Chapter 128

The news of Rex Lapis's reappearance at Yuehai Pavilion spread quickly throughout Liyue Harbor.

While the people of Liyue Harbor were overjoyed, they became confused when they learned that the Geo Archon himself had ordered preparations for the Rite of Parting. What exactly was Rex Lapis planning to do?

Some keen observers had their suspicions but kept them to themselves. Instead, they began mass-producing and selling figurines and sculptures of Jiang Ning.

Some even rushed to register trademarks. Meanwhile, the Fatui became universally despised.

The Qixing and Adepti worked together, and with the help of the Adepti, the Fatui were almost completely eliminated within three days. The remaining members went into hiding like fugitives, not daring to show themselves.

The Northland Bank was surrounded, with all personnel having disappeared and all the stored Mora transferred away. This left many people nearly bankrupt and on the verge of despair.

However, Ningguang stepped in at this crucial moment. The Liyue Bank officially opened, guaranteeing that people could withdraw their Mora there. 

As for where the Mora came from, the Mint at Yuehai Pavilion was one source, and the other was the debt owed to the Northland Bank by Liyue citizens, which had been intentionally or unintentionally left to Liyue to collect.

Overall, the Liyue Bank was getting on track, and people were attracted to this new operating model. 

Those who had cooperated with the Fatui or had ulterior motives were all dealt with after this incident.

After absorbing large amounts of fallen god remnants, Jiang Ning went into seclusion to digest this power.

This gave Zhongli some time to prepare. 

The adepti learned of Zhongli's plans and offered their blessings, though they complained to Xiao, Xianyun, and Ganyu about not being informed earlier. To this, Xianyun replied that they simply couldn't keep secrets well enough.

"Master Zhongli, you really deceived me well. I never imagined you were actually Morax," said Tartaglia in a remote courtyard. He was wrapped in bandages, his pale face showing signs of serious injuries not yet healed.

Before him, Zhongli calmly sipped tea and looked up: "But didn't this satisfy your desire to fight strong opponents in Liyue?"

"Indeed," Tartaglia replied. "I never expected the Traveler to be so powerful. This encounter has shown me my shortcomings. I'll need to train harder when I return."

"Enough of this pointless conversation," interrupted Signora, the third person present. Perhaps emboldened by Venti's situation and Zhongli's constant calmness, she seemed to have forgotten proper reverence for gods.

Zhongli merely glanced at her without comment. In his view, such arrogance and pride were often the beginning of one's downfall. It happened to Khaenri'ah, and perhaps it would happen to Signora as well.

Tartaglia couldn't help but look at his fellow Harbinger. Was she really being this bold?

Just then, Lumine arrived at Zhongli's request:

"Signora?! And Childe? What are you doing here? Master Zhongli, step back, they're dangerous!"

Ignoring Lumine, Signora directly addressed Zhongli:

"So, where is the item Her Majesty the Tsaritsa wants, Morax?"

Zhongli calmly looked at Signora and took out his Gnosis:

"As per our contract, I grant you what you seek."

"Hmph, such a condescending tone..." 

Signora was displeased but accepted the Gnosis. She gave Lumine a disdainful look before swaying away with her alluring gait.

At the door, she turned back: "Tartaglia, when are you returning?"

"Soon, once I'm better healed. Though I won't be returning to Snezhnaya - Her Majesty has other plans for me," Tartaglia replied.

Hearing this, Signora departed without further delay.

"W-wait, Zhongli, you're actually Morax?!" 

Lumine stood dumbfounded, initially thinking not about the Gnosis but rather how the God of Wealth could be broke?!

"No, wait - the Gnosis! Why did you give your Gnosis to Signora?"

Zhongli explained: "The Gnosis is merely an external object, not something crucial. I have a contract with the Cryo Archon, and the Gnosis is simply a weight on the scales of that agreement."

Lumine sort of understood - the Gnosis wasn't forcefully taken but voluntarily given... which somehow made Barbatos look even worse in comparison.

"Traveler, walk with me. I know you have many questions. I will answer what I can," Zhongli said.

"Mm, alright."

After they left, Tartaglia sighed resignedly. Everyone was ignoring him... Well, he might as well return to Snezhnaya once everything was settled. Still, making that rich guy lose so much had put him in a good mood.

...

A week passed swiftly, and all preparations for the Rite of Parting were complete.

Yu Jin Terrace was packed with people. Seeing the row of adepti on the high platform, everyone knew something significant was about to happen.

Ningguang and Keqing stood on the platform too, but not in the center - they were positioned respectfully on either side, waiting.

The people of Liyue seemed to understand something was coming, craning their necks and widening their eyes, afraid to miss anything.

Then Zhongli appeared in his divine attire in human form. Upon his entrance, Keqing and Ningguang bowed respectfully.

"Welcome, Rex Lapis!" Ningguang's voice rang out, followed by a unified cheer:

"Welcome, Rex Lapis!"

After this, the crowd erupted in chatter.

"I knew it! How could anything happen to Rex Lapis!"

"But why did he fall from the sky?"

"Hmph, you know nothing. Rex Lapis must have had his reasons!"

"Everyone," Zhongli's calm yet dignified voice rang out, acting like a silencer - everyone immediately quieted down, gazing at him with fervent eyes. Some even knelt, seeking his blessing.

"Many wonder what truly happened at the Rite of Descension. It was my plan, a test - a test for Liyue. I often wondered, after protecting Liyue for 3,600 years, if my duty was complete. Even stone can feel fatigue under time's erosion."

