The slanting afternoon sunlight bathed the open fields of Dihua Marsh in warm gold, mingling with the pale white of the reeds to create a serene and beautiful tableau.
Shao Yun, Lumine, and the ever-hovering Paimon rode along the familiar path at a relaxed pace, heading toward the place where Zhongli was said to be waiting.
Upon arrival, as Lumine and Paimon were engaged in lively conversation, Shao Yun quietly approached the horses and, without making a sound, stored them back into his system's mobile stable.
Soon, the trio found Zhongli standing quietly in a clearing, his gaze fixed on the horizon with a look of solemn admiration—as if lost in the vast beauty before him.
Paimon waved enthusiastically and called out, "Mr. Zhongli, how's the search going?"
Zhongli turned with his usual composed smile. "Perfect timing."
Paimon rushed to ask, "Did you find the right Glaze Lily?"
Zhongli gently shook his head, a faint sigh escaping him. "Not easily. Wild Glaze Lilies have largely vanished."
Shao Yun chimed in, "But you still found one, didn't you?"
Zhongli nodded and gestured toward a single Glaze Lily growing from a stone crevice nearby, its snow-white petals glimmering in the sunlight.
"There," he said. "But to harvest it, I'll need your help."
Paimon stared at the lone flower, then blinked in surprise at the unexpected request. "Huh? Can't we just pull it out?"
Zhongli raised his hand in his usual calm fashion. "Not quite. I need you to sing to it. Singing enhances its fragrance."
Paimon scrunched her face, trying to wrap her head around the bizarre idea. "Sing… to a flower?"
Zhongli nodded gently. "Glaze Lilies are known to be attuned to human emotion. Song enhances their aroma. When crushed, the scent is strongest—and that's essential for the incense used in the Rite of Parting."
Paimon glanced at Lumine, eyes wide with disbelief. Lumine in turn looked toward Shao Yun.
He was admiring the peaceful scenery when he suddenly sensed the silent plea in both of their stares.
"Why are you both looking at me?" he asked.
A faint blush crept across Lumine's cheeks. "Shao Yun… do you know how to sing?"
Blushing? Over this? There's no one else around.
Shao Yun scratched his head, a bit sheepish. Glancing between the expectant faces and the flower, he finally sighed and nodded. "Alright, I'll give it a shot."
He stepped up to the lily. In the sunlight, his stance was proud and commanding.
Lumine and Paimon watched with eager eyes, as if awaiting a hidden treasure to unfold.
Shao Yun inhaled deeply, as if drawing the tranquility and fragrance of nature into his very soul. He closed his eyes in reflection, then opened them and began to sing:
"Diamond thief, diamond thief, we've known each other long... You stripped me bare, took all my gold and silver." His voice was deep and rhythmic, like an old Western ballad.
Then the tone shifted, wild and passionate.
"Oh, whiskey, you fiend! You dragged me down, kicked me rough, made me start fights all over town..."
His voice carried emotion, full of defiance and energy.
Then it softened—gentle and heartfelt.
"With feet in the stirrups and reins in hand, I'll ride with Lumine, fairest maiden in the land..."
At that line, Lumine's face flushed red.
As Shao Yun sang more boldly, Lumine realized something was off. She quickly cut him off. "Stop! You're drifting off-topic!"
Though she chided him, there was a hint of helpless affection in her gaze.
Shao Yun grinned. "What? I thought it was great—fairest maiden, Lumine!"
Lumine lowered her head shyly, fingers twisting together. Maybe she had been touched.
Though maybe save that song for when we're alone…
Paimon was swaying along, enchanted. She blinked curiously. "What song was that?"
Shao Yun smiled. "An old tune I picked up by a campfire from a talented lad and an old man. I just tweaked it a bit."
He turned to inspect the Glaze Lily.
But the lily remained still, gently trembling—no real response.
He frowned, disappointed. "Guess my singing didn't do the trick."
Then he turned to Lumine with a smile. "Fairest maiden, your turn."
Lumine's cheeks flushed again, but she bit her lip, looked Shao Yun in the eyes, and softly said, "Okay… I'll try."
Her voice flowed like water, soft and melodious, full of tenderness and harmony.
The lily stirred.
It quivered gently, swaying in rhythm to her song.
