"Master didn't say anything?"
Seeing how hesitant and unsure Ganyu looked, Shenhe more or less understood the answer.
Their master hadn't written anything explicit in the letter.
Nor had she given Ganyu any particular instructions before sending her here.
So for this trip down the mountain… their master really hadn't arranged any specific task for her.
Was it simply that she wanted Shenhe to blend into Liyue Harbor, to blend into the mortal world?
But… Master didn't say so outright.
Senior Sister also didn't know how she was supposed to arrange things.
Then where was Shenhe supposed to go? What was she supposed to do?
She couldn't just idle around in Liyue Harbor all day, living a muddled, purposeless life, could she?
"Right."
After pondering for a moment, Ganyu suddenly lifted her head, a smile appearing on her face.
"Junior Sister, come with me first. I'll take you to meet someone."
This junior sister of hers, Shenhe…
Her life had been full of hardship and misfortune; her fate was harsh and ominous.
Their master often sighed over how difficult her lot was.
After all, a fate like hers harmed others and herself alike.
Solitary Star and Calamity Fiend—both were great inauspicious signs.
When they appeared in the same pillar of destiny, the result was the aspect of the Heavenly Lone Star.
Ordinary people whose fate held even one of these would often come to a bad end.
And Shenhe bore both together.
Yet even such a dire fate was not completely beyond salvation.
First: a noble benefactor could intervene and change the fate.
Second: a grand favorable era of fortune could dispel the calamities.
A single "destined benefactor" with a supremely noble destiny could easily neutralize the ominous Solitary Star and Calamity Fiend in Shenhe's chart, turning misfortune into blessing and thus changing her life.
As for a grand favorable era… that was even harder to encounter than a destined benefactor.
Heaven's timing, earth's advantage, human harmony, the unity of an entire nation—none of these could be lacking.
In all of Liyue's history, there had only been one period that could truly be called such an era of great fortune.
It came one hundred years after the end of the Archon War, when the systems of the Qixing, the Eight Gates, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and all the rest were established and refined.
From then on, that order had endured to this day.
Five hundred years ago there had been a great calamity, but Liyue had weathered it.
Pinning hopes on some future grand era of fortune was less realistic than finding a destined benefactor.
Unfortunately, people whose destinies were that exalted were not easy to find either.
Twenty years had flashed by. The child had already grown up, but there was still no sign of any "destined benefactor."
As for a new era of great fortune, there wasn't the slightest hint.
But now… things were different.
In terms of noble destiny, who in all of Liyue Harbor could compare to Mister Taro?
If she could obtain Mister Taro's consent…
Then Shenhe's fate would be rewritten from this day forth.
The Solitary Star and Calamity Fiend that shared one pillar in her chart would surely transform into auspicious signs.
"Meet who~?"
"The Lord of Dust?"
Shenhe was slightly puzzled, then nodded lightly.
"This time down the mountain, I truly have no pressing matters. I will simply follow Senior Sister's arrangements."
"The Lord of Dust is indeed someone I ought to meet~"
"But not just yet."
Ganyu stepped forward and gently took Shenhe's hand.
"Junior Sister, you may already have heard a little."
"The one I want to take you to meet is Mister Taro."
"The destined benefactor who can resolve your Solitary Star and Calamity Fiend."
Mister Taro?
Her destined benefactor?
Shenhe froze at Ganyu's words.
The person Senior Sister wanted her to meet…
Was the same Mister Taro who had revived the Lord of Dust, Guizhong, along with many of Liyue's adepti?
Was this Mister Taro truly her destined benefactor?
"Come on~"
"Junior Sister."
Ganyu turned with Shenhe in tow, smiling as she spoke.
"I already informed Sister Fanan just now, and obtained Mister Taro's permission."
"As it happens, Yingda and the others are still at home too."
"If we go now, it's perfect timing."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ganyu didn't want to waste another second.
Clouds and mist rose beneath her feet, and though Shenhe started in surprise, she didn't resist.
