Following Xiao, they flew along.
Finally, Venti was brought to the top of Mt. Tianheng.
Zhongli had already prepared drinks there.
But when Venti saw it, he swallowed hard, awkwardly saying:
"Old man, it's not that serious, is it? I didn't hear it on purpose. No need to silence me, right?"
Zhongli glanced at Venti. Xiao had already left when Venti said that.
He wouldn't dare to stay there when Zhongli was in a bad mood.
If that phrase "hit your ancestors" was said about anyone else, Xiao wouldn't care, but if it was about his own Archon…
Hearing someone badmouthing his leader right in front of him, wouldn't that cause trouble?
Zhongli gestured for Venti to sit, which made Venti even more panicked.
"No way, old man, why are you coming after me instead of Azhdaha? I swear I won't say a word!"
Zhongli put down his teacup and said softly:
"We've been friends for thousands of years. In your eyes, am I such a petty person?"
"Impossible, impossible! How could you be a petty person, old man?"
He was clearly a petty dragon!
Venti chuckled, secretly channeling his Divine Power, ready to flee at any sign of trouble.
Zhongli looked at him calmly, then meaningfully said:
"I naturally trust your character, but you should also know that a bard's nature is to exaggerate and sing about things."
"That's other people!"
Venti patted his chest earnestly, his face solemn:
"Old man, you know me best! How could a reliable person like me do such exaggerated things! I have integrity!"
Zhongli was noncommittal.
This guy has integrity?
Does he even know how to write the word "integrity"?
Stealing the Cryo Archon's scepter and replacing it with a Hilichurl's torch.
Tampering with his Contract.
Drinking and sleeping in Fontaine, the Hydro Archon's abode, in a court representing fairness and justice.
Pouring water into the volcano revered as Natlan's sacred mountain, calling it "fire extinguishing"...
If this guy had any integrity, Zhongli would willingly be "hit by Azhdaha's ancestors."
But since they were old friends, Zhongli was willing to give Venti some face, provided that...
He also had to give Zhongli some face.
Strands of Divine Power condensed, and a brilliant Contract emerged.
"I naturally trust you, but I trust contracts more."
Zhongli sipped his tea, saying faintly:
"Some things, some words, are best kept locked away by a contract. Don't you think so?"
Zhongli wore a benevolent smile, his Divine Power already enveloping Venti.
If Venti dared to say no, Zhongli would bring up old scores.
Venti swallowed hard.
"Divine... Divine Power Contract... Old man, you really are..."
Just as he was about to complain, Venti suddenly noticed Zhongli's gaze and quickly changed his words:
"As expected of the God of Contracts, this integrity, I can't even compare! To show my respect to you, old man, I'll sign!"
Venti signed his name with a tearful expression.
His original plan for an epic poem about the grievances and affections between Azhdaha Dragon King and Rex Lapis would now probably be missing its most important section.
Zhongli contentedly put away the Contract and took out a bottle of rare old wine.
With this, Venti immediately forgot his previous frustration and happily embraced the bottle, drinking it.
Anyway, Zhongli didn't drink much at times like this, so this was Zhongli's hush money to him.
He wouldn't be polite with Zhongli.
After thousands of years as old friends, how could Venti not know how many treasures Zhongli had?
It was just that he didn't dare to steal them...
"Do you think the current Lion of the South can bear the responsibility of Mondstadt?"
Zhongli suddenly asked softly.
Venti's expression dimmed slightly.
"Jean... I believe in her. Although she's still a bit naive, she will grow rapidly. No one is more suitable to be Mondstadt's guide than her."
Saying this, Venti let out a self-deprecating laugh.
"But what right do I, a derelict Anemo Archon, have to evaluate her? Even my own people..."
Venti thought of The Doctor again, his eyes filled with surging killing intent.
Don't assume the free Anemo Archon wouldn't kill.
During the Archon War, many beings died by his hand.
The first ruling, none of them were easy to deal with.
Each one had fought their way up through bloodshed to their position.
It was just that times had changed, and Erosion was tormenting them.
"Although you were severely injured and dormant at the time, dereliction of duty is dereliction of duty."
Zhongli gently shook his head, his gaze also somewhat sorrowful.
"But why only you..."
"Have I not also made a great mistake?"
Perhaps to the Liyueans, Zhongli had no choice back then, he was forced.
He had to go.
The Liyueans could all understand.
But as an Archon, as a loving Archon, Zhongli would not say he was blameless.
He had failed in his duty.
The Adepti suffered heavy casualties, Bosacius was trapped and died.
The Millelith were almost wiped out, and ordinary citizens also suffered huge losses.
Even if he had a thousand reasons why he had no choice.
Failing to protect his people, that alone made him unable to tolerate his own mistakes.
His current decision to abdicate was perhaps not without guilt for the events of that year.
The two sat in silence.
There was shame for their people, and also hatred for The Heavenly Principles.
If not for The Heavenly Principles' insistence on destroying Khaenri'ah five hundred years ago, forcing Khaenri'ah to try to drag the whole world down with it.
How could the Seven Archons have suffered heavy losses?
Why would the Seven Nations suffer destruction from Abyssal creatures?
Khaenri'ah had its faults, but The Heavenly Principles was the greatest creator of tragedy.
The two said no more, just silently drank wine and tea.
...
Xinyue Kiosk, third floor.
After seeing Venti and Xiao leave, Lisa withdrew her gaze.
