Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
Hearing Hu Tao's words, Zhongli couldn't help but laugh helplessly.
So no matter what—
If he retired, he'd still be working overtime?
And if he didn't retire, he'd be working overtime anyway?
The Hall Master really was wracking her brains for Wangsheng's future.
"Hall Master, if we follow your logic," Zhongli said calmly,
"Wouldn't it actually be better for Wangsheng if I didn't step down?"
"Huh?"
Hu Tao's eyes lit up instantly.
That… actually made sense.
Whether the Geo Archon stepped down or not didn't affect his standing in Liyue's hearts.
But if he didn't—
The endorsement value alone would be massive.
She planted her hands on her hips and nodded in satisfaction.
"Mmm~"
"The Consultant makes a good point~"
"Then let's not retire!"
"You'll keep endorsing Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
"We'll expand, grow stronger, and reach new heights!"
"And you'll be our greatest contributor!"
Zhongli's lips twitched.
Retire—work overtime.
Don't retire—work as a brand ambassador.
This child…
She really was finding every possible way to squeeze him dry.
Nearby, Venti and Dvalin stifled their laughter and gave Hu Tao a thumbs-up.
In all of Teyvat, the only one who could corner the old Geo Archon like this—
Was Hall Master Hu herself.
Impressive.
[Transcendent Chat Group]
Xiangling:
W-wait—His Excellency is stepping down?! Human governance?! 😱
Guoba:
1ulu1u~ 😲
Yanfei:
A contract to end all contracts… this is…
Madame Ping:
No need to worry. His Excellency knows what he's doing.
Xiao:
If the Geo Archon decided this, he has his reasons.
Lumine:
Human governance? Hehe—Keqing is ecstatic! 🐶
Paimon:
Keqing! Come say something already!
Alice:
"With Rex Lapis retired, Liyue cannot be without a ruler!
Today, I, Keqing, the Liyue Electro Archon, shall inherit the seat of Geo Archon!" 😈
Kaeya:
So Mondstadt gets a new Anemo Archon, and now Liyue gets a new Geo Archon too?
Ayaka:
Liyue's Electro Archon inheriting the Geo seat… that feels weird.
Venti:
Eh-heh~ Klee's Pyro too, you know!
Zhongli:
From a standpoint of universal rationality, Liyue's Electro Archon inheriting the Geo seat is logically sound. 📘
Neuvillette:
Miss Keqing advocates human governance. Even after ascension, it remains human governance. Reasonable. 📘
Hu Tao:
Geo Archon personally approved! Hydro Dragon King approved!
Congratulations to the new Geo Archon~ Remember to support Wangsheng's business! 🐶
Yae Miko:
Inazuma sends its congratulations! 🐶
Nahida:
Feels strange, but Sumeru sends its congratulations too! 🍿
Furina:
Oh my~ Fontaine sends its congratulations! 🐶
Jean:
Since all nations have spoken, Mondstadt sends its congratulations as well! 🐶
Keqing:
...
Jade Chamber
"These people…"
Keqing stared at the chat, utterly helpless.
She wasn't the only one being teased!
Why was it always her?
Electro Slime immunity.
Beef offal chef.
Now the "Liyue Electro Archon."
Even the Geo Archon himself had joined in—
Officially appointing her as the next Geo Archon?!
Absurd!
She rubbed her temples.
She was a serious person!
How had her image collapsed so completely?
Before she could recover—
Ningguang and Ganyu exchanged glances.
A silent understanding passed between them.
Both smiled slyly.
"Ahem—Lady Keqing, no—New Geo Archon,"
Ganyu said solemnly, pen and paper in hand.
"Do you have any instructions regarding the upcoming Rite of Descension?"
Ningguang followed smoothly.
"Though I'm hosting this year's ceremony, you've received His Excellency's personal approval."
"As Liyue's next Geo Archon, surely we should consult you."
Keqing's eye twitched violently.
So this was who Ningguang and Ganyu really were?!
The Jade Chamber erupted in laughter.
Back to the Serious Talk
After the jokes died down, Liyue returned to the main topic.
