"Since the Qixing have given me the chance to retire with dignity, I should know when to step back…"
"After all, the era of separation between mortals and adepti has arrived. It's no longer fitting for me to remain in Liyue Harbor."
"As for official duties, I trust the Qixing will handle them well."
Ganyu's voice was cool as she spoke her mind, her tone resolute.
???
Is that really what the Qixing think?
But I heard Baiwen and the other two have been working themselves to the bone, constantly complaining and hoping for your return!
Yanfei blinked her crimson eyes, her confusion only growing.
Could Ganyu have misunderstood?
Before she could voice her doubts, a figure suddenly materialized before them, standing tall and imposing like a mountain ridge.
The figure wore exquisite brown-gold attire, his diamond-shaped draconic pupils radiating immense pressure. His aura was profound and unshakable, exuding a majestic, earth-like presence that seemed to embrace all things.
"The Emperor."
"The Emperor!"
"The Emperor…"
The adepti, sensing his presence, rose one after another and bowed respectfully.
"The Emperor?"
Mr. Zhongli… is the Emperor?
Those who already knew showed no surprise, but those unaware were utterly stunned.
Especially Xiangling, the young chef.
Xiangling had a deep impression of Zhongli, the erudite consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Not only was Hu Tao her good friend, but Zhongli's fastidiousness about food had left a lasting mark on her.
In her memories, Zhongli was extremely particular about dining—meticulous about ingredients and deeply knowledgeable about cooking. He often offered suggestions that greatly inspired her.
Thus, Xiangling frequently asked Zhongli to sample her dishes, refining her recipes based on his critiques.
Sometimes, a single compliment from Zhongli could brighten her entire day.
But never had she imagined…
Mr. Zhongli was the Emperor?!
No wonder his knowledge was so vast. Having witnessed Liyue's growth from its inception, he was practically a living history book. How could he not know of things he had personally experienced?
Ganyu, Yanfei, and the others were equally shocked.
But their astonishment wasn't about Zhongli's identity.
Zhongli had lived in Liyue Harbor for so long, raising Hu Tao from childhood. Over a decade, his appearance had never changed.
The higher-ups had long suspected he was a reclusive adeptus—they just never imagined he was the Emperor himself.
What truly stunned them was that Zhongli, as the Geo Archon, never carried Mora when he went out. Instead, he frequently sent his bills to the Northland Bank or the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Could you believe it?
It was said that all Mora circulating in Teyvat was forged from Morax's flesh and blood.
As the one who held the minting rights over Teyvat's universal currency…
He had no Mora on him?
What kind of absurd joke was this?
But now wasn't the time to dwell on that. Regaining their composure, the women quickly followed the adepti in paying their respects.
"No need for formalities." Zhongli surveyed the group with a smile before his gaze settled on Xiao. "Xiao, come here."
Without hesitation, Xiao stepped forward and bowed. "My Emperor."
"Take this. Grip it firmly, but not too hard—it's made of stone and can break easily." Zhongli handed him the Horse Talisman and added, "Just enough to activate it."
"Understood." Xiao accepted the talisman, clasped it in his palm, and applied gentle pressure.
In an instant, the talisman emitted a faint glow, its light tracing the simplified horse-head pattern marked in purple dye.
Once the entire emblem was illuminated, the Horse Talisman erupted in radiant light.
A soft white glow enveloped Xiao's body, wrapping him in its embrace.
As the light engulfed him, tendrils of black smoke began seeping from his form.
The smoke reeked of malevolence, carrying traces of resentment, bitterness, hatred, rage, and brutality—countless negative emotions surged skyward.
As the dark mist spread, Xiao's expression twisted in agony, as though enduring unbearable torment.
The black fog writhed above him, expanding outward as if seeking to devour everything in its path.
But before it could act, the white light from the Horse Talisman stretched toward it.
In the next moment, the smoke dissipated like snow under sunlight, vanishing into nothingness.
As the darkness faded, Xiao's features gradually relaxed.
"My Emperor, that black mist… could it be…?" Moon Carver's voice was grave.
"It was the karmic debt within Xiao," Zhongli replied calmly.
"You've already found a way to purge karmic debt?" Mountain Shaper sounded astonished.
Zhongli nodded. "This stone talisman is called the Horse Talisman, a treasure I borrowed. It can expel all external malevolent forces, restoring the body to its purest state."
"The Horse Talisman? Such a peculiar artifact exists? Its power is remarkable—to cleanse all external corruption. Fascinating." Cloud Retainer mused, stroking her chin with a wing.
"All external malevolent forces? Then what about… erosion?" Granny Ping caught the key detail in Zhongli's words.
Erosion was a shackle imposed by the Heavenly Principles upon all long-lived beings.
This law caused immortals to gradually lose their memories over time, forgetting their past.
Eventually, they would lose all cherished recollections, their minds growing muddled until they descended into madness, wreaking havoc.
The Dragon King of Vishaps, Azhdaha, had succumbed to severe erosion. Over the eons, his power waned, his form twisted by suffering, and his mind grew clouded. In his madness, he attacked Liyue Harbor, ultimately choosing to be sealed away by the Emperor.
Zhongli nodded at Granny Ping's question, confirming her thoughts. "Erosion is no exception. It can be expelled—permanently. From then on, erosion will no longer afflict you."
"My own erosion has already been completely resolved. Today, I've gathered all of you to free you from the Heavenly Principles' law of erosion."
"This is wonderful, my Emperor."
"To think the day would come when our erosion could be undone."
"Indeed. I thought we'd have to endure it until death."
…
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(End of Chapter)