Xin Yu slowly descended from the sky. When he landed back on the small pier where he had previously stood, he found Zhongli, who was originally there, had vanished. In his place were the people who had fought Osial on the Jade Chamber moments ago.
"Xin Yu!"
Paimon and Aether, having just arrived, spotted Xin Yu as he landed. Paimon cried out in immense surprise.
"Afternoon. Have you eaten yet?"
This plain and simple greeting left everyone present stunned. Was this powerhouse, who had slain an ancient god with a single strike, really so down-to-earth?
Xin Yu looked at the assembled group and said with a smile, "I'm fundamentally just an ordinary person who happened to gain this power through a fortunate coincidence. What I did was simply fulfilling a request."
"That big sea monster is completely dead – soul, will, spirit, all gone. There won't be any remnants left. The main force that was approaching earlier should already know the situation here and have likely all withdrawn."
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading off. I haven't had lunch yet."
After the long blade held in Xin Yu's left hand dissipated into wisps of dark purple smoke, he quickly departed the scene.
He had no desire to listen to their words of gratitude, nor did he want to get involved in the political friction between the Adepti and Liyue's ruling class.
For Xin Yu, that strike was simply something he felt like doing. Firstly, Zhongli had asked. Secondly, it was to prevent ordinary people from suffering the calamity. He performed the slash to test the results of his recent training and, admittedly, to show off a little and satisfy a personal whim. But hearing people express excessive gratitude or other sentimental things because of it? He really couldn't stomach that. So, it was best to leave quickly. Besides, this way, he wouldn't get dragged into the heap of troublesome matters bound to follow.
The Adepti watched this powerful figure stride away quickly, each wanting to speak yet hesitating, unwilling to disturb him. After all, he himself had said he hadn't eaten lunch yet.
Still, thinking about it felt somewhat strange. Osial, the being that had forced them all into such a desperate fight for so long, was merely a small interlude before lunch for this person.
Xin Yu returned to the small courtyard near the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor that Zhongli had arranged for him. He fished out some flatbread he'd bought earlier from the kitchen, brewed himself a pot of tea, and began munching on the bread and sipping his tea.
Since nothing had any taste anyway, Xin Yu had become increasingly unconcerned about food. For his three meals a day over this period, he mostly gnawed on things like flatbread or ate other prepared foods like bread.
Actually, eating like this without flavor allowed him to appreciate the sensation of his mouth going from dry to moist after a sip of tea. In a way, it was a form of 'taste' experienced even without actual taste.
Xin Yu had just taken two bites of flatbread and a sip of hot tea when the door was pushed open. Aether, Paimon, and Zhongli entered the room, finding Xin Yu gnawing on his flatbread.
"Uh... Xin Yu, why are you eating flatbread all alone in your room?"
Paimon hadn't expected this – was the life of a powerhouse capable of dispatching an ancient god with a single strike really this frugal?
"What else? Didn't I say earlier I hadn't eaten lunch? I'm eating now. Want some? I still have plenty of flatbread stocked in the kitchen."
Xin Yu swallowed the food he was chewing, his expression indifferent. If not for the fact that eating regularly increased his lifespan, he probably would have given up the habit of three daily meals long ago. Given his current physical state, he didn't actually need sustenance.
"No, that's not what I meant! I mean, you're so incredible, why are you only eating flatbread?"
"I can fight. Does that necessarily mean I can't eat flatbread?"
Xin Yu shook his head.
"I've said it before, this power of mine came about through mere coincidence. I didn't undergo lengthy training or overcome tremendous hardships. Before possessing this power, I was just an ordinary teenager, still lost about life. Just because I gained strength far exceeding the norm, should I become arrogant? Should I become noble?"
"Power simply allows me to do more things, allows me to help more people. It's not meant to make me abandon my past or place myself high above others."
"I... kind of don't understand."
"It's fine. Want some?"
"Oh, right! Don't eat just yet! We came this time because the Liyue Qixing want to invite you, through us, to a specially organized celebration banquet. I heard they'll invite Liyue's best chefs to prepare it. There's bound to be lots of delicious food on the table. If you fill up now, you won't be able to enjoy much of the good stuff later!"
"Oh. I appreciate the thought. You guys go ahead and eat my share."
Xin Yu had absolutely no intention of going. He estimated he'd be leaving this world shortly. It wasn't that he felt that faint premonition again; rather, he planned to actively trigger his space-time ability to return and see Mobius. Although for Mobius, their separation had only lasted a day, more than a week had passed for Xin Yu. He found himself missing her, somewhat inexplicably.
"Xin Yu, do you have some issue with the Liyue Qixing?" Aether spoke up, a rare occurrence.
"No. It's just that I personally dislike these kinds of banquets. A large group of people sitting at a table, supposedly eating, but mostly just engaging in mutual probing and social obligations. It's very boring, uninteresting, and tiring."
After Aether and Paimon left, Zhongli remained. He came over, sat down beside Xin Yu, and asked, "Little friend, what are your plans next? You've become thoroughly famous this time. The people of the other six nations, including the Archons, will likely all come to know your name."
"I plan to go home for a visit. Then, if fate allows, I'll seek out that Raiden Shogun. I want to see her blade techniques, see if I can learn something."
"Go home... Little friend, you are even more special than I imagined."
"Zhongli, what about your plans? This test of yours was interrupted right near the end."
"It matters not. The Adepti and the Liyue Qixing faced the enemy together. Through that joint battle, they have already built an initial foundation of trust. The rest is a matter of them continuing to work things out between themselves."
"The Adepti wish to see Liyue continue to prosper and flourish, and the Liyue Qixing naturally desire the same. Their goals are identical; only their methods differ slightly."
"That's good too. Well then, I'll be leaving first. Goodbye."
"Mm. This time, little friend, you've helped me immensely..."
"No need. I've already received my reward."
Xin Yu smiled and opened the courtyard door.
Outside, the streets bustled with the people of Liyue, rebuilding structures damaged by the earlier storm. Millelith soldiers worked alongside the citizens, moving heavy materials. Oblivious children, freed by the clear skies after the rain, ran and played in the streets once more, their laughter echoing joyfully.
Anyone who saw the vibrant energy of the children couldn't help but smile.
The populace had been lost and saddened by the passing of their Lord, but after weathering this disaster, they knew that Liyue, even without its Archon's direct leadership, could still move forward.
Xin Yu leaned against the doorframe, sunlight bathing him. He smiled at Zhongli behind him and said:
"There's happiness on everyone's faces. That's enough."