Previously, the light screen's commentary on Morax focused on labels.
Such as "Martial God."
Such as "Tragic undertones."
Such as "Contracts."
Naturally, the people of Teyvat also focused their attention on these aspects.
They marveled at how terrifyingly powerful the Geo Archon was.
They lamented how tragic the events surrounding him had been.
They discussed how seriously he treated contracts.
But now—
With the light screen presenting Morax's life and experiences in full,
everyone finally gained a complete understanding of Liyue's Geo Archon.
Unlike the carefree freedom of the Anemo Archon next door,
this was a heavy, steady, father-like love.
Many people had never personally experienced such love—
they only understood it through the commentary.
But they all had fathers.
And so, they could still grasp a portion of that feeling.
As a result, admiration for the Geo Archon rose to unprecedented heights.
A god who was steady, reliable, and great.
As for the other Archons—
Aside from Venti, who was still happily drinking,
the rest fell into deep contemplation.
Their ideals differed,
but there were lessons here worth learning.
Among them, Nahida and Ei paid the closest attention.
One was a newly born god, eager to learn everything about governance.
The other… was a shut-in who frankly had no idea how to rule a nation.
Naturally, both needed this.
As for the people of Liyue—
They were already so moved they could barely hold themselves together.
Ordinary Chat Group
Chef Mao:
Retreating the sea tides, raising Mt. Tianheng, calming rivers, gifting fire-making techniques!
Marching south to Tianheng, east to Yaoguang, west to Jueyun, north to Qingce—suppressing gods with absolute strength!
Chef Mao:
Establishing the Qixing, setting contracts, creating Mora, unifying currency!
Chef Mao:
That's how today's prosperous and peaceful Liyue came to be!
Chef Mao:
He even wanted to return Liyue to us, the people!
Chef Mao:
The Geo Archon truly…
Zhiqiong:
The Geo Archon has done far, far too much for us… (crying)
Uncle Tian:
The depth of the Geo Archon's fatherly love… sigh, at my age, sand still gets in my eyes.
Iron Tongue Tian:
With such love from the Geo Archon, the only thing I can do is record every word of the light screen's commentary!
Iron Tongue Tian:
I'll make sure the Geo Archon's deeds echo through Liyue forever!
Hanshu:
In the past, I twisted the Geo Archon's history for selfish reasons. Now… I feel deeply ashamed. (guilt)
Hanshu:
From now on, I will pursue truth above all else. I will never tarnish the Geo Archon again!
Yixuan:
Exactly! That would be disrespect!
Jiaming:
The Millelith began as followers who voluntarily gathered around the Geo Archon!
Jiaming:
Then, now, and forever—
Firm as stone, unyielding as mountains! Fight for the Geo Archon!
Lan:
Firm as stone, unyielding as mountains! Fight for the Geo Archon!
Uncle Tian:
Firm as stone, unyielding as mountains! Fight for the Geo Archon!
Ying'er:
Firm as stone, unyielding as mountains! Fight for the Geo Archon!
…
Their emotions ran so high that they weren't just typing slogans anymore—
They clenched their fists and shouted them aloud in real life.
Anything less would not be enough to express their gratitude and fervor.
For a time, the chant—
"Firm as stone, unyielding as mountains! Fight for the Geo Archon!"
—echoed throughout all of Liyue.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
Inside the main hall, the group naturally heard the commotion outside.
Listening to the thunderous chants, Venti sighed emotionally.
"Old man… your faith in Liyue really is something else."
Zhongli smiled faintly.
"And yours is not?"
The two looked at each other—
then smiled together.
There was quiet satisfaction in their expressions.
A god's love for humanity was never transactional.
They never demanded repayment.
But to witness such faith from their people—
That joy was still real.
Just like parents watching their children.
Nearby, Hu Tao was deeply moved by the summary as well.
After all, she was a Liyue native too.
She had also benefited from the Geo Archon's protection.
Hearing the chants outside, she felt she had to do something.
After a moment's thought, Hu Tao poured herself a bowl of wine and walked over to Zhongli.
"Others can only shout slogans—but I can take action!"
"Come on, Consultant—no, Geo Archon."
"I toast you on their behalf!"
She raised the bowl solemnly.
"To you, for giving Liyue a safe place to live!"
"To you, for letting Liyue's people live well!"
"To your 3,700 years of protection!"
"With you, Liyue is honored!"
"Because of you, Liyue is great!"
"Thank you—our beloved Geo Archon!"
At this moment, she was no longer speaking as Zhongli's employer.
She was speaking as a citizen, to the god who protected them.
Thus, she used honorifics.
Zhongli stared at her, momentarily dazed.
Then he smiled.
He lifted his own bowl and gently clinked it against hers.
"No—Liyue is great because of you."
Venti blinked and laughed.
"No, no, no—
I think Liyue is great because both of you worked together."
Dvalin nodded.
"Indeed."
Zhongli and Hu Tao froze briefly—
Then smiled at each other.
"Drink."
Everything was said within the wine.
Extraordinary Chat Group
Nahida:
Retreating tides, raising mountains, calming rivers—giving the people the basics of survival.
Nahida:
Marching across Liyue, suppressing gods—giving the people safety.
Nahida:
Establishing governance, contracts, currency—giving the people prosperity.
Nahida:
Then relinquishing power, returning Liyue to its people.
Nahida:
Is this… Morax's love for his people?
Nahida:
Different from Barbatos, but a path worth learning.
Nahida:
Aside from the uncertainties of pure human governance, everything else is exemplary. (sigh)
Ei:
In governance and guiding humanity, Morax surpasses me by ten thousand times.
If she were still here… perhaps Inazuma… (sigh)
Furina:
Such a path requires overwhelming power and foresight. Not every god could walk it.
