The Real World
After Guinaifen ended her livestream, she opened HoYoLAB to see if there was any other news about Mu Yang.
Unexpectedly, the very first splash ad was Mu Yang's official character artwork.
"Huh? They released his artwork?!"
For the first time, Guinaifen found a splash ad enjoyable.
After entering HoYoLAB, she eagerly clicked on the official announcement—only to be stunned, just like many others.
The official post only contained one piece of artwork—the same one that had appeared in Footprints.
The name, of course, was Mu Yang.
In the middle was the character evaluation:
「————————
——Changsheng」
At the bottom left were three lines of information:
Oath of the Sunken Blade
Vision: Cryo
Constellation: ? ? ?
Guinaifen quickly left a comment: "Thanks to the officials for taking the time to half-ass this."
Still, this was better than nothing.
And sure enough, the comment section immediately exploded!
Top comments:
[Woof Woof Team, Major Attack!: (Image.JPG – Edited Mu Yang's sword into a dog leash, pulling along an adorable puppy.)
[Hospital Bill of 500 yuan for Repairs: "Who even pulls for male characters? You serious? Well, I'm not—I've already gone three rounds."
[Mu Yang's Precious Baby: "Oh my god, I can't take it anymore (feverish emoji). I've been staring at Mu Yang's artwork nonstop—ahhhhhhhh! How can a boy be this pretty?! I just wanna hug him tight and inhale him like a storm! MHY, drop his outfit NOW! Don't make me beg on my knees!"
[Jade-Foot Obsessed Pot: "Slay."
[Inazuma's #1 Simp 258: "Wuwu… this handsome sword-practicing youth… I just wanna squeeze into his arms and act spoiled! Ugh, why is my husband so good-looking?! I can't take it—I'm standing but not standing, ahhhhhh!" (For those questioning 'Inazuma,' go check the 'Footprints' intro. You could've named yourself 'Waiting for Natlan Iansan' at launch.)
Most of the comments were positive reactions to the artwork, though a few complained that it was underwhelming—if the devs didn't want to post anything, they shouldn't have bothered.
As for MiHoYo?
They had nothing to say.
Ask them anything, and they'd play dead.
Teyvat
Thanks to the discussions heating up back on Earth, Mu Yang saw that his Popularity Points had accumulated quite a bit—though the growth rate wasn't too fast.
After all, the game hadn't launched yet, so exposure was limited.
Still, it was enough for what he needed in Mondstadt.
Mu Yang: "System, add a setting—make me a rich guy."
Small settings like this didn't require simulation.
Mu Yang had just ransacked his house and found not a single Mora.
Putting strength aside, his financial status was already rivaling the Anemo and Geo Archons.
Not exactly rolling in wealth—more like four bare walls.
A swordsman guarding a mountaintop—where would he even get Mora?
"No one suffers but me" wasn't his style, so he decided to use his Popularity Points to fix that first.
System: "Got it!"
Mu Yang then added another setting: 「Animal Affinity」.
Finally, he invested most of his points into strength, bringing himself up to the level of a standard 4-star combatant—comparable to some of Liyue's younger fighters.
If he had dumped all his points into power, he could've been even stronger—but he needed to keep some in reserve.
After all, Venti might not appreciate what Mu Yang was about to do in Mondstadt.
For now, this was enough.
Mu Yang closed the system panel and stepped outside, heading to the blacksmith's shop.
Mu Yang: "Uncle Li—"
A middle-aged man walked out.
Uncle Li: "Another job?"
Mu Yang: "Yeah."
Uncle Li handed him a freshly forged sword from behind.
Uncle Li: "Where to this time?"
Mu Yang: "Mondstadt."
Uncle Li: "Safe travels."
The world would naturally fill in some details based on the settings—this so-called "business" was likely due to the rich guy setting.
Judging by the blacksmith's gaze, this wasn't some ordinary merchant exchange.
The less said, the better—it fit his aloof persona.
Mu Yang paid, picked up a fresh Skyrider Sword, and activated his lightfoot technique, heading straight for Mondstadt City.
The system's settings worked like skills engraved into his DNA—whether it was lightfoot techniques or the sword intent that surged the moment he gripped his weapon, they were all now instinctual.
