Chapter 218: An Unexpected Companion

Chatting with Zhongli is always pleasant.

Although he is one of the gods with the greatest divine power in Teyvat now, his attitude when speaking with people is nothing like a god's; he's more like a considerate elder.

This is completely different from Venti's carefree attitude and Nadixa's serious solemnity.

Luo De really enjoys chatting with Zhongli.

Even when they spend most of their time together, they are just talking about work-related matters.

This does not at all hinder Luo De's enjoyment of such a chat atmosphere.

Three bowls for a low price is the standard model of Liyue tea houses.

As long as you pay, you can sit here all day without any problem.

Moreover, compared to their unpleasant snacks, their tea is surprisingly decent.

The price is low, but the flavor is rich.

Luo De and Zhongli sit here for a whole morning, sipping tea and discussing matters while listening to the storyteller's tale.

After both pots of tea have been finished.

Zhongli has unknowingly granted many contracts.

Besides the initial contract for exchanging scholars between the two countries for technical exchange, it also includes contracts for introducing Sumeru's new technology products and goods, expanding the range of trade goods with Sumeru, and so on.

Luo De's remark, "I can decide on this."

His remark played a very important role in promoting the achievement of these contracts.

On many decisions that require the Liyue the Liyue the Liyue Qixing to convene before being made, Zhongli directly discussed them personally with Luo De.

This matter was also a key topic that Luo De and Zhongli discussed extensively.

Returning power to mortals.

This cannot be achieved just by talking about it.

Zhongli briefly explained Liyue's current structure to Luo De.

Unlike the initial situation in Sumeru where the Dendro Archon was absent and the Great Sage's family dominated.

Liyue's authority is decentralized.

Under Zhongli.

The Liyue the Liyue the Liyue Qixing each perform their duties, overseeing the Eight Ministries that manage all industries; they must cooperate with each other while also checking each other, so there will be no one-man rule like in Sumeru.

"Zhongli, are you still worried that mortals won't be able to accept your departure?"

Luo De is not afraid of others hearing such frank talk.

Zhongli himself is saying these things.

Clearly, he's not afraid that their conversation will be leaked.

So Luo De has nothing to worry about; he can say whatever he wants.

As for his question, Zhongli nodded and said, "Indeed, I have such an intention."

He said.

He glanced at the storyteller on stage who was speaking with great animation.

The storyteller named Tian Tiezu was recounting Liyue's famous tale, "The Sovereign's Dusty Travels."

This is a regular program for Liyue storytellers.

It is also a required course that storytellers must study from their apprentice days.

Luo De does not know much about Liyue's situation, but he does understand that storytellers must study the Sovereign's ballads as a required subject.

According to the surrounding tea patrons.

A storyteller who cannot even tell a story about the Sovereign is not fit to be a storyteller.

That's a bit extreme.

But this also reflects, from another angle, the extent of Liyue people's reverence for the Geo Archon Sovereign.

"Even if unwilling, there's no choice."

Luo De shrugged and said, "The Sovereign merely abdicated; he didn't leave, so it's actually fine—not unacceptable."

"That reasoning is indeed correct."

"However, returning power to the people will inevitably cause some degree of chaos; even among the the Liyue the Liyue Qixing, more disagreements will arise."

Zhongli greatly approved of something Luo De said.

That is, the Liyue the Liyue the Liyue Qixing need a sword hanging over their heads.

Anyone can wield that sword.

The only thing is, it cannot be lacking this sword.

Otherwise, the fate of Liyue would be like that of Sumeru during the Academy era.

"Zhongli, have you gotten in touch with the immortals?"

Luo De continued the previous topic: "The Great Sage Who Subdues Demons succeeding you should also need the immortals' support, right?"

"We haven't yet told them about this."

Zhongli's face showed a thoughtful expression: "The others are fine; as long as they confirm I'm still in Liyue, only Xiao's side is tricky."

"Are you afraid he won't agree?"

It's easy to guess what Zhongli is worried about; Luo De chuckled: "It's not that simple—won't the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons defy your orders? Then just notify him directly, no need to consult him, and it's settled."

Anyway, the attitude just needs to be firmer, leaving Xiao no room to object.

