From the players' perspective:
Xiangling led the group to Granny Ping at Yujing Terrace.
"Master—!"
This time, Guoba also happily greeted her.
It bounced up and waved, "♪～"
"Hehe, Xiangling's here." Granny Ping remained as kind as ever.
Paimon was stunned. "Xiangling's master is Granny Ping?!"
Lumine also looked at Xiangling in surprise—Xiangling had never mentioned this before.
But then again, they usually interacted with Xiangling at Wanmin Restaurant.
There, she naturally used her culinary skills—it wasn't like she could start performing spear techniques, right?
"This is really unexpected..."
Keqing, who had already learned during the Osial incident that Granny Ping was an Adeptus, had even personally brought gifts to visit her during the Lantern Rite.
She, too, hadn't expected Granny Ping to be Xiangling's master.
Xiangling chuckled. "Master, how have you been lately?"
"Very well. To think you all had time to visit this old woman today."
Lumine smiled and nodded. "Granny Ping, it's been a while."
Keqing also followed up, "Hello."
Xiangling got straight to the point—they wanted to ask about the God of the Stove.
"The God of the Stove? Of course I know." Granny Ping replied. "Ah... it is the Moonchase Festival soon, after all."
The group recounted their investigation into the giant stone in detail.
"I see... So the giant stone appeared, and you began investigating."
"You guessed correctly. I do know the 'God of the Stove' you speak of. But... that was a very, very long time ago."
Granny Ping's thoughts seemed to drift back to the past.
She began to explain to Lumine and the others.
'Moonchase' was originally an Adeptal rite. Though the people of Liyue did not practice Adeptal customs, they imitated this ceremony, evolving multiple festivals under the name 'Moonchase.'
On nights when the moon was beautiful, everyone would gather, drinking fine wine and tea, savoring delicious dishes, celebrating the joy of reunion.
Granny Ping sighed softly.
"Later, Rex Lapis merged these various festivals under the name 'Moonchase' to commemorate a friend."
"Observing the heavens and earth, swearing by the moon, remembering the past while reflecting on the present, rejoicing in reunion—this is the 'Moonchase Festival.'"
Hearing about Rex Lapis from yet another Adeptus, Keqing could now be 100% certain that the God of the Stove and the Lord of Geo were not the same person.
The God of the Stove had contributed greatly to Liyue, and Rex Lapis had always valued loyalty. Using this festival to remember an old friend was a gesture of deep sentiment.
Granny Ping gazed at the distant sky.
"I suspect that among those festivals was perhaps the long-lost 'Festival of the God of the Stove.'"
The Rex Lapis who once remembered his old friend is now...
Keqing, the hidden Rex Lapis enthusiast, grew somber.
"Rex Lapis has always cherished tradition... It's a pity that from now on, the task of preserving these traditions falls solely to us, the descendants."
[Zhongli (sipping tea): Very well then.]
[No worries, if there's anything you don't understand, you can always ask Funeral Parlor consultant Zhongli.]
[Wait, shouldn't Keqing know Rex Lapis isn't actually dead?]
[What if Keqing wasn't asleep when he sent the dream? (laughs)]
Hearing this, Granny Ping comforted Keqing.
"Keqing, you mustn't underestimate yourself. For descendants like you to care so deeply about these traditional rites—if Rex Lapis knew, he would be deeply moved."
"Thank you..."
Just then, a Millelith soldier arrived with urgent news—Ningguang wanted to see Keqing.
Keqing frowned. "It seems something important has come up... Everyone, I must excuse myself for now. If I don't return soon, you can find me at Ningguang's place."
In an instant, she shifted into work mode—Lumine was quite familiar with this side of Keqing.
Watching Keqing leave, Granny Ping continued, "Would you like to know who Rex Lapis' old friend was?"
Lumine rested her chin on her hand. "It must be the God of the Stove, right? Am I correct, Granny Ping?"
Granny Ping smiled warmly. "Yes, still as sharp as ever. There are never so many coincidences in this world..."
"A lost festival, an old friend—of course, they are one and the same."
The God of the Stove was not only Rex Lapis' friend but also a dear friend of the Adepti.
However, due to certain circumstances, they had long since vanished—erased from people's memories.
"How could this be..."
Granny Ping turned away, not letting Lumine and Xiangling see her expression.
"For everyone, it was a great regret. But... gods do not perish. We once made a promise—when the land regains its vitality, the God of the Stove may return to this world in some form."
[Key info here—gods do not perish.]
[The God of the Stove was actually a god? I thought they were just Adeptus-level. Impressive!]
[So does that mean Guizhong isn't truly gone either?]
"Really? That's a relief..."
Hearing that the God of the Stove could return, Xiangling's smile returned.
From Granny Ping's tone, it was clear the God of the Stove had been a very important friend to her—and that her master missed them dearly.
Reminiscing was always bittersweet.
Granny Ping shifted the topic to Keqing.
Her assessment was:
Keqing is a very determined child. Once she sets her mind to something, she gives it her all.
It's inspiring—makes you want to lend her a hand.
"Unfortunately, I cannot simply give her the answers. This process is very important for her."
[Hah, I'm just messing with you.]
[If I told you, there'd be no story left! Can't do that.]
[Mu Yang: Ask me three times and I'll still plead ignorance.]
Granny Ping then explained the origins of the matter.
Keqing's grandfather had also researched this.
Now, it was Keqing's turn to inherit the mystery and seek the answers herself.
Mu Yang, who had been observing nearby unseen, nodded in approval.
Learn from this, Mu Yang. There's always more to learn.
Next time you don't want to answer, just pull this move—exudes Adeptus elegance.
Paimon gasped. "Granny Ping knew Keqing's grandfather?!"
"Of course. Everyone in Liyue is an old friend of mine. Back then, her grandfather was about her age... just a young man."
[Ah, the art of saying nothing in many words. 10/10.]
[Let me warn you, young people shouldn't be so young!]
[If they weren't young, would they even be called young people?!]
"The two of them, grandfather and granddaughter, are like two peas in a pod—earnest, persistent, and unafraid to take action."
As she spoke, Granny Ping walked to the railing, gazing at the bustling Liyue Harbor below with emotion.
"Liyue is like my most precious potted plant. I've watched it grow more beautiful, more prosperous with each passing year."
"In the blink of an eye, another generation has come of age. How wonderful."
"New blossoms on the branches—that's how a tree stays evergreen."
After her reflections, Granny Ping praised their investigative efforts.
She also confirmed that the stone was indeed the lost statue of the God of the Stove.
All the secrets of the God of the Stove lay hidden within it.
"I'd like to see that stone as well. Take me there—perhaps things will become clear once we look."
At that moment, Mu Yang ascended the stairs and rejoined the investigation team.
Sigh. All this effort just to avoid stealing the Adepti's spotlight... I've worked hard.
System: "Sure it wasn't just to slack off?"
Granny Ping looked at Mu Yang as he returned.
"You're here. I've heard everything from them. Let's go take a look together—maybe it'll jog your memory."
Mu Yang nodded. "Mm."