Off the Coast of Liyue
As twilight settled over the horizon, the Alcor sailed like a prowling dragon toward Guyun Stone Forest.
To the southeast of Liyue Harbor lay Guyun Stone Forest, the prison of the Vortex God, Osial. Ordinary ships, whether heading to Sumeru or Inazuma, would give the area a wide berth, not daring to draw too close.
But Beidou and her Crux Fleet had never feared the so-called prison of a sealed god. They were even known to hold martial arts tournaments on the very stones of Guyun.
As a hitchhiker on this journey, Luo Qing's freedom of movement was limited. For the duration of the voyage — several hours in total — he was restricted to the ship's forward deck, with strict orders not to wander elsewhere.
At the aft deck, the Alcor's master, Beidou, was overseeing the ship's navigation. She seemed busy, uninterested in giving Luo Qing any attention.
Clearly, only the Traveler had the privilege of being treated like a VIP here.
Feeling bored, Luo Qing turned to the bow of the ship, where the dragon's head carving loomed into view. Sitting comfortably atop the dragon's head was a young man in a crimson sailor's outfit. Two Vision stones dangled from his waist: one glowed with a faint green light, while the other was dull and lifeless.
He seemed out of place among the bustling sailors, a calm presence amidst the chaos. Holding a green leaf in his hands, he blew a wistful tune — a melody from his homeland.
"The cherry blossoms in your homeland are in bloom, aren't they, Kaedehara-san?" Luo Qing said casually as he leapt onto the dragon's head, sitting down beside Kaedehara Kazuha as if they were old friends.
The trip would take several hours, and Luo Qing needed someone to chat with.
"You know me?" Kazuha asked, lowering the leaf and looking curiously at Luo Qing.
"Yes, I've heard your story — a wandering swordsman exiled from his homeland," Luo Qing replied easily, pulling out a small flask from his coat. Being a Snezhnayan, he had adopted the habit of carrying alcohol wherever he went.
"Care for a drink?"
"Thank you," Kazuha replied. He glanced at the bottle, then at Luo Qing, and took a sip.
This was the Crux Fleet's territory. Kazuha doubted that Luo Qing would try anything suspicious here. It was Luo Qing's casual familiarity that piqued his curiosity.
"Snezhnayan firewater... Not something you often find in Liyue," Kazuha remarked, eyeing the intricate engravings on the flask.
He had sailed with the Crux Fleet for a while, tasting drinks from across Teyvat, including the strong spirits from Snezhnaya.
"So, are you from Liyue?" Kazuha asked.
"Luo Qing, from Qingce Village. I rarely visit the harbor," Luo Qing replied.
"Then how did you come to know about me?" Kazuha asked, still puzzled.
"Well..." Luo Qing hesitated, then pulled out a pair of dark sunglasses from his pocket and put them on. He adjusted them dramatically, speaking with sudden seriousness.
"Because I'm a fortune teller."
"A fortune teller...?"
"Want me to tell your fortune? Name your query," Luo Qing offered enthusiastically.
"..."
Kazuha was momentarily taken aback, wondering if Luo Qing had just insulted him or genuinely offered to tell his fortune.
[Frustration Value from Kaedehara Kazuha +1]
"Then... how about you tell me where my journey will lead?" Kazuha asked, gazing out toward the distant shore.
"Tell me where this wandering leaf will finally rest."
"Alright!" Luo Qing exclaimed. He pulled out a tortoiseshell and three copper coins, placing the coins inside. He shook them in front of Kazuha, muttering under his breath:
"Big Duck Duck is the best... Big Duck Duck is the best... Big Duck Duck is the best..."
"Alright, let's see what your fate holds!"
The coins clattered onto the dragon's head with a soft thud. Just as Luo Qing was about to interpret the results, a wave suddenly crashed against the bow. One of the coins slipped off and plummeted into the sea.
"..."
"..."
"Perhaps we should just leave it at that. Thank you for your efforts," Kazuha suggested, inwardly wondering what Luo Qing had been mumbling earlier.
"No worries! I can read it with two coins just as well!" Luo Qing declared confidently, waving away Kazuha's concerns. He pretended to study the remaining coins.
After all, he already had the story's script in his head. The fortune-telling was just a cover.
"Kaedehara-san, do you long to return home?"
"My homeland... it doesn't welcome me anymore," Kazuha said softly, staring out at the deep purple thunderclouds that loomed far over the Inazuman seas.
He didn't understand what the Shogun sought through eternity, sealing the nation and forging a statue inlaid with countless Visions, spreading dread across Inazuma.
"Don't worry," Luo Qing said, patting Kazuha on the shoulder. "The Shogun's will is bound to change soon, and the cherry blossoms of your homeland will bloom for you once more."
"A Shogun who chases eternity... will even she change her mind?" Kazuha wondered aloud, lost in thought. He glanced back at Luo Qing, then asked:
"Mr. Luo Qing, where do you think our lives are ultimately heading?"
"Hm," Luo Qing pondered for a moment. "If I had my way, I'd aim for the warm embrace of young, long-legged beauties."
"..."
[Frustration Value from Kaedehara Kazuha +1]
"Mr. Luo Qing, I was referring to our purpose in life, our ultimate goal. What is the reason we exist?"
"Oh, that's easy," Luo Qing replied. "To snuggle up close with young ladies and enjoy life's finest thighs."
"..."
[Frustration Value from Kaedehara Kazuha +1]
"You certainly are a free spirit, Mr. Luo Qing," Kazuha said with a gentle smile, turning his gaze back to the distant shore.
Yet in his heart, he couldn't help but think how much he wished he could be as carefree as this man.
Not long after, the Alcor arrived at Guyun Stone Forest.
The entire Crux Fleet had anchored there, preparing for their journey to Inazuma at dawn. Even Beidou's bold sailors were reluctant to venture too close to the heart of Guyun, instead docking along the southern edges. They watched as Luo Qing disembarked.
The sailors had no idea what Luo Qing meant by "paying respects." They assumed he had ancestors buried here and, after offering some quick farewells, returned to their duties.
Before parting, Kazuha gave Luo Qing a bottle of fine sake from Inazuma — a token of gratitude for the "fortune-telling."
Luo Qing made his way deeper into the stone forest, navigating by the memories of the story in his mind.
The sea breeze whistled through the rocky spires, filling the air with a haunting melody. Fortunately, the moonlight and starlit sky were bright enough for him to see the sandy ground beneath his feet, preventing him from stumbling into the waves below.
Dotted across the stone spires were small, flickering campfires. Luo Qing knew better than to assume they were welcoming flames.
A closer inspection revealed that those campfires were surrounded by small, dark figures with strange masks: hilichurls.
Though technically classified as "monsters," hilichurls exhibited some level of intelligence, and rudimentary communication with them was possible. However, their violent tendencies and physical strength kept most ordinary people at a safe distance.
Several paths to the inner parts of Guyun were blocked by hilichurl camps. If Luo Qing wanted to reach the heart of the Stone Forest without swimming, he'd have to fight his way through.
"Perfect. Time to test my new weapon."
With a thought, Luo Qing summoned the Millelith Spear from his inventory. The heavy weapon materialized beside him, striking the ground with a deep, resonant thud.