"'Sir' can have many meanings.
"Firstly, it's a respectful form of address for an older man. It can also be a title for certain professions, like a 'storyteller,' and lastly, it can refer to a person with vast knowledge.
"'Sir Yun' falls into the last category—someone of great wisdom.
"In recent years, many of the popular new plays from the Yunhan Opera Troupe were written by Sir Yun alone. Not only is she a talented performer, but her skills in writing plays also justify the title of 'sir.'"
Zhongli explained this calmly, enlightening little Paimon.
"Oh, I see..." Paimon scratched her head, nodding, though it was unclear if she fully understood.
"It seems the performance is about to start again."
Lumine rested her right elbow on the table, her chin in her palm, and glanced outside with her amber eyes, noticing that the next scene was about to begin.
The moonlight, like silver frost, spilled over the rooftops.
After listening to three consecutive stories about the Geo Emperor, many in the audience were moved to tears, realizing that the Geo Archon had forever left them. As they left the venue, some couldn't stop their tears, deeply mourning the loss of Rex Lapis.
For the first time, they truly understood that the Geo Emperor was no longer there, and from now on, Liyue's protection would fall on their own shoulders.
"Ah, why did the Geo Emperor have to pass on? Why undergo such a tribulation?"
Xingqiu sighed, feeling a bit sentimental.
"Perhaps there was no other choice,"
Paimon, in a rare moment, spoke in defense of Zhongli.
"Maybe," Xingqiu nodded. "Now that the performance is over and the audience has left, it seems Sir Yun is finally free. Let's go thank her."
Nolan and the others nodded in agreement. After all, she had reserved a special spot for them, so it was only right to express their gratitude.
Even though it was Xingqiu who had made the request, they still benefited from the arrangement.
"Hmm... I'll have to trouble you to express my thanks for me. I have some matters to attend to, so I'll personally offer my thanks another time."
Zhongli stood up from his chair, nodded, and said.
Earlier, during the day, the Adepti had summoned him to meet at their usual spot, but he had postponed it after hearing about Yun Jin's performance. If he didn't go soon, they'd be upset.
"Alright then, Mr. Zhongli, we'll see you next time. You're always welcome to visit my home. I'm sure my father and elder brother would enjoy talking with you."
Xingqiu smiled politely.
"Heh, since it's an invitation from Young Master Xingqiu, I'll certainly visit when I have the time."
Zhongli also gave a light chuckle, responding courteously.
"These two with their formalities again..."
Paimon rolled her eyes, exasperated.
They acted like this when they met, and even when saying goodbye. She just couldn't understand Liyue's culture.
"It's the same in a country where I come from... All this... uh, politeness."
Nolan thought back to his time on Earth, recalling how many people in C Dramas were also so formal when meeting for the first time. He wasn't much different.
As Zhongli walked out the door, Xingqiu nodded and led everyone out of the private box, heading towards the back of the stage.
Not long after, they spotted Sir Yun resting at a table behind the stage.
After singing three lengthy pieces, each lasting over half an hour, it was understandable that she would be quite tired.
"Ah, my friends, welcome! How did you enjoy my performance?"
Yun Jin had spotted the second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild approaching with a few others from afar, so she spoke up.
"Yes, yes, Miss Yun, your performance was amazing!"
Hearing her clear and sweet voice even off-stage, Paimon couldn't help but nod enthusiastically.
"Hehe, there's no need to be so formal. You can just call me Yun Jin,"
Yun Jin said with a smile, covering her mouth lightly.
"Speaking of which, I recognize you all: the flying little fairy, the golden-haired traveler, the mysterious white-haired adeptus, and the young, handsome local from Liyue.
"The story of how you all helped repel the Vortex God has spread throughout Liyue Harbor, thanks to the Millelith who were present at the time."
[Yun Jin Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 160 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv. 2 (60/200)]
Young and handsome local from Liyue, huh? Though the part about being local wasn't accurate, Nolan was secretly pleased with the 'young and handsome' description and nodded in satisfaction.
Moreover, gaining affection right away? It seemed Yun Jin had a good first impression of him.
"So that's why you agreed so quickly when I asked you to reserve a spot for us,"
Xingqiu said, understanding now.
"Of course! You all are heroes of Liyue. How could I not want to befriend you?"
Yun Jin's red eye shadow highlighted her spirited and heroic demeanor, and at that moment, she seemed like one hero recognizing another.
"Haha, though you're flattering us, Miss Yun Jin, making us sound so great.
"In truth, we only helped fight off the water element creatures summoned by the Vortex God, and dealt with a few Fatui soldiers trying to interfere.
"The ones who truly repelled the god were the Adepti and the two Qixing."
Nolan, humble by nature, felt a little pride from Yun Jin's words, but he couldn't truly accept such praise.
If it were now...
With his incredible strength, he might actually be able to cause the Vortex God a bit of trouble.
