Zhongli's Story Quest describes the Traveler and Paimon arriving at the Jade Chamber to find Zhongli.
Zhongli was at that moment discussing the stories of Rex Lapis with a group of Scholars, and everyone realized that the people in the stories did not know the Emperor's true identity.
But no matter what, just reading the beginning of this story made people unable to hold back.
If we were to talk about before, when we didn't know Zhongli was Rex Lapis himself, we wouldn't have thought much of this story.
Now that the Prophet has exposed the Emperor's identity, we all know that Zhongli is Rex Lapis himself.
So, the Emperor himself came to discuss his own story with others, is that it?
What's with this feeling of an author watching others do reading comprehension...
After being spoiled and knowing the truth, the people of Teyvat suddenly felt a sense of satisfaction watching this story.
[Zhongli: "We were just talking about 'Rex Lapis in History'. Are you interested in listening?"]
[Hanxue: "This gentleman seems to underestimate Rex Lapis's divine power. As a professional archaeologist, I would like to correct some of his views."]
"That's a good joke. Noted," Cyno wrote in his small notebook.
"Huh? You're writing down something involving the Rock God, what do you plan to do with it?" Kaveh asked.
"This gentleman seems to underestimate the strength of Joke King Cyno. As a professional joke expert, I would like to correct some of your views," Cyno said, applying what he just learned.
Kaveh gave a thumbs up, "You're really a genius."
Alhaitham continued reading, as if he had selective hearing loss, unable to hear their conversation at all.
"Why bother engaging him?" Tighnari said helplessly.
Is this your first day knowing Cyno? Give him a chance and he'll tell you a bad joke.
Look at Alhaitham, he doesn't pay much attention to Cyno.
Well, Alhaitham doesn't just ignore Cyno, he doesn't like to pay attention to anyone.
[Hanxue: "We are discussing the whereabouts of 'the first Mora in history'."]
["As everyone knows, Mora is a catalyst. Even today, there are still strange arts that use Mora's magical properties to strengthen weapons."]
["The first Mora in the world must contain the strongest power. So my next historical work will boldly argue the latest results of my ten years of diligent research!"]
["That is—Rex Lapis used this Mora as a catalyst to strengthen a sword and a blade."]
["Obtaining the blade can make one the Liyue Supreme, and drawing the sword can crown one the King of Liyue!"]
His statement made people start to question this 'expert'. He researched for ten years, only to come up with this?
As long as one can draw this sword and blade, one can become the Liyue Supreme and be crowned King?
If this were true, it would be fine, but for him, as an expert and authority, to publish an article without solid evidence is a professional problem.
When Zhongli uttered the words 'I beg to differ', it proved that he was completely speculating.
[Zhongli: "Mora, or money, was originally created simply as a bargaining chip to facilitate the signing of 'contracts'."]
["Presumably, 'the first Mora in the world' was simply spent by the Emperor as an ordinary coin..."]
[Yixuan: "Hmm... I think Mr. Hanxue's hypothesis makes a lot of sense. However, this Mr. Zhongli, without any evidence, simply underestimates Rex Lapis's profound planning?"]
In reality, Yixuan wished he could slap himself. Why did he have to chime in? Now he's embarrassed.
In front of Rex Lapis, he said Rex Lapis underestimated his own profound planning? How absurd is that?
[Zhongli said calmly: "No... My statement contains no praise or criticism, I am merely stating a fact."]
[Hanxue scoffed: "Come on, do you understand Rex Lapis, or do I understand Rex Lapis?"]
"He understands jokes better than I do!" Cyno expressed his approval of Hanxue.
In Hanxue's eyes, he was an expert, while Zhongli was just a young man who knew a little.
How could a young man who knows a little compare to him, an 'old comrade' who is 'over sixty and knows everything'?
Moreover, if Zhongli were to 'deceive' and 'sneak attack' like this, how would his books sell?
Zhongli was cutting off his income, so naturally he wouldn't give Zhongli a good look.
[Zhongli said: "I only have a slight understanding of historical matters; how dare I boast. But if there are no differences in opinion, then discussion loses its meaning."]
Zhongli's words were a bit 'humblebragging', but they were very well-received, making people marvel at the Rock God's humility.
Kokomi was very impressed by the Rock God's humility. If he only had a slight understanding, then others probably hadn't even started.
"It's over, it's all over." In reality, Hanxue's face was ashen.
His 'academic fraud' was now known throughout Teyvat. How would he ever get by after this?
He might as well perform a 'self-hanging from a southeast branch'. If he actually hung himself, he would truly understand 'King Yama'.
On the other hand, the other people of Liyue were truly both annoyed and amused. They wanted to say Hanxue was disrespectful to the Emperor, but they couldn't help but laugh.
This phrase will probably become a famous Liyue meme in the future: Do you understand XXX, or do I understand XXX?
The ones who should be laughing the happiest are Yae Miko and Venti. They were truly laughing without regard for their image; Yae Miko's fox tails were almost showing.
Even Kaeya's laughter couldn't compare to Venti's at this moment.
"Isn't this misleading others?" Guizhong was somewhat displeased.
Lin Qiu had taken Furina and the others to watch the play. Guizhong didn't go with them. She lived in Liyue, so there was no rush. She was more curious about the story Lin Qiu said she would be interested in.
Now, just at the beginning, she didn't know if she was interested, but she was a little annoyed.
She used to give her people four precepts; the first two were 'teach them wisdom, restrain them with virtue'.
She hoped her people would possess wisdom and restrain themselves with morality.
But this person, as an expert, was talking nonsense here, which was truly immoral.
If he had only proposed a point for discussion, that would have been fine; discussion is a process of error.
But he wasn't just discussing with people; he was speaking with certainty, and even planning to publish a book. Isn't this misleading people?
What if some fool actually believed him and went to look for the non-existent sword and blade? Wouldn't that be a pure waste of life?
Nahida, too, rarely frowned. As the God of Wisdom, she was also very displeased with such behavior of publishing a book based on only one point and no evidence.
This isn't academia; this is spreading rumors!
Fortunately, Lin Qiu had written this story in advance, and Zhongli in the story personally denied the rumor.
Otherwise, there might really have been some hothead running off to search for the non-existent sword and blade.
I believe if Venti were given a bottle of wine, he would be very willing to help search for this sword and blade, after all, he's familiar with this kind of business.
Whether it's looking for non-existent things or impersonating Rex Lapis, he's familiar with it.
"If this sword and blade are found, can one truly be crowned King of Liyue?" Arataki Itto was somewhat excited.
"Boss, they already said it's fake!" Kuki Shinobu said helplessly.
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Character Voice · Arataki Itto: About Liyue's 'Sword and Blade'
"Oh, you mean that story. I'm not interested in becoming the Liyue Supreme or anything, but if I successfully find them, wouldn't the people of Inazuma also acknowledge me as the Oni King?