Chapter 40: The Returning Wind

"The story I am about to tell begins in the primordial age, when gods still walked upon the earth—"

"The Dragon of the Heavens descended from the skies, filled with curiosity for all that existed in the world—"

"The dragon sought its own answers, yet could not grasp the complexities of the mortal realm—"

"The Bard of the Wind plucked the strings, and the Lyre of the Heavens answered them one by one—"

...

"Then came the age of darkness, when the Lion’s tooth decayed and the Eagle’s banner hung limp—"

"Another evil dragon drew near to Mondstadt—"

...

"The Dragon of the Heavens swallowed the poisoned blood of the evil dragon and fell into a deep slumber, only to be unrecognized by the world upon its awakening years later—"

"Why, then, do the people of today cast me aside?"

...

"The poetry fell silent, corruption took hold with ease, and the Lyre of the Heavens could no longer speak—"

...

*Mondstadt Chapter, Episode Three: Walking with the Wind.*

The bard’s expressive narration acted like a magical key, slowly unlocking the gates to a distant past. It pulled the listeners back to that ancient era, making them feel as if they had witnessed the dragon’s once carefree spirit and the profound sorrow it endured thereafter.

Only when the ancient tale concluded and the poet ceased his strumming did the silence break. The people gathered beneath the statue of the Anemo Archon remained as if under a spell, long immersed in the echoes of the past, unable to pull themselves away.

It was only when the bard once again gently brushed his strings that the ethereal music roused them from their trance.

Regaining their senses, the people sighed, moved by the joys and sorrows within the story. One by one, they left tokens of their appreciation for the bard’s magnificent performance before departing with a sense of lingering melancholy.

"Hey, aren't you..."

After the crowd had mostly dispersed, the poet seemed to notice Chen still standing in his original spot. He paused for a moment, then his expression shifted to one of sudden realization.

"Oh! You’re the one who scared off Dvalin back then, aren't you?"

Chen arched an eyebrow.

*Oh? Trying to take the initiative, are we?*

He didn't believe for a second that this fellow hadn't noticed him following him all the way here.

Ha! Since that was the case...

To return the favor, Chen feigned a look of deep contemplation and spoke as if it were a casual remark.

"Hmm, should I go tell the Knights of Favonius that the mastermind behind the corruption of the Dragon of the East has been found?"

Venti’s emerald eyes narrowed instantly. He hurriedly let out a laugh, his face breaking into a flattering grin. "Ahahaha, just a joke! We’re old friends, aren't we? No need to be so serious."

"Heh, if we’re friends, shouldn't you start by revealing your identity?"

"Uh, that? My identity is, of course, the most popular bard in the city of Mondstadt. Is there any other? On the contrary, my friend from afar, your own identity seems rather extraordinary, doesn't it?"

Venti blinked, and the two shared a look, tacitly agreeing to drop the subject.

As for the person before him, Chen had previously suspected that he might be the one manipulating the Stormterror. After all, logic dictated that at a time when the dragon was rampaging, anyone capable of interacting with it would naturally be the prime suspect—the puppet master behind the madness.

Yet, hearing the story the man had just told, Chen found that hypothesis overturned.

If this were the person driving the dragon to madness, there would be no need—and no possibility—of him telling such a story to the citizens of Mondstadt. Furthermore, if he were the mastermind, appearing so brazenly alone in the city would show far too little regard for the Knights.

But if he wasn't the culprit, who was he?

Being able to interact with the Dragon of the East at such a moment, yet not being the one corrupting it—looking at the scene from that day, the only possibility was that the person had been attempting to offer aid.

Yes, that must be it. The story told in the poem he just performed confirmed this.

Could his identity be one of Mondstadt’s hidden, high-level combatants?

Chen hadn't immediately thought of the Anemo Archon himself. After all, even the Knights claimed the Archon had vanished for centuries; it would be far too lucky for him to run into the deity the moment he arrived in Mondstadt.

When considering Mondstadt’s hidden experts, Chen immediately thought of the mysterious person who had secretly aided him during his fierce battle with the dragon. He had guessed then that his benefactor was a hidden master, but since the person didn't want to reveal themselves, he had no way of knowing their identity.

Since they had helped him, Chen felt it was best to respect their wish for anonymity and not pry. After all, Mondstadt was a nation with thousands of years of history; it was perfectly normal for it to possess hidden depths unknown even to its own people.

Wait! The voice!

A flash of inspiration struck Chen. Although the voice he heard now sounded slightly different from the one that had transmitted directly into his ears before, if one listened closely...

With this thought, Chen’s gaze flickered. He looked Venti up and down, hesitated for a moment, and said, "There is something I think you should see."

"Hmm?" Venti tilted his head, curious as to what Chen wanted to show him.

Chen didn't hesitate. He reached out and produced the Tear of the Dragon he had been carrying.

Earlier that day, once Lisa had returned to the Knights’ headquarters, Chen had shown them the tear. Lisa had sensed its strangeness immediately. Upon learning it was a tear from the Dragon of the East, she had become deeply interested, and both she and Jean felt it might be the key to breaking the deadlock.

The strange power contained within the tear was likely the culprit behind the dragon's madness. If they could understand the nature of this power, they might find a way to awaken the dragon.

However, the moment Lisa tried to touch the tear, she felt an intense, sickening discomfort. Realizing she couldn't study it at close range and that the object itself was too dangerous, she and Jean had decided that Chen should continue to keep it.

But now, the tear Chen held was vastly different from how it had been at the Knights’ headquarters.

Seeing the tear, Venti’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"This... how is this possible?"

The tear, which had once radiated an ominous aura, had transformed into a crystalline blue. Pure Anemo energy emanated from it, making the surrounding air feel noticeably more vibrant.

This was exactly why Venti was stunned. With Dvalin currently corrupted by the Abyss, it was impossible for the dragon to shed such a pure tear. And as for it being a tear shed before the corruption? Well, even a dragon’s tear could not remain in such a state for so long.

Therefore, if this truly was Dvalin’s tear, there was only one possible reason for such a change.

"You—how did you do this?"

Venti’s voice carried unconcealable astonishment. He knew all too well how difficult the Abyss was to contend with. Purifying the power of the Abyss was by no means an easy feat.

Chen smiled, holding up the pure tear in his hand, and teased, "Want to know? Then shouldn't you offer some equivalent information in exchange? For instance, your identity, or perhaps, how much you really know about the Dragon of the East?"