Lucas quickly gathered his thoughts.
A mother's mother is a grandmother.
The woman before him must be Ganyu's foster mother, Cloud Retainer.
"You must be Master Cloud Retainer, right?" Lucas said sweetly. "Ganyu Mama often talks about you."
"Oh?" Xianyun's gaze softened further at the polite and well-mannered boy. "And what does Ganyu say about me?"
Uh-oh…
Ganyu immediately tensed up, her heart racing.
She rarely talked about Cloud Retainer, but on the few occasions she did, her descriptions included, "Her character is naturally excellent, but she doesn't quite know how to talk to people. She claims to be an expert in communication, yet often unintentionally brings up people's embarrassing pasts, which can be a headache."
If Lucas repeated that, the one getting their bottom smacked this time would be her.
"Ganyu Mama says…" Lucas's eyes sparkled with feigned innocence. "She says you're eloquent, wise, and have a deep understanding of how to deal with others. She said I should learn from you if I ever get the chance."
Ganyu let out a breath of relief and gave Lucas a discreet thumbs-up.
Good boy! Mama's love for you is well-placed! Unlimited milk for you!
"This child is just delightful!" Xianyun nodded approvingly. "In that case, why don't you come back to Aozang Mountain with Grandma? I'll teach you all the conversational skills I've mastered over my lifetime. By the time you return to Liyue Harbor, you'll be a social butterfly, able to charm anyone!"
Yeah, right. More like he'd offend everyone and get beaten to death within a week.
"No way!" Ganyu immediately pulled Lucas into her arms, her protective instincts flaring. "My Baby and I are inseparable. Even one day apart feels unbearable. You can't take him from me!"
"Calm yourself, child. I was merely joking," Xianyun said with a chuckle. "You still haven't outgrown your tendency to take everything at face value."
Xianyun sighed nostalgically and began recounting a story to Lucas. "When your mother was a little girl, she accidentally swallowed a watermelon seed while eating. I told her it would sprout in her stomach. She was so scared she didn't drink water for three days, claiming she wanted to 'thirst the seed to death.'"
Lucas burst into laughter at the tale, and even Shenhe, who rarely smiled, let a faint curve grace her lips.
"Stop talking about that!" Ganyu's cheeks flushed crimson as she pouted. "That was ages ago!"
"Ah, yes," Xianyun said, gesturing toward Shenhe. "This is your Junior Disciple Shenhe, my youngest apprentice. Technically, she's your mother's junior, so you should call her Aunt Shenhe."
"Aunt Shenhe!" Lucas greeted sweetly, raising his hands.
While most women would have melted at his adorable charm, Shenhe's reaction was cold and indifferent. She simply nodded and said, "Hello."
Well, this one's a tough nut to crack…
Lucas maintained his angelic smile, but inwardly, he was already plotting.
No matter. Climbing a frigid mountain like her is always more exciting.
"Shenhe," Xianyun instructed, "keep Lucas company for a while. I need to speak with your senior."
Shenhe frowned slightly, clearly unaccustomed to dealing with children. However, she couldn't disobey her master's orders and nodded reluctantly. "Understood."
Ganyu followed Xianyun into another room. The moment the door closed, Xianyun's expression turned serious. "Ganyu, don't you find that child… unusual?"
Ganyu froze.
Could it be? Had Cloud Retainer's immortal vision seen through Lucas's true identity?
"You already noticed?" Ganyu, unable to lie convincingly to her foster mother, nodded nervously. "Yes… Lucas is indeed…"
"Unusually adorable!" Xianyun interrupted with a doting smile. "He's just like you when you were little! Except… not as chubby."
"That last part was entirely unnecessary…" Ganyu muttered, her expression complicated. "Is that what you meant by 'unusual'?"
"What else?" Xianyun asked matter-of-factly. "When Yuheng mentioned him to me, I was skeptical. But after seeing him, I understand now. Even I would be tempted to adopt such a lovable child."
Cloud Retainer was famously selective about whom she took in, adopting Ganyu out of a promise to her parents and Shenhe for her exceptional aptitude and resilience.
Relieved that Cloud Retainer hadn't discerned Lucas's true nature, Ganyu relaxed slightly. Still, she couldn't help but ask, "I hesitated to tell you about Lucas because… his origins are not exactly… clean."
