Introducing Zhongli

Lumine and Paimon returned to the entrance of Northland Bank.

Childe was already waiting at the door.

It seemed the Fatui had a great many informants.

She wondered whether they had people at Wangshu Inn as well.

Lumine thought that probably wasn't the case.

Otherwise, Xiao and Mu Yang would not have remained indifferent.

She walked up to Childe.

He wore his usual friendly expression.

A smile still rested on his lips.

"You're finally back. How did your trip to Jueyun Karst go?"

Lumine told him everything she had seen and heard.

Of course, she only mentioned Cloud Retainer and the others.

Mu Yang was not included.

Childe nodded repeatedly after listening.

"I see..."

"Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer, the Demon Slayer Great Sage..."

Clearly, some of those titles were not in the Fatui's intelligence network.

Childe behaved like a close partner.

"As a return gift, I have some information for you as well."

He told Lumine about the Qixing's response to the Geo Archon's death.

Their handling of the matter was quite thought-provoking.

"They announced that, since the true culprit had not yet been found, no one was permitted to view the 'Remains of the Primordial One.'"

"They even attempted to suppress the news... But the Rite of Ascension had drawn crowds from all over, and even the Qixing found it difficult to stop the rumors."

Paimon asked Childe.

"What are the 'Remains of the Primordial One'?"

Childe explained.

By Liyue's common understanding,

Rex Lapis was also an adeptus.

The Geo Archon was the God of Contracts and was also known as the ancestor of all adepti.

That was why the shell of the Geo Archon's body was called the "Remains of the Primordial One."

Childe then shifted the topic back to the adepti.

"All of the current Yakshas once made contracts to watch over Liyue."

Paimon nodded in agreement.

"So that's how it is. No wonder they care so much about Liyue."

Childe said that the adepti had both the responsibility and the right.

"Now that the Qixing governing Liyue have run into trouble, the adepti have the right to demand an explanation."

"The Geo Archon's soul has ascended deep into the heavens, so why has the body he left behind been hidden by the Qixing? It is truly suspicious..."

After speaking, Childe looked at Lumine's expression.

Lumine looked somewhat troubled.

"I can't really accept this approach either."

Paimon followed Lumine's lead.

"Ah! That's right, we came here to find that god in the first place."

"If the Liyue Qixing hide the 'Remains of the Primordial One' and won't let anyone get close..."

"Then Lumine's goal of visiting all seven gods will be completely ruined!"

Lumine had told Paimon on the way here

that aside from meeting Mu Yang,

she could just act normally about everything else.

Otherwise, with Paimon's mouth, trying to rein her in might make her more likely to give something away.

Sure enough, Childe became interested as soon as he heard that.

He pressed Paimon for details.

"Oh? You're seeking out the Seven? What for?"

Lumine answered coldly, "None of your business. No comment."

Childe heard that answer.

Not only did he not get angry,

he even smiled and praised Lumine.

It was a good answer.

As expected of Mondstadt's Honorary Knight.

She would not be so easily coaxed into revealing information to the Fatui.

After finishing the flattery,

Childe crossed his hands.

"This time, I can still help you."

"Huh? Really?"

Paimon found it a little hard to believe.

From the beginning until now,

Lumine had always been rather wary of Childe.

She had not expected Childe to extend a helping hand again and again.

Guinaifen saw this

and analyzed it.

"Look at how badly we're treating him, and he's still smiling the whole time."

"And he still wants to keep helping us. Isn't that obvious enough?"

"He's definitely here with a mission."

Is he affecting my ability to admire his slim waist?

Alright, alright, so that's how we're playing it?

Don't rush. Let's see what the Qixing have to say first. We haven't even met anyone from the Qixing yet; this is all Childe's one-sided account.

The Qixing? Has our wanted status been cleared yet? Don't let us turn into prison fodder later.

The adepti should have arrived already, right?

"Give me some time. Some time... to find someone."

"I'll find someone for you who can break this deadlock."

Lumine was half-convinced.

But Childe suddenly spread his hands.

With a cheerful tone, he said,

"Ah... How interesting."

"The calmer the suppression during the planning stage, the more violent the chaos when it finally erupts."

"To witness the collapse of the undercurrents with my own eyes, you must make sure to stay alive until we meet again."

Lumine rolled her eyes.

"You're not suited to saying things like that."

Childe smiled, waved his hand, and walked into Northland Bank.

After that, it was time to wait for Childe's reply.

During that period,

Mu Yang relied on the system to conceal his presence

and remained by Lumine's side the entire time.

Though he knew Childe's last words were merely posturing.

Lumine's value to the Fatui had only just begun to show itself.

They would never send anyone to attack her.

The Qixing would not do that either.

Several days passed in Teyvat.

Lumine finally received word from Northland Bank.

When she arrived at the bank, the receptionist told her

that Lord Childe had fulfilled their agreement.

"Is this about finding someone, like you said before?"

The receptionist replied.

"Yes. Lord Childe promised to find someone who could break the deadlock for you."

"A Fatui Executive's promise never falls through."

Afterward, the receptionist told the two of them to go to Liuli Pavilion to find Childe.

At the mention of that, Paimon was no longer sleepy.

All along the way, she introduced Lumine to Liyue cuisine.

There was no fighting needed for this part, so Guinaifen watched the story with a carefree look.

She made snide remarks as she watched.

"Paimon only looks like a guide at times like this."

Classic freeloading.

Her most useful episode.

Why are there only Liyue dishes and Yue dishes? Shouldn't our great Dragon Country have a hundred flowers blooming?

Are you looking for—Wanmin Restaurant?

"Speaking of Wanmin Restaurant, everyone, should I build Xiangling? Teach me, I'm really conflicted."

Build her, of course. Give her a Flowing Moon Needle and she'll be unbeatable.

Don't listen to the nonsense upstairs. Look up a guide instead.

She's genuinely very useful. If she isn't, I'll eat ramen upside down.

I'll smash a Chest Crushing Stone on my damn chest, then.

Guinaifen had not expected that one question

to send the chat discussion a little off track.

And it seemed to be getting out of control.

She could only hurriedly advance the dialogue herself.

She moved the character to the front of Liuli Pavilion

and entered the cutscene.

"Everyone, stop discussing those crazy stunts for now. I've already played them all out."

"This is a Genshin Impact livestream. Let's watch the Genshin Impact story instead."

Over in Teyvat,

Lumine arrived outside Liuli Pavilion.

Childe told her

that he had found someone who could solve the problem of "the Geo Archon's divine body being hidden by the Qixing."

That person was waiting inside right now.

"Come with me. I've prepared a—"

"Mm, in this country, a meeting ritual called a 'banquet.'"

Liyue has drinking-table culture too?

Sure. Important matters are discussed over the dinner table. That's very Liyue.

Now that's the right flavor.

Lumine nodded.

She followed behind Childe.

Two attendants came out to greet them with practiced tact.

"It is an honor to see Lord Childe again. Your presence brightens our humble establishment."

"The private room is ready. Mr. Zhongli is waiting for you both."