"This"

Zhongli frowned slightly.

He doesn't really want to use such a hardline approach.

If possible.

He would rather Xiao voluntarily accept his position than be forced to accept it by the Geo Archon's command.

Hmm.

Then why don't you go complain?

If you don't know how to do it, go ask Venti? He's an expert at this.

Speaking of which.

Luo De recalled how Venti, when in Mondstadt, would act cute with the bartender just to get a drink, and he couldn't help but chuckle.

When it comes to feigning misery, there's no limit.

Not to mention gods; even among ordinary people, it's hard to find anyone comparable to him.

Zhongli said nothing.

From the look on his face,

Luo De's trick should be considered a bad idea by him.

However, Luo De seemed oblivious to his expression and continued, saying: "Speaking of your loyalty to the Geo Archon, the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons is no worse than anyone. If you want him to willingly accept the Geo Archon's position, you must let him understand why you have no choice but to abdicate; once he grasps this difficulty, even if he's reluctant, he must willingly accept the position."

Zhongli still did not answer.

Although it sounds somewhat absurd.

But the method of feigning misery,

seems

actually works.

That is, trying to make him act cute like Venti to feign misery is absolutely impossible.

Sigh—

"I'll find a time to talk with him first, then inform the adepti."

In the end, Zhongli still chose to accept Luo De's method.

Mainly because Xiao is different from other adepti.

His disposition is relatively more aloof.

Actually, he wasn't like this at first.

Before the Archon War began.

Young Xiao was still a gentle, innocent youthful adeptus.

But precisely because of his youthful ignorance,

he was seized by a certain Archon who exploited his weakness, forced into service as a great demon under his command, and committed countless atrocities.

After that,

Xiao lost his former gentleness, becoming aloof and unsmiling, with only killing techniques and boundless karmic burden left in his heart.

After Zhongli slew that Archon, freed him, and gave him a new name,

To repay Zhongli's kindness, Xiao took on the contract to protect Liyue for a thousand years, and has been fighting for it ever since.

This is also why Luo De said Xiao is the most suitable adeptus to succeed Zhongli.

Aside from Yanfei, all the adepti of Liyue have contracts with Zhongli.

Each of their contracts is different.

Among them, Xiao's contract is completely identical to the original contract Zhongli established.

Thus he neither violates his contract with Zhongli nor fails to smoothly replace the subject of the contract Zhongli made with Liyue.

That is his aloof yet somewhat stubborn nature.

Even before Zhongli goes to find him, one can guess what he will say after learning of this.

"Nothing more than thinking he's unworthy to sit on the Geo Archon's throne, and that he must not usurp the Emperor's position."

Luo De can also guess what Xiao will say.

"Young friend, you are quite well-informed about Liyue's affairs."

Zhongli smiled and said nothing more.

Just like that.

After listening to a bit of storytelling and drinking a bellyful of tea, Luo De parted ways with Zhongli.

The following two days were uneventful.

Except for Keqing dropping by once in the middle, Luo De spent the rest of his time strolling around and eating and drinking.

No way.

The Sumeru scholars' team still needs a few days to arrive.

Before they arrive,

Even if Luo De wanted to go to The Chasm, he lacks sufficient reason.

It's not that he can't go.

But because, before Luo De arrived, Liyue and Snezhnaya had already reached an agreement: Snezhnaya's army would go to help investigate and clear dangers in the underground mining area, and they also incidentally reached several cooperation beneficial to both sides with Liyue.

The army sent by Snezhnaya has already set out.

Moreover, they received enthusiastic cheers lining the streets from the Liyue people, which can be described as extraordinarily grand.

So if Luo De were to go to the underground mining area in a personal capacity, it would be awkward to explain to the Snezhnaya envoys.

On this point, whether Zhongli or Ningguang, their advice is for Luo De to wait until the Sumeru scholars' team arrives at the harbor before setting out together.

What else can I say?

No matter how urgent, Luo De still had to wait obediently.

"Venti's mouth is nothing but a lying ghost."

Having just finished strolling Feiyun Slope Commercial Street, Luo De recalled Venti's promise to take him to meet the adepts and spat.

I don't know if this guy has forgotten everything he said.

