Chapter 213: A New Generation of Gods Replaces the Old

Luo De's method is very simple.

Besides the death of a god.

He wants mortals to abandon their reliance on the Geo Archon.

"The first method is to replace the Geo Archon with a new one."

Luo De furtively glanced at Zhongli's expression.

As expected.

Even though Zhongli is usually stern and rigid, his expression inevitably changed slightly at this moment.

However, he didn't voice any opinion; seeing Luo De not continue, he reminded, "Young friend, go on."

"Oh."

Seeing that Zhongli wasn't angry, Luo De breathed a sigh of relief and said: "The second method is for you to step down, step down, and incidentally introduce a natural disaster that the Liyue people cannot resist; then you must definitely wash your hands of it, letting the Liyue people figure it out themselves, whether it's letting the Liyue people resolve it on their own or the adepts eventually step in to resolve it—anyway, as long as you don't intervene, after one or two times, mortals will naturally forget your past."

That statement is rather realistic.

Not to mention Zhongli; this time even Venti, after hearing it, grimaced.

He has plenty of experience with this.

No one knows better than him how deep mortal ingratitude can go.

Speaking of the distant past.

The Stormgod Archon Decarabian, because of his mistaken way of loving his people, was ultimately overthrown by the very populace he cherished.

Speaking of recent times.

The Lawrence family personally overthrew the statue of the Anemo Archon Barbatos, violating the freedom the Anemo Archon had left for Mondstadt.

"Given enough time, mortals will forget many things they never witnessed."

"Perhaps a few decades, perhaps a few centuries."

"The era of the Geo Archon will become a vivid stroke in the history books."

"But that's all."

Luo De explained a lot for his second proposal.

This is him speaking from a mortal's perspective.

If Zhongli weren't eager to step down, Luo De wouldn't even have suggested attracting foreign enemies to Liyue to forcibly weaken the Liyue people's reliance on the Geo Archon, and shift that trust and reliance onto the adepts or the Liyue the Liyue the Liyue Qixing.

"Time is the most terrifying weapon."

Luo De finally summed it up with another sentence.

Zhongli listened attentively throughout, without uttering a word.

It was his tightly furrowed brows that never relaxed; even after Luo De finished explaining his reasons, he showed no sign of agreement or disagreement.

Actually, if Luo De were to say it.

Replacing the Geo Archon is the easiest way to resolve the current situation.

From the fact that Zhongli could feign death and hand over the Gnosis to free himself from the divine position's constraints, it seems that the godhood of the Seven Archons of Teyvat could be passed on through inheritance; it is not strictly necessary for the previous god to die.

Actually.

What Zhongli needs most right now is certainly not a resignation of the Geo Archon.

but rather a contract capable of terminating all contracts.

Feigning death is merely the most effective and simplest method among them.

Then, from this perspective, replacing the Geo Archon and having people abandon reliance on the Geo Archon are theoretically unproblematic.

"I still think it would be best for you to find a new Geo Archon to succeed you."

Luo De stroked his chin and said: "A new Geo Archon can inherit the contracts you initially set, or abandon those contracts; either way is acceptable."

When he said that.

Luo De had already screened the candidates who could succeed as Geo Archon in his mind.

It must be said.

Liyue truly is brimming with talent.

Not only compared to the talent-depleted Sumeru, but also compared to Mondstadt, which has Falgate and Tevarin stationed there, the divine-level power beneath Liyue's gods is truly abundant.

Those adepts hidden in the mountains and forests.

They not only fought alongside Zhongli in the Archon War, but also personally shattered invading Archons that encroached on Zhongli's territory; in terms of strength and past achievements, they are truly top-notch.

Such a powerful nation.

Zhongli also has to worry that his departure might provoke too great an upheaval.

"Huh——"

"People compete to the death, nations compete to be discarded."

After Luo De finished his private lament, he fell silent and turned his gaze back to Zhongli.

And Zhongli.

He was exchanging glances with Venti.

Although they didn't say a word to each other, Luo De could clearly sense that they were communicating in some way unknown to him.

After a long while.

Only then, under Venti's nodding signal, Zhongli let out a long sigh: "Young friend, do you think having someone succeed me as Geo Archon is the most appropriate?"

"Exactly."

"Furthermore, I suggest that this person best inherit the contracts you set as well, so that the things you worry about will no longer affect you."

Luo De said that.

