"So that's why Yun Fan suddenly disappeared. He went to Mondstadt to have fun," Hu Tao clicked her tongue. A couple of years ago, when she was bored and wanted to find Yun Fan to hang out, Zhongli told her that Yun Fan had been taken in by an adeptus and was training at Jueyun Karst. Though she felt it was a pity, she didn't disturb him. But it turned out he wasn't at Jueyun Karst—he had gone to Mondstadt instead.
"Miss Lumine and Paimon, since you're new to Liyue, you must not be very familiar with the place. Why don't you stay at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for a couple of days? Let me play the host," Hu Tao said, her plum blossom-shaped eyes sparkling as she smiled sincerely at Lumine and Paimon.
Earlier, these two had mentioned that Yun Fan was their travel companion and that he would soon return to Liyue. If she kept them close, wouldn't she be able to see Yun Fan?
"Isn't that a bit too much?" Lumine hesitated at Hu Tao's invitation. While she knew Hu Tao meant well, it felt a bit too forward to impose on someone they had just met.
"Tsk tsk, don't be so formal. Look, Yun Fan is my friend, Xiangling is my friend, and you're friends with both of them. That makes you my friend too, right?" Hu Tao said, slinging an arm around Lumine's shoulder and explaining the connections between them.
"I guess that makes sense," Lumine nodded thoughtfully, though something still felt off.
"Don't refuse. Come with me," Hu Tao said, grabbing Lumine's hand and pulling her toward the door.
"Wait!" Lumine suddenly stopped Hu Tao.
"What is it?" Hu Tao turned around, puzzled. Had she changed her mind?
"We haven't eaten yet," Lumine said seriously.
"..."
Dihua Marsh...
After a leisurely stroll, Yun Fan arrived at Wangshu Inn. Looking up at the grand structure, he, like Lumine a few days earlier, took the "fully automatic elevator." As he put it, why waste energy when you could save it?
"Boss, I'd like a room," Yun Fan said, pulling a bag of Mora from his storage space and handing it to Verr Goldet, who was busy with accounts at the front desk. She looked up and saw a handsome young man with silver hair. She gave him a professional smile, though her emotions remained calm.
"Hello, sir. May I have your name?" Verr Goldet set aside her ledger and took the Mora.
"Just call me Yun Fan," Yun Fan said, shaking his head. He wasn't particularly fond of formalities.
"Very well, Mr. Yun Fan. Here's your room key," Verr Goldet quickly prepared the room and handed him the key.
Yun Fan turned to leave but suddenly remembered something.
"Boss, could you have the kitchen prepare some Almond Tofu for me? Please have it sent to my room," Yun Fan said before heading to his room.
"Of course, sir," Verr Goldet nodded with a smile, though her mind was already racing. After all, she knew that the person on the top floor of Wangshu Inn loved Almond Tofu. This Yun Fan seemed extraordinary, with an air of nobility about him. Could he be an adeptus?
Yun Fan entered his room, glanced around at the furnishings, and nodded in satisfaction. As one of Liyue's largest inns, it was far superior to smaller hotels.
"Ah~"
Yun Fan lay down on the bed, closing his eyes for a quick nap. He planned to rest until the Almond Tofu was delivered, after which he would go find Xiao.
While he didn't strictly need to do this, since he was here to ask for Xiao's help, a few plates of Almond Tofu were more of a gesture of goodwill.
Knock, knock, knock...
Before long, a knock at the door roused Yun Fan from his nap.
"Sir, your Almond Tofu is here," a polite voice came from outside.
"Got it. Just leave it outside," Yun Fan called out, glancing at the window to estimate the time.
"Understood," the servant replied, leaving the cart with the Almond Tofu outside and departing.
Listening to the footsteps fade away, Yun Fan stretched and sat up.
"It smells pretty good," Yun Fan said, picking up the Almond Tofu and taking a whiff. Yanxiao's cooking skills were indeed impressive—no wonder Xiao liked it.
Yun Fan opened the door and, with a few quick movements, arrived at the top floor of Wangshu Inn. Normally, neither guests nor staff would come up here.
Yun Fan brushed the dust off a chair and sat down. The moment he did, a green-haired figure appeared before him.
"You're here. Here, your favorite Almond Tofu. Eat it while it's hot," Yun Fan said with a genuine smile.
"Adeptus Xiao, of the Three Realms and Five Manifestations, greets the Divine General," Xiao bowed, awaiting further instructions.
"Take a seat," Yun Fan pointed to the chair across from him.
"Yes," Xiao sat down and took the Almond Tofu Yun Fan handed him, savoring it.
"You really do love this dish," Yun Fan chuckled. Almond Tofu was indeed the ultimate bait for the three-and-a-half-inch adeptus.
"Divine General, what do you require of me?" Xiao asked seriously after finishing a plate of Almond Tofu.
"Nothing too major. I might have a way to cleanse the karmic debt from your body," Yun Fan said casually.
Clang—
At Yun Fan's words, Xiao's hand trembled, and the spoon fell onto the plate with a crisp sound. His eyes were filled with disbelief. No one understood the power of karmic debt better than he did. And now, Yun Fan was telling him he might have a way to cleanse it.