Chapter Text
“Wangshu Inn?” Zhongli asked, a dumpling halfway to his mouth. He pulled it away and his brows lifted in interest, while his mouth curved into a small smile. “What would you like to know?”
“I was thinking of heading out there for a visit.” Childe rested his cheek on the back of his knuckles and bounced his knee up and down under the table at the restaurant. Zhongli was happy to chat almost any time of day, but his best conversations tended to happen over meals. “Work at the bank’s been slow, and I figured I should take some time to visit areas of Liyue outside of the harbor.”
After the Rite of Descension, Childe wouldn’t be welcome in Liyue. He might as well see the sights while he could. And if a certain rumor was true, Childe should get some entertainment out of it all as well.
His outings with Zhongli helped a great deal with boredom, but Childe itched for combat and he didn’t see the funeral consultant providing an outlet for that particular need.
But he could help confirm a rumor that would point Childe in the direction of someone who could.
“If popular sights of Liyue is what you’re after, the Wangshu Inn would be a good first stop. Not only will your trip there be pleasant as it takes you through the Guili Plains, but the Dihua Marsh is a lovely area by itself,” Zhongli said. The man gathered seconds for his plate from the shared dishes in the center of the table as he spoke. “There’s a reason that the inn is so popular for tourists, and the service at the inn is top notch. The food there is exquisite as well, if you’re interested in local dining.”
His stony expression had not changed much, but Childe could tell he was pleased with the small lift in his usual descriptions. The consultant was always far too happy sharing information and knowledge, which made him a perfect contact for Childe.
“After you’ve stopped at the inn, I recommend continuing north and staying in Qingce Village.” Zhongli said. “The terraced fields there are truly beautiful, and you may see some wild Glaze Lillies at night if you look carefully enough.”
“Sounds pretty,” Childe said. He plucked a meat bun from the center of the table and took a bite. “But I’m not sure I want to get that far away from Liyue Harbor. I still have duties at the bank, and I don’t want a messenger to have to track me down all that way.”
“A considerate limitation,” Zhongli said, nodding. He took a bite of chicken and a few vegetables before clearing his throat. “Thankfully the Wangshu Inn by itself is a fine enough tourist destination that it should appease your boredom. Though, may I ask what caught your interest?”
“I heard a rumor that there was a demon at the inn,” Childe said, getting to the end point of the matter. He wasn’t interested in the food or the sights—he wanted to know about the demon. Specifically, a demon that used to serve under Rex Lapis that was famous for bloodshed. “I’m hoping to see if it’s true or not.”
Zhongli stared him in the eye, and Childe shivered at the intensity. “You are speaking of Xiao, the Adeptus. He is not a demon, but one who kills demons.”
Childe kept his voice light and friendly, hoping to keep up the charade of a bored tourist and not a Harbinger desperate for blood. “Oh? Is he that strong then?”
“Please tell me your interest in the Wangshu Inn is purely sightseeing in nature and not to challenge Xiao to combat,” Zhongli said, seeing through Childe like he was clear water. “I am aware you take great joy from fighting, but Xiao is not a Ruin Guard or group of Treasure Hoarders from your Guild missions. He is dangerous.”
So was Childe.
He wouldn’t have achieved Harbinger status at such a young age if he wasn’t strong enough—though one could never be strong enough. Childe needed opponents on his level and there were fewer and fewer of them day to day.
Childe wanted an excuse to break out his Delusion. He wanted a reason to break out his true, Abyssal form. Ruin Guards and Treasure Hoarders weren’t cutting it—but a demon? An Adeptus? That might be the ticket he was searching for.
Besides, Xiao sounded like a fun opponent, and would also serve as a test to see if Childe was ready for his assignment. How could he kill Rex Lapis when he appeared at the Rite if Childe couldn’t take out one of his lackeys?
But Zhongli didn’t know that side of Childe.
The consultant knew the bank attendant from the Fatui that took Adventure Guild commissions when he was bored, and only a Hydro Vision to his name.
“Is a fight even worth it if it’s not dangerous?” Childe asked. He sipped his tea and shot Zhongli his widest smile. “That’s what makes it fun!”
“Challenging oneself is admirable, but overestimating yourself is foolish.” Zhongli continued to give Childe a disapproving look. “If you do not believe you can control yourself, I suggest avoiding temptation entirely and turning your eyes to the southwest. I recommend you visit Qingxu Pool or the Lingju Pass instead.”
“I’ll keep that suggestion in mind,” Childe lied. The more Zhongli warned against fighting an Adeptus, the more Childe’s heart raced in excitement. “There are lots of tourist spots to consider.”
“If you fight Xiao, he will kill you.” Zhongli stood, staring down at Childe with air of authority he hadn’t seen before on the consultant. “That is not an exaggeration, or a warning. It is a truth: Xiao will not hesitate to kill you.”
Childe bit his lip to stop his smile.
