Xingqiu looked at the puzzled Qiu Bai and stroked his chin.
"My name is Xingqiu," he said.
"I'm the second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild."
Qiu Bai smiled as he looked at him.
"So you're the second young master of the Feiyun Guild. I've only just returned to Liyue Harbor recently, so I'm not too familiar with everything going on."
"I didn't expect Mr. Qiu Bai to have such refined taste, coming here to watch Yun Jin perform," Xingqiu remarked as he walked over and sat across from him, glancing up at the stage with a smile.
"Yun Jin is unmatched when it comes to opera," Qiu Bai replied. "All of Liyue Harbor knows that. Of course I had to come see for myself."
He gave a light chuckle.
"I was just passing the time, really. Tomorrow, I plan to head to the island nation—Inazuma—for a visit."
Qiu Bai sipped his tea as he spoke.
"Inazuma?" Xingqiu raised a brow.
"I've heard the country's under lockdown. How do you plan to get in, Mr. Qiu Bai?"
Qiu Bai smiled mysteriously.
"I have my ways. My goal is to travel across all seven nations of Teyvat and take in the world properly."
Xingqiu's eyes lit up.
"If you're heading to Inazuma… could I trouble you with a small favor?"
Qiu Bai looked at him, puzzled.
Sensing his confusion, Xingqiu glanced around somewhat nervously, then leaned in slightly and lowered his voice.
"Actually, Mr. Qiu Bai… my pen name is Zhenyu."
"My novels don't get printed in Liyue. The publishers say they're too old-fashioned."
"But I've got fans in Inazuma, so I've been printing them in secret," he said quietly, then paused.
"I'd like to ask you to take this copy of The Sword Chronicles of Shenqiu II to Yae Publishing House in Inazuma. It's my latest work."
He handed Qiu Bai the novel.
Qiu Bai took the book—it was heavier than expected. Xingqiu had clearly poured a lot into it.
"When the time comes, just tell them it's the sequel by Teacher Zhenyu. Ask Yae Publishing House to print a few copies and split the profits with me—how about thirty-seventy?"
Xingqiu looked at Qiu Bai hopefully, worried he might say no.
He still didn't know why Inazuma had suddenly gone into isolation recently, but it made visiting nearly impossible.
...
Ding!
System Task:
Help Xingqiu deliver "The Sword Chronicles of Shenqiu II" to Yae Publishing House.
Reward: Unknown.
The system's voice echoed in Qiu Bai's mind.
"Heh, I wasn't planning to say no anyway," Qiu Bai thought with a grin, rubbing his chin.
He looked at Xingqiu, who was scratching his head nervously. Was he worried Qiu Bai might refuse?
"Alright, I'll do it."
"It's getting late—you should rest for now."
Qiu Bai glanced up at the darkening sky, then at Yun Jin, whose performance was nearly finished, and spoke calmly.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Qiu Bai!"
"It's settled then!" Xingqiu said happily, standing up and patting his chest. He reached out a hand.
"Haha, it's no problem. I don't have anything urgent going on anyway."
"Might as well take a stroll around Inazuma."
Qiu Bai also stood and shook his hand with a smile.
"I'll be heading off then. Rest well, Mr. Qiu Bai."
With that, Xingqiu turned and left in the direction of the Feiyun Commerce Guild.
...
Applause broke out all around—it seemed Yun Jin's performance had just concluded.
Qiu Bai smiled and looked toward the center of the stage.
With a tap of his finger, he quietly infused a wisp of divine white light, invisible to mortals, into Yun Jin's body.
"Hmm? What's going on with me?"
"Why does it feel like all my fatigue is suddenly gone?"
Yun Jin, having just finished her performance, looked down at her hands, puzzled. She couldn't understand it.
Normally, after a performance, she'd feel utterly exhausted—but this time, there was none of that fatigue at all.
Qiu Bai briefly sensed the direction of the Five Yakshas, then strolled toward them.
On the brightly lit street, he saw Bosacius, Fanan, Indarias, Xiao, and Menogias—all of them smiling.
As they wandered through the lively street, Fanan couldn't help but curiously gaze at the food vendors selling candied hawthorn and all kinds of snacks.
Xiao had a skewer of candied hawthorn in his mouth, courtesy of Bosacius, who had shoved it in against his will. Seeing Bosacius grinning from ear to ear, Xiao couldn't help but crack a small smile after taking a bite.
Indarias made his way into a Liyue clothing store, his eyes lighting up as he browsed the various outfits. He ended up buying every piece he liked.
Menogias, meanwhile, was absorbed in fiddling with all sorts of toys displayed around him.
"Bosacius, look at this!"
Fanan ran over wearing a flower crown on her head, smiling sweetly.
"So cute. It suits you perfectly, Fanan."
Bosacius burst into laughter, looking fondly at the adorable Fanan.
"Menogias, how old are you again? Still playing with children's toys?"
Bosacius couldn't help but tease as he watched Menogias mess with the trinkets.
"Get lost, Bosacius."
"You don't get it. These are the crystallized wisdom of the people of Liyue," Menogias replied, with a look that said, "You just wouldn't understand," before turning back to the toy in his hands.
"Hey, hey! Doesn't this outfit look great on me?!"
Indarias came strutting out of the clothing store, calling out to the others.
Her long red hair cascaded down her back. She wore a traditional qipao, her legs bare beneath, and high heels clicked on the pavement as she walked. She smiled brightly at the four Yakshas.
"Wow! It looks amazing on you, Sister Indarias!"
Fanan was awestruck by her look and hurried over for a closer look.
"You wearing that… just feels a little off somehow."
Bosacius twitched at the sight. The fiery Indarias wearing a qipao? It was hard to wrap his head around.
"I think it actually suits her pretty well."
Menogias nodded with a smile, clearly approving.
"Hm..."
"Looks good."
Xiao rubbed his chin and gave a simple, honest comment as he looked over at Indarias.
...
Qiu Bai stood at a distance, silently watching the scene.
"Heh, looks like Master Hu didn't hold back on the Mora."
"But that's fine."
Seeing the reunited Yakshas enjoying themselves brought a smile to his face.
He didn't go over to greet them—instead, he turned and walked toward the other end of the street.
"Time to go find Ping'er. I'll need a Serenitea Pot."
"No way I'm returning to Liyue every night while traveling to other nations."
Qiu Bai rubbed his chin thoughtfully and headed in the direction of Yujing Terrace.
As he neared the terrace, the area was noticeably quieter than the bustling streets he'd just passed through.
A few young couples stood along the corridor, gazing out at the distant, glowing moon.
Qiu Bai shook his head lightly and made his way up toward the top of Yujing Terrace.