Genshin Impact: I Made the Entire Playerbase Cry

Entering the abode of Cloud Retainer.

Cloud Retainer busied herself preparing the meal.

Meanwhile, Mu Yang and little Ganyu chatted idly.

This continued until Cloud Retainer brought the dishes to the table.

The steaming food was fragrant and inviting.

Little Ganyu was already drooling.

No wonder the little one was putting on weight.

Being fed like this by the adeptus every day—how could she not?

Mu Yang sampled Cloud Retainer's so-called "new dish."

He praised,

"It really is delicious. As expected of your craftsmanship, Cloud Retainer."

"Naturally. If only the other old folks were as well-spoken as you and Fujin," Cloud Retainer grumbled, proceeding to complain about Mountain Shaper and the others.

The meal concluded in such a cheerful atmosphere.

(Mountain Shaper and others: Was it really cheerful? I don't believe it.)

Afterward,

little Ganyu took the initiative to clear the tableware.

Only then did Cloud Retainer ask,

"Why have you come alone? Those three shouldn't be in any trouble, right?"

Mu Yang reassured her and explained the purpose of his visit.

First, to test his swordsmanship and gauge his current level.

Second, to prepare gifts for the three of them.

Cloud Retainer nodded.

"I see. Understood. Do you have any ideas in mind?"

After a night of consideration,

Mu Yang had already settled on the gifts.

For Yaojun, the gift was relatively simple.

She was a practical person.

Mu Yang planned to bring back some medical texts from Guili Assembly for her.

As for Lingyuan, she feared loneliness.

So he wanted to ask Cloud Retainer to craft a small mechanical device—

something to keep her company when she was bored.

For Fujin's gift,

Mu Yang had put in a great deal of thought.

And it might require the assistance of Streetward Rambler's authority—

that is, Ping's power.

Mu Yang laid out all these ideas to Cloud Retainer.

After listening, Cloud Retainer assumed her human form—

a tall, elegant woman with red-framed glasses.

Whenever she worked on small mechanisms,

she took on this appearance.

"Perfect timing. Earlier, when passing through the market,"

"I noticed Ganyu was quite fond of those little pinwheels."

"I was just planning to make a toy mechanism for her as well."

She pondered for a moment.

"As for Lingyuan… let me think…"

"Perhaps a different design would be better."

Mu Yang quickly stopped her before she became fully absorbed.

Otherwise, she'd soon stop hearing anything anyone said.

He handed over some of the rare adeptal tea leaves and herbs he had gathered to Cloud Retainer

as thanks for the gift.

Cloud Retainer frowned.

"You and Lingyuan are both dear friends of mine. Why bother with such formalities?"

Seeing Mu Yang's insistence,

she reluctantly accepted.

"Fine, fine. I'll take it this time, if only for Lingyuan's sake."

"But don't let there be a next time."

Mu Yang smiled faintly. "Understood."

"Then I'll prepare some tea for you, Cloud Retainer."

Cloud Retainer was already immersed in designing the mechanism.

Before long,

a rich, soothing aroma of tea filled the air.

Just the scent alone was enough to calm the mind.

"Hm?"

Cloud Retainer lifted her head from her work.

"Earlier, Mu Yang mentioned brewing tea. Could it be…?"

She stood and followed the fragrance.

Mu Yang was teaching the curious little Ganyu how to brew tea.

Noticing Cloud Retainer's arrival,

he said,

"I was just about to call for you, Cloud Retainer."

Then he placed a cup of tea on the seat opposite her.

Cloud Retainer sat down, first inhaling the tea's aroma.

She asked Mu Yang,

"How is this fragrance so potent?"

Mu Yang explained that this tea tree was "pampered"—

after growing for so long, it had only yielded enough leaves for one harvest.

This was also his first time tasting it.

"Cloud Retainer, please try it."

Cloud Retainer sipped the tea slowly.

The fragrance spread across her palate,

somehow carrying a calming and focusing effect.

By the time the pot was empty,

she seemed to have gained new insights into her mechanisms.

"This is excellent. I've already thought of an idea for Lingyuan's gift."

"You may go to Guili Assembly first. Return here to collect it when you're done."

Mu Yang bid farewell to little Ganyu and Cloud Retainer

and left the abode of Cloud Retainer.

He truly hadn't expected

this tea to have such an effect.

After drinking it,

he too felt a new comprehension of the sword's path.

"This is truly a treasure. I imagine Morax and Ping would also appreciate it."

After leaving Mt. Aocang, Mu Yang arrived at Guili Assembly.

The place had flourished into prosperity,

its scale even larger than that of Chenyu Vale.

After all, it was guided by two godlike figures steering its people forward.

Mu Yang first wandered through the marketplace,

broadening his horizons.

He planned to bring these observations back to share with Fujin.

Perhaps they could aid Chenyu Vale's development…

Mu Yang suddenly chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"You might be taking this role too seriously, Mu Yang."

"This is a simulation. The world's grand course is already predetermined…"

Suddenly, he felt a few taps on his shoulder.

Turning around, he saw no one.

The most likely culprit for such a prank was Guizhong.

"Come out, Guizhong."

A young woman with billowing sleeves materialized before him.

"Tch, you're no fun."

Mu Yang told her,

"Fujin already exhausted this trick long ago."

"Why have you come alone? Where are Fujin and the others?"

Guizhong scanned their surroundings,

confirming Mu Yang was the only one present.

"Last time at Mt. Aocang, didn't you say you'd visit Guili Assembly?"

At this, Mu Yang's expression dimmed.

Currently, Fujin was paying a heavy price

to preside over the Toulong Ceremony.

The time she could spend on land

was nowhere near enough to make the journey to Guili Assembly.

However, after much contemplation,

Mu Yang had already devised a solution—

one tied to the gift he was preparing for her.

He didn't explain directly.

Instead, he asked where Morax and Ping were at the moment.

Following Guizhong, Mu Yang arrived at their usual gathering spot.

Morax and Ping were discussing music.

Upon seeing Mu Yang,

both were delighted.

After brief greetings,

Mu Yang stated his purpose.

The first was sparring.

Morax, aware of Mu Yang's obsession with the sword's path,

did not refuse.

He drew his blade and engaged Mu Yang in a duel.

Facing such a formidable opponent,

Mu Yang gave it his all.

After the intense battle,

even Morax had to admit

that in pure swordsmanship,

none could surpass him now.

Mu Yang thanked him for the match.

The insights gained required time to digest.

The two returned to where tea was served.

Mu Yang brought out his treasured adeptal tea leaves and herbs

and brewed a fine pot for the three present.

Morax nodded in admiration.

"This is extraordinary."

Ping took a small sip.

"Strange. Just now, while discussing music, I suddenly gained new understanding."

"Could it be this tea…?"

"Is it truly so miraculous?"

Guizhong also savored the brew.

Throughout the gathering, everyone praised the new tea unreservedly.

Morax suddenly asked,

"You didn't come just to spar and share tea, did you?"

Mu Yang revealed his other objective—

to learn about medical knowledge.

Upon hearing it was a gift for Yaojun,

Morax did not hesitate.

He sealed his recent contemplations into a small stone.

Yaojun could access them by channeling adeptal energy.

He had previously exchanged many discussions with Yaojun.

These exchanges benefited both sides.

Mu Yang then turned to Ping.

"Regarding Fujin… I hope to borrow the power of your authority for assistance."