Chapter 4: Zhongli's Test
The night stretched endlessly across Liyue's peaks, blanketed in silver moonlight. Below, the harbor glimmered with a thousand golden lanterns—like stars reflected in the sea.
Zhongli's amber eyes gleamed faintly as he turned toward Kael.
"In that case," he said, "bring Ganyu, Keqing, and Ningguang into the chat group."
He paused, a calculating look crossing his face.
"And… conceal both your identity and mine. I wish to see how they'll respond when presented with this new power."
Kael tilted his head, smirking slightly. "Oh? Testing your own people, are you?"
Zhongli's lips curved faintly. "Not testing—observing."
But Kael wasn't fooled. He caught the subtle undertone behind Zhongli's calm voice. This wasn't just curiosity; it was an audit of Liyue's future.
He wanted to see what his chosen leaders—the ones he had trusted to rule after his retirement—would do when handed a power that could reshape their world.
Would they share it with the people?
Or hoard it for themselves?
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Zhongli clasped his hands behind his back, eyes distant.
"This will allow them to experience the significance of internal cultivation firsthand," he said quietly. "And through it, their hearts will be revealed.
"If they choose to hide it—to use it for personal gain while concealing it from the public—then it will be clear that Liyue has begun to rot."
His gaze fell toward the glowing city below.
"In that case, I will know which pillars must be broken… and which deserve to remain standing."
Kael chuckled softly, impressed despite himself.
"So it's not about trust," he said. "You're cleaning house."
Zhongli didn't answer, but the faint smile in his eyes was answer enough.
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Kael leaned back slightly, amused. "You know, Morax, you might just be more ruthless than I am."
Zhongli's voice was calm, almost serene.
"Mercy and order are not opposites. But order must come first."
Kael's smirk widened. "You're starting to sound like me."
Zhongli allowed himself a quiet exhale—half sigh, half chuckle. "Perhaps your influence is contagious."
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Xiao's Resolve
"Is there anything you need me to do?"
Xiao stood nearby, his sharp eyes unwavering. Though he barely understood the scope of Kael's power, he trusted Zhongli—and that was enough.
Kael turned to him, voice even but warm.
"When you've recovered, focus on purging the karmic corruption within you. Then, direct your efforts toward cleansing the Abyssal taint that lingers in Liyue's borders. Monsters. Leyline rifts. Anything corrupted—purify it."
He then glanced at Zhongli, his lips curving with faint amusement.
"And perhaps ease your own erosion along the way, hm?"
Zhongli's gaze flicked toward him, unreadable—but the faintest ghost of guilt crossed his face.
Kael had already noticed it: half the energy he'd gained from Xiao's purification had been redirected into stabilizing Zhongli's body.
Zhongli, ever the silent strategist, had paid the price without asking permission.
Kael folded his arms. "At least you didn't drain me dry. A fifty-percent commission is quite generous. Most gods would have taken ninety-nine."
Xiao blinked, confused. "Erosion? You can… cleanse that as well?"
Kael smiled faintly. "Given time, yes."
Zhongli nodded, confirming it.
"The effect is satisfactory. I estimate nearly one-thousandth of my erosion has been reduced."
Though the improvement sounded small, the implications were vast. Even the Adepti had never found a way to slow erosion, much less reverse it.
Zhongli's eyes shifted toward the distant Chasm, where Abyssal energy still festered like a wound upon the earth.
"There's more than enough corruption there to continue our efforts without arousing suspicion. If we proceed carefully, the Abyss Order will remain unaware."
Xiao bowed his head, his expression resolute.
"If my karmic debt can aid in your recovery, then I will gladly endure the pain."
Zhongli shook his head gently.
"There is no need to rush. Your first duty is to yourself. Purify what remains within you, then protect Liyue as you always have. I will handle the rest."
Xiao's fists tightened, his jaw firm with conviction.
"As you command."
He turned to Kael, eyes glinting faintly beneath the moonlight.
"If you ever need my aid, speak my name. I will come."
Kael waved a hand lazily. "No need to be so formal. Every time you purify, it strengthens me too. Let's call it… a mutually beneficial arrangement."
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The Test of Liyue's Leaders
Zhongli folded his hands behind his back once more.
"Now then," he said, "the next step is simple. You must contact Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu. Bring them into the chat group."
His eyes narrowed, a quiet gleam passing through them.
"They must not only receive this power, but also take part in spreading it. Without my influence. Without knowing my identity. Only then will their choices be genuine."
Kael arched a brow. "So you're sending me to test the backbone of Liyue's ruling class."
"Not test," Zhongli corrected. "Weigh."
Kael chuckled. "I should've guessed. You're making me the scale."
Zhongli inclined his head. "A fitting role for the one who now governs balance itself."
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Kael exhaled slowly, glancing toward the city lights below. "Fine. I'll play along. Just remember—you promised to protect me. I'd hate to be ambushed by bureaucrats before the world's even saved."
Zhongli's lips twitched. "Of course. Consider it part of our contract."
Kael's gaze grew distant, thoughts drifting beyond Liyue.
If this plan worked, he would gain not only allies but influence—the foundation to expand Celestia's authority across nations.
And once he had Liyue's support…
He'd move for Mondstadt.
After all, Venti's Gnosis was long overdue for proper stewardship.
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Barbatos, Kael thought with a faint smile.
You wouldn't want Dvalin to suffer any longer, would you?
The Fatui had stolen the Anemo Gnosis before. Why couldn't he take it back—this time, for a better cause?
And after that… Sumeru.
Nahida was imprisoned, her power restrained by the Akademiya's corruption. Sumeru had no warrior Archon, no real defense.
Perfect ground to expand the reach of the new Heavenly Principles.
Only one man posed a real threat there.
Dottore.
The Harbinger's experiments had already brushed against divinity itself. Facing him before attaining true power would be reckless. But later—when Kael surpassed the Archons—
He would erase the Doctor from existence.
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Zhongli's voice drew him back to the present.
"If you wish to remain hidden while guiding them, so be it," he said. "But do not underestimate their insight. Keqing is sharp. Ningguang is patient. Ganyu is loyal—but torn between her halves."
He turned his gaze back to the harbor, the glow of countless lanterns painting his eyes gold.
"I wish to see," he said softly, "whether Liyue's future still deserves the faith I placed in it."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile crossed his lips.
"Besides… this benefits you as well. The more your strength grows, the greater your reach. And that, too, is part of our contract."
Kael nodded once, eyes glowing faintly with divine light.
"Then it's settled. Let's see how Liyue's leaders handle the truth."
The wind carried his words away—across the mountains, toward the harbor's shimmering skyline.
Below, the wheels of destiny began to turn.
And above them all, unseen, the new Heavenly Principle smiled.
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✨ End of Chapter 4