The contract was completed, and Zhongli, finally retired, left the Northland Bank and arrived at Yun Jin's theater.
"The mission is complete. You and I should return to Snezhnaya to meet the Tsaritsa," Rosalyne said.
Returning to Snezhnaya was partly to report on the mission and partly to avoid trouble.
Although they were merely tools under the Archon, the people of Liyue were undoubtedly very displeased in the days immediately following the incident.
They did not call for Arlecchino because Arlecchino's mission was different from theirs.
"Yes, and when I return, I still have a bet to fulfill," Tartaglia said.
The bet he spoke of was with Lin Qiu, and what was at stake was his life.
"Are you really going to fulfill the bet?" Rosalyne glanced at Tartaglia.
Tartaglia spread his hands, "A bet made in the God of contract's nation, I don't want to go back on my word."
Although he said that, with his personality, he would keep the bet even if it hadn't been made in the God of contract's nation.
"Suit yourself," Rosalyne waved her hand, "I will tell the Tsaritsa to hold a grand funeral for you."
"Sigh, this is truly losing face and losing life," Tartaglia muttered to himself.
"I will go with you to see Lin Qiu," Arlecchino spoke up.
"What, are you going to make a move on Lin Qiu to save me?" Tartaglia laughed.
"My mission is to win over Lin Qiu, not to protect you."
"But I will attend your funeral," Arlecchino said before ignoring Tartaglia and going upstairs first.
"Why are all my colleagues like this!?
On the other side, everyone was preparing for the celebration banquet, which wasn't finished until nightfall.
Tables and chairs were set up all over the open space of the Jade Chamber, and Archons, Qixing, Beidou, the Crux Fleet crew, and the Millelith all sat there.
Everyone sat with their acquaintances, chatting animatedly, with plenty of delicious food, fine wine, and good tea.
Fortunately, the actual Jade Chamber was very large, and not all of the Millelith participated in the battle, so there was still enough space.
"When I go back, I'm going to tell my wife that I fought a God and won," a Millelith soldier said proudly.
His table was filled with his good brothers, who naturally wouldn't spoil his mood and echoed his sentiments.
"Tell your wife that I was very handsome too, and ask her to introduce some sisters to me!"
Ningguang looked at the laughing and chatting crowd, her face full of smiles; the best news was that there were no casualties this time.
If it were a normal time, after such a victory, everyone wouldn't be in the mood to say such things.
Because some of the brothers at their table might not have returned.
"Tianquan, what is this built platform for?" a Qixing asked.
It turned out that besides the tables and chairs, there was also a stage here. In this setting, was the purpose of this stage to give a speech?
They hadn't said anything beforehand? Who was going on stage? What would they say?
The problem was, shouldn't a speech be before the meal? Now the meal was already over.
"Lin Qiu and the others set it up," Ningguang said.
She also didn't know what the stage was for, but since it was Lin Qiu's request, she would naturally fulfill such a small matter.
With Archons and manpower, setting up such a stage was not difficult.
Speaking of the Archons, they were still relatively reclusive. Although they attended this celebration banquet, they all transformed into human forms and sat in a corner, not wanting to attract attention.
Venti was mixed in at this table, drinking heartily from fine wine.
Zhongli sat beside him, the two Gods not saying a word, one drinking wine and the other drinking tea.
The other Archons also remained silent; this table ate very quietly until Cloud Retainer spoke.
"The dishes made by these humans indeed taste good. The automatic cooking machine this Archon is going to invent must be even more delicious than this," she became competitive.
"When the God of the Hearth taught humans how to cook, I never expected humans to develop so many delicious foods today," Lishui sighed. He hadn't interacted with humans for a very long time.
"But we do not need to eat human food. What is the use of such a contraption?" Xiaoyue asked, puzzled.
"It's not made for you," Cloud Retainer tilted her head.
"It seems Cloud Retainer has decided to come and live in Liyue Harbor," Granny Ping understood Cloud Retainer's meaning.
"Hmph, since you all invited me so sincerely, I naturally have to give you face," Cloud Retainer admitted.
Zhongli put down his teacup, "This is a good thing. For site selection, decoration, and furnishings, I can offer some assistance."
"The old man knows so much!" Venti praised.
Zhongli glanced at Venti, "Are you satisfied with what you see?"
"Satisfied, quite satisfied. I wonder if there will be such free good wine in the future," Venti hugged the wine bottle and rubbed his face against it.
"Free? Those who have contributed should be free, but you seem to have no contribution, so you should pay," Zhongli teased.
"Eh? Then old man, you also have no contribution, do you also have to pay?" Venti asked.
"Naturally, the bill has already been sent to the Northland Bank," Zhongli nodded.
Venti secretly groaned. Where did he have money? The few bottles of wine he drank then were his last money, which Yun Jin had given him for composing music.
Now even the wine bottles had been thrown to Osial, so where would he get money?
Just as he was thinking about how to escape from the old man, someone walked onto the stage.
It wasn't a Qixing, nor an Archon, but Lin Qiu.
Although many people didn't know Lin Qiu, they figured that anyone who could go on stage wouldn't be an ordinary person.
Everyone quieted down and looked at Lin Qiu, wondering what he was going to say.
Lin Qiu opened his mouth and said, "Everyone has eaten and drunk well."
"Finally, let us watch a play—Goddess Splitting the Clouds—to conclude the night." After saying that, he stepped off the stage.
He was originally just going on stage to be the announcer. This job really suited him best; mute Lumine and Shenhe wouldn't do.
Hu Tao, on the other hand, talked a lot, but if she were to announce, she would probably steal the show.
Everyone was stunned, originally thinking that Lin Qiu would say a lot of things on stage, encourage everyone, and say things like 'you've worked hard,' but they didn't expect just one sentence.
Before they could think much, the red curtain on the stage slowly opened, and Yun Jin's figure appeared before everyone.
Lin Qiu had picked her up, and they had met Zhongli on the way.
"Alas—a lament—"
With one glance, her eyes shone, as if a myriad of tender feelings were contained within them.
Everyone didn't expect such a performance and applauded, then listened quietly.
Everyone had heard the story of Goddess Splitting the Clouds. It was a story written by Yun Jin's father, which had been around for some time.
The first part of the story tells of a 'Goddess' who drew her sword to fight against monsters for others, ultimately protecting them.
It was quite fitting for the current situation; they had all become the 'Goddess' in the story.
Everyone present was a human or Archon who had 'drawn their sword' and faced the God for Liyue.
Venti didn't want to run away anymore; this was something he had collaboratively created, so of course, he had to listen to the end.
"Mortal ties are fleeting, immortal ties boundless."
"Family scattered, invited to the Crimson Palace."
Shenhe's expression remained unchanged, as if she were listening to a simple opera, someone else's story.
However, several Archons understood the story within and became completely focused.
"The crane returns, but the ancient huabiao is gone."
"Cobwebs weave in vain, soul banners flutter."
"Karma and the mortal world, fleeting—vanish like smoke."
Everyone cheered because, in their opinion, the story of Goddess Splitting the Clouds ended here.
Yun Jin looked up, her eyes reflecting the lights of the Jade Chamber.
"Goddess Splitting the Clouds should have been nearing its end here, but today, I add another stroke."
"I sing it—for all of you—to hear—"