Unlike in-game, there was no stamina limit, so Mu Yang arrived at Mondstadt's gates before long.
By then, it was nearly evening.
Suddenly, a fiery-red girl jumped out, blocking his path.
Amber: "May the Anemo Archon protect you, stranger!"
"I'm Amber, Outrider of the Knights of Favonius."
"You're not a citizen of Mondstadt, are you? Then, please state your identity."
Mu Yang recalled Collei's words in the game—most people arriving in Mondstadt would meet Amber first.
Seemed accurate.
Mu Yang: "Chenyu Vale, Mu Yang."
Amber: "Mhm, a Liyue local."
Mu Yang (continuing): "I'd like to discuss a business deal with your Acting Grand Master."
Amber: "Business?"
The odd statement put Amber on guard.
Mu Yang didn't look like a merchant—and merchants had sharp instincts. They knew about the dragon crisis in Mondstadt.
Right now, Stormterror was wreaking havoc—attacking travelers and destroying merchant caravans, disrupting the supply of essentials like food and vegetables.
Yet this man was claiming he was here for business?
Too suspicious.
Amber subtly moved a hand behind her back, ready to act if things went south.
Amber (skeptical): "What kind of business?"
Mu Yang raised his sword-wielding hand, slightly unsheathing the Skyrider Sword.
Then, he channeled his Cryo Vision.
A bone-chilling cold, mixed with a fierce sword resonance, surged toward Amber—freezing her in place, wide-eyed.
Mu Yang (calmly): "Paid to solve problems. Dragon slaying."
Right now, Mu Yang wasn't strong enough to take on Dvalin solo—but he knew Jean wouldn't actually send him to fight it.
So why not go big? The grander the claim, the better.
That little display earlier was just bluffing—but it worked.
Amber was shook.
It took a gentle breeze to finally soothe her nerves.
Seemed Venti was now aware of him—though he hadn't shown himself yet. Mu Yang wasn't sure what he was thinking.
After a long pause, Amber finally snapped back to reality.
Amber (shocked): "D-Dragon slaying?!"
Mu Yang nodded.
Amber thought it over.
She couldn't gauge Mu Yang's strength—was he telling the truth?
But one thing was certain—she couldn't just let him wander around Mondstadt unsupervised.
Amber: "Well, Mr. Mu Yang, it's getting late."
"If you want to see Acting Grand Master Jean, you'll have to wait until tomorrow."
"How about this—you head into the city, find an inn to stay at, and we'll talk tomorrow?"
Mu Yang accepted the suggestion.
With the Outrider leading the way, he entered Mondstadt City.
Thanks to Amber, the knights at the gate didn't question him further.
Mu Yang found a small inn to settle in.
Guess unless you're the Traveler—with their natural charm—normal people still get scrutinized by the locals.
System: "You pulled that stunt right in front of her—of course she's suspicious!"
Mu Yang: "Even if I'm 99% at fault, doesn't Amber share 1%?"
System: "You do know about the Anemo Archon and Dvalin's relationship, right? You dared say that in his territory?"
Mu Yang: "If you're this scared, why even play?"
"Besides, I've got you, System."
System: "Beware of workplace PUA."
Mu Yang knew the risks.
Venti's rare moments of anger came when someone disturbed him and Dvalin.
But Mu Yang carried the aura of a Liyue adeptus, and the system helped conceal his strength.
Even Venti would have to think twice before acting.
Mu Yang: "Pity Venti didn't show up."
"I even prepared a bunch of stories."
"Still, seeing Amber's reaction was worth it."
Since it was still early, Mu Yang rested for a bit before deciding to grab dinner at Good Hunter.
While eating, he noticed someone watching him.
Mu Yang (muttering): "Rosaria… or Kaeya?"
System: "It's Kaeya. Amber probably reported to him."
Mu Yang deliberately ordered the most expensive wine, raising his glass toward the watcher's direction before savoring it slowly.
If you're gonna stare, might as well make you jealous.
After dinner, Mu Yang wandered around the city for a bit.
With the dragon crisis, few people were out at night.
Losing interest, he returned to the inn to sleep.
Tomorrow—Genshin Impact's official launch day—awaited.