Zhongli smiled as he replied, "When attending an opera, one must choose the most celebrated performer; when taking a bird out for a stroll, one must buy the finest thrush—this is life. However, purchasing all three types of Silk Flowers this time is not because of my personal philosophy."
"You see, according to tradition, if different Silk Flowers are each made into incense paste and offered before the statues of The Seven, the Geo Archon will make His own choice. That said, such ancient customs—and many overly complicated traditions—have gradually been simplified. Still, this is the only Rite of Parting belonging to one of The Seven in the past three thousand seven hundred years. We should follow tradition and offer each incense paste one by one."
After thinking for a moment, Zhongli added once more, "So… did you bring any money?"
Paimon reacted violently. "You didn't bring money again, Zhongli?!"
Lumine sighed helplessly. "If he did bring it. That might actually be even stranger…"
After hearing their conversation, Boss Bolai seemed to realize something.
"Uh, honored guests, pardon my interruption… are you planning to offer these flowers to the Geo Lord?"
Paimon nodded. "That's not wrong."
Bolai placed one hand over his chest and spoke sorrowfully.
"Ah… you should have said so earlier. After the Rite of Descension, I also heard some troubling news. I won't repeat such ominous words, but I've been worried about the Geo Lord ever since—worried that the news might be true."
"If this is for the Geo Lord, then I won't take your Mora for these flowers. Just carry my sentiments with you."
Paimon widened her eyes.
"T–this… is that really appropriate?"
Bolai laughed. "Listen to yourself. Without the Geo Lord, people like me wouldn't even have a place to live. If the Geo Lord hadn't composed poems back then, how could these precious Silk Flowers ever have become so valuable?"
[Ningguang: 'To cleanse the four corners and safeguard a corner of the mortal world'—those were words spoken by the Geo Lord long ago. For thousands of years, Liyue has faced countless threats, and it was the Geo Lord and the adepti who protected this land. The Geo Lord is the idol of every one of us. When danger comes, I too will protect this land, just as He did.]
[Kaveh: All big merchants… Ningguang is worlds apart from Dori. Honestly, Dori is ruthless—she won't stop until she drains every last Mora from me.]
[Dori: Anyone can say nice things. In the end, don't you all just grab your Mora and run? I love Mora, and Mora loves me.]
[Paimon: Does Dori really have friends?]
[Lumine: Maybe Mora itself is her friend.]
[Venti: Everyone has something they pursue.]
In the video.
"Ah…" Paimon reflected on their journey.
"Along the way, we've heard so many stories of Liyue's customs and people. A lot of them were personally cared for by the gods at some point."
Zhongli sincerely thanked the shop owner.
"In any case, thank you, boss. You've helped us out of an urgent predicament."
Paimon crossed her arms and muttered, "None of this would've happened if Zhongli hadn't forgotten his Mora…"
"The flowers are settled, but how do we make the incense paste?"
Zhongli explained, "It would be best to find someone experienced in incense-making. Unfortunately, among those I know, hardly anyone would personally make incense paste."
Paimon immediately understood.
"Just hearing that tells me everyone you know is rich."
Zhongli replied, "Thus, you'll need to ask around the city—perhaps young ladies from ordinary households. I'll wait for you near the statue of The Seven. Once the incense paste is ready, we'll meet there."
Lumine and Paimon followed their noses through the city, questioning many fragrant young women. None of them knew how to make incense paste, but it wasn't a wasted effort. From those ladies, they learned that Ying'er's handmade incense paste was exceptionally well-crafted.
At the Spring Fragrance Shop, Ying'er seemed to have been expecting them all along.
"So you finally found me? I've been waiting for you for quite a while."
Paimon asked curiously, "Huh? How did you know we were coming?"
Ying'er replied, "I just heard that two people were going around the city targeting girls who smell nice… I was worried you wouldn't come. In a sense, this is also a test of my charm."
Paimon protested, "Targeting? That makes us sound like dangerous people!"
Ying'er smiled. "As the saying goes, rumors grow with repetition. One should always be careful with words and actions. But I know why you're here—you want me to help make incense paste, right? What kind do you need?"
[Yae Miko: I smell the scent of a fox spirit.]
[Paimon: Your nose is amazing—can you smell it through the screen?]