She let Ganyu carry her as a streak of light straight toward Chihu Rock.
In Liyue, you could keep anyone waiting.
Anyone except Mister Taro.
This was a shared understanding among Liyue's adepti.
It wasn't flattery.
It was respect from the depths of their hearts.
At the same time—
At the foot of Chihu Rock.
Not long after seeing Lumine off, Taro was still sunning himself when he lifted his head slightly, his gaze turning toward the direction of Mt. Tianheng.
He gave the faintest of nods.
A moment later, he turned and spoke to Yingda at his side.
"In a bit, Ganyu will bring her junior sister Shenhe over, and Fanan will be back as well."
"I'll leave you to greet them first."
Ganyu-nee and her junior sister were coming?
At that, Yingda's eyes lit up at once. She leaped to her feet and smacked her chest confidently.
"Leave it to me! I'll make sure to treat them properly."
"But, sir… are you going out?"
Guests were about to arrive, yet he wanted her to host them—that had to mean he was going out, right?
"Mm."
Taro gave a small nod. "An old friend from Mondstadt."
"It won't take long."
"He's bringing me some good news."
An old friend from Mondstadt?
The Anemo Archon, Barbatos?
"Understood."
Yingda nodded immediately. "Go without worry, sir."
"My sister and I will take good care of them."
If the other party wasn't coming here but instead calling Taro out to meet, there must be something secret to discuss.
Matters between gods were best left alone.
Whatever the sir wished to share with them, he would.
As for the rest, there was no need to be curious.
Just as he'd once said—
If he couldn't change something, what good would it do to know?
And if he could change it, why bother knowing in advance?
"Alright, I'll be back once I've seen him off."
Taro nodded lightly, and his figure vanished on the spot.
With three people at home, he felt perfectly at ease.
Watching him leave, Yingda smiled and turned to tidy up the space outside the main hall.
Then she headed into the back kitchen to brew a fresh pot of tea.
She waited for the guests to arrive.
Before long, a streak of light descended.
Ganyu and Shenhe's figures appeared abruptly in front of the house.
"Ganyu-nee, over here, over here~~"
Yingda, who had been waiting for some time already, jumped up and waved.
"Sorry to impose, Yingda."
Ganyu led Shenhe into the house at a measured pace.
"This is my junior sister, Shenhe."
"And this is the yaksha Yingda."
"I greet you, immortal."
Shenhe's eyes brightened.
She had certainly heard of the Emperor's yaksha retinue.
"No need to be so formal."
"I call Ganyu 'sister.'"
"You're Master Cloud Retainer's disciple and Ganyu's junior sister."
"Just call me 'sister' too."
Yingda gave Shenhe a once-over, her gaze lingering for a moment on the spear in Shenhe's hand before she nodded in satisfaction.
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
She naturally pulled Shenhe down to sit beside her.
"Here, have some tea~"
With practiced ease, Yingda poured two cups.
"I knew you were coming, so I specially brewed some Qingxin tea."
"Ganyu-nee, you have some too?"
"Thank you~"
Both of them stood and accepted their cups.
"Please wait just a little."
Yingda said softly, "Sir has gone to Mt. Tianheng to meet a friend."
"He shouldn't be gone very long."
"Huh?"
Ganyu froze. "Then, if we show up now, are we…"
Mister Taro was out visiting a friend.
Coming right at this moment—were they being a bit inappropriate?
"Don't worry~"
Yingda shook her head.
"Sir said he'd be back soon."
"And my sister should be back any moment too."
Her sister was coming back?
Shenhe blinked at that.
The elder sister of the Fire Rat General… the Spiral Coil General, Fanan?
Involuntarily, Shenhe glanced at Calamity Queller, propped nearby.
The spear's first master had been none other than this Spiral Coil General, Fanan.
As she was lost in thought, a blue-toned figure stepped in through the doorway.
"I'm back."
"…"
(End of Chapter)
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