"Sister Bingyi, you're in Mondstadt? That's wonderful!"
Upon learning that Sister Bingyi was in Mondstadt, Mona immediately jumped up and cheered.
Rather than be nagged by the old woman at home, she'd rather seek refuge with her Sister Bingyi.
Meanwhile, Feng Yi, hearing Mona's tone, felt a jolt in his heart and a sudden bad premonition.
Could Mona be planning to come find him?
But he was posing as a woman. Wouldn't everything be exposed the moment he met Mona?
"Mona, listen to me first. I have urgent matters in a couple of days and need to go to Liyue..."
Feng Yi planned to use a time difference to avoid the period when Mona would be coming to Mondstadt to complete the task his master had assigned.
However, after sending the message, there was no response for a long time. He suddenly felt that something was amiss and it would be best to slip away soon.
Coincidentally, Ningguang had sent him a message a few days ago, informing him that many of the materials for the delayed potion he had asked her to collect had been found.
Feng Yi had originally intended to have Ningguang send someone to deliver them, but now it seemed he had to change his mind.
Upon his return to Liyue this time, he could use Ningguang as a connection to meet the formidable Beidou and make necessary preparations for heading to Inazuma next spring.
...
Knock knock knock~
"Old woman, old woman, I agree to what you said before. Give me some travel expenses, and I'll pack my bags and leave!"
Mona threw the telecommunication crystal ball into her room, then went downstairs and knocked on her old woman master's door, demanding travel expenses.
As for why she needed travel expenses?
As an astrologer, Mona had taken on commercial commissions and contributed to the horoscope column of the "Steam Bird Daily," earning a stable income and bidding farewell to her former impoverished life. However, Mona's pursuit of knowledge never stopped.
As soon as she received her manuscript fees, Mona would purchase vast amounts of astrological materials, leading to continuous large expenditures. Thus, she once again returned to a state of extreme poverty.
Currently, Mona was so poor that she didn't even have half a Mora on her. If she were to travel like this, she would surely starve to death halfway.
Since her old woman master had asked her to go to Mondstadt on business, Mona saw this as a perfect opportunity for a publicly funded trip!
Creak~
The old wooden door was opened by Memi. Seeing Mona who had come to her door willingly, she revealed a smile that conveyed, 'Everything is under control.'
"Here is 3000 Mora. Spend it sparingly on your journey; it should be enough for you to take a ship to Mondstadt..."
Memi took out a coin purse and placed it in Mona's hand.
With so many research projects requiring funding, her remaining Mora was not much. This 3000 Mora was what she had saved by being thrifty.
"Thanks, old woman!"
Mona weighed the coin purse in her hand. Knowing that her master also had her difficulties, she didn't demand anything more.
"Wait, before you go to Mondstadt, there are two things I need to tell you!"
"Old woman, go ahead."
"First, you are not allowed to open the box and check the contents. If you dare to peek at what's inside, you'll face the consequences!"
Seeing her old woman master's devilish smile, Mona's body stiffened. After swallowing, she quickly nodded in agreement.
"As for the second thing, you are not allowed to use astrology to peek into Bingyi's fate. Do you understand?"
Memi earnestly warned Mona. Bingyi's fate was veiled by heavenly secrets. Attempting to divine it would result in a backlash from the rules. Although the backlash wouldn't be too severe, she didn't want her beloved disciple to get hurt.
"Old woman? How did you know I was going to find Sister Bingyi?"
After asking this question, Mona immediately realized her foolishness.
In front of her old woman master, what could she possibly hide?
The faint smile on the old woman's face was proof!
"Understood, understood!"
Mona perfunctorily agreed, took the travel expenses, and ran upstairs to pack her luggage.
'Why doesn't the old woman want me to divine Sister Bingyi's fate? Is there some unspeakable secret involved?'
Mona pondered her old woman master's instructions, feeling very confused and curious.
...
Meanwhile, Feng Yi, after bidding farewell to the people of Mondstadt, embarked on his journey to Liyue with Hu Tao.
Lisa was very reluctant. She lingered with Feng Yi for two hours before finally letting him leave.
Eula was the same.
Passing by Wangshu Inn, Feng Yi took Yuanbao to see if Xiao was there.
"Proprietress Filch, the usual, one Almond Tofu!"
The moment Feng Yi stepped into Wangshu Inn, he sensed Xiao's presence.
As his cultivation gradually improved, his divine sense (mental power) also greatly increased.
Feng Yi: Don't look at me always eating, drinking, and having fun. I do train diligently occasionally, alright?!
"Little Brother Feng Yi, long time no see. I heard you went traveling in Mondstadt, how was your harvest?"
Proprietress Filch, seeing Feng Yi, who hadn't visited in a while, suddenly appear, greeted him with a smile. While asking Yanxiao to prepare food, she chatted with Feng Yi.
"Harvest? I've gained quite a lot!"
Feng Yi chuckled.
In retrospect, these past six months in Mondstadt, he had learned much about alchemy and made many friends.
It was truly a worthwhile trip!
Proprietress Filch later asked about his harvest, but Feng Yi brushed it off with a few words. Then, carrying the Almond Tofu prepared by Yanxiao, he walked towards the platform on the second floor with Yuanbao. He knew Xiao had been waiting there for a long time.
"Grandpa Xiao, Yuanbao misses you so much!"
Yuanbao ran to Xiao's side and said happily.
"I miss you too, Yuanbao. I'm glad you're safe!"
If Yuanbao encountered danger, blowing the bone whistle would allow Xiao to see Yuanbao.
But at the same time, Xiao didn't want Yuanbao to blow the bone whistle. (Because if the bone whistle was blown, it meant Yuanbao was in mortal danger.)
This conflicting emotion made Xiao lose sleep and peace.
"You're back. Are you leaving again?"
Xiao took the Almond Tofu from Feng Yi, tasted it in small bites, and asked Feng Yi.
"Yes!"
"When?"
"In about ten days!"
"Mmm!"
Their conversation was brief, but their emotions were clearly conveyed.
Xiao's concise and powerful reply showed his reluctance at Feng Yi's departure and his blessings, embodying a sincere emotional outpouring beneath his taciturn nature.
Feng Yi stood with Xiao on the eaves, gazing at the distant scenery for a while, where silence spoke louder than words.
Then, after Xiao had played with Yuanbao for some time, and as dusk began to fall, he took Yuanbao and bid farewell.
Xiao stood on the highest eaves of Wangshu Inn, watching Feng Yi and Yuanbao's receding figures disappear at the end of the road before slowly withdrawing his gaze.
He then took down the mask from his waist, put it on, his eyes sharp and deterrent to all malevolent spirits.