Chapter 13: Keqing's Determination
"He truly is the most powerful being in this world…"
Kael exhaled slowly, his golden eyes flickering with awe and frustration. "I think I've been underestimating you all this time."
After absorbing the immense martial knowledge that Zhongli had shared, Kael looked at him with a mixture of admiration and disbelief.
"I thought my strength was impressive, but compared to yours—the gap feels astronomical."
Zhongli chuckled softly, his expression unreadable. "You flatter me, but power is merely a measure of responsibility. The stronger one becomes, the more burdens they must bear."
He paused before adding, "Still… you are progressing quickly. Perhaps too quickly."
Kael smirked. "You make it sound like I'm a reckless mortal reaching for the heavens."
"Perhaps you are," Zhongli replied calmly. "But you are also something far beyond that now."
Kael sighed. "Even so, I don't think I could defeat the current Dendro Archon yet."
At that, Zhongli's expression shifted slightly. "The new Dendro Archon?"
He seemed genuinely curious. "I haven't heard much of her in the last five centuries. The last I knew, she was still studying deep within the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
"But as the incarnation of the Irminsul Tree, her power is immense—perhaps even greater than mine at my peak. Like you, she is born of the world's laws, not merely blessed by them. After five hundred years of contemplation, I have no doubt she has surpassed you in raw understanding."
Kael winced dramatically. "That stings a little."
Zhongli smiled faintly. "You wished for the truth, did you not?"
Kael grumbled under his breath. "Fine. Point taken."
Then, leaning back, he added, "You didn't know the Dendro Archon was imprisoned by her own sages?"
That made Zhongli's gaze sharpen. "Imprisoned? Impossible. The God of Wisdom could not be subdued by mortals."
"She allowed it," Kael said quietly. "She believed herself unworthy to rule. The sages preyed upon her kindness and doubt, stripped her of authority, and locked her away in silence. As long as she stayed hidden, the Akademiya could control Sumeru unchecked."
Zhongli closed his eyes, a faint sigh escaping him. "Such is humanity… brilliant yet blind."
His voice deepened. "When I relinquished my position as Archon, I believed Liyue's people were ready to stand on their own. But hearing this… I realize how fragile the balance truly is."
Kael smiled slightly. "Don't worry. I'll handle Sumeru's sages soon enough. Their arrogance won't last long."
Zhongli gave him a small nod of approval. "Then perhaps the world still has hope."
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Qingce Pavilion — The Dawn of an Idea
High above the bustling harbor, moonlight poured across a polished jade table where two of Liyue's brightest minds were hard at work.
"Ningguang, look at the new knowledge uploaded to the chat group!"
Keqing's voice was filled with barely restrained excitement as she scrolled through the glowing text only she could see.
Ningguang adjusted her reading glasses, her usual composure giving way to curiosity. "Hmm… 'Cement: Composition and Application.'"
Her lips curved into a rare smile. "It only costs five hundred points. Cement… a material that can replace stone in construction, more flexible and durable than even reinforced granite."
Keqing nodded eagerly. "If we can mass-produce it, we could rebuild entire roads, fortifications—maybe even Guili Plains itself."
That last phrase made Ningguang pause mid-thought. "Guili Plains?"
"Yes." Keqing's eyes gleamed with purpose. "Think about it. The plains were once Liyue's cradle. Morax moved our ancestors only because the land was tainted by divine resentment after the Archon War.
"But now that we've learned to purify lingering energy from fallen gods, it's possible to cleanse it entirely."
Ningguang's fan stopped mid-swing. For once, even her sharp mind took a moment to process what she'd just heard.
Guili Plains—the land that had once symbolized both love and loss for Liyue's first gods, Guizhong and Morax—had long been considered forbidden ground.
If Keqing's idea worked, they wouldn't just rebuild a city.
They'd reclaim history itself.
---
Keqing leaned forward, her tone resolute. "We can begin quietly—frame it as establishing a small trade outpost or research site. With my jurisdiction and your funding, we can avoid the bureaucracy of the Qixing Council.
"If we purify the land step by step, we'll be ready when the time comes to expand officially."
Ningguang tapped her lacquered fingernails against the table thoughtfully. "You're proposing to rebuild Liyue's origin in secret. Ambitious… and dangerous. The other Qixing won't like it once they find out."
Keqing didn't hesitate. "If they truly care for Liyue, they'll understand. The city is reaching its limits—our harbor can't grow forever."
Her violet eyes hardened. "If we want to survive the next thousand years, we must evolve."
Ningguang studied her silently. For all her pragmatism, she couldn't deny it—Keqing's conviction was contagious.
Finally, she spoke. "Very well. I'll provide the resources and manage logistics. You handle purification and construction oversight."
Then, her tone softened, just slightly. "But Keqing… have you ever considered who created this chat group? And for what purpose?"
That gave Keqing pause.
"I don't know," she admitted after a moment. "But whoever they are, they've helped us more than anyone else ever could.
"If they wanted to destroy us, we'd already be dead. And if they're trying to manipulate us into betraying Liyue… that's impossible. Everything I do, I do for our people."
Ningguang smiled faintly. "You remind me of myself when I was younger—certain that no power could sway me. Just… be careful. Even blessings can carry debts."
Keqing said nothing, but inside, she felt the faint sting of unease.
She didn't need Ningguang to tell her who the "creator" probably was.
Her instincts told her from the beginning—it was Aiden.
Or rather, Kael.
The timing, the control, the mysterious powers—it all aligned too neatly.
At first, she'd been furious. Humiliated, even. The way she had been "invited" into the group was nothing short of scandalous.
But as time passed, anger gave way to reason.
If Kael was dangerous, he would've acted already.
If he was deceitful, he would've hidden his power completely.
Instead, he had shared it.
Guided them.
Perhaps unintentionally, he had already done more for Liyue than any outsider in centuries.
Still, Keqing clenched her fist beneath the table.
Even if he means well… I won't let my guard down.
If Kael was truly benevolent, she would hold him accountable—make him answer for his choices.
But if his intentions ever turned against Liyue…
Then she, Keqing, the Yuheng of the Qixing, would be the one to stop him.
And she swore to herself—
no other woman would ever suffer embarrassment or danger because of him again.
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✨ End of Chapter 13