Yelan immediately retrieved all collectible works signed by "Lovia."
regarding the matter of the geo archon being a synthesized god who caused his wifes death, Morax's Name, Actually Conceals twin deities and a Life-and-Death Contract!, Jueyun Chili Lord and Ten Boxes Half-Price, The Worries of the Guardian Yaksha: Karma is Not as Scary as Insomnia, secret tales of feiyun... With every piece she read, the astonishment in Yelan's heart grew.
These articles seemed absurd and bizarre, but their core sharply touched upon the edges of many Liyue secrets.
The "legends" of the Archon, the "anecdotes" of the Adeptus, and the "secret tales" of the common people... truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, mixed together, forming a peculiar charm that not only captured the attention of ordinary citizens but also made those in the know (like Yelan and Ningguang) break out in a cold sweat.
From record of shi pos wanderings to the freshly published, yet unfinished but already sensational secret tales of feiyun, all attracted a large readership with their astonishing imagination and vivid depiction of details (even fabricated ones).
Even someone as knowledgeable as her couldn't help but feel slightly stunned, then showed a look of wry amusement.
"What audacity, what writing skill." Yelan put down the last pamphlet and muttered to herself. She leaned back in her chair, habitually twirling the dice between her fingers, her eyes glinting with intense interest and vigilance.
To dare to even mock the Archon.
This author, "Lovia," was undoubtedly a dangerous individual.
If the articles written by them spread too widely, they could trigger unnecessary speculation and shake certain established perceptions. But on the other hand, this deconstruction of authoritative narratives itself contained a peculiar vitality, and could even be seen as a manifestation of the active intellectual life among the Liyue populace after the Archon's "departure."
They must be found.
Yelan immediately mobilized her intelligence network to begin tracing the true identity of "Lovia." She analyzed the writing style, speculated on the author's possible academic background (which required a deep understanding of Liyue history and Adeptus legends), and scrutinized the printing and distribution channels.
However, the results were confusing.
The writing style was unique, the content varied, and hard to categorize, seemingly intentionally mixing classical prose with common street slang.
The author was highly knowledgeable, but their manner of citing classics was erratic, unlike a rigid scholar.
The printing and distribution channels pointed entirely to the Sanyu Bookstore. This small Bookshop's recent fame was almost entirely driven by the works of "Lovia."
After repeated deliberation, Yelan and her Think Tank tended to believe that "Lovia" was likely a Recluse Scholar who held some dissatisfaction or mockery towards Liyue's upper echelon and Adeptus secrets, using writing to express their pent-up feelings.
The playful attitude towards authority revealed in their writing, coupled with the skill to effortlessly weave in complex allusions, supported this judgment.
As for that Little Melusine, Lovia, whom she had observed for a long time and finally judged to be "timid, shy, and only wanting a quiet life"?
The thought of connecting the two never even crossed Yelan's mind.
A mysterious Outsider who seemed nervous even during normal conversation, who spent most of her time hiding indoors away from the light, a non-human creature whose intelligence appeared to be that of a human child... how could she possibly write such seasoned, sharp texts, full of profound insight into Liyue society and complex emotions?
According to Yelan's intelligence, the Melusine are a gentle and kind intelligent species from Fontaine, which was confirmed by her observations during this period.
The Melusine were completely irrelevant to this kind of creative activity, which required deep cultural accumulation and sharp intellect.
Furthermore, in her view, Lovia couldn't even fully recognize the common Liyue script, let alone engage in such high-intensity research and creation.
"It seems our Liyue Harbor is truly full of Hidden Talents." Yelan filed the Investigation Dossier on "Lovia" separately, marking it "High Attention, Ongoing Investigation."
This mysterious author had replaced that little blue creature as one of her main focuses of attention recently.
She decided on a two-pronged approach: on one hand, continuing to track down the true identity of "Lovia"; on the other hand, closely monitoring the circulation and influence of these works, and, if necessary, consulting with Ningguang to implement appropriate guidance or control.
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Yelan personally made a trip to the Sanyu Bookstore.
She did not appear in the name of the General Affairs Department or the Sea Gazers Pavilion, but rather as an ordinary Customer, or perhaps, a "Book Merchant" particularly interested in "Lovia"'s works.
