After finishing the story, Granny Ping continued.
"The matter of eating and drinking can be as small or as grand as one makes it. In its smallest form, one may take a handful of millet to taste or draw sweet spring water from the rocks. In its grandest, one may drink a pot of wine beneath the stars and moon, walking a thousand-year path through the mortal realm."
"Old friend, during the time you slumbered, Liyue has grown so prosperous, so beautiful... Are you happy?"
Gouba could not answer this question, for he had lost his sentience.
But Guizhong could. Like him, she had been "asleep" for so long, and upon awakening to see Liyue's prosperity, she was genuinely overjoyed.
Thus, in the first few days after waking, she and Havria wandered aimlessly through Liyue Harbor, lingering and savoring every sight.
Just as Streetward Rambler had once said, Liyue Harbor was her finest potted garden.
The Adepti and mortals together had cultivated this garden into something uniquely enchanting.
Guizhong was delighted, while Yae Miko sighed. If Makoto or Kitsune Saiguu were to return and see Inazuma as it was now... they likely wouldn't be pleased.
At the end of the story, Xiangling brought the Traveler and Granny Ping back to Wanmin Restaurant, where Gouba encountered an old friend.
[Gouba noticed someone and happily ran over.]
[He stopped before Zhongli, eyes wide— "Lu~♪!"]
[Zhongli: "It's you. Long time no see, old friend."]
[Gouba: "Lu lu lu~♪"]
People hadn't expected Zhongli to appear, but upon reflection, it wasn't surprising—ever since the Geo Archon "retired," he had been strolling around Liyue Harbor daily.
Yet, as expected of the Lord of Geo—ever reliable, recognizing the God of the Stove at a glance.
In contrast, even that woman hadn't recognized him.
[Zhongli explained his presence: "The season is just right—a fine time for a walk, and to wait for a table of fine dishes."]
Xiangling entered Wanmin Restaurant, leaving only the Traveler and Granny Ping outside. At this moment, Granny Ping might well be the youngest one present.
[Granny Ping: "A walk is good. It lets us meet you by chance. Though Gouba no longer remembers you, he's always overjoyed to see you."]
The audience, however, caught the key point—the Lord of Geo had said he was waiting for a table of food. Did that mean he knew someone would treat him?
Evidently not, as Zhongli then turned to ask the Traveler:
[Zhongli: "Traveler, what do you think of the term 'Moonchase'?"]
It seemed he had come specifically to ask the Traveler—the "witness"—for their thoughts now that the event had concluded.
[Lumine: "To gaze upon the moon stirs countless emotions within. This scene, like a star shining upon me—I wish to chase the moon's splendor."]
["To remember the kindness of old friends, to inherit the bonds of bygone companions, to pursue the meaning of millennia, to encircle the eternal city."]
["All of this—this is the Moonchase."]
This ancient land, spanning countless millennia, remained as dazzling as ever. Liyue had always been thus.
After Iron Tongue Tian finished recounting the Lord of Geo's words, the crowd couldn't help but applaud.
Truly worthy of their Archon—his words were magnificent, perfectly concluding this tale.
Thanks to Lucian's story, this year's Moonchase Festival was grander than ever, subtly stirring wanderers across the land.
Many yearned to return home and reunite with family—not just those from Liyue.
Scaramouche's hand once again clutched the remnants of a shredded book, while Pantalone remained silent.
"To remember the kindness of old friends, to inherit the bonds of bygone companions... Ah, the old man really knows how to speak." Venti sighed. He'd drink a few extra cups tonight.
Keqing and Ganyu were equally moved. Truly, the Lord of Geo's words were unparalleled—they made sure to note them down.
"The God of the Stove, huh?" Yun Jin mused, ideas forming in her mind.
===✧✦✧===
At Lucian's home, Havria stared blankly at the moon outside the window. The Moonchase Festival was near, yet she had no place to call home for reunion...
Sensing movement, she looked down to see Hu Tao clinging to the windowsill, her little head peeking over with a grin.
Frankly, if this were an ordinary Liyue citizen, seeing the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor hanging outside their window would scare them half to death—illness or not.
"Hey, look over there—at Little Lucian."
Havria turned to see the group chatting in the courtyard. Lucian was also looking at her.
When their eyes met, he raised a finger toward the sky. Havria and the others followed his gesture.
A bolt of lightning and a burst of flame collided midair, exploding into a firework—not the most beautiful, but certainly grand.
"What do you think? My new invention." Lucian said, as if speaking to those beside him, or perhaps to Havria herself.
Making an Overload reaction bloom into fireworks required skill—he'd put some effort into it.
"Hmph. Just wait—this Adeptus will invent an automatic firework launcher by next Moonchase. It'll outshine yours." Cloud Retainer chuckled.
The Moonchase Festival's theme changed yearly, and fireworks were occasionally part of it. Perhaps her invention would see use next time.
Havria smiled. Well... it was rather pretty.
At the harbor, Kaedehara Kazuha also saw the firework. "I'd love to see Inazuma's fireworks again..."
Meanwhile, in Inazuma, Yoimiya wiped her tears—she adored stories like this.
In a way, the fireworks she crafted also embodied "remembering the kindness of old friends, inheriting the bonds of bygone companions, pursuing the meaning of millennia."
She made unique fireworks for different people, hoping they'd recall cherished memories upon seeing them.
Whether gratitude, friendship, or love—whether a day, a year, or a lifetime.
Fireworks were fleeting as ephemeral blossoms, yet the emotions they carried could stir endless remembrance.
Yae Miko glanced at the moon. Liyue's Moonchase Festival bore some resemblance to Inazuma's Hyakki Yagyo of old—both gatherings under the moon's glow.
"Shikikan... little one, will you come to Inazuma?" Yae Miko smiled.
Thankfully, Ei refused to read Lucian's books now—otherwise, she might have been wounded again.
After all, nearly all who once shared moonlit cherry blossoms with her were gone...
===✧✦✧===
The Moonchase tale had ended, but readers soon discovered that Teyvat's Strange Tales contained more than one story this time.
After the Moonchase story came Keqing's tale.
"Teyvat's Strange Tales: Keqing"
Keqing's heart rang with alarm. Ganyu's story had exposed some embarrassing moments—would hers do the same?
The very first lines sent chills down everyone's spines.
[The Geo Archon brought prosperity to Liyue Harbor, his reign immortalized in legends and tales.]
[Yet, as one closest to the divine, Keqing seemed to lack reverence.]
[Keqing: "Let me be blunt—does Morax truly know everything?"]
Keqing shut her eyes. Ganyu's widened.
Zhongli smiled faintly. Venti laughed heartily.
This was the kind of talent Mondstadt needed!
Most had once dismissed the Yuheng's views, but history had since proven Keqing right.
[What if one day, the Archon ceased his duties? Where would Liyue turn?]
To past Liyueans, this was needless worry. Mortal lives were too brief to shape Liyue's history.
The Archon had guarded Liyue for millennia—why fret over his departure? How could they possibly witness it in their lifetime?
Yet reality proved even an Archon could seek rest. Humanity must walk its own path.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Keqing: About Her Own Story (Book) · Unknown
"I just hope he doesn't write anything outrageous about me... Otherwise, I'll hunt him down myself."