Chapter 133

Dark storm clouds shrouded the entire land of Liyue, thunder and fierce winds sweeping across the sky.

At the center of the dark clouds, a massive black storm whirled, and within it, an incredibly powerful presence was quickly fading.

In Jueyun Karst, a divine deer leisurely strolling among the mountains looked up at the unusual scene in the sky, feeling the rapidly disappearing divine presence, and froze instantly.

"Impossible! Impossible!"

"How could the Emperor be slain?! What power in this world could possibly kill the Emperor?!"

Shocked, Moon Carver stood in place, thinking about all the forces in the world that might match the Emperor's power.

"Today should be the day of the Rite of Parting in Liyue Harbor. Could it be... the Liyue Qixing?!"

"Please, adeptus, do not jump to such conclusions."

A voice echoed from afar, reverberating through the mountains.

"My name is Hiroshi, a traveler from a distant land. I come today at the request of the Qixing, seeking an audience with the adepti to explain the situation."

"May I have permission to visit?"

With his amber eyes, Moon Carver looked towards the distant sky, sensing the calm aura of the approaching figure. After a brief silence, he replied, "Since you are an envoy sent by the Liyue Qixing, you may enter."

"Thank you."

A beam of light streaked across the sky, landing before Moon Carver. Hiroshi, along with Qiqi and Klee, appeared before the adeptus.

"Oh~"

Looking down at the talisman on Qiqi's forehead, Moon Carver said with slight surprise, "Are you the herb-gathering girl from centuries ago?!"

"Adeptus... knows Qiqi?"

Qiqi looked up at the massive deer before her, feeling confused yet somewhat familiar.

"Qiqi... has no memory of you... but feels like... you are familiar."

Moon Carver turned to Hiroshi and said solemnly, "You are the envoy of the Liyue Qixing, and you even brought Qiqi with you. It seems I should listen carefully to your explanation."

"Thank you, adeptus."

With a slight bow, Hiroshi pulled the pensive Qiqi to his side, gently smiling. "I am now Qiqi's new family. When I sensed the adeptal power sustaining her life, I brought her here."

"First, to prove my identity to the adepti."

"And second, to thank you all for protecting Qiqi for so many years."

Looking at Hiroshi, who was gently caressing Qiqi, Moon Carver sighed softly, "No need to thank us. This young girl lost her life due to the collateral damage of the war between gods and demons."

"Although she wandered into the adepti's territory by chance, her death was still caused by our actions."

"There is no need for thanks. Please explain to me the details of the Emperor's assassination."

Moon Carver raised his head to look at the storm clouds slowly dispersing in the sky, still finding it hard to believe.

"What kind of power in this world could possibly threaten the Emperor?!"

"Moreover, lead to his demise?"

"We are still unclear on the specifics of this matter."

Standing beside Moon Carver, Hiroshi slowly explained everything that had happened at the Rite of Parting.

"In short, none of us present noticed anything unusual. The rite had just begun, and suddenly the Emperor was assassinated."

"Why did the Liyue Qixing send you as an envoy?!"

Moon Carver stomped the ground furiously, his voice echoing as he roared, "The Emperor was assassinated during the Rite of Parting. The Qixing actually suspects that it was the mortals present, yet instead of fully investigating the truth behind the Emperor's assassination, their first action was to send an outsider to Jueyun Karst to pacify us?!"

"What are the Liyue Qixing thinking?! How dare they make such misguided priorities?!"

"Please, calm your anger."

Pure white light emanated from Hiroshi's hand, gently pressing onto Moon Carver's body. Hiroshi spoke softly, "I am a friend of Keqing from the Liyue Qixing, which is why I agreed to act as their envoy to inform the adepti of the situation."

"As for why it was not the Qixing themselves, there are two reasons: firstly, I can travel faster."

"And secondly, Liyue Harbor still needs them."

Seeing Moon Carver calming down under the influence of the glowing light, Hiroshi quickly explained, "Recently, the Fatui from Snezhnaya have been highly active in Liyue. Even one of their Harbingers has arrived in Liyue Harbor."

"With the Emperor's assassination, Liyue is bound to descend into chaos. To ensure that the adepti, the Emperor, and the efforts of Liyue's people over thousands of years are not wasted, the Liyue Qixing are now busy managing and mitigating all the potential threats within Liyue."

"That's true."

Letting out a deep breath, Moon Carver carefully looked at Hiroshi, nodding. "Liyue Harbor must not be thrown into chaos. Even we adepti were greatly impacted by the Emperor's assassination; how much more must the mortals be feeling it?"

"I was indeed too rash earlier. Liyue has changed greatly; we must not let the efforts of the Emperor and us adepti over these millennia go to waste. The Qixing's actions were, in fact, the correct decision."

"And about Snezhnaya..."

Looking towards the direction of Snezhnaya, Moon Carver murmured, "What exactly is the Cryo Archon planning? Even though we reside in the mountains, we have heard of Snezhnaya's actions among the Seven Nations."

"The Anemo Archon Barbatos of Mondstadt had their Gnosis taken by the Fatui Harbinger, Signora."

"What did you say?!"

Staring at Hiroshi with widened eyes, Moon Carver asked incredulously, "The Anemo Archon of Mondstadt had their Gnosis taken?!"

"Yes."

Taking out a document, Hiroshi handed it to Moon Carver.

"I am an Honorary Knight of Mondstadt, and this young one here is Klee, a Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius."

"Snezhnaya! Snezhnaya!"

"What exactly is the Cryo Archon planning?!"

Moon Carver looked at Hiroshi and spoke quickly, "I have understood the situation regarding the Emperor's assassination. I have my own judgment on this matter, but I must consult the other adepti as well to avoid any errors."

"Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer both reside nearby, and I will visit them shortly to inform them of the situation."

"As for the other adeptus, the Conqueror of Demons, the Guardian Yaksha resides at Wangshu Inn."

"I will trouble you to inform this adeptus."

"No problem."

Stopping Klee from playfully poking Moon Carver, Hiroshi nodded and said, "Leave it to me."

"Mm."

Seeing Hiroshi readily agree, Moon Carver nodded in satisfaction. Looking down at Klee, who was staring at him curiously, he pondered for a moment.

"Although you are an envoy of the Qixing, as a powerful figure helping us, it is only fitting for you to be rewarded."

Slightly shaking his body, a pair of large antlers appeared from Moon Carver's form, floating in front of Klee and Qiqi.

"These antlers naturally shed over time and possess some magical properties."

"I see that these two young friends are close to you. These antlers are no longer of use to someone of your strength, so I give them to these two young ones."

"Thank you."

Bowing slightly, Hiroshi patted Klee and Qiqi on their heads. "Remember to say thank you when you receive a gift."

"Mm, Klee knows." Klee smiled and bowed to Moon Carver. "Thank you, Grandpa Deer."

"Thank you... adeptus."

"No need. It is getting late; please go notify the Conqueror of Demons."

"Alright, we will set off immediately."

Holding onto Klee and Qiqi, Hiroshi nodded towards Moon Carver, transforming into a streak of light and heading towards Wangshu Inn.

Watching Hiroshi's group disappear, Moon Carver sighed softly, "These are troubled times indeed."

"Why was the Emperor assassinated? I simply cannot fathom it."

"I must quickly inform the other adepti."

Glancing towards Liyue Harbor, Moon Carver turned and disappeared into the mountains.

"Liyue Qixing, you had better not be involved in this matter."

"If you are, even the Liyue we have guarded for thousands of years will be suppressed by us adepti!"