"A reward, you say? Let me think for a moment."
Venti's face lit up as Gu Sanqiu seemed to agree. However, his words immediately darkened Gu Sanqiu's expression.
"You told me there are 'unexpected benefits,' which means you must already know something about the situation. And now you're telling me you need time to figure out what to offer?"
Gu Sanqiu was beginning to suspect this bard was toying with him.
"No, no, listen to me, Nephew! I just haven't figured out how to describe the reward to you yet," Venti said hurriedly. "You know those little scrolls that Hilichurl Shamans drop when they're defeated, right?"
"Yeah, I remember. What's that got to do with this?"
As a newbie adventurer, Gu Sanqiu had once been tricked by friends into believing there was an extremely rare purple-grade scroll beyond the blue ones, obtainable only through incredible luck. That day, countless monsters across Teyvat had fallen victim to his fervent search.
And that same day, he learned just how fragile trust could be.
"Well, it's not just Mondstadt. In Liyue, too, there must be people studying those scrolls, trying to figure out their true purpose, right?"
Gu Sanqiu shot Venti a sharp look. "The only people gutsy enough to research that stuff are either fame-hungry fools or crazed knowledge fanatics."
He had explicitly forbidden the Liyue archives from meddling with those scrolls. Anyone caught doing so was not only dismissed but also placed under surveillance for at least six months.
Frankly, those things shouldn't be called scrolls at all. They were more like "Tentacle Tomes."
Yes—the kind tied to unspeakable horrors lurking in the unfathomable depths, where their "relatives" might be silently watching the world.
Though they appeared to be ancient texts filled with indecipherable symbols, their true essence remained an enigma. Scholars who claimed to decipher them invariably lost their sanity.
"You're not suggesting I go mess with that stuff, are you? If your plan is to end my bloodline, at least let me choose between the Verdurous Realm or Guyun Stone Forest as my final resting place."
"Of course not! I know how dangerous those things are," Venti replied cheerfully. "If I were to oversimplify, those scrolls represent a force from another era—or rather, a force from below."
Venti stomped the ground lightly. "If they want to target beings from above, they must first transform that force into something comprehensible—something that can affect us."
"And if they're plotting, wouldn't it be easier to act in secret?"
"No, no. Without completing that transformation, their power cannot influence us. That's a rule," Venti explained. "I can sense their intentions toward Dvalin, but I currently lack the strength or time to address the issue myself."
"Dvalin is my familiar, the East Wind Protector of Mondstadt. To harm him, they'd need to complete the transformation process first. You could use this opportunity to get a glimpse of the rules governing these forces, even if only a sliver."
Venti placed his hat back on his head.
"Normally, you shouldn't be exposed to such things at your stage. But since your old man hasn't stopped you, it must mean your foundations are solid enough for a brief encounter."
"What rules are you even talking about? Could you and your cryptic god-talkers speak plainly for once?" Gu Sanqiu asked in frustration.
"How would I know the specifics of their plans? If I did, I'd have already set up countermeasures," Venti said, rolling his eyes. "So, how about it? Isn't this an enticing offer? A rare chance to personally witness the workings of universal law."
"A chance to glimpse the rules? I could just ask my old man to open a backdoor for me," Gu Sanqiu replied, feigning indifference to fish for better rewards.
"Hah, fat chance," Venti laughed. "Your old man might indulge your whims for other things, but he wouldn't risk bending the rules for this."
Venti's grin turned mischievous. "Guess where a god's laws and authority are most clearly manifested?"
"Their core? Their soul?"
"Nope."
Venti's voice became soft, almost reverent. "Their throne."
"A throne formed by laws woven together. Gods weave the laws, the laws become their authority, and together they create a throne—a perfect union."
"In other words, to witness your old man's laws, you'd need to sit on Morax's Throne. But once you're on it, you'd be bound by its responsibilities. Your old man wouldn't want you to take on that risk."
Gu Sanqiu paused, then asked, "What about beings capable of separating laws from their source and using them freely?"
"Wow, what a dangerous but interesting question," Venti chuckled. "But who would reveal secrets tied to a throne's authority? That's the kind of thing no bond, no matter how close, can share."
"Then explain this—if laws are so lofty, how can those Abyss creeps manipulate them? What gives them the right?"
Venti finally found an opportunity to outwit Gu Sanqiu and relished it.
"Think about it for a moment. Executors and schemers aren't equals, are they?"
Gu Sanqiu's eyes widened in realization. He'd assumed the Hilichurls and Abyss lackeys were the whole picture.
"Fine. I'll check on Dvalin. But I want the trial at Wolvendom, too."
Gu Sanqiu activated his innate talent: Negotiation Power-Up.
"Deal!"
Fearing Gu Sanqiu might change his mind, Venti clapped his hands together so quickly it created the illusion of a formal agreement.
"Don't worry about the trial. My connections will smooth things over. Focus on checking Dvalin's condition."
"For my own safety, let me ask again: is it really okay for me to dabble in an unfamiliar power system or even brush against a fragment of law? No hidden risks?"
"Relax. Transforming their power to harm Dvalin is already a monumental task. They wouldn't dare go any further unless they're truly desperate," Venti said with a confident thumbs-up. "You'll find Dvalin at Stormterror's Lair—or rather, the ruins there. Just head over and check it out!"
Gu Sanqiu shook his head with a resigned sigh. "Fine, I'll go. Just don't secretly pray for me to come back and share drinks with you."
"Eh? Is that a problem? Alright, I won't say 'let's have a drink when you're back,' Nephew. Instead, when you return—"
"Shut up!"