On the Sea of Liyue
Bonanus successfully took the explosive attack head-on.
Even with the shield she had purchased from the Water-Moon Ring reinforcing her, the impact still slammed into her hard.
Her arms went completely numb.
It was easy to imagine—if an ordinary Yaksha without any protection had taken that blow directly, they would have died on the spot.
She shook out her hands. As the smoke from the explosion dispersed, Bonanus waved vigorously toward Xiao in the distance.
The meaning was clear:
Husband—husband—can you see me?!
Standing on the sea surface not far from Arrogance, Xiao froze completely.
He raised a hand and dismissed the mask from his face, then rubbed his eyes forcefully before looking again.
At that exact moment, Bosacius arrived as well.
He grabbed Bonanus and checked her from head to toe, terrified that even a single wound might be hidden on her body.
If circumstances allowed, Bosacius would have ripped off her clothes just to check for swelling or bruises.
After all—
She was the little sister he cherished most.
If she were hurt even slightly, he would blame himself endlessly.
Bonanus had her cheeks held as Bosacius inspected her over and over, her expression stiff with discomfort.
If not for Bosacius's overwhelming strength, she would have shoved him away already.
"Big brother, I'm fine!" Bonanus pushed against him.
Only then did Bosacius realize he had overstepped and awkwardly withdrew his hands.
"Little sister, that was far too reckless," Bosacius said sternly.
"If not for the relic left to you by that god, something terrible could have happened."
His expression was severe, as though she had done something profoundly foolish.
As for how she had managed to block the attack—
Bosacius attributed it entirely to that mysterious "god," because nothing else made sense.
"Big Brother Bosacius! If you keep talking, Alatus is going to start fighting the god again!"
Bonanus pointed toward Arrogance and Xiao, her face dark.
Seriously—now of all times?
Bosacius rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, then his gaze sharpened instantly.
He first looked toward Xiao.
Longing flooded his expression—so much that words became unnecessary.
Then he turned to Arrogance.
Disgust and killing intent surged in his eyes.
How dare you—
How dare you reduce Alatus, his brother, his family, to this state.
I will cripple you.
Bosacius clenched his fists and slammed them together.
A mask symbolizing exorcism slowly manifested over his face.
His aura transformed completely—utterly different from the clumsy, easygoing man from before.
Now, Bosacius resembled a slaughter god of the battlefield—
An unstoppable force capable of cutting down a general from the heart of a million-strong army.
Boom—!
Lightning erupted.
A thread of electric light appeared over Bosacius's chest, followed by a thunderous crash as two massive blades engraved with strange runes materialized in his rear hands.
Their names were:
Left hand: [Demon-Slaying Thunder Blade]
Right hand: [Evil-Exorcising Thunder Blade]
(A/N: The blades are wielded by his rear pair of arms. I'm bad at naming—please understand.)
Another thunderous roar followed.
In his front pair of hands, a long spear etched with violet patterns appeared.
Its name was [Narukami Moon].
"The leader of the Five Guardian Yaksha—
Tengshe Grand Marshal!
I enter the battle!"
Bosacius roared his title as he launched himself forward, killing intent overflowing.
Even Arrogance felt the urge to flee immediately.
Are you kidding me?!
I finally exhausted that green-haired Yaksha—and now another one shows up at full power?!
Bosacius's presence alone was overwhelming.
Bonanus could only hope her big brother wouldn't somehow trip at the climax.
After all—
The stronger the presence, the easier it was to fail spectacularly.
Bosacius forcibly suppressed the urge to rush over and reunite with Alatus.
This was clearly not the time for sentimentality.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The battle erupted once more.
Although Arrogance's power was nearly depleted—leaving only enough strength to escape—its massive body was no illusion.
Which meant—
The giant water serpent began close-quarters combat.
Four heads lashed wildly, performing a brutal "iron head" assault.
It looked absurd—
But each impact could pulverize dozens of ordinary people and collapse buildings outright.
Bosacius stomped through the air, his twin blades carving again and again.
Each strike was accompanied by deafening thunder.
Every thrust of his spear unleashed blinding lightning, followed by violent detonations.
…Are you sure this won't trigger an Electro-Charged reaction?
At times, enormous violet spectral hands manifested, slamming down upon the water serpent without mercy.
Waves exploded skyward again and again.
To keep the exhausted Xiao from being caught in the aftermath, Bonanus rushed toward him the moment Bosacius charged in.
She carefully supported Xiao, inhaled deeply, and began running toward Liyue Harbor.
Her brother's battle aura had terrified her.
She had instinctively clenched her legs, trembling slightly as she retreated.
Bosacius in combat was simply too frightening.
Thank the heavens he was her brother.
Otherwise, she would never face such an enemy—even unto death.
As expected of the leader of the Five Yaksha—
Bosacius lived up to the title of Tengshe Grand Marshal.
He was overwhelmingly strong.
"Alatus! We're almost at the harbor!"
Bonanus supported Xiao as they ran across the water.
"Your power is nearly exhausted—rest for now. Leave the rest to big brother!"
She swallowed hard.
Her husband was right beside her.
How could she not be happy?
This was Xiao—alive—real.
If she could, she would've taken a photo and posted it just to show off.
"…So… you truly are all still here…"
Xiao's voice was hoarse.
His lips trembled as he struggled to suppress the tears in his eyes.
Crying—
That wasn't something the Conqueror of Demons should do.
But he couldn't stop it.
Years of karmic corruption.
Years of solitude.
Years of pain.
He should have been long past tears—
Yet now they welled uncontrollably.
Because—
He had waited too long.
And now, at last, he had an answer.
Was this real?
A hallucination?
A dream?
"We've always been here…"
Swish—
Bonanus helped Xiao reach the harbor.
Despite his exhaustion, Xiao refused to sit.
His gaze was locked onto the battle, unblinking.
Everything was real.
The battle.
Bonanus's warmth and presence beside him.
This wasn't another recurring illusion.
They were his family.
They had truly returned.
He clenched his teeth tightly.
Everything had been worth it.
The endless search.
The waiting.
The pain.
Finally—
They were back.
The Millelith stationed at the harbor dared not approach.
Adepti—especially Yaksha—were not beings mortals could casually address.
---
On the Platform of the Three Adepti
"Oh? To think that two Guardian Yaksha still walk this world."
Cloud Retainer spoke calmly, though surprise flickered in her heart.
"That can be discussed later," Moon Carver said evenly.
"All Adepti—release the power of the Guizhong Ballistae."
In an instant, the three Guizhong Ballistae erupted, forming an enormous golden beam.
It shot straight toward Arrogance—seemingly intent on annihilation.
At least, that was how mortals saw it.
If Morax himself were watching, he would immediately see—
They were holding back.
But even restrained—
To bare fangs at Liyue meant you deserved a loving embrace.
Bosacius noticed the power surging.
He glanced back, nodded slightly, then transformed into lightning and retreated several hundred meters in an instant.
The final blow.