Sī Nián said, "But before I leave, I still have something to ask of you. Please keep the matters of Mondstadt a secret for me. If it gets out, I'll truly have nowhere to stay."
He wasn't worried about others, but this golden-haired person would be going to other countries and might encounter him again in the future. If the golden-haired person were to reveal that he had taken the Anemo Archon's Gnosis, his future endeavors would surely be affected. It would be best to simply ask him to keep it a secret.
Kong remained silent for a long moment before replying, "Alright."
Sī Nián smiled, stepped forward, and hugged him, whispering, "Thank you. We'll meet again if fate allows, Kong."
Kong looked down and saw the wound on Sī Nián's shoulder.
It was very strange. There was no blood, only the white bone visible inside. Upon closer inspection, besides a knife wound, there were also dense scratch marks, as if from gnawing.
It must have hurt a lot.
"Paimon, goodbye."
Sī Nián turned and left resolutely.
Kong and Paimon's moods turned somber.
Sī Nián's performance of this pitiful act had been successful. What he needed to do now was to regain trust while at a disadvantage.
After all, a qualified villain couldn't just give up.
As long as it achieved his goals, resorting to any means was not wrong.
The next target was Liyue.
The one governing Liyue was the oldest god in Teyvat, Mó Lākè Sī.
This operation in Liyue should be quite difficult. After all, he had heard quite a bit about Mó Lākè Sī.
He was quite eager to meet this deity.
...
Outside the borders of Mondstadt.
A well-trained group of Fatui knelt before Sī Nián.
"Sir."
"Use all your influence to erase everything about me in Mondstadt. I must be as if I've never been there. No information about me must ever be spread!" Sī Nián commanded.
The traces he left in Mondstadt could inevitably cause trouble later, so he needed to eliminate all possible future problems.
"Leave a few people behind. We'll put on a show when we get to Liyue."
When he arrived in Liyue, his first priority would be to have a good time with his good colleague.
"Yes, sir."
...
Mondstadt.
Kong and Paimon went to the tavern and told Diluc everything about Sī Nián, but Diluc said nothing.
Of course, he knew Sī Nián's words were lies, but he didn't explain anything to Kong.
After all, he was the one who had let Sī Nián go in the first place.
However, he felt deeply indignant. It was his own lack of judgment, but Sī Nián had clearly been toying with him since the first day they met.
Those sweet words were meant to tease him!
Diluc clenched his fist. He wouldn't let this matter go.
With Diluc's permission, Kong and Paimon went to Sī Nián's room in the tavern. His bundle had not been taken; it seemed he had no use for it.
The room was mostly untouched. On the table was an abandoned bundle, not particularly conspicuous.
"What's this?"
Paimon opened the bundle.
Inside, a red Higanbana stood out prominently. Beneath the flower lay a drawing.
As soon as Kong picked up the flower, it emitted a red glow, burning his hand, and then instantly dissipated.
"Ah! Are you alright?" Paimon asked.
Kong shook his head. "I'm fine."
It was just a slight sting; it didn't cause much harm.
Kong looked at the drawing. It was a simple sketch.
It depicted a faceless young man looking down and ruffling the head of a very cute child. The scene was warm.
Kong frowned slightly.
But why were there tear stains on the paper?
"Is this Sī Si's? What is this drawing of, and why does one person have no face?" Paimon asked.
Kong shook his head; he didn't know either.
Kong put the drawing away and placed it in his backpack.
...
On the way to Liyue.
Sī Nián bought a carriage for transportation. His Fatui subordinates, disguised as drivers, took the reins.
He leaned against the carriage window, his slightly curly white hair gently swaying. His red eyes were as calm as a deep well, his astonishing beauty captivating. His blue and white noble attire made him appear even more distinguished, while the bows tied to his sleeves made him seem less distant.
The white bows were embroidered with red Higanbana, vibrant and chilling.
A cute little sparrow flew to the carriage window. Sī Nián half-opened his eyes. The carriage jolted, and the unprepared sparrow almost fell off.
He reached out to catch it, letting it use his hand as a springboard to fly away. Sī Nián lowered the curtain and retreated into the carriage.
...
Outside the city of Liyue.
Sī Nián put on a fight with the Fatui.
"Can you put a little more force into it? Does this even look convincing?" Sī Nián asked, clutching his forehead.
These subordinates were acting as if they were afraid of breaking him.
"Sir, you're making it too difficult for us."
The Fatui subordinates truly didn't dare to attack him seriously.
Sī Nián was speechless. "Forget it. Go find me some animal blood."
"Ah?" The Fatui subordinates looked confused.
"Tsk, go on, or I'll use your blood!" Sī Nián threatened.
"Yes, yes!"
The men vanished in a flash.
In no time, they returned with blood. Sī Nián poured it over himself, tore his clothes, and used a knife to cut his flesh.
"Sir! You..." The subordinates watched, wincing in pain, and tried to stop him.
Sī Nián frowned slightly; this minor pain was nothing.
"Alright, you can leave now."
Sī Nián heartlessly dismissed them.
The subordinates felt a little wronged. Their master used them and then cast them aside, truly heartless.
...
Covered in blood, Sī Nián stumbled towards Liyue Harbor.
Passersby on the road were startled upon seeing him and quickly moved away, fearing they might get entangled.
Childe was returning to the city after finishing his business, coincidentally checking a letter from La Signora.
The Anemo Archon's Gnosis was already in hand, but it was carried out by "Shadow."
La Signora advised him to take care of himself and not to underestimate "Shadow." As for the rest, he had to fend for himself.
Besides, La Signora didn't want to explain things clearly, and she didn't like Childe, so she was quite happy to see him in trouble.
"Shadow"?
After hearing La Signora's explanation, Tartaglia felt a strong desire to meet this person, preferably for a fight!
Just as he destroyed the letter, he looked up and saw a "little red person" lunging towards him.
Sī Nián spat a mouthful of blood directly onto his chest, gripping him tightly with both hands.
Tartaglia stiffened, somewhat shocked.
"Hey! Young master, are you alright?"
In such a vast space, why did he have to lunge specifically at him?
Was this a scam?
"Excuse me, where can I find a healer?" Sī Nián asked weakly, as if he were about to die.
"There's one in Liyue Harbor. Do you need help?" Tartaglia kindly asked.
Sī Nián nodded. "Very much so, please."
With that, he fainted.
Tartaglia took him to Bubu Pharmacy, but the physician was not there. The cute Qī Qī helped bandage Sī Nián's wounds.
Qī Qī looked at Sī Nián curiously. She sensed a power of ice within him but said nothing.
Afterward, Tartaglia, being a good samaritan, took him to his residence at the Northland Bank.
As soon as Sī Nián arrived, he woke up and looked at Tartaglia, who was staring at him. "Thank you, handsome kind brother."
Tartaglia paused.
He called him a handsome kind brother?
"Heh, well, you're welcome," Tartaglia coughed lightly.