Happy Moonchase Festival

(Special Mid-Autumn Festival edition, super-large chapter)

"... Okay, okay, let's skip this topic for now. I heard you're leaving?"

"Yes, the main purpose of coming to Liyue was to find the child, and now the child has been taken back, which has also cleaned up your 'great achievements' in Liyue. Judging from the thoughts of that spy and that guest elder of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, it seems that Liyue does not intend to escalate the situation, otherwise our Harbinger, Mr. Tartaglia, might have been pinned under Guyun Stone Forest by a rock spear."

Tartaglia didn't catch the sarcasm in Xingsu's words. "Ha, that's not bad either. Maybe I can even have a fierce battle with the demon god suppressed by the Guyun Stone Forest. If I break free one day, I might even possess the power of a demon god. At that time, I can fight Mr. Zhongli honorably."

"... Come on," Xingsu sighed helplessly, "Do you really want to be kept under the Guyun Stone Forest and have your family cry over your portrait every day?"

"Um... alright, you're right. Since it's too early to consider gods as opponents, when will you have a match with me?"

"... Teucer is still right there." Xingsu pointed to a spot not far away.

There, Teucer was seen huddled with Hu Tao, who had just left. Hu Tao was whispering in his ear, recounting tales of ghosts and monsters in Liyue, occasionally lowering her voice to make the little guy flinch.

"When we meet again and I have some free time, I'll have a match with you."

"In that case... let's see who can carry more stuff for their family! I could carry ten more bags and not get tired!" Tartaglia's eyes suddenly blazed with fighting spirit again.

"..."

Xingsu silently watched him, who was full of fighting spirit.

I always feel like he's acting like a child.

"Heh, sure, I'd be happy to oblige!" Xingsu raised his eyes and met Tartaglia's burning gaze.

Oh, I forgot to mention, a man is a boy until he dies.

"So, a Fatui Harbinger and a high-ranking member of the Fatui intelligence agency are competing on the streets of Liyue... to see who can carry the most gifts?"

Ningguang looked at the report sent by Yelan and was unsure how to evaluate it.

Elderly person, subway, mobile phone. jpg

"Well, at least it will boost Liyue's economy to some extent. As long as the two of them don't cause any trouble, that's fine."

After reviewing the last volume of documents, Ningguang the file and slowly walked out of the Yuehai Pavilion. The mountain breeze of the night brushed against her face, slightly dispelling the weariness accumulated from days of working at her desk.

Not far from the corridor, Keqing was chatting with Ganyu about their work.

"Ganyu, you've worked so hard these past few days, traveling around with me to survey the land, without even getting a good night's sleep. Today is a rare day of family reunion on the Moonchase Festival, won't you go to the mountains to pay your respects to the immortals?"

"No need. Master Cloud Retainer has his junior sister by his side. I am a celestial beast, so prolonged sleeplessness is not a problem for me. But Keqing, you haven't had a proper rest in a long time. You must take a vacation for yourself during the Lantern Rite."

That's wonderful; there are people who care about and are considerate of each other.

"Hey, busy man, not even taking a day off for the Moonchase Festival?" Beidou leaned against a pillar, his clothes still damp with the salty evening breeze from the sea, and called out to Ningguang.

"Ha, holding a high position and being busy with affairs, as the head of Tianquan, how can he be as carefree as Captain Beidou?" Ningguang replied indifferently.

"If you ask me, why are you all such sissies? You have to think about this and that even during a holiday."

"If those who hold great power are only concerned with how to celebrate the festival properly, then the millions of people of Liyue will not be able to enjoy this festival well."

"Sigh... fine, fine, I can't win an argument with you. The brothers have salvaged quite a few treasures from your collection of Jade Chamber from the sea, and they're stored in your room."

"Thank you for your trouble, Captain Beidou."

"And the things I want..."

"Everything is ready. The supplies will be delivered to the dock tomorrow."

"Alright, oh right, I've got my eye on a few hairpins among your treasures, just give them to me."

"Heh... whatever you want." Ningguang nodded helplessly. "Alright everyone, there's the Moonchase Festival tomorrow. You've all worked hard these past few days, so it's best to get some rest early tonight."

"Ah... that was a really good rest." Xingsu stretched and got out of bed.

During the final moments of last night's match, neither of them had any space to hold anything; they could only stuff things into their backpacks.

Perhaps because Xingsu had extensive experience with being stressed, while Tartaglia did not, last night's weight-carrying and stress-resistance competition ended in Xingsu's victory.

but...

Xingsu looked at the large and small cloth bags and gift boxes piled up inside the room, almost covering half of the wall, with all kinds of Liyue specialties crammed in.

I managed to buy about Qiqi of Liyue's local specialties in one night.

