Please Leave Me a Little! / I Have Connections in the Underworld

Do you have any more questions?

What are your measurements?

"91, 60, 96."

"... That's a pretty straightforward answer to that question."

Ying gazed at the goddess's alluring body for a while, silently calculating the data in her mind, and then sighed seemingly dissatisfied.

During the hour-long questioning, Wendy told a lot, but in many places she only told half of what she said. It was like some kind of deliberate game of stopping short of revealing details.

However, Ying wasn't actually that unhappy.

Both are riddle tellers, but the experience is completely different when the riddle is uttered by a lazy bum or a beautiful goddess in a melodious, sky-high voice.

Ying felt that Wendy was very sincere.

Every world has many secrets that cannot be easily revealed. She's so beautiful, what's wrong with hiding a little? Was I completely without fault for deliberately making things difficult for her?

I'm so sorry.

With an apologetic smile, the goddess clasped her hands together and blinked her innocent, adorable eyes.

Look, she even apologized. How sincere!

Ying put down her teacup and said in a serious tone:

"No need, I understand. It's normal that you can't tell me secrets concerning the gods, or even secrets concerning the world. I'm still reasonable."

"That being said... in short, by helping Dvalin, you've helped me and Mondstadt. From now on, we're friends. If you need anything, you can come find me in the Windrise; I'm usually on that big tree over there."

"Yes, I've got it."

Two little hands clasped together.

With a stern face, Ying couldn't help but gently stroke the other person's soft palm and the back of their hand.

Wendy's smile froze. She tried to pull it out, but unexpectedly, she couldn't pull it out with normal force. This made her look a little embarrassed, and she forced a smile:

"Um, hand..."

"Oh, sorry, I just went through a battle and didn't control my power well."

"It's alright, so you can..."

Oh, I'm sorry.

Ying finally let go, her face still serious and solemn.

Beside him, Paimon ate his cake, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

'The traveler has returned.'

Just then, Ying unconsciously yawned.

"Ha~~"

After a relentless pursuit of the Wolf Cavalry Unit, fighting their way through the Ruins of the East Wind Dragon, and finally engaging in a chase with Dvalin, Luminous was already exhausted. The exhaustion overwhelmed her after the intelligence gathering was completed.

Ying's body swayed slightly.

"Careful."

Wendy appeared just in time to her side, offering her a fleshy pillow.

"You must be exhausted. Why don't you take a nap?"

"Um..."

Hearing the God of Wind's gentle and loving voice, Ying had no time to think and let her guard down. She smelled the floral fragrance on Wendy and peacefully drifted off to sleep.

Paimon pursed his lips again.

'The travelers have come again.'

On the other hand, the 007 working stiff expert, the Master Jean known as the Ganyu- spreading leader of Mondstadt, is far from having such a leisurely life.

She led her team back to Mondstadt City as quickly as possible.

The acting Grand Master summoned key members of the Knights to his office.

He then recounted his experiences in the Wind Dragon Realm and the instructions given by the God of Wind.

"I can understand the first part. The Traveler entered the temple under guidance, was disrupting the Abyss Order's plans, and was to some extent permitted by the God of Wind. In addition, he healed the Dragon of the East Wind, so removing him from the wanted list is naturally no problem. But who exactly is the bard Venti?"

Kaeya raised the biggest question in the whole incident.

To be able to orchestrate such a plan and to be able to contact the God of Wind, one can't help but think he's someone extraordinary, perhaps recorded in mythological texts?

Everyone fell into deep thought.

Just as everyone was speculating, a small hand was raised.

"Master, do you remember what Andrius?"

You mean?

Lisa reacted quickly.

Qin's eyes lit up as well.

"The newborn Demon God of Mondstadt?"

"It suddenly occurred to me, but it's just a guess."

"I think this guess is quite reasonable. If he is the newborn Demon God that Andrius mentioned, then his origins, his elusive nature, and his ability to contact the God of Wind all make sense. What do you think, Kaeya?"

Jean turned her gaze to the few quick-witted and reliable members of the Knights — Cavalry Captain Kaeya.

Kaeya stroked his chin and smiled:

"If he is indeed the new Demon God, then being born on Mondstadt's territory naturally requires him to greet the God of Wind Archon and seek his approval. According to Master Jean, the Traveler's intrusion into the temple was not her doing, nor was the temple's collapse something she wanted to see—could it be that this newborn Demon God, eager to gain the God of Wind's recognition, orchestrated these events?"

"In other words, he both orchestrated the destruction of the temple and successfully healed Lord Dvalin, the Dragon of the East Wind, so he has both merits and demerits. That's why God of Wind said the temple's blame should be placed on him?"

"I think that's very likely. Because he successfully helped Lord Dvalin, God of Wind Anemo approved of him staying in Mondstadt. But because the temple was destroyed, God of Wind Anemo wasn't very happy, so he wanted to teach him a lesson."

