What sets Liyue apart from Mondstadt the most is its complex terrain, with only man-made roads providing clear passage. On the official routes, some Millelith soldiers stand guard, leaving Rover with a favorable impression of Liyue as a nation.
Within just a few days, they arrived at Wangshu Inn.
Wangshu Inn, located at the heart of Dihua Marsh, sits atop towering stone pillars and is Liyue's first landmark structure. When Rover stepped inside and looked up, they couldn't help but think that its outward appearance barely scratched the surface of its significance.
The inn's elevated position gives it a strategic advantage, allowing it to double as a watchtower.
In Liyue's legends, Wangshu Inn is also one of the adepti's strongholds. They use it as a secret base, from which they purge the monsters lurking in the wilderness.
Rover sipped tea while listening to the idle chatter of the inn's patrons, organizing the information in their mind before heading to the counter to book a room.
Yes, they and Aether had both agreed to spend the night here.
Under the warm glow of the lights, Rover opened the window—the night was still bright.
Compared to Jinzhou, Teyvat's nights were mostly filled with starry skies. Rover sat on the chair, quietly savoring this moment of leisure.
"Rover... I think I smell something strange again."
The Echo mark on the back of their hand glowed faintly as Abby whispered from within.
"Not far outside Dihua Marsh... There's a strange person being surrounded by monsters."
Rover thought for a moment, then picked up the blade resting on the table and slowly stepped out.
...
The night was as tranquil as ever, save for an aura of killing intent and a lone figure panting heavily on the ground.
The young man lifted his head, his vision dyed red, until a figure gradually emerged in the distance, becoming clearer.
It was another version of himself—wearing a demonic mask.
The young man wasted no words—or perhaps he was already accustomed to the torment of karmic debt—and immediately thrust his spear forward.
His opponent didn't move. A glint of cold light flashed in his eyes, and the young man barely managed to tilt his head as a glowing crossbow bolt grazed his cheek.
The next second, the clashing of weapons rang out once more, sparks flying intermittently across the silent Dihua Marsh.
Gritting his teeth, the young man suddenly realized his opponent's attacks had grown even fiercer, so he quickened his own pace.
Countless spikes and broken blades surged toward him again. His opponent's feet brimmed with Anemo energy, launching him into the air as wind blades infused with the same element came slashing down.
Amid the raging gales, the young man desperately defended himself, spinning his spear around his body—yet cuts still appeared on his skin.
But it wasn't over. The tiny wound on his cheek, where the bolt had grazed him, began emitting a faint glow. To his shock, he found himself unable to move, as if suffocating in the depths of the ocean. Half-kneeling, he propped himself up with his spear, watching helplessly as his other self slowly approached.
Before his opponent could take another step, his consciousness finally gave out, and he collapsed.
...
"Uh... What do you think happened here?"
Abby emerged from the Echo mark, scrutinizing the unconscious young man.
Rover shook their head. They had followed Abby's guidance here, only to be inexplicably attacked.
Rover removed the demonic mask, revealing a strikingly handsome face beneath—though they paid it no mind, focusing instead on the ominous black miasma seeping from the mask.
Suddenly, the sinister aura tried to invade Rover's body. Raising an eyebrow, Rover summoned Havoc energy, which transformed into a mist that clashed with the black miasma.
Where the black miasma met the purple Havoc energy, it dissolved instantly, like fire meeting water.
"That's it? I thought it'd be tougher."
Rover wrapped the mask entirely in Havoc energy, and the miasma inside recoiled as if facing its natural enemy, no longer daring to escape.
"This guy seems cursed. Look, his body is still emitting black mist."
Abby pointed at the young man's body. Rover rubbed their chin, glancing around. Leaving him here carelessly wouldn't be right.
"Fine, let's take him back. Someone this strong probably has Mora, right?"
Rover slapped their thigh, stashed the mask away, then hoisted the young man onto their back and carried him step by step back to their room.
Aether, lying on the bed, was startled awake by the sudden commotion. He had only been asleep for a while—how had Rover managed to rescue someone from outside?
"Paimon, have you seen this thing before?"
Rover placed the mask in front of Paimon, who shook her head in ignorance. Aether could practically feel Rover's exasperation.
"Weren't you supposed to be our guide? Yet you don't know anything. We even had to rely on Rover's map to get to Liyue."
Abby immediately crossed his arms and complained. Paimon, however, stubbornly retorted.
"I-It's just... really rare, okay...?"
While the two bickered, Aether and Rover quickly laid the young man on the bed.
Then they exchanged glances and began discussing.
"What's the situation?"
"Judging by the traces at the scene, this young man was probably clearing out monsters when he got hit by some strange curse that drove him mad."
Rover speculated. Aether nodded thoughtfully.
"Clearing out monsters..."
Rover murmured, then their eyes lit up—recalling the dinner conversations, they had a sudden theory.
"This young man might be an adeptus."
"Huh!?"