"Watching Liyue grow, I had a bold idea. I wanted to see your efforts and unity in times of crisis, to see if you could overcome difficulties without Morax. You passed the test against the Vortex God and its minions admirably. You are my pride."

The people of Liyue stood straight-backed, faces flushed with pride. Some realized how much Rex Lapis had endured - protecting their ancestors, building and guarding Liyue for so many years. Was their Archon finally tired?

"Therefore, I shall return governance to the people. The era of divine rule in Liyue shall end. The time has come for you, the people of Liyue, to forge ahead on your own. I, Morax, will gradually step down from my position as Geo Archon, watching over you from behind the scenes. I think it's time I rest, and the adepti will join mortal society to oversee the Qixing."

Zhongli's words exploded like a bomb among the crowd.

"Rex Lapis! We can't be without you! Rex Lapis!"

"What are you saying? Rex Lapis has worked so hard, and he'll still protect us from behind the scenes. What's there to fear!"

"Yes, Rex Lapis deserves a good rest."

"That's right, we can't disappoint Rex Lapis!"

Zhongli raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent again.

"This Rite of Parting serves to bid farewell to the Prime of Adepti, and acts as a retirement ceremony. However, divine rule is necessary - it is a nation's backbone and final defense. Therefore, the position of Geo Archon cannot remain vacant."

"Thus, I will gradually transfer the position of Geo Archon to my disciple, who shall become the next Geo Archon."

As his words fell, golden light illuminated the sky, and Jiang Ning descended slowly, landing on the platform.

After days of seclusion, he had absorbed the Vortex God's authority, along with the soul authority derived from the Lich God's mutation, and the copied power of the God of Wealth from his master - another complete divine authority.

"Jiang Ning?!"

"Isn't he Lady Ganyu's junior disciple? That adeptus disciple?"

"How did he become Rex Lapis's disciple?"

"Obviously, it was Rex Lapis's decision!"

"Wait, I remember he only called that recently arrived adeptus 'Master', and also... Consultant Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"

"Could it be?!"

"No wonder Consultant Zhongli from Wangsheng was so knowledgeable and had maturity beyond his apparent age - he was actually Rex Lapis in disguise?"

"Gods, Rex Lapis once ate at my house and said the food was delicious!"

"He liked listening to my storytelling too!"

"This brings great honor to our families!"

The crowd below chatted excitedly, connecting all the unusual things about Zhongli and completely exposing his identity.

Under his hood, Zhongli's heart skipped a beat.

'Oh no, my cover is blown.'

Xianyun on the platform found it amusing.

Back then, when Rex Lapis had Jiang Ning call him master, he had essentially dug his own pit.

"No way, no way?! Wangsheng Funeral Parlor struck gold? My goodness, I never would have thought!"

Hu Tao was perhaps the most shocked - the ruler of Liyue working at Wangsheng?

What did that make her, as the owner of Wangsheng? Liyue's Emperor Emeritus?

"Ahem... silence." 

Ningguang stepped in to control the situation.

"Anyone who dares to disturb Rex Lapis from now on will not be forgiven," Ningguang declared.

Keqing added her support. Rex Lapis had shown such trust in Liyue's people, sacrificed so much, and would continue to protect them silently. She wouldn't allow anyone with ulterior motives to disturb him.

Though the crowd quieted, several wealthy merchants kept glancing at Hu Tao with burning eyes. 

They were thinking about establishing good relationships with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, especially since Hu Tao had created that insurance company with Ningguang and Keqing... and Rex Lapis had approved those laws.

They must arrange this "insurance" for all their employees - it would be a good way to build connections with Wangsheng.

Zhongli materialized a polearm in his hand - brownish-yellow with ancient patterns. 

The knowledgeable immediately recognized it as the weapon that accompanied Rex Lapis during the Archon War - the most powerful and precious weapon in all of Liyue: the Vortex Vanquisher.

"This polearm shall be yours from now on. Though you are currently just my successor, when the time is right and everything falls into place, you will naturally become the next Geo Archon," Zhongli said slowly.

"I will not disappoint you," Jiang Ning solemnly accepted the polearm. Then, facing the people, he stepped forward and raised the Vortex Vanquisher.

The power and aura of the God of Geo emanated simultaneously from both Jiang Ning and Zhongli. Instinctively, everyone present bowed, bidding farewell to Rex Lapis's reign and welcoming Jiang Ning as the successor to the Geo Archon.

Zhongli looked at his disciple with gentle eyes.

Everything was changing for the better.

He could retire, Liyue had grown up, and his disciple would succeed him when the time was right.

News about the remnants of his old friends had emerged, and some items had even been found.

Xianyun and Ping were working overtime to create divine instruments that could nurture the remaining consciousness.

The only uncertainty was that during the recent battle with Osial, he had sensed Guizhong's aura, but it quickly vanished - very strange.

Jiang Ning felt the devotion of thousands, and a strange energy gradually merged into his body, making his power grow stronger.

"This is..."

[Faith power, host... The Gnosis is merely a storage device for faith power, part of which can be converted for the Seven Archons.]

[But because you don't have a Gnosis, combined with your special absorption ability and purification constitution, you can absorb almost 100% of Liyue people's faith power... This only benefits you, with no drawbacks.]

"I see..." Jiang Ning was delighted.

[Additionally, host, your usurpation mission is now complete. Distributing rewards...]

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