Chapter 22 – Alleviating Xiao's Pain

Xiao stood with arms crossed, gazing at the three before him with disbelief.

“Rex Lapis… to have met such a calamity.”

“I… cannot fathom it. No matter how the ages change, I have never imagined a Liyue without the presence of our Lord.”

“And the Adeptus Lord… how could this be?”

Xiao turned his head, looking toward the distant lake.

“What role have the Liyue Qixing, who govern the mortal realm… played in all this?”

“I will seek out the three True Lords—Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer. It is time for them to make a decision.”

Lumine looked at Xiao and softly asked, “Will they go to confront the Liyue Qixing?”

Xiao met Lumine’s gaze and calmly replied, “Adepti do not shirk their responsibilities.”

“Though I have my reasons for avoiding mortal affairs, duty remains duty.”

Xiao’s eyes still held disbelief—one Adeptus Lord missing, and their god dead.

“For our deity is the God of Contracts.”

At this moment, Paimon spoke up, “Wait! We have one last question.”

Xiao looked at Paimon with slight confusion.

“What exactly is Little Ming?”

“During demon-slaying, we occasionally encounter evil spirits that have never harmed humans, yet are difficult to exorcise immediately.”

“So I asked the boss and the innkeeper to take them in temporarily.”

Xiao explained softly to the three, then his gaze shifted to Qiu Bai with surprise.

Because he sensed that the person before him seemed to be a Demon God. As for why Xiao did not recognize Qiu Bai’s aura—

it was because Qiu Bai had deliberately altered his own aura to avoid being recognized.

Paimon exclaimed in astonishment, “So you’re just helping to look after them!”

“Speaking of which, the scope of Wangshu Inn’s services is really too broad!”

Xiao looked at Qiu Bai, his eyes carrying hostility.

“You are dangerous. Whatever your purpose, if you harm the people of Liyue, I will not let you go.”

Qiu Bai ignored Xiao’s threat, smiling as he looked at him.

“Xiao, the Karmic Debt within you… it’s almost beyond suppression, isn’t it?”

Upon hearing these words, Xiao’s expression shifted to one of shock.

“Lumine, Paimon, please go outside and wait for me. I have some words to speak with Xiao.”

Behind him, Lumine and Paimon looked at Qiu Bai with concern.

“Then be careful, Qiu Bai. We’ll wait for you outside.”

Lumine also sensed that something was amiss. After speaking, she led Paimon beside her and walked out.

Xiao’s gaze was now fixed intently on Qiu Bai.

“You… who exactly are you?”

“How do you know… about my condition?”

Xiao’s expression grew increasingly dangerous.

“Sorry, Xiao. I cannot say just yet.”

Qiu Bai patted his forehead—he could not reveal his identity now.

Seeing Xiao enduring constant suffering, he simply wanted to help alleviate it.

“If that is the case, then prepare yourself!”

Xiao manifested the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear in his hand, launching a strike infused with Karmic Debt, Anemo Elemental Power, and Adeptal Energy straight at Qiu Bai!

Qiu Bai calmly extended his hand, forming a peace sign.

Thud!

Under Xiao’s astonished gaze, Qiu Bai used only two fingers to clamp onto the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, effortlessly blocking his attack!

Had Qiu Bai not contained the residual force of this strike, the entire Wangshu Inn would have been pierced through.

Qiu Bai spoke lightly, “Xiao, calm down.”

Then, with a flick of his two fingers, the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear returned to Xiao’s hand.

“You are truly…”

Xiao caught the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, looking at the completely non-hostile Qiu Bai with surprise.

“I cannot say now.”

“When the time is right, I will explain.”

Xiao gazed at Qiu Bai. After all, he had only seen Qiu Bai a thousand years ago. Unlike Cloud Retainer and the others, Xiao now had far too many questions about Qiu Bai.

Xiao put away the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear as he looked at Qiu Bai, because he could sense no hostility from the person before him.

“Whoever you are, if you dare to make a move against Liyue, I will absolutely not let you go.”

Xiao stared intently at Qiu Bai in front of him.

“Alright, alright, you should sleep for a while now.”

After saying this, Qiu Bai instantly appeared behind Xiao and knocked him unconscious with a single chop to the neck.

Qiu Bai directly infused the Power of Yang into Xiao’s body, instantly eliminating a small portion of the red-black Karmic Debt.

This should be enough for now. If too much is eliminated, it might arouse Xiao’s suspicion.

Once this matter is concluded, I will completely eradicate your Karmic Debt.

This should be able to alleviate your suffering.

Then, after fading Xiao’s recent memories, Qiu Bai walked out. Outside, Lumine and Paimon were still waiting for him.

As soon as Qiu Bai left, Xiao regained consciousness, standing up in confusion.

“Strange, what just happened to me?”

“Was it another Karmic Debt erosion?”

Xiao checked his own condition and was somewhat surprised. A small portion of the Karmic Debt within his body had actually been eliminated. Finally, he wouldn’t have to deliberately expend great effort to suppress it anymore.

“Was what that Traveler said all true?”

“I should first go to Jueyun Karst to find Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and also Mountain Shaper.”

Having thought this, Xiao’s figure vanished from Wangshu Inn, heading in the direction of Jueyun Karst.

Outside, Lumine and Paimon waited anxiously for Qiu Bai, letting out a sigh of relief when they saw him emerge.

“Qiu Bai, are you alright?”

“What did you say to that Adeptus? We just heard a loud thud from the balcony!”

Lumine and Paimon looked at Qiu Bai with worried expressions.

“It’s fine, I just spoke a few words with him.”

Seeing Lumine and Paimon’s concerned looks, Qiu Bai smiled and said.

“As long as you’re alright.”

Lumine looked at Qiu Bai and said with a smile.

“We’ve been busy for two days, Paimon is starving to death.”

“Let’s hurry and find the boss to order some dishes! I want to eat that Almond Tofu!”

Paimon happily stomped her feet. After being busy for so long, they could finally eat.

Lumine also nodded.

Qiu Bai smiled and said, “My treat, eat whatever you like.”

“Since you put it that way, I won’t hold back then.”

Lumine gave a gentle smile.

“Hooray!”

Paimon immediately clapped her hands in delight.

The three of them then went to Boss Godette’s counter.

Godette looked at the three with some surprise.

“I never expected Xiao would actually speak with you.”

“This is truly rare.”

After all, not everyone who brings Almond Tofu can get Xiao to appear. Otherwise, all those people seeking the Adepti over the years wouldn’t have had to go through so much trouble.

“Boss Godette, we’d like to order.”

Paimon said cheerfully from behind.

“No need to go through all that trouble.”

“Boss Godette, please select eight of the inn’s signature dishes, plus a plate of Almond Tofu.”

“And bring a few bottles of juice and some good wine.”

Qiu Bai, standing beside Paimon, smiled at Godette as he spoke.

“Understood, Mr. Qiu Bai.”

After a moment, Boss Godette wrote a note and handed it to the server beside her, instructing her to deliver it to Yan Xiao.

“Please wait patiently in the adjacent guest room for a while.”

“Your dishes will be served shortly.”

Godette looked at the three people and said with a smile.