Anyway, Luo De hasn't seen him in three days.

Rumor has it he's preparing with Hu Tao to rehearse the first performance at the Funeral Parlor.

Zhongli, too, has had little time since that tea stall conversation.

Basically, he's either busy delegating authority or preparing to inform the adepts of his upcoming resignation so they can get ready.

Keqing, who had come to see Luo De once, needless to say.

Having received the Emperor's divine edict and learned of a chance to restore Guili Plain, she rushed to barge into the Funeral Parlor that night.

Note, she barged in!

The impetuous Keqing brought the Guili Plain map, ignored the odd stares, and locked herself and Luo De in a room to be alone until morning.

You should know that at the time, the Funeral Parlor wasn't just filled with their own ritual officials.

There were also clients coming to discuss business.

These people aren't as tight-lipped as the Funeral Parlor's ritual officials.

This left Luo De hearing plenty of gossip over the past two days.

And this.

It also earned him a cold mockery from an unexpected guest while he wore a worried frown.

"Hmph—"

"He's quite the flirt."

The Lady wasn't wearing her usual extravagant, ostentatious long dress this time, but an outfit that made Luo De's eyelid twitch.

She arrived in Liyue this morning.

I don't know if she planted a tracking device on Luo De.

In short.

After meeting the Geo Archon, she went straight to find Luo De.

At that time Luo De was still eating lunch.

He not only spat out a mouthful of rice but also had to pay for the Lady's meal; looking at the bill truly hurt him.

"I say."

"Can't you change your clothes?"

Seeing the Lady's centuries-old Academy uniform, Luo De couldn't hold back his urge to complain.

That's right.

The Lady's current clothing.

It's the ancient Academy uniform, its insignia unchanged for centuries; so old that Luo De, a standard Academy scholar, couldn't tell which school she belonged to.

Of course.

What makes Luo De feel even more awkward is

Not because of the outdated Academy uniform, but because of the person wearing it.

Unlike today's conservative Academy uniforms.

Ancient Academy attire was quite bold and revealing, resembling the long dress style worn by Furina.

The Lady, who always carries an arrogant air, wearing this outfit makes anyone who knows her feel awkward no matter how they look at her.

"Oh?"

"I'm already an Academy graduate—why would I change?"

The Lady snorted coldly: "In terms of Academy seniority, you should call me senior sister."

"Uh"

Here we go again!

Luo De rubbed his forehead and said, "Big sister, by age I should call you great-grandma."

Everyone says you shouldn't mention a woman's age.

As expected.

Luo De's habit of bringing up taboo topics made the Lady, who had just been smiling, instantly frown; she then said coldly, "I've already applied to the Dendro Archon and the Geo Archon to join your Academy scholar group."

"!!!"

That remark made Luo De instantly bristle.

"What!!"

Luo De tugged at his mouth and shouted, "You want to join the scholar group?"

"What? Do you have an objection?"

The Lady continued to sneer: "By the way, the Dendro Archon and the Geo Archon have agreed to this, so you have no right to refuse."

"I"

Luo De's lips twitched as he muttered, "Impossible—how could they agree to this?"

This sudden development was indeed something he had anticipated.

Apart from the Lady insisting on accompanying him to the mining area.

Luo De couldn't fathom why Nadixa and Zhongli would agree to this!

This is unreasonable.

In Luo De's understanding.

Nadixa and Zhongli should both be very clear that the lady is not a good person.

After this woman went mad.

In order to achieve the Ice God's ideal, she would dare to use any means, going to extremes.

One could say that any obstacle blocking her and the Snezhnaya Empress, she would use any means to remove that stone.

"What the hell?"

"What promise did you make?"

Luo De could think of no other reason, so he could only interpret it again as the lady having promised Nadixa and Zhongli something they couldn't refuse.

"Hehe."

"Made a promise?"

"Do you need something like this?"

The lady patted Luo De's shoulder: "Junior brother, don't think only you have divine support; I, as senior sister, also have a deity behind me, understood?"

Having said that.

Accompanied by a fading laughter, the lady's figure quickly vanished into the surging crowd, leaving Luo De with a strange expression on his face.

(End of chapter)