While everyone was feasting, a dark green light suddenly flashed on the observation deck on the top floor of Wangshu Inn.
A young man wearing white close-fitting shorts with fluttering half-sleeves on his left arm and a gray magic pestle hanging on his chest appeared under the Fulong tree.
The crimson streamers on the back of the young man's neck were flying in the wind, and the thin armor cloud pattern on his wrists added a bit of ancient charm to his figure. The incense burner on the waist was wrapped with wisps of black energy, as if it had gone through a difficult battle.
It was Mandrill, the protector Yaksha who returned after clearing out the demonic remnants at midnight.
At this moment, Zhu Shangxian was shielded by the branches of the Fulong ancient tree on the top of the inn, and his molten golden eyes were fixed on Famas who was appraising the drinks on the dining table.
Unlike Zhongli's calmness and tolerance, and Wendy's friendliness and gentleness, Mandrill has been very cold and distant from others since they first met.
This is not because he hates anyone, but because he himself is trapped by the karma of eliminating demons. If the person close to him is not strong enough, he will not be able to suppress him, and he will not be able to protect him when he loses his mind, and then he will be affected by innocent people.
Fortunately, after meeting Famas, the thousand-year karma that even the emperor was helpless to deal with was cleared away. Although it had accumulated a lot in these days, Mandrill thought he could still handle it.
I wanted to inform the emperor of this happy event, but I never thought that the rock god who signed the contract with me had passed away.
Mandrill silently raised his eyes and looked into the distance. The mist was rising from the steaming stream of Dihuazhou. The cold moonlight filtering through the leaves turned into bright white clouds, making it feel like a fairyland.
After the emperor leaves, I am afraid that only Mondstadt's Fengshen and the young man under the inn can suppress the karma in his body.
Mandrill took off the brown medicine bag hanging from his waist, took out a squarely folded paper bag, spread it out, dipped some powder in his finger and put it into his mouth.
This is the Lianli Zhenxin Powder that the emperor prepared for him a few years ago. It is used to suppress the power of karma in the body and also relieve pain.
It was supposed to be decoctioned in water and swallowed with honey, but Mandrill still found it more convenient to eat it directly.
At that time, Huaian, the innkeeper, sent a big bag of medicinal powder, which he said was the emperor's immortal edict. It seems that at that time, the emperor had anticipated his departure and had prepared medicine for him several years in advance.
When the traveler came with the forbidden treasure, Mandrill always felt that the emperor passed away suddenly. Later, when the immortals invited him together, he even felt that there might be a hidden meaning in this matter.
The emperor must have a deep meaning in doing this, right?
At a time when the Immortal Sending Ceremony is in full swing and the conflicts between the Seven Stars of Liyue and the Immortals are intensifying, Mandrill is the only one who firmly believes that the Rock God who has guarded Liyue for thousands of years has not left yet... Even if he passes away, it will not be like this. He abruptly left Liyue alone.
Therefore, Mandrill, who has always been indifferent to world affairs, found Phil Godette, the owner of Wangshu Inn, and inquired many times about the current situation of Liyue Port and Qixing, hoping to understand the emperor's arrangements.
The result is naturally nothing.
"The Immortal lives far away in Dihuazhou, so why is he suddenly so concerned about matters in Hong Kong and China?"
Phil Godette asked the inarticulate young immortal in surprise.
Mandrill was habitual of looking at Boss Fei with a cold face, but this made the latter consciously make a mistake and asked the cook Yanxiao to make almond tofu to apologize.
Now seeing Famas and the active traveler in Liyue Port again, Mandrill began to hesitate again.
The girl once searched for him with a hundred-forbidden basket, and helped prepare the ceremony for sending immortals. She might know more secrets.
And Famas, who helped him for no reason when he lost control.
Anyone who has a close relationship with Mandrill knows that this cold-faced immortal actually values the kindness and help of others very seriously.
The two of them left in a hurry last time, and he fell into a coma due to physical reasons. Now that they are reunited, they should also thank each other.
Mandrill was standing by the railing, and the moonlight fell on his profile, stretching his shadow very long. His lonely back formed a huge contrast with the inn filled with red lanterns.
"Um?"
Famas, who was sitting at the bottom of the inn, seemed to be aware of Mandrill's gaze. After drinking all the wine in his glass, he suddenly raised his head and looked at the Fulong tree on the top of the inn.
The trunk of the rocky Fulong ancient tree is so thick that only five or six people can hug it. The ground dozens of feet away from the trunk is covered with crisscrossing roots. The crown of the tree stretches out to all sides, and even the clear moonlight is completely blocked. .
Sensing that he had been discovered by the other party, Mandrill disappeared without expression, leaving behind a few traces of a dark aura.
