Seeing the change in Lucian's expression, Zhongli knew he could no longer keep it hidden.
Sure enough, as soon as Lucian opened the door, he saw a green figure squatting on the ground, drawing circles.
"Finally noticed me, huh?" Venti stood up.
"Ah, being ignored by an old friend truly breaks my heart."
As he spoke, Venti even pulled out a bottle of Wine. "Here, see? I even brought a fine bottle of Wine, yet no one invited me in."
Zhongli pretended to be deaf and blind, ignoring him.
After bringing Venti inside, the bard introduced himself.
"Hello, everyone! I'm... a wandering bard from Mondstadt. As for my name, let's keep it a secret for now. A poet with a bit of mystery is more charming, don't you think?"
"Oh, and I'm friends with this guy here." Venti shot Lucian a resentful look.
You just had to expose my cover, didn't you? If I say I'm Venti, everyone will know the Anemo Archon is here.
Lucian pretended to be blind, ignoring his gaze.
"Ohoho! So you're a poet too!"
Hu Tao was the first to greet him.
"I'm also a poet—the 'Dark Alley's Obscure Verse Poet' is none other than yours truly, Director Hu!"
As she spoke, she proudly patted her chest.
"The 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, that's me, Hu Tao!"
"Oh~ What a coincidence! Maybe we can compose poetry together sometime."
The two hit it off almost instantly.
Furina and Venti exchanged glances, silently agreeing not to expose each other.
Furina already knew Venti's appearance through her informants.
Meanwhile, Venti, like Zhongli, immediately sensed the aura around Furina.
"Hello, poet. My name is Furina."
"Hello there, Miss Furina."
Xiangling also greeted him, though she seemed suspicious.
A wandering bard from Mondstadt, dressed like that... Isn't he just like the Anemo Archon?
Though doubtful, she didn't bring it up since no one else mentioned it.
"Consultant Zhongli, aren't you going to greet our poet friend too?" Hu Tao smiled, eyeing the silent Zhongli.
"A wandering bard travels far and wide, witnessing countless wonders. I hope we may meet again in private someday," Zhongli said.
Venti scratched his head. That sounds like a farewell after a meal... but I haven't even eaten yet!
"Consultant Zhongli is renowned far and wide for his vast knowledge. I'm sure you could add a brilliant touch to my verses. I, too, look forward to meeting privately."
Venti waved the bottle of Wine teasingly.
After the pleasantries, everyone began eating.
Fishy Toast, Furina watched Lucian expectantly—she had secretly made this dish just for him.
Last time, it had tasted surprisingly good, making Lucian forget his dislike for it.
But how did she learn to make it in just a few days?
At least it wasn't made by Ei—hopefully, it would be as decent as last time.
Lucian took a bite. The flavor wasn't as good as before, but strangely... he was starting to get used to it.
The fish in his mind were still throwing a party, but Lucian had grown accustomed to it—he was practically friends with them now.
Furina's Fishy Toast was merely average, but as long as it wasn't "Suspicious," it wasn't too bad.
After enduring the mental assault of the fish, as long as the dish wasn't outright bizarre, it wasn't that much of a culinary disaster...
It was still miles better than Xiangling's "experimental dishes," at least.
Truth be told, Lucian had a high tolerance for questionable food—after all, both Hu Tao and Xiangling were known for their "unique" cooking.
The only problem with Fishy Toast was its overwhelming nature—it didn't just assault the taste buds, it invaded the mind.
But after experiencing the "Delicious" version that cleansed his psyche, the "Normal" one was... tolerable.
"Is it good?" Furina asked eagerly.
"It's... alright," Lucian replied. Oh no, have I truly fallen into depravity?
"Great!" Furina beamed.
"What is it? What is it?" Hu Tao leaned in, intrigued.
"Is it really tasty? Let me try!" She swiftly picked up a piece of fish and popped it into her mouth.
Lucian couldn't stop her in time.
I might be used to it, but you aren't, little Hu Tao!
Hu Tao's lips pressed together, and for once, she fell silent. It was on par with her own culinary atrocities.
"Huh? What's wrong? Is it good or not?" Venti asked curiously.
Lucian and Hu Tao nodded in unison. Having been tempered by Xiangling's cooking, they were somewhat desensitized to such horrors, so their expressions remained neutral.
Furina was delighted—so many people liked her cooking!
