He changed Tiwat

If he were Leonard, would he be happy? — Probably not. Although having "wings of the wind" is already a great improvement, and although many people are comforted by "white lies," someone like Leonard would never be satisfied by "lies" and "illusions."

Leonard's desire to climb "Peak of the Spire" is not merely about conquering a single peak.

Mountain climbing is merely a "means," not an "end."

True adventurers are always "heading towards the stars and the abyss".

Paimon clapped his hands: "Alright, now the meteorite core is all dealt with. The sleeping people will gradually wake up. We can consider it a successful completion of the Adventurers' Guild's request, right?"

"After all, I'm a genius astrologer!" Mona proudly raised her head—she was already thinking about the reward for this commission.

"Then we can finally relax a bit, right?"

Paimon leaned back and lay flat in mid-air.

These past few days, the group has been running around and working tirelessly for the meteorite incident, so they really deserve a good rest... although Paimon's involvement throughout the whole thing seems to have been limited to observing from the sidelines.

However, being a bystander is also quite physically demanding for Paimon.

So...

"Ying, I'm hungry."

Paimon pounded his flat little belly, making a "thump thump" sound, just like banging a bowl.

"Sigh, fine, fine..." Ying shook her head and sighed, looking like she couldn't do anything about Paimon.

It's already dinnertime, and it's still a few hours' flight back to Mondstadt, so we definitely won't make it in time for dinner. We might as well cook here.

When it comes to picnic skills, Ying is a professional among professionals.

Paimon sat up abruptly, his eyes sparkling: "I want to eat the Wind God Stew!"

Ying, hands on hips, asked, "You ordered food?"

Don't let Paimon's cuteness fool you; raising a Paimon is far more difficult than raising any other pet, especially after meeting Oz—Fischl feeds Oz beans, and Oz never dares to order food from Fischl...

Despite her complaints, Ying still took out cooking utensils from her backpack and, together with the others, gathered firewood on the island to start a fire and cook.

Speaking of which, this "Wind God Stew" is also a famous traditional dish of Mondstadt, on par with "Mondstadt Potato Pancakes". If potato pancakes are the traditional breakfast of Mondstadt people, this stew named after the wind god is the traditional dinner of Mondstadt people.

The ingredients used in Fengshen Mixed Dish are traditional and simple.

The term "mixed stew" means that anything can be added to the pot. Most people use potatoes, carrots, and onions as the main ingredients, and depending on personal taste, they can add various other ingredients, such as bacon, sweet florets, mint, etc.

It is said that this dish itself symbolizes the "freedom" spirit of Mondstadt, so you are free to add whatever you want to it. You can even add Mondstadt potato pancakes... Of course, the resulting stew might be more aptly named "Wild Wind Stew".

In short, no matter where you are, the satisfaction provided by a bowl of hot mixed vegetables is incredibly real.

Han Fulai certainly wouldn't refuse such a Mondstadt specialty dish, and he had long wanted to try Yingmei's cooking. As for Mona... free food is always delicious.

Chapter 46 The Wind God Who Loves to Eavesdrop

In addition to traditional main ingredients such as potatoes and carrots, Ying's "Wind God Stew" also includes Wind Mushrooms that Mona picked from Springvale, smoked meat rations that Han Fulai carries with him, a quadruple-sweet Sunset Fruit made by an alchemist that Paimon secretly kept, and Cecilia flowers for decoration.

Since it's a traditional Mondstadt dish, adding a touch of Mondstadt's local specialties as a garnish would make it truly deserving of its name.

Cecilia is a flower as beautiful as its name, growing only on the cold, windy heights of Stargazing Cliff, as unattainable as a wanderer's heart. Young men and women in Mondstadt often present Cecilia as a gift when courting, signifying their sincere affections.

Although this mixed dish uses a variety of ingredients, Ying's skillful preparation has resulted in an absolutely delicious flavor.

In Mona's words, "If you savor it carefully, you can taste the flavor of 'small turning points and the winds of hope'."

"It truly lives up to the name 'Wind God'." Han Fulai also praised the dish highly. He even secretly wondered if Ying's creation of this dish could attract the real Wind God.

