Chapter 88: Immortals Worshiping the Statue?

'Enjoying the scenery with Xiao for a few minutes, Shao Yun suddenly thought of the man in the top hat, wondering if this Guardian Yaksha could see anything unusual.'

He turned around and said to Xiao, "By the way, it's just the two of us here now, right?"

Xiao glanced around upon hearing this. His gaze seemed to pierce through the night, reaching every corner.

"If you mean humans, then it's just you. I'm a Yaksha, not considered human."

Shao Yun rubbed his temples at Xiao's answer and asked again, "What I meant is, besides us, is there anything else here?"

Xiao pointed to the railing not far off, tapping lightly with his finger. "There are a few sparrows over there."

Shao Yun followed his direction and indeed saw a few sparrows hopping on the railing.

'Not sure if the man in the top hat didn't follow, or...'

But seeing Xiao so calm and collected, he decided to assume the man didn't catch up. 'Maybe he went off to drink tea at Wuwang Hill instead.'

"Alright, this place really is peaceful."

The cigar in Shao Yun's hand had burned down to its end. Without hesitation, he flicked it away. The ember flared a few times mid-air before quickly going out.

He then pulled out a sprig of mint from his pocket, placing it in his mouth and chewing gently. The cool mint flavor rapidly spread through his mouth, washing away the lingering taste of the cigar.

At that moment, Xiao's figure suddenly vanished, as if melting into the surrounding darkness.

Shao Yun furrowed his brow slightly, a hint of suspicion rising in his heart.

However, within seconds, Xiao reappeared—this time holding the stub of the discarded cigar. Without a change in expression, he extended it toward Shao Yun.

"Don't litter," Xiao said in a calm and resolute tone, devoid of emotion.

Shao Yun took the cigar stub and, after a brief pause, tossed it accurately into the nearby trash bin.

He swallowed the mint in his mouth, the corners of his lips curling into a half-smile as he turned to Xiao and asked, "So, tell me—do you think I'm a threat?"

Xiao's eyes, deep as the night sky, stared silently at Shao Yun, as if attempting to peer into his soul.

After a while, he finally spoke, voice steady and even.

"At the very least, the rudest thing you've done so far... is litter."

Shao Yun noticed a trace of displeasure in Xiao's tone and took out a bottle of Special Miracle Tonic, handing it over.

"Apologies. Consider this a peace offering." His voice was calm but firm, each word filled with sincerity.

Xiao glanced at the item in Shao Yun's hand, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. He shook his head slightly, seemingly uninterested. "No need. Acknowledging your mistake is enough."

Shao Yun smiled faintly, a deeper meaning hidden in his expression. Casually, he added, "Just take it. It should make you feel better."

Xiao paused, his gaze lingering on Shao Yun's face, as if trying to read his true intentions. Then, with a hint of curiosity, he asked, "What do you mean?"

Instead of answering, Shao Yun pushed the elixir into Xiao's hand. He said softly, "This thing is said to cleanse Abyssal curses. In Liyue terms, I think they call it karmic debt?"

Half-skeptical, Xiao uncorked the bottle and downed it in one go.

'Poison wouldn't kill me anyway.'

Then he stood quietly, closing his eyes to sense any change in his body.

Dark, ink-like wisps of gas began to curl around Xiao, slowly leaking from his body like smoke drawn out by an unseen force. The aura was eerie and heavy.

These were traces of Xiao's karmic debt, now slowly dissipating into the air.

Xiao slowly opened his eyes, which now shimmered with a complex light.

Shao Yun, standing nearby, asked with concern, "How do you feel? Any better?"

Xiao looked down at his hands, then clenched them tightly. In a calm tone, he said, "Some of the karmic debt has been purged, and the rest has been suppressed. I feel... unusually light."

Then he looked up, expression neutral, and fixed his eyes on Shao Yun.

"Thank you. All these years, I've only ever helped others. This is the first time someone helped me."

Though his voice remained composed, the gratitude it carried was profound and sincere.

Xiao might not be good at expressing emotions, but he wasn't heartless. Where emotion was due, it showed.

Shao Yun waved dismissively and laughed freely. "No need for thanks. We met by fate, after all."

Xiao looked at the elixir bottle in his hand and lowered his guard for now.

"Why help me? You don't strike me as a particularly warm-hearted person. And why would you even have something that can purge karmic debt? You don't seem like a Liyue exorcist."

Shao Yun took a deep breath, thinking carefully.

Originally, he had just wanted to make Xiao feel better by giving him the elixir. But now that Xiao was showing interest in him—and thinking ahead to the complications that might arise from attending the Rite of Descension—Shao Yun began to form a plan.

He tilted his head slightly and looked Xiao in the eye. Finally, he spoke with a touch of sincerity in his tone.

"Actually, I'd like to ask a favor of you."

If he asked for nothing, Xiao would become wary.

But having a request made Xiao lower his guard instead.

Xiao gave a slight nod, his gaze steady as he waited.

Shao Yun stroked his chin, gathering his words before continuing. "Are you familiar with the Rite of Descension in Liyue?"

Xiao gave him a detailed explanation, thinking it was just a common inquiry.

"Of course. It's a traditional Liyue ceremony—the 'Qixing Rite of Descension.' Every year during the ceremony, the Lord of Geo delivers divine guidance for Liyue Harbor's development."

He added, "It's a public event, not some secret. You can just attend. Plus, it's said the Lord of Geo picks someone from the crowd and bestows upon them the offering meant for him."

Shao Yun waved his hand, interrupting, "No, I'm not just trying to see the divine guidance. What we want... is to meet the Lord of Geo in person. There are things we need to discuss directly."

Xiao looked slightly regretful upon hearing this—it was a bit too much to ask...

But he couldn't just vomit back the elixir he'd just swallowed, could he?

"It's mostly about historical matters. Old stories from the past. Can you help set up a meeting?"

Xiao paused, surprised by the request.

If it was just that...

He frowned, looking at the bottle in his hand. After a moment of thought, he still shook his head.

"Sorry. If you had asked a few decades ago, maybe I could've helped. But now, I haven't seen the Lord of Geo in ages. If you said there were monsters involved, I could act immediately..."

Shao Yun fell silent for a moment. 'Looks like the Geo Archon's retirement plan has been in motion for quite a while.'

'Fine, I'll take a step back. When the Rite happens, I'll make sure Lumine and I stay far from the ceremony grounds. Just don't draw suspicion.'

Xiao nodded in understanding.

"Alright, I get it."

Xiao looked again at the bottle in his hand, a new idea forming in his mind.

"Give me one night. Tomorrow morning, same place!"

His words echoed in the air, filled with resolute finality.

Shao Yun noticed Xiao disappear again. He shook his head—somewhat helpless, yet slightly hopeful. 'If I actually get to meet Morax, that'll save a lot of trouble.'