It was dark and Aether, Paimon, and Momon had reached the famous Wangshu Inn. Wangshu Inn stands majestically in the heart of Liyue, perched atop a colossal stone pillar that rises from the Dihua Marsh. The inn is a multi-story wooden structure, blending traditional Liyue architecture with a touch of mysticism. Its ornate, curved roofs are adorned with intricate carvings of mythological creatures, and red lanterns hang from every corner, casting a warm, welcoming glow.
The main building features a spacious balcony that wraps around its perimeter, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding marshlands and the distant Guili Plains. The balcony is dotted with tables and chairs where travelers can rest, enjoy a meal, or simply take in the serene landscape.
Aether and Paimon made their way to one of the tables on the balcony. The setting sun bathed the landscape in a warm golden light, and the lanterns began to glow softly in the gathering dusk.
A friendly waiter approached, bowing slightly. "Welcome to Wangshu Inn. What can I get for you today?"
Paimon's eyes sparkled as she glanced at the menu. "Everything looks so good! We definitely need to try the Golden Shrimp Balls and the Bamboo Shoot Soup."
Aether chuckled. "Alright, and let's add some Crystal Shrimp and Stir-Fried Filet to that."
The waiter nodded and took their order back to the kitchen. As they waited, Paimon swung her legs back and forth excitedly, humming a cheerful tune. Aether leaned back in his chair, letting the peaceful atmosphere of the inn wash over him.
Meanwhile, Momon was exploring the upper levels of Wangshu Inn. The wooden elevator creaked as it ascended, offering him a brief glimpse of the surrounding marshlands through the gaps in the wooden slats. When the elevator stopped, he stepped out onto a quieter floor. The corridor here was adorned with delicate silk hangings and potted plants, giving it a serene, almost ethereal quality.
Aether and Paimon's food arrived, steaming and delicious. Paimon wasted no time digging in, her enthusiasm contagious.
"Hey, Aether," she said between bites, "do you think we'll ever really get to know Momon? He's so quiet and mysterious."
Aether shrugged, taking a bite of the Crystal Shrimp. "Maybe. But like I said, everyone needs their personal time. We'll learn more about him when he's ready to share."
Paimon nodded, her mouth full of food. "Yeah, you're right. But for now, let's just enjoy this feast!"
Momon stood at the pinnacle of Wangshu Inn, his undead eyes piercing the darkness with ease. Though the view would have been more breathtaking in the daylight, the nocturnal tranquility had its own charm. The gentle breeze rustled his cloak, and he took a moment to appreciate the serene surroundings.
"This is a nice spot," he murmured to himself, savoring the cool wind as it caressed his face.
As he stood there, lost in thought, he sensed someone approaching but did not turn to look. It was likely another adventurer or perhaps a wandering merchant seeking respite.
A tall woman stepped onto the balcony, her presence commanding attention. She had short, dark blue hair and pale skin that seemed to glow in the moonlight. In her hand, she held a glass of alcohol, the liquid inside shimmering as she moved.
Momon glanced at her briefly, deciding it was best to leave her in peace now that the spot was occupied. He turned to go, but her voice stopped him in his tracks.
"You almost killed Adeptus Xiao, didn't you?" she said, her tone cold and accusatory.
Momon paused, frowning as he faced her again. "The who?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
The woman's eyes narrowed, and she took a slow, deliberate sip from her glass before speaking again. "Adeptus Xiao. He's a guardian of Liyue, an adeptus. You fought him recently, did you not?"
Realization dawned on Momon. "Ah, the warrior with the mask. Yes, I remember now. But 'almost killed'? That's a bit dramatic, don't you think? He was more than capable of holding his own."
The woman's grip on her glass tightened slightly. "He may be strong, but your actions have consequences. The adepti protect this land, and any threat to them is taken seriously."
Momon studied her for a moment, noting the intensity in her eyes. "I see. And what is your interest in this matter? Are you a protector of these lands as well?"
She took another sip, her gaze never leaving his. "You could say that. My name is Yelan, and I have a vested interest in ensuring the safety of Liyue and its guardians."
Momon nodded slowly. "Well, Yelan, it was not my intention to cause harm. Our encounter was merely a misunderstanding. If it's any consolation, I hold no ill will towards Xiao or your land."
Yelan's expression softened slightly, though her eyes remained wary. "Misunderstandings can still lead to disaster. Be mindful of your actions, traveler."
"Listen here," Momon's voice was a low, commanding growl. "Your little friend threatened me and my companions, and he almost paid for it. Do not tell me to be mindful of my actions when you yourself can't do that."
The woman stood her ground despite the palpable tension. She clutched her glass of alcohol, her knuckles turning white, but her expression remained calm and composed. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she studied Momon's mask, noticing two glowing red dots where his eyes should be. The mask obscured his face entirely, leaving her to wonder what, or who lay beneath.
Yelan's voice was cool and steady, though edged with a hint of defiance. "Your presence here is unusual, and your power is undeniable. But Xiao has dedicated his existence to protecting this land. Any perceived threat is met with force. Can you blame him for being cautious?"
