Jiang Chen worked from nine to five, clocking out on time. After finishing his day's work, he headed home. Returning to the large mansion Ningguang had gifted him, Lumine and Paimon had already prepared dinner. Havria and Guizhong had also returned. Seeing Guizhong, Jiang Chen couldn't help but ask:
"How are things with Cloud Retainer?"
"Have you been keeping an eye on it?"
Jiang Chen looked curiously at Guizhong, who was sitting nearby. Cloud Retainer had left without any news. Had she resolved Shenhe's issue?
"I don't know!"
"She hasn't returned yet."
"Probably will see her tomorrow."
Guizhong shrugged in response to Jiang Chen's question. She really wasn't sure about the situation. Cloud Retainer hadn't returned yet, so there was no confirmation on whether Shenhe's problem had been resolved. They'd have to wait for her return to find out.
Hearing this, Jiang Chen stroked his chin.
"With Falan's power, solving Shenhe's issue shouldn't be too difficult."
"If she hasn't returned yet, it's likely there's been progress."
"Otherwise, she would've been back by now."
Given Cloud Retainer's speed, finding Falan and returning wouldn't have been too hard. After all, Falan and the others were currently in the Guili Plains, carrying out Jiang Chen's orders to deal with the remnants of demonic energy there.
"It shouldn't be a big problem."
"Since you said Falan can handle it, then she definitely can."
Guizhong wasn't too worried. The Yakshas were now in a good state, with their abilities focused on dealing with karmic debt. So, resolving such issues shouldn't be too difficult. They just had to wait.
As they chatted, over at Wangshu Inn in the Guili Plains, Cloud Retainer, in her human form, watched nervously as Falan worked on Shenhe. The two had been in this position all afternoon. Falan held a conch shell, continuously channeling energy into Shenhe's body to draw out the malevolent energy within.
After Cloud Retainer explained the situation to Falan, Falan understood that it was a relatively simple matter, though a bit troublesome. Since Shenhe's fate was tied to this, they just needed to release the suppressed malevolent energy. Once that was done, Falan could use her own power to alter Shenhe's fate, effectively resolving the issue.
Upon understanding the situation, Cloud Retainer didn't hesitate. She immediately asked Falan to proceed. This was why the process had taken so long.
Under Cloud Retainer's anxious gaze, Falan finally stopped.
"Done!"
"That should take care of it."
As Falan spoke, she didn't stop her movements. She placed a seal on Shenhe's body. This seal couldn't be broken without her Noble Phantasm. Of course, if Jiang Chen were here, he could easily undo the seal.
"Wonderful!"
"Shenhe, how do you feel?"
Hearing Falan's words, Cloud Retainer perked up. Had her disciple's problem finally been resolved? She was thrilled.
"I feel great."
"Unprecedentedly light."
Shenhe felt the changes within her body. A look of astonishment flashed in her eyes. She felt incredibly light, as if a great burden had been lifted. It was unbelievable. The issue that had plagued her for so long was now resolved? It felt almost unreal, like a dream.
"Good, good!!"
"Then there's no problem anymore."
"Falan, I owe you a great debt this time."
Cloud Retainer looked at Falan with utmost seriousness. Her disciple's problem had been solved, all thanks to Falan.
Hearing this, Falan waved her hand.
"No need to thank me!"
"If you want to thank someone, thank Lord Jiang Chen."
"It's because of him that I was resurrected and gained this incredible power."
She believed that the gratitude should go to Jiang Chen. If it weren't for Jiang Chen's power resurrecting them, she wouldn't have this ability. It was all thanks to Jiang Chen.
Hearing Falan's words, Cloud Retainer nodded.
"I'll remember that."
"I'll find a way to repay you all in the future."
No matter who it was, she owed them a debt.
"True Lord, why don't you stay at Wangshu Inn tonight?"
"Have a drink with us siblings?"
At this moment, Bosacius spoke up. The Yakshas were now settled at Wangshu Inn. Since Cloud Retainer was here, it was only natural to share a drink.
Hearing Bosacius's invitation, Cloud Retainer glanced at the sky outside and agreed.
"Alright!"
If she returned now, Guizhong would probably have already eaten. In that case, she might as well stay and drink with the Yakshas.
Seeing Cloud Retainer agree, Indarias hurried off to arrange food. At the same time, she asked the owner of Wangshu Inn to prepare a room for Cloud Retainer. Tonight, they would drink until they dropped!
...
Perhaps it was because her disciple's problem had been resolved, or maybe because her old friends had returned, but Cloud Retainer was in high spirits today. She accidentally drank too much and started rambling about embarrassing stories from Ganyu and Shenhe's childhood.
Shenhe, who had just recovered, still had muted emotions, but they weren't entirely absent. A strange sense of shame made her feel incredibly awkward. This was a completely new sensation for her. Perhaps if Cloud Retainer continued to share more childhood stories in front of others, Shenhe's emotions would fully recover? Laugh!! After all, public embarrassment was the quickest way to stir up emotions.
Shenhe was starting to dislike Cloud Retainer's drinking habits. Whenever she drank, her mouth would run nonstop. It was incredibly frustrating. She hated drunks!!
Shenhe and Cloud Retainer stayed at Wangshu Inn for the night. The next day, they returned. On their way back, they saw Jiang Chen's house. Flying in the sky, Cloud Retainer's eyes lit up when she saw the building.
"Is that Guizhong's house?"
"It seems I'll have to stay there for a while."
A house built by the sea? Not exactly her style. She preferred building in the mountains. But since it was Guizhong's, she didn't comment.
Hearing this, Shenhe couldn't help but glance at it a few times. She would likely have many opportunities to visit in the future.
The two observed from the sky for a while before heading straight to Liyue Harbor. Upon returning, Cloud Retainer immediately found Guizhong and told her about Shenhe's problem being resolved.
Hearing this, Guizhong nodded.
"It's good that it's resolved!"
"Now we have work to do."
"Let's get the mechanical vehicles done first."
"Then there are the road construction machines."
"We're going to be busy."
Thinking about the machines Jiang Chen had described to her yesterday, Guizhong couldn't help but mutter to herself. Excavators, bulldozers, road rollers, and all sorts of construction vehicles. These were the things they needed to create.