-Timeskip-
Childe: Bwahahaha! Cocogoat! Cocogo—Ahahaow my sides hurt… oh my goodness, I cannot believe you fell for that!
Paimon: Hey! Less laughter, more sympathy!
Childe: I'm almost in tears over here… Ah, thank you, that was the best laugh I've had in long time. In return, I'm more than happy to sort out this mess you've managed to get yourselves into…
Childe turned to Baizhu
Childe: Excuse me, sir… Dr. Baizhu, isn't it? Truly honored. I'm Childe, one of the Fatui harbingers. Forgive my audacity, but I see great many opportunities for us to collaborate in the future… if Bubu Pharmacy needed a stable supply of say, coconut milk, the Fatui could help by setting up a robust and speedy distribution network
Changsheng: Strang… I knew the Fatui infiltrated businesses with seductive deals, but… So much fuss over coconut milk?
Qiqi: Coconut milk. Baizhu. Quick. Qiqi wants coconut milk
Baizhu: Ah… Yes, of course, Qiqi, anything you want… Th—Thank you, Childe. I look forward to a successful collaboration in the future. I can give you a discount on that Everlasting Incense too, lets say… 2,990,000 Mora.
Paimon: That like, zero difference from three million!
Zhongli: Hmm… 2,990,000… also an innocuous number in and if itself, though practically speaking it is a whole ten thousand less than the original sum of three million.
Zhongli: Well now, that this is settled, we must head back to Yujing Terrace. Mr. Childe, Dr. Baizhu, Little Miss Qiqi, see you soon.
Zhongli left and Childe went outside.
Outside the pharmacy, while Paimon, Sekai and Aether are still speaking to Baizhu and Qiqi.
Childe: That lot is an absolute riot. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard.
Childe held his forehead then turns to the pillar.
Childe: So. You've been eavesdropping, I hope, what have I missed?
One fatui came out, it was the woman from the Norland Bank. Oh, and what didn't they know. Sekai with his sharp hearing also eavesdropped on them a little while talking to his friends to make sure they didn't know. Sekai never once trusts Childe, so he always on guard every time he meets him.
Ekaterina: Yes, Master Childe. They spoke of the Qixing taking the Golden House…
Childe: Well, well, well. Ningguang and her Qixing cronies. What else would they be hiding in the Golden house… if not the Exuvia? I apologize, Aether. But I warned you, didn't I? As the old Liyue saying "The walls have ears"
He looked at the Fatui and asked again
Childe: How about the Silver Knight?
Ekaterina: Apparently our research hasn't shown anything. This is the first time someone could control light element!
Childe: *smirk* I can't wait to fight him.
…
Back to Sekai and the group, Sekai ponders and felt a bit annoyed
Sekai: (Look like someone gonna taste the legendary jutsu "1000 years of pain". You want to fight right, then I will give you my best jutsu!)
The group went back to Yujing Terrace to place Everlasting Incense
Zhongli: Well, as it stands, we've hired helpers and we acquired the Everlasting Incense. The completion of our preparations is not far off
Paimon: Whew… Finally!
Zhongli: Well, Travelers. Have you gained anything from our adventures so far?
Aether: It's been… odd
Zhongli: Odd?
Aether: I'm not sure if we've been living the high life… or experiencing the struggles of the poor…
Zhongli: Haha, which is it, I wonder? The questions that such travels raise are ever so complicated. Well, I'll leave you to ruminate over it yourself. As to remuneration for your help, I've decided… to treat you all to a meal
Sekai: Wow… I'm not dreaming, am I?
Paimon: Zhongli… treating?
Zhongli: Oh? Ah yes, don't worry. I will remember to bring Mora this time. Tonight, I shall take you both to an old hole-in-the-wall, praised throughout Liyue
Paimon: Hole-in-the-wall? As in… a cool restaurant?
Zhongli: Indeed. Let us meet near the harbor at "Third-Round Knockout"
-Timeskip early evening-
They went to meet up with Zhongli at Third-Round Knockout. They found Zhongli, who sitting
Sekai: Yo, old man.
Zhongli: Ah, you're here. Take a seat. There's no need to order, I've already done so. "Third-Round Knockout" is not for lightweights, like those taverns in Mondstadt. Here the owner does not take such unorthodox orders as fruit juice.
Aether: So does this mean I can order wine this time.
