Despite Zhongli's repeated insistence that the Fatui not go easy during the test, Rosalyne was no fool.
If the test was passed, Liyue would transition from divine rule to human governance.
And Zhongli could retire to enjoy a leisurely life.
If she were to truly let this test fail, the Liyue Qixing would surely harbor resentment towards the Fatui, even regarding them as enemies.
Such a thankless and arduous task was something only someone like Tartaglia would do.
Lin Yide turned his gaze towards Rosalyne, his tone calm yet resolute: "Rosalyne, Liyue's test will fail this time."
Upon hearing this, Rosalyne's eyebrows subtly furrowed.
Although the success or failure of the test had no direct impact on the Fatui acquiring the Gnosis, it would severely harm their interests in Liyue, especially causing a significant impact on the operations of the Northland Bank's Liyue branch.
She responded in a serious tone: "If your West Factory covertly interferes, then we Fatui will not stand idly by. At that point, we'll have no choice but to go easy."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yide couldn't help but laugh aloud. He said, with a hint of menace: "Don't forget, you signed a contract with Rex Lapis Morax. If you truly dare to go easy, that would be a blatant breach of contract. Our West Factory will absolutely report you!"
As his words fell, Rosalyne, exasperated, cursed: "Yide, are the Fatui the only organization in all of Teyvat? Why are you always hounding us? Besides, we haven't done anything heinous this time!"
Lin Yide maintained his smile, "My target this time isn't you Fatui, but the Liyue Qixing. Liyue as a whole will naturally pass this test, but the Liyue Qixing will not."
Rosalyne was stunned. "What exactly do you want?"
Lin Yide leisurely rose from the sofa, slowly walked over to Rosalyne, and said with a serious tone: "My purpose is to bring true fairness and justice to the people of Liyue."
With that, he turned and walked straight out.
Just as Lin Yide stepped out of the Northland Bank's main doors, a young man, both familiar and unfamiliar, approached him.
The young man had his hands in his pockets, his handsome face bearing an unruly expression.
He asked provocatively: "Hey! Haven't I seen you somewhere before?"
Lin Yide stopped and smiled faintly, "Perhaps."
The young man's sharp gaze fixed on him, and he said, full of fighting spirit: "I can feel it, you're an extraordinary powerhouse. How about it, care for a match?"
Lin Yide shook his head with a touch of apology, "I'm sorry, I've been quite busy recently, and truly can't spare the time to spar with you. However, if you're truly looking for someone to practice with, I can recommend someone to you."
The young man asked curiously: "Oh? Who is it?"
"Mr. Zhongli, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant," Lin Yide replied, "If you can withstand one of his moves, you'll be invincible."
"Really?" A hint of doubt appeared on the young man's face.
Lin Yide offered no further explanation. He took a step, continued forward, and left the spot.
…
At the foot of Dragonspine, a warm and touching atmosphere permeated the Adventurers' Camp.
The long-lost adventurer, Joserf, finally returned. He tightly embraced his son, Joel, saying, "Joel, Daddy will never leave you again."
Aether, standing nearby, witnessed this deeply touching scene, feeling both comforted and a touch of melancholy in his heart, as he and his sister Lumine didn't know when they would be reunited.
Paimon, floating beside Aether, also secretly wiped away tears from her eyes.
After a long while, Joserf released his son from the embrace. He walked up to Aether and Paimon, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude: "Thank you so much. Without your exploration, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to return here."
Aether humbly waved his hand, "No need to be so polite. We were just lucky to happen to see your wilderness distress flare."
At the mention of the wilderness distress flare, a look of relief appeared on Joserf's face. "Thankfully, I bought that distress flare made in Fontaine back then, otherwise, I might truly have been stuck in that snowy mountain forever."
Joel, a little self-satisfied, scoffed, "I told you to buy it back then, but you wouldn't agree."
Joserf scratched his head and awkwardly explained, "I didn't realize at the time that the wilderness distress flare was so good, it could actually last for an entire week."
At this point, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Fontaine truly is an amazing nation, capable of producing such excellent products."
Hearing this exclamation, Aether's heart stirred. "Mr. Joserf, could you tell me about the nation of Fontaine?"
Joserf pondered for a moment, then slowly recounted: "Fontaine is the nation of Justice. The Archon of this nation is Focalors, the Hydro Archon, but the one truly governing this nation is Yide, the Head of the West Factory."
"Yide?" Aether found the name familiar.
"Yide rapidly rose to power ten years ago, establishing the West Factory single-handedly. In a single rainy night, he massacred the entire nobility of Fontaine, numbering over five hundred people."
Joserf's voice was tinged with both fear and respect.
Aether and Paimon, hearing this, gasped.
Aether couldn't help but say, "Is that guy a butcher?"
Joserf nodded affirmatively, "Yes, he is indeed a butcher, but his blade is only aimed at those who deserve it." He paused briefly, then continued: "Under his leadership, Fontaine was completely revitalized, the nation rapidly developed, ushering in an unprecedented glorious era, and becoming the most civilized and advanced nation on the continent of Teyvat."
At this point, Joel eagerly interjected: "Daddy, when I grow up, I want to become a West Factory Guard!"
Joserf bent down and said with a smile: "Well, Joel, you'll have to work hard now, as the selection standards for West Factory Guards are much higher than for the Knights of Favonius."
Joel said resolutely: "I can definitely do it, just like Kaeya."
Joserf seemed to suddenly recall something. He stood up and suggested to Aether: "The West Factory is the most outstanding intelligence organization on the continent of Teyvat. If you want to find your sister, perhaps you could request assistance from the West Factory. Although the West Factory Guards may seem cold, they are actually all good people."
"Alright." Aether nodded, thinking the suggestion was worth a try.
"Traveler, Paimon, Joel and I are heading home now. I wish you both a safe and smooth journey."
Joserf took his son Joel's hand and left after bidding them farewell.
"Aether, we should also set off for Liyue," Paimon suggested.
Subsequently, Aether and Paimon embarked on their journey to Liyue.