"The auspicious hour has arrived!"
On the crowded Jade Chamber Terrace, with Ningguang's command, silence instantly fell.
Her two secretaries bowed deeply and withdrew, leaving the entire platform to Ningguang alone.
Ningguang gave a slight nod, elemental energy began to surge.
Four gemstones gathered around her.
When the elemental power reached its peak, she turned abruptly, raising her sleeve and pointing forward.
The four gemstones, brimming with energy, shot straight into the ceremonial furnace.
"Open!"
The array inscribed within the furnace was instantly activated.
A golden pillar of light erupted into the heavens.
Boom!
A thunderous sound rang out.
The winds and clouds shifted, white whirlpools of cloud rolled downward.
Within the clouds, the long silhouette of a brown dragon churned endlessly.
"We welcome the Lord of Geo!"
Ningguang was the first to bow deeply.
"We welcome the Lord of Geo!!"
All across the Jade Chamber Terrace, every person of Liyue cried out together.
The momentum was overwhelming.
Deafening!
Under the gaze of the masses,
The half-dragon, half-serpent ancestral form descended from the clouds, circling and pausing above the terrace.
"Tianquan of the Qixing, Ningguang, pays respect to the Lord."
Ningguang knelt on one knee, her expression utterly reverent.
"People of Liyue, pay respect to the Lord!"
The densely packed crowds behind her all bowed in unison.
Swept along by the great tide, even foreign travelers who had come to witness found themselves overwhelmed, stumbling into the same motion.
"Rise."
The warm yet dignified voice sounded in every ear.
"Yes, Lord!"
As one, they stood.
Though there had been no rehearsal, in this moment, their movements were naturally unified and flawless.
This was the people's heartfelt reverence for their guardian deity.
"Tianquan of the Qixing, Ningguang, humbly requests the Lord's decree."
Rising, Ningguang cupped her hands and bowed, following the yearly ritual of asking for the divine oracle.
Below the terrace, the secretaries had long since prepared ink and brush, awaiting the decree.
The crowd too fell silent.
Not daring to make even a sound, lest they miss a single word.
On the Moon-Sea Pavilion above, Guizhong watched the scene with a smile, asking Madame Ping at her side:
"Does Morax do this every year?"
"More or less."
Madame Ping nodded with a faint smile. "Though I've forgotten exactly when it began."
"I remember. It was in the 101st year after the founding of Liyue."
Ganyu quickly supplied the answer: "At that time, seven of the most respected among the people presided. That was the origin of the Qixing. Later, with the Lord's approval, the order of the Seven Stars was formally established, continuing until today."
It was then she herself became secretary of the Moon-Sea Pavilion, aiding each generation of the Qixing.
So many years had passed.
"It's been that long, huh."
Guizhong propped her chin in her hand, eyes fixed on the people below.
"Morax has governed Liyue very well indeed. Seems I underestimated him."
"Not quite so simple."
Cloud Retainer shook her head: "When Liyue was newly founded, the Lord was often overwhelmed. When faced with matters hard to resolve, he was frequently troubled. Time and again he dragged us in to devise solutions—it was hardly as easy as it looks today. The orderliness you see now… it was forged through practice, not innate skill."
"Unlike you, who always made it look effortless."
"Is that so~" Guizhong chuckled. "Pity I didn't see him in those days of frustration—that must have been amusing."
"The Lord often said he wasn't skilled in such matters."
Moon Carver smiled. "He complained to us often enough. Thinking back, it's almost funny."
"Now that you've returned, Guizhong, I rather think—"
"Eh~"
Guizhong shook her head decisively: "Morax has already done enough. For me to barge in now would be improper. Our covenant was for joint rule, but I've been absent for so many years. This way is fine."
"Not so~"
River Flows Half-Awake narrowed his eyes: "The day before your revival, the Lord consulted with us. He intends for you to succeed him as the Geo Archon."
"Oh! Huh?"
Guizhong was stunned. "Me, become the Archon?"
"Are you serious?"
"Why would we lie?"
Cloud Retainer replied: "Across the land of Liyue, aside from the Lord himself, only you can command true respect. Who else but you? Moreover, the Lord confessed he is weary, worried he may one day fall into the same plight as Azhdaha. With your return, for him to abdicate and for you to succeed—what could be more fitting?"
"..."
Hearing this, Guizhong narrowed her eyes.
She began to suspect Morax's intentions.
Could it really be such a coincidence?
But after considering the long passage of years, she relented.
Perhaps he truly was exhausted.
"By the way, Ping!"
A thought struck her suddenly, and she turned.
"What about Azhdaha and Marax? Does that Taro fellow have a way?"
"That..."
Madame Ping blinked, then shook her head.
"We don't know. At the time, all focus was on your revival—we didn't ask. Do you really think Mr. Taro could free Azhdaha from erosion? Even restore Marax's lost reason?"
If so, it would be wonderful indeed.
But the price of asking for Taro's aid...
"Not impossible."
"Anyway, let's not worry about that now."
Guizhong spoke softly: "I haven't even repaid the debt of being saved. We'll take things step by step. To fret now is pointless."
"And another thing..."
Her gaze swept over the others, words slow and deliberate:
"If you can't dissuade Morax from handing me the Archon's seat, then none of you will have it easy. I'll drag every last one of you into studying and catching up on all that's been missed. So when the time comes, don't be stingy with your guidance."
She had only just revived.
And Morax already wanted her to shoulder the role of Archon?
Wasn't this forcing the duck onto the perch?
If she was to suffer, then none of the other adepti would have peaceful days either.
"..."
At this, the adepti all stiffened.
Looking at one another, they each saw the same word in the other's eyes: "Trouble."
"I will do my best to assist Lady Guizhong."
Only Ganyu, ever honest, answered earnestly.
Beside her, Yingda couldn't help but cover her face.
Too honest, Ganyu.
It's not that the adepti didn't want to assist Lady Guizhong...
They were afraid of the trouble.
If she really sat upon the throne of the Geo Archon, she would surely enforce her principle of making the best use of everything.
And then the adepti would be dragged from their peaceful seclusion in the mountains—
—put to work, without a doubt.
One hundred percent guaranteed.
(End of Chapter)
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