Sitting across from Yucheng, Zhongli heard his blunt words, and his golden pupils involuntarily widened before returning to normal. Zhongli looked at Shenhe, who sat to one side, and soon seemed to understand something. He glanced at the back rooms of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, then turned back.
For just an instant, Yucheng and Shenhe distinctly felt a primordial pressure. Though Zhongli had made no move from his seat across from them, his entire presence had undergone an earth-shattering change in that instant.
"How did you learn of this? Was it because of the young lady beside you?"
At Zhongli's words, even the previously composed Shenhe lost her calm. She said in surprise, "You really are Rex Lapis? When Yucheng told me you were Rex Lapis, I didn't believe him at first."
Hearing Shenhe's words, Zhongli could not help feeling puzzled. So he didn't learn it from Shenhe? Where did this boy find out, then?
Yucheng saw Zhongli's confusion and answered, "Shenhe mentioned that Cloud Retainer had a mortal friend. She even instructed Shenhe not to disturb him if she saw him drinking on the stone stool outside the Adeptal Abode, but to let him sit alone in peace for a while.
"Given Cloud Retainer's attitude toward humans, could a mortal really become her friend? You must be joking. Besides, the stone table by your seat even has the words 'This seat is reserved for Rex Lapis' carved into it. That made it far too obvious."
"Never mind. That is unimportant. After diligently managing Liyue for over three thousand years, am I not allowed to enjoy myself? Becoming an ordinary man of leisure is rather nice, too. I hope you can keep my secret rather than making it known to everyone. Now, tell me. What brings you here?"
"Mr. Zhongli, would keeping this secret for you count as a contract between us?"
Zhongli paused at Yucheng's words, then immediately understood his meaning. "I see. You wish to have me help you with something in exchange for keeping my secret. Interesting. But you must understand that a contract requires both parties to reach an agreement. In that case, explain first, so that I may decide whether to enter into this contract based on your needs."
"Before explaining my request, I would like to ask Rex Lapis to help confirm whether the baleful aura within Shenhe is the resentment of fallen gods."
Yucheng gave Shenhe a meaningful look, and she undid one knot in the red cords binding her. With Rex Lapis here, she had no need to worry about causing any serious consequences. Perhaps this was the sense of security that name gave her.
The instant Shenhe untied the knot, an overwhelming baleful presence began spilling uncontrollably from her body. Pain gradually appeared on her face as well; even a little negative emotion could make her lose her reason.
By then, Yucheng had already reached out and personally retied the red cord for Shenhe, stopping the baleful aura from continuing to escape. Only then did her expression ease somewhat.
Zhongli's expression had also turned grave at the sight of the baleful aura. He asked, "It is indeed the resentment of fallen gods. To think that even after several thousand years, mortals are still suffering this calamity. How did this happen?"
Yucheng gave Zhongli a detailed account of Shenhe's life, then offered some of his own conjectures.
After a moment's thought, Zhongli said, "Generally speaking, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper do indeed know little about archon residue, as they live in seclusion in the mountains. With Shenhe's contamination by archon residue producing such overwhelming baleful energy, Moon Carver's divination would indeed have been affected, leading him to mistakenly identify her as having the lonely star and calamity fiend fate.
"However, Mountain Shaper's Red Cord Soul-Binding Method was, by a twist of fate, the best solution available. By sealing her emotions and desires, it prevented the baleful aura from affecting her mind further and saved Shenhe's life. Alas, had I known of such a method back then, perhaps Bosacius, Indarias, Menogias, and Bonanus would not have had to die."
"Mr. Zhongli, although Shenhe studies adeptal arts under Cloud Retainer, she is still human, no matter what. A person without emotions or desires is incomplete."
"Then you wish for me to remove the archon residue from Shenhe? My young friend, if I possessed a method of dispelling archon residue, the Yaksha Generals under my command would never have come to such an end. Alas."
"Mr. Zhongli, you misunderstand. I know you have no way to purify archon residue, so I intend to seek help from someone who can. But to get his help, I may need yours."
"Whom do you intend to seek out?"
"Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, Barbatos!"
"Him? He actually possesses the power to purify archon residue?"
"As the world's greatest bard, his voice can soothe wounded hearts. Mondstadt also went through the Archon War, and gods fell there, yet to this day, there is no trace of archon residue in the region.
"Although the Anemo Archon Barbatos usually seems carefree and frivolous, he remembers the names of every person in Mondstadt and soothes their hearts when it matters most."
Yucheng's words left Zhongli silent. In truth, he and Barbatos were still in contact. After all, they were the only two remaining members of the first Seven Archons; the other five gods had all been replaced. Although the two lived far apart and had very different personalities, they shared the same sacred duty: to guide humanity.
Thus, when Barbatos first came to Liyue two thousand years ago, his first reaction had been, My colleague has encountered difficulties while fulfilling his duties and needs my help.
Without another word, he had gone out of the city early to welcome him. He had only been waiting for Barbatos to speak before doing everything in his power to help, yet he had never expected the first thing Barbatos did upon seeing him to be handing him a bottle of wine and saying, "This is wine from Mondstadt City. Would you like a taste?"
He had thought the gift of wine was merely Barbatos's way of exchanging pleasantries. He had never imagined that this was all there was to it-that Barbatos had neglected his duties just to deliver a bottle of wine. It was utterly absurd.
It was precisely this incident that had changed his attitude toward the Anemo Archon somewhat, making him consider Barbatos a god who neglected his proper duties.
But after hearing Yucheng's explanation, Zhongli suddenly felt that he had underestimated this colleague of his. In purifying the archon residue in Mondstadt and remembering the names of all its people alone, Barbatos had surpassed him.
No wonder he can come to Liyue for a visit from time to time. Is this the reason?
This thought strengthened Zhongli's resolve to retire. Liyue's framework was now fully established, and human self-governance could likewise allow it to flourish. If the present-day Liyue could simply prove that it could weather a great disaster without him, then he could retire completely with peace of mind.
However, now that he knew the Anemo Archon Barbatos possessed such an ability, Zhongli's first thought was of his sole surviving Yaksha General-Xiao. His physical condition gave little cause for optimism either. If Barbatos really could purify archon residue, Zhongli could bear any price, however great.
"What do you need?" Zhongli asked gravely. He was already prepared for Yucheng to demand an exorbitant price.
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