Xiao pushed open the door and immediately saw Zhongli dueling with Xingqiu.
Before Zhongli stood [Red-Eyes Black Dragon] and [Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #1].
Xiao was stunned!
These two creatures—he had never seen such monsters before!
Just locking eyes with them, Xiao felt his urge to slaughter surge.
At the same time—
Luya's Card Furnace…
A green light flared, brightening the entire shop…
With a gust of wind, the glow faded!
A card slid out from the Furnace.
Luya took it in hand…
[Conqueror of Demons – Xiao], fresh from the forge!
As it was completed, a green light burst forth from the card and flew into Xiao himself.
His body instantly felt lighter, his head clearer.
The feeling was identical to when his karmic debt had eased earlier!
He looked at the [Conqueror of Demons – Xiao] in Luya's hand, face full of doubt… unsure what to do.
The shop fell silent. Xiao's fierce gaze fixed on Luya, making everyone nervous.
"It's over…"
"The shopkeeper must have offended the real Conqueror of Demons…"
"This is bad… I'm not buying anymore!"
"We should go… if we're guilty of disrespecting an adeptus, we're finished!"
In Liyue, common folk dared not go against an adeptus. Disrespecting one was unthinkable.
Hu Tao, in the middle of her duel with Xiangling, jumped down from the stage when she saw Xiao arrive. She feared he might lash out at Luya.
In her eyes, Luya was just an ordinary person without a Vision. If he angered an adeptus, he would be in grave danger.
But Hu Tao had her Vision. If Xiao attacked, she would protect Luya without hesitation.
Keqing also stood at once, eyes locked on Xiao.
She, too, feared he might harm Luya. In her view, Luya was someone who could change Liyue—and she would not let him be hurt. Even if it meant standing against an adeptus.
Meanwhile—
On the Duel Stage, Xingqiu was completely immersed!
"I Special Summon [Conqueror of Demons – Xiao]!"
[Conqueror of Demons – Xiao] Level 7│WIND│Adeptus│2500 ATK / 1400 DEF
Effect: During your Main Phase, if you control no monsters and your opponent controls two or more, you can Special Summon this card from your hand.
A breeze swept across the stage.
A low, solemn voice resounded:
"If you face perils in the wild, ambushed by thieves…"
"If you face the perils of fire, blade, or ghostly poison, or the perils of beasts, insects, or evil men—call my name."
"I, the Three-Eyed, Five-Manifested Adeptus Xiao, answer the summons, and come to guard you!"
From the heavens, a youth descended—bearing a jade-green polearm, wearing a turquoise oni mask. His eyes shone like bright stars. Crimson lips, white teeth, flowing teal hair. Neither wholly human nor beast—a true adeptus.
His pupils glowed emerald, piercing and clear.
It was—Xiao!
The [Conqueror of Demons – Xiao] Xingqiu had summoned looked identical to the real Xiao now staring at Luya.
The customers panicked further.
"Now it's really over!"
"Can Young Master Xingqiu cancel that summon…?"
"We're doomed!"
"Won't the adeptus punish the shopkeeper and Xingqiu for this insult?!"
"Where are we supposed to go for fun after this…?!"
Xiao looked around at their reactions with quiet helplessness. But he wasn't surprised.
To mortals, Xiao was terrifying.
Dangerous, taciturn, sharp-eyed like a blade.
His years of slaughter in service of the Archons had washed away all softness, leaving only killing arts and karmic debt.
Even from afar, mortals trembled just looking at him.
Xiao didn't know how to explain—and didn't want to.
But he wasn't angry. He was grateful.
Grateful that Luya's card had lightened his burden. He had no reason to be angry—only thankful.
But in people's eyes, he would always seem frightening.
"Who spread this nonsense about 'disrespecting the adeptus'…"
"A bunch of slanderers…"
He recalled, two and a half years ago at Wangshu Inn, he had once dozed off standing and muttered in his sleep something about 'disrespecting the adeptus'…
How had that grown into such a terrifying rumor now!?
His reputation as an adeptus had been ruined…
Among mortals, Xiao's renown was like his height—not very high.
He was neither a lucky star drawing wealth, nor a lofty immortal residing in Jueyun Karst.
And yet he was mocked with endless nicknames—
The Useless True Lord, The Happy Wind Man, The Handsome Shorty, The Ever-Present True Lord, The Cold-Faced Young Master, The Almond Tofu True Lord…
Names upon names.
Xiao envied Venti.
The Anemo Archon was free and cheerful, his temperament as carefree as his flute music.
Such a god could easily get along with mortals. That was something Xiao believed he could never do.
Before he entered, the shop's atmosphere had been lighthearted.
But the moment he stepped in, the air turned tense.
It left Xiao awkward.
Luya held the newly-forged [Conqueror of Demons – Xiao].
Seeing the real Xiao in his shop—and another summoned on the Duel Stage—he couldn't help but laugh:
"Well then, Xiao really has answered the summons, hahaha!"
Though Hu Tao and Keqing feared he would be beaten by Xiao, Luya remained utterly calm.
Because in his shop, even Teyvat's Heavenly Principles would have no say, much less Xiao.
And besides…
Xiao would not harm anyone. He only looked fierce.
Zhongli, seeing Xiao, said nothing—calmly watching to see how Luya would handle this. He knew Xiao wouldn't hurt anyone. This was a chance to test Luya's resolve.
Xingqiu heard the customers murmuring. Turning, he froze.
"No way… the real Xiao!"
He panicked, unsure if this counted as disrespecting the adeptus, and halted his play—turning to watch Luya and Xiao face off.
To him, Xiao looked like he was glaring murderously at Luya.
But in truth—that was just how Xiao's eyes always looked.
Luya pocketed the card, then calmly stepped toward Xiao.
Hu Tao watched nervously. Keqing stood ready to act.
Luya, imitating Venti's cheerful tone when offering Xiao wine, said brightly:
"Yo! Friend~"
"On such a fine day, won't you have a duel?!"
At these words—
Xiao raised his spear and rumbled:
"Then… let us duel."
As his weapon lifted, Hu Tao and Keqing also prepared to act.
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]