After seeing Ningguang off and saying goodbye to Lumine and Paimon, Bonanus returned to the Jade Chamber.
She wanted to check on Xiao's condition. Hopefully, the medicine had eased his pain.
But to her surprise, the wounded were nowhere to be found. Even Xiao was gone.
Aside from the Millelith cleaning up the battlefield and the busy officials, there was no one else.
Puzzled, she approached an elderly man wearing glasses.
"Excuse me, sir, where did the wounded from the Jade Chamber go?"
The old man, realizing he was speaking to an adeptus, perked up despite his exhaustion.
But this adeptus had called him "elderly"...
Normally, that wouldn't be odd, but coming from an adeptus, it felt strange.
He had read about adepti. Every one of them was at least a hundred, if not thousands, of years old. This adeptus before him was probably older than his great-grandmother.
Clearing his throat, he adjusted his glasses and spoke quickly.
"You're looking for the Conqueror of Demons? The other adepti took him away. I don't know where."
"As for the wounded, the Jade Chamber isn't suited for medical treatment. The facilities here were only temporary. Now that the battle is over, they've been moved down."
"I'm sorry, that's all I know. Lady Ningguang is furious right now. I need to get back to work."
The old man bowed slightly and hurried off.
Bonanus shrugged. Old man's pretty spry. And fast talker too, like he's spitting watermelon seeds.
This scene probably meant Ningguang was already handling diplomatic matters.
No point sticking around here.
She sighed, closed her eyes, and focused, sensing Xiao's location.
Once she confirmed where he was, she teleported toward him.
Why could the five of them always find each other by feeling? The only explanation was that they were all Yakshas. In a way, they were connected.
Finding each other using this ability wasn't hard.
Bonanus didn't fully understand the mechanism either. Probably something like "quantum entanglement."
But it was practical. And now it was coming in handy.
Xiao wasn't at Yanfei's house, nor in any cave in Jueyun Karst, nor on the rooftop of Wangshu Inn. He was at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
She wasn't mistaken. Someone had taken her little brother there. He's not dead yet! Who's so eager to buy him a coffin?
...
Arriving at Wangsheng's front gate, Bonanus walked straight in without hesitation.
Once in the courtyard, she scanned for a familiar figure.
First, she saw Hu Tao. The director was slumped over the stone table, looking miserable, muttering something under her breath.
Seeing her expression, Bonanus could guess what was wrong. She knew Hu Tao well from the game.
She probably saw an unconscious adeptus being brought in and thought it was a big sale, only to find out he was still alive.
Bonanus shook her head. Hu Tao was adorable, but she didn't have time to admire her right now.
Besides Hu Tao and some cleaning staff, no one else was in the courtyard.
So Xiao wasn't here for a coffin. He was just here for treatment. She had overthought it.
She casually greeted Hu Tao and pushed open the door to Wangsheng's main hall.
Inside, she spotted Bosacius sitting cross-legged on a cushion, regulating his breathing.
He looked like he was meditating, as if nothing could disturb him.
If he had a few more arms, he could pass for a muscular version of Guanyin.
Standing beside him was the very "fiery" Indarias.
"Indarias!" Bonanus walked over quickly with a smile.
"Back so soon? I thought you'd be chatting with that Ningguang woman a while longer."
Indarias turned her head and replied.
"I was worried about Alatus. Do you know where he is?" Bonanus rubbed the back of her head.
"Oh! He and Menogias are in there!" Indarias pointed at a closed door. The two injured were inside receiving treatment.
"The room's a bit cramped. Wait until Ganyu's done before you go in." Indarias patted Bonanus's head with one hand on her hip.
Bonanus didn't mind. She grabbed a stool and sat down, propping her chin on her paw and waiting.
Ever since the five of them returned, Ganyu had become their personal healer. This was the third time already. It must be tough on her.
Speaking of which, why hadn't Zhongli come to check on Xiao's injuries?
Normally, that "god-like" mortal would have shown up.
Recalling the original plot, Bonanus understood. Zhongli was probably busy exchanging a Gnosis with the Traveler at the bank. He'd be back soon.
It didn't matter anyway.
Time passed slowly. Boredom made her eyelids heavy.
She was getting sleepy.
She glanced at Indarias still standing there, then at the closed door. She yawned.
That's just how people were. When bored, they either got restless or drowsy.
Soon, she fell asleep on the stool. Indarias found it amusing but didn't disturb her.
She didn't know how long she had been out.
Without a table to lean on, her paw gave way, nearly sending her tumbling. She caught herself just in time, still groggy.
The moment she woke, the door swung open.
Still dazed, she wiped the drool from her mouth and squinted toward the door.
Rubbing her eyes, she saw her little brother being wheeled out in a chair.
Still the same cold, expressionless face. Still the same handsome young man. Just a wheelchair version.