Genshin Impact : Sorry can't be there till the end

Qiqi cannot walk.

The amber slowly peeled off, shattering into pieces like colored glass. The little girl drowsily opened her eyes. She blinked, looking like a confused little deer.

Tentatively, she took a step. Her white feet touched the ground, and her body swayed—her joints seemed unable to stretch freely. With a thud, she fell to the ground.

Yaku watched the clumsy behavior of the little zombie and blinked.

She fell flat on her back... a zombie falling flat.

Maybe she's pretending to be a silly zombie.

Playing dumb to catch him off guard, then, when he's not paying attention, she'd snap his neck...?

Not sure, let's test it out.

"Hello."

Yaku extended his hand.

The little zombie's hand was icy cold, like touching a soft piece of ice—soft and sticky. Yaku grabbed her small hand and helped her up. Clearly, the little zombie hadn't adjusted to walking yet. Even with Yaku's support, she wobbled unsteadily.

"You... Hello."

The little zombie spoke, holding Yaku's hand, looking up at him.

"Little one, what's your name?"

"Name... name..."

Qiqi paused, seemingly deep in thought. Clearly, the question was too complicated for her brain to process, and after an overload of searching, her light purple eyes became even more confused.

She shook her empty head. "Qiqi... I don't know what Qiqi... is called..."

Now it's confirmed—this is a little dummy zombie.

"Qiqi..."

The little zombie stopped for a moment. Her expressionless face and calm tone made it hard to tell how she was feeling, but there was sadness in her voice: "Qiqi... forgot... everything."

She shook her little head, speaking with sorrow.

"Forgot... something... very important."

Years of time cause many things to be forgotten.

"Forgot... someone very important..."

The boy rubbed the little girl's head, messing up her short cyan hair. "I've forgotten a lot of things too."

"Who I am, who I was, who I was before... I've forgotten all of it."

He smiled, "There's no need to worry about it. What matters is now."

"Your name is Qiqi. You have to remember it, okay?"

"Qi...qi..."

Qiqi tilted her head, quietly repeating the name. Her eyes shimmered a little, and she raised both arms, her sleeves falling, revealing her smooth little forearms. "Big brother... how did you know... Qiqi's name?"

The little zombie's mouth slightly opened in surprise, seeming both amazed and in awe. "Big brother... you're so smart."

Hehe.

Getting praised made Yaku puff out his chest proudly.

"Your name?"

The little zombie asked, "Big brother... what's your name?"

"Yaku." The boy smiled, "Seino Yaku."

"...What no yaku?" Qiqi tilted her head.

Her memory really is bad.

"Seino Yaku."

"Seino...?"

"Yaku." The boy said, making a cross with his arms in a gesture of prohibition, "Please stop playing with combinations, little girl."

"Qiqi... can't remember... Qiqi... is so dumb."

The little zombie lowered her head again.

"Qiqi... wants to remember."

She really is a dummy, but she said it with such seriousness. She really wanted to remember Yaku's name. But a dead body can't carry memories.

So she was sad.

"Then write it down."

Yaku said calmly, "Little girl, write it in a notebook. You're not actually dumb. In the scale of time, no human is particularly clever. As humans, we are all forgetful. No matter how deeply ingrained a memory is, after some time, it becomes ordinary."

"Write it down in a notebook, write it in a diary. Whether you see mountains and rivers, or the stars above the plains, or even just fleeting thoughts—write down the people you meet, the things you experience. Letters are memories sent to friends, diaries are love letters to oneself. Every line, every paragraph, is the most serious confession of your life."

Qiqi blinked her confused big eyes. "I... don't understand."

Yaku scratched his head.

"But Qiqi... seems to..." The little girl lowered her head, rummaging through her body. "Ah... I found it."

It was a very old, old little notebook.

She pinched the corner of the book and handed it to Yaku.

The cover was covered with dust, the pages yellowed. Though preserved in amber, it was still somewhat weathered.

This was a diary.

The handwriting was childish, some parts even had pinyin, but it was clear that the little girl had written it with care.

"New Year's Day 1: Collected 100g of (drawing) Lily, didn't find Cocogoat."

"New Year's Day 2: Collected 500g of Qingxin, many people were injured... Qingxin can cure illnesses, didn't find Cocogoat."

"New Year's Day 3..."

"New Year's Day 4..."

"New Year's Last Day: It's the New Year, Qiqi still hasn't found Cocogoat."

Yaku gently flipped through the pages, his movements light and careful. The clear afternoon sunlight illuminated the yellowed paper, making time take shape.

The content of the diary was somewhat confusing.

There were no dates, no locations, no people.