Zhongli: I ordered some wine-fermented sweet rice balls for you, if that counts.
Sekai: Ehh, I don't drink alcohol… let just say I quite lightweight.
Sekai said remembering that time Kaeya give her wine at Monsdat which only make him immediately fall down.
Paimon: Yeah! You are totally bad with alcohol huh, Sekai.
Zhongli: Then I order some water for you so you need not worry.
Sekai: Nah, I can just bring my own drink right.
Sekai said, taking out Apple cider from his inventory. Which taken Zhongli a back.
Zhongli: A very particular skill indeed. It like one of my old friend gadgets.
Paimon: Yup-yup! Sekai can carry tons of food!
Aether: Typical Paimon…
Iron Tongue Tian: …if it's to your liking, dear customers, I shall continue the tale of Lady Ningguag's Jade Chamber.
Paimon: Hey! It the story about Ningguang!
Zhongli: Beside fine wine, the excellent ambiance is the reason why this place is so well loved. But, when I say ambiance, I prefer to a different sort from the one the Teyvat Travel Guide uses to judge other establishments
Iron Tonge Tian tell a story about Ningguang Biography, her legend and so on…
Suddenly Somone interrupt by calling Aether.
???: At last, I found you, Traveller.
The appearance of a young woman with pale blue hair, fading into a darker shade at the ends. Her hair is styled in a layered, chin-length cut with two shoulder-length locks in front and the back section left long. Similarly to Kaeya's hair, it is easy to mistake for ponytail, though not actually tied by anything. Though she mostly resembles a human, she has black-red horns that bend back along her hair, similar to how a goat horns look, with brighter red marking on them. She has purpule multicolored eyes that fade into pink then gold.
Her outfits consist of black bodysuit with gold accents on the leg underneath a white and purple bodice with ling ends similar to a tailcoat, with a separated pair of sleeves to match. The bodysuit meets at the back of her neck to make bow. She has white heels with gold accents and gray bottoms, with red knots around her ankles. Her Cryo Vision rests on her left hip with a red cloverleaf knot. Additionally, she wears a golden bell around her neck.
Paimon: Hey, Ganyu, what up?
Ganyu: Good evening, everyone. My apologies, you who just settle down for dinner, but I have with me a letter from Lady Ningguang. She extends formal invitation to both of you about the last incident.
Hearing this the team excuse themselves from Zhongli. Aether and Paimon went to meet Ningguang at Jade Chamber.
Sekai decided to stay with Zhongli, even if he quite curious about Jade Chamber, somehow, he really felt like he will meet another unreasonable woman if he ever goes there. so, he decides to wait Aether and Paimon at Dihua Marsh.
-Timeskip (Dihua Marsh)-
Aether and Paimon finally arrived seeing Zhongli and Sekai playing Go, that was create by Sekai. It seems Sekai was being push back by Zhongli.
Zhongli: It seems we need to end this game, Mr. Silver.
Sekai: Urgh… how come you so good at this. This not first time you play this kind of game, right?
Sekai was frustrated, he doesn't think Zhongli will best him even though this was first time he plays Go.
Paimon: Hey, what are you playing? Let Paimon in to!
Zhongli: Ehem… did you enjoy your visit to the Jade Chamber?
Aether: The Jade Chamber was not bad at all.
Paimon: Yeah. It was so big. And pretty, and expensive. Paimon never seen such a fancy-schmancy place like that before!
Zhongli" Indeed. It's second to none in all of Liyue. Then you meet Ningguang for second time, what your impression on her?
Paimon: She's super rich. Paimon thinks she's very friendly!
Aether: Business people are always "friendly" when it suits their interest.
Paimon: Yeah, his take on Ningguang is quite different from Paimon's. He thinks that even the tactless Yuheng is more trustworthy than her.
Zhongli: Oh, so you also meet with Keqing, then? What did she have to say?
Aether: She said "The time of the adepti has long passed. If even the Liyue Qixing don't want to face that truth, then what future is there for Liyue?
Zhongli: Haha, no-respect for the divine. Indeed, contrary to the ever-bold Keqing, Ningguang is more of a businesswoman at heart, though they are both members of the Qixing. Although she friendly, there no way of clearly discerning her true intentions.
Aether: Ningguang is highly intelligent and she also is highly ambitious.
