The underground of Qingce Village seals a Chi. If the Chi breaks free, it would undoubtedly bring immense disaster to Qingce Village and shock all of Liyue.
Although the Chi is a demonic beast, its ability to contend with the Geo Archon for a while proves its strength is unquestionable, likely at the level of an ordinary god. Even if it has been sealed for thousands of years and is extremely weak, the threat it poses is not to be underestimated.
Thinking this, Ling Feng decided that when he eventually goes to the Chi's sealing location, he must protect the device sealing it, and even add several layers of defensive formations, unless by then his strength is such that he no longer fears ordinary gods.
Even if he were unafraid of gods, he would still attempt to seal it, just like Zhongli.
If the Chi were annihilated, with no one to absorb the leyline energy, the peace and tranquility of Qingce Village would be shattered, and the entire Liyue's food supply would be impacted.
Therefore, if possible, he would choose to seal the Chi rather than kill it, as Liyue is, in a way, half his home.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I was just thinking about some things. I might already know the reason why monsters are scarce in Qingce Village. Beneath Qingce Village, a demonic beast called Chi is sealed, and the leyline energy might be maintaining the seal."
Without hiding anything, Ling Feng told Shen He all his conjectures.
Shen He was slightly surprised before her expression returned to normal. "Chi, as recorded in ancient texts, is a subordinate of the Sea God, later sealed by the Geo Archon. The exact location of the seal was not recorded in the books. Who would have thought it was beneath Qingce Village."
"Who would have thought that beneath Qingce Village, a place that seems like a hidden paradise, an ancient demonic beast is sealed," Ling Feng mused. It truly aligns with the saying that quiet is merely the prelude to a storm.
"Let's go. Sister, don't you like quiet places? Qingce Village has quite a few people. We've been training for a few days, so it's time to return to the mountain. Let's take our time walking back this time."
"Mhm," Shen He nodded.
The two then proceeded along the stone path through the bamboo forest.
"Sister, do you think we should chop some bamboo?"
"As you wish."
"Sister, look, there are fish in the river. It's getting late, and the sky will be dark soon. Let's have dinner first and continue walking tomorrow morning."
"Alright."
"Sister, look, there are fireflies. Shall we catch some? Huh? Sister, why aren't they afraid of you? They're even coming closer to you? Hey, hey, hey, don't run away! What the heck, you fireflies even dislike me."
The next day
"Sister, look, there are bamboo shoots. Watch me pull them all up."
"Sister, have an apple to satisfy your cravings."
The two wandered around the bamboo forest, sightseeing and enjoying themselves. They didn't encounter any monsters or bandits who would suddenly appear to rob them along the way. They were having quite a good time.
Until noon
Ling Feng and Shen He walked out of Qingce Village's boundaries and arrived at the stone gate leading to Wangshu Inn. Many people frequented this area: merchants, villagers, Millelith soldiers, and people from other nations.
The area around Wangshu Inn was noisy and chaotic. Ling Feng frowned. Shen He disliked crowded places and turned to head back.
"Sister, there are too many people here. Let's go to the riverbank and see if there are many people. If not, we can rent a boat to cross, or fly if we can't afford it."
Ling Feng walked a few steps only to realize Shen He wasn't following. He turned back and found Shen He standing still, her eyes fixed on the bustling Wangshu Inn, which resembled a marketplace.
Ling Feng was a bit confused. This didn't seem like Shen He. He returned to her side and asked, "Sister, what's wrong?"
"Let's take this path this time," Shen He said, pointing towards the stone gate.
"Sister, don't you dislike crowded places?"
Ling Feng was astonished. Shen He was actually suggesting they take the main road through the crowded Wangshu Inn. He couldn't quite believe it; it didn't seem like the Shen He he knew.
"Don't worry. I want to see what human marketplaces are like." Shen He revealed a faint smile. Since a concern of hers was resolved some days ago, Shen He had been smiling more often, though her expression towards outsiders remained cold.
"Alright. If Sister feels uncomfortable, we can leave at any time."
The two entered Wangshu Inn. Both sides of the main road were lined with people setting up makeshift stalls to sell and buy goods, much like a marketplace.
This was Shen He's first time seeing a human marketplace up close. Previously, she had only observed from a distance on high ground, never daring to approach. Seeing it now, she felt there were many interesting things.
Ling Feng and Shen He passed by a stall selling kites. Shen He stopped, having never seen such an item before, and examined it. Sensing Shen He's pause, Ling Feng also stopped to look.
"Esteemed guests, I see you're very interested in kites. Why not buy one to play with?"
The vendor, who had been fanning himself, initially paid them no mind when Ling Feng and Shen He stopped at his stall. However, upon closer inspection of their unusual clothing material, he realized they might be from wealthy families and quickly became attentive to making a sale.
"Kites, what are they?" Shen He asked.
"Sister, didn't you play with kites when you were little?"
"Mhm, this item is called a kite. What's special about it?" Shen He crouched down and picked up a simple white kite to observe. She seemed quite interested in it.
"Young lady, it's a pity you haven't played with kites. This item is called a kite, and it can be flown into the sky. Children love them very much, and they are quite fun to play with. Why not buy one and try it out?"
The vendor kept promoting it. Since Shen He hadn't played with one before, the chances of a sale were very high.
"How is this item flown into the sky?" Shen He was indeed becoming quite interested in kites.
"Uh, young lady, there are so many people here, it's not convenient to demonstrate," the vendor said helplessly, gesturing to the passersby.
"Perhaps you could buy it, then ask someone for guidance or figure it out yourself. Once you try it, you'll love flying kites. And if you don't like the white one, we have all sorts of other kite designs here."
Upon hearing this, Shen He put down the white kite in her hand and scanned the various kites. She picked up one depicting a drawing of parents holding a little girl.
Looking at this kite, Shen He's expression turned nostalgic, and the corners of her mouth curved upwards, as if recalling some happy memory.
The vendor was also astute. Seeing Shen He holding that particular kite, he praised it, "This young lady has good taste! This is the most popular kite this year, loved by children. This kite has a name: 'Loving Family'."
"Loving Family? Boss, could I trade for it?" Shen He inquired. She had no money and could only resort to bartering, which showed how genuinely interested she was in the kite.
"Ah? Trade? Young lady, are you joking?"
"If not, then never mind." Shen He put down the kite and walked forward.