Ningguang initially suspected Zhongli more; his demeanor and actions felt closer to the Rock God.
But now, due to today's experience and Yelan's report, she began to suspect Lin Qiu more.
This Lin Qiu fellow, seemingly unassuming, was actually very adept at using his brain, and not only were his abilities heaven-defying, but he also had full backing.
Hu Tao, the current Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, had a good relationship with Lin Qiu.
A certain adeptus (Shenhe) also followed him as a bodyguard.
During the Rite of Descension, he even chatted and laughed with the God of Water and Venti.
When the Traveler was asked about him, the Traveler was also hesitant, saying this couldn't be said and that couldn't be said.
If you were to say he was an ordinary person, Ningguang wouldn't believe it in the slightest.
This was also due to an information gap; Ganyu had not told Ningguang that Lin Qiu had apprenticed under Cloud Retainer, as it was a private matter among adepti and didn't need to be mentioned to everyone.
Moreover, compared to the title of an adeptus's disciple, Lin Qiu's title as the Prophet was clearly more resounding.
So when Ganyu communicated with the Qixing, she referred to him as 'ProphetLin Qiu,' not 'my junior brother Lin Qiu.'
If Ningguang had known that Lin Qiu was Cloud Retainer's disciple, she would no longer suspect Lin Qiu; how could the Rock God apprentice under an adeptus?
Lin Qiu listened to Ningguang's analysis and finally understood her meaning.
So, after all this, she knew the Rock God wasn't dead, and then she suspected Zhongli and I were the Rock God? More importantly, you suspected me more?
Those Treasure Hoarders got the whole process wrong but the answer right, and you got the whole process right but chose the wrong answer out of two!?
I thought I had exposed that old man's identity and even apologized to him.
But now I'm the one covering for him? Zhongli, how will you repay me for the apology you owe me!
Besides, it's fine if you suspect Zhongli; he looks like an old man, appearing ancient at a young age.
But me, I'm so lively, I don't look like an old man, do I? At most, a middle-aged man!
Suddenly, Venti's image flashed through Lin Qiu's mind, and only then did Lin Qiu remember that not all old men looked old.
"Regarding your analysis of Zhongli, I think it's very accurate, but regarding your analysis of me, it's a bit redundant," Lin Qiu hinted.
Unfortunately, Ningguang now suspected Lin Qiu was the Rock God even more.
So, in Ningguang's eyes, it seemed like the Rock God wanted to hide his identity and let the adeptus beside him take the blame.
However, Ningguang was ultimately a smart person; she never gave a definitive answer before she had absolute certainty.
Therefore, she still suspected Zhongli, but in her opinion, Lin Qiu carried more weight.
"Then, in Mr. Lin Qiu's opinion, what exactly is the Rock God's plan?" Ningguang asked, treating Lin Qiu as if he wasn't the Rock God.
"Well, the plan is simply that he wants to rest and intends to return power to humans."
"However, before returning power to humans, he still needs to test Liyue's risk resistance."
"To see if Liyue can handle danger without the Rock God," Lin Qiu said.
The Rite of Descension had already ended, and Lin Qiu and Zhongli's 'contract' was partially completed, allowing for some spoilers.
Ningguang looked at Lin Qiu: Lin Qiu, you still say you're not the Rock God!
"How will he test us?" Ningguang asked.
"By observing the reactions of humans and adepti after the Rock God's death," Lin Qiu replied.
"Then release Osial, to see if the people of Liyue and the adepti can withstand the God's attack."
Ningguang was startled; was the Rock God's plan a bit too crazy?
Directly releasing a sealed God? What if Liyue couldn't resist?
Actually, this was Ningguang overthinking; not to mention she would go all out to protect Liyue.
Even if they truly couldn't resist, Zhongli would still intervene, and Osial would be unable to approach Liyue.
Throughout the entire event, there were no casualties on Liyue's side; all casualties were among the Fatui.
The Harbinger was beaten, and his subordinates were also beaten.
Liyue blocked Osial, Zhongli's contract was completed, and he successfully retired.
If Liyue couldn't block Osial, then Zhongli would probably have to continue working.
This would be tough for the Tsaritsa; how would she get the Rock God's Gnosis without a contract?
She couldn't possibly really go and fight him, could she? Me fighting the Rock God?
"This is the Rock God's plan..." Ningguang murmured softly, already researching how to deal with Osial.
"...Mr. Lin Qiu, what do you think of the current performance of the Qixing and the adepti?" Ningguang asked.
Lin Qiu didn't think much of it, assuming Ningguang was genuinely asking for his opinion.
After some thought, Lin Qiu said, "It's quite good; in my opinion, not fighting among yourselves is already a pass."
Indeed, this time, the adepti and the Qixing not only didn't fight among themselves but also established a cooperative relationship in advance.
Ningguang breathed a sigh of relief and continued to ask, "Then do you think we and the adepti can stop Osial?"
"Yes, you can," Lin Qiu nodded, "You have your Jade Chamber."
I've read the script; you win, and the power of the Jade Chamber is still very strong.
However, Lin Qiu thought for a moment; the Jade Chamber was quite important to Ningguang, so if possible, it would be better not to let Ningguang use the Jade Chamber's full power.
Ningguang breathed a sigh of relief, "Is that so? Then we must not let down Mr. Lin Qiu's expectations."
Lin Qiu was bewildered, letting down my expectations?
Shouldn't it be letting down Zhongli's expectations? I've read the script; I don't have any expectations.
You don't still think I'm the Rock God, do you? I've hinted clearly enough.
If it weren't for the agreement with Zhongli to only reveal his identity after the plan was over, I would have just said it directly.
"Mr. Lin Qiu, regarding you... I mean, regarding the Rock God's plan, how do you need us to cooperate?" Ningguang asked.
"How to cooperate? Let me think..."
Lin Qiu recalled Zhongli's plan; they still needed to use Childe to release Osial.
"Give the Fatui some freedom, put the Exuvia in the Golden House, and then leak this information to Childe," Lin Qiu said.
Zhongli, give me back the apology I made last time.
I'm too good to you! My goodness, I apologized too soon!
Ningguang immediately thought of Childe's story, which mentioned him getting injured in the Golden House.
Connecting this to the Rock God's plan and the Fatui's factory, Ningguang understood.
So the Fatui were indeed researching the Sigil of Permission, likely to unseal Osial.
The Rock God had discovered this in advance and simply chose the Golden House as the location, where fighting wouldn't affect Liyue citizens.
Ningguang pondered, the Fatui's goal should be the Gnosis.
Leaking the information about the Exuvia to them was to make them think the Gnosis was inside it.
Once they went to the Golden House, Childe would discover there was no Gnosis at all, and then suspect that the Rock God wasn't dead, or that the Qixing had gotten there first.
This would force Childe to use his trump card, releasing Osial to force out the Rock God or destroy the Qixing and seize the Gnosis.
Thus, it seemed that this FatuiHarbinger, Childe, had always been in the Rock God's palm... Truly worthy of being the Rock God.
"I understand; the rest of the plan is up to me," Ningguang said with a smile.
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Character Voice Line · Ningguang: About Lin Qiu · Misunderstanding
"Alas, I truly thought he was the Rock God himself back then. It was a rare misjudgment on my part.
Who told him his abilities were too strong and he was too mysterious? It would be great if such a person could be used by me."