Jiang Xiaofeng talked about a great many things with Master Diluc.
Once Jiang Xiaofeng brought up his identity as the Darknight Hero, he simply could not stop talking.
After all, Master Diluc not only had plenty of funny material to talk about, but plenty of stories to share as well.
In the end, Master Diluc had no choice but to drag Jiang Xiaofeng into the tavern, hoping to shut his mouth with alcohol...
After all, Jiang Xiaofeng knew far too much about Diluc's story, and he knew what sort of person Diluc was. He specifically picked things Master Diluc liked hearing, making Diluc feel he had found a kindred spirit.
But even for a kindred spirit, this fellow talked far too much!
By the time Diluc was the first to succumb to Jiang Xiaofeng's rambling and collapse, the sky had begun to lighten.
Jiang Xiaofeng could only signal Charles to move his boss somewhere he could sleep properly.
By the time Diluc woke up, it was broad daylight.
Diluc stood up, rubbed his slightly aching head, and went downstairs to the counter.
The bartender was already shaking a cocktail shaker behind the counter.
Diluc asked, "Where's the person who was drinking with me yesterday?"
The bartender replied, "Master Diluc, he left just a moment ago."
"This is the Mora he left behind. He said it was for the drinks."
Master Diluc took the money pouch, feeling something he could not quite put into words.
"I was the one plying him with drinks, yet he still paid... What an interesting person..."
When Master Diluc discovered there were only ten thousand Mora in the pouch, he decided to take that back.
Even though he knew Jiang Xiaofeng might have left only ten thousand Mora because he did not know the prices...
And where had Jiang Xiaofeng gone now?
He was wandering the streets of Mondstadt.
After all, an attempt on the Anemo Archon's life was hardly pleasant news, and it could not be allowed to spread among the public.
So Jean had not told Mondstadt City's civilians about Jiang Xiaofeng either.
As a result, although the people of Mondstadt City thought Jiang Xiaofeng did not look human, they were not particularly surprised.
"This is different from Liyue..."
Feeling the outrageously free air in the wind, Jiang Xiaofeng sighed.
Then Jiang Xiaofeng arrived at the Good Hunter Restaurant.
Jiang Xiaofeng looked at the menu and sank into thought...
After some consideration, Jiang Xiaofeng still ordered two fried eggs and swallowed them down.
Just as Jiang Xiaofeng was about to dust himself off and leave...
"Huh! It's you!"
A voice rang out.
Jiang Xiaofeng stopped in his tracks.
Had Paimon come out to forage this early?!
Jiang Xiaofeng turned around.
"Paimon, how have you been lately?"
Paimon answered instinctively, "Pretty good, except I haven't been able to eat my fill lately... No, no, that's not the point!"
Paimon planted her hands on her hips.
"Hey, you weirdo, why did you hurt Venti!"
Jiang Xiaofeng looked at Paimon, who might have been trying to seek justice for Venti, thought for a moment, and raised his hand.
Then the colors of the entire world dimmed.
Whether it was Marjorie, the owner of With Wind Comes Glory, or Sara at the Good Hunter Restaurant, everyone stopped moving...
"Huh? Huh! Huuuuuh?!"
Paimon looked around and screamed in fright.
Jiang Xiaofeng instantly appeared behind Paimon, grabbed her by the shoulders, and left.
After Jiang Xiaofeng left, time around them slowly resumed...
"Explain yourself, Paimon."
Jiang Xiaofeng arrived atop a windmill and spoke to Paimon.
"Just what is your identity?"
"You should be able to recognize the power I just used."
"You're the God of Time, aren't you?"
Jiang Xiaofeng said flatly.
Paimon scratched her head, unsure what to say.
"What God of Time?"
Jiang Xiaofeng sighed.
"Forget it. Just pretend I never said anything."
"Don't worry. I won't attack you."
"I just wanted to see whether this ability of mine still had room to improve if I asked for your help."
Hearing this, Paimon looked up awkwardly.
"I don't know either..."