Momon's posture remained unyielding, his voice unwavering. "Caution is one thing. Unprovoked aggression is another. My companions and I have no interest in causing trouble here." Momon, towering over Yelan, maintained his composure as he addressed her with a stern tone. "I must also rtell you, that we are Honorary Knights of Favonius. Any unprovoked action against us might lead to diplomatic tension between Mondstadt and Liyue. I suggest you think carefully about that, miss."
With that, Momon turned and began to walk away, his footsteps echoing softly on the balcony floor. Yelan was left in contemplative silence, her gaze following his retreating figure.
Recently, Yelan had heard stories of two brave heroes from Mondstadt who had confronted and defeated Stormterror, a formidable foe threatening their land. She had been impressed by their valor and skill, and now, faced with one of these heroes, she was forced to reconsider her initial assumptions.
As she stood there, the cool night breeze rustling her dark blue hair, Yelan's thoughts churned. She had always valued strength and honor, but the implications of this encounter were more complex than she had anticipated. The potential for diplomatic strife between their nations was a serious matter, and it was clear that Momon was not to be underestimated.
Momon descended from Wangshu Inn, his senses keen and alert. As he reached the ground, he noticed that Yelan was not alone. Hidden among the shadows and foliage around the inn, he could detect her lackeys, their presence subtly betrayed by the occasional rustle or faint whisper. Lifting his gaze back to the balcony, he saw Yelan still standing there, her eyes fixed on him.
"If you're going to play like that…" Momon muttered under his breath, his voice laced with resolve. "[Summon Shadow Demon]!"
A pitch-black creature materialized at his feet as if born from the very essence of darkness itself. The demon's form was amorphous, shifting and writhing like a living shadow on the ground.
"Eliminate all the spies hiding around this building," Momon commanded, his tone cold and precise. "Do not kill anyone, but inflict a career-ending wound. Ensure they will never pose a threat again. And if you encounter someone who poses a real threat to you, retreat immediately."
The Shadow Demon received its orders, its form pulsating with dark energy as it slithered silently into the surrounding shadows. It moved with an eerie grace, blending seamlessly with the night as it set about its task.
Momon went back to the table where Aether and Paimon were eating and sat there as if nothing happened. Yelan continued to watch him for almost an hour but Momon was still just talking to Aether and Paimon.
In the early morning, Wangshu Inn bustled with life, the air filled with the chatter of merchants, travelers, and locals alike. The sun's first rays cast a golden hue over the landscape, but the inn's vibrant atmosphere was of little comfort to Yelan. She had spent the entire night on high alert, watching the three strangers—Momon and his companions—from a distance. Her instincts told her they were dangerous, but she had no tangible proof to justify taking action against them.
Just as Yelan was contemplating her next move, Verr Goldet, the innkeeper, approached her with a grave expression. The news she delivered was nothing short of alarming: a group of ten men had been found on a small island near Wangshu Inn, and something terrible had happened to them.
Yelan's heart sank. Abandoning her vigil, she quickly made her way to the island, her thoughts racing. She had a bad feeling about this.
When she arrived at the scene, her worst fears were confirmed. The sight that greeted her was devastating. Her special team, composed of some of the best operatives in Liyue, lay scattered across the ground, their bodies battered and broken. Yet, despite the severity of their injuries, none of them were dead. They were alive, but incapacitated, as if frozen in a state of paralysis.
"What just happened?" Yelan demanded, her voice sharp as she turned to the nearest Millelith soldier.
The soldier, a young man clearly shaken by what he had witnessed, stammered out a response. "M-Ma'am, we have no idea. We were just patrolling this area when we stumbled upon them. They... they seem to be from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. But what could have possibly done this to them?"
Yelan's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the scene, her mind working to piece together the events. She wanted to blame Momon—after all, he was the most suspicious individual she had encountered recently—but she had been watching him almost all night. There was no way he could have done this without her noticing.
She knelt beside one of her fallen operatives, carefully examining his condition. The man's eyes were wide open, staring blankly at the sky, but his lips were motionless, unable to utter a single word. She touched his skin; it was cold, clammy, and unresponsive to her touch.
Yelan's shock deepened. This wasn't a typical injury, nor was it the result of any ordinary combat. It was as if their very life force had been drained, leaving them as empty shells—alive, but barely so.
"None of them are dead," she murmured to herself, a mix of relief and dread washing over her. "But what kind of power could do this?"
Her mind raced through the possibilities. Could this be some form of curse? A forbidden art? Or perhaps an ability far beyond her understanding? The answers eluded her, but one thing was certain: whoever or whatever had done this was extraordinarily powerful and highly dangerous.
Yelan stood up, her eyes scanning the surroundings as if hoping to catch a glimpse of the assailant. But the island was quiet, serene even, the morning light betraying no signs of the violence that had taken place.
She clenched her fists, her determination hardening. Whether or not Momon was involved, this incident needed to be investigated thoroughly. She couldn't afford to let something like this happen again, and she needed to find out who was behind it—before it was too late.