As Su Ming spoke, the scene fell into a deathly silence.
Keqing, in particular, was stunned. She never could have imagined that the fake death of Rex Lapis was merely a test for Liyue. The purpose of this ordeal was to see if Liyue was ready to leave the gods behind and fully enter the Age of Humanity. This made her feel a wave of trepidation and guilt, considering how she had often spoken disrespectfully of the Emperor in the past.
The Adepti also seemed unable to believe the facts Su Ming had presented.
Moon Carver hurriedly asked, "Su Ming, is that truly what the Emperor was thinking?!"
Su Ming smiled and replied, "Though the Emperor hasn't admitted it personally, it's more or less the case. The old man has been on the clock for thousands of years. Are you really not going to let him retire?"
Su Ming's words left the Adepti choked and speechless.
Hearing Su Ming's analogy, Paimon couldn't help but shrink her neck. "Eek... that sounds terrifying... Working for thousands of years... isn't that like doing thousands of years' worth of commissions without a break? Just thinking about it makes my hair stand on end."
Lumine nodded in agreement. Her principle for accepting commissions was simple: high pay and fast results. Finishing one job meant she could try to coast for a month. To work every day for thousands of years... to her, that sounded like a horror story.
Su Ming finished speaking, a smirk of satisfaction playing on his lips.
Want to retire? Did you ask me first?
In Liyue Harbor, the previously evacuated citizens were beginning to return to their homes.
For most, this crisis felt like a dreama nightmare that had ended rather abruptly. It was as if they were being pursued by a terrifying demon in a dream, only for the demon to trip over its own feet and die.
When Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, rose from the sea, most of Liyue's people had been plunged into despair. After all, that was an ancient god! He was the rival of the Lord of Rock himself back in the day! Could the Millelith, led by the Liyue Qixing, the Jade Chamber, and a few Adepti, really stop Osial?
But soon, a giant sword descended from the heavens, shocking them for the first time. To the common folk of Liyue, that scene was like something out of a novel, a Liyue opera, or the legends of the Emperor told by storytellers in the streets.
However, everyone knew it wasn't the Emperor's handiwork. The chill carried by that giant sword was so intense it drifted across the Sea of Clouds, bringing a sudden cold snap to the citizens in the harbor. That was not the Emperor's style.
And so, through word of mouth, a legend of a "Sword Immortal" was added to Liyue's folklore in just half a day.
But just after the Sword Immortal slew the god, an even more surprising event occurred. Guess what? The Emperor was alive!
Perhaps from the Jade Chamber high above the Sea of Clouds, one couldn't see what was happening in the harbor. But the citizens who hadn't yet evacuated to safety saw a dragon-shaped figure rising near the docks. Coupled with that warm, familiar power, everyone who witnessed it felt a sense of kinship and peace in their hearts.
There was no doubtthat was the true form of Rex Lapis! The Emperor was not dead!
The entirety of Liyue Harbor erupted in celebration. Cheers resounded throughout the cityexcept within the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Director Hu was wearing a sour expression, looking far from happy. The Rite of Parting was such a massive contract! If it had been completed, she wouldn't have needed to work for more than six months!
Emperor, why did you have to come back to life? Couldn't you just stay in the ground peacefully?!
"Sigh... I wonder if the Qixing will still hold the Rite of Parting? Even though Wangsheng Funeral Parlor didn't spend a cent on materials, the labor invested in the early stages was significant... No, if the Rite is canceled, I'll have to drag Zhongli to the Jade Chamber to demand compensation!"
Director Hu wasn't the only one out of step with the city's festive atmosphere.
Inside the Northland Bank, Tartaglia stared silently at Signora. He pointed at Zhongli, who was calmly sipping tea beside him, and repeated his question for the third time. "Is this guy... really the Geo Archon? The Rex Lapis?"
Signora replied with a look of disdain, "This is the third time you've asked. I have no interest in answering you again."