"Oh? Hero, does that mean there are a lot of details in your story? Could you tell me more?"
Yun Jin crossed her legs, wrapped in purple stockings beneath her skirt, her heels lightly resting on the footrest of the chair, her curious eyes urging Nolan to continue.
"Hehe, 'Hero'..."
Nolan scratched his cheek in embarrassment. He glanced at Paimon, who was floating to Lumine's right.
"Paimon, it's your time to shine! You're great at storytelling."
"Alright, I'll just give a brief rundown."
Paimon proudly raised her chin and enthusiastically recounted what had happened.
"Wow, that's truly impressive! It's hard to imagine the courage it must have taken to face an ancient god like that. I need to record this immediately."
As Yun Jin marveled, she pulled out a pen and paper from her Vision.
"Uh, Miss Yun Jin, what are you doing?" Paimon asked, a bit puzzled.
"I'm recording your story! I want to adapt your battle against the Vortex God into a new opera. Stories based on real events are far more powerful than fabricated ones."
Yun Jin didn't hide her intentions.
"What? You're going to write a new play based on our story? Then... then will Paimon also appear in your performance, like the Geo Archon and the Vortex God earlier?"
Paimon's eyes sparkled like stars, brimming with excitement.
"Of course, if you all wish it." Yun Jin replied with certainty.
"Wait, Miss Yun Jin, does that mean your other works are also based on real events?" Lumine crossed her arms, curious.
"Yes, though not all of them. Some are adaptations of legends and rumors, and those are quite popular too.
"For example, The Divine Maiden's Lament—the key is to make people believe that the story's protagonist could be real, which gives it its emotional impact. That emotional power is the foundation of a compelling opera."
Having finished recording the story, Yun Jin was happy to discuss the topic further when she saw Lumine's interest.
"The Divine Maiden's Lament tells the story of a young girl who becomes a hero.
"The girl's mother falls gravely ill, and her father seeks to save her using Adeptus magic but accidentally summons an evil god instead.
"The god tells the father that the girl's misfortune is due to her cursed fate of 'Solitude and Disaster.' To cure his wife, the father must sacrifice the girl.
"The father abandons the girl in a cave filled with dangerous demons, but the girl refuses to succumb to her fate. After battling demons for days, she eventually defeats them and is saved by a passing Adeptus.
"This might sound simple, but I'd love for you to hear it when I next perform The Divine Maiden's Lament."
Yun Jin took less than two minutes to introduce The Divine Maiden's Lament. Though Lumine hadn't asked, Yun Jin wanted to share—it was her favorite story.
"Solitude and Disaster? That sounds... oddly familiar."
Paimon rubbed her head in confusion, feeling like she had heard those words somewhere but couldn't quite place them.
"Isn't that what Shenhe once mentioned? She has those exact rare fates, and it was Adepti Cloud Retainer who bound her with the red ropes."
Nolan remembered clearly.
"Oh, that's right!"
Paimon clapped her hands and looked towards Shenhe, ready to ask, but then noticed the sadness in her expression.
"Huh? What's wrong, Shenhe?"
Paimon was confused, not understanding why Shenhe looked so sorrowful.
The others also noticed her change in demeanor and looked at her with concern.
Nolan, however, knew why—The Divine Maiden's Lament was Shenhe's own story. It wasn't a mere legend, as Yun Jin believed, but a painful reality.
Hearing a story from her childhood so suddenly must have stirred some sadness in Shenhe.
"That story... sounds like my aunt's experience."
Chongyun pondered for a moment before speaking.
Their family was somewhat aware of what Shenhe had gone through. Back then, they hadn't known that her father would fall for the evil god's deceit; otherwise, they might have been able to prevent the tragedy.
"What!!!"
The others, except for Nolan, were shocked to learn this.
Yun Jin was even more flustered. She stood up and quickly approached Shenhe, her words stumbling as she apologized:
"I-I'm so sorry, Miss Shenhe. I didn't know the story was real, and I brought up such a painful memory in front of you!"
Shenhe exhaled softly, and the sadness in her expression gradually softened.
"There's no need to apologize. It doesn't bother me.
"I never understood why my father did what he did, but after all this time, it's nothing more than a distant memory."
"But..."
Yun Jin looked at Shenhe, unsure if she truly wasn't affected.
Despite her calm demeanor, the faint sadness lingered on Shenhe's face, no matter how well she tried to hide it.
Yun Jin had never expected that the divine maiden from her favorite opera was a real person. And to bring up her painful past so soon after meeting—it filled her with guilt and a strong desire to help Shenhe.
After some thought, Yun Jin said:
"Miss Shenhe, how about we visit the village where you once lived? Maybe confronting the place that caused you so much pain will help you find peace.
"I want to help you. I hope that one day, you can face this part of your past more openly."
"Help me?"
Shenhe placed her right hand on her chest, unsure how to respond, and instinctively looked toward Nolan.
(End of Chapter)
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