Chapter 44: The Anemo Archon’s Approval

"So it really is you, Mr. Yun Fan?" Jean forced a bitter smile. Although she had mentally prepared herself, hearing Yun Fan admit it still felt hard to accept.

After several days of investigation, Jean had discovered that Barbara's crush seemed to be connected to Yun Fan. At first, she had doubted her findings, thinking there might be some mistake. After all, how could a god fall for a mortal?

But as the investigation progressed, all the clues pointed to Yun Fan, leaving her no choice but to believe it.

Thus, today, with a heavy heart, she had come to confirm it directly with Yun Fan. And now, Yun Fan's answer shattered her last bit of hope.

Deep down, Jean didn't want Yun Fan and Barbara to be together. It wasn't that Yun Fan was a bad person, but gods lived for centuries, while mortals' youth was fleeting. Barbara was beautiful now, but decades later, when her beauty faded, would Yun Fan still love her?

"Mr. Yun Fan, may I ask why you're with Barbara?" Jean took a deep breath and asked earnestly.

"Why? There's no reason. Loving someone doesn't need a reason," Yun Fan shook his head.

No reason? Jean repeated silently, her heart filled with complexity. As the eldest daughter of the Gunnhildr family and a key figure in the Knights of Favonius, she was often bogged down by her duties and had little understanding of love. She didn't know what it felt like to love someone.

"Mr. Yun Fan, although this may sound rude, and I may not have the right to say this, I hope you'll leave Barbara," Jean bowed deeply, her slender hands clenched into fists. She was prepared to face Yun Fan's anger, but for her sister's sake, she wouldn't back down.

"Acting Grand Master, can you tell me your reason?"

A hint of approval flashed in Yun Fan's eyes. Indeed, Jean was a capable leader and a caring sister. However, she wasn't good at expressing her love for her sister, which had led to their awkward relationship.

Of course, in Yun Fan's eyes, they were only separated by a thin layer of paper. It was just a matter of who would pierce it first.

"Sorry, Mr. Yun Fan," Jean apologized first.

"Mr. Yun Fan, you're a god with an eternal lifespan, while Barbara is a mortal. If one day she grows old and loses her beauty, will you still love her?" Jean's voice trembled with nervousness. Yun Fan's answer would determine her sister's future happiness.

"Is that all?" Yun Fan asked in return.

"Huh?" Jean was taken aback.

"I can tell you clearly that my feelings for Barbara won't change because of what you said. Besides, I have a way to keep Barbara's beauty eternal," Yun Fan declared. Did he really have a way to keep Barbara's beauty eternal? Not at the moment, but he would in the future. Once he transcended Teyvat's laws, he could separate Barbara's fate from them and grant her eternal life.

"This… this…" Jean was speechless. If Yun Fan was telling the truth, then she had no reason to oppose their relationship. In terms of appearance, character, status, and strength, Yun Fan was an ideal match.

She took a deep breath and bowed again. "Then, Mr. Yun Fan, I leave Barbara in your care. Please make sure she's happy!"

After Jean left, Yun Fan began to reflect. In some aspects, he had indeed been neglectful. As the Deaconess, Barbara held a significant position. If someone were to exploit the "crush" situation, it could negatively impact her. He didn't want this kind girl to suffer because of him.

"I need to think of a solution…"

"Hic— Hehe, Yun Fan, what made you decide to treat me to drinks?" Venti said, sipping on fine wine from Dawn Winery and munching on freshly grilled Mondstadt fish.

Yun Fan was speechless. The Anemo Archon had no sense of dignity. With the way he was eating, one might mistake him for a starving refugee. Compare that to Zhongli—though he never carried Mora, his demeanor exuded elegance and commanded respect.

"Venti, I need your help," Yun Fan poured himself a glass of wine and clinked it with Venti's.

"Oh? What is it?" Venti asked curiously. It wasn't often that Yun Fan asked for his help.

"It's about Barbara. Don't tell me you don't know—I'm aware that the winds of Mondstadt are your ears. I need you to issue a divine decree to eliminate any potential threats."

This was the solution Yun Fan had come up with after an afternoon of thinking. It was simple, direct, and effective. If Barbatos issued a decree acknowledging Barbara's relationship, no one would dare spread rumors.

"Well, I haven't governed for a long time. Issuing a decree to the people of Mondstadt out of the blue might be…" Venti scratched the back of his head, hesitating.

"I'll cover your drinks for a month," Yun Fan said expressionlessly.

"You think a month's worth of drinks can bribe me, Barbatos?" Venti looked at him with disdain.

"Three months' worth," Yun Fan raised the offer, knowing that when Venti referred to himself as Barbatos, he was open to negotiation.

"Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

"Six months' worth."

"I'm not that kind of god!"

"Three years' worth."

"Deal! Consider it done!" Venti grabbed Yun Fan's hand and shook it vigorously, his eyes sparkling.

Yun Fan was pleased with Venti's cooperation. Three years' worth of drinks was nothing to him, and securing Venti's help was well worth it.

But soon, Yun Fan's face darkened.

'Approval from the Anemo Archon Barbatos obtained. Reward: 2 extraction opportunities.' The voice of Void Archives echoed in his mind, leaving him feeling utterly defeated.

I saved Dvalin, your familiar, and you didn't approve of me. But three years' worth of drinks is enough to buy your approval? Don't you feel any guilt? Did Dvalin do something terrible in a past life to end up with a god like you?!

"Uh, Yun Fan, what's wrong? If three years' worth of drinks is too much, we can negotiate. How about two and a half years?" Venti, thinking Yun Fan was upset about the cost, reluctantly offered to reduce the deal.

"Just go die. Blade of War—No Mercy!"

"Wah!!"