The clearance left behind by Havria transformed into two treasures.
One was a Salt Chalice that always contained exactly half a cup of salt. Although it was only half, it was always half, which meant it was endless.
Even if you poured it out continuously, the amount of salt inside would not decrease.
The other was a Salt Ruler. Once this Salt Ruler was inserted into the soil, it would be covered by salt as if by a rising tide. The deeper it went, the more salt particles there would be. In other words, it symbolized a harvest of salt.
Upon hearing Zhongli describe the clearance of these two treasures, Yuto's expression could only be described as one of helplessness.
It seemed Havria, the God of Salt, had truly become a God of Seasoning!
Although salt is very important to humans and all living beings in Teyvat, it shouldn't be so specialized, should it?
During the Archon War, other Gods used all their strength and wisdom, while Havria… were you hiding in the mountains with a group of people, researching how to produce more salt?
One could only say that Havria was born in the wrong era.
If she could have avoided the cruel Archon War, with just these two treasures that could produce endless salt, Havria would have definitely been able to lead her people to a prosperous life. She would have been a living salt-merchant magnate, the kind of giant who controlled the entire salt production of Teyvat.
Now, these two rare treasures finally ushered in their moment to shine.
Leaving aside the benefits brought by the clearance itself, just the production of salt alone was enough to create a family as rich as a nation.
Salt, as a necessity for humans and creatures of Teyvat, can not only season food but also be used to cure and preserve it, to sterilize, stop bleeding, and bandage wounds. The annual demand is imaginable, and its unique essential status makes the salt industry highly profitable and prone to monopolies.
Because of this, salt has been a state-controlled business since ancient times, strictly prohibiting private sales. Not only that, but the production, sale, and pricing of salt must be under state control, all to maintain social stability.
Even if there were natural disasters or man-made calamities, the price of salt could not fluctuate significantly.
Previously, during the civil war between Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island in Inazuma, Narukami Island restricted the transportation of edible salt to Watatsumi Island, leading to a sharp decline in the living standards of Watatsumi Island residents and a significant reduction in the combat effectiveness of their army.
If not for Beidou's The Crux Fleet secretly assisting Watatsumi Island, the resistance of Watatsumi Island could not have lasted so long, relying solely on edible salt produced by the backward method of boiling seawater.
Liyue has the Silver Chamber of the Eight Gates specifically responsible for the production and sale of salt.
Now that Yuto has Havria's Salt Chalice and Salt Ruler, he can also use them to establish a new Shogunate department. This unique technology for producing edible salt is definitely one of the most needed technologies in Inazuma at present, and it's the kind that cannot be bought back with any amount of Mora.
But now, it was generously given away by Lord Rex Lapis. Yuto was actually not surprised by this outcome.
In the game's story, Zhongli always led everyone to revisit Havria's story from the perspective of an observer. If it weren't for the Liyue archaeologist Wanyan and the Fatui's Klimt from Snezhnaya having an internal conflict midway, they both could have taken one treasure each and left.
At the end of the ruins, Zhongli led Yuto and Shenhe to visit Havria's last relic: a broken sword that killed her.
The descendants of the God of Salt's people, who had sought refuge with Lord Rex Lapis, feared the God's remnants left by Havria, fearing that she would inflict eternal curses upon them. So, they risked returning here, broke the sword, and offered worship, hoping to appease the wrath she left behind.
But in fact, they were being redundant.
How could this God, who never resisted until the very end, harbor anger towards her own people?
Upon hearing this story, Yuto and Shenhe couldn't help but show respect to the deceased God of Salt, Havria.
Afterward, Yuto couldn't help but offer his suggestion to Zhongli.
Yuto: "Mr. Zhongli, I feel it is necessary to remind you of something. The people who worship the God of Salt have already become antagonistic to the people who worship Lord Rex Lapis. They are very likely to become a danger to Liyue society.
Two years ago, during our civil unrest in Inazuma, although it was instigated by the Fatui, they also accurately discovered a major flaw: Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island did not worship the same God.
The people of Watatsumi Island, led by the Sangonomiya Living God Priestess, have always worshipped their own Great God of Watatsumi — Orobashi, even destroying the Raiden Shogun's shrine, leaving it unrepaired. This is a path to disaster."
One must know that the local people of Liyue, to show respect to the God of Geo, always referred to the God of Geo as Lord Rex Lapis or Lord of Geo. They would not directly call Morax by his given name. Even foreigners in Liyue, if they dared to call the God of Geo that, would be demoted to impolite foreigners.
However, those salt-God worshippers in the Silver Chamber already spoke of Morax at every turn, and they were also indignant about Morax's assassination of Havria, wanting to find evidence to prove this matter and bring justice to their God.
Zhongli folded his arms across his chest, remained silent for a moment, then said with an air of detachment:
"By common sense, there is no benefit in worshipping a God who has already passed away.
Indeed, ever since that Rite of Parting, many new and curious beliefs have emerged in Liyue Harbor. Nowadays, many of the staff in the Silver Chamber are followers of the God of Salt, spreading rumors in Liyue Harbor multiple times about Morax assassinating Havria, which I do not like.
But I am now completely retired, and Lord Rex Lapis has also passed away in the hearts of the Liyue people. What does their spreading rumors about Morax have to do with me, Zhongli? As for this hidden danger, let the Liyue Qixing discover and handle it."
Well, it seems our Zhongli is broad-minded.
To say that he remains unfazed even when a mountain collapses before him must be referring to him.
Indeed, as he said, after the passing of Lord Rex Lapis, all sorts of monsters and demons would emerge, which was indeed a test for the Liyue Qixing.
Moreover, Yuto felt that with Ningguang, a leader with both means and ability, in charge of Liyue Harbor, Zhongli could indeed retire and live a peaceful life.
Just then, Zhongli looked back, as if sensing something, and his expression suddenly became serious.
Then he said to Yuto: "Alright, the matter is concluded. I should take my leave now."
With that, Zhongli left on his own.
When Yuto and Shenhe returned to the surface, Zhongli's figure was already gone.
Shenhe, seeing the God disappear so quickly, couldn't help but feel puzzled and asked Yuto:
"Did something important happen for the God to leave in such a hurry?"
Yuto recalled the direction Zhongli looked back at before leaving, which was The Chasm, and couldn't help but laugh:
"Nothing, he's just in a hurry to rescue someone."
Shenhe: ???
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