"Lady God of Wind only mentioned keeping accounts; we don't need to delve too deeply into her specific thoughts. However, if it's confirmed that Venti is indeed the newly born Demon God, then the Knights treatment of him will require careful consideration."

Kaeya and Jean analyzed and discussed the situation, clarifying the entire sequence of events.

In any case, the audience present all thought it made perfect sense.

Anqi nodded in agreement, then said seriously:

"Next time I go to Wolvendom, I can ask Big Wolf."

"Hmm. Although this should be the truth, when it comes to Demon God, it's indeed necessary to confirm it clearly. Also, that's Andrius, not Big Wolf."

Qin looked at Anqi helplessly.

Everyone chuckled.

The friendship between Anqi and Andrius amazed everyone.

The former was clearly timid and cowardly, easily frightened into offering Mora as an apology. The latter, on the other hand, possessed a formidable reputation and power; even seasoned knights would find it difficult to control their trembling legs in the presence of that giant wolf.

These are the two beings, yet Anqi can casually call out "Big Wolf" over and over again, while Andrius can't shake off that nickname no matter how much he roars.

A relationship so strange it's almost eerie, yet strangely reassuring.

Anqi and Andrius made the Knights realize that, in terms of personality and emotions, Demon God and humans are not actually that far apart.

Three days later, Anqi went to the Wolvendom.

"Wendy Venti bard, the newborn Demon God? Ah yes, yes, it's him, it's him!"

Andrius, with a stern wolf-like face, gave a resolute answer without hesitation.

Anqi, with her clever and not easily fooled appearance, frowned suspiciously.

"I feel like Big Wolf is lying."

"What do you know, little brat? Would I, the mighty Lupus Boreas, lie to you about something like this? If you don't believe me, go ask Dvalin, he'll say the same thing!"

Andrius nodded firmly.

So, Anqi reported the information to Qin.

Qin then presented a solution regarding the bard Venti.

"After careful consideration and calculation, the Knights have determined that the reconstruction cost of the Temple of the Four Winds will be approximately this amount. Due to the Knights' inadequate oversight, we will cover half of the expenses, and you will be responsible for this amount."

In the Statue Square, Jean solemnly handed the Knights' official documents to Venti.

Venti's heart skipped a beat when she saw the long string of numbers on the document.

"I... I have no money."

"That's alright. The temple's reconstruction is of utmost urgency, and the Knights will advance all the funds to complete the reconstruction as quickly as possible. As for the expenses you will need to bear, as far as I know, your daily work involves earning money through singing, so from now on, the Knights will take 40% of your performance earnings until this deficit is covered. What do you think, Venti?"

Barbatos looked at his follower, who was none other than the Dandelion Knight, one of the Four Winds Guardians, with a twitching eye.

A moment later, faced with the choice between revealing his identity and paying, the first-generation God of Wind humbly extended three fingers:

"Is 30% okay?"

"We believe that 40% is a reasonable proportion."

"Thirty percent! At most thirty percent! Please, leave me some, or I'll starve to death!"

Barbatos pleaded with his followers, weeping and sobbing.

Qin frowned, looking troubled.

This newly born Demon God is truly capricious and utterly lacking in dignity; no wonder he took the initiative to surrender to the God of Wind and caused such trouble.

Qin sighed helplessly.

"Thirty-five percent, that's the bottom line."

Using money to make things difficult for a Demon God is more about form than substance. In reality, how much they actually received wasn't even a concern during the Knights' internal discussions. The important thing was that the God of Wind had said to put it on Venti's tab, Knights naturally complied. That was all.

"Thirty-five percent it is then."

Barbatos reluctantly accepted the document. He knew that unless Wendy came to prove her identity, nothing would change.

At the same time, the two God of Wind's followers who received the news almost burst into laughter.

Chapter 169 I Have a Way in the Dark World

Because Venti needed to perform to pay off her debts, her performance ban was lifted ahead of schedule.

So when Ying returned to Mondstadt City refreshed, she saw the bard squatting in front of his hat, looking pitiful as the Knights took a Mora from it.

"Is this a fine?"

"Yes. If you have any conscience at all, you should invite me to have a couple of drinks at Angel's Share."

"Sorry, but what is conscience?"

Ying squatted down beside them, blinking her innocent, wide eyes.

Venti immediately looked dejected and said aggrievedly:

"Tell me, did I let you see the God of Wind?"

"They showed up on their own, what's it to you?"

"... You're amazing."

Venti rolled her eyes.

When it comes to blatantly lying, the traveler and he are evenly matched.

Ying touched her chin and hesitated before saying:

"However, it's not that we can't invite them."

"Really? I knew you were a righteous and kind hero, Traveler!"