Liyue, after losing its Archon…
Could it really usher in a new era?
She—
or rather, the Liyue Qixing…
No. The entire Liyue of today—
could it truly bear the weight of responsibility once Rex Lapis stepped back?
As mortals, they should have their own pride.
Their thoughts should matter too.
That was why she so often voiced opinions contrary to the Geo Lord's, and even put those ideas into practice herself.
For this, she was cursed as irreverent, mocked as overconfident.
None of that mattered.
They were merely excuses from parasites trying to cover up their own laziness.
When one grows too used to divine shelter, one loses the ability to think for oneself.
And once the capacity for thought is gone—can such beings still be called human?
She was not irreverent toward Rex Lapis.
It was just…
The yearly Rite of Descension felt like a never-ending cycle.
Every year, after Rex Lapis delivered an oracle, Liyue would be shaken into turmoil.
The poor sought to profit.
The rich hoped their fortunes remained untouched.
Rather than build an economy through their own minds, the people preferred to blindly follow the Archon's oracle, investing heavily in whatever direction it pointed.
It had always been this way.
But just because it was "always so"—did that make it right?
These people had, without question, lost their initiative.
They lay in the cradle Rex Lapis had built for them—safe, solid, comfortable—giant infants.
Liyue Harbor's prosperity was like a sandcastle on the beach.
And whether the tide rose was never decided by man.
So, at last year's Rite, she had raised her doubts to the Archon himself:
"Lord Rex Lapis has guarded Liyue for a thousand years… but will it be so for the next thousand? Ten thousand? A hundred thousand?"
The Archon had only answered with a gentle, meaningful laugh.
The people mocked her for her question.
They said her fears were groundless.
That a mortal's lifespan was less than a drop in the ocean of Liyue's history.
A wasted effort.
But Keqing believed otherwise.
That way of thinking denied the very meaning of human existence.
If humanity's existence had no meaning—
why then would the gods cherish them?
Thus, she questioned Rex Lapis' indulgence toward mortals.
And so, in others' eyes, she became the so-called irreverent one.
So my words, my thoughts, still fall within the Archon's framework… I never truly broke free…
Keqing reflected deeply.
She was not defeated—only pausing to think.
Rex Lapis' perspective was beyond human reach.
Her vision and thoughts were still too shallow.
What she had done so far, while good, was in his eyes mere child's play.
Now she understood the meaning behind his laughter last year.
It was the smile of one comforted to see her begin to grow, to start catching up to him, however slightly.
Someone must always walk at the very front of an era, to carve a new road with their own hands.
And as the Yuheng of the Qixing, it falls to me.
She recalled her lofty words spoken before others.
Instinctively, she covered her face.
Surely—surely the Archon hadn't heard that?
He hadn't, right?
Ahhhh… embarrassing! I'll die, I'll die, I'll die—
Even as her heart screamed, and her ears flushed red,
before Taro she forced herself calm, feigning composure.
Yet her tiny change of expression did not escape his eyes.
That child was embarrassed. Definitely embarrassed.
"Don't overthink it."
Taro didn't tease her further. He offered comfort instead:
"Your Rex Lapis isn't some stubborn relic.
He understands progress better than anyone.
He's thought farther than you, seen farther than you, endured more scenes of chaos than you can count.
You're how old? How much can you really have seen?
He? He's lived more than six thousand years."
"... I understand."
Keqing drew in a long breath. Her voice grew solemn:
"Sir, you need not worry for me.
I can handle it.
A little setback won't defeat me.
I will strive with all I have, until—
until I surpass Rex Lapis himself!"
In that instant, the young woman set the greatest vow of her life.
To surpass Rex Lapis in vision and perspective.
To truly become a pioneer of the age.
"..."
Taro raised a brow.
This girl—what an ambition.
"Very well. I believe in you. Work hard."
He lifted his cup toward her.
"No wallowing, only progress.
I'll drink to your success."
Yes, it was half perfunctory courtesy, but wholly sincere.
The chance of surpassing Zhongli was infinitesimal—
different heights altogether.
Catching up even a little would already be impressive.
For Teyvat held too many secrets.
Secrets even Zhongli dared not touch.
Could Keqing ever?
But none of that stopped him from giving her his blessing.
An ambitious child was always worth rooting for.
"Thank you."
Keqing did not refuse.
She lifted her cup and downed it in one shot, sealing her vow.
A single drink wouldn't hurt.
As long as she didn't overindulge.
"Sir, back to the point."
Setting down the empty cup, her face tinged pink, she pressed on:
"The sealed demon at Guyun Stone Forest—
does it truly risk breaking free?
And what of the Lord of Vishaps you mentioned before…?"
The thought of Guyun gnawed at her.
She couldn't rest without answers.
"You're impatient again."
Taro shook his head.
"Even if you knew, how would you stop it?
Osial, maybe manageable.
But the Vishap Lord…
Even with the Geo Lord giving his all, the best outcome is a coin flip.
And that only if Liyue itself isn't protected.
Otherwise, loss is far more likely than victory."
"Do you see how serious that is?
That's a being at the very pinnacle of Teyvat's elemental creatures."
If not for the Vishap Lord's lingering benevolence… tch.
"This…"
The cat-eyed girl froze in shock.
Something even the Archon might not defeat?
Unimaginable.
"These aren't matters for you to dwell on.
For now, Rex Lapis and the Adepti remain. The seal still holds."
Taro shook his head, unwilling to crush her further.
This was only the beginning.
Beyond lay the Abyss, the Harbingers, and higher still—Celestia.
None of these were burdens Liyue could shoulder.
Best not to say it.
Why risk shattering her resolve?
Better to let Zhongli teach her in his way.
Unlike himself, who only knew how to hammer down with brutal truth.
(End of Chapter)
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