Easing Xiao's Pain

Xiao stood with his arms folded, staring at the three people before him in disbelief.

"To think that Rex Lapis met with such a calamity."

"I cannot imagine it. No matter how the ages changed, I never imagined a Liyue without Rex Lapis."

"And the Immortal Lord... how could this happen?"

Xiao turned to look at the distant lake.

"The Liyue Qixing, who govern the mortal world... what role did they play in all this?"

"I will seek out the three Illuminated Lords-Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer. It is time they made their decision."

Lumine looked at Xiao and asked softly, "Will they go and confront the Liyue Qixing?"

Xiao looked at Lumine and answered calmly, "Adepti do not shirk their responsibilities."

"Though I have my reasons for avoiding the mortal world, duty is still duty."

Disbelief lingered in Xiao's eyes at the thought of the Immortal Lord and Rex Lapis-one missing, the other dead.

"For our god is the God of Contracts."

Paimon spoke up just then. "Wait! We have one last question."

Xiao looked at Paimon in puzzlement.

"Who exactly is that Xiao Ming?"

"While vanquishing demons, I occasionally encounter evil spirits that have never harmed anyone, yet cannot be laid to rest immediately."

"So I asked the owner and the innkeeper to shelter her for a while."

Xiao quietly explained this to the three before him, then turned a surprised gaze toward Qiu Bai.

He sensed that the person before him seemed to be a god. As for why Xiao failed to recognize Qiu Bai's aura...

It was because Qiu Bai had deliberately altered his aura to avoid being recognized.

Paimon exclaimed in surprise, "So they're helping look after her!"

"Just how many services does Wangshu Inn offer, anyway?"

Xiao looked at Qiu Bai with hostility in his eyes.

"You are dangerous. Whatever your purpose may be, if you harm the people of Liyue, I will not let you off."

Qiu Bai ignored Xiao's threat and smiled at him.

"Xiao, you're almost unable to suppress the karmic debt within you anymore, aren't you?"

At those words, surprise flashed in Xiao's eyes.

"Lumine, Paimon, go outside and wait for me. I have something to discuss with Xiao."

Behind him, Lumine and Paimon looked at Qiu Bai with concern.

"Be careful, Qiu Bai. We'll wait for you outside."

Lumine could also tell something was wrong. With that, she led Paimon outside.

Xiao's gaze was now fixed firmly on Qiu Bai.

"Who... exactly are you?"

"How do you know about my condition?"

Xiao's gaze grew increasingly dangerous.

"Sorry, Xiao. I can't tell you yet."

Qiu Bai tapped his forehead. He could not reveal his identity yet.

Seeing Xiao suffer every moment of his life had made him want to ease his pain.

"Then face me!"

The Primordial Jade Winged-Spear appeared in Xiao's hand, and he launched a strike at Qiu Bai, laden with karmic debt, Anemo, and adeptal energy!

Qiu Bai calmly raised his hand and made a V sign.

Bang!

Under Xiao's shocked gaze, Qiu Bai caught the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear between just two fingers, stopping his attack cold!

Had Qiu Bai not contained the shock wave from that strike, it would have blasted straight through Wangshu Inn.

Qiu Bai said calmly, "Xiao, calm down."

Then, with a flick of his two fingers, Qiu Bai sent the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear back into Xiao's hands.

"Just who are you..."

Xiao caught the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear and stared in astonishment at Qiu Bai, who showed no hostility whatsoever.

"I can't tell you yet."

"When the time is right, I'll explain."

Xiao looked at Qiu Bai. After all, he had only met Qiu Bai a thousand years ago. Unlike Cloud Retainer and the others, he now had far too many questions about him.

Xiao put away the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear and watched Qiu Bai, unable to sense any hostility from him.

"No matter who you are, if you dare act against Liyue, I will never let you off."

Xiao stared fixedly at Qiu Bai.

"All right, all right. Get some sleep first."

With that, Qiu Bai used Body Flicker to appear behind Xiao and knocked him unconscious with a chop to the neck.

Qiu Bai immediately poured the power of yang into Xiao's body, instantly clearing away a portion of the red-and-black karmic debt.

I'll leave it at that for now. If I clear away too much, Xiao will get suspicious.

Once this affair is over, I'll rid you of your karmic debt completely.

This should ease your pain.

After blurring Xiao's memories of what had just happened, Qiu Bai headed outside, where Lumine and Paimon were still waiting for him.

No sooner had Qiu Bai left than Xiao woke up and rose to his feet in confusion.

"Strange. What just happened to me?"

"Did the karmic debt take hold again?"

Xiao checked his condition and was surprised to discover that a portion of his karmic debt had actually been cleared away. At last, he no longer needed to expend so much effort deliberately suppressing it.

"Was everything that Traveler said true?"

"I should head to Jueyun Karst and find Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper first."

With that thought, Xiao vanished from Wangshu Inn and headed toward Jueyun Karst.

Outside, Lumine and Paimon waited anxiously for Qiu Bai. Both sighed in relief when they saw him emerge.

"Qiu Bai, are you all right?"

"What did you say to that Adeptus? We heard a bang from the terrace just now!"

Lumine and Paimon looked at Qiu Bai with worried faces.

"I'm fine. I only exchanged a few words with him."

Seeing how worried Lumine and Paimon were, Qiu Bai answered with a smile.

"As long as you're all right."

Lumine smiled at Qiu Bai as she spoke.

"We've been running around for two whole days. Paimon's starving!"

"Let's go ask the owner to bring us a few dishes. I want that Almond Tofu!"

Paimon happily stamped her feet. After being busy for so long, she could finally eat.

Lumine nodded as well.

Qiu Bai smiled. "My treat. Eat whatever you like."

"Since you offered, I won't hold back."

Lumine smiled warmly.

"Yay!"

Paimon immediately clapped and cheered.

The three went over to the owner's counter.

Godwin looked at the three before her with some surprise.

"I never expected Xiao to actually speak with you."

"That really is rare."

After all, Xiao did not come out for just anyone who brought Almond Tofu. Otherwise, all those people who had sought the Adepti over the years would not have had such a difficult time.

"Godwin, we'd like to order."

Paimon spoke from behind them with a smile.

"No need to make it so complicated."

"Godwin, pick eight of the inn's signature dishes for us, plus a plate of Almond Tofu."

"And bring a few bottles of juice and some good wine."

Standing beside Paimon, Qiu Bai smiled at Godwin as he spoke.

"Of course, Mr. Qiu Bai. Understood."

A little while later, Godwin wrote out a note and handed it to the waitress beside her, asking her to take it to Yanxiao.

"Please head to the guest suite next door and wait a little while."

"Your food will be served shortly."

Godwin smiled at the three as she spoke.