Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Paimon: "Hey? Zhongli's here too."

Empty: "Where?"

Paimon: "He's right next to that incense burner. Let's go find him."

As Paimon said this, Sora also saw that familiar figure from behind.

Paimon: "Hey, Zhongli!"

Zhongli was still looking at the scenery in the distance when he heard Paimon's voice. He turned around and wasn't too surprised when he saw who it was: "It's you guys."

Paimon: "Look at the people of Liyue, they all feel like they'll never see the Geo Archon again; look at this atmosphere of remembrance and mourning... and yet you yourself seem to have a 'light' feeling about it!"

Zhongli: "Hahaha... Now that you've shed the burden of 3,700 years, don't you feel a little lighter? By the way, when are you free? I'd like to invite you to 'New Moon Pavilion' for dinner."

Sora and Paimon exchanged a glance, neither of them believing it at all.

Paimon: "Hmph, stop bragging, Zhongli. I can believe 'Three bowls before crossing the harbor,' but 'New Moon Pavilion' even charges for tea! Can you really afford to treat them?"

Zhongli considered his wallet for a moment before confirming, "Uh... so Mora really isn't enough."

Kong: "I've wanted to ask this question for a long time. Why exactly is Morax short of Mora?"

Zhongli: "Haha, as the Rock King Morax, I can naturally create Mora with ease. But since I've chosen the identity of a mortal like 'Zhongli,' I should abide by the rules of mortals. During our previous journey together, although the 'Heart of God' is still in my hands, I know I will soon step down from my position as one of the Seven Gods. How could I not... rehearse my 'new life' in the future?"

"Hmm...no wonder! I get it now. Zhongli never looks at the price when he spends money because he's not used to it. But he's also not used to being someone who 'can't conjure up Mora at will,' so he's become a social outcast who freeloads and expects others to pay for him..." Paimon was speechless.

Zhongli was somewhat confused: "No... it was just some money spent by the 'Fools,' you don't have to make such a big deal out of it."

Zhongli: "In the trading capital, people exchange not only money and goods, but also knowledge, memories, and perspectives, as well as identities, roles, and lifestyles. Even if the god Morax descends to earth as the 'Rock King' to share joy with the people, it's still different from the experience of being a true mortal like 'Zhongli'."

Seeing Zhongli's somewhat happy tone, Kong was no longer so worried; his journey still had to continue.

Sora: "Then Paimon and I can continue our journey."

Zhongli: "Continuing the journey will likely be difficult. Our neighboring country at sea, Inazuma, is currently under lockdown."

Paimon: "Isolation?!"

“Yes, it’s a ‘closed country’ established by the will of the gods.” Zhongli explained to them, “Baal, the Thunder God of Inazuma. Just as the people of Liyue prefer to call me ‘The Geo Archon,’ she also has another name in Inazuma.”

Paimon: "Hmm, I heard that the god's name is... 'Thunder'?"

Zhongli: "That's true. And because 'Raiden' was a shogun of the Inazuma shogunate, he was known as the 'Raiden Shogun.'"

Sora: "Inazuma Shogunate..." (Another new term...)

Paimon: "Speaking of which, although I recently heard at the docks that the situation in Inazuma is very tense, it doesn't seem to have always been like this; at least it wasn't this bad last year..."

Paimon: "Zhongli, you're the 'Geo King' of Liyue, you should know something about what's going on there, right? Why is Inazuma acting like this, all closed off from the world?"

Zhongli: "It's because of... the 'Eye of God'."

Paimon: "The Eye of God?"

Zhongli: "When faced with circumstances beyond our control, people always lament their powerlessness. But at the steepest turning point in life, if a mortal's desire reaches its peak, the gaze of the gods will fall upon them... This is the 'Eye of God,' an external magical organ granted to those approved by the gods, used to guide the power of the elements."

Paimon: "Yes, that's the generally accepted view in Teyvat."

Zhongli: "But since last year, 'General Thunder' has issued an 'Eye Hunting Order' in Inazuma."

Sora: "...'Eye Hunting Order'?"

Zhongli: "Collect all 'Eyes of God' within the entire territory of Daocheng and embed them in the hands of the Thousand-Armed, Hundred-Eyed God Statue."

Paimon didn't understand: "Confiscating the 'Eye of God'? Why? Isn't the 'Eye of God' a gift from God?"

Zhongli: "Presumably, in General Leidian's view, it is precisely because it is a gift from God that God has the right to dispose of it at will."

