Antiquit

I sensed Poppy was subtly pushing me into the jungle, so I quickly said I knew her to avoid any unforeseen problems.

Her expression remained calm throughout. "I went to the outside world not long ago, so it's normal that you know me."

"Our relationship isn't that simple. Do you remember when we met on the cruise ship? You were a bodyguard for a Demacia nobleman, and you saved a guy Zhao Xin."

"I remember, but didn't everyone on the cruise ship die? Only the Demacia nobleman and the captain survived. You are not one of them."

No, there's also you and Zhao Xin.

Upon hearing this, Poppy's expression finally changed. She frowned and glared at me fiercely. "What are you trying to say?"

Seeing how excited she was, I didn't directly say that I was Zhao Xin. Instead, I told her about our experiences together, including meeting Jhin in Yanglin, meeting Alanta and Akali in the caravan, and what happened to the Kinkou Order later.

After saying all that, I revealed my identity: I am Zhao Xin, now reborn as Yasuo.

Poppy still didn't believe it. She felt that these things could be found out by asking around, and that everyone, including Witt, the old captain, Akali, Kennen, knew what had happened.

At the same time, she raised her large hammer, urging me to hurry into the jungle. "You'd better hurry, or I won't mind helping you!"

Seeing her hammer reminded me of something again, "Wait, if all this still doesn't convince you, then surely this Oren's Hammer should be enough?"

What did you just say?!

"The Oren's Hammer, the Nullifying Weapon you obtained on your journey to find friendship, and you yourself are the will of friendship."

Poppy had only told Zhao Xin about her past with Oren, so it was unbelievable to hear me say it now, especially since I knew she was a member of the Will of Friendship.

She slowly put down the hammer, her expression a mix of emotions, then turning somewhat sad.

"I don't know if what you're saying is true, but the Old Chieftain has never allowed outsiders to stay here. As the guardian, I must send you to Gensokyo."

Even if I were Zhao Xin, would you still send me in?

"Actually, Gensokyo. The scenery is beautiful, life is carefree, there's no danger, and..."

"Enough!"

Poppy's words made me a little angry. I had already revealed my identity, so why was she being so rude?

They even tried to convince me with the wonderful aspects of Gensokyo, arguing that no matter how good it was, wasn't it still a prison? What was the difference between it and the cycle of reincarnation at Mount Targon?

Poppy's body trembled slightly, her eyes brimming with tears. "I can live with you in Gensokyo, so you won't feel lonely."

"I'm sorry, besides you, I have many other friends who are waiting for me to come back!"

Perhaps Poppy had no choice but to do this. I didn't want to blame her anymore, so I left the jungle and returned to the small town we had just passed through.

Poppy didn't stop me; he just squatted down at the entrance to the jungle, lost in thought.

The townspeople looked at me with surprise as I walked back from the direction of Gensokyo, but these Yordle meant no harm; they were simply curious.

Soon I returned to the Mushroom House where Tristana was, and asked her to take me to Antiquit, the Old Chieftain of the Yordle. She agreed without much thought.

"Sister Poppy actually let you come back! Didn't the Old Chieftain say that no outsiders should be allowed to leave this place?"

"So I'm going to find him and argue with him: why can you Yordle go to the outside world, but outsiders can't come here!"

Antiquit's lodging was quite far from the town, and Tristana walked slowly, so we didn't reach a large tree until evening.

There was a door and windows on the tree trunk, and lights were on inside, so it looked like a house where people lived.

"Alright! We're here!" Tristana said happily, then ran to the big tree and knocked on the door.

Soon the door opened, and a white, furry ball emerged. Apart from its tiny hand gripping the door, its face, body, and legs were completely obscured.

"Little guy, what are you doing here?"

"Grandpa, you've forgotten my name again! I'm Tristana!"

"Oh ho ho ho, Tristana, what brings you here?"

"I am Yasuo, and I have come to pay my respects!" I greeted Antiquit as I approached her.

"Oh, so you're the outsider. Come in."

Antiquit wasn't surprised and led us into the house. I noticed Kled was there too; it turned out he was the one who told the Old Chieftain.

Kled didn't even glance at me, his head tilted to the side as he tapped his fingers incessantly on the table. Tristana, who had never seen him before, leaned over to greet him.

"Hello, big brother, I'm Tristana, what's your name?"

"Kled."

"Kled? You're the soon-to-be Elder of Law Enforcement? The embodiment of battle?" Tristana asked with a look of adoration.

"Yes, it's me. Now get away from me, I'm annoyed!"

Kled glared at Tristana without any mercy, but that didn't scare her away; instead, it only emboldened her.

Kled frowned, at a loss. He couldn't just fight his own people for no reason, especially since Tristana was just a child.

Finally, Antiquit calmed her down. "Stop making a fuss, child. We have something to discuss. Go out and play."

"OK!"

She was clinging to Kled just a moment ago, but Antiquit said one word and she obediently left. This is something I never expected. The Old Chieftain's prestige is truly high!

Antiquit sat opposite Kled, tidied his hair, and after tying up his beard and hair, his face was finally visible.

"Hehe... You flatter me. I'm usually too lazy to tie it up when there are no guests. What did you say your name was again?"

"My name is Yasuo, and I have some matters to discuss with you."

"Before that, I'd like to ask you why you've been able to wander around here for a whole day? Didn't any guardians arrest you?"

"Yes, but she let me go in the end because we were friends."

"Friend? Hmm... is it Poppy?"

"It doesn't matter who it is, I'm not here to see her today."

"Oh ho ho, Kled has already told me about what's going on outside. Is that why you came?"

"Yes, please understand, Kled has a fighting spirit and has found meaning in life outside. Why must we force him to come back?"

"I had my reasons for calling him back, and that's none of your business."

"But by doing so, you're restricting his freedom. Doesn't that go against the Yordle' original intention of seeking happiness?"

"How do you know he was forced? Ask him if he wants to leave. If he does, of course I won't stop him."