Chapter 109

A new day begins, bathed in the golden morning light. A new journey unfolds.

"Hey!"

Waving her small hands, Paimon shouted to the two people behind her, "Lumine, Hiroshi, hurry up!"

Walking between two massive cliffs, Hiroshi and Lumine looked up at the cheerful, flying Paimon, and smiled as they quickened their pace.

Boom!!!

Suddenly, a loud explosion came from the road ahead, and an artificial rain began to fall from the sky. With a sigh, Hiroshi manipulated the rainwater back into the air, watching the once clear river beside them quickly turn muddy. He then looked at the small figure in red running toward them from around the corner and called out helplessly, "Klee!"

Klee ran toward Hiroshi, raising her little arms with a big smile on her face. She held up a massive bass fish in front of Hiroshi, bouncing on her toes as she said, "Brother Hiroshi, can we make this for lunch later?"

Hiroshi gently rubbed Klee's small head twice and said, "Did you forget what you promised Jean before we left?"

"Oh!"

Klee froze for a moment, her eyes darting nervously from side to side. She quickly shoved the big fish into Hiroshi's hands and whispered, "Brother Hiroshi, hide it quickly! We can't let Noelle find out!"

Hiroshi smiled as he threw the fish into a lake within his personal dimension. The sound of splashing water was only heard by a few animals drinking nearby — none of which were human.

Watching Klee's anxious little face, Hiroshi said with a smile, "If Noelle and Xiangling weren't up on the cliffs gathering Jueyun Chili, you'd be in trouble by now. Noelle would definitely find out you've been fishing with explosives again."

"Shh! Shh!"

Klee grabbed Hiroshi's leg and climbed onto his shoulder, whispering, "Brother Hiroshi, be quiet! If Noelle hears, it'll be a disaster!"

Hiroshi chuckled, brushing his cheek against Klee's as he looked up to see Noelle descending from the cliff. He whispered, "Next time, be more careful. If Jean finds out, even I won't be able to save you."

"Hmm..."

Klee pulled her head back, recalling Jean's warnings before they left Mondstadt earlier in the morning. She nodded quickly and promised, "Don't worry, Brother Hiroshi, Klee definitely won't let Noelle find out."

That morning, everyone had parted ways after the gathering, returning to their respective lives. After bidding farewell to Kuroha Itsuki, who was returning to her studies, Hiroshi, Lumine, Paimon, and Klee set out on their journey to Liyue.

With the promise to Jean that Klee would not use bombs recklessly, fish with explosives, or cast explosive magic without reason, Noelle also decided to join the party.

Having recently become Hiroshi's student, Noelle was determined to follow Hiroshi and train hard, aspiring to become a full-fledged Knight of Favonius who could help others. Since Noelle was heading to Liyue, Jean asked her to keep an eye on Klee along the way.

"Noelle!"

Sitting obediently on Hiroshi's shoulder, Klee waved at Noelle as she landed and noticed her gaze directed toward the river. Klee's body stiffened, and she quickly said, "Noelle, I've been behaving well!"

With a soft smile, Noelle glanced at Klee, who was desperately trying to look innocent, and then addressed Hiroshi, "Master Hiroshi, Xiangling and I discovered a hunter who claims to be from Springvale. Would you like to check on him?"

"A hunter?" Lumine asked, intrigued. "The hunters from Mondstadt usually stay near Springvale or Wolvendom for their hunts, right? This isn't really their hunting ground."

"Yes, Lumine." Noelle nodded. "When Xiangling and I found him, he was shivering terribly from the cold. Xiangling is currently making him some hot soup to warm him up, and I came over to inform everyone."

Reaching out with his senses, Hiroshi located the position Noelle had mentioned. Recognizing the area, he nodded slightly.

With a ripple in space, Hiroshi took a step forward, and in an instant, he was next to the pot of soup bubbling over a fire. Xiangling was helping a middle-aged man with cat ears sit down.

"Xiangling!"

Klee's voice sounded nearby as she quickly ran to Xiangling, with a trail of stars following behind her.

Tilting her head curiously, Klee looked at the shivering man. Her little hands glowed red as she gently placed them on him. "You look a lot like Diona! Are you still cold?"

The man, Olaf, looked in astonishment at the little girl before him. He hesitantly released his grip on himself, realizing that the chill that had seeped into his bones was now completely gone.

Standing up, Olaf faced everyone and said gratefully, "Thank you for saving me — especially you, Liyue girl, and this little one. I honestly thought I was going to freeze to death when I woke up."

Olaf opened his backpack and took out several pieces of unusual meat, handing them to Xiangling. He looked at Klee with a warm smile and said, "I'm a hunter from Springvale. I was tracking a boar when I got stuck here. By the time I woke up, I was already frozen."

"I don't have much to repay your kindness, but this meat is from my hunts, and it's delicious. Judging from how skillful you were in cooking, I believe you will do it justice."

"If you ever visit Springvale, I'll treat you to a proper meal as thanks for saving me."

"Are you sure you can give us such precious ingredients?!" Xiangling stared at the meat, hardly able to believe her luck. "This looks like top-tier meat — it must be amazing when cooked right. I haven't cooked with anything this good in ages!"

"Really tasty?!"

Two voices rang out in unison. Paimon, who had been staring at the steaming pot, and Klee ran over, staring at Xiangling with eager eyes. "Xiangling (Xiangling-sis), hurry up and cook it! If even you say it's special, Paimon (Klee) can't wait!"

"Hehe."

With a smile, Xiangling nodded. "Alright, let me just gather some more ingredients nearby, and I'll cook this premium meat for us."

"I should be heading out now," Olaf said, his face showing a trace of melancholy. "I've been gone for quite a while, and my family must be worried."

He bowed slightly to the group. "Oh, by the way, there's an underground ruin in the cave ahead. It contains a giant Cryo Regisvine — it's very dangerous. I was chasing the boar when I ended up in there and almost froze. I barely managed to escape, but I still ended up getting frozen solid."

"Make sure you don't go in there!"

Olaf warned them earnestly, then adjusted his bow and began walking away.

Hiroshi caught up to Olaf in a few steps, smiling. "The road back to Springvale is long, and you've only just recovered. It's not safe to travel alone, Olaf. Let me give you a hand."

"No, no, it's fine!" Olaf quickly waved off the offer, looking up at the sunlight. "I'm already grateful you saved me. I don't want to delay your journey because of me."

"Don't worry. I've heard you're the best hunter in Springvale, right? I'm sure you can manage just fine." Hiroshi nodded, then smiled knowingly at Olaf's cat ears. "You also have the Kätzlein bloodline. I have a friend with the same heritage — I know your capabilities quite well."

"But your case is a bit special, and as Diona's friend, I think I should give you a hand. It'll be quick!"

With a single step, Hiroshi shifted the space around them. They were suddenly surrounded by familiar trees and houses. Hiroshi turned to Olaf, who stood frozen in place, and smiled. "See? I told you it would be fast."

Meanwhile, Xiangling stood at the mouth of a cave where snowflakes were drifting out. She spoke with excitement, "I found the extra ingredients — the Cryo Regisvine! It must be a rare and delicious ingredient."

"What are we waiting for?!" Lumine grinned and dashed inside. "Here comes the good food!"

"Klee is coming too!"

"Lumine! Wait for me!"

"Wait! Lumine! Xiangling! Klee!"

Noelle stood there dumbfounded as everyone else rushed in, glancing at where Hiroshi had just vanished. Gritting her teeth, she readied her Dustbringer sword and followed them into the cave.