"Ganyu," Xianyun said sternly, "since when did I teach you to judge people by their lineage? Even if his parents were thieves or villains, with your guidance, he could still grow into an upstanding individual."
Ganyu bit her lip, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.
His parents are far more terrifying than mere thieves…
Xianyun patted Ganyu's shoulder. "Now then, aside from meeting my grandson, I have another request."
"Anything within my power, I'll gladly do," Ganyu replied earnestly.
"It concerns your junior, Shenhe," Xianyun began. "She has trained diligently under me for years, and I am very fond of her. However, she is still mortal and cannot remain by my side forever. Eventually, she must return to the mortal world. I wish for her to stay here for a time and acclimate to life among humans."
"That's no problem at all," Ganyu agreed without hesitation. "This house is far too big for just the two of us. I'm sure Lucas would be delighted to have an aunt around."
Meanwhile
"Aunt Shenhe!" Lucas called out, raising his arms expectantly. "Carry me!"
This tactic had won Lucas countless hugs from beautiful women, a seemingly foolproof move.
However, Shenhe instinctively stepped back and frowned slightly. "Please do not approach me."
"Huh?" Lucas's face fell, feigning hurt. "Do you… dislike me?"
"It's not that," Shenhe said, shaking her head. "I was born under the rare and ominous Solitary Star and Disastrous Evil Fate. Anyone close to me is destined to suffer misfortune."
Shenhe wasn't exaggerating. This fate was an exceptionally rare and destructive astrological alignment, both dangerous to herself and those around her.
Only through the use of celestial restraints and rituals had her fate been suppressed.
Cloud Retainer's request for Ganyu to house Shenhe wasn't just for her mortal acclimation. Ganyu's auspicious aura as a qilin might help purify Shenhe's overwhelming malice.
While her fate was a curse to ordinary mortals, it was a blessing to someone like Lucas. As the child of the fearsome Gluttony, Shenhe's ominous energy could harmonize with his own, creating a "negative plus negative equals positive" effect.
If Lucas could consume Shenhe's cursed fate, it would provide immense benefits to his cultivation.
However, consuming a fate was vastly different from absorbing an ability. If Lucas recklessly devoured Shenhe's body, the resulting clash of malevolent energies could cause his "World Within the Stomach" to explode entirely.
According to ancient texts, to consume a fate, one must achieve harmony with its bearer—uniting Yin and Yang, aligning life energies seamlessly.
The Solitary Star and Disastrous Evil—I must have it!
As the young boy's face broke into a peculiar grin, entirely mismatched with his age, Shenhe felt a chill run down her spine. She frowned and asked, "What are you smiling about?"
"Oh, it's nothing," Lucas said, shaking his head with a harmless smile. "Since I've been nurtured by Ganyu Mama, I've accumulated some auspicious energy in my body. Maybe I won't be affected by your ominous aura."
"Really…?" Shenhe's resolve wavered slightly, her tone uncertain.
"If you don't believe me," Lucas offered, extending a small hand toward her, "you can hold my hand and see for yourself."
Shenhe hesitated. During her training on Aozang Mountain, she often encountered lost travelers. On one occasion, she accidentally brushed against a woman's shoulder, and not long after, the woman was bitten by a venomous red-scaled snake and barely survived.
"Go on, it'll be fine," Lucas encouraged with a smile. "See? There's nothing dangerous around here."
Indeed, this was Ganyu's estate—one of the safest places in all of Liyue Harbor, rivaled only by the floating Jade Chamber and the Golden House.
After a moment of hesitation, Shenhe finally gave in to her curiosity. She reached out her pale hand and gently clasped Lucas'.
A small hand clasped a larger one.
Deep within Shenhe's heart, a soft, unfamiliar sensation stirred.
So this is the warmth of human contact?
Shenhe couldn't recall the last time she had held someone's hand. Though Cloud Retainer had treated her well, the immortal's aloofness always left a subtle distance between them.
The last person to hold her hand had been her father, but that memory was marred by his betrayal when he tricked her into a dark and cold cavern, nearly sacrificing her.
"See? That wasn't so bad," Lucas said, smiling. "Nothing happened, right—"
Before he could finish, a loud thud interrupted him. A fist-sized rock suddenly fell from the sky, grazing his cheek before landing in front of him, creating a noticeable dent in the ground.
If it had been just a few centimeters closer, it would have struck Lucas squarely on the head.
Lucas' face turned pale as fear washed over him.
What kind of cursed luck is this?