"So what should we do today?" Xingsu thought for a moment, then her stomach growled in protest. "Sigh, I didn't dare eat much last night sitting next to the Geo Archon, and then I spent the whole night exercising with Tartaglia. Let's go get something to eat first."

He packed his things and then set off for Wanmin Restaurant.

Wanmin Restaurant opened its doors wide, the aroma of cooking filling the air. Xingsu stepped inside, greeting him with a smile, "Good morning! Master Mao, do you still have breakfast?"

Master Mao was tidying up his kitchen utensils when he heard this. He looked up and a hearty smile spread across his face. "Oh, this customer has come at just the right time! We were almost sold out of breakfast this morning, but we just happen to have one last steaming tray of buns left."

"That's perfect, I'll take this steamer of buns!" Xingsu nodded slightly, then looked around the shop, not seeing the lively figure, and asked, "By the way, isn't Xiangling in the shop?"

"Xiangling?" Master Mao wiped the wooden table beside him and replied with a smile, "She's been busy since early this morning! Today is the highlight of the Moonchase Festival—the Chef King Competition—and she's gone to Yujing Terrace for the finals!"

"Chef King Competition?"

"Yes, it's being held at the Yujing Terrace right now; today is the final."

Hehe, I've already decided! If my daughter wins the championship, all the dishes today will be 50% off!

Xingsu's eyes lit up with interest. He bought a few snacks from a street stall and set off for Yujing Terrace to join in the fun.

By the time Xingsu arrived at the arena, the competition was nearing its end.

On the spacious Yujing Terrace platform, stoves were arranged, and a crowd of onlookers formed a circle, their voices clamoring. The two contestants on the platform, Xiangling and Smiley Yanxiao, were each serving their carefully prepared delicacies to the table.

Xiangling's tone was full of confidence. "My menu includes a main dish of 'Fragrant and Tender Spicy Chicken,' a side dish of 'Braised Three Shredded Vegetables,' and a dessert of 'Crystal Shrimp.'"

The plates and bowls are arranged in a row, their colors bright and inviting.

Smiley Yanxiao remained calm and composed, then announced his dishes, "My main course is ' Adeptus' Temptation,' the side dish is 'Cold Mint Salad,' and the dessert is ' Golden Shrimp Balls.'"

The delicacies were laid out, their fresh aroma and hot steam rising and spreading in all directions.

"Please, the three judges, begin the tasting!" said Yanfei, the host.

In mid-air, Paimon hovered, its little nose twitching incessantly. It could smell the enticing aroma from afar, its tiny hands rubbing together, its eyes fixed on the delicacies on the table. It almost wanted to jump onto the table and devour everything. "Wow... I can smell it from this far away! I'm going crazy with cravings..."

"Hey, Paimon, grab a street food to tide you over."

Xingsu reached out and handed over a plate of grilled tigerfish.

Paimon reached out and took the food, taking a big bite before belatedly turning around. "Oh! Thank you... Hey? Xingsu, when did you get here?"

"Just arrived, came over to join the fun. Have a taste of this, the grilled tigerfish I just bought, how does it taste?"

Paimon, his cheeks bulging, nodded repeatedly, "Mmm! Delicious! Hehe, thanks Xingsu."

The judges had also tasted both of their works.

"Absolutely amazing. Both dishes were incredibly thoughtfully prepared, ingenious and delicious. I'd like to have some more golden shrimp... no! I want to savor both dishes a little longer." Keqing gave her evaluation.

"Xiangling's idea is very interesting; she actually made a cold dish the main course, which is very bold," Uncle Tian said. "This fragrant and tender pepper chicken is very unique. Although it's a cold dish, the peppers inside have been stir-fried and are still warm. When you chew it, it's spicy and hot, hot and crunchy, with a hint of pepper flavor. It's wonderful, wonderful!"

"The Adeptus' Temptation is simply divine, and the 'Three Shredded Vegetables' dish is perfectly seasoned and savory, with a sophisticated flavor. It's truly a top-notch dish. Hmm... quite excellent." It seems Ningguang has also given her answer.

"The three judges, please take a moment to consider and write down your choices before submitting them to me!" Yanfei announced loudly, maintaining the flow of the competition. "In addition, the audience judges selected by the organizing committee will also participate in the judging. Those of you who have had the opportunity to taste the dishes, please follow your conscience, judge independently, and cast your vote."

By a stroke of luck, Xingsu was selected as the last audience judge.

Paimon, standing to the side, was immediately anxious and paced around, staring longingly at the plates on the table, hoping to taste the delicious food. Unexpectedly, it was Xingsu to go, and he didn't get a single bite.

It was only after Ying repeatedly promised to cook a whole bunch of delicious food for her when they got back that she finally managed to calm Paimon down from her sulking.