However, judging from the results, Wendy is not Paimon after all, and it seems that she is not easy to be lured by food.

Oz promised him that he would see Wendy at the end of the journey, but unfortunately Wendy is still nowhere to be seen.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Han Fulai stood up and suggested to Mona, "This is my first time visiting Musk Reef, and I'm sure it's the same for Miss Mona. It's a rare opportunity, so why don't we take a walk together?"

Ignoring the backdrop-like "Spiral Abyss" entrance, Musk Reef is actually quite scenic. Especially at night, with a dazzling starry sky overhead and the constant sound of the ocean waves, it's a perfect dating spot for young men and women in Mondstadt, making it a natural place to enjoy the scenery.

Mona agreed almost without thinking.

The two strolled toward a small hill surrounded by trees not far away.

Just as Paimon was about to chase after her, Ying silently grabbed his cloak and pulled him back.

"Ying, why are you holding me?" Paimon asked, feeling wronged.

Ying pointed to the small hill in front of Han Fulai and Mona and said, "Look at that small hill over there, doesn't it look a bit like Star-Picking Cliff?"

Paimon looked completely bewildered: "Does it look like it?"

Ying tapped Paimon on the head: "Think about what we saw when we went to Starcliff last time?"

Paimon suddenly realized: "You mean the two of them are actually...like Marvin and Mara?"

Marvin's full name is Marvin Goethe, the heir to the "Goethe Hotel," and his lover, Mara, is the daughter of a farmer in Clearspring. Old Mr. Goethe stubbornly opposes his son's marriage and tries to force him to marry a girl of equal social standing, keeping his son locked up at home during the day.

Therefore, Marvin and Mara had to sneak out at night to meet at Starcliff—and Ying and Paimon happened to bump into them last time.

Ying said mysteriously, "Think about it, Han Gongzi wasn't originally involved in our trip to Musk Reef, but he insisted on coming along. Who was he doing this for?"

Paimon nodded: "Oh right...and he even gave Mona the reward for the mission before. This morning they even secretly went to a corner to 'whisper'."

Ying added, "Think about it again. Mona... she's very poor, doesn't she look a lot like Mara?"

Paimon clapped his hands: "And Young Master Han is very rich, he's practically Mona's meal ticket!"

The two exchanged a glance, their faces simultaneously displaying the expressions of idle middle-aged women in Mondstadt.

Ying coughed lightly and mimicked Marvin's tone, saying, "You've come again, my dear Mona."

Paimon then adopted Mara's tone, "Oh, Frye! How could I abandon you? No matter what your father thinks of us, my love... shines like the stars in the sky..."

Ying: "No, Mona, your love shouldn't be so far away!"

Paimon: "No, I mean, my love will watch over you like the stars, forever, whether it's a thousand years... or ten thousand years..."

Luminous: "Oh, Mona! My love for you is like the unmoving rocks of Liyue..."

Paimon: "No, Frye, your love shouldn't be so cold and heartless..."

Ying: "No, I mean, my love for you is as steadfast as a rock... for a thousand years... or ten thousand years..."

Paimon: "Oh, Frye!"

Ying: "Oh, Mona!"

The two immediately burst into laughter.

For some reason, their impromptu performance was carried to Mona's ears by the breeze.

On the other side of the hill, Mona stomped her feet in exasperation, ready to turn back and teach those two a lesson, but Han Fulai stopped her: "Miss Mona, please calm down, business is important... business is important..."

Mona's face soured: "Let me make this clear first, I'm not the kind of woman who would sell her feelings for Mora! No matter how rich you are, the only person I love is truth!"

"Of course, I didn't have any ulterior motives in seeking out Miss Mona..." Han Fulai quickly put on a smile, "Just like you said, it's about 'truth.' I humbly request Miss Mona's guidance on this matter."

When Mona heard Han Fulai mention "truth," her expression turned serious: "So, Mr. Han, who exactly are you? I know you're not from this world, but I still don't understand your purpose in getting involved in this meteorite event."

"You said you came to Mondstadt on business. What is it? It's not related to the meteorite, is it?"

Han Fulai shook his head and then nodded: "Originally, there was no connection... but now there is. In fact, just like I said when I asked you to do a divination at the 'Hunter's,' I came to Mondstadt to find that bard named Wendy..."