Shenhe quickly pulled her hand back, retreating several steps as her brows furrowed deeply. "See? I wasn't lying. Anyone who gets close to me… always encounters misfortune."
After a long pause, Lucas gathered his composure and picked up the rock. To his surprise, it was a raw jade stone, slightly damaged from the fall. When he broke it open, the outer layer crumbled away to reveal a high-quality gemstone inside.
Raw jade stones, known as "unpolished treasures," were highly coveted in Liyue. The jade trade was a cornerstone of the city's economy, and even a small unpolished gem like this could fetch a fortune.
Rocks don't just fall from the sky, especially not ones containing jade…
"Aunt Shenhe, this isn't bad luck!" Lucas said, handing the stone to her. "Look, it's a heavenly blessing! This is an auspicious sign."
Just then, Ganyu and Xianyun emerged from the house.
"Lucas?" Ganyu immediately noticed the gleaming gemstone in his hand. She frowned slightly and said, "You shouldn't accept such valuable gifts from others right after meeting them."
Although she wasn't an expert in jade, her 3,000 years of life experience had given her a sharp eye. Even a glance was enough to tell her that this was no ordinary gem.
"This gem fell from the sky," Lucas explained honestly. "But I guess you could say Aunt Shenhe gave it to me."
"Fell from the sky?" Ganyu looked up instinctively. The vast sky was clear and bright, with only the Jade Chamber floating majestically in the distance. She quickly put two and two together.
"Falling jade stones are not unheard of," Xianyun said nonchalantly. "During the Archon War, I once crafted a catapult and used the plump Ganyu as ammunition. She descended from the heavens and crushed hundreds of monsters."
What in the world? That's some divine justice.
"That's not true!" Ganyu protested, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "At most… it was a few dozen!"
Xianyun chuckled heartily. "Ah, the memory still brings me joy." Turning to leave, she added, "The hour grows late. Having seen my grandson, I'll take my leave."
"Senior, Lucas, farewell." Shenhe bowed slightly, ready to depart.
"No, you're staying," Xianyun said, shaking her head. "I've arranged for you to remain in Liyue to continue your training."
"Stay here?" Shenhe froze, her gaze tinged with sorrow. "Even you… are abandoning me?"
"Don't be absurd," Xianyun replied. "This is simply an opportunity for you to experience life among mortals. If it proves uncomfortable, you can always return to Mt. Aozang—that is your home, too."
With those words, Xianyun transformed into a celestial crane and soared into the sky. Shenhe silently watched her leave, then bowed deeply in her direction.
"Alright, Junior Sister," Ganyu said kindly. "From now on, you'll live here with us. You won't have to worry about food or clothes."
"What is there to worry about?" Shenhe replied flatly. "On the way here, I saw plenty of tables laden with food. If I get hungry, I can simply help myself."
Having spent years in the wilderness, surviving on spiritual herbs and grasses, Shenhe had no concept of money.
"Those are goods for sale, purchased with mora," Ganyu patiently explained. "In Liyue, you must work to earn your food. That's the rule."
"That's easy," Shenhe said earnestly. "I'll just ask the wealthiest person in Liyue for some mora."
"Technically, that would be considered 'robbery,' which is illegal," Ganyu said with a sigh. A thought seemed to cross her mind, and her tone shifted. "Speaking of the wealthiest person in Liyue, I do have some grievances to address with her…"
Liyue Harbor, Jade Chamber
As the personal domain of Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, the Jade Chamber was an exclusive location. Only a select few had unrestricted access, and as an emissary of the Qixing, Ganyu was one of them.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise!" Ningguang greeted warmly as Ganyu entered her office with Lucas in tow. Rising from her seat, she approached with a radiant smile. "And who is this adorable little one? He must be your adopted son!"
"He is my son. There's no need to add the word 'adopted,'" Ganyu said, her brows furrowing slightly.
Years ago, when Ganyu sought to adopt Lucas, the proposal was met with staunch opposition from the Qixing—including Ningguang herself.
Now, seeing Ningguang casually compliment Lucas's cuteness as if nothing had happened, Ganyu's straightforward nature made her feel slightly uncomfortable.
-
"Looks like my words were clumsy," Ningguang said, staring at Lucas for a long moment before smiling. "I didn't expect that the little baby from back then would grow into such a handsome young boy."