When it came time for the tasting and judging, the two dishes were evenly matched, each with its own merits. Smiley Yanxiao's "Adeptus' Temptation Jumps Over the Wall" was a rich and luxurious dish, incorporating delicacies from mountains and seas; however, Xiangling, using only common ingredients such as ordinary poultry and Jueyun Chili, created a flavor that was equally impressive. After weighing the options, Xingsu cast his vote for Xiangling.

Another important reason is that someone ate too many of the Golden Shrimp Balls before him, so when it was his turn as the last judge to arrive, he didn't get to taste Smiley Yanxiao's dessert at all.

"Grateful for your patience! The voting and counting are now complete, and the results have been returned to Ms. Ningguang. Please welcome Ms. Ningguang to announce the final results of this year's Liyue Culinary King Competition!" Yanfei announced loudly.

Ningguang stood up and walked to the center of the arena. "I hereby declare the champion of this year's Liyue Culinary King Tournament to be—"

(An advertisement should be inserted here)

Xiangling won by a narrow margin!

"Wow!!" Xiangling jumped up excitedly.

"Haha, congratulations Xiangling." Xingsu also clapped along, offering Xiangling his heartfelt blessings.

"Traveler, Paimon, and Xingsu, have you been waiting long? Did you get to eat the food we just had?"

It would have been better if they hadn't mentioned it. As soon as it was brought up, Paimon instantly floated up, puffing out her cheeks and putting her little hands on her hips. "Ugh, I'm so angry! Don't mention this again!"

Seeing the little guy's sullen expression, Xiangling couldn't help but smile and quickly comforted him, "Haha, why didn't you get drawn? Alright, come to Wanmin Restaurant tonight, I'll cook for you myself."

"Really? That's great!" Paimon's earlier gloom vanished instantly.

"Speaking of Keqing and Ningguang just left. Let's go find her and ask her about the statue!"

"A statue?" Xingsu asked.

"Oh, okay, let me explain briefly."

Keqing is investigating an ancient legend. Her grandfather left behind a manuscript that speculates that a forgotten Stove God existed in Liyue in ancient times, and some of the ancient customs originated from the worship of the Stove God.

Meanwhile, a nameless boulder retrieved from the sea by Beidou appears to be a lost statue of the Stove God, lost for a thousand years. Madame Ping says the statue absorbs the offerings of food and the sentiments of people; only when the wish is strong enough will the true nature of the deity be revealed.

"Oh~ so that's why you organized the Culinary God Competition. The Forgotten Demon God...?" Xingsu thought of her conversation with Zhongli yesterday, "Can I come with you to see that statue?"

"No problem, come with us!"

The group walked slowly up the stone steps in the evening breeze and soon arrived at the open space on the high platform where the huge stones were placed.

The ancient and imposing boulder stood silently under the moonlight. Despite the recent bustling crowds and lively atmosphere, this statue, which carries ancient legends, remained closed and silent, showing no sign of its divine power.

"It seems... we're not meant to be?" Keqing was filled with disappointment.

Seeing her melancholy appearance, Xiangling felt bad for her as well. She pondered for Keqing's grandfather's manuscript - spicy meat steamed buns.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiangling immediately used the ingredients available and, relying on the ancient recipe recorded in ancient books, skillfully recreated this old-fashioned delicacy that has spanned thousands of years.

Steaming hot spicy meat buns are ready, the aroma of wheat mixed with the fragrance of meat slowly spreading, carrying the purest scent of home cooking.

Keqing gazed at the tempting food before her. She gently picked up a piece and slowly took a bite.

"This is it! The taste of that time!"

When Keqing took a bite of the cornbread, all the obsessions and wishes left by her grandfather came to fruition. This sincere wish, which transcended time, finally settled firmly in the mundane world.

In an instant, the boulder split open with a deafening roar.

As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, the true face of the boulder's core was fully revealed to everyone.

The true form of the Stove God, who has slept for a thousand years and carries the legend of Liyue's fireworks, is none other than Guoba, the gluttonous and clingy person who has been by Xiangling's side all these years!

"Guoba! It's you?!"

"♪♪" Guoba happily circled the statue once.

(o^^o)♪

"Hehe... After a thousand years of silence, I have awakened once more. In the end, the world's affairs never cease, and my sincere heart will not betray those who have passed away."

Madame Ping walked over slowly at the right moment, her plain clothes fluttering in the wind. Her gaze fell gently on Guoba, who was looking around in confusion, her eyes filled with sighs and melancholy.

Xingsu stood quietly to the side, gazing at the small demon god figure before him. The dear friends that the Rex Lapis had spoken of, who had burned themselves out to protect Liyue and perished in the long river of time, now finally had a clear image of them.

"Madame Ping! What's going on? The Guoba..."

Madame Ping nodded slightly, looked up at the horizon, and slowly recounted this thousand-year-old story that had been completely buried in the Liyue history books.