Zhongli then frowned and said: "This is unfair to the successor."

Indeed.

【Only wishing to cleanse the four directions, to protect a corner of the mortal world.】

Putting this into words, the one who sits upon the Geo Archon's position will spare no effort to protect Liyue.

This is what was stipulated in that original contract.

"Huh?"

Luo De pondered and pondered, then softly exclaimed: "Zhongli, may I ask boldly, when you initially made the contract with Liyue Harbor, were you acting as Morax or as the Geo Archon?"

This question is very important.

Even after three thousand seven hundred years, there was still no Geo Archon.

At that time was the age when the gods walked the earth; all of Liyue was teeming with gods, and every inch of land had a different god ruling over it.

If Zhongli had made this contract for Liyue in that capacity.

Then there would be nothing to be done.

He would have to escape by death.

Whether changing the successor or letting the people of Liyue grow forgetful of their reliance on him, none of that would work.

If the subject of the contract were the Geo Archon Morax.

Then the two methods Luo De mentioned would be fully feasible.

When previously discussing these matters, Luo De hadn't even thought of that much.

Naturally, he simply substituted the signer of this contract with the identity of the Geo Archon Morax.

He had not even considered the possibility of another situation.

Fortunately.

Zhongli's answer still dispelled Luo De's doubts.

"I signed this contract as the Geo Archon."

That makes things easy.

Luo De nodded and said: "Zhongli, do you have someone in mind? If not, I happen to have an idea; would you like to consider it?"

The contract signed as the Geo Archon.

Put another way, this means the contract is the Geo Archon's authority.

Just as the dream is the authority of the Sumeru Dendro Archon, and the three gods of Sumeru who share the title of the God of Wisdom equally share this dream authority.

Since the Geo Archon's authority is the contract.

Then letting a person inherit this authority would be even more reasonable and feasible.

"Young friend, feel free to speak."

Zhongli was very interested in Luo De's words and asked seriously.

"Great Sage Who Subdues Demons."

Luo De spoke the name he considered most suitable, and at the same time elaborated his view: "The contract between the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons and you is originally to protect Liyue; letting him take your Geo Archon's position and the contract to protect Liyue not only does not go against what he wishes in his heart, but also allows him to use the divine power of the Geo Archon's position to sweep away the karmic debt that has tormented him for thousands of years in one fell swoop—it can be said to achieve two goals at once."

Luo De's understanding of Xiao surprised Zhongli slightly.

He was quite certain.

Luo De definitely hasn't seen Xiao.

As for whether he learned about Xiao through Liyue's records.

Zhongli thought that unlikely.

Liyue's records contain some overly embellished elements, including many entries that are historically inaccurate but cater to Liyue's emotional output.

So wanting to understand this person Xiao so clearly through historical records.

That is nearly impossible.

Thus Zhongli's reaction was to look at Venti, this big mouth.

However, Venti shook his head at him, indicating that it wasn't about Xiao that he had said.

"Hmm——"

Zhongli stopped guessing and mused: "Xiao may not be able to accept it."

"Then go make him accept it."

"This person, the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons, is just fine."

"That means listening to your words."

Luo De chuckled and said: "You still worry that the contract might be too heavy for Xiao, huh? Hey, if I may say, you're overthinking it."

"I've long heard the tale of the Guardian Yaksha, and the story of the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons is even more familiar in Liyue."

"Even if those lauded poems are full of exaggeration."

"But the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons' steadfastness in upholding the contract cannot be faked."

"What he needs to do is still the same—protecting Liyue—except the contract's party changes from the Geo Archon Morax to Liyue Harbor, which isn't a big difference."

The Great Sage Who Subdues Demons, Xiao.

As one of Liyue's Three-Eyed Five-Fortunate Adepti, he is not considered old among adepts, being roughly over two thousand years old; in terms of ability and status, he still falls short compared to the older adepts who lived alongside the Geo Archon.

But among the many adepts,

he is the only one who has taken on the duty of guarding Liyue.

While other adepts retreated to the mountains and forests, living secluded retired lives, he ceaselessly fought for Liyue, joining forces with Liyue's mortal organizations to exterminate the foul creatures born from the grudges of the gods.

And that is precisely why.

Xiao suffers double torment to body and spirit from the karmic debt born of the gods' resentment.

Normally he relies on medicine personally crafted by Zhongli to suppress the agitation caused by that karmic debt.

