Chapter 14: Eliminating Karma
The wind howled across the highest balcony of Wangshu Inn, carrying the faint scent of silk flowers and distant rain. Xiao materialized from the sweeping gales. A flash of dark green, the sharp glint of a jade mask, and he was suddenly kneeling on the wooden floorboards. He had sensed that ancient, grounding aura the moment they stepped onto the terrace.
"Greetings, My Lord," Xiao said, his voice a low, respectful rasp as he clasped his fists. "What commands do you have for me?"
He then offered a stiff, formal nod to Lumine and the floating fairy beside her.
Zhongli raised a gloved hand, his posture relaxed against the balcony railing. "There are no formal arrangements for this trip. Paimon recently acquired a rather unique item. We believe it may relieve you of your karmic debt."
Xiao's shoulders went rigid. His golden eyes widened, a flash of raw shock breaking through his usual stoic mask, before the heavy weight of centuries-old caution slammed back down.
Even Rex Lapis and the Anemo Archon could only soothe the agonizing whispers of the fallen gods. To completely eradicate it?
He lowered his gaze to the little floating fairy. "This karmic debt is extremely dangerous. It originates from the festering remnants of ancient gods. It has clung to my soul for over a thousand years." His jaw tightened. "If this method poses even the slightest risk to Paimon, I must refuse."
Paimon zipped right up to Xiao's face, planting her tiny hands on her hips. "Oh, I already told you it's totally fine! Xiao, stop worrying so much! I am absolutely confident I can fix this karmic debt thingy."
She puffed out her chest. "Besides, Zhongli and Lumine are both right here! Just trust me this once!"
Lumine stepped forward, offering a reassuring smile. "Let her try, Xiao. We will monitor the entire process. If anything goes wrong, we will stop it immediately."
Xiao remained silent. His piercing gaze shifted from Zhongli's tranquil expression to Lumine's unwavering eyes, and finally settled on Paimon's puffed-up, determined little face.
A complicated emotion flickered beneath his golden irises.
Slowly, he gave a firm nod. "Thank you, Paimon."
He planted his feet, his muscles coiling tight as his Anemo aura flared. He braced himself for whatever agony was about to come.
Just like when she treated Huixin back in Liyue Harbor, a brilliant silver light erupted from Paimon's tiny palms. The uniquely shaped silver wrench materialized out of thin air, gleaming with an otherworldly metallic sheen.
She hovered closer. "Are you ready? I'm going to start now."
"Mm." Xiao grunted, his eyes locking onto the tool.
Paimon took a deep breath. Her usually carefree face pinched into a mask of intense concentration. She thrust the silver wrench directly toward Xiao's chest.
Instead of striking flesh, the metal rippled like a stone dropping into a calm pond, sinking straight into Xiao's body.
The reaction was instantaneous—and violently different from Huixin's simple purification.
A massive, six-foot-wide magic circle flared to life beneath Xiao's boots. The complex geometric lines flowed with liquid gold, casting a solemn, heavy glow across the wooden floorboards of the inn.
The silver wrench reappeared, hovering directly above Xiao's head. It began to rotate, grinding slowly as if fighting through thick mud. Sparks of silver and black violently clashed in the air.
Xiao squeezed his eyes shut. His fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned bone-white. A sharp hiss escaped his teeth.
Thick, grayish-black mist began to violently boil out of his skin. It was infinitely denser and far more malicious than anything they had seen before, twisting and writhing in the air like dying snakes drawn out by an invisible vacuum.
Paimon let out a squeak of pure terror. She abandoned her heroic posture instantly, zipping behind Lumine and burying her face in the blonde girl's scarf, leaving only half an eye peeking out at the terrifying dark fog.
Zhongli moved without a word. A pulse of solid Geo energy expanded outward, forming an invisible, soundproof barrier around the balcony to ensure the mortal guests below remained completely oblivious to the divine exorcism above.
The agonizing standoff dragged on for nearly a full minute.
Despite the terrifying visual of the black mist, Zhongli's glowing amber eyes remained calm. He sensed no genuine divine resentment forming in the air. The toxic fog appeared to be a visual manifestation of the extraction, dragged into a separate dimensional space rather than bleeding into reality.
Gradually, the tension bleeding from Xiao became visible.
As the golden array spun and the black mist poured out, the Yaksha's rigid posture began to slacken. His white-knuckled fists loosened. The deep, pained creases between his brows smoothed out, and the violent tremors wracking his frame faded into stillness.
High above his head, the illusory silver wrench stopped sparking. It spun faster, gliding smoothly through the air without resistance, before dissolving into a shower of fading silver motes.
The black mist thinned into wispy gray threads, and then vanished completely.
The moment the golden array shattered into light, Xiao swayed. The crushing, suffocating mountain he had carried for a millennium was suddenly gone. An unmatched, dizzying lightness washed over him, and his knees buckled.
