Chapter 107: Bandit Stone [3]

Kun Jun looked at Zhongli, who had just asked him a question, but for a moment, he didn't know how to explain.

"I... I don't know. Sorry, I can't really explain why…"

"These past few days, I've been in a haze. Aside from my name and home address, I can't remember anything."

Kun Jun looked at everyone in front of him and tried to explain.

Even he didn't know why he was so fixated on finding this thing called a Dragon-Sealing Stone.

"To be honest, I've been feeling really anxious, as if there's something important I forgot to do."

"Not being able to remember… it's painful."

He spoke slowly, then covered his forehead in discomfort.

"Ah, I know that feeling!"

"You know you've forgotten something, but no matter how hard you try, you just can't remember what it is."

Paimon waved her little hands sympathetically as she watched Kun Jun struggle.

"Sigh… I didn't know where else to go, so I've just been wandering around."

"That day, I walked into the market to look around, and while I was shopping, I overheard someone talking about the Dragon-Sealing Stone."

Kun Jun seemed to be recalling something as he spoke to Qiu Bai and the others.

"The name sounded so familiar… like whatever I'm supposed to do has something to do with that kind of stone."

"So I wanted to find a piece to take a look at."

He placed one hand over his chest as he explained.

"Maybe if I can hold one in my hand…"

"I'll be able to remember what it is I'm meant to do."

Kun Jun reached out with his hand, as if the stone were already there resting in his palm.

"I see..."

"If we come across one on our journey, I'll help look for it too."

Zhongli looked at Kunjun, who was clearly acting strangely and spoke calmly.

"Really? Thank you, Mister Zhongli! You're so kind!"

Kun Jun immediately bowed in gratitude to Zhongli.

"It's no trouble at all."

Zhongli gave a soft chuckle in response.

"Well then, let's head out."

"If we go north from The Chasm, we'll reach Lingju Pass. If that's the route they took, there's bound to be traces left behind."

Qiu Bai said with a smile, glancing at the group.

"Alright, let's go check it out!"

Paimon nodded in agreement.

"We'll go to the exit of Lingju Pass. If there are no footprints, it means they're still within the area. If we find any new clues, we'll follow them."

Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai and spoke steadily.

"Got it."

"Hold onto me, I'll take us there."

Qiu Bai nodded at Zhongli, then turned to the others and said:

Everyone grabbed the hem of Qiubai's robe, and in the next moment, they vanished from the spot. When they reappeared, they were already at the exit of Lingju Pass.

In front of them lay a vast ancient ruin, with a Ruin Guard slumped against one of the walls.

"Qiu Bai, can you teach the Traveler this kind of ability?"

"That way, we wouldn't have to run everywhere anymore!"

Paimon looked at Qiu Bai with wide eyes, stomping her feet happily as she recalled the sensation of instant travel.

"Hehe, little Paimon, this ability of mine…"

"It's somewhat like Brother Kun skill of reading the memory of ores—it can't be taught."

Qiu Bai smiled and explained as he looked at her excited expression.

Lumine also lowered her head slightly in disappointment. If only she could learn that, it would be so much more convenient than using Statues of The Seven.

"Wait… these are footprints..."

Kun Jun stepped forward and squatted down to inspect the ground.

There were footprints all over, including a set of small footprints clearly belonging to a child.

"Mm. Looks like we're on the right track."

"They passed through Lingju Pass and continued on foot."

Zhongli stroked his chin as he observed the trail and spoke calmly.

"Let's follow them."

Qiu Bai nodded, and the group followed the trail forward.

But after walking for a while, the footprints abruptly disappeared.

"The footprints are gone..."

"What do we do now? The trail's completely broken."

Paimon scratched her head in frustration, looking at the end of the trail.

"Let's ask around."

"If any miners passed by here, they might have seen something."

Qiu Bai suggested calmly.

"Let's split up and ask."

"Even though this is a ruin, there are still quite a few tourists and onlookers here."

Zhongli nodded thoughtfully, still stroking his chin.

Qiu Bai went with Lumine and Paimon, while Zhongli paired up with Kun Jun.

"Hey, look, there's someone up ahead!"

"Let's go ask him!"

Paimon pointed at a man standing on the grass ahead, seemingly gazing at the sky.

It was around mid-morning, with the sun rising gently into the sky.

The blue sky and drifting white clouds made a serene backdrop, and the faint scent of grass rode the soft breeze that brushed against Qiu Bai and Lumine cheeks.

"Yeah, let's ask him."

Qiu Bai nodded and walked forward.

"Hello! Have you seen any miners?"

"Big guys! About this tall—twelve of them in total!"

Paimon flew up behind the man, jumping as she gestured with her hands to show height.

The man heard the voice behind him and slowly turned around...

The man, noticing Paimon gesturing, waved her off impatiently and said.

"Shoo, shoo, don't bother me—I'm admiring the drifting clouds!"

The man, dressed in traditional Liyue clothing, waved his hand with a "don't talk to me" attitude.

"What a grumpy guy..."

"Forget it, let's ask someone else."

Paimon turned around and spoke to Qiu Bai and Lumine.

Qiu Bai however, frowned slightly as he looked at the man. With a flick of his finger, a small wisp of black mist visible only to him floated onto the man head.

Then, a faint smirk crept onto Qiu Bai lips.

"Let's go, Paimon. Let's find Kun Jun and the others."

"See if the two of them found anything."

Qiu Bai said to Lumine and Paimon beside him.

"Ah—ouch!"

"Why's the ground so slippery? My butt!"

Just as the three of them walked a few steps away, a sudden yelp came from behind.

"What happened to him?"

Paimon looked at Qiu Bai curiously and asked.

"Hehe, don't mind him,"

Qiu Bai chuckled softly.

Then the three of them made their way toward Zhongli and Kunjun.

At that moment, Zhongli and Kun Jun were approaching a graceful-looking young woman, who had a basket strapped to her back.

Seeing this, the trio quickly caught up.

"Excuse me."

"Have you seen any miners around here?"

Paimon asked the young woman politely.

"Hmm... I think it was about four or five days ago,"

"There were over a dozen people who passed by here, carrying baskets and pickaxes... matches your description."

The young woman rubbed her chin, thinking back, and then slowly replied.

"Yes, yes! That sounds exactly like them!"

Paimon nodded quickly, excited that they'd found a lead again.

"Four or five days ago?"

"Seems they didn't travel as fast as we thought."

"They must've been slowed down by the terrain of Lingju Pass."

Zhongli responded calmly to the woman's words, sharing his thoughts with the others.

"Oh, those people were strange!"

"A dozen grown men, all looking dazed like they hadn't woken up properly!"

"There was even a child at the front, staggering as he walked..."

The woman recalled more details and began describing their appearances and behavior.

"Did you get a good look at the child's face?"

Zhongli asked the young woman slowly, his tone serious.

(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)