Why did Shenhe and Lin Mo instinctively exchange glances?
Because they were both far too familiar with Mt. Tianheng.
A village near Mt. Tianheng...
After some thought, the only one that came to mind was the former site of Shenhe's exorcist clan.
If that were the case...
Then the story of the loving couple and the terrifying monster likely referred to the incident from years ago when Shenhe was chosen by the villagers and left behind to confront the monster.
Both Lin Mo and Shenhe couldn't help but feel curious.
How could such a tragic story become a widely celebrated legend?
They listened as Yun Jin continued her tale:
"The wife was gathering herbs outside when she was captured by a monster."
"The husband was heartbroken, and later, driven mad by grief..."
"The monster arrogantly told the villagers, 'If you wish to keep your lives, offer up the children of this village to me!'"
"What a terrible villain!" Paimon exclaimed angrily, stomping her foot in mid-air. "Someone needs to teach it a lesson!"
"But the monster was immensely powerful," Yun Jin said with a bitter smile. "The villagers, fearing it, had no choice but to comply with its demand..."
"Just as they were debating which family's child to sacrifice to the monster..."
"A brave little girl stepped forward of her own accord."
"Could she be...?" Paimon's face lit up with anticipation for this heroine's story.
Lin Mo and Shenhe glanced at each other again, sharing a faint smile.
They were now certain this story recounted that very tragedy, though the ending seemed to have been deliberately beautified.
Yun Jin continued, "This girl, hiding an exorcist sword, pretended to be terrified as she walked into the monster's lair. Then, boldly, she struck. After a fierce battle, she finally managed to vanquish the creature."
"Later, due to her exceptional talent, she was taken in by an adeptus, thus completing a legend."
"Unfortunately... the realms of adepti and mortals are forever separate, and she could never return to the mortal world."
"'Karma and worldly ties fade into mist'—that is the conclusion of 'The Divine Damsel of Devastation.'"
"Paimon loves stories like this~!" Paimon said, visibly excited.
She then turned to Lin Mo and Shenhe. "Foreign Envoy... and this... um, white-haired lady whose name I don't know, what do you think of this story?"
"Not bad, not bad. It's a story I like," Lin Mo replied with a light smile, his gaze shifting to Shenhe.
"I like this story very much," Shenhe said, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. "But in my view, perhaps the little girl in the opera... wasn't as brave as everyone says. She probably... doesn't deserve such praise."
"I hadn't considered that..." Yun Jin nodded thoughtfully. "After all, opera creation involves interpretation and dramatization; it inevitably adapts real people and events. When my father wrote this opera, he likely intended for the 'Divine Damsel' within it to inspire more people through her story."
"Mm. I think it's a good story. An ideal story, in my view," Shenhe said softly, nodding.
"Mmm... Hearing such a story has inspired Paimon too!" Paimon declared, flying into the middle of the group cheerfully. "Let's perk up and go find the 'Stellar Iron Ore' and 'Mysterious Gleam Stone'!"
"But... where are these ores?" Ying, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke up.
"I know. Everyone, just follow me," Lin Mo said immediately, leading the way with Yae Miko, now in her small fox form, trotting ahead of the group.
The vast and resource-rich land of Liyue was like Lin Mo's home; he could remember where every treasure was.
And the direction Lin Mo was now leading Shenhe...
Was precisely towards the village mentioned in the opera, "The Divine Damsel of Devastation."
Along the way, the group successfully dug up several pieces of "Stellar Iron Ore" from the foot of the mountain.
"Now, we're only missing the 'Mysterious Gleam Stone' to gather all the materials for the 'Fogbreaker,'" Yun Jin said, looking at Lin Mo. "Teacher Lin, do you know the specific location of the 'Mysterious Gleam Stone'?"
"I might know."
This time, it was Shenhe who spoke up first from the side.
"..." Lin Mo didn't answer.
Instead, he watched Shenhe's gaze as it fell upon the distant, abandoned village.
He knew Shenhe was probably feeling homesick.
Shenhe looked towards the direction of the village and said, "There's a village over there. That village once used 'Mysterious Gleam Stone' as material for exorcist swords. Everyone, let's go take a look."
"Exorcist swords..." Yun Jin's eyes brightened. "Then let's go."
Prompted by Shenhe's words, she realized that village was very likely the one mentioned in the story of "The Divine Damsel of Devastation."
Lin Mo also looked at Paimon and nodded with a smile. "Let's go, little Paimon~"
"Shinobu has turned back into a little fox again~" Paimon said, settling onto Lin Mo's shoulder.
She patted the fox's back lightly. ["Shinobu, you're much cuter and more approachable like this~"]
The group continued walking towards the abandoned village.
It was no longer as prosperous as it had been in the past.
After the incident years ago, most of the villagers had relocated elsewhere.
Just as they were about to reach the abandoned village...
"That abandoned village... is there someone there?" Yun Jin asked uncertainly, peering into the distance.
Paimon immediately cried out excitedly, "There really seems to be someone! Let's go check it out!"
The group exchanged glances, nodded, and quickened their pace.
Though when Shenhe looked at that figure, a trace of complexity seemed to flicker in her eyes.
Soon, they arrived at the abandoned village.
"There really is someone here~ Yun Jin, you weren't mistaken~" Paimon chattered as she flew towards the elderly man standing alone at the village entrance. Politely, she said, "Hello, grandfather~ We'd like to ask for some information~"
But the old man merely kept his eyes closed, his back turned to the group, seemingly unwilling to respond.
Unwilling to give up, Yun Jin stepped forward and said courteously, "Greetings, grandfather. We are passing through and would like to ask if you have any clues regarding the 'Mysterious Gleam Stone.'"
The old man seemed to think for a moment.
He appeared somewhat impatient.
He simply raised his arm and pointed towards the abandoned village.
"Does he mean... for us to go look for clues in the village ourselves?" Paimon wondered curiously.
"Let's search on our own," Lin Mo said with a smile, looking at the group. "Paimon, Ying, Yun Jin, Shenhe, let's split up and search different corners of the village for any useful clues."
"Shen... Shenhe!"
That name instantly elicited a reaction from the old man.
He immediately turned around, his gaze falling upon Shenhe.
"A... A-He!"
"Lord Lin Mo, you are here too!"
The old man's reaction took everyone by surprise.
He quickly walked up to Lin Mo and Shenhe and excitedly grasped Lin Mo's hands.
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T/N:
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