Leaving Mondstadt behind, the breeze that brushed across the road felt somehow softer and smoother to both Lumine and Paimon.
No more running through storms and hardship just to survive.
Lumine glanced quietly at Su Xuan, who walked half a step ahead.
Truthfully, Su Xuan was the most terrifying existence in this world.
This world was like a storybook he had already read from beginning to end.
And more importantly—he possessed power enough to overturn the world itself the instant he wished to.
If he became angry, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Lumine herself had always been the kind to act first and think later.
She still remembered the moment she once wanted to fight the gods head-on—just charge upwards with blind courage.
Now thinking back, she felt a chill.
If the diary hadn't connected her to Su Xuan…
Maybe there would be nothing left of her now—no journey, no future, no chance to ever find her brother.
Now, as Su Xuan's first official "employee," Lumine felt she needed to think carefully about her responsibilities going forward.
Food, shelter, travel—these were nothing to her.
What worried her was the "night shift" kind of work Su Xuan's diary implied.
And based on the diary… that job seemed... unavoidable.
But then she thought again.
Her powers were weak now. She traveled a dangerous world with only Paimon beside her.
Danger lurked everywhere.
Death was a real possibility.
And Su Xuan had said it clearly:
Her brother was now the one leading the Abyss.
An enemy to the whole world.
If she wanted to find him—and protect him—she needed Su Xuan.
"…Fine," Lumine admitted to herself.
"If he really wants to do anything to me… with his power, resisting would be pointless anyway."
"At worst… just close my eyes. Don't look, don't think. Let him do as he wishes."
Just as those thoughts drifted, a green figure appeared along the road.
"Yo~! Heading somewhere?" Venti greeted cheerfully.
"To travel," Su Xuan answered simply. "Leaving Mondstadt."
"Travel… ah, such a beautiful word," Venti said dramatically.
"Birds, wine, songs, drifting winds—"
"Stop," Su Xuan cut him off, expression flat.
"What are you actually here for?"
Venti froze with an awkward smile, then glanced at Lumine and Paimon.
Paimon put her hands on her hips:
"Just so you know—this is our boss. Su-Boss.
Lumine and I are now officially his most trusted employees!"
"So quit trying to flirt with Lumine!"
Venti broke into cold sweat at the accusation and waved both hands quickly.
"No no no! I only wanted her help back then to calm Stormterror, I swear!
It was Su-Boss who stepped in and saved Mondstadt!"
Venti then held out a sealed bottle of golden-hued wine.
"This is Osmanthus Wine. I said before I'd treat you, remember?"
"So you went to Liyue?" Su Xuan asked.
"Mm-hmm," Venti nodded.
"Thought Mondstadt wine wouldn't surprise you, so I borrowed something from my old friend in the harbor."
"Borrowed?" Su Xuan raised an eyebrow.
"You mean you asked Zhongli for money?"
Paimon choked. Lumine nearly stumbled.
Zhongli—Liyue's Geo Archon—borrowing money from him…?
Venti coughed lightly.
"Well… he didn't have any Mora. At all."
Su Xuan snorted.
"Figures."
"But he did have wine," Venti continued.
"So I returned with this. And I didn't drink even a drop. Promise!"
Su Xuan took the bottle, felt its weight and the untouched seal.
He had held back.
"That's… actually respectable of you," Su Xuan said calmly.
Venti smiled with relief.
"So, where are you headed next?"
"To the place where you 'borrowed' this wine," Su Xuan answered.
"Liyue."
"Ooh! Perfect timing!" Venti brightened.
"They're about to hold the Rite of Descension. Food, music, fireworks—and Rock King Morax will appear in his dragon form."
"A dragon! Food!" Paimon nearly jumped into the air.
Lumine quickly tugged her back down.
"Calm down. Even if Su-Boss gave us money, we can't just splurge irresponsibly."
Paimon saluted instantly:
"Yes! For Su-Boss' sake, I will be financially responsible!"
Su Xuan chuckled and motioned for them to continue.
"Let's go. Liyue awaits."
"Until fate brings us together again, Su-Boss," Venti waved as they departed.
Far away, in Jueyun Karst, the crane adeptus Cloud Retainer slammed her wing on the table:
"Half-dragon half-Qilin-beast!? Who is spreading such nonsense!!?"
But the diary was already updating…
Meanwhile, high above Liyue Harbor in the Jade Chamber—
Ningguang stood at the window, holding her pipe, fingers trembling ever so slightly.
Yelan played with a die between her fingers.
"So. He's coming to Liyue," Yelan murmured.
Ningguang didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes were calm—but the calculation behind them was burning.
"You're thinking of sending someone to him as… a gift, aren't you?" Yelan teased lightly.
Ningguang finally exhaled a thin trail of smoke.
"Not necessary. The diary has told us enough. We don't need to act blindly."
Then her gaze fell directly on Yelan—quiet and sharp.
"But you, Yelan… are the one who needs to be cautious."
"Your philosophy is 'A calm life is dull. Danger brings clarity.'
You choose sharp paths on purpose. You chase intensity."
Ningguang turned her head slightly, voice turning cool:
"Some dangers don't grant exhilaration.
Some dangers do not sharpen you."
"They kill you."
Yelan paused, smile fading a fraction.
Ningguang's voice lowered:
"Don't go looking for excitement from him."
"You won't survive it."
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL