After learning of Xiao's identity, Starsnatcher was very excited.
"Starsnatcher excitedly exclaimed, 'I can't believe I get to see the Conqueror of Demons, Guardian Yaksha, in person in this lifetime!'"
Wang Ping'an: I've always believed in your existence!
However, some of the other scholars were a bit displeased. How did this kid manage to meet a star?
Why him?! We also want to see the Conqueror of Demons' stunning beauty!
It's all because Teacher Qiu Cheng described Xiao's appearance more than once in his books, making us as curious as a cat with a new toy.
But the illustrations only show Xiao's mask and back, never his face! How annoying!
Reading this story fixed the bug where some Liyue people only liked the Geo Archon.
Now, they like both the Geo Archon and Xiao, and the number of Xiao fans in Liyue is skyrocketing.
Liyue truly is vibrant and thriving now, with everything flourishing.
There are those who like the God of Salt, those who like the God of the Hearth, those who like the Yakshas, those who like Ganyu and Shenhe, and of course, those who like that woman.
But what's even more remarkable is that almost all of these people also like the Geo Archon.
Only the Geo Archon is the unchanging faith. Come back, my proudest faith!
Besides the Liyue people, the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt and the matra in Sumeru also really enjoyed the Yaksha story.
However, in Sumeru, because Lin Qiu's book was classified as 'Forbidden Knowledge' by the Grand Sage, very few people read it.
On the other hand, almost everyone in Fontaine's Marechaussee Phantom has read it, as it was recommended by their great Hydro Archon, Ms. Furina.
In the story, Starsnatcher revealed his 'fan status'; he grew up listening to Xiao's stories.
The Liyue people expressed, "Seeing that kid so thrilled is worse than being killed ourselves. Why reward him?!"
Starsnatcher continued to talk about himself. After finding the 'Talisman of All-Conquering Evil,' he initially only enjoyed imitating immortals to put on a show, but later he strayed onto a wicked path.
It was like he cosplayed so much that it went to his head, and he couldn't distinguish between right and wrong anymore.
Wang Ping'an in reality nodded repeatedly. Thankfully, Lin Qiu's book was written early, and the first act revealed Xiao's existence, preventing Wang Ping'an from going astray and being 'persuaded back' by his idol.
"Starsnatcher: 'From now on, I will definitely abandon evil and promote good, live peacefully, and no longer tarnish the reputation of the immortals!'"
This is indeed what Wang Ping'an in reality has been doing. Ever since he read about Xiao in the book, he has been doing good deeds.
He does good deeds without seeking recognition, only recommending others to read "records of the guardian yakshas."
But the readers were not very satisfied. This kid met his idol, made a promise, and that's it? Isn't that unfair?
Regardless of whether he can fulfill his vow, what about the money he swindled before?
However, the story wasn't over. The Traveler returned to Wangshu Inn and asked the owner.
"Paimon: 'Boss, is Starsnatcher staying here?'"
"Vergoldet: 'Starsnatcher... You mean that fake immortal wearing a mask, right?'"
"'He registered here under the name 'Wang Ping'an.'"
Many readers burst into laughter. This guy's name really didn't match his actions.
No one was surprised that the owner saw through the other party's fake identity, after all, the real immortal Xiao lived there.
The owner had previously instructed Yanxiao to take good care of Xiao, so it's likely she knew Xiao's identity.
It was only natural for such a person to know that the other party was a fake immortal.
"Vergoldet: 'He's already checked out his room and said he's going to travel the mountains and rivers alone...'
"'Oh, by the way, that person also said that if a Traveler with a 'talking Seelie' comes looking for him, I should give her this letter.'"
"Paimon: 'A talking Seelie? Who?'"
Upon seeing this passage, everyone burst into laughter again. This little Paimon is truly too cute.
Not only is she cute, but she also has many nicknames, and who knows if she'll get even more in the future.
Fortunately, Paimon was cheering everyone on from the shore at this moment and didn't see the rest of the book, otherwise she might have 'ignited the ocean' and turned everyone into 'Grilled Chihu Fish'.
Everyone began to read the letter left by Wang Ping'an. The general content was that he had awakened and embarked on a path of cultivation alone.
However, there were a few notable points in the letter, such as:
"I, who falsely claimed to be an immortal, always wore a mask to face others."
"And the true immortal only wears a mask in front of evil spirits."
"If my mask was to conceal my heart, which was bewitched by evil..."
"Then what the Conqueror of Demons' mask conceals is his human side."
At the end of the letter, Wang Ping'an also wrote that the ill-gotten money had been returned through someone, and all things useless for cultivation were given to the Traveler.
"Waiter: 'What would this gentleman like to order?'"
"Xiao: 'One Grilled Chihu Fish.'"
"Paimon: 'It's not almond tofu?!'"
"Xiao: 'This is what Pervases liked to eat when he was alive...'
"'I just wanted to taste what it was like.'"
"'Crashing waves into the sea to seek the chihu, wind and snow return to the mountains to slay demons.'"
'Chapter of the Golden-Winged King: Act I: The Butterfly Dream of Huai Ke, and the Nuo Dance Dream, End'
Upon reading this, the readers finally nodded. Although they still felt he should be arrested and jailed for a few days.
But he had returned the money, so it seemed his vow should be genuinely achievable.
"The human side..." Xiao looked at the Nuo mask in his hand.
Xiao always felt that he was not like the other Yakshas; they had other things to do besides killing.
As for himself, besides killing, he knew nothing and was good at nothing.
That's why the other Yakshas considered integrating into the mortal world, but he never did.
No... perhaps he had thought about it, but he subconsciously avoided such thoughts.
And after his brothers and sisters left, Xiao had even less of that thought.
But no matter what, Xiao did not feel that he had a human side; that was something only the other Yakshas possessed.
Guizhong had already made small mechanical dolls in Xiao's likeness, not for money, of course, but to help the Liyue people remember Xiao better.
The Yaksha's story doesn't need sympathy and tears, but the Yaksha's sacrifices should be remembered.
And something that is close to people's lives is more likely to be remembered.
Barbara also finished the story, and she became even more emotional about the greatness of Barbatos.
Xiao's story is great, they are all great, so isn't Barbatos, who intervened to save him at a crucial moment, also great?
Barbara prayed that Barbatos could help Xiao remove the karma that plagued him.
The Inazuma people were even more emotional: the Yakshas who protected all beings...
Their divine beings were once like this, but their generation had almost never witnessed it.
What exactly did the Electro Archon and the great demons in the story do? They really want to know!
Qiu Cheng, when are you going to write the Inazuma story!!!
No, given Inazuma's current situation... maybe it's better not to write it...
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Character Voice Line · Lin Qiu: About Xiao
"You're talking about him, huh? Although he seems very aloof, he's actually quite easy to get along with. See, I wrote that he's short, and he didn't use the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear to poke my knees, did