Zhongli: Yes, she has only relied on herself to rise to her current position, no ordinary person could ever achieve that. it's said that she the one behind the constant expansion of the Jade Chamber it's the second most important thing to her. even If she ever gave up the position of the Tianquan, she would never give up the Jade Chamber.
Sekai: let me guess, the most important thing to her must me Mora, right?
Zhongli: Yup, that's true.
Aether: Make sense.
Paimon: All Ningguang talked about was Fatui this and Fatui that… she said that after Rex Lapis was murdered, the Fatui have constantly been trying to sink their fingers into Liyue and that they aren't to be trusted.
Zhongli: That is how Fatui have always been. It's doesn't surprise me in the least.
Aether: And now they are trying to reproduce the Sigil of Permission.
Zhongli: …No matter what they planning, you must be careful when dealing with the Fatui. Always on your guard.
Paimon: So, is there anything we need to get for the Rite of Parting in Dihua Marsh?
Zhongli: As matter of fact, there is. Today we'll be gathering wild Glaze Lilies.
Paimon: Glaze Lilies? But why did we come all the way here? Doesn't the garden in Yujing Terrace have some? Even Qince Village have Glaze Lilies… oh right, Paimon remembers that Madame Ping always tending to flowers, maybe we could ask her!
Zhongli: No, those lilies have been gardened by people. They won't do at all. Dihua Marsh used to be full of Glaze Lilies. It is sort of joyful flower that listens to human song. before the Archon War, Dihua Marsh was all dry land and fertile soil. But the war caused landslides and the land was flooded, turning it into the marsh you see now. Nearly all the Glaze Lilies were wipe out. Of course, there are some kinds of flowers that have been preserved and gardened by people in the city. But very few people know that Glaze Lilies may still be found in the wild. Wild Glaze lilies have the strongest fragrance. If we want to follow the true tradition of the Rite of Parting, we must grind up the wild lilies and place the powder in the center of the Everlasting Incense.
Zhongli: But I'll need your assistance in gathering these flowers.
Aether: So, you need me… to sing?
Zhongli: …That's correct. Your singing will surely bring out the strongest fragrance from flowers.
Paimon: Then, we can let Sekai sing! He has very good voice!
Paimon point toward Sekai with gleaming eyes. While Sekai this time just shake his head.
Sekai: Sorry to undermine your spirit Paimon, but I don't know any song that can encourage growth of plant.
Well, he can just use Thorn element to encourage plant growth, but that element is currently lock. What a bummer.
Paimon: Uh… so how good is your singing, Traveller?
Aether: I'm pro at this, just step back and listen!
Aether gives a confidence smirk. Only make Sekai sweat-dropped.
Paimon: Really? Why doesn't Paimon believe you…
Zhongli: We'll only know once he starts singing.
So, the group start searching Glaze Lilies until they found the area with Glaze Lilies.
Paimon: It's time to sing! Whenever you're ready!
Sekai: Need any BGM, Aether?
Aether: No need, trust me.
Aether: *clear throat*… Da Da Dat Darat Ta~ Tarat Ta~ Ta Ta~
The three Cryo whopperflower awaken and jumped out of nowhere.
Paimon: Wh—what happened…!?
Aether: Let the wind!
Aether created the tornado towards the whopperflower and pushed them away…
…. Silent engulf the area….
Paimon: Those weren't Glaze Lilies! Glaze Lilies wouldn't hit people!
Aether: Those flowers put up quite a fight…
Zhongli looked down and examined
Zhongli: This little monster known as a Whopperflower. Hmm… strange. These petals look interesting. The Glaze Lilies used as a disguise were buried with the whopperflower for too long. The result seems to have surprisingly potent medicinal value. Let's collect what we can of these petals.
Paimon: Well, that's nice and all, but will those petals be useful for the Rite of Parting?
Zhongli: Unfortunately, no.
Paimon: Ugh, that's so lame…
Suddenly, someone come in
???: Excuse me…
The group turned and saw the girl with horns who give letter to them.
Ganyu: Are you searching for Glaze Lilies?
Sekai: Hello, miss Ganyu.
Aether: Greeting, Ganyu.
Ganyu: Hello, travelers. I surprised you still remember my name. Ah! That reminds me, how was your visit to the Jade Chamber?
Paimon: Erm…
Aether: So-so I guess…
Paimon: But there something off about Ganyu now… she acting different from the first time we met… where her serious attitude now?
