Paimon and Lumine still had questions they wanted to ask, but Xiao had already vanished.
[Paimon: Among all the adepti we met, only this Conqueror of Demons looks anything like a human.]
[Lumine: And he disappeared the fastest. He didn't even give us a chance to speak. Without the Sigil of Permission, I don't think we would've even been able to see Xiao.]
[Xiao: My apologies. My body is…special. I cannot make contact with humans.]
[Lumine: Would interacting with humans cause you harm?]
[Xiao: Not exactly. I have spent many years dealing with the remnants of defeated gods. My body is stained with karmic debt. Contact with ordinary people would cause them serious harm. That is why I keep my distance.]
[Lumine: I see.]
[Keqing: Whenever I investigate incidents caused by evil forces around Liyue, I often see a masked figure. That person… was that you, Conqueror of Demons?]
[Xiao: It was. I have guarded Liyue for a thousand years. I will not allow evil to harm its people. Keqing, I have also seen you working tirelessly for the citizens of Liyue. In that regard, you and I are alike.]
[Keqing: Is that so? As one of the Liyue Qixing, it is my duty. This is the first time I've learned that there is an adeptus protecting Liyue from its outskirts.]
[Xiao: Mm. I rarely appear before humans. It is only natural that you were unaware.]
[Paimon: So the Qixing and the adepti… aren't very familiar with each other?]
[Ningguang: Most adepti remain in seclusion within Jueyun Karst. We do not disturb them. In truth, the adeptus we have the most contact with is Rex Lapis himself. Every year, he would descend and guide Liyue's path for the year to come.]
[Lumine: The more I see, the more it feels like Childe's analysis in the video was simply a misunderstanding.]
In the video—
Paimon stomped her foot, clearly dissatisfied with Xiao's sudden disappearance.
"So annoying! He just said whatever he wanted and vanished! I really want to give him an embarrassing nickname… but if I offend an adeptus, will all future treasure chests only give us cabbages?"
"Ugh, let's go ask the innkeeper downstairs how people normally talk to adepti."
Downstairs.
After learning that Lumine and Paimon had already met Xiao, the innkeeper commented,
"Not bad. It's rare for him to be in a good enough mood to show himself."
Paimon crossed her arms in disbelief.
"That counts as being in a good mood?"
"Yes. Adepti encounters are rare. Many people spend their whole lives seeking the adepti, yet never meet one. When Rex Lapis founded Liyue, he relied on the adepti's power. But since most adepti only know how to protect Liyue through battle, over time, humans came to govern the commercial capital themselves, while the adepti withdrew into seclusion."
Paimon nodded.
"Wow… you know a lot."
The innkeeper corrected her calmly.
"I'm not the innkeeper. I'm the owner. Since you were able to meet him, it means you have adeptal affinity. If so, just try to make Xiao happy."
"Happy?" Paimon shook her head.
"I can't even imagine what the Vigilant Yaksha looks like when he's happy."
The owner thought for a moment.
"Go ask the chef for some Almond Tofu, then add one dish you're confident in."
"Almond Tofu is one of the few human foods Xiao likes. As for the other dish, that's up to you."
After much effort, Lumine finally obtained Almond Tofu from Chef Yanxiao.
While Xiao was eating, Paimon and Lumine quickly explained everything they had encountered.
"Rex Lapis… has suffered such a calamity…"
Xiao clenched his fist.
"I cannot imagine a Liyue without him. No matter how the ages change, I never once imagined such a future."
"What role did the Liyue Qixing play in all this?"
He exhaled deeply.
"I will seek out Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer. It is time for the adepti to make a decision."
[Lumine: Will the adepti confront the Qixing?]
[Xiao: The adepti do not evade responsibility. Though I have reasons to avoid mortal affairs, duty is duty. Our god is the God of Contracts.]
After parting with Xiao, Lumine returned to the Northland Bank.
Childe was already waiting at the entrance.
"You're finally back. So? How was your trip to Jueyun Karst?"
Lumine recounted everything along the way.
Childe pondered for a moment.
"Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer, the Vigilant Yaksha…"
"Some of these names don't even appear in the Fatui's intelligence records."
"We've also gathered new information. Let me share it with you."
"The Qixing's response to Rex Lapis' death is… quite intriguing."