"It is the Stove God — the God of the Stove. Its real Marchosius. It was born at the beginning of the ancient rock fire and is in charge of the world's hearth fire and smoke. It is the demon closest to mortals and most attached to the human world."

Unlike the demon gods who conquer all directions and rule over mountains and rivers, Marchosius had no desire for war. His lifelong wish was simply to protect the common people, ensuring they had enough to eat and enough to live in peace throughout the year.

" At the Guili Plains, the people lived in peace and prosperity, and the streets and villages were bustling with activity. Marchosius walked through the streets and villages, creating countless fire spirit clones to help the people start fires and cook, thus improving their agriculture and food."

But prosperous times are fragile, and chaotic times will eventually come.

"Later, the earth trembled, floods raged, and calamities swept Guili Plains. Mountains and rivers collapsed, lives were displaced, and plagues and disasters engulfed the entire land, plunging countless people into misery. At that time, the immortals each performed their duties, guarding the mountains and rivers and resisting foreign enemies, but Marchosius chose the most resolute way to protect all living beings."

"To quell the calamities upon the land, purify the world's impurities, and protect the displaced people as they migrated and settled in Liyue, Marchosius exhausted all his divine power, pouring all his demonic essence into the shattered earth, suppressing the disaster with his own body, and purifying the plague with divine fire."

"The catastrophe subsided, the land was at peace, and Liyue was reborn. But the God of the Hearth who protected all living beings had completely exhausted all his power."

"The demon god who once protected all people has shed all his divine glory and majesty, his body shrinking to a frail and small form. Millions of years of memories and the past have vanished, and his mind is as ignorant as that of a newborn child. Only the instinct etched into his soul remains—a longing for the warmth of human life, a craving for human food, and a desire to protect the warmth of three meals a day."

"A thousand years have passed, and the people of Liyue live in peace and prosperity year after year. But few remember that there was once a god who burned everything to ensure that the smoke of life on this land would last forever."

"After the Stove God quietly disappeared, every morning, vendors would set up their stalls early and hawk their wares, people would go out to buy things, cook, and do other daily activities... just like every other day before."

Some say he didn't leave; as evening falls, smoke rises from chimneys in the twilight—that's him guarding Liyue.

"Because Liyue has always been like this."

"Marchosius must be very pleased to see people living in peace and prosperity, with no one having to worry about food."

"♪~" Guoba ran to Xiangling's side and tugged at her clothes.

"Alright, alright, I know you're hungry." Xiangling smiled and ruffled its head, then turned to Madame Ping, "By the way, Master Chef hasn't visited Wanmin Restaurant in a long time. Why don't you come back with us for the banquet?"

"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer."

The group returned to Wanmin Restaurant.

"Oh my! My precious daughter who won the championship is back!" Master Mao greeted them, glancing at everyone at a glance. "And Madame Ping, the Traveler, and that young man from this morning, you're here too!"

Xingsu smiled faintly, "Hmm, I cast that precious vote for Xiangling back then."

"Oh, thank you so much! Dinner tonight is on me!" Master Mao was very happy.

"Alright, Dad, the shop is busy enough as it is. I'll take care of this meal." Xiangling turned and went into the kitchen.

"♪,♪~"

Guoba seemed to sense something and excitedly ran to the side.

"It's you..." Zhongli walked over slowly and saw Guoba running towards him. "Long time no see, old friend."

"Oh my, are you taking a walk here too?" Madame Ping asked with a sigh as she looked at the person who had come.

"The timing is perfect; we should go out for a walk and wait for a delicious meal."

Translation: It's lunchtime, come out and give out meals.

Madame Ping's gaze shifted, landing on Xingsu, where she vaguely detected the faint aura emanating from the token on his person. "By the way, who is this young man...?"

"A witness to memories, and also a friend I've made." Zhongli turned his head to look at Xingsu, "Xingsu, the phrase 'chasing the moon,' what do you think?"

Xingsu pondered for a moment, then answered softly, "Yesterday, while browsing a bookstall, I read a line of poetry—'May the moonlight flow to illuminate you.' In Liyue's culture, the moon symbolizes reunion. As I understand it, 'following the moon' likely represents a long-lasting longing for deceased friends, loved ones, or even someone you cherish."

Zhongli nodded slightly. "Indeed, to feel gratitude for the kindness of old friends, to carry on the sentiments of bygone eras, to pursue the aspirations of a thousand years, and to encircle the city of a thousand autumns. In my view, this is what is meant by 'Chasing the Moon.'"

He paused slightly, gazing at the full moon hanging in the night sky.

May we all live long and share the beauty of the moon, even though we are thousands of miles apart. May your family be safe and happy, and may you reunite with your loved one soon.

Liyue Harbor under the moonlight is like a painting steeped in its own light—half bathed in cool, silvery radiance, half teeming with human warmth. It lies there quietly, serene and gentle, ancient yet vibrant.

Liyue, it has always been like this.