"I have my own judgment. You don't need to worry about it."
Bonanus responded firmly to Xiao's concern. She couldn't stop absorbing karmic debt—no debt meant no Mora to spend.
"Mn..."
Xiao nodded silently at her words, though his somewhat somber expression showed he still opposed the idea.
But since it had already happened, and he'd said what he needed to say, they would deal with any consequences when and if they arose.
"Come on, Alatus! Don't make that 'I'm very unhappy' face! Today is Liyue's Lantern Rite, you know! Smile!"
Bonanus walked up and pressed both large hands directly onto Xiao's poker face, forcibly manipulating his mouth into a stiff smile.
Xiao made no move to resist. He simply stood with arms crossed, looking at her with an expression that clearly said, 'Whatever makes you happy.'
"Hahaha!" Watching Xiao's reluctant yet controlled smile, Bonanus couldn't help but laugh.
Both cute and funny—and Xiao didn't even fight back! Seems being his fourth elder sister had some effect after all!
See, he'd already given up resisting.
"Alatus is so adorable!" Bonanus said without hesitation, speaking whatever came to mind without filtering through her brain.
"Uh... is 'adorable' a word for men?"
Xiao's expression darkened slightly at the term. Something about Fourth Sister's words felt rather embarrassing...
"Hehe!" Bonanus released his face, clasping both hands behind her back with a giggle.
"Today's the Lantern Rite. Later we need to go find Sister Ping. Come on, let's go get Big Brother Bosacius first!"
As she spoke, Bonanus grabbed Xiao's arm and leapt straight down from Wangshu Inn's highest vantage point. She used to have a fear of heights, but now she was much bolder.
Of course—she'd spent all night staring down at those terrifying heights yesterday! How could she not get braver?
Xiao, being pulled along, simply smiled faintly and followed as Bonanus bounded across land, water, and ruin remnants. There weren't many tall mountains in this area, so no chance of enjoying the thrill of crossing great peaks.
Their pace wasn't especially fast, but Xiao didn't mind. He thought this was more than enough.
---
Jade Chamber
Within this magnificent palace suspended in midair, secretaries and staff were beginning to bustle about.
Meanwhile, the Jade Chamber's master—Ningguang—was engaged in a "cordial" chat with her good friend and sister.
"Ningguang! What bug bit you yesterday? Why wouldn't you see me?" Beidou rested one hand on her hip, somewhat dissatisfied.
She had intended to visit the Jade Chamber yesterday, only to be turned away, told Lady Ningguang was handling important matters and couldn't meet with outsiders.
Good grief! She goes out to sea once, and suddenly she's an outsider! Infuriating!
"Surely the Captain of the Crux Fleet isn't so narrow-minded?" Ningguang's eyes narrowed slightly as she took a delicate sip of the finest tea.
"And you know well enough, Liyue Harbor was just attacked by a demon god. That alone is plenty to keep me occupied, not to mention the two Adepti who have just returned."
"My secretaries haven't slept a wink all night." Ningguang set down her tea, picked up the pipe from her table, lit it, and brought it to her lips.
"Alright, I know about all that."
Beidou nodded slightly. She understood this trouble would create a mess of difficult problems to sort out, but still, she couldn't help wanting to spar verbally with Ningguang.
"Aren't you going to see the two Adepti? The Qixing may not care for me, but surely you can't ignore the Adepti?"
Beidou asked curiously. She knew Ningguang's plans, but surely common courtesy demanded some face be given.
"No need to worry. I've already sent Ganyu to handle it. You know her capabilities."
"Ha... that is your style." Beidou closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. Clearly, she swallowed whatever else she wanted to say.
"Heh. Speaking of such matters, I have a question for you. How many contraband goods did you smuggle in this time?"
Ningguang directed a sly smile at Beidou, her dissatisfaction barely concealed.
"You old woman, that won't work on me!"
At these words, Ningguang's smile froze. No woman ever wants to be called old—Ningguang was no exception.
