After the last parting.
Zhongli's face still bore faint marks of bruising from his clash with Tartaglia, and Guyun Stone Forest looked like it had seen frost and fire alike.
After that, Xiao also accompanied Zhongli on a journey.
Word of these events spread quickly, though Xiao himself, not one for words, left much to be filled in by others' retellings.
Zhongli assured that he was doing well.
"In all, it's only been about a month,"
Taro thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Xingqiu only just finished his business a few days ago."
"That does make sense."
"He's been busy—yesterday especially, when all that chaos broke out. Only these last two days has he finally been free. Yet even after searching for two days, he still couldn't find me."
"Not even time for breakfast?"
"Not even that."
"Well, considering everything, no wonder he couldn't track you down."
Taro chuckled. "Reviving Banaya and Guizhong, fighting Tartaglia, gathering remnants of the old demon gods in Guyun… always moving by teleportation. It's no wonder Xingqiu kept missing me."
"If Xingqiu had actually found me, that would've been the real surprise."
"In that case," Taro finally decided with a nod, "we'll meet him together."
"Yes, you're right," Hu Tao agreed instantly. "It's time you saw that young man."
"Want me to come along with you?"
"Of course!"
Hu Tao jumped up, tugging Taro with her.
"Let's go eat! Zhongli, you handle the rest!"
"…," Zhongli sighed as he was unceremoniously left behind.
Blame Hu Tao? Impossible.
Blame Brother Taro? Even more impossible.
In the end, the work would fall to him anyway.
He smiled faintly at the thought, then rose, entering the inner hall.
When he returned, he carried a teapot in one hand and a tea set in the other. Sitting down, he calmly watched the breeze stir the blossoms in the courtyard.
Peaceful, unhurried.
As the tea steeped, Zhongli raised his hand to send his soul outward—then stopped, imitating Taro instead.
He tapped his ear lightly and murmured a single word: [Message].
Something clicked into place, as if an unseen system had awakened.
"Brother Taro, should the matter of the Earth Altar be delayed? I am in no rush for a day or two."
The reply soon came:
"Let's do it today. But we'll go tonight—best to settle it quickly."
"Understood."
Zhongli lowered his hand, quietly intrigued.
No adeptal power, no talisman, no visible energy flow—yet the message reached instantly. Truly fascinating. Perhaps Taro could leave a few of these "tokens" with Cloud Retainer and the others someday; it would save him the trouble of soul projections.
The tea finished steeping. Just as Zhongli poured a cup—before he could sip—a fluttering of wings sounded above.
Two cranes, one deer, and two yakshas descended swiftly into the courtyard.
"You're here," Zhongli said calmly, pouring tea as though he had been expecting them.
"Sit. This matter involves much, and cannot be explained in a few words. Have some lingzhi I plucked on my way past the Southern Gate."
The adepti exchanged glances, then sat.
"Lord Morax, about last night—"
Cloud Retainer leaned forward, unable to contain herself.
"Ronova, Death's Archon," Zhongli said evenly. "One of the Four Archons above the High Heavens, wielder of the rule of Death in Teyvat. Resurrection—by its nature—is the reversal of death.
The earlier resurrections, done without Brother Taro, were detected by Ronova. That drew her attention.
But afterward, with Taro present, She could not sense them. His position as Descender stands above Hers. He can easily block her sight."
The yakshas Fanan and Minu tensed.
"Be at ease," Zhongli waved a hand.
"The fault lies not with you, but with me. I was too hasty—skipped three necessary steps. Had I waited longer, or brought Brother Taro with me, even Yingda's revival would have gone unnoticed."
It was his own impatience.
"Then what now?" asked Moon Carver gravely.
"If the Archon of Death above the heavens has fixed Her gaze, what of Guizhong and the others?"
The miracle of their revival—could they really be asked to abandon it? Impossible.
Yet the thought of Ronova's scrutiny weighed heavily, an unshakable mountain of dread.
"No matter," Zhongli shook his head.
"Last night, Brother Taro reached an accord with Her. As long as we do not shatter the balance of Teyvat itself, She will not intervene. So there is no need for excessive worry.
As long as Brother Taro remains in Teyvat, as long as we stand together in Liyue, She will not—cannot—make a move.
To risk that would mean Her own death."
The adepti breathed out in unison.
"Good… good…"
Lishui's shoulders eased.
"Then all is well," Cloud Retainer murmured, sipping her tea—before realizing too late that she had lost composure, slurping like a mortal.
Her eyes flicked awkwardly; better to leave than embarrass herself further.
"Lord Morax, I will inform Madame Ping and the others. Excuse me."
She transformed into light and fled quickly.
Moon Carver chuckled.
"Her face is thin, as always."
Mountain Shaper shook his head:
"Lord Morax, and what now?"
"Just interact with Brother Taro as you would normally," Zhongli answered with a smile. "Keep the favor in your hearts, but otherwise, nothing changes."
Both nodded, then departed as streams of light.
"Fanan, Minu," Zhongli turned to the yakshas, "go and aid Guizhong. She has only just returned and will lack enough hands."
"Yes, Lord Morax!"
(End of Chapter)
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