"I didn't come here for a friendly visit today," Ganyu said coldly, placing the shattered fragments of the falling jade stone and the gemstone on Ningguang's desk. "Do you recognize this jade stone?"
Ningguang, ever diplomatic, instantly recognized that Ganyu was not in a good mood. She frowned slightly and replied, "The Jade Chamber did indeed purchase a batch of raw jade stones some time ago. I originally intended to use them for leisure when I had free time. Perhaps a crow carried one or two pieces away."
Ningguang understood Ganyu's temperament well.
Although Ganyu was of semi-immortal bloodline, she lacked the aloofness typical of immortals. She was usually warm and gentle in her dealings with others. To see her this stern and cold was a rare occurrence, even for Ningguang.
"According to Liyue law, the owner of falling objects is responsible for any resulting damages," Ganyu said icily. "This jade stone almost hit Lucas earlier. The construction of the Jade Chamber itself poses several safety hazards. If I use this incident as grounds to impeach you, the Jade Chamber may not survive."
Although Ganyu was usually kind and mild-mannered, she had no mercy for those who endangered her son—even if they were as prestigious as a member of the Qixing.
In Liyue, Ganyu had never been afraid of offending people with more seniority—because none of them could match her centuries-long experience.
If anyone else had made such a threat, Ningguang might have dismissed it. But since it came from Ganyu, the situation was different.
Moreover, Ganyu's junior, Yanfei, a fellow semi-immortal, was Liyue Harbor's top legal expert. If a lawsuit were to happen, Ningguang's entire legal team would struggle to hold their ground against her.
Even someone as composed and shrewd as Ningguang couldn't afford to take this matter lightly. The Jade Chamber wasn't just her life's work—it was also her pride and joy. Seeing that Ganyu was genuinely upset, Ningguang quickly adjusted her tone. "I admit that there was negligence on my part. I hope Lady Ganyu will give me a chance. I will ensure stricter management moving forward."
"That depends on whether Lucas is willing to forgive you," Ganyu said, patting Lucas on the shoulder. "Baby, what do you say?"
Ningguang understood perfectly: to resolve this matter, she needed to make the boy happy. She bent down slightly, smiled, and said, "Can you forgive Auntie Ningguang? Whatever you ask for, Auntie will agree to it."
Though Ningguang looked no older than twenty herself, calling herself "Auntie" felt more appropriate given Lucas's status as Ganyu's son. Referring to herself as "sister" might have undermined her standing.
Having someone powerful on his side was truly delightful!
How many five-year-olds in all of Liyue Harbor could make someone as prestigious as Tianquan Ningguang smile and beg for forgiveness?
"The Jade Chamber is really pretty," Lucas said with a sly glint in his eyes. "I'd like to visit anytime I want!"
Ningguang chuckled inwardly at how easily children could be pleased. She retrieved a small token from her sleeve and handed it to Lucas. "This is the Tianquan Token. With this, you can come and go from the Jade Chamber as you please—no need for prior notice."
The token, though small, was intricately crafted with gold and jade.
As Ganyu's son , Lucas didn't need such a token to access the Jade Chamber. But in all of Liyue Harbor, fewer than a handful of people had the privilege of holding this token—and they were all prominent figures.
"Wow! Yay!" Lucas clutched the token in his hand, beaming. "Mama Ganyu, can I come often to play?"
Seeing her son so happy, Ganyu's anger subsided somewhat. Moreover, Ningguang's gesture of goodwill was indeed sincere. She nodded. "As long as you don't disturb your Auntie Ningguang while she's working or resting."
Noticing Ganyu's softened demeanor, Ningguang seized the moment, pinching Lucas's cheek gently. "This child is so sweet and lovable. If Lady Ganyu doesn't mind, how about letting me be his godmother?"
Knowing how much Ganyu adored Lucas, she naturally wanted him to receive all of her affection. Still, she was aware that Ningguang, being young and already occupying the Tianquan seat, had boundless potential. Forming closer ties with her could only bring benefits.
"That would be wonderful," Ganyu replied after a moment's thought. "Lucas, call her godmother."
"Godmother!" Lucas said cheerfully without hesitation.
"Good boy!" Ningguang picked him up and held him in her arms, her expression full of genuine affection.
Though Ningguang had many admirers, she was always too occupied with work to focus on personal matters. Still, she was a woman—and holding such an adorable child naturally awakened her maternal instincts.
Ganyu felt both proud and a little disheartened.
