Chapter 134

As Lumine's mouthpiece, Paimon immediately pointed at Zhongli and Takumi with wide eyes and shouted, "Wow! Zhongli! Why are you here with this bad boy?"

Lumine looked at Zhongli and Takumi with a puzzled expression. "Yes, why are you two here?"

Paimon suddenly pointed at Cloud Retainer. "And who is that woman standing behind you?"

Cloud Retainer frowned and scolded, "Hmph, such disrespect for the gods. You little thing, it's impolite to point. The Geo Archon you wish to meet is right in front of you."

As soon as these words came out, Lumine and Paimon were instantly stunned, eyes wide in shock.

Paimon was the first to speak up. "What! Are you saying that both of you are the Geo Archon?! There are two Geo Archons?!"

Cloud Retainer sighed, but looking at Paimon's expression, she couldn't help but snort. "This Mr. Zhongli is the Geo Archon, and Lord Takumi is the god of Sky Island."

Lumine stared at the two of them, completely taken aback. "What?!"

Quickly understanding what was going on, she glared and said angrily, "Oh, I see. You two teamed up to trick me!"

Takumi smiled. "Lumine, put the pot down before you say anything more. If your hand slips, all your hard work from the last two days will be in vain."

Lumine placed the soup pot of 'Buddha's Jumping Over the Wall' on the stone table, put her hands on her hips, and glared at Takumi. "This must be your idea, right? Zhongli definitely wouldn't do this on his own."

"It's bad enough that you teased me last time. Do you have any idea what I've been through these past two months? Do you?!"

At this point, Lumine was tempted to take out her sword.

In order to complete the trials of the Adepti, she had been either mining, fighting monsters, or searching for ingredients for cooking, each task as difficult as climbing a mountain.

Takumi looked at the furious Lumine and sighed. "Why are you so certain that I'm behind all this, and that Zhongli has nothing to do with it?"

Lumine held her head high and said proudly, "Intuition!"

Takumi shrugged. "Your intuition isn't always accurate, right, Zhongli?"

Zhongli coughed lightly, already preparing his response. "Traveler, this was indeed my test for you, and it had nothing to do with Lord Takumi."

Lumine was astonished. "No way! Really, Zhongli? But my intuition is never wrong! I never make mistakes!"

Paimon scratched her head in confusion. "Why? Why make us mine ores, catch fish, gather bird eggs, search for ingredients, and help Liyue's people with trivial tasks? What's the point?" She threw her hands up in exasperation.

Lumine nodded. "Exactly. It feels like I've done nothing important these last two months. It's supposed to be a test, but all I've done is help the people of Liyue with small, mundane tasks."

Zhongli spoke calmly. "Traveler, do you believe you have learned nothing from these seemingly insignificant tasks?"

Lumine looked at Zhongli, bewildered. Had she learned something?

Zhongli continued. "To you, these tasks may seem small, but you have experienced the people and culture of Liyue, the mountains and waters, the flora and fauna, the prosperity and flaws of Liyue. Everything about Liyue is now part of your memories."

"Isn't this a unique experience on your journey?"

"And for me, I have also learned something from your journey."

"This is your contract with the land of Liyue."

"Witnesses come because they bear witness, and those who remember come because they remember."

"I hope that you have found joy during your journey through Liyue."

Takumi watched with great interest. As expected of Zhongli—he was able to turn everything into a meaningful lesson. This wasn't deception; it was the truth.

So, was the perfect deception merely the truth?

Paimon was bewildered and scratched her head. "I don't understand... Zhongli, what do you mean?"

Lumine thought for a moment. "In other words, all those things I did over the past two months have established some kind of contract with Liyue?"

Zhongli nodded. "Yes. As a new contract is formed, the previous one comes to an end."

Lumine finally understood. "I completed my contract with you, and I've earned your acknowledgment, right?"

Zhongli nodded again. "Indeed, the contract has been fulfilled, and I should now give you what was promised."

Paimon spun around, exasperated. "Why do gods always speak in such roundabout ways? Can't you just be direct?!"

Cloud Retainer snorted. "Hmph, how could mere mortals understand the cause and effect of karma? Facing karma directly would bring disaster."

Lumine scratched her head, still feeling like something was off, but unable to figure out what. Could her intuition really have been wrong?

Takumi chuckled at Lumine's confused expression. He coughed and said, "What are you still doing? Lumine, Zhongli can't finish such a big pot of 'Buddha's Jumping Over the Wall' by himself."

As he spoke, five bowls and sets of chopsticks appeared out of thin air.

"Come, come, let's all taste Lumine's culinary skills."

When Paimon heard about eating 'Buddha's Jumping Over the Wall,' she immediately jumped out from behind Lumine, staring eagerly as Takumi opened the pot and inhaled the delicious aroma.

"Wow! It smells amazing! Just the scent alone makes me feel overjoyed!"

Lumine watched the steaming pot and decided not to dwell on things she couldn't understand. She couldn't wait to ladle herself some of the stew.

It had taken her two days and two nights to make it. She had to eat a lot of it; otherwise, her hard work would be wasted.

Cloud Retainer looked uncertain. She was about to share a meal with the Geo Archon and the god of Sky Island. Was this something she, an Adeptus, could partake in?

Seeing her hesitation, Zhongli said, "Takumi, there is no need to be so rigid about formalities."

Only then did Cloud Retainer carefully pick up a bowl. "Yes, Emperor."

When Paimon saw Takumi ladle a big bowl for her, she immediately started eating. "Wow, it's delicious! I didn't expect a bad guy like you to be so generous."

Takumi smiled. "I'll be nicer to you in the future. After all, it's best when you're fattened up."

Paimon's mouth was full like a little squirrel's, and she couldn't comprehend his words at first. When she finally understood what Takumi meant, she looked up at him with wide eyes.

Takumi's lips curled into a smile. "Just like Istaroth—when I was hungry, I roasted her and ate her. The taste was simply incredible."

"This time, I want to try sashimi. The original flavor must be even better."

After speaking, he licked his lips.