The Bookshop's Shopkeeper Sun was a middle-aged man who looked amiable and prosperous, with a slight scholarly air.
Facing Yelan's probing inquiries, he initially just chuckled and played dumb, praising Mr. Li Xin as a gifted gentleman and a benefactor to the Bookshop, but claimed complete ignorance regarding the author's true identity.
"My guest, to be frank, I, this old man, have never met Mr. Li Xin himself," Shopkeeper Sun said sincerely, stroking his beard. "Every time, someone delivers the manuscript to the counter, payment is settled, and they say nothing more. I've asked out of curiosity, but the messenger only said they were entrusted by someone else and knew nothing further."
"What's more, the messengers are just children paid for running errands, and it's never the same one twice."
Yelan's eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts, quietly focused on Shopkeeper Sun, the dice spinning silently between her fingers.
She didn't entirely believe this account.
As the largest printing location for "Lovia"'s works in Liyue Harbor, how could the Bookstore Owner be completely unaware of the source of his Cash Cow?
It defied logic.
"Oh? So mysterious, then." Yelan's tone was languid but carried undeniable pressure. "In that case, Bookstore Owner, may I take a look at the original manuscript? I am quite curious about Mr. Li Xin's handwriting; perhaps I can glimpse some of his style from it."
As soon as she spoke, the smile on Shopkeeper Sun's face instantly stiffened, and a flicker of barely noticeable panic crossed his eyes.
"This... My guest, I am truly sorry!" Shopkeeper Sun waved his hands repeatedly, his tone becoming exceptionally firm, even showing a protective urgency. "The original manuscript is the author's hard work; this is an industry rule, and it is also this old man's promise to Mr. Li Xin!"
"Can't you make an exception?" Yelan tried to persuade him.
"I apologize, guest, but this is against the rules!" Shopkeeper Sun's tone was exceptionally firm. "Our Bookshop has always valued reputation above all else; protecting the author's privacy is fundamental to our existence! Even if I knew who 'Mr. Li Xin' was, I absolutely couldn't reveal it. Furthermore, this manuscript... is something entrusted by the author; how can I show it to just anyone?"
Yelan slightly raised an eyebrow.
Shopkeeper Sun's reaction was much more intense than she had anticipated.
Yelan did not get angry; the dice on her fingertips spun silently.
She could tell that Shopkeeper Sun was speaking the truth, and she also knew that the Sanyu Bookstore had stood firm in Liyue for many years relying on this integrity towards authors and Customers.
Strong-arming him was not the best strategy, and it would easily alert the target.
The atmosphere inside the Bookshop solidified somewhat; several Customers browsing books noticed the abnormality and looked over curiously.
Yelan gazed at Shopkeeper Sun for a moment, the sharp light in her eyes gradually fading, returning to her languid appearance.
She understood that it would be impossible to obtain the original manuscript from this tight-lipped Bookstore Owner today.
Forcing a request was not her style. Not only would it be unseemly and alert the target, but it might not even succeed.
"Heh, Bookstore Owner, there's no need to be nervous." Yelan suddenly chuckled, and the atmosphere eased. "I was merely asking out of curiosity. Since it poses a difficulty, then forget it. Mr. Li Xin's works are indeed excellent, and I will continue to follow them."
After speaking, she casually bought a few newly released Storybooks, then turned and left the Sanyu Bookstore.
Shopkeeper Sun watched her retreating figure, let out a long sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from his brow with his sleeve, and muttered with lingering fear: "That person... her aura was truly terrifying. Mr. Li Xin, oh Mr. Li Xin, you have really given this old man a difficult task..."
Yelan, having walked out of the Bookshop, still maintained her languid expression, but her eyes became increasingly profound.
She pondered inwardly.
The overt lead at the Sanyu Bookstore was temporarily cut off, but Yelan was not discouraged.
She looked up at the distant mountains, and the dice on her fingertips stopped spinning.
"It seems I need to change my approach. Deducing the'source' from the 'result'..."
"Perhaps I should re-examine what other unusual ripples have appeared recently."
Meanwhile, the adorable "Mr. Li Xin," our Miss Luvia, was currently obediently hunched over a desk writing something.
After all, she was just a harmless, tiny Melusine who only wanted to write and eat quietly.
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