Chapter 18 – The Mighty and Illuminated Adepti Xiao

Liyue, Jueyun Karst.

Paimon and Lumine stared wide-eyed at Cloud Retainer.

“Huh, w-wait a minute! What do you mean by ‘suppress Liyue Harbor’? Are you planning to destroy the entire Liyue Harbor?”

Cloud Retainer looked at Lumine and Paimon and spoke calmly.

“Only by employing swift and severe measures can we avoid further complications.”

“But, but you’re an Adeptus who protects Liyue!”

Paimon gazed at Cloud Retainer with an expression of disbelief.

“Precisely. By the decree of Rex Lapis, we have guarded Liyue for over three thousand seven hundred years. But now, with villains running rampant, we have no choice but to resort to extreme measures.”

“Wait, I have something to say!”

Qiu Bai, standing beside Lumine, suddenly spoke up.

“Adeptus, we came to ask you to protect Liyue Harbor, not to suppress it.”

“At the very least, you should listen to everyone’s opinions.”

“Everyone’s opinions?”

Cloud Retainer turned to look at Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver behind her.

“You two old fellows, any advice?”

Moon Carver glanced at Mountain Shaper, then at Cloud Retainer, and spoke calmly.

“This matter requires careful deliberation.”

He then turned to look at Qiu Bai and the other two.

“Traveler, take the Sigil of Permission and seek out the Conqueror of Demons. Inform him of this matter.”

“We still have rituals to attend to. You may leave for now.”

After speaking, the three Adepti flew away. As Cloud Retainer departed, she gave Qiu Bai an extra glance.

Qiu Bai looked at Lumine beside him.

“Now, where should we go?”

“That Adeptus just now mentioned seeking out an Adeptus called the Conqueror of Demons.”

“Why don’t we go find that Adeptus first!”

Paimon, beside Lumine, looked curiously at Lumine and Qiu Bai.

Lumine nodded as well.

“But do you know where the Conqueror of Demons is?”

Qiu Bai said calmly with his hands behind his back. The Mighty and Illuminated Adeptus Xiao, commonly known as the three-foot-five-inch Adeptus.

Lumine, who was about to start walking, stopped in her tracks.

“Oh, right.”

Lumine stopped and touched her head with a slightly dazed expression.

“Where is that Conqueror of Demons? That Adeptus didn’t seem to say.”

Paimon also looked at Qiu Bai with confusion.

“It’s fine, I know. Let’s head to Wangshu Inn!”

Qiu Bai smiled faintly at Paimon. Xiao, huh? It’s been a thousand years. His Karmic Debt has grown increasingly severe lately.

Once this matter is resolved, I’ll help him cleanse his Karmic Debt.

“You knew all along and still asked us!”

Paimon crossed her arms and glared angrily at Qiu Bai.

The group continued bantering as they made their way toward Wangshu Inn.

“Is walking still too slow?”

After walking for a while, Qiu Bai suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lumine and Paimon behind him.

“Hold onto me, Lumine and Paimon.”

Though somewhat puzzled, Lumine and Paimon still grabbed onto Qiu Bai’s sleeves.

After a dizzying sensation, they arrived at Wangshu Inn.

Qiu Bai looked at the building before him. It was evening, and the lights were bright, with the distant Dihua Marsh coming into view.

Wangshu Inn, huh? It’s been so long since I last came here. Is this what it looks like now?

A thousand years ago, this place was overrun with demons and monsters. Many remnants of Demon Gods fell here, and Karmic Debt ran rampant.

For Xiao alone to have cleansed most of this Karmic Debt is no small feat.

Thinking of this, Qiu Bai couldn’t help but sigh.

Meanwhile, Lumine and Paimon, standing behind Qiu Bai, stared wide-eyed at the building before them.

Then they looked at Qiu Bai in shock.

“What kind of Immortal Arts is this again, you guy?”

Paimon crossed her arms and gave Qiu Bai a skeptical look.

“A moving Statue of The Seven!”

That was Lumine’s inner thought.

Qiu Bai chuckled as he looked at Paimon.

“This really isn’t any Immortal Arts, little Paimon.”

“But since we’re here, let’s go look for the Conqueror of Demons.”

Hearing Qiu Bai say this, Paimon stomped her foot angrily.

“Can’t you stop changing the subject!”

“You’re driving me crazy!”

At this moment, Lumine gently patted Paimon’s head and said softly,

“Paimon, everyone has their secrets, right?”

“It’s not polite to keep asking like this.”

Hearing the Traveler say this, Paimon turned her head away.

“Fine, I won’t ask then.”

“But is this really Wangshu Inn? The scenery is so beautiful.”

Paimon seemed to remember something, excitedly stomped her feet, then looked happily at Qiu Bai and Lumine.

“Since it’s an inn, there must be delicious food, right? We haven’t eaten all day, let’s go check it out!”

Food?

Gurgle

With an awkward sound,

Lumine’s face flushed red with embarrassment as her stomach chose this moment to betray her with a growl.

Qiu Bai looked at the adorable Lumine and couldn’t help but say, “Follow me, this meal’s on me!”

A Demon God’s body naturally wouldn’t feel hunger, but they could still have cravings for good food.

As Qiu Bai finished speaking,

Paimon beside him could no longer contain the smile on her face.

“Yay! Qiu Bai is the best!”

Lumine’s face also broke into a smile. After all, she and Paimon had been camping in the wilderness, and it was rare to get a proper meal.

Because Lumine currently didn’t have the Serenitea Pot that Madame Ping would later give her.

“Thank you, Qiu Bai.”

Lumine expressed her gratitude to Qiu Bai.

Qiu Bai simply waved his hand at Paimon and Lumine.

“Ah~ No need to be so polite.”

“We’re all friends. Come on, today’s my treat, eat to your heart’s content!”

Then the group headed inside Wangshu Inn.

“Before we eat, we need to go to one place first.”

At this moment, Qiu Bai looked toward a certain spot above the inn and spoke.

“What place?”

Paimon asked somewhat confused. Could any place be more important than eating?

Lumine facepalmed and looked at Paimon, saying helplessly,

“Paimon, have you forgotten why we came to Wangshu Inn?”

“Oh right!”

“We came to Wangshu Inn to find the Conqueror of Demons!”

Paimon covered her head—she had almost forgotten their main purpose.

Pfft~

Qiu Bai covered his mouth and chuckled quietly beside them.

“Hey, if you’re going to laugh, at least don’t let me hear it.”

“My brain’s thinking ability decreases when I haven’t eaten!”

Paimon turned her head angrily to look at Qiu Bai, who was snickering nearby.

Qiu Bai regained his composure and looked at Lumine and Paimon, saying, “Follow me, let’s go find that Adeptus.”

Lumine and Paimon nodded, then followed Qiu Bai as they walked up the stairs toward the terrace.

“Is this the terrace? The scenery is really beautiful! The view is open, you can see everything around!”

“But is that Adeptus not here?”

Paimon said somewhat puzzled.

Lumine, meanwhile, looked around curiously, taking steps forward until her hands rested on the railing as she gazed at the distant scenery.

Qiu Bai followed behind Lumine, a gentle breeze brushing against his face.

This place is not only serene but also boasts such splendid scenery, truly a rare scenic spot.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Qiu Bai’s lips.

But it seems an acquaintance is about to arrive.

“The eyes of mortals may not always perceive reality.”

At some unknown moment, a youthful voice suddenly sounded beside Lumine.

Paimon was startled.

Lumine turned toward the source of the voice, placing a hand over her chest—clearly, she had been startled as well.