Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

The "young master" did indeed succeed; he sent Kong and Paimeng to the "Liuli Pavilion" to find him, and the introducer was found.

"Liuli Pavilion?" Travelers new to Liyue have never heard of this place.

Paimon: "Oh, it's Liuli Pavilion! I've heard of it! The two major cuisines of Liyue, 'Licai' and 'Yuancai,' have been battling it out for hundreds of years, with neither side gaining the upper hand. The highest representative of 'Licai' is the [Lili Pavilion] restaurant. The owner specifically opened the restaurant on Scarlet Cloud Slope to directly compete with 'New Moon Pavilion,' which represents 'Yuancai'!"

Kong couldn't help but joke, "Paimon only acts like a good guide in situations like this."

Paimon: "Don't say that—anyway, there's something delicious! Let's go over there quickly!"

Kong shook her head helplessly and asked Paimon to give directions. Paimon was more enthusiastic than anyone else when it came to food. Sure enough, they arrived at their destination in no time.

Sora: "Awesome!"

Hearing Kong's praise, Paimon felt a little proud: "That's right! Hehe... By the way, let's hurry in, they're probably getting impatient."

Sora: (Is your stomach getting impatient...?)

As soon as Kong Yi pushed open the door, he saw the outstanding-looking, remarkably composed man opposite the executive officer of Zhi Dong.

(It seems this is the person who introduced us...) With a sense of direction, he casually sat down in a seat.

"Let me introduce you. This friend is a member of the underworld, a guest elder of 'Wang Sheng Tang,' Mr. Zhongli," the "young master" introduced.

Kong: "People from the underworld?"

"Young Master": "Yes, in Liyue, businesses like 'Resurrection Hall' inevitably have to deal with some 'underworld' business. And we Fatui have always enjoyed dealing with these... friends who walk in the shadows."

“Walking in the shadows…” Paimon was a little scared, and he didn’t even touch the food in his bowl.

Zhongli: "Gentlemen, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard rumors about you in Mondstadt."

Paimon: "Those in the underworld... shadows... sending people to 'rebirth'... wow! Could it be that the 'Hall of Rebirth' is...?"

Zhongli: "That's right, just as you guessed."

"Ah—!" Paimon cried out in alarm, realizing his guess had been confirmed.

Zhong Li: "The 'Hall of Rebirth' is an organization that manages funeral rites, aiming to help people pass away peacefully."

Paimon: "Huh?"

Kong (facepalm): ...

"Haha, could it be that you've mistaken Mr. Zhongli for an assassin?" [Young Master] was amused by Paimon's behavior: "There are indeed many assassins among the Fools' Clan, but the 'Hall of Rebirth' doesn't do that... at least not on the surface."

Empty: (On the surface...)

"After all, we're still 'people of the underworld,' so I can't go into details. Anyway, the reason I brought you here to meet Zhongli is because..." Before [Young Master] could finish speaking, Zhongli interrupted him, "because I have a way to let you see the immortal body of the Rock King Emperor."

Paimon: "What?!"

[Young Master]: "Ha, no need to be surprised. Although the Geo God's immortal body has already been hidden under the manipulation of Ningguang from 'Tianquan Star'... let's hear what Zhongli has to say first."

Zhongli took a sip of tea and spoke slowly, "Although the Rock King is the ancestor of all immortals, he is still one of the immortals in the end. Looking at the thousands of years of history of Liyue, immortals have left one after another, which is an irreversible trend. Because times have changed—you should have already felt this change in Jueyun."

Sora: "That's right, it feels like they're moving away from the mortal world... But is the [Rock God] considered a [Sage]?"

"Gods have many names. God of Contracts, God of Commerce, God of War, Morax, the Geo Archon... and naturally, 'Immortals' too. The age of the Immortals is fading away, and the age of humans is gradually becoming a reality. In previous years, a grand memorial ceremony was held for each Immortal's passing. This is a tradition of Liyue. But this time, even the Seven Stars have no time to attend to this tradition... It's truly appalling." Zhongli's words became sharp, clearly expressing his dissatisfaction with the current state of the Seven Stars.

Sora: "After all, it's a 'bizarre case of murdering a god,' and the murderer is still unknown."

"The bizarre case of murdering a god... 'The Hall of Rebirth' doesn't concern itself with such matters. What 'The Hall of Rebirth' cares about is, with such a grand ceremony for inviting the immortals, is no one in charge of the ceremony for sending them off?" Zhongli's words then turned to Kong, inviting, "Traveler, I heard about your story from 'Young Master.' Since you have some connection with the Wind God...would you consider joining me in preparing a ceremony to bid farewell to the Rock God?"

Kong lowered his head and pondered for a while. It seemed that there was really no other way to see the ancestral remains of the Rock God, so he nodded to indicate that he agreed.