“Xiao is the last of Rex Lapis’ five Yaksha. He has spent thousands of years perfecting the art of death in order to eliminate the demons and evil that have plagued Liyue.” Zhongli set a hand on Childe’s shoulder and squeezed, leaning close enough that his amber eyes almost glowed with his warning. “You are neither demon, nor immortal. Mortal men should not challenge the Adepti to combat unless they wish to die.”
“Got it,” Childe lied once more, though he couldn’t help the small bit of happiness that bubbled in his chest. Under the haze of bloodlust and anticipation of a real fight with another monster, he felt a surge of warmth at the other man’s concern. Other than his siblings, there weren’t many who cared if Childe lived or died. “No fighting the demons in Dihua Marsh.”
Zhongli continued to stare Childe in the eye, searching for a hint of his lie—but he wouldn’t find it.
Childe had perfected the art years ago, and only cracked when it was his siblings on the other end of the lie.
“Let me know if you plan to visit outside of the harbor,” Zhongli said, releasing Childe’s shoulder and satisfied that Childe had taken his advice. “I’d be happy to accompany you as a guide.”
“Sure,” Childe said, still lying. He wouldn’t risk Zhongli’s life in his own battles. The man had a Vision, but Childe had never seen him use it once. “Who would turn down a free tour guide as educated as yourself?”
Zhongli’s shoulders relaxed and he exhaled. He returned to his seat and their cold meal. “What sort of tourist sights typically interest you? Perhaps I could make a day plan.”
“Fishing spots are nice,” Childe offered, slipping back into a comfortable conversation. “Ice fishing is better, but I’ll take what I can get.”
Zhongli nodded and went into a spiel about local fish varieties in the areas around Liyue. Childe made the appropriate responses when needed, but his mind and heart continued to pump at an accelerated pace.
He hoped Xiao lived up to his expectations.
Childe knew better than to ask about Xiao at the Wangshu Inn.
Direct action was always better than subterfuge or spy work, but the Fatui had taught him the skills he needed regardless in situations that called for more…discretion. With that in mind, Childe booked a room at the Inn, and spent his time listening over the next day to everyone within earshot from the owners to the guests.
To his surprise, Xiao the Adeptus was a popular bit of gossip—though perhaps he shouldn’t have been. Liyue was famous for having its Archons walk among the people with a physical presence. The Tsaritsa certainly didn’t show herself to the common folk once a year.
From the conversations, both whispered and spoken aloud, Childe had discovered that Xiao had a fondness for Almond Tofu (the Chef of the Inn liked to complain about it from time to time when he had to drop what he was doing at the whims of the Inn owners to treat their resident Adeptus to a snack), and that too many monsters in the Marsh made him irritated.
An irritated Xiao was a violent Xiao, so it appeared. When lost in battle, he had little regard for possible casualties so the Inn warned its occupants against going out at night if the hilichurls were too active.
The important bit of information: Xiao would make an appearance if the hillichurl population was too high in the Marsh to take care of it personally, since that meant the Adventure Guild wasn’t doing its job with commissions.
“I love it when things are easy,” Childe said, making his way out into the Marsh at the dead of night. The cool evening air felt wonderful on his skin as he strode into a thick area away from the inn. The crackling fires of the small hilichurl camps in the near distance gave him a good idea of where to start. “Let’s meet an Adeptus.”
Childe put his hand on the ground and closed his eyes. He didn’t fully transform but he sent a pulse of Abyssal energy into the ground. If he planned correctly, the energy would call out to any Abyss Mages in the area and they would come to investigate—bringing their hoards of hilichurls with them.
It took a few minutes, but his plan worked and Childe hid in the tall grass near a rock to watch the show.
The Adeptus Xiao made his appearance when the fifth Abyss Mage arrived to join his other confused companions looking for the source of such familiar energy.
He looked younger than Childe expected for someone thousands of years old. The baby faced teenager wielding a spear cut through the Abyss Mages and hilichurls with an air of boredom, though, speaking of his experience.
“Come out,” Xiao said after stabbing his spear through the chest of the last monster. The man glared directly at Childe in his corner, not fooled for a moment. “You reek of the Abyss.”
Childe snickered and clapped his hands as he took a confident step out from behind his hiding spot. “I was waiting for the show to end.”
He ignored the insult about the Abyss. Childe already knew it clung to him like a second skin.
“You must be the Xiao that I’ve heard so much about,” Childe said. He rubbed his hands together and enjoyed the breeze blowing his scarf behind him. “I wanted to see if you’re as strong as they say.”
“I do not have time to deal with children,” Xiao said. He spun his spear in the air and dismissed it before turning away from Childe to walk back to the inn. “Stop being a pest and leave my marsh.”
“Aw, come on! I came all the way out here to see you,” Childe said. He summoned his bow and pulled it back. If shooting at Xiao’s head didn’t get the other man in the mood for a fight, nothing would. The charge shot felt good under his fingers as the water gathered. “Let’s have some fun.”
Childe released the arrow, pleased when Xiao turned and caught the projectile before it struck with a quick swipe of the hand. He snapped it in two, dropping the two halves to the ground.
“Finally,” Childe said, licking his lip. He spun his bow and infused it with Hydro, snapping it apart into his favorite two water blades. “It’s been too long since I fought someone strong.”
