Episode 24: The Ginger, The Gentleman, and The God
[Location: Liyue Harbor – Entrance]
[Time: 2:00 PM]
We arrived back in Liyue Harbor just as the afternoon sun hit the high tiles of the feasting wharves. The city was buzzing with nervous energy. Rumors of the assassination were spreading like wildfire, mutating with every retelling.
"I'm starving!" Paimon groaned, floating upside down. "Dealing with Adepti is hard work. Paimon demands sticky honey roast!"
Aether sighed, counting his Mora. "We're running low on funds, Paimon."
"Don't worry about it," I said, patting Aether on the shoulder. "I can materialize gold if I analyze the molecular structure of Mora long enough. Though... counterfeiting currency might get the Qixing on our tails faster than the assassination charges."
"Hey! You're back!"
A cheerful, distinctively frantic voice cut through the crowd. We looked up to see a tall young man with messy ginger hair, a grey suit, and a red scarf waving at us from the bridge.
Tartaglia. Childe. The 11th Fatui Harbinger.
My [Great Sage] immediately pinged.
[Great Sage]
Threat Level: S-Rank.
Energy Source: Hydro Vision (Detected) / Electro Delusion (Hidden) / Abyssal Taint (Deep trace detected).
Advice: Caution recommended.>
"Childe," Aether greeted him, guard up.
"You made it back in one piece," Childe grinned, his dead-fish blue eyes scanning us. His gaze landed on me, and his smile sharpened. "And you brought a friend. I don't think we've been properly introduced. You weren't at the Rite of Descension."
"Raiden," I said, crossing my arms. I didn't shake his hand. "Raiden Ragnvaldr. I'm the one who handles the heavy lifting."
Childe laughed, a bright, dangerous sound. "Ragnvaldr? Sounds Mondstadtian. But your aura... it feels wilder. Like a storm waiting to break. I like it."
He stepped closer, invading my personal space. The air between us crackled.
"You look strong. We should spar sometime."
"Careful," I smirked, letting a tiny bit of [Dragon's Haki] leak out. "I bite."
Childe's eyes lit up. He loved that response.
"I'm counting on it. But first—business. I promised to help you find someone who can clear up this mess, didn't I?"
[Location: Liuli Pavilion]
[Time: 2:30 PM]
Childe led us to the Liuli Pavilion, one of the most exclusive restaurants in Liyue. Sitting at a round table, sipping tea with the posture of a statue, was a man in a brown suit.
Long dark hair tied back, amber eyes with diamond-shaped pupils, and an air of geological stability.
Zhongli.
The Geo Archon, Morax, currently LARPing as a funeral consultant.
[Great Sage]
Enormous High-Density Energy detected.
Subject possesses Divinity Factor.
Classification: God-Class Entity.
Advice: DO NOT ENGAGE IN HOSTILITY.>
My head spun. Even knowing the lore, feeling his presence in person was different. It felt like sitting next to a dormant volcano.
"Travelers," Childe gestured grandly. "This is Mr. Zhongli, a consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Zhongli set his cup down. Clink. The sound seemed to echo too loudly.
He looked at Aether, then at me.
His gaze lingered on me.
Those amber eyes seemed to peel back my human disguise, looking straight at the dragon soul underneath.
"A pleasure," Zhongli said, his voice deep and smooth as bedrock. "Childe has told me much of your exploits. Though... he failed to mention he was bringing a guest of such... ancient lineage."
I froze. He knew. Of course he knew. He's the Prime Adeptus.
"Just a traveler," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Though I admit, I have an appreciation for history."
"Indeed," Zhongli smiled faintly. "It is rare to see a 'Vishap' walking among men so casually. Especially one with the scent of the Wind and... something else."
"Vishap?" Paimon tilted her head. "Like those scary rock lizards?"
"A metaphor," Zhongli corrected smoothly, though he winked at me. A subtle warning: Behave, and I won't expose you. "Mr. Raiden here simply has a very sturdy constitution."
"So!" Childe clapped his hands, interrupting the tense staring contest. "Zhongli here is an expert on Liyue's traditions. Since Rex Lapis has been 'murdered'—" he made air quotes "—we need to organize the Rite of Parting. It's the only way to see the Exuvia again."
"The Rite of Parting?" Aether asked.
"A farewell ceremony for the Geo Archon," Zhongli explained. "Traditionally, it is overseen by the Qixing. But given the... circumstances... they have locked down the body. We must conduct the Rite ourselves to allow his soul to rest."
"And the Fatui are paying for it?" I asked skeptically.
"Northland Bank has deep pockets," Childe shrugged. "Consider it an act of goodwill. Besides, I want to see the old god sent off properly."
Liar, I thought. You just want to lure the Archon out.
"Very well," Zhongli stood up. "To perform the Rite, we first need Noctilucous Jade. High quality. We should head to the Shitou's mystery jade shop."
[Location: Liyue Harbor Streets]
[Time: 3:00 PM]
As we walked toward the jade merchant, I fell back slightly to walk beside Zhongli, while Childe and Aether argued about prices ahead.
"Hey," I whispered.
Zhongli didn't look at me, keeping his eyes forward. "Yes, young dragon?"
"You're not gonna blow my cover?"
"You have done no harm to this city," Zhongli replied softly. "In fact, I sense the residue of Karmic Debt on you. You assisted the Conqueror of Demons, did you not?"
"I helped him out. Dealing with angry ghosts isn't fun."
"Indeed. For that act of kindness towards my... towards the Yaksha, you have my gratitude." Zhongli glanced at me. "However, Liyue is a city of contracts. If you intend to cause chaos..."
"I'm just here to make sure my siblings don't get killed," I gestured to Aether (who I was mentally adopting as a brother) and Paimon. "And maybe eat some bad guys."
Zhongli chuckled. It was a rare, genuine sound. "A simple contract. I can respect that. Just try not to eat the architecture. The repairs are expensive."
Ahead of us, Childe turned around. "Hey! Stop whispering back there! We have Jade to buy! I heard there's a specialized kind that glows brighter if you heat it up with Pyro. Raiden, you got a lighter?"
"I have something better," I grinned, stepping forward.
I didn't have a Pyro Vision yet. But thanks to [All of Creation], I knew how to make a flamethrower. Or I could just borrow the concept of "friction" from [Physics Magic].
"Let's go shopping," I said.
This Rite of Parting was going to be expensive. Good thing I was planning to let Childe pay for everything.