After a few days of rest…
Outside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor…
“Ferryman: What do the three of you need? The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is not very convenient for receiving new guests at the moment.”
“Paimon: We’re looking for Zhongli. Can you pass a message for us?”
“Ferryman: Zhongli is not in the parlor right now. It seems he went to visit Northland Bank.”
“Paimon: Northland Bank? Isn’t that…”
“Qixuan-jie: Let’s go, let’s take a look.”
Inside Northland Bank…
“Childe: You actually said this was cooperation between Harbingers? So-called cooperation should involve information exchange beforehand…”
“Lady: Hehe… Don’t mind those details, Childe. In the end, you ignored the transactions and schemes and just caused a big ruckus, weren’t you happy? It really suits your style…”
...Wait, it seems some acquaintances of yours have arrived.
“Qixuan-jie: The happiness you refer to, is it when he was lulled to sleep by me?”
“Lady: Oh? It’s you?”
“Childe: Tsk…”
“Paimon: It’s Zhongli and Childe! And… you are! You’re that Fatui Harbinger…”
“Lumine: Lady!”
“Lady: Heh, it’s you. We met in the city of the bard, didn’t we? Not bad, you remembered my name well.”
Ah—after all, it’s hard to forget the feeling of watching a friend hand over something important while being powerless to do anything, isn’t it?
“Lumine: (I need to calm down…)”
“Childe: Yo, Traveler, this is our first meeting since everything ended. How should I put it, the atmosphere is a little… awkward?”
“Qixuan-jie: What? Do you want to sleep again?”
“Childe: Haha… I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”
“Paimon: Hmph, when I found out you were a Fatui Harbinger, I shouldn’t have trusted you!”
“Childe: Hehe, don’t say that. Although I tricked you a little before, I bear no ill will towards the Traveler himself…”
Haha… Besides the unfortunate falling out at the end, our previous cooperation was quite pleasant, wasn’t it?
It’s just different stances. I won’t take this as a personal grudge. Of course, it doesn’t matter if you hold a personal grudge against me…
On the contrary, Lady and Zhongli really tricked me badly.
“Lumine: Zhongli tricked Childe?”
“Childe: Actually…”
“Lady: Don’t waste time, Childe.”
If you want to chat, wait until I’m done with my business, then you can chat as much as you like.
“According to our contract… I’ve come to retrieve your Gnosis, Morax.”
“Lumine: contract?”
“Paimon: What are you talking about?! Didn’t you… Qixuan-jie, say something quickly…!”
Qixuan-jie: ………
“Zhongli: Heh… The contract has been made. As you requested, I bestow upon you what was promised.”
A chess piece glowed in Zhongli’s hand.
“Lady: Hmph, such a condescending tone…”
Qixuan-jie instantly sealed the surrounding space, and her aura pressed down on Lady, making her unable to lift her head.
“If you want it, take it quickly. Do you think the Fatui behind you can save your life now? Or that Tsaritsa? Heh…”
“Lady tried to release her own power to resist, but found that she couldn’t release it at all… as if she had been sealed…”
“Childe: Friend, calm down…”
Zhongli shook his head at Qixuan-jie.
Qixuan-jie withdrew her pressure.
“Lady: Ha… *gasp*… Hmph!”
“Paimon: But… but… why would you give your Gnosis to the Fatui?!”
“Zhongli: It’s not a gift, but a transaction based on a contract—it’s between me and the Tsaritsa.”
“Lumine: I don’t understand your thoughts.”
“Paimon: First a fake death, then what… giving away the Gnosis…”
“Lady: Hehe… Gathering the undercurrents surging beneath the surface, applying pressure to the limit, and then letting them burst—isn’t that exactly what he wanted to see?”
“Qixuan-jie: Hmm?”
“Lady: Tsk…”
“Lumine: So, is it a good ending?”
“Zhongli: Although there were some minor twists at the end, overall, the performance was excellent, so the Gnosis I held has lost its meaning.”
“Paimon: So, if all the chaos reached an unmanageable point, and Qixuan-jie wasn’t there, you would personally step forward and use your divine power to suppress a crisis for Liyue one last time?”