“He is Barbatos, the wind god of Mondstadt.” Mona immediately revealed Wendy’s identity—she had actually sensed it during the last divination, after all, the “Song of the Celestials” was just too special.

But the erudite and talented astrologer knew far more than just that.

"You're connected to that Geo Archon of Liyue, right? The shield you gave Ying during the battle the other day, I've seen it in the book, it's called 'Jade Shield'. Also, that Fatui Enforcer was clearly very wary of you, to make such a dangerous person hesitate—you wouldn't actually be Jean, the 'leader' of Liyue, would you?"

Jean is not most famous in Mondstadt for her status or beauty, but for her swordsmanship as the "Dandelion Knight".

When Mondstadt people get drunk, they often argue heatedly or even fight over trivial matters. Mona's rented magic laboratory is near a tavern, and in the past few days, she has heard many patrons arguing about who the current "strongest fighter in Mondstadt" is—Jane, the Grand Master, has always been a strong candidate on the list.

Of course, the fact that Klee also seems to be on this ranking makes Mona a little doubtful of the authority of this power ranking.

"Haha, although I may not be as strong as Captain Jean, I do indeed have the legacy of the Emperor... I came to Mondstadt this time as the 'successor of the Emperor' to ask Lord Barbatos of the Wind God about that 'truth'. And the words that the Fatui Executor said before leaving, 'The starry sky itself is a huge lie,' have been on my mind."

"I'm really curious to know what kind of 'truth' the skirmishers discovered inside the meteorite, but unfortunately, before we could see that truth, someone switched the information inside the meteorite..."

As Han Fulai spoke, he suddenly turned to look at the bushes on the side, "Am I right? Lord Barbatos, the wind god who likes to eavesdrop on others."

Chapter Forty-Seven: Cause and Effect and Consequences

For a moment, all was silent.

Then the tinkling sound of a piano began.

A green figure holding a seven-stringed lyre suddenly appeared on the treetop.

The green bard tilted his head, sitting high on a tree branch, looking down at the two.

"That shouldn't be... Do you also have the ability to recognize me from a wisp of wind?"

The bard's troubled expression seemed genuine; he was clearly quite curious—no matter how idle he was, he was still the Wind God, one of the Seven Rulers of the Mortal World.

He might not be the strongest in a direct confrontation, but when it comes to other aspects, such as stealth and escape... he is probably the best in Teyvat right now.

When he merges into the Thousand Winds, those who can find his traces must at least be of the rank of a demon god, but Han Fulai and Mona are clearly not at that level.

But Han Fulai found Wendy without relying on any external force whatsoever.

Well, he was just casually trying to trick Wendy, since he knew she was somewhere nearby. As for why this direction, as a gamer, he knew Wendy had a habit of sitting on a treetop playing the piano.

Of course, he had his reasons for assuming Wendy was nearby.

Han Fulai recalled Yura's actions when she met Ying earlier, and gave Wendy a slight bow, performing a Mondstadt-style greeting:

“I also met a Mondstadt bard when I was in the Deep Rock Abyss. Bards are all the same – after they write a new story, they can’t wait to hear what the audience thinks. You wrote this story of the adventurer Leonard specifically for us, so naturally you care about the audience’s reaction.”

"That Fool's Enforcer didn't see Leonard at all inside the meteorite, so when Miss Mona mentioned Leonard, his reaction was 'Who is Leonard?', which is already strong evidence; and from Leonard's story, we can only see the courage of an adventurer, the uplifting virtues of humanity, and the fact that some truth has been covered up, but we can never draw the conclusion that 'the starry sky is a lie'..."

"In addition, the deep blue meteorite turned emerald green in less than a minute, and the 'power of the heavens' inside was replaced by the power of wind elements. To be able to do such a thing in front of us without being noticed... I can only think of you, Lord Barbatos."

"Whoosh~" Wendy whistled softly and asked with a smile, "So, what else did this audience member discover?"

"Well... actually, I don't know too much either." Han Fulai smiled and said, "But what can be confirmed is that this meteor shower was actually summoned by you, Lord Barbatos. You and the 'clown' of the Fatui made a deal to reveal some secrets to the Fatui. As the price for prying into the secrets, the responsibility for this meteor event will be placed on the Fatui."