It was clear the little girl used to gather herbs in the mountains... such a young child gathering herbs in the mountains?

She was searching for a "Cocogoat." For a whole year, she searched for this "Cocogoat," but Yaku had never heard of it.

But for some reason, it made him feel somewhat sad.

"New New Year's Day 1: Qiqi caught Cocogoat, Qiqi is very happy, but Qiqi also has to leave. Qiqi doesn't want to leave."

That was the last entry in the diary.

It seems that after this day, the little girl was sealed in amber, falling into eternal sleep.

New New Year. It's lucky the little girl made up such a phrase.

"Coco...goat."

Qiqi stood on her toes, looking at the words in the diary. "Cocogoat... Qiqi... was looking for Cocogoat."

Her toes couldn't hold her up anymore. She had been standing on tiptoe, and the zombie's joints were too stiff. Her balance faltered, and she almost fell again.

Yaku supported her back, keeping her from falling.

"Qiqi... can't stand."

"Your joints are too stiff." Yaku said seriously, "Qiqi's joints are very stiff. You need to relax them, and then you'll be able to walk."

"How... do I relax?" She tilted her head.

The boy lightly coughed, acting all mysterious, and said in a deep voice, "You need to practice a profound skill. This kind of deadly technique is too powerful, so I don't want to spread it and cause more harm."

Qiqi tilted her head, feeling vaguely impressed.

"Have you heard of the Xuan-level technique 'Colorful Sunshine'?"

Yaku coughed again, "I will now teach you the first layer of the Xuan-level technique 'Colorful Sunshine'—Stretch Exercises."

Clearly, pretending to be cool in front of the little dummy zombie gave Yaku a sense of accomplishment.

"Wow..."

Qiqi looked at him with admiration, this big brother is really amazing.

"Qiqi... can I learn it?"

"Qiqi can learn it. Because I'll help you." Yaku said seriously, "From now on, Qiqi will learn how to walk, remember names, find Cocogoat, and do many things. From now on, Qiqi will live happily in Liyue."

The little zombie opened her beautiful purple eyes, those eyes like spring water seemed to be sparkling.

"That... would be wonderful."

Zombies can't smile, but she seemed like she was smiling.

"Then, there's this."

Yaku paused.

"Then what?" Qiqi tilted her head.

"Then..."

The setting sun painted the clouds in hues of fire, the maple trees in the distance seemed to be burning, and the sea shimmered, reflecting the red sky and mountains of Liyue. The boy bent down and gently embraced the little zombie's tiny body. He softly said:

"Qiqi."

"Welcome home."

A warm hug, like rough sand.

Warm, with the steady presence of the sun.

'You must come... take Qiqi...'

'Qiqi... wants to... go home.'

For some reason, the little zombie's cold heart suddenly gave a slight twitch, a faint pain. She didn't understand what this feeling was called. As a zombie who had forgotten everything, she couldn't comprehend it. She lowered her eyes, and her gaze seemed a little wet.

"Mm." She said.

[First vow completed]

[Due to the vow, you can inherit the forgotten talents without erosion (the talents inherited come from the previous vow)]

[Reward: Nuo Fu]

[Nuo is a ritual, while Fu is a method. It drives away epidemic spirits, removes disasters and evil forces, yet also serves as a curse.]

[Using the body as a vessel, it devours karmic burdens and eliminates demons and malevolent forces.]

———

Here's the continuation of the translation:

---

Wangshu Inn.

A gentle breeze flowed through.

Wangshu Inn is a guesthouse nestled among the mountains, surrounded by mist. Every day, the forest fog rises, and the intricate carvings, jade-like pillars, and red roofs disappear into the light mist, adding a touch of ethereal beauty to the already serene landscape.

There was no resistance.

Xiao had the dream again.

In the dream, he was still helpless.

He wandered in the abyss of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, with bones festering and flesh rotting. He couldn't resist; all he could do was slaughter, slaughter... The Demon God manipulated his soul, and he slaughtered countless lives.

He couldn't resist, he couldn't resist his master.

"Kid, how about joining me?"

"How about a new boss?"

The great demon fell in the glory of lightning. It gave out a weak and vengeful wail, its majestic body slowly dissipating. The light of thunder pierced through the sky, turning the leaden night into day.

With it, the mountain of corpses, the sea of blood, the karmic burdens, the evil spirits, the ghostly creatures, and the forests of white bones—everything vanished into smoke!

A hand clapped Xiao's shoulder.

That person showed a carefree, satisfied smile.

...

Xiao slowly opened his eyes.

The soft morning light gently bathed the window frame. Xiao froze for a moment.