“Lady: Of course, and it would be easy for him.”
“Zhongli: The ultimate resolution of all these events has exceeded my expectations and left me satisfied.”
“The adepti living in seclusion… they had the least information, but they first maintained the greatest degree of restraint, then were willing to cooperate with the Qixing in times of crisis, and finally tried to understand the hearts of the common people.”
This Lady… as the envoy sent by the Tsaritsa to fulfill the contract, at my request, she concealed the truth she knew from her colleague, Childe, throughout the entire process.
I, myself, walked as the mortal Zhongli, and ultimately, in this mortal identity, I carried out Liyue’s traditions. For this journey, thank you for accompanying me, Traveler.
“All of the above was within my plan. The only thing that exceeded my expectations… was the actions of the Liyue Qixing.”
“My expectation for them was originally the same as for the adepti, simply to protect Liyue, but the answer sheet they ultimately turned in that day was…”
To take this opportunity to replace the Gods, and to quickly seize all power in Liyue during the vacuum period after my death.
“Paimon: Is this really a good thing?”
“Zhongli: Haha… I actually think this is very good. This is something I had both worried was too early and vaguely hoped would eventually come… It is a sincere fulfillment for me, an old God.”
“Qixuan-jie: To put it bluntly, he’s too lazy to work and wants to resign.”
“Lumine: ……”
“Childe: Hey, what about me? You guys made a fool out of me, aren’t you going to apologize to me?”
“Lady: Hehe… How about I say thank you to you instead? Your meddling was actually part of the scheme, the God of Geo should thank you for your splendid performance.”
“If it weren’t for you creating the immense pressure of a war between adepti, mortals, and Gods… then the coal that the God of Geo has been playing with for thousands of years—Liyue—would not have become a glittering diamond.”
“Childe: Hmm? Why are you standing from the perspective of another nation’s God, mocking your own colleague? Do you want to fight?”
“Lumine: I was also tricked…”
“Childe: That may be true, but you are now a hero of Liyue, while I will forever be on Liyue’s blacklist, won’t I?”
“Lady: Well then, the Gnosis is in hand, and idle chatter is meaningless. Let’s return to the Snezhnaya Palace to see the Tsaritsa.”
“Childe: *Sigh*… Alright, but I’ll go back later. I don’t want to be on the same ship as you.”
“Lady: Hmph, suit yourself.”
Lady left after speaking…
“Zhongli: Lastly, do you have any other questions?”
“Lumine: I want to know the Tsaritsa’s price.”
“Paimon: That’s right, Zhongli always says that transactions must be fair, but… what else in this world could be worth exchanging for a Gnosis?”
“Zhongli: Generally speaking, there isn’t.”
“Paimon: Eh?!”
“Zhongli: But I am the God of contracts. Over thousands of years, countless contracts have been made through my hands. If a transaction isn’t profitable, I would never easily make a move.”
“The transaction with the Tsaritsa was my last moment as the God of Geo. Although the people of Liyue now know I am alive, from other nations’ perspectives, I am already dead. The contract I made with the Tsaritsa is the ‘contract to end all contracts’.”
As for what kind of bargaining chip the Tsaritsa placed on the other side of the scale…
You will uncover the answer yourself on your future journey.
Then everyone dispersed…
Some time later…
“Paimon: Today is the day of the Farewell to Sefarer Ritual. Although the 'main character' we're sending off is actually fake, we spent so much time preparing, it would be a shame not to go see it.”
The people of Liyue all know that the Rock Lord didn't die, but they don't know if it's true or false. Although it was a notice issued by the Qixing, seeing is believing, but now it seems… alas.
“Fengyan: Hear ye, the Qixing’s proclamation! Let all know: Though the soaring dragon and flying qilin may live as long as mountains, they ultimately turn to dust.”
“The Geo God’s immortal status, his life as long as the sun and moon, yet there are times of cloudy and clear skies, coinciding with a thunderous tribulation.”
“Street talk and rumors, various kinds, say that the Geo God was assassinated, but this is not the truth.”