"They've publicly announced that since the true culprit hasn't been found, no one is permitted to view the Exuvia. They've even attempted to seal off information—though with so many witnesses at the Rite of Descension, rumors are inevitable."
[Paimon: That's really strange.]
[Ningguang: It's not strange at all. If news of Rex Lapis' assassination spread, enemies of Liyue might seize the opportunity to act. Moreover, the Exuvia is not something to be casually viewed. That would be disrespectful.]
[Paimon: That makes sense… Childe really knows how to lead people into traps.]
[Childe: Haha, I'm not that scheming. I'm just analyzing things from the Fatui's perspective.]
Paimon tilted her head.
"Exuvia?"
Childe explained,
"In Liyue's understanding, Rex Lapis is also an adeptus—the God of Contracts, and the progenitor of all adepti. Every illuminated beast once signed a contract to protect Liyue."
Paimon suddenly understood.
"No wonder they care so much about Liyue's affairs."
"Exactly," Childe replied.
"They have both the responsibility and the authority. If the Qixing have mishandled things, the adepti are justified in questioning them."
"Why would Rex Lapis' body be hidden by the Qixing? It's highly suspicious."
Lumine frowned.
"That's a problem for me as well. I came to Liyue to find a god. If the Exuvia is hidden and inaccessible, my goal of meeting the Seven will completely fail."
Childe laughed.
"Haha. I don't know why you're searching for the Seven—but I can help."
The next day, Lumine received a message and returned to the Northland Bank.
A Fatui employee greeted her.
"Lord Tartaglia has promised to help you find someone who can break the deadlock. A Harbinger's promise is never empty. He is currently waiting for you at Liuli Pavilion."
[Arataki Itto: 'A Harbinger's promise never fails'—man, that's cool.]
[The Knave: That is precisely why I rarely make promises.]
[Paimon: That sounds very principled. Then why did the Fatui create disasters in Mondstadt?]
[The Knave: Each Harbinger has a completely different way of doing things.]
[Lumine: Childe is a Harbinger with principles.]
[Childe: Hahahaha, being described like that makes me very happy.]
Lumine was just about to ask where Liuli Pavilion was, when Paimon immediately jumped in to answer:
"Liuli Pavilion—I've heard of it! Liyue has two major culinary traditions: Li Cuisine and Yue Cuisine. They've been competing with each other for hundreds of years, and neither side has gained the upper hand."
"The highest representative of Li Cuisine is Liuli Pavilion. The owner deliberately opened the restaurant on Feiyun Slope, directly competing with Yue Cuisine's Xinyue Kiosk!"
Lumine spread her hands helplessly.
"Paimon, you really only sound like a proper guide at times like this. The moment the topic turns to free food, there's nothing you don't know…"
Paimon replied smugly,
"Hey, don't say it like that! Anyway, since there's good food, let's hurry over."
[Xiangling: So Paimon is a little foodie too! When you come to Liyue, you have to come find me—I'm also a famous chef in Liyue and skilled in many cuisines.]
[Paimon: Really? Then I'll definitely drag the Traveler along!]
[Furina: Cuisine—I like it too, especially desserts. If I remember correctly, I once issued a decree turning the tradition of asking for water during the Thousand Spirits Festival into asking for cake.]
[Paimon: You can do that? Then I absolutely have to go to the Thousand Spirits Festival!]
[Furina: That's great! Let me tell you—Fontaine has all kinds of cakes and desserts, and every single one is delicious…]
[Lumine: The two food lovers have started discussing…]
At the entrance of Liuli Pavilion, Childe was already waiting outside.
"You're here. Our agreement is fulfilled. I've found someone who can help you—someone who knows exactly where the Liyue Qixing have hidden the Geo Archon's divine body."
Paimon blinked.
"So… that person is inside Liuli Pavilion?"
"Yes," Childe replied. "Come with me. I've prepared a—well—a kind of meeting ceremony called a 'dinner' in this country."
Liuli Pavilion truly lived up to its reputation as the pinnacle of Li Cuisine.
Inside the private room, antique furnishings and famous paintings could be seen everywhere, the decor refined and elegant. At the seat of honor, a brown-haired man was calmly sipping tea.
After everyone had taken their seats, Childe spoke first:
"Allow me to introduce him. This friend of mine is someone from the underworld—a consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Mr. Zhongli."