With that single phrase, the fuse was lit. The battle of words officially commenced.
...
Half an hour later
The verbal sparring match between these old companions concluded when both paused to drink tea and quench their thirst.
During this time, secretaries passing by the room showed little surprise at their bickering.
Every time Captain Beidou returned to Liyue Harbor to visit Lady Ningguang, without fail, they'd exchange a few barbs. This session just ran longer than usual.
"Honestly, talking with you is tiresome. I'm off." Beidou finished her tea, stood up to stretch, and prepared to leave.
"Where are you going?" Ningguang called after her. It wasn't yet time to release the Xiao lanterns—was she off carousing again?
"I'm heading to Wanmin Restaurant. The crew rarely gets back to port; they'll want to feast there for days."
Beidou tilted her head in response. The Crux Fleet's crew spent so long at sea, they'd long been craving solid land food.
Especially Chef Xiangling's cooking—that was what the Crux crew yearned for during long voyages. Just thinking about her dishes kept the brothers motivated.
"Oh? Wait for me. I'll tidy up a bit and join you." Ningguang exhaled a light stream of smoke and rose, preparing to accompany her.
"Has Lady Ningguang had a change of heart today?" Beidou asked with a smile.
"Surely Captain Beidou wouldn't refuse a poor woman's request for a date?" Ningguang flashed a mischievous grin, her tone carrying a hint of teasing.
"Tch... how sappy. Hurry up, my brothers are waiting." Beidou waved her hand impatiently.
---
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"Big Brother Bosacius! We're here for you!" The moment they arrived at the parlor, Bonanus and Xiao spotted Bosacius sitting on a stone bench, quietly staring into space.
She leapt down from the eaves alongside Xiao and waved vigorously at Bosacius.
"Oh? Back already? How was little sister's day yesterday?" Bosacius asked with a grin at their arrival. So these two finally remembered him.
"Not bad! Just the wind was a bit chilly at night. Say, where's Mr. Zhongli and Hu Tao?" Bonanus looked left and right—aside from Bosacius, there wasn't another soul.
"That child Hu Tao said many foreigners have arrived today, so she's off promoting her business."
"Heard she even came up with some novel activities, though I suspect she probably won't sell much."
Hearing this, Bonanus silently remarked in her head: 'That's Hu Tao for you—pushing sales hard during the day, watching fireworks with Zhongli at night.'
"As for Mr. Zhongli, he said the foreigners transported some fine uncut jade here. He wanted to appraise its quality."
Having said this, Bosacius rubbed the back of his head. It was indeed lively today—even here in the parlor's small courtyard, he could hear the commotion outside.
At Zhongli's stated purpose for going out, a classic Zhongli line inevitably surfaced in Bonanus's mind:
'Excellent quality. I'll take it all.'
Shaking her head, Bonanus forcefully dispelled these memes and addressed Bosacius.
"Big Brother, when we go out later, we should find a tailor to make you some proper clothes. You can't always go around bare-chested."
Bonanus crossed her arms. She didn't want her brother constantly walking the streets with his torso exposed. It was beneath the dignity of an Adeptus.
"Sure, sure. But before that, we need to handle some things on the outskirts." Bosacius nodded.
"It's still early. Most shops are probably still setting up. The perimeter is guarded by the Millelith—nothing for us to do yet."
Xiao reminded them. This wasn't wartime; they didn't need to be on full alert all day like before.
Bosacius casually spread his hands. He didn't mind either way; he could mobilize anytime. In the old days, this had been his constant state.
But just sitting around waiting would be too dull. Might as well have some fun—he'd gotten some cards from Hu Tao earlier.
"Well then, since we've nothing to do now, let's play something interesting."
With that, he produced an ink bottle and brush from under the stone table. Bosacius looked at Xiao with a mischievous grin, as if preparing some grand scheme.
From somewhere behind his left side, he produced a card and slapped it down firmly on the table.
"Alatus, after all these years apart, let Big Brother see if your card skills have improved."