"Famas, what are you looking at?"
Ying, who was holding the bowl and taking small bites of the custard, noticed the boy's movements, raised her head curiously, and looked in the direction of Famas' gaze.
But all I saw were the tall branches of the dragon tree and the grand terrace where people flowed together.
Zhongli, who was half full after eating, also put down his bowl and chopsticks and raised his head. His sapphire-colored eyes passed through the obstruction of the branches and leaves, glanced at the mandrill on the top of the inn, and looked away calmly, showing his dignity in his demeanor.
The young immortal who had just been watching the three people had changed his position and was sitting sideways on the huge branch of the ancient tree. He supported the weight of his body with his left hand and rested his elbow gracefully on his knees.
"It seemed like a green-haired young lady with flowery arms was spying on us just now."
Seeing Zhongli's little move, Famas couldn't help but curve the corners of his mouth upwards and answered casually.
The voice was not loud, but Mandrill, who was focused on a few people, heard it clearly.
The handsome young immortal who looked up at the moonlight heard Famas's words. The cold temperament in his golden eyes froze, and he almost fell down from the tree without being able to sit still.
In the hearts of the residents of Liyue Port, the three-eyed and five-appearing immortals who live among the clouds have a very high reputation.
On every festive and auspicious day, people would burn incense and pray, hoping for the blessings of immortals.
But people don’t pray to mandrills.
Because the mandrill is not a lucky star that can bring auspiciousness and wealth, but a yaksha that fights evil spirits to the death.
Behind the bright lights of thousands of houses in Liyue Port are endless battles. These battles have no end and no winner. No one witnessed, no one appreciated.
Even if Mandrill doesn't care about people's offerings, no one dares to treat him lightly.
But right now...
Ignorant mortals do not respect the immortal master!
"Huaji, Shota..."
Ying recalled the characteristics mentioned by the boy, and then patted Paimon's butt.
The little mascot has cleared most of the dishes on the table, but it is still eyeing the fragrant and oily barbecue on the next table.
Feeling the slap on his butt, Paimon's attention was drawn back, and he rested his chin on top of Ying's head angrily: "Smelly guarantee... Ahem, Famas should be talking about Mandrill, right?"
Ying belatedly looked at Zhongli and Famas, who were tall and slender, and nodded as if he suddenly understood.
The last time when she came to the inn to look for Mandrill with her Ba Wu Tao Lun, Ying could only remember the ice-cold expression and sharp and dangerous eyes of the Demon-Conquering Great Sage, and subconsciously ignored the opponent's height.
Looking back now, Mandrill seems to be really... almost as tall as me.
Several people were discussing the height of the young immortal at the table, while the person at the top of Wangshu Inn was experiencing complex psychological changes.
From curiosity at the beginning, to disdain when criticized, and finally into silent silence.
Is it normal for a monster with karma like him to be criticized by ordinary people?
Mandrill sighed lightly.
I originally planned to show up to thank Famas and the travelers, but now I think there is no need.
The young man stood up, and the magic weapons and decorations on his body collided with each other, making a crisp sound. The Nuo noodles hanging on his waist also flickered in the shadow of the leaves.
This is a gift from the emperor to Yaksha.
The mask is mainly in black, green and gold. It is eye-catching but not frivolous, solemn and mysterious.
The eyes are like copper bells, the mouth shows fangs, and the head has horns, giving people a ferocious and fearful feeling. The eye in the middle of the forehead symbolizes the eye of wisdom, and the decoration of the dark eyebrow lines adds momentum and is intended to intimidate all parties.
Mandrill couldn't figure out the emperor's arrangement, so all he could do now was follow the contract and continue to clean up the demonic remnants in Dihua Continent.
However, when the young man was about to put on his Nuo noodles and go out to inspect the evil spirits, Zhongli's peaceful words rang out:
"Although this Immortal Mandrill looks like a young man, his real age is over two thousand years old."
"There is a book in Wanwen Collection called "The Record of the Yakshas of the Dharma Protector Immortals". If you want to know the stories of several Yakshas, you might as well go and borrow it."
Putting down the chopsticks in his hand, Zhongli pondered for a moment and then raised his head slightly. His gaze passed through the observation deck and the dense leaves, and collided with Mandrill's cold gaze.
"The eyes are so familiar...Emperor?"
Zhongli's silent eyes made Mandrill lose consciousness for a moment, but then he immediately returned to normal.
Elegant and polite... this person is probably Zhongli, the guest of the Hall of the Resurrection mentioned by Phil Godette.
But the inexplicable feeling of familiarity made Mandrill even more confused. After a slight hesitation, he hung the Nuo noodles back on his waist.
Looks like I have to visit three people tonight.
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