Mu Yang first opened the art platform the system had sent him earlier.
Good lord, his backend DMs were practically exploding.
Pinned at the top was, of course, Tuanzi, the little artist who also produced her own content on the side.
"Boss, the picture is finished. Please take a look."
'Mu Yang X Lumine.JPG'
Mu Yang downloaded the image and took a look.
He could not help but cry out, "Holy crap."
"System, I have to praise you for this. You actually found a site like this, and such a treasure of an artist."
System: "Is that real praise or fake praise? You're not still holding a grudge, are you? Even though I did initially want to use these pictures to mess with you..."
Mu Yang: "Real praise. Look at Lumine's figure, those lines, that incredibly seductive expression..."
System: "Stop, stop, stop! Aren't you ashamed? I'm gone. Don't bother me even if you need something. ╭(╯^╰)╮"
Mu Yang sent Tuanzi a reply.
"Full marks! You can put it up on the homepage now."
Mu Yang realized that Tuanzi seemed to have misunderstood him.
I didn't commission this picture just to keep it to myself.
How am I supposed to get Popularity Points if you don't post it?
Tuanzi's reply came almost instantly.
"Oh, oh, I thought you'd commissioned it just to look at yourself, Boss."
"Let me finish the Genshin Impact story first, then I'll keep working on new art."
"Everyone in the group seems to have become obsessed with Mu Yang."
Mu Yang replied with an "ok."
He let her finish the Genshin Impact story first.
Right afterward, Mu Yang began reviewing the works from the other artists who had previously blown up in popularity.
It had to be said.
The website the system had provided was seriously awesome.
There were truly so many talented people here.
Although every artist had a different style.
The Mu Yang and Lumine in their drawings had absolutely overflowing couple chemistry.
Other than Tuanzi's picture, which had maxed-out sex appeal.
(A picture that was unsuitable to describe in too much detail.)
Mu Yang's favorite was this one in a youthful campus style.
The Mu Yang and Lumine in the picture were not on the Teyvat Continent.
They were at a school in Dragon Country.
The two, dressed in school uniforms, were taking a stroll along the track.
The sun was setting.
Their shadows stretched long behind them.
They were not standing especially close to each other.
But from Mu Yang's gaze, one could see how indulgently he doted on Ying.
This picture also resonated with many players.
[Afraid of the dark, scared to turn off the lights]: This is love!
[She said she was running]: Once, I had a love that innocent too.
[Kuafu Chasing the Sun Never Stays Up Late]: Brother upstairs, please tell your story in a way that matches your username.
[Afraid of heights, don't dare use a Wind Glider]: Mu Yang's gaze is way too doting! Holy crap, when will I get to meet a boy like that? Aaaaaah!
[Darknight Hero]: These two really have way too much couple chemistry. The artist handled the distance between them very well too. I just finished the story today, and Mu Yang really is that kind of person. He won't cling to you too much, but he'll treat you insanely well.
[Can you act normal?]: I'M SHIPPING SHIPPING SHIPPING SHIPPING SHIPPING SHIPPING SHIPPING SHIPPING
After browsing through the artwork.
Mu Yang opened the HoYoLAB forums.
The hottest post immediately caught his eye.
It seemed there really were people who got it.
His careful planning all along had not been for nothing.
He had been thinking that if no one wrote one.
He would post an article himself.
Unexpectedly, someone had managed to follow his train of thought.
Mu Yang opened the post and began reading.
[Liyue Plot Analysis: Mu Yang—the Assassin Who Murdered the Geo Archon, the Boss of Liyue's Main Story]
Author: Truthful Immortal
I am a closed beta player, a story enthusiast, and a lore analyst.
Today, I'll be giving everyone a prediction for the upcoming Liyue storyline.
I'm sure everyone knows.
After the official launch.
The developers added a character named "Mu Yang."
He was not present in the previous closed beta storyline.
There are recorded streams as proof. (Link to the recordings.)
And in the official materials we already have.
We can also see just how much the developers favor this character.
It would not be an exaggeration to call him their beloved son.
After the "Footprints PV."
They immediately released a character illustration.
Together with the major information he gave players, such as the Abyss Order.
And the Fatui Executives.
And finally, his powerful displays in the story.
If you say this character is unimportant.
That is absolutely impossible.
(Regarding the hidden thread where Mu Yang becomes an antagonist, I disagree. I'll make another post about that.)
(The most direct evidence is that he cannot pass through the void.)
Yet this important a character.
Did not have much presence in the Mondstadt storyline.
He only made a brief move at the Fatui stronghold.
The battle afterward was also shown through flashbacks.
Then we can boldly speculate.
That the main event surrounding Mu Yang.
Would be in the Liyue storyline.
My conclusion is: he is a key force in the plan to murder the Geo Archon.
In other words, he is the one carrying out the assassination.
This conclusion mainly comes from the "Footprints PV."
Mu Yang's character illustration appeared alongside that line.
The hint was far too obvious.
Let me slowly lay out the remaining evidence.
First, Mu Yang's profession.
Judging from his clothing, his archetype should be an ancient Dragon Country swordsman.
In ancient times, assassins dressed like this too.
And Mu Yang's words and actions in the story also showed.
That assassination was his line of work.
Take people's money and solve their troubles for them.
Second, his strength.
I believe everyone has seen this for themselves.
What we personally witnessed includes:
Easily killing Fatui Debt Collectors.
Easily repelling a large Hilichurl force.
What he himself claimed: (Unverified)
Dragon Slaying.
The Eighth Fatui Executive, "La Signora," was not qualified.
Bring the First, "the Captain," instead.
Judging from the combat strength shown in the story.
He probably was not lying.
Third, his self-introductions.
Whenever Mu Yang introduced himself.
He always said, "Chenyu Vale, Mu Yang."
Rather than, "Liyue, Mu Yang."
If you go to another country and tell someone you're from Guangdong Province.
Would they understand?
You would have to say you're from Dragon Country, right?
Therefore, Mu Yang might have some mutual hostility with Liyue.
Lastly, his skill effects.
That dragon from "Azure Dragon Emerging from Water."
This explains the issue with the third point.
Liyue's Geo Archon is also dragon-shaped.
Of course they dislike each other, right?
In summary.
Let me summarize.
The Liyue storyline is probably this:
The Fatui plotted an assassination against the Geo Archon.
Their target is the Gnosis.
They hired Mu Yang to make the move for a high price.
Mu Yang happened to have the same intention anyway.
Our protagonist just happened to be at the scene.
And then became a suspect.
Afterward, we would find various ways.
To prove ourselves to another character from the "Footprints PV"—Ningguang.
To prove our innocence.
Then defeat Mu Yang.
And help Liyue overcome the crisis.
Mu Yang looked at Truthful Immortal's analysis.
Well, what could he say? What could he really say?
You could not say the analysis was entirely correct.
You could also say it did not touch on the truth at all.
But he could not be blamed for that.
This was the result of Mu Yang's deliberate guidance.
This was exactly the effect Mu Yang wanted.
That was why he had to take the Geo Archon's seat.
Dainsleif could just take the blame.
The game was currently gated by main story level and plot progression.
(I started late, so I don't know whether it was actually gated. Let's just assume everyone on the Parallel Blue Planet got gated.)
Everyone had nothing to do.
They could only shoot the breeze on the forums.
This plot analysis had already become a pinned hot post.
All sorts of expert players and lore analysts flocked here to join in.
Some agreed, while others opposed it.
Truthful Immortal even made a bold declaration during arguments in the comments.
If Mu Yang was not the assassin who killed the Geo Archon.
Then he would buy Constellations for everyone in the comments!
Before you continue