"Zhongli! Why do you look so troubled lately, always with that frown?"
A lively, mischievous young girl suddenly appeared across the tea table, casually pouring herself a cup of tea.
Opposite her sat a man whose posture was calm and stately, as steady as an ancient tree.
"Hall Master, you may not know. Recently, strange things have happened in Inazuma—it has become a land where one can enter, but not leave. Many Liyue citizens who went there have lost contact entirely."
It was the time of the Rite of Descension, and now the neighboring nation was facing a crisis.
And it involved Liyue's people.
No wonder Zhongli was troubled.
On one hand lay his long-awaited retirement.
On the other, the safety of his citizens.
How could he weigh the two?
If necessary, he could delay retirement.
But he feared missing Liyue's grand annual Rite of Descension.
Without the Rock King Emperor's presence, the festival would cause chaos.
And so Zhongli brooded.
Going to Inazuma would take much time.
But not going—he could not abandon the Liyue people trapped there.
What is going on with Baalzebul?
He thought.
With Celestia silent, and the Cryo Archon in open rebellion—
Could she too be planning something earthshaking?
"Eh? Really?"
Hu Tao sipped her tea, marveling at Zhongli's brewing skill even as she absorbed his words.
"Maybe the Electro Archon discovered smugglers, so she tightened border control?"
The Sakoku Decree was no secret anymore—
Everyone knew of it.
So perhaps the lockdown had simply grown stricter.
"Hall Master, you misunderstand. The eternal storm has already dissipated. Once, even through thunder and lightning, people could still cross to Inazuma. Now the storm is gone—yet all contact is severed. That is no ordinary matter."
Even mortals could pass through the thunderstorm.
Yet with the storm gone, no one could leave.
How was that not suspicious?
At least, Zhongli thought so.
"Eh~ even if it is something serious, it's not for little folk like us to fret. Aren't there the Qixing above us? And above them, the Emperor himself?"
Hu Tao was unconcerned. Life and death were fated—
If trouble came, it could not be resisted.
"If only I'd sold them a Wangsheng package beforehand… Voyaging is dangerous, after all. At least they'd be prepared for the afterlife."
Such words usually made Zhongli sigh.
But this time, he did not scold her.
He too feared the worst.
"Hall Master, do you think the Rock King Emperor should intervene?"
"Relax! The Emperor protects every Liyue citizen. Rather than worrying about that, shouldn't you think of ways to grow Wangsheng's business? Your debts are piling up again…"
Hu Tao's chatter only strengthened Zhongli's resolve—
He must go to Inazuma and demand answers from Baalzebul.
Retirement could wait.
But Liyue's people could not be left to die.
"Hall Master, I would like to request a few days off. To visit an old friend."
Hu Tao blinked, instantly sensing something wrong.
She studied her guest-secretary carefully.
A person's demeanor was hard to disguise.
"Zhongli… you're acting strange today. You've never once told me the reason when you go out, nor ever formally asked leave. Don't tell me you've… you've contracted some grave illness? You're not… about to die, are you?"
Zhongli pressed his hand to his forehead.
He truly could not deal with this child.
"Hall Master jests. I only mean that this trip may be lengthy. If I am absent too long, I fear it would seem improper."
His explanation did not convince Hu Tao.
She tilted her head, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Then… shall I prepare a package for you? The most luxurious one! For a Wangsheng employee, it'll be free of charge~"
Despite her teasing, Hu Tao was genuinely worried.
Zhongli had spent so much money at Wangsheng, yet never made trouble.
If not for Wangsheng's somber business, she might almost be touched.
"Then I'll trouble you, Hall Master."
Knowing her temperament, Zhongli did not refuse.
Letting her be happy was enough.
But his easy acceptance only deepened her doubts.
"Zhongli… don't tell me you really have a terminal illness? You've never agreed to a deluxe package so easily! I always have to push my clients harder!"
Zhongli stayed silent a long while, then shook his head.
"Hall Master, I truly am not ill."
"Truly-truly?"
"…"
Traveling to Inazuma as an Archon, Zhongli did not bother with ships.
Yet the moment he neared its shores, he sensed something wrong.
No one moved upon the land.
Not even animals.
The sun blazed overhead—
Yet in broad daylight, not a soul was seen.
Strange indeed.
Setting foot upon Inazuma's coast,
he realized at once something was amiss.
"An illusion…? Or a dream?"
As the oldest among the Archons, his experience was vast.
He knew his true body was no longer moving on Inazuma's soil.
If even gods could be drawn into dreams without resistance, then this was not Baalzebul's doing.
Not that he looked down on her—
Her strength was undeniable, even he would not dismiss it.
But to ensnare him so completely?
That was no ordinary feat.
The waters of Inazuma ran far deeper than expected.
How wise he had been to notify Hu Tao beforehand.
For even he could not guarantee he would bring his people home swiftly…
~~--------------------------------------
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