The quiet night slowly departed on a gentle breeze, and the warm sun gradually rose, once again illuminating the land.
The people of Liyue rose earlier than on any other day. Today was a special occasion; they wouldn't miss a single activity or competition of the Lantern Rite.
Of course, there was also the food and the performances.
Meanwhile, in the outer courtyard of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, a tall figure sat silently. It was Bosacius. He hadn't rested, nor had he slept.
He had sat here the entire night, uttering not a word, making no expressions or movements. He simply gazed quietly at the moon in the sky and savored this moment of peace.
Such tranquility and absolute safety were things utterly impossible for the Yakshas of yore. That was why he was too stirred to sleep.
This, for him, was a rare pleasure. No screams, no blood, no slaughter. Though the Yaksha race had always been warlike and skilled in killing, they also cherished days without war.
After all, not having to witness your comrades fall before your eyes once more—what a joyous thing that was.
"Dawn has come..." Bosacius stood, stretching his slightly stiff body, then sat back down.
There was nothing to do for now anyway. He had spoken with the Archon throughout the night and had come to understand Liyue's current state.
Besides, it was still early. Everyone was busy preparing for today's festival. He would wait for his sister's to return before heading out together.
---
Back at Wangshu Inn
The merchants lodging at Wangshu Inn had also risen early. Laden with their wares and goods, they urged their carriages swiftly towards Liyue.
Though setting out now might be somewhat late for merchants, they wouldn't be daunted by such a small matter. So long as there was Mora to be made, nothing else mattered.
Worst case, they'd set up shop on the spot!
Liyue Harbor was vast—there was always somewhere to squeeze in their little stalls. However, before that, they'd need to navigate a series of complicated procedures.
Otherwise, selling anything here would be out of the question.
The arrival of morning had not only awakened the merchants. It also roused Xiao, who was still leaning in Bonanus's arms atop the rooftop.
He had slept the whole night through—a rare occurrence free of nightmares. Because he knew his sister Bonanus was right beside him. More than fearing dreams, he wanted to hold onto her tightly.
The night's chill hadn't touched him; Bonanus's warmth was so gentle. He never imagined that after a hundred years, he could still feel this warmth again.
"You're awake?" Bonanus smiled at the beautiful young man in her arms. Her smile was somewhat strained—her legs had fallen asleep...
Xiao had rested his head on her lap the entire night. Even for an Adeptus, numbness was unavoidable.
During this time, Bonanus had dearly wanted to slip away quietly and rest for a bit. But Xiao, even in sleep, kept a firm grip on her large hand, making it impossible to move.
Xiao's grip was incredibly strong. At the slightest movement, he would tighten his hold, as if afraid she would disappear.
So what could she do? She couldn't bear to wake the slumbering Xiao, and could only endure.
"Mmm..." Xiao squinted, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the glaring light.
After a moment, once the haze of waking had faded, he slowly sat up, his expression apologetic.
"Forgive me, Sister Bonanus. I drifted off without realizing it."
Bonanus simply shook her head at this apology. She didn't blame Xiao at all. Though sitting here all night was somewhat uncomfortable for someone with modern sensibilities.
But she hadn't been idle through the night. Xiao had slept so deeply last night that even when she accidentally made a sound, he hadn't stirred.
'Mm... he doesn't wake when I make noise, but the moment I move, he clenches tight. It almost feels like he's pretending to sleep...'
On the bright side, though—
For a hunter, prey so defenseless and unresisting was like manna from heaven.
(T/N: 'Manna from heaven' implies a sudden happening that brings good fortune.)
Bonanus hadn't done anything untoward. She had simply spent the night absorbing Xiao's karmic debt.
As the System had said, the karmic debt upon a Yaksha couldn't be fully drained in a day or two. Nonetheless, she had finally paid off her debt to the System.
Not only that, she'd even upgraded the karmic debt limit of her Moonlit Ring by two levels, expending a great deal of debt in the process.
[Current Karmic Debt: 24000 / 70000]
All in all, it was quite a windfall. This was far more profitable than going out to fight monsters! After all, the Yakshas were dripping with karmic debt.
"I feel somewhat strange..." Xiao slowly released his grip on Bonanus's arm. Cross-legged upon the tiles, he gazed at his hand with some confusion.
"Strange? Has something else happened?" Bonanus tilted her head. Nothing at all had occurred last night.
"I feel... my body is somehow different..."
"That corroding force..."
Xiao frowned deeply. He didn't dislike this sensation; if anything, it brought him a lightness he had never known.
As he had just said, the agonizing erosion that had plagued him for centuries—this morning, it had actually eased.
Though not completely cleansed, Xiao could undeniably feel the difference. Surprise flickered through him for only an instant.
A moment later, his gaze sharpened with tension. He seized Bonanus's large hand again, urgently demanding,
"Sister Bonanus! Have you been using that power that doesn't belong to you?"
Xiao seemed faintly angered. He had been careless. A moment's peace, and he had forgotten that Bonanus possessed such a dangerous ability.
Not dangerous for Xiao, perhaps. But for Bonanus herself, such actions were perilous. After all, the fabricated curse—those who knew, understood.
"Ah..."
Sensing Xiao's unusual tone, Bonanus instinctively shrank back. She looked timid, utterly meek.
A pitiful expression crossed her face, as if she had been wronged, on the verge of tears.
From Xiao's muttered words and his tone towards her, she guessed that draining his debt all night had been discovered.
But that wasn't the main point. What mattered was that she had never seen Xiao wear such an expression—fierce, as if he might devour her.
Somehow, Bonanus felt inexplicably frightened.
Mostly it was that look in his eyes. Too intimidating, utterly unlike the aloof, beautiful young Adeptus of her memory.
Yet, looking at it differently, perhaps Xiao's concern for her was why he couldn't control his emotions!
Thinking this, Bonanus's faint fear slowly subsided. Perhaps she was just overthinking.
At the slightest hint of harshness in someone's gaze, she assumed they were about to strike her. Not just in this world, but in her previous life, she had spiraled into anxiety over a single look.
It wasn't a good habit.
As for Xiao—
Seeing Bonanus's aggrieved expression, he too became aware of his own demeanor. He never revealed such emotions.
Gently releasing Bonanus's hand, he covered his face with one palm, speaking with remorse.
"My apologies. That was discourteous..."
Faced with this apology, Bonanus felt both amused and exasperated. So fierce one moment, then immediately softening. How adorable!
She had to admit, as an Adeptus blessed with beauty, Xiao's looks made any expression suit him perfectly.
Thinking this, Bonanus set her hands on her hips, affecting an "I'm still upset" expression.
"You'd better know it. Don't lose your temper with me so easily next time."
Xiao merely nodded silently, offering no other reaction.
"I have my own considerations in what I do. Your sister isn't foolish. I need you to trust me." Bonanus continued.
"The ultimate price of such actions can only be destruction. Even so, you still wish to do it?" Xiao suddenly spoke, his expression grave.