Chapter 88

Exiting Stone Gate, the group entered Dihua Marsh.

Dihua Marsh is named for the vast fields of reeds growing across the shallow wetlands of northern Liyue. With an intricate network of rivers and swamps, it boasts a rich ecosystem teeming with various flora and fauna, creating a spectacular landscape that is often admired by travelers passing through.

Moreover, this is a major thoroughfare between Mondstadt and Liyue, so caravans frequently stop to rest here.

The moment Bai Luo stepped into Dihua Marsh, he almost felt like he could hear the sound of an erhu playing in the distance. Though the erhu is often associated with melancholy, in this instance, it brought a sense of peace and serenity.

It was akin to finding a still-open inn on a rainy night—lying in bed, listening to raindrops tapping on the window, one couldn't help but feel a sense of calm.

Unfortunately, Bai Luo was accompanied by a band of Fatui agents. Outside the city, their usual sounds were probably battle orders and alerts rather than anything peaceful.

He even imagined he might be accompanied by the unique music reserved for Fatui Harbingers.

Yes, that one:

"Timmy~ Timmy~ Your pigeons are dead~"

And then he'd step forward with a dagger.

"Haha, the instructor's here~"

Sigh, it seemed like he could never escape the joke about being the Fatui's "Reaper."

After Katarina finished bandaging his wounds, Bai Luo dismissed her, as he had just received a notification from his system.

[Achievement Unlocked: Even Rock Can Be Worn Down]

[Reward Earned: Radiance of the Fairy (Active Equipment)]

[Fairy Glitter (Active)]: One of the three most powerful magics from another world, this legendary super-magic unleashes merciless light that permits no enemy to survive. It can annihilate all foes.

Unique Passive: Increases all elemental damage by 15%.

Unique Active – Fairy Glitter: Instantly deals true damage equal to 15% of the enemy's lost HP. If the enemy is killed, the cooldown is reduced by 20 seconds. (Cooldown: 90 seconds).

If Bai Luo had a cigarette on hand, he would've fumbled with it, trembling, before lighting it with shaky hands.

Was this equipment powerful?

Absolutely. Especially for someone like him, who already dealt true damage with his reverse-blade sword and attacks. It was essentially a tool designed to finish off enemies efficiently.

The problem was... this "Fairy Glitter" was a mage's item, wasn't it? Why would he, a physical assassin, end up drawing something like this?

Would it have killed the system to give him a good sword, like the crimson spear or a short sword? Heck, even the Tessaiga, the holy sword of the Three Sacred Treasures, would've been better. But no, it had to be this thing.

At this rate, maybe he'd be better off getting a third class like Black Swordsman. Kirito, Kenshin, and Hei—three blade masters could storm any fortress in Teyvat with him at the helm.

Suddenly, he had an unsettling feeling—what if the system actually gave him a Hellfire, Fairy, and Thunderbolt set next?

... The thought made him shudder.

Before he knew it, he might be wandering Teyvat under the pseudonym "Lord of the Sword and Drink"—Suntory, Kirito, Sword of Li... the titles alone gave him chills.

But this latest achievement solidified one thing for him: encountering people or situations related to Archons or gods could trigger more achievements and quests.

Perhaps it was time for him to shake off his careful nature and take more risks.

After he finished examining the Fairy Glitter, Bai Luo shifted his attention outside.

The scenery in Dihua Marsh was undeniably beautiful. While Mondstadt had similar open plains, they lacked the unique character of Liyue's wetland areas.

Along the way, Bai Luo noticed several caravans setting up camp by the roadside, including some traders returning from Mondstadt after the Windblume Festival.

Originally, Bai Luo had planned to stop in Dihua Marsh for a brief rest, even if he was a Harbinger. After all, taking breaks now and then was a given.

However, due to his injuries, he had to alter his plans. Instead, the group made haste and arrived at Liyue's largest inn—the Wangshu Inn.

Wangshu Inn is a massive structure built atop a towering rock pillar. Most of the visitors here were traveling merchants, and the inn provided both trading spaces and a market area.

The higher floors of the inn offered stunning views, especially on clear days when one could see Qingce Village and Jueyun Karst in the distance, making it an ideal location for sightseers.

As for when the inn was built, no one could say for sure. However, the sheer scale of the building and its strategic location suggested that the forces behind it were not to be trifled with.

By the time Bai Luo and his group reached the Wangshu Inn, it was already evening. The inn was bustling with life, filled with merchants from all over Teyvat.

Unlike the merchants at Stone Gate, the people here were much bolder. Though they lowered their voices upon seeing the Fatui, they didn't flee outright.

"Are you here to stay, esteemed guests?"

The attendant on the ground floor seemed sharp enough to gauge the mood. Knowing that the presence of Fatui and regular guests wouldn't mix well, he promptly offered to escort Bai Luo's group to the upper levels.

The top floor of Wangshu Inn was the VIP area, reserved not just for those with money, but also for those with influence and connections.

"Yes, take us upstairs."

With Katarina's help, Bai Luo and his group boarded the elevator. Though primitive, this water-powered contraption operated similarly to modern elevators. Driven by the force of a nearby waterwheel, it ascended and descended at fixed intervals, and though lacking modern safety features, it was surprisingly efficient—if a bit dangerous, with occasional accidents of falling or jamming.

"Please don't stand too close to the edge. First-time riders might feel uncomfortable, but that's normal. Just make sure to keep your weapons sheathed, and please take care of your injured companion," the attendant explained as they ascended.

Given the Fatui's notorious reputation, the attendant was likely just being cautious to avoid any unnecessary trouble for the inn.

What surprised him, however, was that while the other Fatui agents seemed curious, the injured Harbinger acted as though this wasn't his first time on the elevator.

Upon reaching the top, the innkeeper, Huai'an, personally came out to greet them. It was clear that news of Bai Luo's arrival had already been relayed to the inn.

"Honored guests, your presence brings great glory to our humble establishment. I've already instructed the chefs to prepare the finest dishes. Rest assured, you will receive the best service during your stay," Huai'an said, his sincerity evident.

"No need to go through so much trouble. Just prepare food for my subordinates and arrange rooms for us. As for my meal, I'll have Katarina bring it to me," Bai Luo replied.

Though the innkeeper's politeness seemed genuine, Bai Luo couldn't shake a subtle sense of distrust.

From what he knew, the inn's background was far from simple, otherwise, the Vigilant Yaksha wouldn't visited this place often.

Perhaps... there might even be a chance to meet him.