Chapter 9: Keqing — Impossible! Liyue Would Never Be as Shameless as the Fatui
The tea in Liuli Pavilion had long gone cold, yet none of them moved to refill their cups.
Golden sunlight filtered through the carved windows, illuminating the quiet room where gods and mortals weighed the fate of a nation.
Kael leaned back in his seat, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.
"I didn't expect you to be so composed, Lady Ningguang. I thought this conversation might make you… uneasy."
Ningguang gave a faint laugh, her amber eyes sharp as polished jade. "You underestimate me, Kael. As Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, I'm well aware that some truths must be faced, no matter how uncomfortable.
"You said yourself—we're all in the same chat group. If this Basic Internal Cultivation technique is genuine and harmless, then I intend to promote it, resistance or not."
Zhongli, sipping his tea, made no comment, though a flicker of approval crossed his gaze.
Kael chuckled softly. "I appreciate your directness. And yes, the adepti have already acknowledged the technique's potential. But if you're planning to spread it… you'd best move quickly."
He set down his cup, his tone turning almost instructional. "Without the chat group's assistance, cultivation progress will be painfully slow. Ordinary mortals will need years—decades, even—to achieve results. And that's assuming proper food, rest, and discipline.
"Meanwhile, those with access to the chat group gain accelerated refinement through points. That advantage alone will create a new hierarchy among practitioners."
Keqing and Ningguang exchanged a quick, meaningful glance. This was exactly the kind of information they needed.
Keqing folded her arms. "Then we'll need to plan our next move carefully. What do you suggest?"
Kael shrugged lightly. "Do what you believe is right. Liyue's evolution is not mine to dictate."
That word—evolution—hung heavy in the air.
It wasn't rebellion. It wasn't faithlessness.
It was transformation.
But such change was never without cost.
---
A World Without Gods
Keqing took a slow breath, her expression thoughtful. "Kael, earlier you said you came from another world. What kind of world was it? Did gods rule over humans there as well?"
Kael hesitated, then smiled faintly. "There are no gods where I'm from. Or perhaps, there were—once—but they've long since faded into myth. Humanity built its world without divine aid."
He tapped on the chat interface, summoning a glowing panel of text. "I'll upload something simple. A general history of my world—Earth."
> [Upload Complete: History of Humanity — Compendium Overview]
Ningguang, Keqing, and Zhongli immediately downloaded the data.
Their eyes darkened as centuries of human progress—science, war, revolution, and commerce—flashed through their minds.
---
"This world…" Ningguang whispered. "The rise and fall of nations… the speed of development… it's astonishing."
Zhongli exhaled quietly, his tone unreadable. "They've built empires, laws, and technologies without divine guidance… and yet, still suffer the same cycles of greed and ambition."
Keqing's voice trembled slightly. "A world without gods… I can't imagine what Liyue would become if Rex Lapis were gone."
Zhongli glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
She didn't realize how close that truth already was.
Keqing, he thought silently, you have the courage and conviction to lead—but even courage falters when faith begins to shift.
He sighed inwardly. Perhaps he would have to delay his retirement a little longer.
---
The Future of Liyue
"This 'China' nation of your world," Ningguang murmured, tapping her fan against her chin. "It bears a remarkable resemblance to Liyue in culture… though not in politics."
Kael nodded. "You're perceptive. Structurally, Liyue is closer to Snezhnaya than you might think. Both control commerce, both mint their own currency, and both revolve around centralized power.
"If the Seven Archons vanished tomorrow, Liyue could easily evolve into something like the Fatui—driven by ambition and wealth."
The words had barely left his mouth when Keqing slammed her hand on the table.
"Impossible!" she snapped. Her violet eyes burned like lightning. "Liyue would never fall so low! We are not the Fatui!"
Kael raised a brow but said nothing. He didn't need to. Her fury was proof enough of how deeply the comparison cut.
But Ningguang didn't flinch. Instead, she folded her fan with quiet grace.
"It's not impossible," she said evenly. "Just… improbable. It would take the disappearance of all divine oversight. But if that happened, and humanity's ambition went unchecked, corruption could indeed follow."
Her calm tone only deepened Keqing's frustration. "You're saying we'd become them?"
"I'm saying," Ningguang replied softly, "that even ideals can rot if not tended to. Trade. Power. Wealth. Those are neutral forces. It's how we wield them that matters."
Keqing fell silent. Her fists trembled beneath the table, not from anger—but from doubt.
---
The Proposal
Ningguang turned back to Kael, her gaze sharp and calculating once more.
"This chat group of yours… it provides access to knowledge across worlds. Your Earth is far more advanced in governance and economy than Teyvat could dream to be.
"I would like you to share that knowledge."
Kael tilted his head. "Share it… with everyone?"
"Not quite." Ningguang smiled faintly. "With me."
Even Keqing blinked in surprise. "Ningguang?!"
"I am proposing a collaboration," the Tianquan continued smoothly. "Your insight in economics and governance could guide Liyue into a new age.
"In return, I'll grant you an official position—Tianquan Consultant. All living expenses covered. Complete freedom to pursue your… research."
Her words carried weight. Ningguang was wagering her own political credibility on a foreigner she'd met only days ago.
Even Zhongli's eyes flickered in faint surprise.
Kael rested his chin in his hand, studying her. "You're bold, Lady Ningguang. Most people would fear betting on an unknown like me."
"I've built my life on risks," she said simply. "This one just happens to have higher stakes."
A slow grin spread across Kael's face. "I like your style. Then I accept."
Ningguang inclined her head, satisfied. "Then it's a deal."
Zhongli exhaled softly, his amber eyes thoughtful.
"History repeats itself," he murmured. "Once again, Liyue entrusts its future to both mortals and the divine."
Keqing looked between them, conflicted—but beneath her hesitation, a spark of determination lit her gaze.
If this alliance could truly strengthen Liyue—then she would see it through.
Even if the gods themselves disapproved.
---
As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the faint bells of Yujing Terrace echoed through the city.
A new contract had been formed—not between merchants, not between Archons and mortals—
but between Liyue's past and its future.
And Kael smiled to himself.
Perfect.
The pieces were falling exactly where he wanted them to.
✨ End of Chapter 9