" Nighttime – at Dihua Marsh "
In the chilly, damp air of the night, Mei couldn’t help but let out a sudden sneeze. From this angle, she could clearly make out the silhouette of the stone bridge—just like the one in the game.
Mei quickened her pace, briskly walking past a house toward the stone bridge. Her hurried steps rustled through the wet grass, creating a soft crunching sound, almost as if someone were secretly following her. The tinkling of wind chimes coming from the house added an eerie vibe to the whole scene.
- Mei: Oh my god, who owns this house? Not even one single light on?
- Mei: Are they trying to scare me to death or something?
- Mei (thinking): Wait a minute... what if that house is haunted?
Just the thought of it made her face go pale, and she picked up her pace immediately.
As soon as she reached the bridge, Mei spotted a group of about seven or eight people standing there.
They were all clad in solid armor, wearing golden-brown military uniforms underneath, each holding a long spear—looking sharp, reliable, and definitely not people to mess with.
- Mei: Are those... Liyue’s Millelith?
Noticing her strange appearance, the group became visibly alert and cautious.
A Millelith soldier (suspicious): Who’s this girl? Why is she wandering around so late at night?
- Mei: Me? I... I’m...
Right at that moment, Mei felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest. A mix of anxiety and embarrassment hit her like a wave.
Still unsure how to respond, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind.
- Mei (thinking): The original plot of Genshin Impact! That’s it… the Traveler!
- Mei: It’s not what you think. I’m just... just a traveler. It’s my first time visiting Liyue, and I, uh, got lost on the way here.
Suspicious Millelith: Hm. A mysterious stranger, stammering all over the place? Sounds kinda sketchy to me.
- Mei: What!? I look totally trustworthy—how could you not believe me?
- Another Millelith (teasing): Where exactly do you look trustworthy, huh? Haha.
The group started to chuckle, easing their guard a little. Mei, on the other hand, was too flustered to respond, when suddenly the oldest-looking Millelith in the group stepped forward and spoke.
- Older Millelith: I think she’s telling the truth. Just look at her—doesn’t seem like a suspicious person at all.
- Older Millelith: Young lady, where exactly are you trying to go? If it’s within this area, we can escort you there.
Hearing that, Mei felt a tiny wave of relief wash over her and quickly responded.
- Mei: I was actually heading to that inn over there—I’m hoping I can spend the night.
The older soldier followed her gaze and nodded.
- Older Millelith: Ah, the Wangshu Inn, is it? Alright, we’ll escort you there safely. No need to worry.
- Older Millelith: Since you’re a guest in Liyue, we can’t let you have a bad first impression now, can we? Haha.
- Another soldier: That’s right. It’s dangerous to walk around alone at night. We’ll escort you—just doing our duty as Millelith, ma’am.
- Mei (thinking): As far as I remember, the Millelith in the original story weren’t the bad guys. Hmm! Seems like I can trust them.
- Mei: Okay then... I’ll be in your care!
The older Millelith looked slightly confused at her phrasing but just nodded as if he didn’t hear it. He then started assigning duties. After giving orders, he patted the shoulder of a tall soldier and a younger one, indicating that they’d be joining him on the escort.
Once assignments were settled, the group raised a unified battle cry:
“The stone wall of Liyue stands firm, unshaken through the ages!”
Then, they began their march.
- Older Millelith: Now that we’ve got a moment, let me introduce myself. I’m Fengyan, currently the instructor of the Millelith.
He pointed toward the tall and the younger Millelith beside him.
- Fengyan: These two here are Yong’an and Qiaoxi. They’ll be joining me on this escort.
- Mei: And I’m Mei! Nice to meet you all!
Fengyan gave a small nod, signaling he acknowledged her.
- Mei: Oh, by the way... how exactly are we getting there? Don’t tell me we’re—
- Yong’an: Gotta walk, what else? Shouldn’t be too far from here.
Upon hearing that, Mei looked like she’d just taken a lightning bolt to the chest. She dropped to her knees with a sigh.
