"A disciple of the Adepti... so Ryan, you came to Jueyun Karst to inform the Adepti about the Rite of Descension as well?"
After learning Ryan's identity, Paimon was initially shocked, then couldn't help but ask.
This was precisely why they had come to Jueyun Karst; she wondered if Ryan was there for the same reason.
"Yes, after all, it's a major event like Lord Rex Lapis being murdered..."
"Wait! You two were the first to flee during the Rite of Descension, don't tell me you assassinated Lord Rex Lapis!"
Ryan nodded, then his eyes darted around, suddenly taking a step back and pointing at Lumine and Paimon with an expression of disbelief.
"Eh! No, no, it's a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding, we didn't do it!"
Seeing Ryan suspect them, Paimon quickly waved his hands, explaining, while Lumine beside him also looked a bit nervous.
After all, the Adepti were the only beings they could think of who could clear their names; if Ryan's misunderstanding reached the Adepti, it would be terrible.
"Hmm, I think beautiful people don't lie. I'm willing to believe you, Ms. Paimon."
Hearing Paimon's words, Ryan retracted his hand and nodded, speaking softly to Paimon.
"Hehe, really? Ryan, you're so nice~"
Hearing Ryan's words, Paimon scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
It felt quite good to be believed at a time like this.
Lumine, standing by, stroked his chin, lost in thought. He had a feeling Ryan seemed a little deliberate.
But it didn't seem to be with any ill intent... right?
"So that's it. The gods might be your enemies, so you didn't trust falling into the hands of their followers and chose to flee..."
While Lumine was pondering, Paimon also explained to Ryan the reason for their escape, and Ryan then nodded in understanding.
"Mhm mhm, I just didn't expect the misunderstanding to get worse; suddenly we became the murderers who assassinated the Geo Archon."
Paimon finished speaking, spreading his hands and shaking his head helplessly.
"But compared to the Liyue Qixing, the Adepti are truly the most familiar with the Geo Archon, and can be called his kin. If the Geo Archon truly was your enemy, wouldn't you have given yourselves away for nothing?"
Learning that they were being hunted in this way, Ryan expressed confusion about their choice to seek out the Adepti to clear their names.
"Eh... oh, right? Why?"
Paimon froze for a moment, then quickly turned to look at Lumine.
His tiny head hadn't actually thought that far.
"..."
"Because the god who stopped me back then was female, and from the legends I've heard today, Lord Rex Lapis should be male, so they aren't the same person."
Lumine explained after a moment of silence.
"No, no, golden-haired bodyguard, you're too careless. Lord Rex Lapis has a myriad of forms and often travels with people in different guises, of all genders."
Lumine's explanation, however, caused Ryan to raise a finger and shake it twice, explaining the possibility of such a situation.
He had grown up listening to stories of Ganyu senior sister's childhood and the deeds of Lord Rex Lapis from Cloud Retainer himself, so he knew quite a bit about this Lord Rex Lapis.
"...Well, no matter what, he's already dead. Even if he really was my enemy, the Adepti wouldn't know me, would they?"
Lumine continued after a moment of speechlessness.
"..."
"Yes, Lord Rex Lapis is dead, boo hoo hoo..."
Ryan was stunned for a moment, then turned around with a sorrowful expression, covering his mouth with his hands, but not crying out.
Thinking that he hadn't taken the opportunity to snatch some materials from the half-Qilin, half-dragon divine corpse earlier, he wished he could fiercely punch himself in the chest.
"Traveler, you seem to have upset him. No matter what, he's a Liyue native after all..."
Seeing Ryan turn away in grief, Paimon whispered into Lumine's ear.
"..."
Lumine awkwardly scratched his head.
After a while, Ryan finally recovered.
"Ahem, you've seen me at my worst... Since you, Paimon, are also here to inform the Adepti about Lord Rex Lapis's demise, why don't you come with me up the mountain to see my master, Cloud Retainer?"
Ryan, having recovered, suggested this to Paimon and his companions.
"Okay, okay, that would be great! Thank you!"
Paimon and Lumine exchanged glances, and after Lumine gave a slight nod, Paimon immediately said happily to Ryan.
They didn't know the exact locations of the Adepti and would have to search all over Jueyun Karst, hoping to encounter them by chance.
With Ryan leading the way, it would be much more convenient.
"Alright, follow me. My master lives on Mt. Aocang."
Ryan nodded, then beckoned, leading them all towards Mt. Aocang.
Along the way, Lumine looked back regretfully at the Statue of The Seven high up on Qingyun Peak.
He had almost glided up just now; now he could only touch it next time... And so, led by Ryan, the three ascended Mt. Aocang.
"Master, I'm back."
Ryan led the two to the entrance of Cloud Retainer's abode, which was sealed by adeptal energy, and then called out inside.
"Ryan, my child, you've finally returned. You don't know how this master has spent these past few days..."
After Ryan's call faded, the adeptal energy sealing the abode slowly opened, and Cloud Retainer's somewhat resentful voice emanated from within.
Then, a divine crane with strikingly colorful plumage walked out of the abode.
"S-such a big peacock!"
Paimon couldn't help but exclaim.
"Impudent! What peacock!"
Paimon's exclamation provoked Cloud Retainer's strong displeasure, and he immediately glared at Paimon and Lumine, who had followed Ryan.
"Oh..."
But the next moment, Cloud Retainer let out a surprised sound, then quickly bypassed Ryan and came before Lumine.
"Such a beautiful young lady, my girl, where are you from? Where do you live? And how long have you known Ryan?"
Cloud Retainer used his wings like hands, cupping Lumine's hands and speaking with some enthusiasm.
"..."
Lumine opened his mouth blankly, unsure how to answer; these questions all together felt a bit off.
"Hey, hey, hey, Master, Master, I only went down the mountain for a few days! You're overthinking it!"
Ryan, hearing Cloud Retainer's questions, quickly came over, grabbed Lumine's hand and Cloud Retainer's wing in exasperation, separating them.
"Ahem, actually, this master is just happy to see you've made friends, merely trying to liven up the atmosphere."
Cloud Retainer curled his right wing to his mouth, coughed twice lightly, and explained.
"Oh, right. Since you're back, Ryan, I presume the Rite of Descension has concluded smoothly. How was it, did you see Lord Rex Lapis?"
Then, Cloud Retainer stopped joking and instead inquired about the matter from Ryan.
"Lord Rex Lapis..."
"Master, Lord Rex Lapis... is gone."
Although Ryan was curious why Cloud Retainer's feathers had turned colorful, serious matters were more important. He explained to Cloud Retainer with a heavy expression.
"Gone? Did Lord Rex Lapis skip work?"
Cloud Retainer raised his wing in confusion and touched his head, seemingly not understanding Ryan's words.
"Master, Lord Rex Lapis was murdered!"
Realizing Cloud Retainer didn't seem to grasp it, Ryan could only repeat it directly.
"Yes, yes, it was at the Rite of Descension..."
Paimon, beside him, quickly added details about the situation at the Rite of Descension.
"..."
"Lord Rex Lapis... Lord Rex Lapis was assassinated?!"
"H-how could this be! Someone actually dared to commit such a heinous crime!"
After hearing their descriptions, Cloud Retainer spread his wings in disbelief, his multicolored feathers reflecting different glows in the sunlight.
"Pfft..."
Ryan had noticed Cloud Retainer's unusual feather colors from the beginning, and seeing this scene, he couldn't help but cover his mouth with both hands, preventing himself from laughing out loud.
Fortunately, Cloud Retainer, shocked by Lord Rex Lapis's assassination, didn't notice his actions...