"This isn't scientific... why does Morax have no Mora..."
Signora paused. "What are you talking about?"
"Didn't the staff here tell you?" Tartaglia sighed. "The reason the expenses of the Liyue branch of the Northland Bank have skyrocketed lately is largely due to our 'Lord Geo Archon.' He either eats without paying, buys things with no money, or claims he's treating someone to a meal only for me to end up footing the bill. And then there's..."
Zhongli coughed lightly. "Young man, that's quite enough. Continuing further would be impolite."
Signora was still completely baffled. Clearly, she couldn't comprehend Morax lacking Mora, much like she couldn't comprehend how Barbatos, who theoretically possessed the world's greatest speed, had failed to save her lover all those years ago.
However, Signora's greatest strength was her directness. Since she didn't understand the small talk, she decided to get straight to the point.
"According to the contract, I have come to collect your Gnosis, Morax."
Zhongli smiled, set down his teacup, and stood up. His voice carried a natural, inviolable majesty. "The contract is fulfilled; I grant you that which was promised."
As he spoke, Zhongli opened his palm, and the Gnosis materialized above it.
At that exact moment, the closed doors were pushed open.
"Oh, it seems I'm a bit late. But the timing isn't too bad. Old man, you wouldn't mind if I acted as a witness to this, would you?"
Su Ming walked into the room, followed by Lumine and Paimon. The two of them were already dumbstruck. Though they had just entered, Signora hadn't bothered to lower her voice, so the three of them had heard everything clearly.
Upon entering, Paimon immediately flew up to Zhongli's face. "You... you really are the Geo Archon! For real?!"
"In the flesh," Zhongli said with a faint smile, naturally admitting his identity. Then he looked at Su Ming and chuckled. "You did well."
Su Ming shrugged. "If I could, I'd rather stay home and read novels than go fight Osial."
Lumine stepped forward. "Zhongli... I have some questions for you. Could you..."
Zhongli interrupted her but added, "I can, but you'll have to wait a moment."
"Ah! The Gnosis!" Paimon spotted the object in Zhongli's hand and cried out, "Zhongli, are you going to give the Gnosis to the Fatui? Why?!"
"What a noisy little creature. You talk too much," Signora snapped, casting an unfriendly glance at Paimon.
Just as she was about to say more, a sharp blade appeared out of nowhere, stopping right at her throat.
"You also talk too much. When adults are speaking, children shouldn't interrupt," Su Ming said, still smiling, though his aura was anything but weak.
Immediately after, several flying swords emerged from the air, each one aimed at Signora's vital points.
"You can take a gamble. Bet on whether I have 'gentlemanly grace' and if I'm the type to 'show mercy to the fair sex'."
Signora looked at Su Ming with deep wariness and stood perfectly still.
Seeing this, Zhongli didn't say much. He simply turned to Tartaglia. "It seems the messenger of the Tsaritsa is currently indisposed. However, I suppose it makes little difference if I hand it to you instead."
With that, Zhongli placed the Gnosis into Tartaglia's hand and walked out the door.
Su Ming chuckled, waved his hand to disperse the sword formation, and said to Tartaglia, "My promise is still valid. That is, of course, if you dare to come find me."
Having said his piece, he followed Zhongli out. Paimon and Lumine followed closely behind.
After they were gone, Tartaglia stepped forward and looked at the still-paralyzed Signora, mocking her. "What happened to that overbearing aura from earlier? Why did it vanish? Too scared to speak when faced with someone truly strong? The Eighth Harbinger... I guess that's all there is to you. You're not even as good as me."
Seeing that Signora didn't react, Tartaglia ignored her. He tucked the Gnosis away and fell into thought.
"Osial was killed by Mr. Su Ming in three swords, and after the battle, Mr. Su Ming could still walk away unscathed. It seems my strength isn't that far off from a god's after all. I'm probably worth about a third of an Osial. Haha! As I thought, I am constantly growing stronger!"
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