Neuvillette:
Among all of Teyvat, the God of Gold stands at the pinnacle of governance. Worth studying.
Venti:
Ehe~ Old man being awesome is enough~
Ningguang:
The streets are packed with people. Even we cannot calm our hearts. With the Geo Archon, Liyue is truly blessed.
Ganyu:
Firm as stone, unyielding as mountains! Fight for the Geo Archon!
Yanfei:
Though I have no contract with the Geo Archon, I will defend Liyue with my law!
Keqing:
Though we have grown up, we still wish for our parents' gaze.
Keqing:
We will do our best—to ease the Geo Archon's burden.
Keqing:
But we also hope he will continue to witness our journey.
Zhongli read these messages after finishing his drink.
He nodded gently.
Zhongli:
Good.
The adepti smiled as well.
For countless years, no one truly understood the burdens in the Geo Archon's heart.
He bore everything alone.
But now—
There were many who understood him.
And so, his heart finally opened.
They were happy for him.
At that moment, the light screen shifted again.
Everyone paused their discussion and looked up.
Villa
Luo Chen moistened his throat with Hydro energy and spoke again.
"Now that we're done with Morax—
let's talk about his companion."
"Azhdaha."
Beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree
After realizing how powerful the light screen was,
Azhdaha had secretly hoped it would expose Morax's crimes.
Instead—
It revealed nothing but heroism.
It even explained the reason behind its own sealing.
For an Azhdaha already suffering erosion, this was a massive shock.
Its thoughts spiraled into chaos.
Sealed underground, it lashed out, shaking the earth to vent its fury.
But when it heard the light screen announce it would be discussed—
It froze.
"Commenting… on me?"
"Hmph."
"I want to see what the truth really was."
It settled down, watching intently.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"So it's finally Azhdaha…"
Zhongli sighed.
"I hope this commentary can help it remember something."
Seeing his old friend reduced to this state pained him deeply.
Venti patted him lightly.
"Relax, old man."
"Things are getting better~"
Then—
He grinned.
"If it really doesn't work… ehe~ we use my old method."
"Beat it up."
"If once isn't enough, ten times."
"If that still isn't enough—call allies."
"Like Miss Ningguang's Jade Chamber."
"Or Miss Navia's 'reward' from Fontaine."
"Or… Alice."
Zhongli, Dvalin, and Hu Tao all looked at him strangely.
The Jade Chamber—capable of smashing Osial unconscious.
Navia's reward—theoretically unlimited firepower.
And Alice—
Hu Tao didn't know her.
But Zhongli and Dvalin did.
Especially Dvalin.
Stormterror's Lair used to be a fortress.
Alice turned it into ruins.
Inviting those allies…
Good grief.
"Venti," Zhongli sighed, "please behave like a human."
And then—
"No problem! I fully support this!"
Dvalin raised his hand enthusiastically.
No joke.
He and Neuvillette had already been beaten.
As dragons, Azhdaha couldn't be spared.
Otherwise, when Azhdaha recovered, wouldn't they be laughed at?
"Count me in too!"
Hu Tao grinned.
"Consultant, maybe getting beaten does restore sanity?"
Zhongli: "…"
These three…
Just a bunch of professional troublemakers.
Villa
Luo Chen continued calmly.
"For Azhdaha, like Dvalin, we'll focus on its story."
"During the Archon War, Azhdaha slumbered beneath Nantianmen, merged with the mountains."
"Due to its massive body, even minor movements caused earthquakes."
"When Morax noticed this, he came—and met Azhdaha."
"Most ancient Geo beings beneath Liyue were blind."
"Azhdaha was no exception."
"So it made a wish to Morax."
"Morax agreed—but laid down conditions."
"If one day Azhdaha disrupted order, it would be sealed again."
"Azhdaha agreed."
"Morax brought it to the surface."
"And granted it eyes."
"From that day on, Azhdaha could finally see the world."
"To repay Morax, it followed him into battle."
"It contributed greatly to ending the Archon War and protecting Liyue."
Luo Chen paused, letting the weight sink in.
Then he continued.
"But as time passed, erosion began to take hold."
"Azhdaha became feral, tormented."
"At the same time, Liyue entered a period of rapid development."
"Mining intensified."
"Over-mining."
"For Azhdaha, this was agony piled atop agony."
"Between erosion and exploitation, it lost reason."
"Even Morax's power could not save it."
"Finally, Azhdaha attacked the Chasm."
"Erosion is fate—unavoidable."
"But Liyue's excessive mining accelerated it."
"Though done for development, it was still wrong."
"Azhdaha was one of Liyue's protectors."
"One of its benefactors."
"In that sense…"
"It was a form of ingratitude."
"Much like Mondstadt's treatment of Dvalin."
Ordinary Chat Group
Lawrence:
So that's how it was… then let me ask—
you forgot your benefactor too. Why were you lecturing us yesterday?
Harry:
Exactly! You weren't any better—what moral high ground were you standing on?
Swan:
Aren't you ashamed?
Victoria:
…They're right. We truly did wrong. (sigh)
Ellen:
We should learn from this. We can't let Dvalin feel abandoned again!
Teppei:
Phew. At least Inazuma doesn't have dragons.
Effie:
Fontaine has the Hydro Dragon—but we would never betray Lord Neuvillette!
Monie:
Exactly! Four hundred years ago was old corruption!
Today, Fontaine trusts Lord Neuvillette completely!
…
The Grand Sage almost joined in—
Then remembered how badly Mondstadt roasted him yesterday.
He shut up.
"Hmph. Your ignorance is beneath discussion."
As for the people of Liyue—
They couldn't say a word.
Yesterday, they mocked Mondstadt.
Today, they were exposed.
Double standards, laid bare.
Public execution.
They had no defense.
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