[Lumine: I think Lady Miko means she feels that Ying'er is like a fox spirit.]
[Paimon: Ohhh, I see. So how can you tell?]
[Arataki Itto: Hahaha! Because Lady Miko herself is a fox spirit!]
[Kuki Shinobu: Boss… you might be in trouble.]
[Furina: Looks like something fun is bound to happen once we reach Inazuma. It's a shame I can't see it in person.]
Lumine took out the three Silk Flowers and handed them over.
"Please make three kinds of incense paste."
"Oh?" Ying'er deliberately put on a surprised expression. "All three at once? To think you're so young, yet have quite the appetite. Hehe… could it be that the earlier rumors were true? Are you selecting targets to gift incense paste to?"
Lumine explained, "They're for the Geo Archon."
Ying'er chuckled. "A hastily made excuse, hm? Even if they're offerings to a god, there's no need for so many varieties. Full of holes, I'd say."
Paimon said, "Zhongli did mention that this tradition has been forgotten for a long time…"
Ying'er clearly didn't believe them and spoke meaningfully.
"In any case, 'pluck the flower while it blooms—don't wait until no flowers remain to snap empty branches.' Who's to say what you're doing is wrong?"
Paimon felt her head about to explode.
"I feel like I didn't understand a word of that."
Ying'er didn't pursue the topic further.
"Alright, I'll help you. Come be my assistant. While we're boiling the incense paste, your attention must be focused solely on me."
With Ying'er's help, the incense paste was successfully completed.
"Mhm, all three incense pastes are finished. Assistant, you did quite well. That proves you're someone willing to work hard for love—how rare," Ying'er said ambiguously.
Lumine replied seriously, "I told you, that's not it. I was only thinking about you just now."
[Yae Miko: That was fast—the Traveler's already been led astray.]
[Lumine: I didn't think that deeply about it.]
[Keqing: Mm… Ying'er's way of speaking really does make people blush easily.]
[Venti: Fun, fun—I want to make incense paste too.]
[Ningguang: Regardless, Ying'er's craftsmanship truly is excellent.]
"Oh my," Ying'er said shyly. "You actually remembered that promise I casually mentioned? You're more charming than I expected. If you're not careful, even I might fall for you. Hehe. Alright—shall I introduce these incense pastes to you? That way you can use them appropriately."
Lumine nodded.
Ying'er explained, "The first incense paste gives a sweet, dreamy feeling—little girls love it most."
"The second smells luxurious and domineering, beloved by daughters of wealthy families."
"As for the last one—it's gentle yet long-lasting, like dim twilight shrouded in mist. It's most popular among mature women. Remember—don't use it in the wrong setting."
[Paimon: If the livestream hadn't already leaked that Zhongli is the Geo Lord, I would've totally thought the Geo Archon was a girl.]
[Furina: (Covering her face) I thought so too. Zhongli's tastes are really something.]
[Lumine: I think Zhongli just likes expensive things—good things.]
[Zhongli: Mm. The Traveler understands me best.]
[Paimon: A man with no Mora on him, yet the one who spends Mora the most—what kind of devilish combination is that? Oh right, Zhongli, can't you just create Mora at will?]
[Zhongli: There is already enough Mora in the world. I signed a contract with myself—never again to mint Mora.]
[Furina: No need to worry, Mr. Zhongli. The Northland Bank will cover everything.]
[Childe: ...]
Lumine nodded in agreement with Ying'er's explanations.
Ying'er once again wore an expression Paimon couldn't understand.
"So, is that all you need my help with? Then let me leave you with one final piece of advice—if you plan on standing on three boats at once, you'd better think carefully about which foot to lift first."
Lumine: "..."
...
[Furina: Hahahaha—standing on three boats.]
[Yae Miko: I have a feeling, little Lumine, there may be over a dozen boats beneath your feet…]
[Paimon: No way!]
[Yae Miko: That depends on Lumine's heart. When you meet someone you like, you might willingly become a dog—yes, a licking dog.]
[Kujou Sara: Lady Miko has met countless people. Her judgment is unlikely to be wrong.]
[Kamisato Ayaka: Lady Miko's insight is indeed sharp, but describing the Traveler this way feels somewhat inappropriate.]
[Thoma: Not just inappropriate—very inappropriate. The Traveler looks so upright; how could she do such a thing?]
