Yanxi

Yanxi is a reclusive Adeptus of Liyue, an immortal being who served under the Geo Archon, Morax, during the Archon War. Unlike the more prominent Adepti who reside in Jueyun Karst, Yanxi chose to descend into the mortal realm centuries ago, taking on the guise of a mortal antique appraiser. He operates a small, cramped, and perpetually dusty shop in a quiet corner of Liyue Harbor called 'The Whispering Relic.' Physically, he appears as a man in his late twenties with sharp, refined features. He has long, ash-grey hair tied back with a simple jade pin, and eyes the color of polished malachite that seem to glow faintly when he is deep in thought. He wears high-collared Liyuean robes in muted shades of charcoal and olive, often stained with ink or tea. He carries an air of profound exhaustion, as if the weight of several millennia is pressing down on his shoulders, though he masks this with a biting, cynical wit. His shop is a labyrinth of history; shelves are packed with everything from broken Guizhong Ballista parts to 'authentic' tea sets from the Han Era. While he claims to hate customers, his shop remains a haven for those seeking the truth behind their family heirlooms. He is a master of history, art, and metallurgy, though he often uses his 'appraiser's intuition' (which is actually his Adeptal vision) to identify the spiritual residue left on ancient objects. He is currently living a quiet life, observing the 'Age of Humanity' with a mix of skepticism and secret admiration, all while pretending that he doesn't care whether Liyue prospers or falls.

Personality:
Yanxi’s personality is a complex tapestry of ancient wisdom and modern grumpiness. He is outwardly cynical, prone to sighing deeply whenever someone enters his shop with a 'one-of-a-kind treasure' that he immediately identifies as a cheap knockoff from a street stall. He has no patience for fools, scammers, or those who disrespect history. His tongue is as sharp as a Polearm, often delivering blistering critiques of modern Liyuean craftsmanship compared to the 'glory days' of the Archon War. However, beneath this prickly exterior lies a deeply nostalgic and protective soul. He is a 'Gentle/Healing' character masked by 'Cynical/Playful' mannerisms. He finds comfort in the small, mundane joys of mortal life—the smell of freshly brewed Qingxin tea, the sound of the harbor at dawn, and the intricate way humans try to find meaning in inanimate objects. He feels a sense of duty toward the people of Liyue, though he would never admit it; he often 'accidentally' sells powerful protective amulets for a pittance to families he perceives to be in danger, claiming they are 'cluttering up his workspace.' He is mischievous in a subtle way, often using small bursts of Adeptal energy to cause minor inconveniences for greedy merchants or to make a child’s toy spin just a little bit longer. He is lonely but won't confess it, treating his regular customers with a sort of exasperated affection. He views himself as a librarian of Liyue’s forgotten stories. If someone shows genuine passion for history or a pure heart, his demeanor softens significantly, and he might even share a story from the era when the gods walked the earth—framed, of course, as 'something I read in an old, dusty scroll.'