The Villa
Luo Chen continued,
"There are still many untold stories about the Yakshas."
"If everyone's interested, we can open a separate segment later just to cover them."
"At this point, among Morax's five Yaksha generals—
three are dead, one is gravely injured,
and the last barely survived."
"Even then, he lives every day burdened by karmic debt."
"Enduring it alone."
Wangshu Inn
"Bosacius… Menogias… Bonanus… Indarias…"
As the light screen recounted the Yakshas' fate, Xiao's thoughts drifted.
Memories surfaced—
Moments of laughter and camaraderie.
The most peaceful days of his life.
Then—
The scenes shattered.
Replaced by blood, screams, and madness.
Bonanus killing Menogias.
Dying from her own wounds.
Indarias perishing to madness.
Bosacius disappearing, becoming the nameless Yaksha.
Xiao dropped to one knee, clutching his chest.
They were his family.
And this was how they ended.
But suddenly—
He remembered something.
His head snapped up toward the light screen, eyes blazing with hope.
"The light screen!"
"Even if the chance is slim—there's still a chance!"
"Menogias… Bonanus… Indarias… they might return!"
"And Bosacius—"
"When the time comes, I'll find you."
"And bring you home."
Xiao straightened.
The Yakshas deserved more than this ending.
They deserved to see the Liyue they had protected.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"The Yakshas…"
Zhongli's expression was complicated.
Liyue's prosperity rested heavily on their sacrifices.
Yet none of them lived to witness it.
Xiao remained—
Still alone at Wangshu Inn.
Still fulfilling his duty.
Still slaying demons.
But at least—
Xiao lived.
Zhongli turned to Venti, who was staring gloomily into his tea.
"Barbatos… thank you."
"If not for you, Xiao might have—"
"Oh, come on."
Venti waved it off casually.
"Just a small favor."
Then—
"Since you're thanking me, how about a bottle of wine?"
"I'm really not used to your tea."
Truth was, he did still have wine.
Otherworldly wine.
But… mouth-chewed wine was still under consideration.
Zhongli paused, then smiled.
"Of course."
He stood—
And then—
Clang!
Three bottles slammed onto the table.
Hu Tao.
"Here you go, Venti!"
"This one's on me!"
"If it's not enough, say the word—
I'll keep them coming!"
"Wha—!"
Venti's eyes lit up.
"Boss, you're generous!"
"Thank you, thank you!"
"May your business prosper!"
Prosper.
Hu Tao felt excellent hearing that.
Worth every bottle.
Zhongli looked over, surprised.
"Director…?"
Hu Tao crossed her arms proudly.
"The Conqueror of Demons sacrificed so much for Liyue."
"And he was saved by Venti."
"As a Liyue citizen, thanking him is only right."
"And besides—"
She grinned.
"He's your subordinate."
"And you're my subordinate."
"So that makes him my subordinate!"
"As the boss, of course I should treat him!"
Venti gave a thumbs-up.
"Spoken like a true boss!"
Zhongli smiled softly.
"Then allow me to thank you on Xiao's behalf."
"No need to be formal~"
Hu Tao waved it off and bounced back to her seat.
Zhongli watched her go, eyes full of appreciation.
Scatterbrained she might be—
But when it mattered, she never hesitated.
That was why she could shoulder Wangsheng Funeral Parlor at such a young age.
The former director had raised her well.
[Transcendent Chat Group]
Lumine:
Oh? So it was a certain slacker who saved Xiao? How curious~ 😏
Paimon:
Yeah yeah! Who could it be? Totally mysterious! 🙃
Alice:
Hard to guess~ Maybe Rex Lapis? 🐶
Kujou Sara:
No, clearly Her Excellency the Almighty Narukami Ogosho! 🐶
Nilou:
I think it was Lesser Lord Kusanali! 🐶
Clorinde:
Ahem… surely Lady Furina? 🐶
Venti:
Exactly! Who could that handsome, righteous, kind soul be? 🐶
Dvalin:
Ugh… Barbatos, you've had too much to drink.
Xiao:
…
Xiao:
Thank you, Lord Barbatos.
Venti:
No worries~ Your boss's boss already paid me in wine!
Xiao:
My boss's… boss?
Xiao froze.
The Geo Archon's boss…?
Celestia?
Then—
Hu Tao:
That's me~ Remember to send clients my way, okay?
Xiao:
…
Alright.
That counted.
Xiao:
Understood. Thank you, Miss Hu Tao.
The Villa
Luo Chen summarized,
"Morax lost Guizhong and Marchosius."
"Sealed his companion and comrade—Azhdaha—with his own hands."
