Liyue Harbor, Liuli Pavilion.
"After all, matters of the underworld aren't meant to be discussed in detail."
Childe chuckled, then continued, "Anyway, the reason I brought you two to meet Zhongli, and of course, Mr. Qiu Bai, is because..."
At this point, he shot Zhongli a meaningful glance.
"It's because I have a way for you to see the earthly remains of the Geo Archon."
Zhongli spoke calmly, his tone steady as he addressed Lumine and Paimon.
"What?!"
Paimon gasped in shock, while Lumine eyes widened in surprise.
"No need to be so surprised," Childe responded with a smile. "Under the Tianquan Ningguang's influence, Morax body has been hidden away. However, let's first hear what Zhongli has to say."
His gaze then shifted toward Zhongli, waiting for him to continue.
"The reason Ningguang hid the Geo Archon remains is largely because of you, Childe" Qiu Bai thought to himself, feeling slightly exasperated. "No wonder Zhongli and La Signora had you running in circles."
Zhongli resumed his explanation.
"Though the Geo Archon is the ancestor of the adepti, in the end, he is still an adeptus himself."
"Over Liyue's millennia-long history, one by one, the adepti have departed. This is an irreversible trend."
He glanced at Lumine and Paimon. "You should have already sensed this shift during your time at Jueyun Karst, no?"
Lumine hesitated for a moment before asking, "The adepti are leaving Liyue?"
Zhongli nodded.
"As you have witnessed, the era of the adepti is fading, while the era of mortals is gradually becoming reality."
"In the past, whenever an adeptus departed, Liyue would hold a grand memorial ceremony."
Zhongli furrowed his brows slightly before continuing.
"This is Liyue's tradition. But this time, even the Liyue Qixing have no time to uphold it. It is truly improper."
"Damn, what a performance" Qiu Bai mused, "Zhongli is truly the 'Acting Emperor' of this whole scheme."
After all, both he and Morax were essentially the key players in this grand chess game. Now, it was time to stir the board.
"After all, it is a case of godslaying."
Lumine looked at Zhongli seriously.
"Yeah… and the real culprit hasn't even been caught yet," Paimon added, floating beside her.
Zhongli remained unfazed.
"The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor does not concern itself with matters of godslaying."
"What we do care about is this: If the Rite of Descension is conducted with such grandeur, then why is there no one to oversee the Rite of Parting?"
Hearing this, Qiu Bai couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
"So you're basically organizing your own funeral, huh?"
At that moment, Zhongli turned his gaze toward Lumine.
"Traveler, I have heard about you from Childe."
"Since you have some connection with the Anemo Archon, would you consider assisting me in preparing a farewell ceremony for the Geo Archon?"
Zhongli steady gaze rested on Lumine, who was deep in thought.
"Uh..."
"Traveler, if you think about it carefully, there really isn't any other option."
Paimon clutched her head, going over the situation again in her mind, only to reach the same conclusion.
"Exactly. No matter how much you think about it, the result remains the same."
"The Tianquan, Ningguang, is preventing anyone from viewing the Geo Archon body."
"So if you wish to pursue your goal of meeting all Seven Archons, this is currently your only path."
Childe quickly added, seeing Lumine hesitate. To him, she was the key to obtaining the Gnosis, there was no way he could let her give up now.
"Moreover, Liyue's other deity, the Adeptus known as the Yin-Yang Immortal, has mysteriously disappeared."
"That is precisely why participating in the Rite of Parting is your only chance to see the Geo Archon remains again."
Zhongli took over from Childe, his calm voice carrying a sense of finality.
Lumine couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Both of the deities she was searching for this so-called Adeptus and the Geo Archon were right in front of her.
And yet, here they were, casually discussing how to send one of them off.
"I guess there really is no other way."
Lumine murmured. Her goal was to find the Seven Archons, hoping to uncover clues about the mysterious god she encountered long ago and ultimately rescue her brother. Even if it wasn't one of the Seven, any god might hold the answers she sought.
"If you agree, come with me after we finish our meal. We'll discuss the details on the way."
Zhongli spoke plainly, then turned and walked out of the room.
Lumine watched him leave before turning her gaze to Qiu Bai, still seated at the table.
"Qiu Bai, I really didn't expect you to be involved in something like this."
Before Lumine could say anything else, Paimon flew over to Qiu Bai with a questioning look.
After all, out of everyone here, he was the only one they could consider even a little familiar.
"Didn't I already tell you? I'm a guest consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Qiu Bai smirked.
"Let's finish our meal first, no rush. Besides, the food here isn't cheap. Afterward, I'll take you to meet Zhongli."
"That works for me. I was planning to have a few more drinks anyway."
Childe chuckled, sitting down beside Qiu Bai.
"Might as well practice using chopsticks while I'm at it. And since Mr. Qiu Bai is here, he can share a drink with me."
"Heh, naturally."
Qiu Bai responded with a slow nod.
Seeing this, Lumine and Paimon didn't hesitate any further. They started eating, while Qiu Bai ordered a few fruit juices for them. Meanwhile, he and Childe enjoyed their wine, casually chatting over their drinks.
Qiu Bai also took the time to teach Childe how to use chopsticks properly.
Childe genuinely felt that if it weren't for the differences in their nations and allegiances, he would really want to befriend Qiu Bai. Compared to Zhongli, this man felt much more approachable.
Time passed, minute by minute.
"I'm full!"
Paimon patted her stomach with satisfaction.
"Thank you for the meal." Lumine smiled at both Childe and Qiu Bai.
Hearing this, Qiu Bai stood up.
"Then let's set off. I'll take you to find Zhongli."
He turned to Childe, who was still fumbling with his chopsticks, and added with a grin:
"Childe, we'll take our leave now."
"Chopsticks... they're so hard to use..."
Childe muttered to himself, clearly frustrated.
Seeing him struggle, Qiu Bai couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth in amusement before leading Lumine and Paimon out of the room.
After walking for a short while, they finally spotted Zhongli. He stood beneath a tree, gazing at the distant mountains.
Qiu Bai approached him and spoke calmly:
"Zhongli, I've brought them."
Zhongli turned around, first looking at Qiu Bai, then shifting his gaze to Lumine and Paimon.
"Thank you, old friend."
"Old friend?"
Paimon blinked in surprise, glancing between the two men.
"That sounds like you've known each other for a really, really long time."
After all, both Zhongli and Qiu Bai looked so young. Even if they had grown up together, it still seemed strange to use the term old friend.
Zhongli chuckled softly.
"Qiu Bai and I have indeed known each other for a very long time."
"Calling him an old friend is only fitting."
Hearing this, Qiu Bai also smiled and nodded in agreement. After all, the years they had known each other were indeed quite long.
Paimon narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"The way you two talk really gives off an old feeling."
"And Qiu Bai's strange techniques… it's all very suspicious!"
She put on her best detective face, scrutinizing both Zhongli and Qiu Bai.
Lumine nodded in agreement. The calm and composed aura these two men carried felt like it could only be shaped by years of experience.
It didn't seem like an act.
While Qiu Bai still felt somewhat normal, Zhongli gave her the distinct impression of someone who had lived for an incredibly long time. The way he spoke felt ancient.
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