On the road from The Chasm to Liyue, Qingxu's group encountered Adepti hurrying toward them.
Zhongli's quest hadn't been particularly demanding; any Adeptus could have handled it easily. Yet, aside from Madame Ping, who had returned to prepare other matters, all three Adepti and the Conqueror of Demons had come.
"Master," Cloud Retainer said, nodding to Ganyu and Shenhe before turning to the Ice Coffin. Through the encasing ice, they could clearly see Qingge sleeping within.
Cloud Retainer transformed from her Adeptus Crane form into a human figure, approached the coffin, and gently stroked the ice, as if caressing the person inside.
"Child, you've suffered so much..."
They had already learned the general outline of events from the Geo Archon. This young girl, having lost an arm and sustained severe injuries, had still fought against countless monsters. In the end, she had died of exhaustion...
Such resilience, such determination.
The Chasm's eruption had placed an immense burden on her shoulders—a burden this small girl had carried alone. It was a failure on the part of her elders, her seniors, who should have been there to share the weight.
Even Xiao, a man of few words, stepped forward and gazed at Qingge's pale face through the ice for a long moment before saying,
"Thank you... I'm sorry..."
Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver sighed continuously beside them.
Qingxu stubbornly refused help from Ganyu and the others, pushing the cart with her small hands.
She still had strength left. She wanted to personally bring her sister home, even if it was just her remains.
Only by exhausting herself completely could she dull the wrenching pain and fear in her heart, just a little.
Xianyun watched with a heart aching for her.
She placed her hand over Qingxu's on the cart handle. "Child, you've done enough. Let us take over now. We'll bring you and your sister back to Liyue Harbor together. The Geo Archon and everyone else are waiting for us there."
Xianyun's voice was gentle, her words soothing Qingxu's soul. The girl's grip on the cart gradually loosened, almost unconsciously.
"Your sister was a great hero of Liyue," Xianyun continued. "The people of Liyue will never forget her. Don't be afraid. The mastermind behind the Abyss has been defeated. We've avenged your sister..."
As Xianyun spoke, gently comforting Qingxu, tears welled up again in the girl's eyes, even though she thought she had cried them all out.
With Xianyun's gentle pat on her head, Qingxu finally broke down, collapsing into Xianyun's arms and sobbing uncontrollably.
"Waaah... I don't want my sister to be a hero! I just want her to be alive! Waaah..."
Her sister's hand had been severed. She must have been in so much pain then. Yet she still fought monsters. Just the thought of her sister battling monsters with a maimed body made Qingxu's heart feel like it was being sliced with a knife.
Xianyun gently patted Qingxu's back, adept at soothing a child's emotions.
Since Qingge was gone, they would take care of her sister.
This was the last thing they could do for Qingge.
Xianyun signaled Moon Carver and the others with a glance. Understanding, Mountain Shaper instantly expanded to colossal size. Xiao carefully placed Qingge's Ice Coffin onto Mountain Shaper's back.
At Moon Carver's request, Yelan and the other two climbed onto the Venerable's massive back as well.
Qingxu was aware of everything, yet she didn't try to stop them.
She, Xianyun, and Xiao climbed onto Mountain Shaper's back together. The crane and deer immediately took flight, soaring rapidly into the sky.
-
Liyue Harbor.
The Mu family residence.
Ever since the Dragon Sovereign's enraged roar shattered its seal, Father Mu and Mother Chen had retreated to their home.
Later, Osial emerged from the sea, stirring up rolling dark clouds that blotted out the Sun, plunging Liyue Harbor into instant darkness.
As ordinary citizens, their only recourse was to remain sheltered indoors, avoiding any trouble for the Qixing.
Yet, even as they clung to this belief, they couldn't shake their anxieties. With the Geo Archon gone and such a calamity befalling Liyue, could their nation truly withstand this ordeal?
The couple endured their fear-stricken vigil until Barbatos arrived.
Though confined to their home, they heard the commotion outside, learning that Mondstadt's Wind God, Lord Barbatos, had come.
The Wind God defeated Osial, restoring light to the skies over Liyue Harbor.
Still, they remained indoors.
Amidst this disaster, their thoughts turned to their two daughters, far away in The Chasm, filling their hearts with worry.
They reassured each other, clinging to the hope that the calamity-stricken Liyue Harbor and the Dragon Sovereign's lair wouldn't reach The Chasm...
Besides, their eldest daughter was so capable; even if she encountered danger, she could always run away if she couldn't win, right?
Qingge was only eighteen this year, while her parents were in their late thirties, approaching forty—still quite young.
Her mother also had a head of white hair, suggesting Qingge's white locks were likely inherited from her.
Qingxu, on the other hand, shared her father's black hair.
Seeing that the situation seemed to be gradually stabilizing, they began preparing the house for the Lantern Rite.
After all, today was the Lantern Rite.
In the past, their family had always celebrated the Lantern Rite with great fanfare. Qingge and Qingxu cherished those festive occasions. Although the sisters weren't home now, what if they returned?
Given the disaster that had struck Liyue and Qingge's position as one of the Qixing, she might still come back.
As they were decorating the house, Ningguang arrived with a group of people, including Keqing.
Keqing had originally joined the main force heading to support The Chasm, but they received word shortly after departing that the crisis there had been resolved.
While the exact method of resolution remained unclear, the positive outcome was all that mattered.
Upon returning to Liyue Harbor, she encountered Ningguang, who seemed to be urgently pursuing some matter and promptly pulled her along.
Standing before the door, Ningguang took a deep breath, steeled her resolve, and knocked.
"Who's there?"
As they spoke, the door swung open, revealing Mother Chen. Her eyes widened as she took in the solemn gathering lined up on either side of the entrance.
Scanning the group, she recognized only Ningguang and Keqing.
"Lady Ningguang! Lady Keqing!" she exclaimed.
Though their daughter was one of the Qixing, as her parents, they held no official titles.
Ningguang and Keqing bristled at such formality, especially Ningguang, who was struggling to broach a delicate subject.
"Please, Aunt Chen, just call me Ningguang," she said.
Keqing echoed the sentiment.
"What brings you here at this hour?" Mother Chen asked.
Keqing glanced at Ningguang, equally uncertain.
Ningguang fell silent, her expression strained. How could she possibly break this news?
During her hesitation, Father Mu emerged from the house.
Seeing him, Ningguang gently closed her eyes and declared:
"The Kaiyang Mu Qingge, guardian of The Chasm, fought valiantly against the monsters to her last breath... She led the Millelith in holding The Chasm, preventing a single monster from escaping. Her remains are being escorted by an Adeptus and will arrive at Liyue Harbor within the hour."
Ningguang delivered the words in a single breath, avoiding the parents' gazes. As their daughter's parents, they deserved to know.
It was a cruel way to break the news, but it would at least give the elderly couple some time to brace themselves.
Qingge's remains were returning home; they should be present to receive her.