Faced with the audience's questions, Li Mo thought for a moment before speaking slowly. "Many people have speculated about the mystery of Bennett's origins. Most of those speculations involve the Pyro Archon."
"Some say Bennett is the first Pyro Archon, who was turned into a baby due to some accident and ended up in Mondstadt."
"Others say Bennett is the son of the first Pyro Archon, who likewise ended up in Mondstadt by accident."
"But none of those speculations explain the bad luck."
"So some also say that Bennett is a person rejected by the will of the world—someone the world's will sought to destroy. The old adventurer defied the world's will and saved Bennett. That is why the world has been targeting him ever since."
Of course, all these were rumors Li Mo had picked up. None had solid evidence. That was why Bennett's identity remained a mystery, with no one knowing the truth to this day.
Hearing these words, the audience below was baffled.
Bennett was the reincarnation of the Pyro Archon? Bennett was the son of the Pyro Archon? Bennett was a person rejected by the world? Each speculation was more absurd than the last, hard to believe.
But in one corner of the inn, Barbatos wore a thoughtful expression.
Ei noticed and asked curiously, "Barbatos, have you thought of something? Is that little fellow Bennett really the Pyro Archon? He doesn't seem like it at all."
Back in those days, as one of the Seven Archons, Ei had met the Pyro Archon many times. She had a strong impression of that fire-wielding fellow.
Barbatos looked a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I really don't know anything. I just suddenly remembered that I might have met Bennett's dad."
No wonder that old man had loved Barbatos's harp music so much. No wonder he had come every day to listen and tip the bard wine money. So he had been a reincarnation of his best friend from long ago. Unfortunately, Barbatos had failed to recognize him again.
Meanwhile, below the stage, the audience continued their discussion.
"Storyteller, I've thought of a key point. You're telling stories about all of Teyvat here at Wangshu Inn, but you've only made the people of Liyue cry. Aren't we at a disadvantage? The people of Inazuma and Mondstadt have no idea you're telling these stories. I strongly demand that these stories be spread to Mondstadt and Inazuma, so their people can cry too."
"Spread the sorrow to Mondstadt!"
"Brothers, ever since the first life, I've already had the storyteller's tales spread to Inazuma City, so the people of Inazuma can cry along too. Did I do the right thing?"
"Brother, well done."
"What about Mondstadt? Has no one spread the stories to Mondstadt?"
Apart from a few gods from Mondstadt and Inazuma, the entire audience was composed of Liyue citizens and merchants who traveled between nations. Having heard these stories, they were eager to spread them to other countries, so the people of Mondstadt and Inazuma could know them too.
In fact, while the audience was discussing, someone was already doing that work. That someone was Yae Miko, the terrifying editor of Yae Publishing House.
While others listened intently, she was jotting down the stories in her little notebook. When the storyteller finished on stage, she finished writing below.
Just now, while others were discussing Bennett's identity, Yae Miko had summoned a Shogunate soldier who had accompanied her to Liyue. She handed him the notebook filled with the storyteller's tales and instructed him to deliver it to Mondstadt overnight, to be printed and published as quickly as possible, sold on the streets of Mondstadt.
If everything went smoothly without delays, by the next morning, the latest light novel from Yae Publishing House would be available on the streets of Mondstadt. Then Yae Publishing House's light novels would surely dominate Mondstadt's book market and earn a fortune in Mora.
Just imagining this scene brought a mischievous smile to Yae Miko's lips. Even the storyteller on stage looked much more agreeable to her.
"Storyteller, I know you won't mind. Thank you for your contributions to Yae Publishing House. I'd really like to hire you as the vice president of Yae Publishing House. But let's discuss that after all the stories are finished."
If the storyteller joined Yae Publishing House, they wouldn't have to pay any copyright fees for publishing these stories. Two birds with one stone.
Just as Yae Miko was smiling, pleased with her perfect plan, Ei suddenly said, "Miko, why are you staring at the storyteller?"
Yae Miko laughed quietly. "Nothing. I was just wondering who the next story will be about."
She had noticed that from the very first story, every protagonist had been one of Teyvat's strongest figures. That meant the next story might be about her.
No, absolutely impossible. That could never happen. She was shocked that such a strange thought had crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it. Her past was very well hidden. Not even a storyteller could know about it.
Though Ei noticed Yae Miko's odd behavior, she didn't press. That little fox often did strange things, and even Ei couldn't always figure her out. But she didn't really care.
"It's already dark. The storyteller won't continue tonight. I've heard that Liyue's commerce is very developed—there's even a street dedicated to sweet snacks. Let's go have a look."
"Of course, I'm not going just to eat sweets. The Plane of Euthymia is too stuffy. I just want to get some air by shopping. That's right, exactly."
"Barbatos, what's that look for? Don't you believe me?"
She tried hard to explain, but the more she explained, the less anyone believed her.
Barbatos shrugged. "Fine, fine, I believe you. Just pretend I want to drink. Let's go to the sweet shop to buy wine."
"Old man, coming along?"
Zhongli said indifferently, "Sweet shops don't sell wine."