Late at night.
Wangshu Inn, which had been empty just a few days ago, was now packed with guests.
In the lobby on the first floor, the innkeeper sat before a large pile of Mora, counting it carefully.
"A thousand Mora—"
"Two thousand Mora—"
"A hundred thousand Mora—"
"A million Mora—"
In just one day, the earnings from tea, tips, meals, and lodging had reached several million Mora—more than they had earned in the previous half-month combined.
The innkeeper, carefully counting the Mora, was grinning from ear to ear.
He felt like rushing to Li Mo's room and kissing him on the cheek.
Just then, a tall woman with an imperious gaze appeared in the lobby.
Seeing the pile of Mora, she too looked surprised.
"To earn so much Mora in a single day…"
"It seems I underestimated that storyteller."
This was none other than the true owner of Wangshu Inn—Ningguang, the Tianquan of Liyue.
She had long received word from the innkeeper that someone was telling stories at her inn.
She had not expected a wandering storyteller to attract such a crowd.
Unfortunately, Ningguang had been busy with Liyue affairs all day and had not had time to visit.
Only now, late at night, had she managed to come.
Seeing Ningguang, the innkeeper quickly set down the Mora.
Smiling, he said, "Indeed—the stories he tells are truly fascinating."
"Someone even asked the adepti about the story concerning Qiqi, and the adepti confirmed that these events truly happened."
"It was indeed an adeptus who sealed Qiqi in amber."
Ningguang's expression showed a flicker of surprise. "Oh? The stories are true? How interesting."
"Where is this storyteller now?"
She was deeply curious.
How could an ordinary storyteller know so much about ancient Inazuma and ancient Liyue?
Could he be a spy sent from another nation?
The innkeeper said cautiously, "The storyteller is staying on the second floor. He should be asleep by now."
"Should I wake him and tell him you wish to see him?"
Ningguang waved her hand. "No need."
"Tomorrow, when he begins his storytelling, let me know."
The Rite of Parting for Rex Lapis had concluded not long ago.
Now, every nation and every faction in Teyvat would have their eyes on Liyue Harbor.
Many forces would also try to infiltrate it.
At a time like this, every member of the Liyue Qixing needed to contribute to Liyue's stability.
With that, Ningguang swept all the Mora from the table into her possession and departed with it.
...
At the same time, on the second floor of the inn, inside an ordinary guest room.
Because there were so many guests today, the Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko had only managed to secure a single room.
They had to share a bed.
The Raiden Shogun lay in bed, clutching Musou Isshin, unable to fall asleep no matter how she tossed and turned.
Beside her, Yae Miko chuckled. "Hehe, Your Excellency, are you still thinking about the storyteller's tales?"
The Raiden Shogun's gaze was cold. "How did you know?"
She had been considering whether to take action tonight and kidnap the storyteller.
Using her ultimate martial skill, she would force him to reveal her brother's whereabouts.
Yae Miko wore an expression that said, "I knew it."
She smiled. "Your Excellency isn't thinking of barging into the storyteller's room and seizing him, are you?"
The Raiden Shogun said coldly, "That's exactly what I'm thinking. Miko, do you have a good plan?"
Clearly, the Raiden Shogun was serious. She wanted to resolve this matter quickly and return to Inazuma as soon as possible.
Yae Miko's expression was playful. "A plan? Just go for it. Beat down Morax, who's staying next door to the storyteller, and then you can take him."
The Raiden Shogun: "…"
If she were confident she could grind Morax into the dirt, she would have done so already.
But as one of the Seven Archons, she had no confidence in dealing with Morax and the mysterious storyteller at the same time.
Yae Miko said, "For now, the best approach is to let him finish his stories."
"Your Excellency, don't you find these tales fascinating?"
The Raiden Shogun: "…"
Yae Miko: "Sleep well. Good night."
Like a little fox, she clutched the Raiden Shogun's arm and drifted off.
The Raiden Shogun: "…"
...
The night passed without incident.
For most people in Liyue Harbor, this was just an ordinary night.
But for those staying at Wangshu Inn, the entire night was filled with anticipation.
Some listeners even dreamed of the stories they had heard during the day.
"I dreamed I became an adeptus and saved Qiqi—"
"I dreamed I was a god of Inazuma, conquering the land alongside the Raiden Shogun, slaying Orobashi with my own hands, and kicking the Thunderbird—"
"I dreamed of a story about the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt—a very sweet story—but I forgot it when I woke up."
"How could you dream it? The storyteller hasn't even told it yet—how did you manage that?"
"Enough talk. I'm going down to grab a seat. Is the storyteller not up yet? Someone go wake him."
"Maybe the storyteller is dreaming too."
Early in the morning, just as the sun rose, the inn's staff had not even started work yet.
The listeners had already risen and gathered in the lobby, vying for the best seats to hear the storytelling.
They were not entirely wrong.
At that moment, the storyteller Li Mo was indeed still asleep, lying sprawled on his bed.
And he was dreaming.
In his dream, Li Mo returned to his second life, becoming Qiqi's master again, holding her small body close in their simple thatched hut as they weathered the cold winter together.
But then, he suddenly felt something move against him, startling him awake.
He jolted upright, only to find it was a dream.
He let out a sigh of relief.
Whew—just a dream. Otherwise, the mission of his hundred lifetimes would have been for nothing.
But the next moment, when Li Mo looked down into his blankets, he saw a small head with a yellow talisman plastered to its forehead, desperately trying to burrow into his arms.
She murmured softly, "Master… Qiqi… missed you…"
Li Mo was dumbfounded. "???"
What was happening?
He had only gone to sleep, and now he woke up to find a little zombie in his bed?