Check out my new translation!
***
"Official notice from the Qixing: All must know, the soaring dragon and flying qilin—though their lifespans rival the mountains—must still return to dust in the end… The Geo Archon has faced heavenly tribulation, and his soul has ascended to the skies. Thus we proclaim to all of Liyue, and ask that the people mourn with restraint, lest grief wound their hearts."
"Furthermore, heed no more of the rumors whispered on the streets, and do not give in to baseless speculation."
The notice concluded, leaving behind a bewildered crowd, as the Millelith departed.
"How could this be?! The Archon's death has nothing to do with Snezhnaya?"
"My uncle works at Yujing Terrace! He clearly told us it was 'Childe' who harmed the Archon!"
"…But does 'Childe' even have that kind of strength? I'd say at the very least it would take the Tsaritsa herself to move against the Archon."
"Eh!" Someone beat their chest and stomped their feet, fuming that they had lost face for spreading false news.
"That's the only way it makes sense! How could the Archon possibly die by another's hand?!"
"But in the end, the Archon is truly gone…"
A conflict between two nations was one thing. But the assassination of one nation's ruler by another's envoy? That was something else entirely. Good. There was still opportunity!
Ivanovich was already calculating in his heart: he'd return and immediately hold a discount sale to win back Liyue's customers. Everything, ninety percent off! Not even the Rite of Parting could hold his attention—he hurried back against the flow of the crowd.
"Uhh… um… so, can anyone translate for me, what exactly did the Qixing's notice say?" Paimon scratched her head, unable to grasp it.
["Hehe! Of course UFOs wouldn't get it. The gist of the notice was: 'Everyone has their time, even Rex Lapis couldn't escape it. He failed to pass the heavenly tribulation, and so he died. It wasn't an assassination, so stop making wild guesses.' Does that make sense to you?"]
Although Little Wen and Victor Wang had agreed not to speak much in crowded places, the crowd here was so dense—like the endless waves of the sea at Guyun—that even a few secret words wouldn't be noticed by anyone.
"Eh, so the Qixing's explanation turned out like this…" Paimon glanced at Victor Wang, clearly harboring other doubts, but she didn't continue. "It looks like the Rite of Parting is about to begin, let's go take a look!"
…
"Once the 'Contract' is renewed, will you—bless the next age?"
"Then, that concludes Lady Tianquan's address. Lady Yuheng, do you have anything more to say?" At the close of the Rite of Parting, Ganyu asked.
"Traveler."
Keqing had already spotted Lumine among the spectators and strode quickly toward her.
The Qixing had sent word to her several times, wishing to repay Lumine for her aid, but they never managed to find her.
"So… that's the traveler from the rumors, the one who repelled the ancient god?"
"So young…"
"And she's actually such a beautiful young lady."
Facing Lumine, Keqing continued, "Traveler, the Liyue Qixing repay all debts of gratitude. And surely you've heard—we have eyes and hands in every corner of the world, capable of anything. Speak your desire for a reward, and it shall be yours, for it is what you have earned."
"…Then, please help me post a few 'Missing Person Notices.'"
The crowd erupted in astonishment.
"What?!"
"What does she mean? This traveler is truly so unworldly?"
"A hero is indeed a hero… their way of thinking is unlike others…"
Keqing had no choice but to repeat: "You mean 'Missing Person Notices'?"
Lumine nodded firmly. "I am searching for my brother."
"That is no problem at all. When you have time, please come to the Ministry of Civil Affairs and explain your brother's information in detail."
"Mm."
"Then, the Rite of Parting is concluded."
At Ganyu's solemn announcement, whether people wished to accept it or not, the Archon was gone. Henceforth, the name Rex Lapis would be like that of all the departed Adepti—only a cold title, a mark of a bygone era.
"The 'Contract' of three thousand seven hundred years… just gone like that…"
A child brought by their parents looked around in confusion, not understanding why the adults were so grief-stricken.
"Why… why did he have to depart in my lifetime…"
An elderly man's eyes were full of sorrow and helplessness. He had walked seventy years of his life with the Archon at his side, believing they would see life's end together. He never imagined the Archon would leave first.
In the heavy and solemn air, the crowd gradually dispersed. Lumine bid farewell to Victor Wang, then went off to find Zhongli, who stood alone at the Jade Chamber's viewing terrace, back turned to all.
"…"
Victor Wang stood on the opposite side of Yujing Terrace, pretending to admire the scenery, yet his focus was entirely on Lumine and Zhongli.
Once Lumine finished her talk with him, it would be his turn… right?
He waited and waited. When Lumine finally left and he began to step forward, a hand suddenly tapped his left shoulder.
"Hm?"
Turning left—no one. Turning right—also no one.
"Hey!" Hu Tao suddenly popped up in front of him, making a silly face.
"Wah~ you scared me."
Hu Tao crossed her arms and raised a brow. "Hmph. Boring."
