After returning from Mount Aocang, Keqing had reviewed a lot of materials.
There wasn't much information about the General Protector from a thousand years ago. Most of the records were written in the form of stories.
The line between truth and fiction was blurred, and it was impossible to verify how much of it was true.
However, Keqing had become more and more interested in the story of General Protector Yu Xie.
She hadn't expected that a thousand years ago, there had been someone who protected Liyue as a mortal, using the power of a human to drive away the demon gods.
This was a source of encouragement for Keqing.
She often asked herself, "The Archon has protected Liyue for a thousand years, but what about the next thousand years? And the thousand years after that?"
Of course, the Archon and the many immortals who had given so much for Liyue deserved respect and praise, but could Liyue truly continue to thrive under their protection forever?
Liyue needed to grow, and the people of Liyue needed to grow as well.
As a mortal, and as one of the Seven Stars, the Yuheng Star, Keqing was acutely aware of the responsibility on her shoulders.
To protect Liyue as a mortal—this was a long and arduous path.
And the story of General Protector Yu Xie showed that it was not impossible.
After reviewing so many materials about General Protector Yu Xie, Keqing's respect for him only deepened.
Now, standing before Yu Xie, Keqing wanted to have a good conversation with him.
The sea breeze ruffled her twin tails and the hem of her skirt as she slowly walked up to Yu Xie.
"Yu Xie, I didn't expect to find you here."
"Keqing, what brings you here? Do you need something?" Yu Xie turned to look at her and asked.
"If you have the time, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you." Keqing replied, then glanced at the person standing next to Yu Xie, "And this person is...?"
"Hello, Miss Keqing. My name is Gui Zhong. I'm a friend of Yu Xie's." Gui Zhong greeted her with a smile.
"Miss Gui Zhong, hello." Keqing greeted with a smile. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Of course not. We were just talking about some past matters." Gui Zhong smiled gently, a warm and soothing expression on her face. Keqing could feel the gentle aura radiating from Gui Zhong, like an older sister who would unconditionally comfort you when you're feeling down.
Past matters? Could it be... Keqing looked at Gui Zhong, pondering slightly.
Gui Zhong noticed that Keqing, with her keen perception, seemed to have understood something. She smiled and prepared to leave.
"It seems like Miss Keqing has something she wants to discuss with Yu Xie. I'll leave now. See you at Dihua Marsh tomorrow."
With a smile, Gui Zhong didn't wait for any response from Yu Xie or Keqing before turning and leaving the dock.
"Dihua Marsh? Wait, Gui Zhong, what do you mean by 'see you at Dihua Marsh'?" Yu Xie called after her.
"You'll find out when the time comes." Gui Zhong's tone was light and carefree as she walked away with graceful steps.
Soon, only Yu Xie and Keqing remained on the dock.
The two exchanged a brief, subtle silence.
"What would you like to talk about?" Yu Xie spoke first.
Keqing pondered for a moment before cautiously asking, "Would you be willing to talk about your past?"
Keqing understood that Yu Xie, who had lost his memories, might not want to discuss his past. So, she posed the question first.
If Yu Xie declined, she wouldn't bring up the matter of the General Protector again.
"Sure, but I don't really remember those things. How do you expect me to talk about them?" Yu Xie laughed lightly.
That smile helped Keqing feel more at ease. "If you were still the General Protector, what would you do?"
"What do you mean?"
"For example, in terms of governing and protecting Liyue."
"Well..." Yu Xie stroked his chin, thinking.
This was a tough question for him to answer. After all, he was now just an ordinary citizen and had no experience in ruling or protecting a nation. If he gave a random answer, it would be irresponsible.
But Keqing was clearly looking at him with anticipation, and he didn't want to leave her without an answer.
After thinking for a long while, Yu Xie slowly said, "Right now, I don't really understand these matters, so just take what I say as a reference. But I believe everything should be centered around the people."
"Centered around the people..." Keqing softly repeated the words.
As the Yuheng Star, Keqing had actually realized the meaning of those words a long time ago. But hearing them spoken by Yu Xie now, there was a different weight to them.
It felt like an affirmation for her.
"Recently, I've read a lot of materials about you. In those stories, you are brave and skilled in battle, driving away the demon gods who coveted Gui Li Assembly, and you were loved by the people of Gui Li Assembly."
Keqing continued,
"You were truly a worthy General Protector, a mortal who caused countless demon gods headaches. Even though you are now just an ordinary person, I still feel that I can learn a lot from you. So, if you're willing, how about coming to guide and supervise my work sometime?"
"Guide? Supervise?"
"Yes, that's right, guide and supervise." Keqing emphasized. "From your perspective, I'd like you to assess where I might still be lacking in my work. If you find any shortcomings, please point them out without hesitation. Don't worry about sparing my feelings. As the Yuheng Star, I must accept correction in order to improve."
This was an invitation that Yu Xie had never expected. It was clear that Keqing was very serious about her work, living up to her role as the Yuheng Star.
"Alright then, if I have time another day, I'll come to supervise the Yuheng Star." Yu Xie joked, "But, if I'm the type to be sharp-tongued, will you be able to accept it?"
"Of course, no problem." Keqing smiled and replied, "If I really make a mistake, then it's only right for you to point it out sharply, without any hesitation."
Yu Xie smiled silently. No wonder Keqing was able to become the Yuheng Star at such a young age—her ability and attitude were beyond reproach.
"Oh, by the way." Keqing seemed to suddenly remember something. She looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to her and Yu Xie before continuing, "There's one question… it might be a little bold, but I'm really curious. Can I ask you about it?"
"Go ahead." Yu Xie said nonchalantly.
"I read in a story about the General Protector that... there was a tragic story between General Protector Yu Xie and the Adeptus Liuyun, the True Monarch of Wind. I'm not sure if it's true, so I wanted to ask you about it…"
Yu Xie froze for a moment.
Was this actually recorded? This was far beyond what Yu Xie had expected.
"Is that so?" Yu Xie asked, turning the question back to Keqing.
"I did see it in one of the stories, but I'm not sure if it's true, which is why I wanted to ask you…"
Yu Xie fell silent for a moment.
What surprised him even more was that Keqing would be interested in something like this?
"Well… why don't you… go ask Xianyun directly another day?"
End of chapter
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