Xiao usually wouldn't visit Lucian's home, considering how crowded it was with people.
This time, he was practically "dragged" here by Lucian. He had to give him some face.
"So, this story features the Conqueror of Demons again?" Guizhong, seeing Lucian specifically invite Xiao, already understood.
Xiao and Shenhe sat to the side, both expressionless, embodying the beauty of silence.
At this moment, Xiao only hoped this story wouldn't torment him like the last one.
He didn't realize that, while it wasn't exactly like the previous story, it still "tormented" him.
"Sigh, I can only say it's such a pity Sister Ganyu can't see this story right away," Yae Miko remarked, also present.
As the chief editor, she naturally got to read the story first. This time, she left her work to Kitsune Saiguu to visit Liyue.
Kitsune Saiguu didn't mind. She was usually carefree, so occasionally covering for the little fox was fine.
In this regard, Ei was less free than Yae Miko. Yae was competent enough to handle things independently, so Kitsune Saiguu wouldn't nitpick.
Ei, however, wasn't so lucky. She was currently being disciplined at home by Makoto, buried in paperwork daily.
Even the Raiden Shogun couldn't escape. No matter how skilled "Guan Yu" and "Zhang Fei" were, they couldn't defy "Liu Bei."
Makoto was indeed gentle, but that only meant she wouldn't hit or scold you—not that she wasn't strict.
That said, with Lucian's new book release, Ei might get a chance to rest. The sisters would still give Lucian some face.
"Really? Then this immortal is somewhat looking forward to it," Xianyun said, adjusting her glasses.
"If it's interesting, this immortal will personally deliver the book to Jueyun Karst."
"Interesting…" Yae Miko covered her mouth. "Let's hope it counts as interesting."
As they chatted, Lucian returned, bringing Yelan, Yanfei, Kamisato Ayaka, Furina, and Navia along.
The others were participants in this story, while Ayaka, Furina, and Navia were Lucian's "bosses." Lucian wanted to see them break down while reading this story.
The three of them were among the most emotional people, making it the most fun to watch them read such a story. They might even shed some little pearls.
Hu Tao didn't need Lucian to bring her; she was already in Liyue, at Lucian's house.
After the bosses read the story, they might pound Lucian with their little fists, but that wasn't important. As long as they were moved, it was worth it.
By the way, Furina's were little fists, but Navia's were heavy punches.
Luckily, Navia didn't usually hit Lucian—she went straight for the chokehold.
Among Lucian's bosses, Ayaka was currently the gentlest, not yet having invented a "special move" to deal with Lucian.
Or perhaps her special move was staring at Lucian with teary, red eyes to make him feel guilty? If Lucian could even feel guilt.
On the other hand, Kamisato Ayato was more likely to feel "guilty."
Ahem, with everyone gathered, the story began.
This story didn't feature Katheryne. Lumine simply had a "Lumine hunch," feeling something strange about the deepest layer of the Chasm, so she decided to investigate.
This was the area where Yelan had previously used the Nail of the Heavens to blast a huge pit. Lumine found it odd because the pit was glowing.
Unexpectedly, she encountered someone neither the Traveler nor the readers anticipated.
[Yanfei: "The Traveler and Paimon? I never expected to run into you two in a place like this."]
Yanfei now understood why Lucian had dragged her here—turns out she had a role in this story.
[Paimon, surprised: "It's actually Yanfei? Don't you usually work in Liyue Harbor? What are you doing in a godforsaken place like this?"]
This was what the readers wanted to ask. A place like this, where even birds wouldn't bother to visit, was somewhere only adventurers would go, right?
It wasn't strange for the Traveler and Paimon to be here, but for Yanfei? That was odd! Weren't you a lawyer? Coming to this desolate place to represent ghosts?
Wait, she actually was representing a ghost.
Yanfei had acted as a lawyer for a red oni once, and now it kept pestering her. Even coming to a place like this hadn't shaken it off.
[Yanfei: "Please help me out, you two. If someone comes looking for me, just say you haven't seen me!"]
After entrusting the Traveler, Yanfei didn't have time to explain and bolted.
The readers were curious—who could possibly drive a silver-tongued lawyer to this state?
[Arataki Itto shouted: "Hey! Hey, you over there!"]
["Haha, it's you two! Vacationing in a place like this?"]
["Oh! You guys look like you're doing well lately. So am I, hahaha!"]
The readers suddenly understood. Of course, it was this guy—no wonder. People might not push a lawyer this far, but a ghost? That's another story.
With Itto around, the atmosphere instantly became much livelier. This grim place didn't feel so eerie anymore.
A place with a ghost actually felt less scary.
But who would vacation in a godforsaken place like this? Even birds wouldn't come!
Guess what? They nailed the quip again—there was a bird here.
But before talking about the Golden-Winged Great Peng, the person next to Arataki Itto drew more attention.
Lucian had drawn a character portrait for Kuki Shinobu, and anyone with a portrait wasn't ordinary.
[Kuki Shinobu: "Hello, I'm Kuki Shinobu, a member of the Arataki Gang."]
[Arataki Itto introduced: "Hahaha, almost forgot! Come, let me introduce you. This is the most awesome person in our Arataki Gang, Shinobu!"]
The most awesome? Everyone turned their eyes to Arataki Itto and Kuki Shinobu. Isn't the most awesome person usually the boss? So which one of you is actually the boss?
[Paimon asked for everyone: "But Itto, you just said she handles all the gang's affairs? So, isn't she the real boss?"]
[Arataki Itto retorted: "Paimon, what nonsense are you spouting? I'm the boss! The one and only boss of the Hanamizaka Arataki Gang, from the heavens to the earth!"]
[Paimon: "I get it. A useless boss and a capable subordinate…"]
Lucian shook his head, refuting Paimon's idea. "Paimon, you still don't get it. The boss usually doesn't do the work, so Itto being the boss is perfectly fine."
"Yeah, exactly! Wait, no… Huh? Is it?" Arataki Itto was confused, unsure if his buddy was speaking in his favor.
Lucian continued: "If we're talking about it, Little Furina is still Neuvillette's boss."
"?" Furina stared at Lucian expressionlessly.
But her inner thoughts were lively: You're mocking me, aren't you? You're definitely mocking me!
Furina secretly kicked Lucian with her little boot.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Yanfei: About the Chasm
"I never thought I'd go there. That ancient text… I'm a bit interested. Where is it?"