After stating her requested reward, Lumine turned to look at Ying'er beside her.
At that moment, Ying'er was smiling, gazing at Lumine with a playful expression.
"I even used some special balm before coming today," she said with a slight pout.
"I thought you would like it."
She then glanced toward Lumine side, her lips curving into a teasing smile.
"But I never expected you to have such a beauty by your side."
"Ah~ there's no way I can compare. Thinking about it is quite depressing."
Her eyes lingered on Qiu Xue as she chuckled.
"You must be Miss Ying'er from the Spring Fragrance Pottery House."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Qiu Xue."
Qiu Xue stepped forward, her enchanting eyes locking onto Ying'er as she extended a hand with a gentle smile.
After all, who in Liyue didn't know about the infamous 'Queen of Driving'?
Ying'er giggled, covering her mouth.
"Hehe, Sister Qiu Xue, you're truly beautiful."
"I'm sure many people must have their eyes on you—like this heroic traveler, for example."
She reached out as well, their hands meeting in a playful handshake.
Hearing this, Lumine quickly nodded in agreement. Of course, she had her eyes on Qiu Xue.
"I like Ying'er too."
Lumine turned her gaze toward Ying'er—after all, who could resist a woman who knew how to drive?
"Oh my, I never expected the traveler to want both of us," Ying'er giggled mischievously.
"This is turning into quite the scandal."
"But that means I have another rival now."
She shot a glance at Qiu Xue, still covering her mouth as she laughed.
"Hahaha!"
Qiu Xue couldn't help but laugh as well, seeing how Ying'er was teasing Lumine.
"Alright, Ying'er, we still have things to do. We'll head over there first."
Qiu Xue spoke softly to Ying'er before preparing to leave.
Nearby, a man named Shi Tou clutched his chest, his face filled with sorrow.
"Ah… Rex Lapis… Adepti…"
"To be honest, I think everyone here must be feeling the same as me right now."
Qiu Xue twitched her lips at his words. She wasn't dead, just asleep! Why was he acting like she had passed away instead of merely resting?
Lumine gaze then shifted toward Granny Ping.
"Ah… The relationship between the people of Liyue and the Adepti…"
"In the future, how will it continue?"
Even before approaching, they could hear Granny Ping murmuring to herself.
Lumine eyes drifted to the Dust Bell on the table, then to the sorrowful faces of the Liyue citizens around her.
Paimon couldn't help but glance at Qiu Xue and Zhongli.
Seeing that both of them wore calm, relaxed expressions, Paimon scratched her head in confusion.
The four of them walked towards the railing of Yujing Terrace.
"Hey, Zhongli and Qiu Xue, take a look around. The people of Liyue all believe they'll never see the Geo Lord and the Immortal Lord again."
"Just look at this atmosphere of longing and remembrance."
"And yet, both of you seem so... relaxed?"
Paimon looked at Zhongli and Qiu Xue with confusion.
Qiu Xue chuckled softly, covering her mouth.
"Hehe, little Paimon, wouldn't you feel a bit lighter too, after finally being free of such an ancient burden?"
She then turned her gaze toward Zhongli.
"Logically speaking, after carrying a responsibility for 3,700 years, wouldn't it be natural to feel relieved once it's over?"
Zhongli nodded and then smiled at the three around him.
"By the way, when are you all free? I'd like to invite you to dinner at Xinyue Kiosk."
Paimon immediately folded her arms and raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
"Hmph! Don't try to fool me, Zhongli! I might believe you could afford three bowls at the crossroads, but Xinyue Kiosk?"
"Even their tea has a service charge! Do you really think you can afford that?"
She stared at Zhongli, full of doubt—after all, he had been utterly broke before.
"Uh..."
"Now that you mention it, I really don't have enough Mora."
Zhongli awkwardly stroked his chin.
Qiu Xue laughed and turned to Lumine and Paimon.
"It's alright, Morax."
"I can afford it."
She smiled knowingly.
"When he was still the Geo Archon, Morax could create Mora with ease."
"But since he chose to live as a mortal named Zhongli, he should follow mortal customs."
Hearing that, Paimon cheered.
"Yay! Qiu Xue is so reliable!"
Then she pouted in realization.
"Hmm... I think I finally understand why Zhongli never checks the prices before spending money."
"He's just not used to it!"
Paimon then turned to Lumine and spoke in a hushed, amused tone.
"But at the same time, he's also not used to the fact that he can't make Mora whenever he wants anymore."
"So he's basically become a freeloading, moneyless bum who keeps getting other people to pay for him."
Qiu Xue couldn't help but burst into laughter, covering her mouth.
Zhongli coughed lightly, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Ahem..."
"I only spent some of the Fatui's money. No need to make me sound so bad."
He touched his chin awkwardly before looking at the three of them seriously.
"In a city of trade, people exchange more than just money and goods."
"Wisdom, vision, identity, roles, and even lifestyles are all part of the exchange."
Zhongli paused for a moment, then folded his arms and gazed down at Liyue Harbor below.
"No matter how much the god Morax walked among the people as the Geo Lord,"
"it was still different from truly experiencing life as Zhongli, a mere mortal."
He turned back towards Lumine and Paimon, his expression calm but resolute.
Qiu Xue also turned to look at Lumine and Paimon.
"Little Paimon, Lumine... As both Qiu Bai and Qiu Xue and together with Zhongli, I will always cherish the memories of walking through Liyue's streets with you."
She nodded at Zhongli, then gracefully stepped forward, smiling at Lumine and Paimon.
"It has been a wonderful journey."
Lumine nodded in agreement.
"That's right. But every journey, no matter how long, must eventually lead to farewells."
At that moment, Zhongli waved his hand slightly and spoke.
"Indeed. It may be time for you to move on and continue your journey to find the Eight Gods."
Paimon looked at Qiu Xue and Zhongli, nodding thoughtfully.
"So far, you've met three of the eight divine beings in this world."
"But if your journey is to continue, you might face some difficulties—because the neighboring nation across the sea, Inazuma, is currently under lockdown."
Zhongli explained calmly.
Lumine curiosity was piqued.
"What kind of god rules Inazuma?"
Zhongli glanced at Qiu Xue before turning back to Lumine and Paimon.
"Inazuma god of thunder, Baal. Just as the people of Liyue prefer to call me and my old friend by our titles—"
"The Geo Archon and the Immortal Lord—"
"she, too, is known by another name in Inazuma."
Paimon furrowed her brows, trying to recall something.
"Hmm... I think I've heard her name before. Something like Raiden...?"
Zhongli nodded and continued.
"Raiden is one of her divine titles. As the ruler of the Shogunate, she is known and revered by the people of Inazuma as..."
"The Raiden Shogun."
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