“The Lord of Geo met a heavenly tribulation, and his soul returned to the high heavens. Therefore, Liyue is hereby informed, and it is hoped that all citizens will mourn, so as not to cause heartache.”
“Furthermore, do not listen to rumors circulating in the market and make baseless conjectures.”
“Paimon: Hmm… Uh. Lumine, can you translate for me what the Qixing’s announcement said?”
“Qixuan-jie: His meaning is that the Lord of Geo died from a lightning tribulation.”
“Paimon: Eh? The Qixing’s statement actually changed to this. Wait? Qixuan-jie, when did you get here!”
“Qixuan-jie: I was here a moment ago, listening to you two talk. Paimon, I told you to read more Liyue ancient proverbs. How can you be Lumine’s and my guide without increasing your knowledge?”
“Paimon: Hmm… But, but… I get sleepy as soon as I read… Eh? Wait, what did you just say?”
“Lumine: Qixuan-jie is really coming with us?”
“Qixuan-jie: Of course. Didn’t I tell you two before?”
“Paimon: Hmm… I thought.”
“Qixuan-jie: You thought I was joking?”
“Paimon: Hehe…”
“Lumine: The Farewell to Sefarer Ritual is almost over. Let’s go quickly.”
On Yujing Terrace…
“Ningguang: As just stated, the Lord of Geo’s soul returning to the high heavens is the severance of a contract, and also the end of an era.”
“Shitou: Alas, I knew it. A 3,700-year contract, burning, burning, it turned to ashes…”
“Ningguang: The people of Liyue were once happy, but in their happiness, they forgot the cruelty of time.”
“The long, endless dream of the Land of Geo…”
“Granny Ping: Alas…”
“Ningguang: After waking from the dream, people learned to say goodbye.”
“After the contract is re-established, will you—bless the next era?”
“Ganyu: Well then, Tianquan’s address ends here.”
“Does Yuheng still have anything to say?”
“Paimon: Huh? Why does she seem to be looking this way?”
“Keqing: Traveler, and… (looks at Qixuan-jie and nods in respect).”
“Paimon: Wow! She really is looking this way!”
“Citizens: Is that the Traveler rumored to have defeated the ancient God? So young…”
“Keqing: The Liyue Qixing repays kindness. I’m sure you know we have extensive connections. Tell us what Reward you want, for it is what you ought to receive.”
“Paimon: Wow…”
“Lumine: Then… help me post a few missing person notices.”
After the Farewell to Sefarer Ritual ended…
“Paimon: Hey, Zhongli! Look, the people of Liyue all feel that they will never see the Rock Lord again. Look at this atmosphere of remembrance and nostalgia…”
“Qixuan-jie: Haha… He’s completely relaxed now.”
“Zhongli: Hahaha… You’re right. Having shed a 3,700-year burden, wouldn’t one feel lighter?”
“By the way, when are you free? I’ll treat you to a meal at Xinyue Kiosk.”
“Paimon: Hmph, stop bragging, Zhongli. I might believe you about Three Bowls From the Port, but Xinyue Kiosk even charges for tea! Can you really afford it?”
“Zhongli: Uh… Come to think of it, I really don’t have enough Mora.”
“Lumine: But why would Morax lack Mora?”
“Zhongli: As the Lord of Geo, Morax, I can naturally create Mora with ease. But since I have adopted the mortal identity of Zhongli, I should abide by mortal rules.”
“Paimon: So that’s your reason for always having others pay and becoming a societal burden.”
“Zhongli: No… I just spent some of the Fatui’s money, you don’t have to put it like that.”
(Childe: Who understands, my family, for my sake!)
“Zhongli: In the City of Commerce, what is exchanged through connections is not just money and goods, but also knowledge, memories, and foresight, as well as identities, roles, and lives.”
“Qixuan-jie: Then next time after you eat, reveal your identity: ‘I am the Lord of Geo. This meal is on me, and I can help your business prosper.’ Do you think you’d be kicked out?”
“Zhongli: … … … Let’s not talk about that. Traveler, any companions on a journey will eventually part ways.”
“Paimon: Hmm… It’s probably time to set off again and continue our journey to find the Seven Gods.”
