[Drunkard Venti, limited-time appearance.]
[Is Jun Bai really the Pyro Archon? Kicking Venti while knowing clues about the Anemo Archon…]
[That's one possibility. Another is that the clues he has are fake.]
[Can closed beta players stop speaking in code? Is this drunkard named Venti related to the Anemo Archon?]
[No spoilers! Spoilers will result in the death of your entire family.]
While watching the story, Su Shang, using her not-so-developed brain, wondered, "Is what Jun Bai wants us to do just drink here?"
In Su Shang's simplistic understanding, going to a tavern could only mean drinking and nothing else.
[Fits my perception of the Liyue Glutton.]
[Guinaifen's guess about competing with Venti in a drinking contest is more reliable. The Liyue Glutton's idea makes no sense.]
...
After being forcibly sobered up from his hangover by Jun Bai, Venti straightened his appearance before greeting Lumine and Paimon. "Good afternoon, ladies. My name is Venti, the best bard in Teyvat."
With the experience of a god at least two thousand years old, if he couldn't be the best bard, he might as well resign from godhood and return to being a wind spirit.
Jun Bai thought to himself.
But not a trace of emotion appeared on his face. Jun Bai said calmly, "Venti, these two are here to help. Please use your most familiar method to inform them about Dvalin."
"Help?" Venti looked Lumine up and down, then gave Jun Bai a thumbs-up. "Not bad, Jun Bai. You really understand my thoughts."
"I just happened to notice she can purify the Abyss's power. A mere coincidence." Jun Bai dismissed it casually.
"Are you two speaking in riddles?"
Paimon, who hadn't understood a single word since entering the tavern, stomped her foot in the air, wanting them to say something she could understand.
Jun Bai shot Venti a look.
Understanding instantly, Venti picked up his lyre and began playing a song about Dvalin, the Dragon of the East.
When the song ended, both Lumine and Paimon understood the entire story behind Stormterror's appearance.
"Traveler, this is what I need your help with: purifying the poisonous blood and curse on Dvalin."
"I've observed that the power you possess can purify the Abyss's erosion. The Tear Crystal in your backpack — which originally belonged to Dvalin — is proof."
Hearing this, Lumine quickly took out the Tear Crystal she had collected earlier.
The Tear Crystal, once filled with violent energy, had returned to being the purest aggregation of Anemo power.
"It really was purified!" Paimon gasped.
[So that's why he asked for our help.]
[Also, this thing was in our backpack. How did Jun Bai sense it was purified?]
Lumine voiced the players' question: "I never opened my backpack in front of you. How did you know the crystal was in there?"
Jun Bai explained, "Venti, Dvalin, and I go way back, so I'm extremely sensitive to Dvalin's aura. Also, when you took the Tear Crystal, Venti and I were actually nearby."
"So that's how it is. Ah… so you're the one who caused the bird frenzy in the forest!"
Paimon finally pieced it together.
[Paimon's slowness is truly something else.]
[Look at Lumine's 'as expected' expression.]
[Jun Bai: I just changed clothes and temporarily dyed my hair. The change isn't that big. How did you not recognize me?]
Jun Bai nodded. "It was me."
As he spoke, his black hair silently turned pale again, reverting to his white-haired, red-eyed appearance.
"Due to personal reasons, a trace of my aura leaked out, causing the birds in the forest to frenzy. I sincerely apologize for startling the two of you."
Jun Bai said this with a genuinely apologetic expression.
[Husband is so polite!]
[Startling the two of you… Oh boy, this phrasing.]
[Don't be too outrageous, comment above.]
"It's alright. We just thought something serious happened at the time, so we were a bit nervous, that's all." Paimon said, waving her hands.
Lumine was even more straightforward. "I've already forgotten about that."
Considering the frenzy caused no real harm — and the fact that Jun Bai would pay her one million Mora afterwards — Lumine felt she could completely let it go.
"So, what are your plans now?"
"Lumine, how about we take this commission? Dvalin is a victim too." Paimon suggested.
At this point, three dialogue options appeared before the players:
["For Paimon's sake, I agree."]
["Since you can introduce me to the Anemo and Geo Archons, I agree."]
["Since you promised me one million Mora, I agree."]
...
Guinaifen's Livestream.
"Is there even a choice? Hesitating for even a second is disrespectful to Mora!" Guinaifen immediately chose option three.
Jun Bai (smiling): "Venti, it seems one million Mora has brought us an excellent helper."
"Folks, can anyone share the dialogue for the other two options?" Guinaifen asked her viewers.
Silver Wolf and Xing requested screen share, then displayed the alternative choices:
Option 1:
Jun Bai: "I didn't realize you and your friend get along so well."
Option 2:
Jun Bai: "Don't worry, I keep my promises. Once this is done, I guarantee I'll introduce you to the Anemo Archon."
Venti: "Pfft—"
Paimon: "Eh? Venti, what's wrong?"
Jun Bai: "It's nothing. He just remembered something funny."
Paimon: "Really? Then Venti, can you share it with Paimon? Let me be happy too!"
Venti (laughing): "Of course, little Paimon. Listen carefully…"
[Venti's laugh is absolutely a clear hint.]
[Based on analysis, Venti's laugh leaves only two possibilities:
Venti himself is the Anemo Archon.
Jun Bai is the Anemo Archon.]
[But Jun Bai is Pyro, so the only answer is—]
[Correct. The Anemo Archon is the Fourth Herrscher Wendy next door (dog head).]
"I never expected the second option — the most serious-looking one — to be the funniest." Silver Wolf sighed, then turned to Xing. "Xing, how did you know to pick option two?"
Xing blinked. "Intuition."
"Ah?"
...
"Now that the most important part is settled, the next step would be…" Venti pondered, then looked toward the red-haired man who had been silently listening at the bar. "Is the tavern owner willing to lend us a hand?"
Diluc calmly finished wiping a glass before looking up at the group. "This is an important matter. Why let me know?"
During Venti's song earlier, besides the four conversing, only Diluc had heard it.
For someone like Diluc — who often works in the shadows — this implied cooperation.
Ending the dragon crisis, saving Dvalin… Diluc was more than willing, both for Mondstadt and for the Dawn Winery's business. Ever since the dragon incident began, the tavern's profits had plummeted.
Diluc was simply curious how this alcohol-loving bard knew he'd be willing to help.
"Because you are Diluc Ragnvindr, descendant of the Ragnvindr family — the hero who once overthrew Old Mondstadt's rule alongside the Anemo Archon." Venti said, plucking his lyre.
"Even if you were unwilling, it wouldn't matter." Venti smiled. "As we are now, the three of us are enough to help Dvalin escape his predicament. Asking for Master Diluc's assistance is simply an extra layer of insurance."
"Leaving Mondstadt's safety purely to the Knights… I'm not reassured."
Diluc stepped out from behind the bar, his sharp gaze landing on Venti and Jun Bai. "Leaving it to an unemployed bard and a person of unknown origin from Liyue… I'm even less reassured."
"So, I'll be keeping an eye on you."
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
Please support the original author: 失渝光
Raw:宝可梦:我的冠军老婆沙奈朵