"Jean, that answer isn't what I want to hear, nor what everyone wants. Face this problem head-on."
Jean's eyes flickered, and she shook her head.
"I don't know what you're talking about. It's late. I'm going to copy notes. You should all get some rest."
Seeing that Jean still wouldn't budge, Lisa's voice grew a little heavier.
"If you don't say that sentence, Jean, I will leave Mondstadt and permanently settle in Liyue to research that world."
Jean froze, turning her back to Lisa and the others without a word.
"Jean, I don't want to force you..."
Lisa sighed faintly.
"But I'm in Mondstadt only because you're my friend, and Mondstadt is my home."
"Jean, Mondstadt needs a Grand Master who truly understands and cares for her, and a Knights of Favonius that is wholeheartedly dedicated to Mondstadt."
"Only you can do all of this. You are the Lion of the South, the destined Dandelion Knight. You are destined to bear the burden of the Knights of Favonius and Mondstadt."
"To put it another way, do you think Ningguang and the others would allow an unstable Knights of Favonius to cooperate with them?"
Diluc's eyes lit up, and he subtly gave Lisa a supportive look.
Diluc disliked the Knights of Favonius, even abhorred them.
The source of all this was the corrupt high-ranking officials.
But if Jean was willing to truly become the Grand Master, take charge of the Knights of Favonius, and purge the corrupt high-ranking officials.
Diluc guaranteed he would wholeheartedly help her.
Even if Diluc still thought Jean's methods were a bit weak, he understood that only when Jean controlled the Knights of Favonius would Mondstadt improve.
Because Jean was the true person willing to dedicate her entire life to Mondstadt.
She loved Mondstadt more than anyone.
"You already know about the corruption of the Knights of Favonius's high-ranking officials. Ningguang and the others will not agree to cooperate with such officials."
"But the contract has been signed. You have become the true guide of Mondstadt. If the high-ranking officials return and seize power..."
"How can we guarantee that Liyue won't get angry? How can we guarantee that Liyue won't intervene and forcefully suppress them?"
Jean bit her lip and said coldly:
"I will settle scores with the corrupt high-ranking officials one by one. I will make those who orchestrated the events of that year pay with their lives for those children!"
"Not enough!"
Lisa's voice rose slightly, declaring:
"You must become the true Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius! You must control Mondstadt!"
"Only then can those tragedies be prevented from happening again!"
Hearing this, Jean turned around sharply.
"Lisa! Mondstadt is a nation of freedom! No one can interfere with Mondstadt's freedom!"
"So, unbridled freedom, can it make Mondstadt stronger?!"
Diluc also stood up, looking directly at Jean.
"Look at Mondstadt these past few years! Upholding freedom, the people live in hardship! Upholding freedom, the Grand Master leads the entire main force of the Knights of Favonius on an expedition!"
"Upholding freedom! The Fatui settled in, and we were powerless to resist!"
"Upholding so-called freedom! We can't even spare enough strength to clear out monsters!"
"Is this the happy life brought by Mondstadt's so-called freedom?! Why is it that by upholding freedom, the lives of Mondstadt's people don't even reach one percent of Liyue's?!"
"Is this truly freedom, or indulgence?! What I see in Mondstadt is just a bunch of insatiable giants!"
Jean fell silent.
Seeing this, Lisa also spoke:
"Jean, freedom is not wrong, but freedom is not indulgence. Freedom shouldn't have someone pulling the reins, but there must be someone who walks ahead and guides the people forward."
"Mondstadt can't afford to weaken any further. You are the only one who can end all of this."
Jean lowered her head, her emotions extremely complex.
After a long while, Jean turned and walked out the door, looking somewhat dejected.
"I will consider it carefully... But the corrupt high-ranking officials, I will definitely kill them!"
"This is what Mondstadt owes those children!"
Seeing the usually serious and responsible Grand Master Jean looking dispirited, Lumine felt worried.
"Sister Lisa, Grand Master Jean..."
"It's fine."
Lisa shook her head, her voice filled with tenderness:
"As the old Liyue saying goes, for a severe illness, you need strong medicine... The situation is not what it used to be."
"Jean will understand. Only she is truly capable of carrying the burden of Mondstadt."
Pausing, Lisa regained her smile and teased:
"Lumine, you're also an Honorary Knight and a member of the Knights of Favonius. So, who do you think is more qualified, Jean or Grand Master Varka?"
"Grand Master Jean, of course!"
Lumine nodded decisively.
"Grand Master Jean is wholeheartedly devoted to Mondstadt, while that Grand Master went on an expedition with the main force out of temporary enthusiasm. No matter how you look at it, it's more fitting for Grand Master Jean to truly become Mondstadt's guide, right?"
Lisa chuckled and patted Lumine's head.
"Yes... That's what everyone in the Knights of Favonius thinks..."
"And the citizens of Mondstadt, although they pursue freedom, they also clearly know who can better lead Mondstadt."
"All of this, only Jean doesn't understand, or rather, the rigid Jean is unwilling to think about these things..."
Saying this, Lisa paused and said softly:
"And now... we don't have much time."
"Jean must make a decision immediately! This is the best opportunity."
Lumine somewhat understood Lisa and their intentions, but still worried:
"But... can Grand Master Jean really stand against Mondstadt's main force that's on the expedition?"
Hearing this, Lisa laughed softly and shook her head.
"Don't underestimate Mondstadt."
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