Why?

Why did he dream about those things again?

Pain. He felt pain.

At the same time, he felt confusion, or perhaps... madness.

Something unfamiliar stirred deep in his soul.

Was that... filth?

Resentment?

Xiao didn't know what it was.

These things were chaotic, evil, and troublesome.

Xiao had never encountered such a strange situation.

Because he had never experienced it before, it felt unfamiliar.

It felt strange.

During the Demon God War, as a Yaksha Guardian, Xiao had no idea how many Demon Gods he had slain. The countless souls of the wronged perished beneath his blade, but his soul had always remained pure, never once descending into chaos, nor had he ever encountered these bizarre things.

Because he had never gone through it, Xiao felt strange.

Even stranger, after the Demon God War, when peace had supposedly returned, these strange resentments began to appear.

They were growing stronger.

He furrowed his brow.

Liyue today was still clear and bright, the sky calm with a gentle breeze. Yesterday was Lantern Rite's Eve, and today was the first day of the Lantern Rite. The inn was decorated with red lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere.

According to Liyue customs, on the first day of the new year, people would say goodbye to the old and welcome the new, remembering ancestors and reuniting with family.

He dreamed of that person... that traitor... Even though Xiao had already decided to forget him, for some reason, those memories had resurfaced.

This was not a good sign.

"Xiao."

"Happy New Year!"

"I've come to wish you well."

Indarias.

She could also be called General Musatas.

She was the third among the Guardian Yaksha.

She was a very lively girl.

With crimson eyeshadow, deep navy eyes, and long pale red hair like the morning glow, she liked to smile, and her smile resembled the warmth of dawn. She wore a light red dress with a flowing skirt, and there was a small red heart mark on her forehead.

When the Yaksha were still together, before the Demon God War had broken out, Indarias was the most energetic, the loudest, and the most mischievous. She was also the pickiest eater... Bosacius' cooking skills were specifically aimed at this little lady. It was quite amusing, as she was older than Xiao, yet she always behaved like an immature little sister.

She was very childish.

"Something on your mind?" Xiao's voice was calm, without a hint of change.

"Well... it's the New Year greeting."

"And also..."

Indarias tilted her head, fell silent for a while, then raised the cloth bag in her hand. The bag was filled with many items: long incense sticks, gold-foil-like paper money, red firecrackers, and a pair of couplets.

"Are you coming or not?"

She asked, seemingly inquiring.

"What?"

"According to mortal customs... the first day of the new year, that is, the first day of the lunar month, is the most appropriate time for offerings."

"I've prepared a lot of good things. The little dried fish that big brother loves to eat, and Xiao's favorite almond tofu..."

Indarias listed the items with enthusiasm.

Xiao looked at her calmly.

"To whom?"

He knew the answer, but he still asked.

"To Big Brother."

Indarias lowered her head slightly, her fingers gently gripping the corner of her clothes. After a pause, she softly said, "On the New Year... Big Brother will be lonely. And, with how much Big Brother spends so lavishly, he will run out of money... I need to give him some money so he can buy a nice bottle of wine."

The mention of that person's name...

Pain. It slowly began to ache again.

Or perhaps, irritation.

Indarias was always so childish. She still believed in mortal customs... Every year, she would come to find Xiao, or rather, every year, she would come to find other Yaksha, inviting them to offer sacrifices to that man... but no Yaksha ever accompanied her.

Because they all wanted to forget him.

Only by forgetting could they escape the pain. Only by trying not to remember could they stop being sad...

Only by forgetting his betrayal.

But Indarias was still so naive, and if no one accompanied her, she would go alone to offer incense and pray for Big Brother's blessings. She would carry the heavy cloth bag, light the incense, slowly tear open the paper money, set it alight, and watch the green smoke fade into the cold air of the desolate space...

—Then, she would return home, alone.

For over two thousand years, she had never missed a single first day of the lunar month.

That was why she was so pure and foolish.

The people of Liyue couldn't understand her. To them, this Yaksha Lord was honoring a 'sinner'...

Today was also the first day of the new year, and she had come to invite Xiao again.

"Big Brother... if he could see everyone, he would be very happy," Indarias said seriously.

"No." Xiao said calmly.

His voice showed no emotion, as though the matter had nothing to do with him.

His expression remained unchanged, his eyes as still as a deep well. It seemed that only by displaying such an icy demeanor could he summon the courage to reject Indarias's request.

"I will not pray for a sinner." Xiao's voice was cold, "Because that would be an 'insult' to the other martyrs. It is a desecration of those who sacrificed."

"I will not go."

When he said this, his heart ached slightly.