Truthfully, Furina wasn't a bad cook. She just had... unique tastes.
"Then I'll give it a try too."
Venti, equally curious, took a bite.
Then his lips pressed together, and he said nothing.
I feel like I'm about to fall into a deep slumber...
"Why is everyone so quiet?"
Xiangling looked at the three of them in confusion.
She had already tasted it in the kitchen. Though the flavor was hard to describe, it wasn't too different from her own experimental dishes—just another dark cuisine.
"Speaking rationally, silence during meals is also a good habit," Zhongli remarked, a faint smile playing on his lips.
He had zero interest in the dish. Fish? No, thank you.
"Oh, I see." Furina nodded and fell silent.
So it's a Liyue custom to stay quiet while eating? When in Liyue, do as the Liyuens do.
Despite having two chatterboxes at the table, the meal proceeded in rare silence.
"Lucian, will you write about Liyue next?" Venti, having seemingly recovered, asked a question.
"Yes," Lucian nodded.
"Hehehe, then I suppose you'll also write about Liyue's Rex Lapis?"
Venti grinned mischievously, sneaking a glance at Zhongli.
If my cover's blown, old friend, yours shouldn't stay intact either. We're supposed to share hardships, aren't we?
"Speaking rationally, indeed." Zhongli actually answered first.
"Given that it's a tale of Liyue, it would be impossible to avoid mentioning the Geo Archon."
Venti pouted. Why aren't you panicking?
Of course, Zhongli wasn't worried. No matter what future Lucian wrote, he had already decided to step down as Archon.
The only regret was that his mortal identity, "Zhongli," might not be able to continue living as an ordinary person—sipping tea, listening to stories, and watching operas.
He had countless forms, but "Zhongli" had already formed bonds—it wasn't something he could easily discard.
Zhongli finally understood the meaning behind Lucian's letter back then:
"Brother Zhongli, my apologies."
So this was what he meant...
Lucian also nodded. Liyue's story truly couldn't be told without mentioning the "Geo Archon."
Seeing Lucian's agreement, Zhongli couldn't help but remark:
"Young friend Lucian, you're a better actor than I thought."
You knew my identity all along yet pretended otherwise. So we were both aware but playing dumb, huh?
"Ehe." Lucian grinned.
"?" Venti was speechless. That's my line! He stole my line!
"The Geo Archon? What kind of god is he?" Furina asked curiously.
She had heard of this Martial God's legendary might—one of the original Seven.
"Ah, if you ask me, why bother wondering what kind of god Rex Lapis is?"
"As long as Liyue remains peaceful and prosperous, that's proof enough of his achievements," Hu Tao said.
"Speaking rationally, indeed." This time, it was Lucian who said it.
"?" Zhongli was silent.
First, he steals the Anemo Archon's catchphrase, now he's taking mine?
He reached over and ruffled Furina's ahoge, thinking, Why not steal your lines too?
Honestly, this small dining table had somehow gathered three gods—a gathering of prodigies, wasn't it?
At this rate, will the next Archon meeting be held at my house?
While this group enjoyed their meal, Mona, far away in Fontaine, hadn't eaten properly in days.
After hearing of Lucian's exploits, she had rushed to Fontaine overnight, traveling nonstop for days. Her stomach growled incessantly.
She hadn't had a decent meal in ages.
Lucian! Lucian, where are you?!
You're not even in Fontaine! Where are you?
She pulled out her hydromancy scryglass and saw that Lucian's traces now pointed to Liyue.
"Lucian, why did you go to Liyue again?" Mona collapsed weakly to the ground.
Just earlier, her scryglass had shown him in Fontaine—how did he get to Liyue so fast?
Is my hydromancy failing me?
"Are you alright?" Navia, passing by, noticed Mona.
Hearing her mention Lucian, she approached.
"Food... Please, just a bite..." Mona was utterly drained.
Kind-hearted Navia naturally wouldn't refuse and brought Mona back to the Spina di Rosula.
Come to think of it, when Lucian first arrived in Fontaine and was on the verge of starvation, Navia had also stepped in to help.
Truly fitting for the "Relief Society's" boss—always there to save the day.
Meanwhile, [The Knave] was still on horseback, racing to the scene.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Line – Mona: About Lucian
"Such incredible divination! It's nothing short of miraculous.
If I can learn from him, I'll definitely surpass that old hag!"