"Haha, actually, no matter how much you think about it, the result will be the same." [Young Master] picked up a piece of meat and said while eating, "[Tianquan] Ningguang is preventing anyone from seeing the Emperor's immortal body. So, if you want to achieve your goal of finding the Seven Gods, this is the only way left."

Zhongli continued, "That's right. Only by participating in the 'Sending Off the Immortals Ceremony' can you see the Rock God's body again. We'll discuss the details on the way."

After saying that, Zhongli got up and left the restaurant with Kong and Paimon, leaving [Young Master] alone.

"My lord." After they all left, a member of the Fools appeared behind the young master. The young master said, "Tell me everything they did."

"Yes."

"Hmph." In a residence, a pair of strange eyes took in their every move. Xuan Qing couldn't help but let out a cold snort before slowly withdrawing his power.

"How is it?" Xuan Yue brought over a bowl of congee and placed it on the bedside table, asking Xuan Qing for the result: "Did you figure it out? What?"

Xuanqing: "The foolish masses have not received any news of [the ancestral shrine].

Xuan Yue: "Where's the contact person? Isn't he from their side?"

Xuan Qing suddenly found it difficult to speak, because he really hadn't expected the contact's identity...

Xuan Yue: "? Is there something wrong with that person's identity?"

Xuanqing (一_一‖): (That's really not right...)

Unable to resist Xuan Yue's gaze, Xuan Qing finally spoke up, saying, "The contact person is a guest elder of the Hall of Rebirth."

"Oh... a guest of the Hall of Rebirth, what's the big deal... nothing to be surprised about...!!!" Xuan Yue suddenly realized what he had heard.

"Ah!? It's Mora... no, it's Zhongli!" Xuan Yue was shocked by this news. Even he, who had always trusted Xuan Qing implicitly, couldn't help but confirm again, "Ah Qing, you're not mistaken? Actually... it's just someone who looks like Mora... Zhongli..."

Xuanqing: "Do you think anyone can imitate his kind of temperament? Besides, the Hall of Rebirth probably only has one guest elder..."

Xuan Yue: "Then maybe there are two?"

Xuanqing: "Besides him, who in Liyue dares to directly address [the Geo Archon] as Morax..."

(Oh right, even we both call him [Emperor] in Liyue...) Xuan Yue belatedly realized and asked Xuan Qing the next question: "What did they talk about? What are they going to do next?"

Xuan Qing fell silent again: (How should I put this? Holding a [Sending Off the Immortal Ceremony] for myself?)

Xuan Qing carefully considered his words before speaking, "Zhong Li is in charge of preparing a farewell ceremony for the Rock God at the Hall of Rebirth. Zhong Li is currently taking the travelers to purchase supplies."

"Wait!" Xuan Yue called out in time, starting a brainstorming session: (Zhong Li is Morax, the Rock God is Morax, so Xuan Qing's story is that Morax is preparing the farewell ceremony for Morax!!! Sending himself off?!)

"Pfft! Hahahaha! Xuanqing, let's go take a look later, I'm dying of curiosity!" Xuanyue is already ready to set off.

“Okay, we’ll leave in a bit.” Xuan Qing always indulged Xuan Yue. Besides, they had nothing else to do, so it wouldn’t hurt to go and see what was going on, especially since it was about Morax, and Xuan Qing was also interested in going to see it.

At that moment, they happened to be at a stone stall. The ritual required the use of Night-Stabbing Stones, and according to Zhongli, at least [Candlelight] level Night-Stabbing Stones were needed to meet the standard.

The merchant Shi Tou from [Jie Cui Xing] brought three pieces of Night-Moored Stone for them to choose from.

Paimon: "These three 'Night-Stabilized Stones' do look very beautiful, unlike the kind you usually dig up... But how should we choose? Should we just pick one at random and take it back?"

Kong: "Paimon, this is rough jade. You can't easily trust the bosses who do rough jade business."

Zhongli agreed with Kong's words: "Very good. It seems you have grasped some of the survival rules of a trading city."

Paimon: "So, what will Mr. Zhongli choose?"

"Oh? You want me to decide? Fine. If you ask me, the answer is actually very simple..." Zhongli stepped forward and said directly, "Boss, I'll take them all."

null:!!!!

Paimon: ∑(??д??lll)！ ！ ！

Boss Stone: ヾ(^▽^*))) "Good! Sir, I could tell you had an extraordinary air about you, and your generosity is truly remarkable!"

Paimon immediately stepped forward and said, "Wait! Boss! His word doesn't count, let's discuss it again!"

At a storytelling spot behind them, Xuan Yue was laughing so hard she was practically lying on the table, and even Xuan Qing's usually indifferent face showed a clear smile...

As expected of Morax.