"So... Shenhe had such a tragic past..." Paimon mumbled, her expression clearly unhappy. She seemed to be picturing the scene of Shenhe being pushed toward a monster by her own father.
Little Paimon's gaze toward Shenhe was filled with indignation. Lumine, however, steered the conversation back on track. "Since we have a lead on the Secret-Luster Stone, let's go find it."
Yun Jin nodded in agreement.
...
At that moment, Lin Mo and Shenhe were facing Old Man Mingjun, listening as he and Shenhe recounted the village's past and recent affairs.
Just then, Yun Jin, Paimon, and Lumine approached them.
Paimon was the first to call out cheerfully, "Ambassador! Shenhe! Look, it records the location of the Secret-Luster Stone!" As she spoke, she pointed into the distance. "We just need to go to the lake over there to find it!"
"Is that so?" Shenhe nodded. "Then let's hurry over."
As they were about to leave the abandoned village, Lin Mo turned to Mingjun. "Well, old friend, we'll be off now."
"Remember to come back and visit the village when you have time," Mingjun said with a warm smile directed at Lin Mo. "The children all miss you."
"Alright~" Lin Mo replied with a laugh, wrapping an arm around Shenhe's waist. "When the time comes for Shenhe's and my wedding, we'll send an invitation to the village."
"Yes, I'll also return to the village to share the good news~" Mingjun's smile was kind and gentle. During their earlier conversation, he had learned from Lin Mo about their upcoming wedding.
After Mingjun left with a smile on his face, three pairs of eyes immediately fixed on Lin Mo and Shenhe.
"What's the matter...?" Lin Mo couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Ambassador... you... are having a wedding with Shenhe?" Paimon's face was a picture of astonishment.
"Of course," Lin Mo replied with a smile and a nod.
"But you two..." Paimon started to ask something, but Lumine spoke up beside her.
"Your relationship must also be one of the secrets from the cycle of a hundred lifetimes, right?"
Lin Mo didn't answer directly. However, the way he held Shenhe and smiled was clearly the best answer he could give.
"The cycle of a hundred lifetimes..." Yun Jin couldn't quite comprehend it. Just as she was about to press for details, she happened to meet Shenhe's gaze. She immediately remembered she had something to discuss with Shenhe.
She took a step closer to Shenhe and said respectfully, "Miss Shenhe, I'd like to discuss the opera with you."
Shenhe looked at Yun Jin and slowly nodded.
Yun Jin continued, "It's like this. Just now, we found your father's old notes in the village... There are many discrepancies between 'The Divine Damsel of Devastation' and the actual facts. I wish to correct them..."
"Why change it?" Shenhe immediately interrupted Yun Jin.
Yun Jin looked at Shenhe with a serious, determined gaze. "I've said before, opera itself is an adaptation of reality. Now, the protagonist of the opera is right before my eyes. I cannot ignore your feelings."
"It's alright," Shenhe shook her head. "I very much liked the version you told earlier."
"Hmm?" Yun Jin was somewhat puzzled.
"My master once said that only when I understand how to use my strength for others will I truly be able to integrate into human society. So, I also hope to be like the character in the opera, able to step forward and protect others."
As Shenhe spoke, her eyes unconsciously shifted to the side, looking toward Lin Mo. "Before, I never had the chance to do so, and I didn't know... if I would ever have such an opportunity in the future."
"Don't worry, you certainly will," Yun Jin said with a gentle smile. "You already have such thoughts. You just need a 'chance' to realize them."
Paimon, who had been listening to their 'chat' on the side, had long been unable to hold back. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Shenhe! Yun Jin! Stop chatting over there! Let's hurry up and go!"
As she said this, she even stomped her feet impatiently in mid-air. "If we don't hurry, someone else might snatch up Lady Ningguang's bounty spot!"
"Alright, let's go then," Shenhe nodded.
...
Lin Mo already knew the location of the Secret-Luster Stone. Its precise location was on the mountainside west of the lake center in the southern part of Mt. Tianheng. This trip to the abandoned village was simply to accompany Shenhe on a nostalgic visit.
Soon, the group obtained the final material they needed for their journey—the Secret-Luster Stone.
"Alright! Now we have all the materials!" Paimon held the Secret-Luster Stone happily. "Let's quickly take it to the blacksmith and have him forge it into the 'Pivot of a Thousand Mechanisms' for us!"
"No need, leave it to me," Lin Mo said with a smile, reaching out his hand toward Paimon.
"Huh? Can the Ambassador also craft the 'Pivot of a Thousand Mechanisms'?" Paimon asked in surprise.
"Of course~"
The Pivot of a Thousand Mechanisms? Naturally, it would be a breeze. Just thinking about it, Lin Mo couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. He was mainly imagining what kind of scene it would be if Guizhong and Ningguang were to meet.
At that very moment, the scene Lin Mo was anticipating was unfolding above the Jade Chamber.
On the open terrace of the Jade Chamber, two elegant figures stood side by side, gazing out over the land of Liyue.
"Ningguang... a very lovely name~" Guizhong said sweetly. With a smile, she raised her hand toward Ningguang. "Hello there, ruler of Liyue Harbor. My name is Guizhong. You should have heard of my name, right?"
"Guizhong..." Ningguang looked at this woman whose hair color and appearance were ninety percent similar to her own, her gaze incredibly complex.
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T/N:
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