It seemed she would have to ensure Lucas got plenty of milk to remind him who his real mother was!
However, nestled in Ningguang's arms, Lucas's face bore a subtle, mischievous grin.
His request wasn't just about visiting the Jade Chamber. His true goal was its owner—Ningguang herself.
Though the Qixing lacked a formal ranking, Ningguang, as Tianquan, was widely regarded as their leader. She was one of the most powerful and wealthy figures in Liyue. Winning her favor would undoubtedly benefit Lucas' future endeavors.
Who would've thought he'd unexpectedly become her godson? With these two maternal figures supporting him, Lucas would be unstoppable in Liyue!
[Reward Received: Talent "Tianquan's Favor"]
[Effect: Increases business acumen by 50%]
[Exiting Immersive Mode]
[Switching to Text Mode]
[Age 6: You became the first minor granted unrestricted access to the Jade Chamber, Tianquan Ningguang's private residence. You frequently visited to play, and your bond with Ningguang deepened over time.]
[The Jade Chamber's vast library provided endless opportunities for learning. Ningguang would sometimes play with you during her free time, occasionally teaching you valuable lessons, resulting in significant personal growth.]
[Age 7: A year passed since Shenhe moved in. She still struggled to adjust to human society.]
[Age 8: At your "insistent requests," Shenhe occasionally began teaching you basic immortal arts and techniques. Though your true form was that of the beast Gluttony, being nourished by Ganyu's qilin nectar from a young age had imbued you with abundant celestial energy, making it easier for you to learn.]
[Age 9: Your innate talent was extraordinary. No matter the subject, your learning speed outpaced ordinary people. You quickly mastered much of Ningguang's business acumen, and she seemed to view you as a potential successor.]
[Having no children of her own and no interest in suitors, she began treating you like her heir.]
[Age 10: The seventeenth attempt to quit drinking milk failed. Despite repeatedly telling herself you were too old to depend on her nectar, Ganyu couldn't resist your pleading and always gave in.]
[Moreover, her own body had grown accustomed to your presence. Without your regular help draining her excess energy, Ganyu herself would feel unwell and struggle to sleep.]
[Age 11: Ganyu's personal clothing no longer fits her. Of course, this isn't because she gained weight.]
[What's more troubling is that even her custom-made attire, the "Frostdew Trail," designed and gifted by Cloud Retainer herself, accidentally became too tight and ripped.]
[Fortunately, due to your presence, Cloud Retainer began visiting Liyue more frequently and soon crafted a new outfit for Ganyu. Naturally, the new design retained the same… prominent aesthetic as before.]
[Age 12: Over the past seven years, you've grown from a little boy into a charming and handsome teenager. Thanks to your "rich nutrition" since childhood, your development is exceptionally rapid. You now look like you're 14 or 15 and are nearly as tall as Shenhe.]
[As for Shenhe, perhaps due to her cultivation of immortal arts, her appearance hasn't changed over the years. However, her aura has become increasingly cold and detached. She speaks only when interacting with those she is close to.]
[Driven by her dedication to slaying demons and purging evil, Shenhe even joined the Adventurers' Guild. She only accepts tasks related to eliminating demons and spirits. While these tasks offer lucrative rewards, such foes are far more formidable than regular monsters, making such commissions rare and dangerous.]
[As you've grown older, your perspective has gradually shifted. Although Ganyu is your "mother-killer," living with her over time has made you increasingly aware of her immense power. Even after centuries of cultivation, you might never surpass her.]
[To quickly enhance your strength, sticking to conventional cultivation would yield limited results. Thus, you decided to take an unconventional approach—using your "World Within the Stomach" ability to devour and absorb the power of others.]
[While Liyue Harbor has many strong individuals worth targeting, acting within the city risks attracting too much attention. So, you found another target—the adventurers.]
[In reality, adventurers aren't like the protagonists in fantasy novels, enjoying exciting adventures while earning handsome rewards.]
[In fact, adventuring is a highly dangerous profession, especially for those without the blessings of a Vision. They often live on the edge, risking their lives every day.]
[You observe the Adventurers' Guild from the shadows, waiting for adventurer teams to accept their tasks. Once they leave, you quietly tail them.]
[When the adventurers are busy battling monsters, that's when you strike—taking advantage of the chaos to devour both the adventurers and the monsters, all in one go.]
