Heyu Teahouse was as bustling as ever today.
However, it wasn't because Sir Yun had a new opera, but because the storyteller was telling a tale of the Geo Archon today.
To every person in Liyue, Rex Lapis was an absolute idol. Even though they had heard his stories since childhood, whenever someone on the street began to speak of the Geo Archon, be it an old man passing by with a carrying pole or a child with a runny nose, they would invariably stop and listen with relish.
Even though the Geo Archon had appeared before the public less and less in recent years, and the rumors about him had gradually faded, his popularity was always at its peak.
"Last time on our story, Rex Lapis fought a fierce battle with the great sea demon for three days and three nights, yet still had energy to spare. In contrast, the great demon's scales had all fallen off, covering the entire surface of the sea. It is said that the Starconches we usually pick up by the seaside are what these scales transformed into."
"But the venerable Rex Lapis, with his benevolent heart, did not slay it. Instead, he summoned a stone spear to suppress it, hoping to reform it..."
"And the great demon's kin and subordinates scattered and fled under the might of the rock spears, never daring to set foot in Liyue again for the rest of their lives!"
The storyteller on the stage spoke with eloquence, and the audience below listened with great interest, not forgetting to applaud and cheer at the exciting parts.
However, in the crowd, there was a handsome youth who always made shocking statements, saying some rather blasphemous things.
For example, when the storyteller mentioned that the Geo Archon had a benevolent heart and thus did not kill the great demon, the youth would say: Was it because the Geo Archon found that thing too disgusting to touch, so he just casually pinned it down with a rock?
And when the storyteller spoke of the great demon's scales, he would say: That great demon had no scales. Its body was smooth and covered in a strange-smelling mucus that was sickening to look at.
As for the great demon's kin, that was even more ridiculous. He actually said that the great demon's kin simply got lost at sea and couldn't find their way to Liyue.
Really, do the young people these days have no reverence for Rex Lapis? How dare they speak of Rex Lapis in such a demeaning way!
Who understands Rex Lapis better, you little brat or me!
To this, the young man only smiled and shook his head, without explaining too much.
After all... some things were better left unexplained.
It was a story, after all. A little artistic embellishment wasn't unacceptable. He could just treat it as listening to a story.
In any case, there had been thousands of versions of the story of Rex Lapis battling the great sea demon in Liyue Harbor over the past millennium.
Be calm.
However, when the storyteller mentioned the great sea demon, it couldn't help but remind him of the conversation by the sea.
"The times are changing, and the gods are also being succeeded. Just as the Tsaritsa created us, you, Rex Lapis, could try to trust them."
"Trust them..."
Taking a sip of the tea at hand, the Geo Archon, disguised as a young man, gradually gazed towards the harbor.
Even without his arrangements, the Qixing could still perfectly keep the massive machine of Liyue running, and in some aspects, they performed even better than him.
After all, he viewed problems from the perspective of a god, which could often be unacceptable to mortals.
Perhaps... he really needed to change.
"Osial..."
But recalling the name Bai Luo had mentioned, the Geo Archon's expression stiffened again.
The hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, and he even felt that the tea in his mouth had changed its taste.
"Forget it, Osial is still a bit too much for them. Perhaps..."
A wave of elemental energy, invisible to the naked eye, flickered from Rex Lapis, spreading outwards at an extremely fast speed.
Before long, the young man who had been sitting at the table drinking tea had vanished, yet the people around him continued their activities as if nothing had happened.
It was as if... no one had been there in the first place.
Above Liyue, the adepti, having sensed the Geo Archon's power, had already gathered.
"Emperor!"
Seeing the Geo Archon in his divine attire, the adepti felt an inexplicable surge of excitement.
They, this old bunch, had been dormant for long enough. It seemed they could finally stretch their limbs again.
"A major change may occur in Liyue soon. If you can... please lend them a hand as much as possible. However, if the Qixing can resolve it themselves, it is best to leave it to them."
"Emperor, you mean..."
Cloud Retainer, who had been living in seclusion within Liyue City for many years, had some understanding of the recent situation in Liyue, so she could roughly guess the Geo Archon's thoughts.
She admitted that it was a huge gamble, but for the Geo Archon and Liyue, if they won, it would be excellent.
The fear was in losing the gamble.
"I simply have an appointment with someone and need to leave for a while. In short... just pay attention to the seaside."
"As you command!"
The adepti did not know who the person the Geo Archon spoke of was, but they had some speculations.
It should be the god of the neighboring nation, right?
But why would the Geo Archon go to see that god at this critical juncture? Was there some deeper meaning?
After watching the Geo Archon head towards the Stone Gate, the adepti descended near the harbor and began to stand guard.
Since the Geo Archon had told them to be careful of the seaside, it must mean that something urgent was about to happen there.
However, none of them noticed that after Rex Lapis reached the vicinity of the Stone Gate, he did not cross the border into Mondstadt. Instead, he descended near Wuwang Hill, found a clean rock, sat cross-legged on it, and began to rest with his eyes closed.
It's been thirty-seven hours since Bai Luo caused any trouble. It feels a little strange.
...
"Lord Tartaglia, our men have completely surrounded Wuwang Hill. Currently, apart from a few lost travelers and adventurers, we have not seen anyone else."
The mere presence of the Electrohammer Vanguard was enough to send a chill down one's spine. But standing before Tartaglia, he couldn't act arrogant at all.
There were only a dozen or so people in the entire Fatui who dared to be arrogant in front of this man.
"Mm, tomorrow's battle is very important. I don't want anyone to disturb us, you understand?"
Tugging at the new bow in his hand, Tartaglia nodded with satisfaction. He had specially requested this from the Queen. It should give Bai Luo a surprise, right?
"Yes! The Electro Cicin Mages of my unit have already released their Cicins to ensure that not even a fly can get in. They will absolutely not disturb Lord Tartaglia's battle."
The Electrohammer Vanguard swallowed, his body standing even straighter than before.
"Well done. I'm heading up the mountain first. When the Instructor appears nearby, remember to signal me. I will come over immediately."
"Yes."
After giving the order, Tartaglia entered the gloomy and terrifying Wuwang Hill, disappearing into the mountain forest.
Bai Luo hasn't used his name to scam free food and drinks in Liyue for a whole day. It makes him feel a little uneasy.
That kid didn't run away, did he?
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[A/N: Poor Tartaglia, he doesn't know that Bai Luo has already left Liyue]
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