"The Rite of Parting just ended. Why are you showing up only now?"
"I'm here to see Zhongli."
"Hah? You too?"
"Hah? He's my consultant, can't I come see him?"
"…Then please, go first."
Victor Wang politely gave her the chance to speak with Zhongli, waiting patiently again. After a while, Hu Tao returned.
"Hey, I'm going to deliver a book to Sister Lan, and then handle the matter with Chang the Ninth and Little Nine. Do you want to come?"
"Sure, when?"
"Right now."
"So urgent? If we go all the way to Wuwang Hill and back, there won't even be late-night snacks left."
"Who said we'd be back tonight? The Archon is gone, so I'll be holding a ritual at the Boundary this evening~"
Victor Wang glanced hesitantly at Zhongli's solitary back. But as the saying goes: the chance to speak with Zhongli will come often, while the chance to spend the night with Hu Tao may not.
"Let's go then, I'll even try sword-flight!"
"?"
"Little Wen, takeoff!"
…
"Hehe, that's it? The speed isn't much faster."
"Flight speed all depends on how much elemental power you supply. It can be faster, but the cost grows exponentially too."
Victor Wang was thrilled at his first successful attempt at sword-flight. From Liyue Harbor all the way to the foot of Wuwang Hill, the Wentian Sword carried him in low-altitude flight, never touching the ground. Only… Little Wen didn't seem happy. Being stepped on constantly, it was only natural she wouldn't be.
"Anyway, going faster won't help. What we're doing at the Border has to wait until midnight regardless." Hu Tao pouted, already immensely envious of the wonders of Anemo. "Let's find Chang the Ninth first. I remember after his business failed, he returned to his home in Qingce Village."
Because they didn't enter Qingce by the main path, when Victor Wang and Hu Tao flew in from the Wuwang Hill side, they landed directly in the middle of the village—by a tea stall.
It was around four or five in the afternoon. Since they'd come early, it wasn't mealtime yet. There weren't many customers at the stall, just some old folks and children.
One child hid behind an elder, pointing at Victor Wang and Hu Tao. "Ghosts! Two ghosts flew here from Wuwang Hill!"
"Ghosts? Where, where?!"
"He means us…" Victor Wang cut off Hu Tao, who was craning her neck to look around.
"Child, don't be afraid. Those two are people. See? They have shadows… though, yes, flying from Wuwang Hill at dusk is indeed a bit…"
Landing nearby, Hu Tao asked, "Grandpa, we're looking for someone in Qingce Village named Chang the Ninth. Do you know where he lives?"
"Chang the Ninth, eh? Follow the only paved road through the village. When you reach a big pavilion, his house is on the cliff behind it. If you can't find it, ask an old lady named Ruoxin who usually sits in that pavilion."
"Alright, thank you!"
Without needing Victor Wang to lead the way, Hu Tao guided them straight to Chang the Ninth's home.
At that moment, Chang the Ninth was hunched over a low desk outside his door, writing furiously. He could tell from a twitch of his toes that the two unfamiliar visitors had come looking for him.
"Hm? More people coming here to laugh at me? I, Chang the Ninth, won't fall for that."
"Who would go out of their way just to mock you?"
"Then why are you here… wait, don't tell me—you're here to collect debts?! That fast?!"
"Debts? I'll be straightforward. Do you still remember Little Nine?"
"Little Nine?" Chang the Ninth froze, then his face suddenly lit with joy. "Did she see my writings and remember me?!"
Hu Tao tilted her head. "Well… yes, but not in the way you think."
"What are you saying?" Chang the Ninth didn't understand, but quickly asked anxiously, "Where is Little Nine now? How is she doing? Does she… does she have someone she loves?"
"Ahh—what we bring is not good news."
His face stiffened, stammering, "She… she's married already? That's fine… as long as she's happy, I… I can accept that."
"…Victor, you explain."
Hu Tao couldn't bear to do it herself, seeing him like this.
She had seen too much filth and cruelty between life and death—so when she encountered a bond as pure as this, it felt unusually precious. That was why Hu Tao loved The Book of Five Springs, loved The Butterfly Lovers, loved stories of family, of love, of friendship. She treasured keeping a childlike heart.
"…Maybe we don't have to be so blunt?"
"No. He has the right to know. The more you hold someone dear, the more you deserve the truth. That is my judgment."
Hu Tao frowned in hesitation. Her past experiences told her: as long as the person could endure it, the truth must be spoken. That was the greatest respect for both the living and the dead.
And if he couldn't endure… Chang the Ninth didn't seem like that kind of man.
"What are you two saying? What truth? Tell me!"
Victor Wang glanced at Hu Tao, who refused to speak, and thought: So that's why you dragged me here—to use me as the knife.
"Little Nine is dead. She's been dead for a long time."
Boom! A thunderclap crashed behind Chang the Ninth's head, shattering his world.