“Qixuan-jie: Don’t worry, I’ll protect you two.”
“Paimon: Yay!”
“Zhongli: If you wish to continue your journey, it might be a bit difficult, because Liyue’s maritime neighbor, Inazuma, is currently in lockdown.”
“Lumine: Lockdown?”
“Zhongli: Yes, a lockdown decreed by the will of the God.”
“Inazuma’s Electro God, Baal, just as the people of Liyue prefer to call me the Lord of Geo, she also has an alias in Inazuma.”
“Paimon: Hmm, I heard that God’s name is… Raiden?”
“Zhongli: Indeed. And because she is the Shogun of the Inazuma Shogunate, she is known as the Raiden Shogun.”
“Lumine: Inazuma Shogunate…”
“Paimon: Speaking of which, although I recently heard at the docks that the situation in Inazuma is very tense, it doesn’t seem to have always been like this. At least last year, it wasn’t this bad…”
“Zhongli, you are the Rock Lord of Liyue, you should know something about what’s going on over there, right? Why has Inazuma become like this, with its current lockdown?”
“Zhongli: It’s because of… Vision.”
“Paimon: Vision?”
“Zhongli: When faced with uncontrollable circumstances, people always lament their powerlessness.”
“But at the steepest turning point in life, if a mortal’s desire reaches its peak, the gaze of the Gods will be cast down…”
“This is a Vision, an external magical organ granted to those recognized by the Gods, used to guide elemental power.”
“Paimon: Hmm, that’s a widely accepted view on the continent of Teyvat.”
“Zhongli: But since last year, the Raiden Shogun has issued the Vision Hunt Decree in Inazuma.”
“Paimon: Vision Hunt Decree?”
“Zhongli: Within Inazuma, all Visions are confiscated and inlaid into the hands of the Statue of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God.”
“Paimon: Confiscate Visions? Why? Aren’t Visions a gift from the Gods?”
“Zhongli: Presumably, in the Raiden Shogun’s view, precisely because it is a gift from the Gods, the Gods have the power to dispose of it as they wish.”
“Qixuan-jie: I think the Raiden Shogun might have a lonely past?”
“Paimon: Where did you get that from?”
“Qixuan-jie: Of course, I read it in ‘Inazuma Past 3’ published in Liyue. The story is quite good.”
“Lumine: … …”
“Zhongli: The God of Anemo is the God of freedom, the God of Geo is the God of contract, and the Raiden Shogun is the God who pursues eternity. For an eternal nation, it seems she has finally made up her mind to eliminate any unstable factors.”
“At this moment, even I, the oldest among the Seven Gods, have ‘perished.’ This might further strengthen her resolve to pursue eternity.”
“When she issued the Vision Hunt Decree, she must have repeated to her people the phrase she says most often—‘Among the seven ideals pursued by the Seven Gods, only eternity is closest to the Heavenly Principles.’”
“Lumine subconsciously looked at Qixuan-jie…”
“Zhongli: Alright, is there anything else you want to know?”
“Lumine: Then do you know my brother?”
“Zhongli: Hmm… Based on your description, the God who intercepted you and your brother is very likely… (He then pointed towards the sky).”
“Lumine: Okay… I understand. There’s nothing else…”
“Zhongli: Then, let’s find a way to break through the lockdown. Don’t worry, this might still require some serendipity…”
“Qixuan-jie: Let’s go, there’s still plenty of time.”
Lumine and Paimon went ahead to pack their luggage.
“Zhongli: If you are going, be careful in all things. I am currently not clear about that one in the sky… Oh, or rather, according to mortal parlance, my ‘boss.’ I am not clear about his situation.”
“Qixuan-jie: I met him once before. Hmm… How should I put it, hehe, he seems to be very afraid that I would string him up like skewers.”
“Zhongli: … …”
“In any case, rest assured, there is no one in all of Teyvat who can harm me. I’m off!”
Zhongli’s voice echoed in the ears of Qixuan-jie, Lumine, and Paimon: “Friend, if one day I must part with you, you will still shine like gold in my memory.”