Ganyu: Ah well, I met you at the time as an emissary if the Tianquan. But now I am simply out on a stroll to see the flowers.
Paimon: You came all the way here to see the flowers? Why not just enjoy the gardens of the city?
Ganyu: …Yujing Terrace is where Rex Lapis parted from this world. If I strolled through those lonely gardens now, I wouldn't be able to bear it. whenever my duties take me near Yujing Terrace these days, I draw the window to block my view of the gardens.
Paimon: Oh… sorry, we shouldn't have brought it up.
Ganyu: No, it's quite alright. I just haven't processed my emotions yet. When the Archon War came to its end two thousand years ago, the first iteration of the Seven would gather in Liyue and drink with Rex lapis. But five of those original seven had already passed before Rex Lapis—it's truly a changing of the guard.
Sekai: Hee….
Sekai turned and stare towards Zhongli. Only for him to turned his head away.
Ganyu: Yes. Now that the spirit of Rex Lapis has returned to the heavens, only Barbatos of Mondstadt remains of the first Seven. The other five, including Inazuma's Riden Shogun, are no longer the same friends from two thousand years ago. Of the current Seven Archons, the youngest is Sumeru's God of Dendro. She is merely five hundred years old, whereas Rex Lapis was more than six thousand years old at the time of his passing. This means that Liyue had been under Rex Lapis rule from the moment it was first founded 3,700 years ago. The city has never had to bid farewell to its deity…
Sekai: heee...
Sekai keeps on staring towards Zhongli. In fact, Zhongli felt quite uncomfortable from Sekai glare.
Zhongli: Ehm… So, what do you think of this "farewell"?
Ganyu: Huh? This… this is a little sudden, I… As a mortal, I've never dared to imagine a Liyue without Rex Lapis. But as an adeptus… I think I will eventually come to grips with reality. since Rex Lapis has passed, the time of Liyue's contract with the gods and adepti has now reached its end.
Paimon: Huh? Did you just say, "as an adeptus"?
Ganyu: Yes, I…I am a mix of human and Qilin. Adeptus blood flows through my veins. I fought for Rex Lapis and the city of Liyue during the Archon War. After the war ended, I signed a contract with Rex Lapis and took the position as secretary for the Qixing. I've continued those duties to this very day.
This news kind of take everyone except Zhongli of guard. Well… and Sekai that keep on staring at Zhongli for some sort of reason.
Aether: So, you're Qilin? That explains the horns!
Paimon: So, you're how old!? That explains the forgetfulness!
Ganyu: Well… uh, let's save those conversations for another day. You say that you are here looking for Glaze Lilies? I also know where wild Glaze Lilies can be found, see, I've picked one myself. Here, you may have it if you wish.
Zhongli: We dare not refuse it.
Paimon: Oh, so did you sing a song before you picked the lily?
Ganyu: Indeed, I did. I know this tradition well. In fact, I sang local Liyue ballad to it.
Paimon: Wow, so you really know your stuff too! Thanks, Ganyu!
Ganyu: No, it is you would I should be thanking. If not for this chance meeting, I never thought that I would be able to contribute to the upcoming farewell for our ancient lord. If you excuse me, I should return to my work now. Good luck.
Zhongli: And that just about does it. Our preparations for the Rite of Parting are mostly finished. Give ease of picking Glaze Lilies, I think this was a fitting end to our task in more ways than one.
Sekai: Heee…..
Sekai still keeps his stare at Zhongli which attract Paimon attention.
Paimon: Sekai, why you keep on staring at Zhongli?
Sekai: Heeee…. Owh, nothing, just thinking Mr. Zhongli really seem suit working in "agricultural development"
Paimon: Yeah, Paimon agree, Paimon can already imagine him staring a business in Liyue.
Zhongli tried his best to steer other attention spoke
Zhongli: Hah, I've had enough ventures in my life already. Beginning a new undertaking is always difficult at first and requires no small amount of effort. And once business is at full steam, the stress of it all only wear away at you over time. So, you must be careful to take the time to step back and reexamine yourself. If left unchecked, the wear and tear on you heart may go well past mending.
Sekai applause hearing Zhongli response. Experienced old timer indeed… after all that old man already live more than 6o centuries… damn… that 60 centuries worth of experience.
Zhongli: Ahem… alright, I think it's about time we head back to Liyue Harbor now.
They all nodded and went back to Liyue Harbor.