Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Chapter 177 The Sea Lantern Chapter After a Year ( )

"Ruo Tuo—! If you don't wake up soon, I'll dig up the wine you secretly buried under the plum tree on the cliff top next to my cave, which I've been treasuring for a thousand years!"

"And those precious rare ores you hid away, I'll give them to Morax too!"

"And the secret stash you hid at the foot of Mount Aozang; in the amber atop Mount Hulao; and atop the Stone Gate—I'll dig it up and use it!"

.........

Zhongli was at a loss for words. He never expected that his comrade-in-arms of so many years had secretly hidden so many things, and... Xuan Yue had even memorized them all.

"Is it resolved?" A crystal butterfly quietly flew to Zhongli's shoulder and whispered softly in his ear, afraid that the person on the other side would notice his presence.

Zhongli nodded slightly in response.

"That's good... The commotion you just caused was too great, and my current wisp of consciousness is about to dissipate in order to resist it..." Xuan Qing's voice transmission became weaker and weaker, and he sounded very tired.

"Don't forget the gift I prepared for A-Yue..."

"..." Zhongli saw that Xuan Yue on the other side didn't seem to care about him, so he nodded slightly without making a sound.

The crystal butterfly on his shoulder turned into specks of light and disappeared after he nodded…

With his back to them, his purplish-gold eyes flickered, but he ultimately said nothing, remaining silent.

"Hmm... Do you need any help?" Zhongli asked, seeing that Xuan Yue had quieted down. After all, Xuan Qing and Xuan Yue still had a connection, and he wasn't sure if Xuan Yue had just sensed something. This was also a test.

"...Oh dear, I can't wake this guy up no matter what I do. Looks like I won't be getting to drink this year's wildly popular 'Drunken Immortal Drink'." Xuan Yue laughed, feigning a troubled expression. He seemed completely helpless with Ruo Tuo.

Zhongli: "Ruotuo doesn't have a strong desire for food, so this provocation tactic is basically ineffective against him."

"Then...why not satisfy my cravings?" As she spoke, Xuan Yue's mouth watered. "First, bleed her, then skin her, then gut her, and fry her in oil...sizzle..."

"Hey! You little ingrate! It's just a little longer sleep! How could you be plotting with Morax to eat me!" Ruotuo, who was sleeping, stopped pretending when he heard that he was going to be disemboweled and thrown into a frying pan.

"..." Xuan Yue was clearly taken aback. He was still holding a domestic chicken that had already fainted and was ready to be slaughtered.

"..." Ruotuo was stunned. At this moment, only two words popped into his mind: (It's over)

Zhong Li, on the other hand, had already crossed his arms and was watching him with a standard spectator's expression, showing no intention of intervening.

"Alright, pretend to be asleep! Pretend you can't hear me!" Now Xuan Yue didn't care about her hands anymore. She threw the chicken back into her space, then waved her hand and tore open the space to rush into the sealing array, ready to have a good "exchange of life" with Ruo Tuo.

"No, no, no! I was wrong—! Ouch!" Ruotuo shoved her head into her claws and begged for mercy.

"Stop pretending! With your thick skin, this little bit of strength can't hurt you at all!" Xuan Yue looked at his fists and saw that they hadn't even scratched the armor on his claws, while he was still clutching his head and groaning, and couldn't help but find it a little funny.

"My little ancestor, I know I was wrong. Please calm down, okay?" Ruo Tuo transformed into human form and coaxed him with a touch of doting affection.

"Hmph!" Xuan Yue turned her head away, indicating that she didn't want to pay attention to him anymore.

"Oh dear, I just loved to sleep in. I admit my mistake, I admit my mistake, how about three cups of wine as punishment?"

"You're admitting punishment?! You just want to drink!" Xuan Yue was furious. Was he someone who could be easily coaxed? That scheme had backfired on him.

"Sigh, yes, yes, yes. I, Old Dragon, have a bit of a sweet tooth. Well, my little darling, look—"

"You're punished by having to accompany me to the Lantern Festival today!"

"Alright, alright, whatever you say today, little ancestor." Ruotuo immediately accepted the offer.

(How wonderful.) Zhongli silently watched the two people in the sealing array, and for a moment it seemed as if he had returned to the chaotic era a thousand years ago.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Wow, how long have I been asleep? When I woke up, Liyue was completely different."

Ruotuo followed Zhongli and Xuanyue back to Liyue before sunset.

The dilapidated brick houses of my memory are now paved with red bricks and tiles, and lanterns hang high, making it a lively scene. Looking at the clothes of the people on the street, the coarse linen clothes of the past are now all gorgeous embroidered garments, with different styles and novelties. There are also various shouts from the roadside and various snacks at the stalls. Where is the tragic state of food scarcity of yesteryear?

“My old friend has been asleep for at least 1,200 years, and Liyue’s development has never stopped. It’s understandable that we have such feelings.” Zhongli walked in front, with Ruotuo and Xuanyue following behind, each holding a candied hawthorn and enjoying it.

"Mmm! Delicious! The food in Liyue is getting more and more varied." Ruotuo's eyes were shining as he ate, while Xuanyue next to him was eating a candied hawthorn called "Luoluomei".

"Hmm... how are you going to thank me? If it weren't for me, you'd still be sealed underground, unable to get out." Xuan Yue finished biting into the skewer, shaking it and looking at Ruo Tuo with a mischievous grin.

"But I don't have anything valuable on me." Ruotuo scratched his head and looked at Zhongli with a troubled expression, hoping he could give him some advice.

"Why not? Don't you still have the mining permits?" Xuan Yue smiled at Zhong Li: "Back then, when we were mining the mineral veins that Ruo Tuo was supposed to survive, there wasn't a contract to give the veins to Li Yue for free, was there?"

Zhong Li: "Indeed, no such contract was signed. At the time, we also took into account the impact of this mine on Ruotuo, so we signed a cooperation agreement."

“Then… (biting)… let’s sign an agreement in front of Zhongli.” Xuan Yue said while eating, “Zhongli has already delegated power. Now the loopholes in the mining regulations are getting bigger and bigger. Some ores are non-renewable resources, so strict control is necessary. If you and I sign a contract, I will have a legitimate reason to negotiate with Qixing and take control of the mining area.”

Now that things have come to this point, Ruotuo and Zhongli understood Xuan Yue's meaning.

"Little Xuan Yue, I appreciate your kindness. But I cannot accept your offer."

"Why!" Xuan Yue hadn't expected that it wouldn't be Zhong Li who refused, but Ruo Tuo. His proposed solution clearly wouldn't affect Li Yue much, and having it in his hands would better protect the mine and alleviate his pain.

"Xuan Yue." Zhong Li reached out and ruffled his hair, shaking his head slightly to signal him to stop talking.

"Fine, fine. The minority shall obey the majority..." Xuan Yue immediately lowered her head, her face full of unhappiness.