[Ningguang: Zhongli? I remember the livestream mentioned that Zhongli is another name for the Geo Archon. And now, the one seated there is Zhongli—meaning Rex Lapis himself…]
[Keqing: The video follows chronological order. That means this moment occurs after the Geo Archon's death, yet someone named Zhongli appears in the footage.]
[Paimon: So Rex Lapis didn't die at all—and even ended up working with the Fatui?!]
[Childe: Ah—so the person I've been searching for was right beside me all along? And I even know him?!]
[Furina: Hahahahaha! This farce is far too entertaining. This livestream is really something else!]
[Yae Miko: Liyue's storyline truly is full of drama. I can hardly wait to see what happens next.]
[Zhongli: By common sense, I must say… I feel rather awkward at the moment.]
Lumine asked cautiously,
"Someone from the underworld?"
Childe explained,
"In Liyue, industries like the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor inevitably have dealings with certain… shadowed affairs. And the Fatui have always preferred working with friends who walk in the shadows."
Paimon stiffened.
"Walking in the shadows…?"
Zhongli spoke calmly,
"It is a pleasure to meet you both. I have heard of your exploits in Mondstadt."
Paimon eyed Zhongli warily.
"Underworld… shadows… sending people to the afterlife… Don't tell me—the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is actually—"
Zhongli nodded.
"Correct. As you suspect, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor oversees funeral rites, ensuring that the departed pass on in peace."
Childe burst into laughter.
"Paimon, that frightened look—did you mistake Mr. Zhongli for an assassin?"
"Among the Fatui, we certainly have plenty of assassins. But Wangsheng Funeral Parlor isn't in that line of work. The specifics aren't worth elaborating on. The real reason I brought you here is—"
Zhongli cut in smoothly,
"Because I have a way to let you see Rex Lapis' divine body."
Paimon gasped.
"What?!"
Childe raised a hand.
"No need to be surprised. Although under the Tianquan Ningguang's direction, the Geo Archon's body has been concealed… still, let us hear Mr. Zhongli's explanation."
Zhongli folded his hands.
"Rex Lapis is the progenitor of the adepti—by nature, an adeptus himself. Over Liyue's thousands of years of history, the gradual departure of the adepti has been an irreversible trend. The times have changed. You must have sensed this already in Jueyun Karst."
Lumine nodded.
"Yes. The adepti are gradually distancing themselves from Liyue."
"As you can see," Zhongli continued,"the era of the adepti is fading, while the era of humanity is steadily becoming reality."
"In the past, whenever an adeptus departed, a grand commemorative ceremony would be held. This is Liyue's tradition. Yet this time, even the Qixing have neglected it—it is truly disgraceful."
Lumine replied,
"After all, this is a case involving the murder of a god."
Paimon added,
"Yeah—and the real culprit still hasn't been caught."
Zhongli remained unmoved.
"A case of divine murder… The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor does not concern itself with such matters. What we care about is this: if the ritual to invite the adepti is so grand, then when an adeptus departs, should no one oversee the ceremony at all?"
[Furina: Hahahahaha! So Rex Lapis is dissatisfied with the Qixing because they forgot to hold a grand funeral for him!]
[Paimon: Well, it wasn't exactly called a funeral—it's a Rite of Parting, right?]
[Furina: If an adeptus leaves to wander the world, that's a farewell. But if a god falls… that's a funeral, isn't it?]
[Paimon: When you put it that way… you're not wrong.]
[Yae Miko: The thoughts of gods truly aren't something humans can comprehend. First the Hydro Archon Focalors, now the Geo Archon Morax…]
[Keqing: What exactly is the Excellency trying to do?]
[Paimon: Maybe Rex Lapis is just tired? Having to analyze so many things every year… faking his death once means he won't have to worry anymore…]
[Venti: Paimon, I feel like you're very close to the truth.]
[Furina: So by taking human form and joining Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the Geo Archon can conveniently prepare the finest Rite of Parting for himself?]
[Zhongli: ...]
Zhongli finally turned to Lumine.
"Traveler, I've heard of your experiences from Childe. Since you have some connection with the Anemo Archon, would you consider assisting me in preparing a Rite of Parting for the Geo Archon?"