Jiang Xiaofeng shook his head and took out two Time Warps, one emitting black light and the other white.
"See if you can do something like enhance them."
Paimon hesitantly took them.
"Then... I'll give it a try..."
Paimon took the two badge-like skills and suddenly said, "But... once it's done, you have to buy Paimon something yummy!"
Jiang Xiaofeng was amused. Was eating delicious food all it took to make Paimon happy?
Jiang Xiaofeng waved a hand. "As long as it works, you can eat all the delicious food you want!"
With Jiang Xiaofeng's assurance, Paimon held the two skills in her hands.
The light the two skills emitted grew even stronger...
Before long, Paimon opened her hands.
The light they had emitted had withdrawn inside, turning the two skills black and white.
Paimon eagerly held out her hands.
"Take a look! What's changed?"
Jiang Xiaofeng took the two skills.
The instant they touched his hands, they turned into two streaks of light and flew into his head.
Startled, Jiang Xiaofeng tried to grab them, but caught nothing.
The moment the light entered his brain, Jiang Xiaofeng's body shuddered.
While Paimon was still worrying about Jiang Xiaofeng's condition, the scenery around him instantly faded.
No, it was not just his immediate surroundings!
Jiang Xiaofeng felt the power of the two skills.
"The God of Time's law of time... truly terrifying..."
Time Stop's range was immense, reaching places so far away that even Jiang Xiaofeng could not sense them.
Meanwhile, the eyelids of that fellow on Celestia twitched slightly...
Jiang Xiaofeng quickly ended Time Warp. No, it should now be called Time Stop.
After Paimon's enhancement, the two Time Warp: Modified skills had fused together, becoming Jiang Xiaofeng's own power rather than the sort of "skill cards" he could release outside his body.
Seeing this, Paimon hurried forward and gave Jiang Xiaofeng a push.
Jiang Xiaofeng raised his hand and restored time, which had been slowly returning to normal, then asked, "What's wrong?"
Paimon waved her hands. "Nothing. I was worried you'd suffered qi deviation..."
Jiang Xiaofeng found this surprising. Little Paimon actually knew how to care about others?
"Hmm... I get the feeling you're thinking something very rude..."
Without a word, Jiang Xiaofeng held Paimon and jumped off the windmill.
"Hey! What are you doing!"
Paimon's terrified voice rang out.
Clang!
Jiang Xiaofeng landed in front of the Good Hunter Restaurant.
After tossing a pouch of Mora into Sally's arms, he told her, "Let this little one eat whatever she wants, up to the amount in that pouch."
Jiang Xiaofeng set Paimon on a dining table.
"Order whatever you want and wait for the Traveler to pick you up. I'm off."
With that, Jiang Xiaofeng turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
"Hey, you..."
Paimon quickly shut her mouth.
After all, she had come out in the first place to eat something delicious...
Right, she also had to bring breakfast back for the Traveler!
Jiang Xiaofeng left and wandered all over Mondstadt City.
He leisurely made one circuit of Mondstadt after another.
He went to make himself a familiar face to Glory, then went to the door sealed by Hydro, wanting to try kicking it open, and even went to the Waypoint to teach Ellin to try the Rising Dragon Sword...
Of course, Jiang Xiaofeng did not forget to go to the church entrance, knock out Albert, who was hiding there, drag him out, strip him naked, and hang him in front of the church's main doors...
In short, aside from meeting Lumine and going to fool around at the Knights of Favonius, Jiang Xiaofeng tried every fun thing he could think of in Mondstadt City.
Although he earned no cells, Jiang Xiaofeng had a great time.
Still, happy times came and went just as quickly...
A week later, Jiang Xiaofeng leaned against the wall of the building opposite the Adventurers' Guild, watching Lumine accept a special commission issued by Katheryne.
"It's time..."
Watching Lumine and Paimon leave, Jiang Xiaofeng straightened up from the wall.
Across the way, Katheryne's eyes widened when she saw Jiang Xiaofeng suddenly appear.
She could only watch as Jiang Xiaofeng left...