"Impossible. Absolutely impossible!"
Kaeya stared at Cao Zhong, who had just casually executed a flawless series of sword techniques, as if he'd seen a ghost.
He knew Cao Zhong too well.
They'd been through thick and thin together—fought side by side, shared spoils, even gotten into all sorts of questionable trouble together.
But never—not once—had he seen Cao Zhong wield a sword like this.
And now, out of nowhere, this display?
Kaeya couldn't believe it.
A thought suddenly crossed his mind—those wildly popular "rebirth" novels from the past couple of years.
Was this guy really his best friend… or had he been possessed?
"I'll ask, you answer. If you get it right, I'll believe you're the real Cao Zhong."
Kaeya still looked at him with suspicion.
Cao Zhong sighed. Now I've become the fake one?
"Go ahead."
"Listen carefully!"
"First question—how much money does Venti have in his bank account?"
"He doesn't even have a bank account."
"Correct!"
Cao Zhong smiled slightly. That was supposed to be difficult?
Nearby, Jean and the others looked confused. The question was about how much money Venti had—so how was "he doesn't have a bank account" the correct answer?
Kaeya noticed their confusion and explained:
"Because Venti has no money. So of course he doesn't have a bank account!"
Jean and the others suddenly understood.
Barbara snorted coldly.
"A lazy drunk who loafs around all day like him deserves exactly that. The Anemo Archon ought to have him rummaging through trash for food!"
Cao Zhong: …I have a comment, but I'm not sure if I should say it.
Barbara, for your own sake, you'd better never learn Venti's true identity… I'm afraid your entire faith might collapse.
"So… does that count as correct?" Cao Zhong asked, looking at Kaeya.
"Second question!"
"Question: When Acting Grand Master Jean was eighteen, she 'broke' something and was very happy about it. What was it?"
Kaeya pointed at Cao Zhong, signaling him to answer immediately.
Cao Zhong spread his hands. Easy.
But the onlookers were not calm.
They all turned to Jean at once.
"Big sister, you…?"
Barbara covered her mouth, her eyes full of shock.
Her beloved sister… actually…
"Acting Grand Master Jean, you…?"
Amber stared at Jean in disbelief.
At that moment, the untouchable image in her heart shattered.
"So even a daughter of the Gunnhildr Clan has such a side… how disappointing."
Eula's proud gaze carried a trace of disappointment.
Jean panicked.
"No! It's not what you think!"
She tried desperately to explain—but she didn't even know the answer herself. She was completely at a loss.
"Cao Zhong, you know the answer, right? Hurry and tell them—it's not what they think!"
Jean was truly flustered now.
"It's a record."
Cao Zhong answered calmly.
"…Huh?"
Barbara, Amber, Eula—even Jean herself—were all stunned.
What kind of answer was that?
They all looked at Kaeya to confirm.
"Correct. It's a record."
"When Jean was eighteen, she broke the record for becoming the youngest Acting Grand Master."
Only then did Jean finally relax.
Then she shot Barbara and the others an exasperated look.
"Honestly, what on earth have you all been thinking about all day?"
"Uh… sorry, Acting Grand Master Jean…"
Barbara, Amber, and Eula all flushed red with embarrassment.
At that moment, the group chat suddenly became lively.
[Venti: @Barbara, Barbara, are you there? Are you there?]
[Hu Tao: What's this about? Reporting Cao Zhong's misdeeds?]
[Xingqiu: @Venti, don't tell me someone got bullied and is running to tell on them?]
[Venti: What nonsense! I'm here on serious business this time!]
Barbara frowned as she looked at Venti's message.
Just seeing this street loafer irritated her.
A lazy freeloader like him ought to go meet the Anemo Archon sooner rather than later.
Still… he had tagged her. Ignoring him wouldn't be appropriate.
Suppressing her discomfort, Barbara replied.
[Barbara: @Venti, what is it? Say it. I'm very busy!]
[Bennett: Huh… Miss Barbara seems especially cold today.]
[Barbara: @Bennett, no, no~ Don't say such things, Bennett. Children shouldn't make things up!]
[Bennett: Ah… guess I was mistaken.]
[Barbara's #1 Fan: Miss Barbara is so cute! I'm Miss Barbara's dog!]
…
[Venti: Well… here's the thing. Could I borrow the Holy Lyre der Himmel for a while?]
As if worried Barbara might refuse, he quickly added:
[Venti: I know it's very precious. I'll return it as soon as possible.]
If chatting with Venti had only made Barbara uncomfortable before…
Now she was practically exploding.
[Barbara: @Venti, are you serious? Who do you think you are—the Anemo Archon? You think I'll just lend it to you? What if you break it?!]
[Kaeya: @Venti, to be fair, asking to borrow the lyre is a bit much. It's a treasure left behind by the Anemo Archon.]
[Hu Tao: Wow, something left by the Anemo Archon? Yeah, that's definitely too much. Why would anyone lend it to a street loafer like you?]
[Cao Zhong: Aba aba aba.]
[Paimon: Huh? Why is Cao Zhong so quiet today? He'd never miss a chance to mock Venti. Did he get caught cheating and poisoned mute?]
[Cao Zhong: @Paimon, I'll eat you tomorrow!]
…
On Venti's side, seeing everyone doubt him, he sighed softly.
Looks like he had no choice but to reveal the truth.
[Venti: I wanted to live among you as an ordinary person… but all I got was slander. Fine, I'll stop pretending—I am Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. I'm coming clean!]
[Jean: ?]
[Kaeya: ??]
[Amber: ???]
…
[Barbara: @Venti, why haven't you died yet?!]