Keqing:
Your Excellency—do you still intend to proceed as in the original future?
Ningguang:
No matter your decision, we will respect it and do our utmost to carry it out.
Ganyu:
I can keep working~
Zhongli paused.
Then replied:
Zhongli:
It's been 3,700 years. A little more time won't hurt. We can take it slow.
As for the contract with the Tsaritsa—
That could wait.
Everyone understood.
Human governance would not be implemented anytime soon.
Even if it ever happened, it wouldn't be pure human governance.
A god would still need to guide and safeguard it.
Childe Speaks Up
Childe:
Alright, everyone done? Then it's my turn.
Childe:
You accused me of assassinating the Geo Archon—well?
Childe:
This was clearly His Excellency's own test! I've carried this blame long enough!
Lumine:
Same here~ Though the legendary beef offal cancels it out! 🐶
The chat went quiet.
He wasn't wrong.
Ningguang:
Fair point. Liyue settles accounts clearly. Surveillance on you will be lifted.
Childe finally relaxed.
Then—
Ningguang:
Now let's discuss something else.
Ningguang:
During Osial's revival, the Fatui caused quite a bit of trouble.
Ningguang:
After today's evaluation, we'll have a proper talk with Northland Bank. 😊
Childe:
...
Ah.
He forgot about that part.
Back at the Villa
After enjoying the chaos, Luo Chen continued.
"Among all of Morax's contracts, the third is the most important."
"The contract between him and all of Liyue."
"It began 3,700 years ago—and now approaches its end."
"Why did Morax choose to step down?"
"First—erosion."
"Azdhaha already showed us its terror."
"After over six thousand years, even stone erodes."
"One day, Morax himself may follow that path."
"If Liyue cannot stand on its own by then—it will suffer greatly."
"So he devised a test."
"To see if Liyue could solve its own problems."
"If it could—"
"He would return Liyue to itself."
"Even if he fell, Liyue would endure."
Understanding dawned on Liyue's people.
This wasn't abandonment.
It was preparation.
A father paving the road for his child.
Tears followed gratitude.
The Second Reason
Luo Chen continued,
"Second—Morax himself."
"Even gods have emotions."
"In six thousand years, he witnessed too much."
"The brutality of the Archon War."
"The loss of Guizhong, Marchosius, Xiao's comrades."
"The Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah."
"The deaths of five of the Seven."
"As the world changed, everything familiar faded."
"Until one drizzly morning…"
"Walking through Liyue, Morax heard a merchant praise his subordinate."
'You've fulfilled your duty well. It's time to rest.'
"That moment planted the idea."
"Watching others play a game is never as fulfilling as playing yourself."
"So Morax became Zhongli."
"To walk Liyue as a mortal."
"To witness history anew."
"The contract was fulfilled."
"Zhongli—finally—left."
"From this perspective, perhaps Barbatos always understood best."
Aftermath
Liyue finally understood the foreshadowing.
Earlier, they were merely moved.
Now—
They felt pain and shame.
They'd worried about themselves first.
Only now realizing—
They weren't so different from the "giant babies" they mocked.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"Zhongli… finally leaving…"
Zhongli smiled faintly.
He had chosen that name for this very reason.
The Light Screen truly understood him.
If that being ever came to Teyvat—
He would gladly drink with him.
"Old man, forget Zhongli."
"Maybe it's Zhong-Not-Leaving now~"
Venti laughed.
Zhongli raised an eyebrow.
"Barbatos—people call you the God of Slacking."
"But you see the clearest."
"Eh-heh~"
"Come on. Let the wind keep you company."
"Alright."
The Final Playback
Luo Chen concluded,
"As for Morax's ending in the original future…"
He played the entire Liyue main storyline.
The Rite of Descension.
The fall.
"Rex Lapis has been assassinated!"
This time—
No shock.
Only understanding.
What once seemed chaos—
Was now a carefully crafted farewell.
Afterword
Lumine:
Wow… future me really panicked back then.
Paimon:
Next time—call Yanfei and stay put!
And then—
Osial rose.
Liyue stared.
"So…"
"It was you who released the god, huh?"
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