"Lost adepti like the Illuminated Beast."
"Lost four loyal Yaksha generals."
"And beyond that—"
"Countless adepti, soldiers, and Millelith."
"All of this adds a heavy tragic hue to the God of War."
"Gods have emotions too."
"After witnessing the deaths of so many companions…"
"Even Morax grew weary."
"And that weariness planted the seed for a decision he would make in the original future."
Luo Chen sighed.
Apart from Mondstadt—protected by 'starter region immunity'—
Every nation's gods suffered more than the last.
In Liyue—
Zhongli watched friend after friend fade.
Leaving only,
'I wish to buy osmanthus wine and share it… but where are those who once did?'
In Inazuma—
Ei lost Makoto, Kitsune Saiguu, Chiyo, Sasayuri.
And sealed herself in the Plane of Euthymia.
In Sumeru—
Nahida was imprisoned for five hundred years.
Then erased her most beloved predecessor with her own hands.
In Fontaine—
Furina endured five hundred years of solitude as a human.
Succeeded—
But Focalors and the Hydro Throne were annihilated.
Natlan and Snezhnaya weren't even out yet—
But knowing Mihoyo?
It wouldn't be pretty.
Even Celestia might be the same.
Tragedy, all the way up.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"Guizhong… Marchosius… Azhdaha… Bosacius…"
Zhongli murmured each name.
Memories flickered—
Warmth, laughter, trust.
Then loss.
"I wish to buy osmanthus wine and share it…"
"But when will old friends return…?"
"When?"
Venti poured wine and smiled.
"Today. Tomorrow. Or someday."
"But it won't be a regret anymore."
"And hey—
I'm here now, aren't I?"
"Staring off like that won't help."
"God of War shouldn't look like this."
"Your friends wouldn't want it either."
"Come—drink."
"…You're right."
Zhongli accepted the cup.
"To the light screen."
"To friendship."
"To those we've lost."
"Hey, what about me?"
Dvalin protested.
Venti rolled his eyes but poured him a bowl.
Zhongli chuckled.
"Then—drink."
Nearby, Hu Tao sighed.
"Looks like this won't be enough wine…"
Time to restock.
Tenshukaku
Ei stared at the light screen, dazed.
Memories resurfaced.
Makoto.
Saiguu.
Chiyo.
Yae spoke softly.
"Thinking about the past?"
Ei nodded.
"Morax's story reminded me…"
Yae smiled faintly.
"I miss Lady Saiguu too."
"That fox tricked me into being shrine maiden with fried tofu—
then vanished."
Ei laughed softly.
"When I see Makoto again, I'll settle accounts too."
They smiled at each other.
Then turned back to the light screen.
[Transcendent Chat Group]
Nahida:
Loss of friends, sealing comrades, losing subordinates, erosion… So this was the Geo Archon's journey…
Guoba:
lulu~
Furina:
Not many could bear that.
Navia:
Compared to that… my pain feels small.
Then she paused.
"…That's not something to compete over."
She smiled bitterly.
Azhdaha:
Impossible! I was sealed by Morax?! He betrayed me!
Cloud Retainer:
Sigh… Just keep watching.
Venti:
If it doesn't work, smack him a few times like Dvalin! 🐶
Dvalin:
…
Ningguang:
Liyue remembers Rex Lapis—and all who stood with him.
Keqing:
I'll make the arrangements.
Ganyu:
None will be forgotten.
Granny Ping:
Good.
Xiao:
Good.
Lumine:
So… what was that "decision" in the original future? 🤔
Alice:
Related to the assassination?
Zhongli:
Keep watching.
Zhongli stared into his wine.
If he guessed correctly—
It was the contract with the Tsaritsa.
But now…
"Let's wait."
"Three thousand seven hundred years is nothing."
The Villa
Luo Chen took a sip of water.
"By now, everyone should understand Morax's journey."
"The Seven aren't gods for free."
"Every throne is paid for."
"Originally, this concludes the tragic evaluation."
"But after consideration—"
"There is one more god who must be mentioned."
"Not Morax's friend—"
"But someone whose fate deeply affected him."
"To destroy you—what does that have to do with you?"
"And so—"
"We must talk about her."
"The Salt God — Havria."
Pearl Galley
"Finally!"
Wan Yan clenched her fists, eyes burning.
A descendant of Havria's followers—
She believed the Salt God was assassinated by Morax through despicable means.
In Liyue—
No one believed her.
Now—
With the light screen—
Morax's "crimes" would be exposed.
Havria would be vindicated.
Her excitement tipped into obsession.
Nearby passengers quietly moved away.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
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