Midnight, atop Tianheng Mountain.
Qingxu knelt before her sister's grave. "Sister, I've become Cloud Retainer's disciple. Starting today, I'll be learning Adeptus arts from Master. But don't worry, just like when I was studying, I'll come home often..."
Behind Qingxu stood the three Venerables: Xianyun, Houzhang, and Jiehu.
Xianyun led the way, with Houzhang and Jiehu following closely behind.
Jiehu: "This is already Cloud Retainer's third disciple. Should we consider taking on a disciple ourselves to pass on our legacy?"
Houzhang: "Pass on our legacy? What, are you nearing the end of your lifespan?"
"What are you babbling about, you old deer!"
"Accepting a disciple isn't something you can just do on a whim. It's all about fate. Perhaps there will be another opportunity in the future, but for now... you can't force what isn't meant to be yours."
"Hmph, don't think I don't know what you're up to..."
Xianyun glanced back, and Houzhang and Jiehu immediately fell silent.
After finishing her conversation with her sister, Qingxu stood up and knelt before Xianyun. "Disciple Mu Qingxu pays respects to Master!"
Xianyun's expression softened into maternal tenderness as she personally helped Qingxu rise. "Good child..."
At a secluded corner of Tianheng Mountain...
Zhongli and Venti sat facing each other across a stone table.
"After that guy died, there hasn't been much activity from the Abyss. I... Achoo~"
Venti suddenly sneezed. He looked around, puzzled. How could there be a cat in a place like this?
Another sneeze made him realize something was amiss.
"Old Man, let's talk again later. I need to head back to Mondstadt."
Without waiting for Zhongli's reaction, Venti transformed into a gust of Anemo and vanished.
Zhongli frowned, unsure what Venti was up to.
He stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and slowly began walking toward Liyue Harbor.
-
Midway up Tianheng Mountain...
Puppet Qingge remained curled up in place, her wide black robes completely enveloping her.
She dared not move, fearing she would attract attention.
After maintaining this position for over an hour, she slowly stood up.
Just as she was about to ascend, that familiar sensation returned. She retreated a few steps, only to find the feeling had vanished.
Someone was watching the grave!
Qingge knew instantly who it was. She had acted too hastily. Mondstadt was not Liyue; Venti might have guarded the grave initially, but over time, he had gradually lowered his guard.
Now that he was absent from Mondstadt, Rola had found it easy to act.
Liyue was different. Qingge had barely buried the body before attempting to exhume it—a plan doomed to fail.
Unable to ascend, Qingge retreated.
She couldn't risk forcing her way up and wasting the Emotional Feedback she had painstakingly cultivated for this disguise.
Rosaria, who had just returned from outside Mondstadt, suddenly craved a drink.
Remembering she had hidden a bottle behind the Cathedral, she headed straight there.
She had also picked a particularly large and sweet Sunsettia today. Knowing Rola had always liked them, she decided to leave it for her.
Rosaria knew Rola hadn't liked the offerings left at her grave, so she decided to bring something different.
But when Rosaria arrived behind the Cathedral, she found Rola's tombstone toppled and the grave dug open. Her eyes sharpened instantly, and she tossed the Sunsettia aside.
Approaching closer, Rosaria saw Rola's coffin pried open, the body inside gone.
Fury surged through Rosaria, her eyes burning like flames.
The scene told her everything: someone had violently destroyed the tombstone from the outside, then dug up the grave and stolen Rola's body.
Rola was a hero of Mondstadt. How could she end up like this?
Rosaria pinched a clump of soil and held it to her nose, sniffing.
The bastard who desecrated the grave had only just left!
She immediately set off in pursuit, determined to find that bastard. One spear thrust—no, she wouldn't let him die so easily!
Desecrating a hero's remains and stealing her friend's body—each crime unforgivable!
Rosaria immediately ruled out the obvious answer. Her years of experience told her that bastard wouldn't likely flee by jumping into the lake.
It's highly likely they're still within Mondstadt.
The commotion Rosaria caused quickly drew the attention of patrolling Knights of Favonius. Before they could even question her, she charged forward, grabbed a knight, and demanded, "Have you seen any suspicious individuals during your patrol?"
The knight, startled by Rosaria's sudden approach, flinched visibly. Seeing her furious glare, he suddenly felt as if he had done something wrong.
"N-no, we haven't seen anyone suspicious."
If anyone fits that description, it's Rosaria herself, the knight thought, but he dared not voice the thought.
Rosaria shoved the knight aside. "Seal the city immediately! No one is to leave!"
Rosaria had distinguished herself during the Mondstadt Dragon Crisis. Though the patrolling knights hadn't witnessed her exploits firsthand, they had all heard the stories. Still, sealing the entire city required a legitimate reason.
Sensing the Knight Captain's hesitation, Rosaria declared:
"Heroic Knight Rora's grave has been desecrated! Her body is missing! The grave robbers left only recently and are likely still within the city. Do you understand now?!"
"What?!"
The Knight Captain's eyes widened as he immediately mobilized his knights.
The commotion startled Kaeya, who quickly dressed and rushed out, encountering Acting Grand Master Jean Gunnhildr along the way.
"Grand Master Jean, what's happening?"
Jean shook her head, having just woken up herself and still trying to grasp the situation.
Just then, Rosaria arrived.
Seeing the anger and urgency on her face, Kaeya guessed she knew something and immediately asked, "Miss Rosaria, do you know what's going on outside?"
Rosaria cut straight to the point: "Rola's grave has been desecrated, and her remains stolen. The culprit is likely still in Mondstadt. I've ordered the Knights of Favonius to seal all exits."
Kaeya: "What?! Rola's remains have been stolen?!"
Jean was stunned for a moment. Rola's remains were buried behind the Cathedral—how could they have been stolen?
A cold glint flashed in her eyes. "Let's go see for ourselves!"
Rola... her remains had actually been stolen?!
Kaeya clenched his fists, anger surging through his chest.
Damn it! Who could have done this?!
The trio hurried toward Mondstadt's gates, Kaeya's mind racing with anger and worry.
His sworn brother is at Dawn Winery. If he finds out Rola was treated like this...
Damn it! If he ever finds out who desecrated her grave, he'll never let them off the hook!