"Wow." Wendy winked dramatically. "Is Oz really that loose-lipped?"

"Ah, you can't blame Oz for this, it didn't say anything." Han Fulai still tried to reason with Oz, as Oz was actually very tight-lipped about the meteorite.

Mona, standing nearby, looked puzzled: "Wait, you're saying the Fatui didn't summon the meteors?"

“Of course it’s not the Fatui.” Han Fulai shook his head. “It couldn’t be more obvious. If the Fatui really had the power to summon meteors and obtain secrets, they would have simply let the meteors fall in Winterlands. There’s no need to make such a big fuss and let everyone in Mondstadt and Liyue know about it, right?”

"Also, Miss Mona, do you remember the locations where the meteorites fell these past few days?"

Mona tilted her head and recalled: "Apart from Musk Reef... in Mondstadt it's 'Eagle's Nest,' 'Dawn Winery,' 'Springvale,' 'Whispering Woods,' 'Dadaupa Valley'... in Liyue it's 'Stonegate,' 'Lightbringer Manor,' 'Brightwood,' 'Graceful Shoal,' 'Radiant Forest'..."

"Not a single meteorite fell in Mondstadt or Liyue Harbor. The meteorites all landed in sparsely populated areas, and... miraculously, not a single person was hit, not even a house was damaged. The unluckiest brewer, Hartman, only had his carriage wheel damaged. Even those who were unconscious were always found in time, as if guided by the wind... Would the Fatui be so kind?"

"Ah, no wonder..." Mona slapped her hand, suddenly realizing.

"From the perspective of the Liyue government, I should complain that this meteor shower caused damage to Liyue's farmland and trade routes, and also caused a lot of trouble for our Seven Stars and Thousand Rocks armies... But when I think about how our Liyue immortals are looking after 'Huaguang Forest' and 'Qingce Village', and how most of the meteorites were picked up by them, I wonder if they will be used to smelt weapons, as materials for alchemy cauldrons, or to study their mysteries... Well, I can't complain anymore."

Han Fulai smiled at Wendy, who then looked up at the sky and whistled.

"Just like that old man said, you are very smart."

Wendy jumped down from the treetop and landed on the ground as lightly as a leaf.

"That's too kind of Your Majesty," Han Fulai said with a smile, bowing slightly to Wendy.

Wendy blinked and asked, "It seems you're not satisfied with Leonard's story?"

Han Fulai nodded slightly, "That's a very good story, but..."

“…That’s not the truth,” Mona interjected. “As an astrologer seeking the truth, I’m not satisfied with this story. At the end of this journey, I should have obtained the secrets of the ‘False Heaven.’”

“Sigh, I did promise Barbiros of the ‘Witches’ Guild’ that if her successor came to Mondstadt, I would help her acquire occult knowledge…” Wendy sighed, touched the feather ornament on her hat, and tilted her head to look at Mona. “Didn’t Barbiros teach you about ‘cause and effect and consequences’? Have you reached Barbiros’s level yet?”

"Just like that old woman's tone..." Mona gritted her teeth. In astrology, only her master could make her feel inferior.

The great witch who has lived for over a thousand years in the "Witches' Guild," the astrological queen codenamed "B," is someone even Mona, a genius, would find difficult to catch up with in just over a decade.

The so-called "cause and effect and consequences" is precisely the mantra that Mona's master, Barbie Ross, always has on his lips.

Barbie Ross is very concerned about "cause and effect and consequences." She strictly adheres to the taboos of astrologers, refraining from offering advice to others during divination to avoid being drawn into their "fate." At the same time, she absolutely refuses to divine her own fate to avoid any contradictions in her destiny.

—And her disciple Mona, well… she is far superior to her master only in terms of the courage to defy taboos.

Or rather, it is precisely because she is not an "old woman" that she cannot turn a blind eye to the fate of others—otherwise, she would not have come to Musk Reef to save people suffering from narcolepsy.

"Anyway, I'm already caught up in someone else's 'fate'... so it doesn't matter anymore..."