But karmic obstacles are ultimately difficult to eradicate.

Recently, over the past few years.

He has already become quite unable to bear the impact of karmic obstacles on his spirit.

Even after an all-night fierce battle with monsters, his mind and spirit were almost shattered once.

If it weren't for Venti passing by then, soothing his spirit with flute music, allowing him to successfully preserve his mind, Zhongli would have had to personally act against that immortal driven mad by karmic obstacles.

「Sovereign, how do you consider it? 」

Luo De changed his form of address for Zhongli.

Sovereign.

This is the respectful title used by Liyue people for Zhongli.

This is also the respectful title used by the immortals for Zhongli.

Similarly, this is also the most formal respectful title for Zhongli.

Not calling him Mister Zhongli, but changing to Sovereign.

Luo De is not asking for Zhongli's opinion, but rather speaking to him in the most formal way, letting Xiao take over as the Geo Archon and assume that contract, which is the most suitable choice at present.

Ah—

Zhongli let out a soft sigh.

With his over six thousand years of life experience, how could he not understand what Luo De really wants to say?

I will personally discuss this matter with him.

As soon as these words were spoken.

Luo De's solemn face instantly broke into a bright smile.

Very good.

Zhongli agreed.

Then, Sovereign, what about that?

Luo De no longer restrained, he hehe laughed: 'The Gnosis on Nadixa's letter?'

This is a minor matter.

Zhongli, without wasted words, cleanly took out the Gnosis and handed it to Luo De: 'Your words, little friend, have been of great help to me; you may stay a few days in Liyue, and I still have a gift to present.'

This isn't necessary, is it?

Luo De, who had not yet even warmed the Gnosis in his hand, immediately declined: 'I still have many things to do in Meru, so I won't trouble you to spend expense, Mister Zhongli.'

Huh?

You have many things to do?

But the Meru people I know all say you're idle every day.

As soon as Venti said that, Luo De felt the urge to cover his mouth and kick him back to Mondstadt.

Is there such a thing as exposing someone's background like that?

Even if Luo De really is idle in Meru, you can't say that in front of Zhongli!!

!!!

Luo De grimaced at Venti, baring his teeth: 'Sovereign, don't believe him, I really have many things to do; after I finish using the Gnosis, I must hurry back.'

Little friend, don't panic.

Zhongli seemed to see through Luo De's thought of not wanting to be involved in Liyue affairs, smiling: 'I will personally handle Liyue's matters; you just wait a few days, and once I have prepared the gift, I will personally send you back to Meru.'

Uh

This is hard to refuse.

No matter how you say it.

This is the personal invitation of the Geo King Emperor; even though he is about to abdicate, he now remains a mighty Geo Archon with divine authority.

Repeatedly refusing him would be rather disrespectful.

Alright, okay.

Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, Luo De had no choice but to agree.

However, he didn't feel much resistance in his heart, nor any excessive panic or other emotions.

After all, it is a promise made by Zhongli, the Geo Archon whose word is binding.

Not like Venti, that smooth-talking loafer.

At least in terms of trustworthiness there is a guarantee; no need to worry about being strong-armed into meddling in the Geo Archon's abdication as happened in Mondstadt.

It's already late; little friend, have you found a place to stay?

The matter of abdication now has a better solution; Zhongli's mood looks good, and after asking that, he invited: 'Little friend, if you haven't yet found a place to stay, you may accompany me to the Hall of Repose for a temporary stay; I am the current guest keeper there, arranging lodging for you is trivial.'

Hall of Repose?

Luo De originally wanted to refuse.

But after Zhongli finished saying the following, he changed his mind.

I've heard you once used the Gnosis in Mondstadt, nearly causing a big disturbance; when you use this Gnosis, I can lend a hand.

Upon saying that,

Luo De then recalled how he had almost dragged Amber into the sky back then.

Zhongli was correct.

Using the Gnosis is indeed quite troublesome.

Moreover, Luo De originally intended to take advantage of using the Geo Archon's Gnosis to carefully observe how the Sky Island actually binds himself.

Originally, his plan was to find a remote wilderness where no one would go, to study on his own.

Now that Zhongli is willing to help, it couldn't be better.

"Good, Mr. Zhongli, then as you said."

Luo De put away the Gnosis and accepted Zhongli's invitation.

(End of chapter)