Shao Yun blinked—Wait… this reminds me. Isn't that thing a Whopperflower?!
As if on cue, the earth shuddered. A strange energy rippled through the ground.
The "lily" erupted violently, bursting from the soil as its roots writhed.
Before Lumine could react, it transformed—its petals twisted into jaws, revealing itself as a monstrous Whopperflower.
Paimon screamed, "Ah! A monster!" terror in her voice.
But Shao Yun was ready. In a flash, he drew his revolver.
Bang!
A single, enchantment-free bullet shattered the creature's head. It collapsed in a grotesque heap.
Shao Yun exhaled and turned to Lumine. "You're not just beautiful, Lumine—your singing's so lovely, even flowers turn into monsters just to steal you away."
Lumine glared at him, then giggled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Shao Yun laughed heartily. "It was a compliment."
Paimon's voice was still trembling. "That wasn't a flower! Flowers don't hit people!"
Zhongli approached the remains and knelt down to examine them calmly. "A Whopperflower," he said. "A kind of monster."
"Does it eat people?" Paimon asked nervously.
Zhongli shook his head gently. "Not that I've heard. But being hit by one… does hurt."
He examined the shredded petals closely, his fingers gliding over them with care.
Shao Yun asked, "Can the petals that looked like Glaze Lilies be used?"
Zhongli lifted one and scrutinized it. "As medicinal herbs, yes. But not suitable for the Rite of Parting."
"Then let's keep looking," Shao Yun said.
…
Sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, casting a glow on the winding path as they searched.
Suddenly, a familiar silhouette emerged with the wind and the scent of wild herbs.
It was Ganyu, the elegant half-qilin girl.
She blinked, surprised to see the group. Her serene eyes flickered with recognition. "Well met… I didn't expect to find you all here."
Paimon gasped and floated toward her. "Miss Ganyu?! I can't believe it's really you!"
Ganyu smiled gently, her expression warm as spring sunlight. "Hello. I was just out for a walk. Are you all… sightseeing?"
Paimon shook her head. "Nope. We're looking for wild Glaze Lilies for the Rite of Parting. But all we found so far was a Whopperflower we could only use as medicine…"
She sighed and shrugged helplessly.
At the words Rite of Parting, realization dawned on Ganyu's face. She clapped her hands softly, then smiled apologetically. "Ah, that's what this is for… If you don't mind, I actually picked one earlier."
She drew out a Glaze Lily—its petals glistening like crystal, radiant with life and purity.
She handed it to Paimon, who passed it to Zhongli.
He observed it closely—its translucent petals shimmered like cut glass, glowing with vitality.
He nodded and bowed slightly. "Miss Ganyu, I accept this with gratitude."
Paimon tilted her head. "Mr. Zhongli, do we still need to sing to this one?"
Zhongli smiled. "No need. This one is already fit for the ceremony. Its beauty and fragrance are more than enough."
Ganyu added softly, "I actually already sang a Liyue folk song to it earlier. I was going to keep it as a memento… but if it's for the Archon's farewell, I think this is the better place for it."
Shao Yun raised a brow. "What kind of song was it?"
Ganyu thought for a moment. "A traditional Liyue melody. Simple, but meaningful."
Shao Yun chuckled. "Good thing. If I sang again, another Whopperflower might pop up!"
Zhongli shook his head calmly. "As long as it's sincere, any song will do. And Mr. Shao Yun, your voice was quite pleasant."
Shao Yun laughed. "Thanks, Mr. Zhongli."
Paimon clapped her hands happily. "Looks like we're ready! We can hold the Rite of Parting tomorrow, right?"
Ganyu's expression darkened slightly at the mention. She asked softly, "May I ask… how's the venue preparation coming along?"
Zhongli looked thoughtful, then replied, "Almost complete. If all goes well, the ceremony will be tomorrow. At the latest—by the day after."
Ganyu exhaled gently, her eyes distant. "I never thought… there would be a day we'd bid farewell to the Archon…"
The moment turned somber.
Shao Yun, sensing the shift, brought out the horses again.
"Let's save the sorrow for the ceremony. Shall Lumine and I take you back?"
Ganyu finally noticed the horses and gasped in amazement. "Are these…?"
She stepped forward, eyes full of wonder as she approached the steeds.