In the video.
The upright Lumine arrived at the statue of The Seven, where Zhongli stood staring at it in silence.
Paimon greeted him proactively, "Mr. Zhongli, we brought the incense paste."
"Were you spacing out in front of the statue? Did we make you wait too long?"
Zhongli turned around. "You're back. I haven't waited long. Compared to the watchfulness carved into this statue of the Geo Lord, it was but a fleeting moment."
Paimon laughed, "Haha, how can a person compare themselves to a statue?"
Zhongli nodded. "That's true. So—did you bring the incense paste?"
Paimon replied, "All three. Not one missing."
She pointed toward the statue. "Alright, you two worked hard. Let's offer them one by one."
The three incense pastes were offered in sequence. When the third one was placed, the statue suddenly lit up.
Lumine said, "Looks like the Geo Lord favors the third incense paste most."
[Furina: Zhongli was probably worried that if it lit up too early, no one would place the rest.]
[Zhongli: Lady Furina is sharp-eyed. Indeed so—I like all three.]
[Venti: What's the point of incense fragrance? I'll bring dandelion wine when I come—let you smell Mondstadt's aroma instead.]
[Zhongli: Mondstadt's dandelion wine is indeed a rare delight.]
Paimon thought for a moment.
"The third incense paste is the type mature big sisters like most, right? Could it be that the Geo Lord is actually a big sister?"
Zhongli chuckled, "Hahaha. Perhaps. The Geo Lord has countless manifestations—maybe such an image truly exists."
[Venti: Really? Really?]
[Zhongli: No.]
[Furina: Hahahahaha—this is way too funny!]
[Paimon: Looks like Furina found the perfect place to enjoy herself.]
Regarding the Geo Lord's image, Paimon spread her hands helplessly.
"Too bad—we've only ever seen that huge dragon form. Hopefully the Liyue Qixing can catch the real culprit."
Zhongli showed no interest in the topic. "Such matters can be left to those in positions of power. We only need to properly carry out the Geo Lord's farewell rites."
Paimon said, "Alright, we've completed another task. So what should we do next?"
Zhongli replied, "Next, I hope the two of you can help me borrow the Cleansing Bell. It's currently kept by a friend of mine—Granny Ping. She lives near Yujing Terrace. Ask her, and she'll understand."
Paimon asked, "Got it. But this time, Mr. Zhongli, you're not coming with us?"
Zhongli nodded. "Yes. I have my reasons for not appearing. I'll trouble you both with this."
Paimon felt puzzled. "Why does Mr. Zhongli suddenly seem so secretive?"
...
[Paimon: Thinking about it, he probably would've been exposed the moment he showed up.]
[Xiangling: Granny Ping is my grandmaster—she's an adeptus and lives near Yujing Terrace.]
[Keqing: That's unexpected.]
[Ningguang: Granny Ping is indeed an adeptus.]
[Lumine: Which means, if Granny Ping saw Zhongli, the adepti would immediately know the Geo Lord is fine.]
[Paimon: No wonder Zhongli didn't want to go.]
"Impermanence, impermanence…" From afar, Lumine saw Granny Ping standing alone, sighing beside the Glaze Lilies.
Lumine stepped forward and greeted her.
"Hello."
Granny Ping slowly turned around.
"Young people, are you here to admire the flowers? What a pity—you came at the wrong time. These Glaze Lilies are almost done blooming…"
Paimon asked curiously, "Why have they all withered?"
Granny Ping replied, "Back in my day, people said Glaze Lilies were sensitive to human feelings. If they heard good sounds—laughter, singing—they'd be happy and grow beautifully."
"But if they heard too many unpleasant things—messy rumors and gossip—they'd wither very quickly."
Paimon said, "So… the situation in Liyue Harbor right now—these flowers felt it too?"
Granny Ping nodded.
"Yes. Rumors of the Geo Lord's death are no small matter. In every street and alley, people say all sorts of things. Some claim it's a Fatui conspiracy; others say something in the sea can no longer be suppressed. Some even say it was all staged by the Qixing themselves."
"This harbor is like a pile of firewood—just one spark, and the fire will rage out of control."
She sighed. "Ah, let's stop there. I'm old and prone to rambling. Young ones—what brings you to me?"