“What a nuisance,” Xiao replied. He summoned his spear again and tilted his head to the side. “If you wish for death so badly, I will give it to you. However, I shall grant you one last warning: Leave now and live.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
Childe shot forward, opening with the dual blades. Every hit was met with a block from the spear. Xiao’s expression did not change from the dull, boredom of someone who didn’t consider Childe a threat. The other played with Childe, though didn’t appear to enjoy it. Childe’s excitement grew as he imagined pulling a frown or a growl out of that baby-face.
He’d even take the gleeful smile of engaging combat if he could.
Satisfied with a few minutes of testing the water, Childe activated his Delusion to kick the fight to the next level. He was too impatient and wanted to know if his Foul Legacy would be needed for the opponent.
Just how strong were the Adepti? Were Zhongli’s warnings justified? Childe wanted to know. He needed the strength to take down Archons and he would never get it unless he jumped in headfirst.
The spark of electricity through his water earned a raised brow from the stoic face across from him. The purple Electro ignited the leftover Hydro on Xiao’s skin, creating a spark of energy that made the other flinch from the unexpected action.
Xiao recovered in a blink, however, and went on the offensive with his spear. Childe jumped back, turning his blades into a pole arm to match each hit and block. The sparks continued to dance along their weapons and he laughed, pulling his mask down over his face to secure it in place.
His Tsaritsa wouldn’t be pleased if he lost it out in a marsh.
Returning to the offensive himself, Childe struck at Xiao once more but the look of boredom returned. If Childe didn’t know better, he would think Xiao was still giving him a chance to run away after realizing he hadn’t made any ground in his attack.
Xiao really was strong.
“This is great,” Childe laughed. He jumped back, leaving a sparking trail of Electro in the wet grass. His boots sunk into the mud and earth. Even the environment wanted to give him a true challenge! “I can really cut loose with you, can’t I?”
His abyssal form came at a price and Childe was more than happy to pay it for an opponent that was worth it. He called the shadows to himself with a laugh, letting them wash over him and lift his feet out of the mud as he floated above the ground.
The Foul Legacy crawled over every limb, coating Childe in the armor of the Abyss. His Delusion and Vision worked as one, giving him the power of both at the disposal of his clawed hands.
Xiao remained ever steady, watching the transformation happen with an ever increasing frown.
“It seems I was mistaken. You are not simply an annoying man,” Xiao said, holding his hand to his face. He ripped it down, putting on a horned mask with sharp eyes. “You’re just another demon to vanquish.”
A burst of Anemo came from the smaller man and he raced at Childe like a shot from a rifle.
Childe barely blocked the first hit of the spear, glad for his added bulk and armor as the assault continued in fast, powered strikes. He couldn’t stop the laughter from building up as each hit pushed him back—even in his Abyss form!
“Look at you!” Childe shouted, striking back with an electrified pole and a splash of water. Xiao swiped it aside with another burst of wind and returning with a strike of his own from his spear that Childe almost didn’t block. “What a rush.”
“Silence.”
The Adeptus jumped, high over Childe’s head and dove down with the spear toward his head. The tip sliced through the cape over his shoulder, which Childe dismissed into a burst of darkness before it could be tugged and drag him.
But Xiao wasn’t the only one that could show off.
Childe glided back and summoned his beloved Narwhal from the waters of the marsh.
The beautiful blue waters filled his sights as it rose in a beautiful arc, on a path to crash onto its—
Xiao cut through his narwal with his spear and straight through Childe with so much force his body refused to react. The Adeptus moved faster than he had before, no longer playing or holding back. Childe couldn’t dodge. He couldn’t breathe. Xiao didn’t stop or give him the time to retaliate. The hits that followed knocked the air from his lungs and his vision turned black and white. His head rattled, something wet poured from his mouth and lungs.
The demon hunter tore at his armor and mask, shattering it and ripping it from Childe’s form before he could dismiss it. A kick to his chest sent Childe flying across the water, tumbling and rolling on impact until he smacked into a rock.
Childe coughed up blood and shook as he made it to his knees.
What happened?
The world spun as he swayed, looking up to see double vision as the Adepti shot toward him with the killing blow—the spear aimed to go straight between his eyes.
Childe watched in horrible fascination.
Heh.
Zhongli had been—
“Stop!”
The commanding voice silenced the entire area like a shockwave.
A hand slammed on the pole of the spear, stopping its path a good foot from Childe. The brown glove it wore looked familiar and Childe stared openly. Had the spear already hit? Childe must be dying and bleeding out in the marsh. He’d been thinking of the funeral parlor consultant and Zhongli had arrived.
And caught Xiao’s spear.
“I believe Childe has learned his lesson about challenging Adepti to battle,” Zhongli said, his voice firm. “I am asking you to end this confrontation here.”
Xiao stared hard at Zhongli before his eyes widened and he dismissed his spear, standing up straight.
He said something, but it came through muffled. Childe’s face hit the water of the marsh and it soaked into his cheek as he passed out.