As soon as Bosacius finished speaking, the three adepti looked at one another, unsure what to say.
This gathering of immortals had been convened to determine the authenticity of the two returned Yaksha Guardians, as well as to clarify what they had experienced over the years.
What none of them expected, however—
Was that Bosacius would recount everything, from beginning to end, without omitting a single detail.
He was almost too honest.
As for the "god" he mentioned, there was no clear information at all—no name, no identity, nothing concrete.
Even the Lord of Geo himself remained silent throughout, which in itself indicated that there was nothing in the Yakshas' words that warranted suspicion.
And yet, no one noticed the brief flicker in Morax's gaze just moments earlier—
A trace of puzzlement, quickly concealed, and never voiced.
This left the three Adepti quite troubled.
More importantly, if they continued pressing the matter, it would amount to doubting the sacrifices the Yaksha race had made in the past—something none of them wished to do.
"The experiences of the two Guardian Yakshas were indeed filled with hardship," Morax finally spoke after a long silence, his expression grave, as though the matter before him concerned the fate of the world itself.
"However, there is one matter I must confirm."
"The contracts you once signed were rendered void at the moment you were declared missing and presumed dead."
"Now that you have returned—how do you intend to handle these nullified contracts?"
Morax regarded the two calmly.
They could choose to sign again—or not.
If they did, they would continue to protect Liyue for another thousand years.
If they did not, they would be free to go wherever they wished.
As long as they did not cause chaos or threaten Liyue, he would not interfere. After all, they were once his generals.
"Your words are indeed tempting, my Lord," Bosacius spoke up, his response unsurprising.
Long ago, when the Five Yakshas played cards together, they had once joked that when the world finally found peace, they would go live among mortals.
No contracts.
No endless demon-slaying to protect Liyue Harbor.
No further accumulation of karmic debt.
What a blissful prospect that would be.
"But…"
When Bosacius uttered that word, his eyes hardened with resolve.
"You freed the Yaksha race and extended your mercy to sinners whose hands were stained with blood. I dare not forget such grace."
"After guarding Liyue Harbor for so many years, this land has become my home. My family is here."
"Other than this place, I do not believe I could call anywhere else home."
"And besides—"
"As the eldest, I cannot very well leave Alatus behind and go live freely on my own."
With that, Bosacius smiled and looked toward Bonanus.
"Isn't that right, little sister?"
Bonanus: Oh wow. So you're dragging me into unpaid labor too? No salary, no benefits?! Σ(ﾟдﾟ;)
After speaking, Bosacius patted his massive chest, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter, as if recalling something amusing.
"Heh. Still speaking the same way as always."
Morax nodded with a faint smile, rising to his feet and giving a light wave of his hand.
"The matter is settled. Esteemed Adepti, you may disperse."
Morax: Time to go watch a show…
"Yes."
The three adepti exchanged glances, stood, and reverted to their true forms—two cranes and a deer—stepping into the air as they departed.
Cloud Retainer: Wait a moment… don't I live here? @_@
Once the three adepti had left, Morax slowly rose and turned to Bosacius and Bonanus.
"Liyue has changed greatly," he said. "Come. I will show you."
As he spoke, he began walking away with small, leisurely steps—at a pace reminiscent of an elderly man out for a stroll.
The three Yakshas looked at one another, nodded, and followed on either side of Zhongli—
Like two bodyguards escorting an old gentleman.
"In the mortal world, I go by the name Zhongli," Morax added calmly. "If you encounter me among mortals, use that name."
"Yes, my Lord!" Bosacius and Bonanus replied in unison.
Walking beside Morax, Bonanus let out a long sigh of relief.
Being stared at by four immortals the entire time—
She had almost been scared into wetting herself, okay?!
With that thought in mind, and fearing future mishaps, Bonanus slipped back into her inner consciousness and initiated communication with the system.
She needed something useful—fast.
[Bonanus: System!]
[System online. Host present. How may I assist?]
[Bonanus: I'm scared I'll get exposed one day! Do you have something that can prevent that?]
Bonanus firmly believed that Morax not suspecting her this time was pure luck. If she slipped up one day, her ashes would probably be scattered into the sea.
[We do indeed~]
[ Not 29,999, not 30,001—only 30,000 karmic debt points to take home this Advanced Hidden Passive Skill~]
--+--
[Advanced Hidden Passive Skill]
Most of your actions and speech will naturally align with your character's established persona in the perceptions and memories of others.
--+--
For some reason, hearing this made Bonanus feel like the system was being… smug.
Why did she suddenly feel so unhappy?
[Bonanus: I only have 10,000 karmic debt! Why don't you just rob me?! Can you at least give a 90% discount?!]
[Host may be dreaming. Recommendation: spend 100,000 karmic debt to purchase intelligence enhancement.]
Bonanus: I feel like you're insulting me—and I have evidence.
[Bonanus: Is there really no other way?]
[There is. You may purchase on credit. Outstanding debt will increase over time.]
[Long-term nonpayment will be treated as malicious default. The system will personally come to collect.]
Bonanus froze.
System—be honest. Was your chip designed by loan sharks?
Or is your ancestor Huabei?!
(T/N: Huabei is a famous Chinese consumer loan/credit service)
---
Reality
Due to being deeply immersed in conversation with the system, Bonanus failed to notice a hole in the steps ahead.
As a result, right before the eyes of the Lord of Geo and Bosacius—
She tripped.
And then—
Thump.
She began rolling down the mountain slope with unstoppable momentum.
"Ah…?"
Bonanus, still tumbling, voiced her confusion.
Why was the world spinning?
Why was everything rotating?!
Dizziness overwhelmed her. Her body felt like it no longer belonged to her.
Only when the intense pain struck did realization dawn—
The world isn't spinning. I am.
"Little sister!" Bosacius froze for a split second before his pupils widened in horror.
That rolling figure—
That was his little sister, wasn't it?!
Why had she become so… foolish? Could this be a delayed aftereffect of karmic madness?!
He immediately gave chase—but it was useless.
No matter how fast he ran, he was still slower than Bonanus rolling downhill.
"This scene feels oddly familiar…" Morax stroked his chin.
Ah—right.
Long ago, there had been a rather plump Ganyu who rolled down a mountain just like this. She had been a bit rounder back then.
Bonanus, by comparison, was slimmer.
How she managed to roll all the way down was truly a mystery.
That said, for a Guardian Yaksha, such an incident would result in nothing more than scrapes and bruises.
There was no threat to her life.
---
Elsewhere — Xiao
Xiao sat cross-legged in meditation.
"How strange… Bosacius and Sister Bonanus returned just like that. It feels almost like a dream…"
Bosacius: You call her "sister" but refuse to call me "big brother"? (இдஇ;)
Xiao's eyes remained closed, his breathing calm and steady—like a serene statue.
"But this is good. At least… I won't be alone during the Lantern Rite."
At that thought, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
When it came to his family, he could never suppress his emotions.
That long-buried happiness.
That sense of warmth.
That feeling of freedom.
Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked toward the stone steps.
At first, he wished he hadn't.
Because what he saw—
Was a blue object rolling down the mountain at terrifying speed.
"…?"