Genshin Impact: I'm just a mortal

The villagers' discussions continued for a while before the village chief finally spoke up.

"If this is your decision, I respect it, young ones," the village chief said.

Xian Yun, Kitsune Saiguu, and Shen He all turned to look at Yu Xie, awaiting his response.

"Sorry, Village Chief, but our abilities are limited," Yu Xie replied with a helpless smile. He then turned to Xian Yun and the others. "Let's go."

Without further questions, Xian Yun and the others followed Yu Xie out of the village.

The sweet-smelling flowers by the roadside swayed in the wind, and the breeze rustled through the trees.

Yu Xie stopped walking.

"Yu Xie, are you planning to investigate secretly?" Xian Yun suddenly asked.

"Yes," Yu Xie nodded and looked back towards the village. "Before, the enemy was hidden while we were exposed, making it inconvenient. Now, with everyone in the shadows, it's easier to move around."

"The person hiding should realize we're leaving on purpose, right?" Kitsune Saiguu asked.

"Probably, but it doesn't matter. The important thing is that even if that person realizes we're leaving intentionally, it won't change the fact that we're now in the shadows," Yu Xie said, frowning as he looked towards the mountain. "Let's get farther away first, then return later. We'll check the mountain then."

In the afternoon, before evening.

The four of them walked through the mountains.

The dense forest was filled with birdsong and the chirping of insects, and the grass and trees grew lush, creating a vibrant, lively scene that didn't seem to suggest any evil presence.

However, the malevolent energy they had sensed earlier was definitely real.

With the group moving together, the efficiency was somewhat lower. After some thought, Yu Xie spoke up.

"Let's split into two groups. That way, we can be more efficient. If something unusual happens, we'll notify each other immediately."

No matter how they split, Yu Xie believed that Xian Yun and Kitsune Saiguu's abilities were enough to handle any sudden situations.

Although Shen He might not be as experienced, her abilities were also trustworthy.

"Then... how should we split up?" Xian Yun asked.

The question caused a brief silence.

Xian Yun and Kitsune Saiguu looked towards Yu Xie, their intentions clear.

"Xian Yun and Shen He should be in one group. You're teacher and student, so you'll have better coordination," Kitsune Saiguu suggested.

"Cough... Shen He has been with me for many years, and while we have good coordination, I can't always have her by my side. She needs to learn independence, away from her teacher's protection," Xian Yun explained.

After a few exchanges, with both having valid points, they turned to Yu Xie.

Before Yu Xie could speak, Shen He suddenly said, "Since that's the case, how about this..."

...

Xian Yun and Kitsune Saiguu walked together, both observing the rustling of the wind through the trees.

So, the final grouping was—Xian Yun and Kitsune Saiguu, Yu Xie and Shen He.

Although not entirely satisfied, both Xian Yun and Kitsune Saiguu at least felt relieved.

At least they didn't have to worry about something unspeakable happening.

"Miss Xian Yun, you're an Adeptus from Liyue, right?" Kitsune Saiguu suddenly asked.

"Yes," Xian Yun nodded. "Miss Kitsune Saiguu is from the fox clan in Inazuma, right?"

"Yes," Hu Zhai Gong responded. "I didn't realize Yu Xie had been to Liyue a thousand years ago and interacted with you. So, I'm a later arrival."

"...When Yu Xie was in Inazuma, did he only interact with you, Miss Kitsune Saiguu?" Xian Yun asked, after a brief pause.

"Well..." Hu Zhai Gong thought for a moment, unsure of how to respond.

"I understand now," Xian Yun said with a helpless smile. "But even so, I won't give up on Yu Xie. I've waited a thousand years for this moment."

"I won't give up either. Yu Xie saved me, and he's left an indelible mark in my heart..." Hu Zhai Gong recalled the moment before she sacrificed herself, remembering how Yu Xie's figure was the last thing she saw in the dawn light.

...

Yu Xie and Shen He walked together.

What surprised Yu Xie was that Shen He had taken the initiative to help him out of a difficult situation.

Of course, it was very possible that Shen He was simply voicing her own thoughts, but regardless of her intentions, objectively, it had resulted in helping Yu Xie out.

At the time, Xian Yun and Kitsune Saiguu had been looking at him, clearly waiting for him to state his position. It was not just about group assignments…

"Shen He, be careful," Yu Xie reminded her.

"Mm, don't worry," Shen He replied calmly.

There were no more words exchanged after that.

The two continued walking.

Everything in the mountains seemed perfectly normal, nothing like the signs of malevolent spirits they had expected. Even the monsters that could usually be found in sparsely populated areas were nowhere to be seen.

"I've been observing a lot of people in Liyue Harbor these past few days," Shen He suddenly spoke up. "Most of the people here wear smiles on their faces, but I don't understand why they're smiling."

"I have the fate of a lonely star, bringing misfortune to those around me, so I was never meant to interact with others. Someone like me, can I really blend into human society, into Liyue Harbor?" Shen He looked at Yu Xie, seemingly hoping for an answer.

Yu Xie also turned to look at her and smiled gently. "Of course you can. Believe in yourself and trust my judgment, alright?"

"...I've been trying these past few days, but I just can't find a way in. I always feel like there's an insurmountable divide between me and the people on the streets," Shen He said softly.

"No matter how wide the divide, there's always a way to cross it," Yu Xie said. "Shen He, there's no need to rush. We still have plenty of time. Let's take it slow and not put pressure on ourselves. Sometimes, the more you try to rush something, the less it works out. But when you're not focused on it, good fortune will quietly find its way to you."

"Mm..." Shen He nodded lightly. "Yu Xie... aren't you worried about my lonely star fate?"

"To me, you've never been a lonely star," Yu Xie smiled. "You're a disciple of the Adeptus, Xianyun. Shen He, you are irreplaceable."

Upon hearing this, Shen He paused for a moment.

It was as if something in her heart awakened, filling her chest with warmth.

Shen He didn't quite understand this feeling, but she knew it was a good one, similar to the feeling she had during the Lantern Festival at Aocang Mountain, when she received a gift from her master.

"Yu Xie... you are also irreplaceable Yu Xie," Shen He said, placing her hand on her chest, trying to feel the warmth inside, but she couldn't.

"What's wrong, Shen He?" Yu Xie noticed her movement and asked.

"The words you just said made my chest feel warm. I wanted to touch it with my hand, but I couldn't feel it," Shen He glanced at her chest. "Could it be blocked?"

Yu Xie smiled helplessly. "That feeling can't be touched by your hand. You can only feel it with your heart."

"Is that so... then, Yu Xie, have you ever felt this way?"

"Yes."

"When was that?"

"The most recent time... was just now, when you said I'm 'irreplaceable Yu Xie'."

End of chapter

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