- Mei (thinking): This is it... this is how my life ends. Why would anyone make a poor office worker who’s glued to her laptop all day hike across the wilderness!?
- Mei (thinking): Oh heavenly gods, if this is your way of punishing a capitalist slave, just end me quickly... huhu...
Qiaoxi helped Mei back to her feet with a warm smile.
- Qiaoxi: Hey now, it’s not that bad. Once we get going, you’ll see it’s a quick walk. And if you get too tired, I can always carry you on my back.
- Mei (awkward chuckle): Haha, no need for that! I’ve still got enough juice to walk on my own.
- Fengyan: Alright then, let’s get moving. It’s getting late.
And with that, the four of them set off toward Wangshu Inn.
The path ahead was quiet, unchanged from before. But one thing was different — Mei didn’t feel scared anymore. Not like when she was wandering around alone.
Their footsteps echoed in a steady rhythm as they walked on. Mei didn’t know how long they had been going, but eventually, the scenery began to shift.
From the lush plains of Dihua Marsh, an ethereal structure appeared ahead — suspended between sky and stone like a floating oasis in the clouds.
Wangshu Inn towered atop a cliff, firmly rooted by an ancient tree that looked as if it had stood for centuries. A wooden elevator operated by old mechanical gears offered a way up.
Along the path, colorful parasols dotted the area beneath tall trees, mingling with pink silk flowers that added a strange but charming vibrancy.
The chirping of insects blended with the gentle clink of wind chimes, creating a mysterious yet calming atmosphere — the kind of nighttime tranquility only Liyue could offer.
Mei tilted her head up to gaze at the night sky, twinkling with stars and radiant with auroras, her heart quietly moved.
- Mei (thinking): The sky is beautiful… like Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
- Mei (thinking): ...But it’s a shame, really. Even the sky… is just another lie.
While the other three chatted among themselves, Mei remained lost in her own thoughts — completely unaware of a sharp gaze silently observing her from afar.
As they drew nearer, large wooden tables and benches came into view, though not a soul was sitting at them.
Fengyan stepped forward and motioned for everyone to enter the lift. Mei and the other two followed swiftly.
Once the wooden doors shut, the ancient machine began to tremble softly, slowly lifting them upward. The creaking gears mixed with the night wind whistling through the cracks, casting a strangely eerie vibe.
- Yong’an: Lucky we didn’t run into any trouble on the way.
- Qiaoxi: Mei, are you holding up okay?
- Mei: My legs feel like jelly...
- Mei: Oh, right! Thank you all so much for taking the time to escort me. If it weren’t for you guys, I’d probably be a ghost somewhere by now.
- Fengyan: Haha, don’t worry about it. This is what the Millelith are here for.
- Mei: But none of you think I’m... suspicious?
- Fengyan: With how bizarre your outfit looks? No way you're a bad person.
- Mei: Huh!?
- Fengyan: Think about it. If someone wanted to do bad things, they’d at least try to dress inconspicuously, right? Trust me, this comes from years of experience.
- Mei: That... kind of makes sense? But also feels weirdly wrong somehow...
- Yong’an: Speaking of which, did you come to Liyue all by yourself? No companions or anything?
- Mei: Yep, it’s just me for now.
Right as she finished, Mei felt the lift come to a stop. Fengyan stepped forward and opened the doors for them.
Mei’s eyes widened with excitement as she gazed ahead, afraid that even blinking might cause her to miss the dazzling scene inside the inn.
As soon as she stepped through the doorway, a wave of comforting warmth wrapped around her, chasing away the lingering cold of the night. The interior was crafted entirely from wood, steeped in rich, earthy tones that radiated a rustic calmness. Above her, handmade paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, their intricate painted patterns casting dancing shadows on the walls as the flames flickered.
