The Last Yaksha, Xiao

 

Xiao, The Last Vigilante Yaksha

        Xiao is reserved, logical and determined, albeit curt and straight to the point. He is rarely in a good mood and prefers being alone. He shows almost no interest in humans and their culture, some of which he finds strange or pointless. However, there are a few people who he finds notable, such as Hu Tao for her "interesting" (yet "irritating") humor and Beidou for defeating a leviathan by herself.

        Xiao maintains a distant and cold approach to those he speaks with, but it is clear that he also cares about the Traveler's well-being, even if their ways perplex him. Xiao states that he does not wish to integrate into the mortal realm or get close to humans, but at the same time says he does keep watch over Liyue Harbor and wishes to ensure the Traveler's safety. He even offers to visit the Harbor with the Traveler together.

 

               Xiao is also revealed to be a strict yet effective teacher, especially as he is a mentor figure for Ganyu. While Ganyu finds Xiao to be a loner and somewhat unapproachable at first, she does admit that Xiao is an important part for her to reach her full potential as an adeptus.^[8] However, as a soul-slaughtering yaksha, he feels that he is not a suitable mentor for her.^[9] Others like Chongyun hold deep admiration for him and his demon-conquering abilities, yet at the same time notes his disparaging remarks at the methods of exorcists.^[10][11] At the same time, Xiao says not to judge adepti by mortal values.

        As a Yaksha, Xiao is constantly afflicted by his negative karmic burdens that he accumulates from committing endless slaughter against monsters that threaten Liyue. Others have taken note of the pain he constantly suffers and take pity on him, being the only remaining Yaksha who is active in protecting Liyue where as his fellow Yaksha have died or disappeared, stating that he does not sleep^[12] and neither do the demons, indicating his absolute focus in protecting the land from evil spirits. In one particular instance, he was nearly consumed by his own karma, only to be saved by a person playing a flute. This incident left him touched and he hopes for the day that he can dance to the tune of the flute amidst a sea of flowers.^[13]