[Compared to monsters, humans contain far richer energy. More importantly, beyond sheer strength, you can also draw power from their "emotions" by devouring them.]
[Anger, fear, sorrow… These emotions are not only delicious to someone like you, Beast of Gluttony, but can also be converted into pure energy.]
[However, those you devour don't actually "die." They're absorbed into your World Within the Stomach, becoming a part of your being.]
[It's not uncommon for adventurers to die during missions, and missing adventurers whose bodies are never found are even more frequent.]
[Of course, these tragedies do have their "beneficiaries." The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, for instance, profits from arranging symbolic funerals with empty tombs even when there's no corpse.]
[The current Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, though young, is highly skilled. Sometimes you wonder: if you told her that you were responsible for creating all these "deaths," would Director Hu Tao offer you a share of her profits?]
[Age 13: The unusual number of adventurer disappearances soon caught the attention of the Adventurers' Guild. After all, if adventurers who had purchased life insurance through the Guild met with misfortune, the Guild would incur significant costs.]
[However, the Guild struggled to find any leads on these mysterious disappearances, let alone suspect you.]
[At the same time, sightings of demonic beasts in Liyue's territory have increased. Unlike ordinary monsters, demonic beasts are typically born of malice and corruption. Ordinary adventurers are no match for them.]
[Many believe the rash of adventurer disappearances is due to these demonic beasts.]
[While Liyue is home to many powerful individuals capable of repelling such threats, the villages and towns within its borders frequently fall victim to demonic beast attacks.]
[Just as adventurer deaths benefit the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the appearance of demonic beasts has allowed Liyue's exorcist families to flourish, raising their fees for dealing with such threats. Although the people suffer from these predatory practices, they have no choice but to pay for their survival.]
[However, Shenhe, equally skilled in slaying demons, has not raised her prices. Following her master's teachings, she helps the people of Liyue for free.]
[Her unselfish regard for the welfare of others has earned her the gratitude of countless villagers. For the first time, Shenhe begins to feel a sense of belonging, easing her internal turmoil.]
[But Shenhe's charitable actions anger the exorcist families. They soon discover she is a member of their branch family and possesses the rare and dangerous "Solitary Star and Disastrous Evil Fate" constitution, which once "cursed" her parents to death.]
[To protect their own interests, the main family begins spreading rumors, accusing Shenhe of being a curse-bringer. They claim the red ropes she wears are to suppress her malice, warning that if she loses control, she could be more dangerous than the demonic beasts she fights.]
[Age 14: At first, people were reluctant to believe these claims. But over time, they noticed that disasters seemed to follow Shenhe wherever she went. Those who interacted with her often met with misfortune soon after.]
[Coupled with her strange red ropes, her fierce combat style, and her otherworldly silver hair, the people grew increasingly fearful and alienated from her.]
[Disheartened, Shenhe began to withdraw, isolating herself in her room and refusing to go out, even when Ganyu tried to comfort her.]
[One day, Shenhe received a sealed letter from the exorcist family. Though you didn't know its contents, after reading it, Shenhe left the house. You decided…]
[1. Follow her directly.]
[2. Read the letter first before deciding.]
"Choose the second option."
Given Lucas' cautious nature, he would rarely act rashly.
[You easily sneaked into Shenhe's room and found the letter on the table. Without hesitation, you picked it up. The letter was from her exorcist family.]
[It proposed relocating her parents to the ancestral burial grounds.]
[You knew that, given the family's history with Shenhe, they were likely planning to impose unreasonable conditions. Without further thought, you set out for their estate.]
[While informing Ganyu would undoubtedly resolve the matter quickly, you had a different plan. This could be an excellent opportunity to push Shenhe toward "corruption."]
[The family's headquarters were located in a quiet, secluded part of Liyue Harbor. This exorcist family had existed for centuries, growing steadily over time.]
[However, you knew their prowess mostly relied on ancestral artifacts and talismans. Truly powerful members of their clan had long since dwindled.]
[You infiltrated their estate effortlessly. The two gatekeepers didn't even notice the faint sound of your movements.]
[Following the trail of Shenhe's lingering scent, you quickly found the meeting hall. Standing at the door, you decided…]
[1. Sneak in quietly.]
[2. Enter directly.]
"Sneak in quietly."
[Switching to Immersive Mode.]