Paimon: "Wow—that's a really harsh idea."

Zhongli: "The Wind God is the god of 'freedom,' the Rock God is the god of 'contract,' and the Thunder General is the god who pursues 'eternity.' For the sake of an eternal kingdom, it seems she has finally made up her mind to eliminate any unstable factors. At this moment, even I, the oldest of the seven gods, have 'passed away,' which may further strengthen her determination to pursue 'eternity.'"

Zhongli: "When she issued the 'Eye Hunting Order,' she must have repeated to her people that phrase she said most often—"

"Of the seven ideals pursued by the seven gods, only 'eternity' is closest to 'the principles of Heaven.'"

Kong: (〖天道〗…)

Paimon: "Wow...that's scary..."

Zhongli: "So there's no need for you to rush to Daozaki. Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"

Kong: "Regarding 'Tribulation'..."

Zhongli was taken aback at first, but after realizing what was happening, he couldn't help but laugh, "Haha... How did they even come up with that? A failed tribulation? What a ridiculous excuse. However, the Seven Stars' eagerness to settle this matter and stop investigating the culprit is indeed because they secretly learned that 'the Emperor is not dead.'"

Paimon: "We just ran into Qingyue and Jinxuan. They told us that you had already sent the message to the immortals yesterday."

Zhongli: "Yes, that's right. After all, the test is over, and we can't keep them in the dark forever."

"Wait, I just thought of something very important. Zhongli, now that you don't have the 'Heart of God,' what will happen to Mora of Teyvat?" Paimon asked directly.

Paimon: "After Morax 'dies,' will they disappear? Also, the Golden House is the only mint on the entire continent. Will it still be able to operate?" After all, Liyue has the only mint in Teyvat, and without Morax... she can't imagine...

"The existing Mora won't disappear. But the Golden House will indeed cease production for a long time, because the creation of Mora requires the power of the 'Rock God.' But..." Zhongli then recalled something: "It seems that Xuanqing could also create some Mora in his place."

null:!

Paimon: "Huh?!"

Zhongli: "Due to the special nature of Xuanqing's authority, he once 'copied' my power, so he could completely replace my authority to create Mora. But now, he probably won't agree to this..."

"Wow! How terrible! We're all going to be broke! The world is going to end!" Paimon clutched his head, his face filled with worry.

Zhongli lowered his head and pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "Indeed, this matter is of great significance. From a financial perspective..." He suddenly realized that he had already stepped down, "Hmm, never mind. Such troublesome topics are more suitable for the Liyue Seven Stars to discuss."

Sora: "You're really decisive..."

Paimon had another question: "So, so... do you keep some money on your own?"

Zhongli: "Oh? Secret stash of money? Hmm, from a generally rational perspective, that's a good suggestion. Too bad..."

Paimon: "What's a pity?"

Zhongli: "It's a pity I forgot."

Empty ╮(︶﹏︶)╭：（I knew it…）

Paimon (′?w?) :……

"Haha, no need to worry so much. Since you two have no other questions for the time being, I'll take my leave now. I'm having a meal with some old friends this afternoon, and I haven't asked the head of the hall for leave yet."

Paimon: "Thank you, Zhongli. Goodbye then! Kong and I will stay in Liyue a little longer."

Kong: "Goodbye, take care on your journey."

Zhongli nodded and left. When he arrived at Jueyun Pavilion, he saw Liuyun studying the mechanism box given to him by Xuanqing.

Xuanqing: "Liuyun, you should move this lock here..."

Liu Yun: "How could I not know? A small puzzle box is no challenge for me!"

Then Liu Yun tried it himself, but after a long time he still couldn't solve it.

Seeing this, Xuanqing took the puzzle box from Liuyun's hand and explained to her, "This lock is upside down. You can't solve it this way. You have to do it like this... and then like this..."

Xuan Yue was teaching Li Shui how to grow flowers, while Xiao Yue joined in the fun.

Xuan Yue: "You don't need to pour so much water!"

Li Shui: "Should we add fertilizer?"

Xuan Yue: "Add a little more, bury it at the base..."

Xiaoyue: "Lishui, you added too much..."

Risui: "Then you do it!"

……

Seeing this heartwarming scene, Zhongli couldn't help but smile, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief...

Grandma Ping walked over carrying her guqin: "Oh, how thoughtful of you... Jueyun Pavilion hasn't been this lively in a long time."

"Yes, it's been a long time..."