Along the hallway sat a few low, round tea tables, each adorned with a teapot and delicate celadon porcelain cups. Nearby, watercolor scrolls lined the walls with elegance, and beside them was a modest, worn-out bookshelf, filled with neatly arranged travelogues and ancient records — all steeped in the rich culture of Liyue.
- Mei (thinking): Oh my gosh! This place is amazing! I’ve seen this scene a hundred times in-game, but seeing it in real life... it’s on a whole different level. Is... is this really a place mere mortals can stay in?
- Mei (thinking): Speaking of which, I wonder if I’ll run into Xiao here?
- Mei (thinking): Aaaah, I miss him already! He disappeared before I could get a good look at him!
Just then, a composed woman with neatly styled brown hair and eyes, dressed impeccably, greeted them with a gentle voice.
- Woman: Welcome, honored guests. It’s quite late already — what brings you all the way out here at this hour? Is there anything I can assist you with?
- Qiaoxi: If I may ask, you are...?
- Woman (chuckling softly): Oh, my apologies for the oversight. Allow me to introduce myself — I’m Verr Goldet, the current owner of Wangshu Inn.
- Verr Goldet: I take it you’re members of the Millelith? And this young lady is...?
- Mei (awkwardly): I’m Mei, a humble traveler who came to visit Liyue... so, I’m kind of...
- Mei: Oh! That reminds me, Miss Verr, would it be possible for me to stay the night?
- Verr Goldet: Of course. Just 5000 mora per night. How does that sound, Lady Mei?
- Mei (thinking): I’m doomed. I don’t even have half a mora to my name... Guess it’s time to bust out my secret weapon.
- Mei: Miss Verr... has anyone ever told you that you’re an absolute vision of beauty, rare and unmatched?
- Verr Goldet (caught off guard): Huh?
Unbothered by the silent judgment radiating from the Millelith nearby, Mei’s eyes sparkled like stars as she leaned in closer.
- Mei: I mean it! You’re the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.
- Verr Goldet (a bit flustered): My, my. Since you’re so sweet with your words, I suppose I can offer you a little discount. Let’s say... 3000 mora for the night?
- Mei (mumbling): Umm... well... the thing is...
- Verr Goldet (sighing): Alright, fine. Final offer — 2500 mora.
Now completely cornered, Mei could only lower her voice in shame.
- Mei: I... I don’t have any money.
The room went eerily silent. You could hear a pine needle drop.
- Yong’an: Are you serious?! Not even 2500 mora? Wait, don’t tell me... you didn’t bring a single coin with you!?
- Mei (struggling): It’s complicated... but yes, that’s the truth.
- Verr Goldet (awkward smile): Lady Mei, you’re putting me in quite the tough spot here...
- Fengyan: That’s enough. It’s just 2500 mora — I’ll cover it for her.
He confidently pulled out the money and set it on the counter in front of Verr Goldet. Mei, on the verge of tears, grabbed his hand with deep gratitude.
- Mei: Huhuu, thank you so much! After Xiao, you’re officially my next life-saving hero!
- Mei (thinking): There really are good people in this world. I love Genshin Impact. I love Mihoyo.
- Fengyan: Next time you travel, young lady, make sure you bring some mora with you.
- Mei: Got it, sir!
- Fengyan: Our duty here is done. We’ll be heading off now. Till we meet again — take care of yourself.
With that, the Millelith trio departed. Mei stood there, still overwhelmed, waving goodbye with both hands nonstop.
- Verr Goldet (thinking): Xiao...? Did I just hear her say Xiao?
Before Verr Goldet could continue down that train of thought, a hand waved in front of her face, pulling her back to the present.
- Mei (grinning): Miss Verr~ You’ve got my payment now, sooo... that means I’m good for the night, right?
- Verr Goldet (smiling softly): Of course, Lady Mei.
- Verr Goldet: Your room’s upstairs — I’ll show you the way.
- Verr Goldet (thinking): If she knows the name of the Conqueror of Demons… then this girl may not be ordinary at all. I’d better keep my guard up. If she’s connected to a dangerous faction, things could get messy...