Lucas' choice transported his consciousness into the scene. He now stood on the rafters of the meeting hall, peering down. Inside, around 20 to 30 people were seated in two rows. At the head of the room was an elderly man, his face lined with age yet full of vitality.
Lucas recognized him from past encounters: the clan patriarch. Most others in the room were prominent figures within the family.
Shenhe stood in the center of the room. Despite the whispered remarks around her, her expression remained calm and composed.
"Ahem…" The patriarch coughed lightly before speaking in a steady tone. "Ah-He…"
"Just call me Shenhe," she interrupted coldly. "We're not that close."
"Insolence!" snapped one of the elders, standing abruptly. "A mere branch family girl dares to speak so rudely to the patriarch?"
"Enough," the patriarch said, waving a hand to calm the elder. "Shenhe, do you know why you were summoned today?"
"Are you senile?" Shenhe replied, frowning. "Didn't you write that letter yourselves?"
Her bluntness made even the usually composed patriarch's expression darken. "Then I'll get straight to the point. Would you like your parents relocated to the ancestral burial grounds? In return, you could return to the main family and no longer be a wandering outcast."
"They're already dead. What does it matter where they're buried?" Shenhe said indifferently. "As for me, I already have a home. I don't need to come back."
The gathered elders exchanged astonished glances.
They had planned to use this offer as leverage for negotiations, but Shenhe showed no interest in their "bargaining chips."
"If that's the case…" the patriarch said, his brow furrowing. "Why did you agree to come?"
"You proposed these terms because you wanted something from me," Shenhe said coolly. "I was curious to know what it was. Now that I know, I plan to reject you outright."
Hearing this, Lucas, still perched on the rafters, nearly burst into laughter.
Classic Shenhe—not only flipping the table but smashing it to pieces.
The elders were visibly furious. Shenhe had already encroached on their business before, and now her defiance stoked their rage even further.
-
"Shenhe, it seems I've been too lenient with you." The clan patriarch rose slowly, his face stern and commanding. "Whether part of the main family or a branch, all members of our clan must obey the patriarch. Don't think that learning a few crooked techniques from some reclusive immortal allows you to disregard the clan."
Such words could only be uttered here. If they reached Cloud Retainer's ears, her temper would ensure she descended to create a scene until her fury was satisfied.
"I do disregard you," Shenhe said coldly, sweeping her gaze across the room. "What will you do about it?"
"Niece Shenhe," a corpulent middle-aged exorcist said with a lecherous grin, "since you're so headstrong, we won't hold back. Recently, the family uncovered an ancient manuscript describing a powerful technique that requires a woman of the Solitary Star and Disastrous Evil constitution as a furnace."
Shenhe's face darkened with fury. "So that's your plan. You want to use me as some kind of tool? You're worse than animals!"
"This is for the prosperity of the family," the patriarch said, a sinister gleam in his murky eyes. "The technique even grants extended life and rejuvenation. Shenhe, offer your body and prolong my life."
At his words, the doors to the hall suddenly slammed shut. The people inside rose to their feet, weapons drawn. Clearly, they had prepared for resistance from the beginning.
"Don't resist, dear niece," the corpulent exorcist said, walking toward her with a malicious smile. "The technique is beneficial for the woman, too. You'll—"
Before he could finish, there was a loud thud. Lucas leapt down from above, stomping on the man's face with enough force to send his massive body flying several meters, crashing into the wall.
"Lucas?" Shenhe exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Just enjoying the show," Lucas said casually. "At first, I thought I'd entered a zoo and found a bunch of livestock. Turns out, it's a circus full of clowns."
"Isn't he Ganyu's adopted son?" someone in the crowd whispered, recognizing Lucas.
He grinned and replied, "That's right. So, what are you going to do about it? Go ahead—try me."
Before anyone could respond, a dark mist suddenly surrounded Lucas.
Lucas felt a strange discomfort throughout his body. When the mist dissipated, two black horns had sprouted from his head, and his sharp fangs gleamed ominously.
What's going on? Why am I suddenly revealing my demon form?
Not only was Lucas stunned, but the exorcists in the room were equally shocked. To see Ganyu's adopted son turn out to be a demon was beyond their comprehension.
"I see now!" The patriarch sneered. "This hall was originally a demon-refining chamber. The floor still contains the old formation that forces demons and fiends to reveal their true forms."
"Well, that simplifies things," a tall, thin exorcist said with a smirk. "Shenhe, the rogue branch member, consorting with demons—eliminating her will be a justified act for our family."
