Cloud Retainer flew to the central platform of the cave abode, beating her wings as three heavily-scarred Guizhong Ballista slowly rose from the ground.
Like ancient beasts awakened from slumber, they bore the marks of time.
She waved her wings again, lifting the cubic artifact into the air as though offering a brilliant star to the sky.
Sensing something, the "cube" began to emit a gentle golden glow like translucent glaze, which slowly descended and completely enveloped the three Guizhong Ballista, shrouding them in a veil of golden light.
Then something miraculous happened—the formerly dilapidated Guizhong Ballista began to restore themselves at a speed visible to the naked eye, becoming even more pristine than before.
Upon witnessing this, Cloud Retainer couldn't help but sigh. "As expected of Rex Lapis' divine might."
"Liyue Qixing still dare to pin the blame on the spectators and hide the body of Rex Lapis?"
"Hmph! Soon enough, this immortal shall demand answers in person."
However, just as Cloud Retainer was about to retrieve the "cube," she noticed something off about Shenhe.
Shenhe was biting her lip so hard that her teeth nearly broke the skin. A trace of blood dripped from the corner of her mouth.
Her body trembled faintly, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.
She clutched the red cord wrapped around her wrist, her eyes filled with an indescribable pain and inner turmoil, as if she were waging a fierce battle within herself.
Shajin narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp like a hawk's, fixed squarely on Shenhe—keen and penetrating.
This sensation…
…felt strangely familiar?
Cloud Retainer's expression darkened, her brows furrowed in confusion. She muttered under her breath.
"She's been stable for years—why now, of all days?"
She immediately flew to Sajin's side.
"Fatui Harbinger, leave this place and summon the other Adepti for me. I'll try to hold her back in the meantime."
She tossed Shajin a device resembling a ceremonial firework.
"Use this outside the cave. Once they see the signal, the other Adepti will come."
Sajin toyed with the device in his hand and said,
"Cloud Retainer, you can call me the Gambler—or Adventurine."
"Now's not the time for such nonsense!"
ROAR!!!
Suddenly, a monstrous roar erupted from Shenhe's mouth—no longer human. The red rope on her wrist snapped loose.
Without even glancing at Sajin, Shenhe launched straight at Cloud Retainer.
"Shenhe! Snap out of it!!!"
Cloud Retainer cried out anxiously, but Shenhe was already consumed by the demonic thoughts within her—her master's words could no longer reach her.
Kill!
Avoid that man!
Same kind!
Kill!
Danger!
Avoid that man!
Danger!
Same kind!
Kill!
…
The voices echoed in her mind like a demonic chant.
Shenhe moved like lightning—within the blink of an eye, she was right in front of Cloud Retainer, hands reaching for her master's throat.
"Shenhe! Wake up! I'm your master!"
Cloud Retainer quickly dodged, her voice full of desperation.
But Shenhe didn't respond. Her eyes had turned blood-red, radiating a malicious aura.
"Cloud Retainer, I know you don't want to hurt your disciple, but right now the best way to help her… is to restrain her."
"For example…"
Shajin gave a faint smile and raised his right hand.
Imaginary energy materialized into chains, pinning Shenhe to the ground, rendering her immobile.
"Like this~"
He then stepped outside the cave and activated the device. A massive cyan-green crane sigil exploded above the cave.
Even in broad daylight, it stood out strikingly. Still, Shajin couldn't help but grumble to himself—
'Isn't this just a firework?'
…
After setting off the "firework," Shajin returned to the cave and looked down at Shenhe, still struggling against the chains.
Cloud Retainer reverted to her human form, now wearing a pair of red half-rimmed glasses perched on her nose.
She gently picked up the fallen red rope and tied it back around Shenhe's wrist.
Only then did Shenhe begin to calm, eventually passing out.
Shajin leaned against the stone wall nearby. His voice rasped.
"Well then, Cloud Retainer… would you mind answering a few questions that have been bothering me?"
"Sigh…"
"The Fatui… no, Adventurine. Shenhe's case is a long story."
Cloud Retainer let out a weary sigh.
Shajin waved a hand casually.
"Take your time. I'm not in any rush. Listening to an adeptus' tale might even be a nice change of pace."
Cloud Retainer rolled her eyes, but still began to speak.
"I found Shenhe in a mountain cave. I happened to be passing by when I sensed the presence of a fallen god's remains. Naturally, I went in to investigate."
"In that cave, a girl about six years old—Shenhe—was gripping a dagger, confronting a monster formed from the god's lingering essence."
Fallen god remains… Shajin mused silently.
"When I arrived, she had already been in a standoff with the creature for several days. Most mortal children are fragile, dependent on their parents to survive—but she was different."
"To endure such peril… she relied not just on willpower, but on a natural-born ferocity and killing instinct."
"Even after I destroyed the monster, she didn't let her guard down. She raised the dagger toward me, still wary. Only after confirming I meant her no harm did she collapse—silent and unconscious."
Shajin rubbed his chin.
"Honestly, even if you hadn't shown up, Shenhe might've won anyway."
Cloud Retainer nodded.
"Indeed. When I arrived, I could already feel the divine resentment dissipating. Had the standoff continued, she likely would've been the victor."
Shajin glanced at the black mist still leaking faintly from Shenhe's body. It was clearly remnant divine malice—but faint.
And more importantly, it seemed… suppressed by another will?
"Later, I noticed that Shenhe's body had unique traits—perfect for cultivating Adeptus arts. The other Adepti and I saw her potential and agreed to train her."
"But…"
Cloud Retainer paused before continuing.
"Her innate bloodlust didn't diminish with age. In fact, it intensified."
"Moon Carver once divined and declared she was born under two cursed fates— "solitary star" and "disastrous evil." A fate of misfortune and bloodshed, destined to harm those close to her."
"To restrain this danger, we bound her with a red rope that seals her killing instinct."
"Once bound, she did calm down. But her expression dulled—almost emotionless. The rope's suppression was powerful, and it seemed to muffle her other emotions too."
Shajin nodded. No wonder the girl always seemed so vacant—this was the reason.
"Cloud Retainer, what happened just now—?"
_
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