Chapter 417: Lady Lady Keqing: This Is My Most Precious Gift; Lady Lady Keqing's Enthusiastic Response (Second Update)

This was no ordinary talisman, but a Talisman of All Wards Banished glowing with a faint golden light; the characters upon it seemed imbued with life, pulsing with a fiery red, like runes enchanted by an alchemist.

The paper of the talisman appeared thick and ancient, its edges tinged with brown, as if it had endured the baptism of long years.

Every stroke and line exuded an incredible power, as though these characters were directly connected to the elemental forces between heaven and earth, capable of summoning the mysterious powers hidden within the world.

The paper itself emitted an indescribable aura, as if merely touching it would allow one to feel the surging energy concealed within.

"This talisman."

Seeing this talisman, Lin Mo's eyelid twitched: "A Talisman of All Wards Banished."

Lady Lady Keqing would actually give him such a thing.

"Eh? You know about this?"

Hearing Lin Mo's words, Lady Lady Keqing looked at Lin Mo with a surprised expression.

Lin Mo had recognized the name of this talisman at first glance.

"Legend has it that during the distant Archon War, the ruler of Liyue, 【Morax】, used adeptal energy to create a vast number of talismans; after the war ended, the authorities reclaimed them, yet a large number of Talismans of All Wards Banished still circulated among the common people."

Lin Mo spoke softly: "The Talisman of All Wards Banished is also regarded as a token of the pact between the Geo Archon and the common folk; bearing adeptal energy that exorcises evil spirits, it allows commoners to request an audience with the adepti. In ordinary times, the people of Liyue only offer sacrifices to the adepti on the outskirts of Jueyun Karst, but it is said that those holding this token can safely approach the adepti's dwellings."

This item was a rare treasure; Lin Mo truly never expected that Lady Lady Keqing would give him such a gift.

Although, he seemed to have no use for this gift.

"Impressive; I increasingly feel you must be from Liyue, or if not, your ancestors certainly were."

Seeing Lin Mo so easily recite the function and introduction of the Talisman of All Wards Banished, Lady Lady Keqing felt amazed in her heart.

One must know that even in present-day Liyue, few people are aware of the Talisman of All Wards Banished.

This was a legendary item.

Thinking of this, Lady Lady Keqing narrowed her eyes: "How is it? Isn't this a fine thing?"

"I never expected you would give me something like this."

Lin Mo's voice was gentle as he shook his head slightly: "Although I have no use for this thing either."

For ordinary people, the Talisman of All Wards Banished was a precious treasure.

But for Lin Mo, it held little importance.

"But, this is the best gift I can offer." Lady Lady Keqing's voice was low, carrying a trace of imperceptible expectation.

Hearing Lin Mo's words, Lady Lady Keqing responded softly, her voice mingled with a faint pride: "It is also the most precious thing I possess; even ordinary members of the Liyue Liyue Qixing do not have one."

During this period, Lin Mo had been teaching her swordsmanship, causing Lady Lady Keqing's skills to improve by leaps and bounds.

She was deeply grateful to Lin Mo; she had originally planned to give him another sword, but for certain reasons, that sword had not yet arrived. 703

Thus, she decided to give another precious item—the Talisman of All Wards Banished.

"No, compared to the Talisman of All Wards Banished, you are the most precious."

Lin Mo shook his head with a smile: "The Talisman of All Wards Banished cannot compare to you as a person."

The kind of conviction residing within Lady Lady Keqing was the truly most precious thing.

The Talisman of All Wards Banished was merely an external object.

At present, Lady Lady Keqing did not seem to realize just how precious her own faith was.

"Ah?"

Hearing these words, Lady Lady Keqing's heart beat faster, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice carried a slight tremor.

She had not expected Lin Mo to speak thus.

A trace of shyness rose in Lady Lady Keqing's heart, accompanied by a deep joy.

Lin Mo's words, though simple, were like unintentional words of love, striking straight into the depths of her heart.

After hearing Lin Mo's casually spoken words, Lady Lady Keqing's heart involuntarily began to beat faster.

Her mind was filled with chaotic thoughts.

Lin Mo's words, though plain, had stirred up waves in her heart.

Lady Lady Keqing tried to conceal her nervousness, the faint red on her cheeks spreading unconsciously.

Lady Lady Keqing's gaze wandered restlessly over Lin Mo's face, trying to find clues in his expression.

But Lin Mo's demeanor remained so natural, as if his previous words were merely spoken offhand, without any deeper meaning.

With shyness and expectation intertwining in her heart, Lady Lady Keqing began to question her own feelings.

She repeatedly chewed over Lin Mo's words in her mind, trying to discern whether deeper emotions were hidden behind them.

But with each thought, she sank deeper into interpreting Lin Mo's words.

She recalled the time spent with Lin Mo, the tacit understanding during their swordsmanship training, and the glances inadvertently exchanged.

Every detail stirred ripples in Lady Lady Keqing's heart, making her begin to wonder: was this a silent exchange of emotions?

Lady Lady Keqing's heart waged a battle.

She both feared her feelings were mistaken and longed for Lin Mo to truly harbor extraordinary emotions toward her.

She craved a clear answer, yet feared all of this was merely her own wishful thinking.

Amidst such psychological struggle, Lady Lady Keqing's gaze fell upon Lin Mo once more.

She saw the gentleness in his eyes and heard the care in his words.

In this moment, a thought flashed through Lady Lady Keqing's heart: perhaps Lin Mo was truly using his own way to express some deeply hidden emotion to her.

"What shall we eat?"

While Lady Lady Keqing was lost in wild thoughts, Lin Mo, who had already arrived at Wanmintang, spoke with a smile.

Lin Mo's words instantly brought Lady Lady Keqing, lost in wild thoughts, back to her senses; she whispered: "Whatever you eat, I will eat."

"In that case, let's have two portions of wontons; we won't have noodles today."

Hearing Lady Lady Keqing's words, Lin Mo smiled and instructed Master Mao: "Master Mao, two bowls of wontons, please."

"Right away, please take a seat!"

Hearing Lin Mo's words, Master Mao, who was busy working in the distance, immediately responded.

Not long after Lin Mo and Lady Lady Keqing sat down.

Master Mao served up two bowls of steaming hot wontons.

The appearance of the wontons was striking; each one was an exquisite work of art.

Translucent wrappers encased the savory filling, allowing the colors within to be faintly visible, making them look incredibly tempting.

Master Mao introduced them with a chuckle: "These wontons are extraordinary; the skins are thin and the filling generous, made with fresh pork and shrimp, plus homemade shiitake mushrooms, wood ear fungus, and a touch of chives, a combination that is flawless. The key lies in the seasoning and our secret spices, which create distinct layers of flavor."

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo felt curious and picked up a wonton with his chopsticks.

The wonton wrapper was indeed as thin as a cicada's wing, just as Master Mao had said, glowing with a subtle sheen.

With a gentle bite, the fragrance of tender meat and shrimp instantly exploded in his mouth; the shiitake mushrooms and wood ear fungus added a hint of crispness and freshness, while the slight spiciness of the chives perfectly accented the entire texture.

Lin Mo couldn't help but exclaim in admiration: "I never expected the wontons at Wanmintang to be so delicious; perfect in color, aroma, and taste, truly impressive."

It was his first time eating wontons from Wanmintang.

Even though they were wontons, they were nothing like the wontons he had imagined.