"How can this be?" Shenhe whispered, disbelief evident in her tone. "You're… a demon?"
Having lived alongside Lucas for nearly a decade, the revelation that he was a demon—her sworn enemy—was hard for her to accept.
"What if I am?" Lucas scoffed. "Look at these people around you. They may be human, but they're more despicable and shameless than demons."
Shenhe had no retort. She had returned to the family harboring a sliver of hope that they had turned over a new leaf, willing to move her parents' remains and accept her. But it was clear now—they only wanted to exploit her as a sacrifice for their desires.
"Well, bad luck for you all," Lucas shrugged. "I had only planned to teach you a small lesson, but now that you've seen my true form, I'll have to silence you permanently."
The statement sounded incongruous coming from a 14-year-old boy. Although the exorcist clan had declined over the years, their best experts were gathered in this hall, specializing in dealing with demons. They dismissed Lucas as a threat.
"Take this!" A swordsman lunged at Lucas, seemingly eager to earn merit by striking first.
But before anyone could blink, a shadow flashed across the room. When the darkness cleared, the swordsman's body had been cleaved in half. His head remained attached to his neck, but most of his torso was missing, as if it had been bitten off by a massive beast. His remaining organs spilled onto the floor.
Lucas wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and smirked. "Tch. You taste awful. Are all of you this unappetizing?"
In a mere moment, Lucas had unleashed the gluttonous jaws of his beast form, devouring the swordsman's flesh and blood entirely—not sealing it within his World Within the Stomach, but consuming it directly.
"Lucas, what is going on—" Shenhe's words were cut off as her vision blurred. A bloody haze clouded her mind.
Lucas stood before her, holding a broken red rope—the very one that suppressed her berserk nature.
"Forgive me, Aunt Shenhe," Lucas said softly. Shenhe's fading consciousness barely registered his final words: "Join me in the abyss."
Shenhe awoke sometime later, her red ropes intact once more. As her vision cleared, despair etched itself onto her face.
Corpses. So many corpses.
Few were intact. Shattered remains of flesh and entrails stained every surface red.
The dead were not just those vile men from the meeting hall but also other clan members—innocent women and children.
Her silver hair and clothing were soaked in blood. Under her nails, pieces of flesh and gore clung stubbornly.
Without the red ropes, Shenhe's berserk state had unleashed utter carnage. On Mt. Aozang, she once lost control and massacred hundreds of animals. Worse, she retained every memory of those frenzied moments, each act of brutality etched into her mind, tormenting her endlessly.
Now, the events from earlier replayed vividly in her thoughts.
"Aunt Shenhe," Lucas said, waiting nearby as she stirred. Seeing her awake, he asked, "How are you feeling?"
"You demon!" Shenhe roared, striking Lucas with her fist. Her punch landed squarely on his left cheek with a resounding thud.
Shenhe's immense strength would have shattered a normal person's skull. Yet, Lucas only bled slightly from the corner of his mouth.
"Why didn't you dodge?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger.
"If hitting me makes you feel better, go ahead," Lucas said calmly. "They wanted to kill us. If we didn't kill them first, we'd be dead. It wasn't our fault."
"But I killed innocents too," Shenhe said in despair, clutching her head. "Women… children…"
"In a toppled nest, no eggs remain intact," Lucas said flatly. "If we spared them, they'd come after us. Besides, my being a demon cannot be exposed. If word got out, it would tarnish Mama Ganyu's reputation."
"But I know your secret," Shenhe said coldly. "Will you kill me to silence me too?"
"Most of the bodies here were your doing," Lucas said with a smile. "The letter they sent you is solid evidence. Who do you think the Ministry of Civil Affairs would believe is the culprit?"
"You're framing me?" Shenhe said, her voice shaking with fury. "Why… why would you do this to me?"
Though Shenhe was usually aloof, she had come to see Lucas and Ganyu as family. Now, one of them had betrayed her so cruelly.
"Because I care about you, Aunt Shenhe," Lucas said, wrapping his arms around her. "I want to end your suffering. You saw it, didn't you? Those hypocritical humans are worse than beasts. Didn't you feel a thrill when you slaughtered those vile clan members?"
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Author's Note: I wanted to post an even longer chapter... But I had to go out somewhere yesterday and didn't want to keep you waiting too long. Well, I'll post some more tonight if I have time!