embarrassed. "I do know a few skills, but I'm not good at teaching."
"I just shared a few of my adventuring experiences with him, out of the acquaintance we already had. He thanked Paimon and me afterward, and even offered to teach us about Onikabuto beetle-fighting in return."
Surprised, Shao Yun asked, "So, does that mean you've become friends?"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance. Then Paimon explained, "Well, maybe not friends exactly. I think it's more like he just feels grateful…"
Shao Yun nodded lightly. Though he had no intention of interfering in their social ties, when it came to Arataki Itto, he still felt complicated inside.
Deep down, he hoped Lumine and Paimon would avoid too much contact with Itto, at least for the time being.
Hearing that their relationship with him hadn't reached the level of friendship, he let out a quiet breath of relief.
Then he changed the subject, asking about their time in The Chasm.
"How long have you two been here in The Chasm?" Shao Yun asked.
Paimon began counting on her fingers, then answered, "Let me think… It's been about six days."
Lumine thought a moment, then added, "Including today, yes, six days."
Hearing that they'd already been in The Chasm for six days, Shao Yun reflected on his own arrival and felt a surge of emotions.
"Oh, six days, huh? I've been here ten days longer. How have these six days in The Chasm been for you?"
When Shao Yun asked about their experience, Paimon answered first. "Well, how should I put it? It's dark here, damp, and not really a place for living…"
"But," Paimon went on, "with all the companions we've been with, Lumine and I haven't felt lonely at all."
Then Lumine and Paimon began to tell Shao Yun about their adventures in The Chasm.
For the most part, nothing unusual had happened.
Their team included Khedive an Ecologist from the Sumeru Akademiya, Jinwu one of the safety technicians of The Chasm, Taliesin a bard from Mondstadt, and Clitopho a former Treasure Hoarder who had supposedly turned over a new leaf.
And of course, the crucial member in their expedition—the cartographer, Zhiqiong.
When Lumine and Paimon mentioned Zhiqiong's name, they both smacked their foreheads at the same time, as if suddenly remembering something very important.
Lumine exclaimed, "Oh no! We came here to find Zhiqiong!"
Paimon's eyes went wide in realization, quickly nodding. "That's right! After meeting you, we got so excited we totally forgot about Zhiqiong!"
With that, Lumine and Paimon hurriedly finished the last bites in their bowls and got to their feet, eager to go.
Seeing this, Shao Yun quickly called out, "Wait for me!"