Contracts & Conspicuous Characters || Genshin Impact

III: Let's Get Down to Business

After discussing with your travelling companions, you head up to the Northland Bank—albeit with the help of Tea Master Liu Su for directions during his break from storytelling. Your group approaches Childe, who is talking to the receptionist, "We're here."

He turns around and smiles at you, "Ah, here you are. Here, let me give you this."

He gives you and Aether some sort of talisman, papered in yellow with intricate markings on it.

"What's this for?" The blond asks.

Childe shrugs, "I'm pretty sure it's a sigil to keep the 'might and illuminated adepti' from bringing harm to you."

Aether pinches the talisman, only holding the corner of the paper as if it were an explosive, "What are we supposed to do with this, though?"

The Harbinger points towards a direction, "If you head north from the harbor, then west from Guili Plains, you will eventually reach a stone forest known as Jueyun Karst. The people of Liyue believe it to be the abode of the adepti."

As Paimon and Aether discuss the plan of clearing your names to Childe, your eyes wander around the scenery. You walk over to the balcony and lean down, trying to overhear the nearby sentry and passerby.

"Hello, ma'am. Have you seen a h/c person about... this tall," He indicates with his hand a height close to yours, "A blond boy, and a floating child accompanying them?"

The woman pauses and shakes her head, "I'm sorry, that's a bit generic, but I'll let you know when I do."

The man sighs, "Alright, thank you. Please contact The Millelith as soon as possible if you see someone of similar features."

You sigh quietly. It seems The Millelith have vague descriptions of your group, but you're certain that if you don't do anything about it, your head will be listed as a bounty for the people to hog.

"What's the long sigh for?" A voice behind you asks.

You jump, scurrying back a little, "Relax, I'm just teasing. You know, you're lucky The Millelith barely have any information about your features or else you would be caught dead." Childe smiles timidly.

You raise your eyebrow at him, What is he trying to do...?

"Go, your friends will explain everything. Unless you want to stay with me and help me run errands around the bank, yeah?"

You take up the former and wave him goodbye, catching up with your friends. Childe turns around, his friendly demeanor diminishing. He glances towards the receptionist, "Request for an audience with Her Majesty in 6 days."

-

Your talk with the first adeptus, Moon Carver, was just what you were expecting. Outraged by the news of Rex Lapis' passing, the adeptus seems to be disheartened and upset that the Liyue Qixing were 'unprofessional' with their measures. The stag also seems to know that you and Aether were wrongly accused, and therefore advises you to seek out three other adepti: Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer (both living closeby the stag), and a Guardian Yaksha residing on Wangshu Inn.

Time to return to the inn, you exclaim to yourself.

"Do you enjoy that place so much?" Paimon asks after noticing your eyes light up from Moon Carver's words.

"I mean, I wonder what we'll get to see there! Do you think they have new events there for the guests?"

The fairy crosses her arms, "Hey! Mind you, we're not even supposed to be out and about where the public can see us! If The Millelith sees us, we're toast for sure this time!"

You sigh as Aether thanks for the adeptus' apprisal. Thankfully this time, you were feeling a lot better with teleporting, thanks to the frequent transmission that your group had taken a liking to on the way to Liyue Harbour. At the blond's suggestion (and concern for your gastrointestinal system), your group glides over to Mt. Hulao, the mountain nearby.

"The next adeptus must be here, if I recall correctly." Aether murmurs as you look around the mountain.

"Have mercy, O mighty adeptus! I beg of you, show mercy upon me and my brother. Spare our lives!"

You glance at your friend, who has a similar look on his face. You approach him cautiously, "What's wrong?"

The kneeling man opens his eyes and looks towards you, "Who are you? What's going on?"

Paimon shouts angrily beside you, "We asked you first!"

The man scans your group and smiles in relief, "Oh, you enjoy safe passage in Jueyun Karst. That can only mean one thing—you must be adepti messengers! Sent here to rescue me and my brother!"

The man explains his situation to your group, unknowing of the fact that you, too, came here for help from the adeptus. You peek at Aether, a look of exasperation on his face. You can't help but chuckle.

As you (reluctantly) agree to help find his brother, the blond sighs, "And here I thought that finding the adepti was easy... I was almost certain that he knew where the adeptus was."

You nudge his side, "Oh, chin up. If we don't find the adeptus here, at least we saved someone from losing their sibling."

"Fair enough..."

-

After slashing a few ambers, you finally find a man with similar features, coughing out the powder. He takes a look at your party and introduces himself as Li Dang, and starts frantically looking around.

"Are you looking for your brother?" You ask.

The man nods, "His name is Li Ding, we were climbing the mountain together. I just hope he didn't get trapped in amber too..."

Aether scratches his head in response, "He's the one who sent us looking for you."

Li Dang slouches, relief washing over him, "Phew, so he's safe then. Thank you! I will head up to find my brother now. Here's hoping I don't run into any more amber on the way..."

After returning to Li Ding, he bows deeply in front of you as a way to express his gratitude, "Thank you for rescuing my brother, O mighty messengers of the illuminated adepti."

You shoot a look at your blond friend. Seemingly knowing your intention, he gives you a slight nod, "Have you ever seen the adeptus here?"

Li Ding raises his eyebrow, "What? No, I mean, like everyone else, we've heard that there's an adeptus living in Mt. Hulao. But regular folks like us would never have the chance to meet them," He shakes his head, "No way. Unlike you guys, you're adepti messengers, so it's a whole different story. Anyway, we have trespassed in the realm of the adeptus for long enough. We should get going."

The brothers bow once again, "Thank you, messengers."

Turning towards your friends, you sigh in exhaustion. Paimon puts her hands on her waist, "It'd be super helpful is we actually were adepti messengers because it seems like this adeptus has got a real temper problem, but it's not like we've done anything wrong... so hopefully we'll be okay... "

"Who dares trespass on my mountain? Who is it that frees the thief from his incarceration?"

You swallow loudly as you shakily steady your grip onto your now-materialized weapon.