Over the next while, Yucheng led a very fulfilling life. The Sea of Clouds, Sea of Moonlight Adeptus's abode was spacious, secluded, and little known, naturally making it the ideal place for Shenhe to grow accustomed to her Baleful Aura.
This time, Yucheng had thoroughly learned his lesson. He started by constructing some simple scenarios with Genjutsu for Shenhe, but he soon noticed something wrong. Even when faced with trivial matters within the illusions, Shenhe could easily lose control completely once freed from the red cords.
In truth, Shenhe was a very straightforward person. Like a child, she navigated the world relying solely on a hazy yet simple perception and logic. Yet her years of cultivation had also made her utterly intolerant of any wrongdoing. In a certain sense, freed from the red cords, Shenhe was more of a champion of justice than Mondstadt's Diluc.
The Baleful Aura within Shenhe acted like an amplifier for negative emotions. The slightest negative feeling would turn into overwhelming killing intent. She was like a powder keg that would explode at the smallest spark.
Some people could remain calm and laugh it off even if you pointed a finger at them, cursed and humiliated them to their face, and sprayed spit into their mouths.
Others would go completely berserk and try to kill someone over even an accidental shove.
Shenhe clearly belonged to the latter category. No wonder the adepti could only bind her soul with red cords. Leaving her unchecked really would bring disaster.
Yucheng's original plan had been to let Shenhe experience the various conflicts and disagreements that could arise in human society through illusions, preparing her in advance and helping her build some tolerance for trivial matters so she would not try to kill someone over every little thing.
In just half a day, Shenhe had killed or injured a hundred and fifty-seven people within the illusions over all manner of trivial matters.
Every time Shenhe lost her reason, black Baleful Aura would seep from her body. Yucheng kept feeling as though he had seen it somewhere before.
Ah! That's right! On those Nobushi and Kairagi on Inazuma's Yashiori Island!
At that thought, Yucheng decisively dispelled the Genjutsu. When Shenhe opened her eyes wearily, her competitive nature still drove her to put on a brave front. "Yucheng, why did you dispel the illusion? I think I've improved a little. Your method works."
Yucheng rushed up to Shenhe, placed his hands on her shoulders, and asked solemnly, "Shenhe, I have a few questions. You must answer me truthfully."
Shenhe was a little puzzled by Yucheng's sudden actions, but she obediently nodded.
"Tell me, when you were little, back when your parents were still alive, did you also become irritable and lose control the way you did in the illusions?"
Shenhe thought back, then shook her head. "When Mother was still alive, the three of us got along very well. Father's good friend, Uncle Mingjun, doted on me too."
"Then what about the period after the adeptus rescued you, but before the Red Cord Soul-Binding Method was used on you? Did you notice any changes?"
"I think it was during that time that I became somewhat like I was in your illusions. I would often erupt with boundless Baleful Aura over little things."
Yucheng released Shenhe's shoulders and stood up, trying hard to connect something.
The Tatarigami on the Nobushi of Yashiori Island, Archon Residue, Baleful Aura, a Lonely Star and Calamity Fiend Fate... the Hydro Yaksha Bonanus and the Geo Yaksha Menogias, who killed each other!!!
"Hahaha, hahaha! Cloud Retainer, skilled in mechanical arts; Moon Carver, skilled in divination; Mountain Shaper, skilled in Sealing Jutsu; and Rex Lapis, who knows everything except medicine! Well, well, so that's how it is."
"Yucheng, what's wrong? Have you been possessed?"
"Shenhe, I'm fine. I finally know what's wrong with you. You weren't born with a fate of loneliness and calamity. You were contaminated by Archon Residue, and that's what caused you to possess such dense Baleful Aura."
"Archon Residue?"
"That's right. Three thousand years ago, an Archon War took place in Liyue. Several gods fell, and the final victor was the present Rex Lapis. But the remains of the dead gods turned into demons and evil spirits that affected people's minds.
"Your father was probably contaminated by Archon Residue back then, and the black monster he later summoned was actually a god's resentment. Although Cloud Retainer arrived in time to save you afterward, you had spent three full days holding out against that monster in the cave. Your body was inevitably contaminated by Archon Residue.
"That was precisely what turned you from an ordinary little girl into someone who often couldn't control her Baleful Aura. At that point, the fate Moon Carver divined for you became this supposed fate of loneliness and calamity. Afterward, Mountain Shaper performed the Red Cord Soul-Binding Method on you, sealing that Baleful Aura away until today.
"But the crux of the problem is that, among your master and the other adepti, one tinkers with mechanisms, one tells fortunes, and one plays with seals. Not one specializes in treating illness. Even the exalted Rex Lapis, who knows something about everything and is unimaginably powerful, has no way to deal with the resentment of gods.
"Rex Lapis once had five adeptal yaksha generals under his command. Four died because they were contaminated by Archon Residue, and the sole survivor still suffers the corrosion of karmic debt. Among them, the Hydro Yaksha Bonanus and the Geo Yaksha Menogias developed the same condition as you. Brother and sister turned on each other, and both perished."
Hearing Yucheng's explanation, Shenhe unconsciously shed tears down her normally unsmiling face. "In other words, I don't have a fate of loneliness and calamity. I won't bring disaster to others."
"That's right. You've merely been contaminated by Archon Residue. That Baleful Aura is only its side effect. Your mother died of illness. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order. That wasn't your fault.
"Your father's mind was controlled by an evil spirit. After doing something foolish, he was overcome with guilt and hanged himself. The evil spirit was the true culprit. That wasn't your fault either.
"As long as we can remove the Archon Residue from your body, you'll be able to return to normal even without the red cords binding your soul."
"But if even Rex Lapis can't cure contamination by Archon Residue, who else could do it?"
"I know someone who can. Trust me. I'll take you to find him," Yucheng promised solemnly.
At those words, the corners of the frosty Shenhe's lips actually lifted into a captivating curve. Though tears were still flowing, that exquisite smile was the most heart-stirring sight Yucheng had ever seen in his life.
"All right! I trust you."
Before you continue