He fell backward.
Zhongli appeared behind him in a blur of motion, catching the Yaksha's limp body with a steady, unyielding grip.
Xiao forced his heavy eyelids open. He looked up at the Geo Archon, his voice barely a whisper, yet entirely devoid of its usual gravelly pain. "My Lord... I feel... much better..."
His eyes rolled back, and he slumped into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Zhongli carefully lifted Xiao and settled him into a nearby bamboo chair. He pressed three gloved fingers against the Yaksha's wrist. A stream of pure, gentle Geo energy flowed into Xiao's meridians, conducting a careful sweep of his internal state.
A moment later, the tight line of Zhongli's mouth softened. A deep look of relief settled into his ancient eyes.
He turned back to the girls. "It is done. The vast majority of the karmic debt that has festered within him for a millennium has been eradicated."
He glanced back at the sleeping adeptus. "The remaining fragments are like rootless duckweed. They no longer possess the strength to shake his mind."
Zhongli's voice carried a rare warmth. "This sudden slumber is merely his body reacting to the absence of that crushing pressure. His mind and soul are entering a state of deep, natural repair. When he awakens, he will feel entirely reborn."
He paused, considering the medical implications. "As for the residual karma, once he adapts to this new state and his foundation stabilizes, he will be more than capable of purging it himself."
With the crisis averted, Zhongli turned his attention to the floating fairy. "Paimon, you have done a tremendous service today. How do you fare? Are you experiencing any unusual fatigue or discomfort?"
Lumine spun around, grabbing Paimon by her tiny shoulders and inspecting her like a mother hen. "Yes! Paimon, talk to me! Does anything hurt?"
Paimon blinked her large, starry eyes. She scratched the back of her head, completely bewildered. 'Uncomfortable? I actually feel totally fine.''I was just super scared by all that creepy black smoke! Fixing Huixin's cold didn't look like a horror movie, so I thought I totally messed up!'
But as she looked at Zhongli's serious face and Lumine's frantic hovering, the gears in Paimon's little head began to spin.
Her eyes darted sideways. A tragically weak expression instantly melted onto her face.
"Oh dear..." she groaned, letting her arms flop to her sides.
"Ah... Lumine... I feel... I feel like my entire body has been hollowed out..." She swayed dramatically in the air. "My head is spinning... everything is going dark..."
She clutched her forehead, shaking her head with theatrical agony. "Tonight... if I don't get a massive feast at Xinyue Kiosk tonight... I'm afraid... I'm afraid I might never recover..."
Lumine's heart leaped into her throat for a split second—until she caught the unmistakable, greedy glint hiding in Paimon's half-closed eyes.
Annoyance and amusement crashed together in Lumine's chest. She reached out and flicked Paimon right on the forehead.
"Ow!"
"You little scammer!" Lumine scolded, crossing her arms. "Faking an injury to extort me at a time like this? Just wait until I get my hands on you!"
Paimon zipped backward with a whoosh, giggling as she dodged Lumine's grasping hands. "Ahhh! Don't be mad! You guys were being way too serious and gloomy! I just wanted to lighten the mood!"
She stopped retreating and planted her hands proudly on her hips. "Besides! I told you guys already! Using this power is as natural as eating and drinking! It doesn't drain me at all! You're the ones who didn't believe me!"
She puffed out her chest, practically glowing with smugness. "See? See! I told you my Optimization Power is the real deal! Wiping out ancient god karma is just a piece of cake for Paimon!"
Watching the little fairy bounce around the balcony with boundless energy, the last remnants of tension finally drained from Zhongli and Lumine. Genuine, relieved smiles broke across their faces.
Lumine shook her head, her eyes softening with affection. "Alright, alright. You win this time. In recognition of your heroic achievement..."
She grinned at her floating companion. "I'll book a private room at Xinyue Kiosk later. Order whatever you want. As much as you want."
Paimon cheered, doing three rapid somersaults in the air. "Yay! Lumine is the absolute best!"
Zhongli cleared his throat, stepping into the conversation with his usual dignified grace. "It is only proper that I host this celebratory banquet."
Lumine and Paimon froze. They slowly turned their heads, staring at the Geo Archon with intense, undisguised suspicion.
Sensing their utter lack of faith, Zhongli calmly adjusted his cuffs. "Do not worry. This time..." He paused delicately. "The bill will not be sent to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a wild look. Had the sun risen in the west? After curing Xiao, had Rex Lapis actually learned how to carry his own Mora?!
Zhongli met their shocked gazes with perfect serenity. "This time, the expenses can be charged directly to the Northland Bank account. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's ledgers have accumulated quite a few outstanding charges recently, and Director Hu has been... rather vocal about it."
Lumine: "..."
Paimon: "..."
A single, unified thought echoed loudly in both of their minds:
'Yep. Still the exact same Zhongli.'
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