At Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—
"Zhong—Li—!"
Hu Tao slammed a massive bill onto the table.
"Do you have any idea how much you spent this month?!"
Zhongli calmly sipped his tea.
"We should focus on preparing the Rite of Parting."
Hu Tao nearly exploded.
"Don't change the subject!"
"And now you're saying Wangsheng pays for the Rite?!"
Before she could continue—
"Urgent report!"
A Millelith soldier burst in.
"Childe publicly confessed to assassinating Rex Lapis!"
Hu Tao froze.
"…Huh?"
She turned slowly toward Zhongli.
"You buying this?"
Zhongli's gaze grew distant.
"…Interesting."
He knew the truth better than anyone.
Which meant—
Something—or someone—had forced Childe's hand.
That night, Liyue buzzed with unrest.
Some feared the future without Rex Lapis.
Others celebrated the downfall of the Fatui.
But beneath it all—
Something was shifting.
Golden House
Rex Lapis's massive dragon form lay within the golden halls.
Ningguang stood before it, eyes sharp.
"The turning point," she said quietly,
"was Kairo."
Keqing crossed her arms.
"I've watched him since he arrived."
"Every major event—he's there."
"Solving Mondstadt's dragon crisis."
"Walking freely with Zhongli."
"Forcing a Harbinger into confession."
She looked up, eyes blazing.
"Kairo is not an ordinary adventurer."
Ningguang closed her fan.
"…Then it's time I met him properly."
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