The moment Xianyun saw Guizhong—she froze. She had only come to check on her disciples, Ganyu and Shenhe, which brought her down from Jueyun Karst to Liyue Harbor. She had heard from passersby that some kind of Lantern Rite event was happening at Feiyun Slope.
Not only were Lady Yuheng and Lady Tianquan participating, but even the Hall Master of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and the young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild were involved. So she came to this shop to see for herself…
However, upon entering, she saw Zhongli and Xiao—and most outrageous of all… Guizhong! Though it was only her phantom, ever since Guizhong's untimely death in the Archon War, Xianyun had missed her dearly.
Xianyun loved and excelled in mechanisms. Before the Archon War, she often competed with Guizhong in mechanical arts. They would place their newest inventions on a stone table to compare.
For Xianyun, mechanisms had many marvelous uses, but were sometimes little more than a pastime to while away the hours. One snowy year in Liyue, when the depths of Mt. Aocang were buried, Xianyun, seeing everyone idle in their abodes, invented the "Wind-Chasing Ski Automaton." She and Guizhong had great fun with it.
They often argued heatedly over their inventions, each standing firm. Guizhong's "Veiled Fox Mechanism" was a step above, and during the Archon War it was even used in battle. Xianyun later improved the Guizhong Ballista in her memory—it still stands on Mt. Tianheng today.
Thus, when war flared among the gods, Morax, the God of Contracts, filled with compassion, aligned his will with Adepti such as Cloud Retainer. The Adepti heeded the decree and joined his campaigns, eventually pacifying the land and restoring peace under heaven. Later generations, recalling that age of heroes and Adepti, could not help but feel stirred.
…In that war, Xianyun lost the one who had most often challenged her in mechanical arts. After Guizhong's passing, Xianyun grew silent, speaking only when activating talismans. After the war, she secluded herself in crane form, surfacing rarely in human guise—the last recorded instance more than thirty years ago.
…
Guizhong's phantom extended a hand from her wide sleeves and smiled at Xianyun:
"Crane, Crane Don't cry~"
Only then did Xianyun realize tears had slipped down her cheeks. The joy of reuniting with an old friend made her weep with relief.
Zhongli said apologetically:
"This [Lock of the Mortal World]—I have not unsealed it… still, it has been a long time, Guizhong."
Guizhong laughed. "Hahaha, no need to worry about the seal." She twirled in midair, sweeping her gaze over Luya's shop, and exclaimed in wonder:
"Whoa!? What are all these machines!? They look incredible!!!"
Hearing Guizhong's words, Xianyun finally took in the shop as well. The many Duel Stages sparked her curiosity. She soon laughed:
"Not only do I get to reunite with an old friend, but I also see so many wondrous machines! Truly marvelous! Machines like these… even I could never build!!!"
For Cloud Retainer, who prided herself on her craft, to admit such a thing—the phantom of Guizhong covered her mouth with her sleeves, laughing. She teased:
"Hahaha! Never thought I'd see the day you admitted defeat! We competed hundreds, thousands of times a millennium ago, and you never conceded once. And now you give up so quickly… What a pity—I'm only a phantom. Otherwise… I'd love to compete again, to see how far your skills have grown in these millennia."
Xianyun pushed up her red-rimmed glasses and said confidently:
"Though I cannot match the one who built these machines, surpassing you is effortless."
Seeing Guizhong and Xianyun bickering right after reuniting, Zhongli felt nostalgic—as though returned to the days before the Archon War, when gods and Adepti drank, feasted, and debated at Guili Plains.
Back when Guoba was still the Stove God, with consciousness. Back when Madam Ping was still one of the Three-Eyed Five-Manifested Adepti, Streetward Rambler.
At that time, Guizhong argued that mechanisms could not fully replace human composition, but their works could match simple creations.
Madam Ping countered that music was the voice of the soul, born of feeling, and could never be generated by machines. They quarreled endlessly until Zhongli intervened, taking the Bell of Cleansing to oversee ceremonies, resolving the dispute. After that, they laid down their quarrel, forging a deep friendship. They often met in the mountains, discussing music, mechanisms, and the mortal world.
Later, as the Archon War raged, Guili Plains burned. Guizhong fell in battle. Afterward, at Madam Ping's request, Zhongli entrusted her with the Bell of Cleansing. Madam Ping withdrew to the city and from time to time reminisced with Xianyun about their friend… Guizhong.
Albeit after the Archon War, Guoba slumbered, Guizhong died, Madam Ping secluded herself, and Xianyun retreated to Jueyun Karst. Those past gatherings Zhongli remembered fondly…
When Luya used the Card Furnace to successfully craft [Goddess of Dust – Guizhong], just like when he had created [Great General of the Valiant Tusk – Bosacius], Zhongli felt his mood lift once again, his erosion lessened, his body comfortable…
When Luya saw that everyone had reminisced enough, he retrieved the [Goddess of Dust – Guizhong] card from the Furnace. On the card, Guizhong danced with the wind upon Guili Plains, Glaze Lilies blooming around her.
Luya noticed at once… this card was different from normal ones. On the left was a blue gem marked with the number 1. On the right was a red gem also marked with the number 1. The upper half of the card bore the color of a Monster Card, while the lower half was that of a Spell Card.
"Wha—this is a Pendulum Card!?"
It was the first time—a Pendulum Card of the Genshin world had been crafted!
[Goddess of Dust – Guizhong] Level 10│Pendulum Scale: 1 / 1│EARTH│Divine│2000 ATK / 1000 DEF
Luya glanced at it, then handed it to Zhongli. It had been crafted using Zhongli's belongings, so it belonged to him.
Zhongli took [Goddess of Dust – Guizhong], looked at it, bowed his head in thought, and asked Luya:
"Shopkeeper… this… What is a Pendulum Card?"
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going!
[Patreon.com/RedZTL]