Liyue Harbor, Liuli Pavilion.
"Well, since we're dealing with people from the underworld, I can't go into too much detail."
"In short, I brought you here to meet Zhongli—and, of course, Mr. Qiu Bai—because..."
As he spoke, Childe cast a glance at Zhongli, seemingly on purpose.
"Because I have a way for you to see the body of the Geo Archon."
Zhongli looked at Lumine and Paimon, speaking calmly.
"What?!"
Paimon exclaimed in shock. Lumine was just as surprised, staring at Zhongli.
"There's no need to be so startled. Though Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, has already hidden the Geo Archon's body, let's first hear what Zhongli has to say."
Childe smiled, responding to Paimon's surprise before turning to Zhongli.
"The main reason Ningguang concealed the Geo Archon's body is because of you, Tartaglia."
Qiu Bai sighed inwardly. No wonder Childe had been played like a fiddle by both Zhongli and La Signora.
Zhongli continued, "The Geo Archon may be the ancestor of all Adepti, but ultimately, he is still one of them."
"Throughout Liyue's long history, the Adepti have gradually departed—an irreversible trend."
"The world is changing. You must have felt that change when you were in Jueyun Karst."
Zhongli finished and looked at Lumine and Paimon, patiently waiting for Lumine's response.
"The Adepti... are leaving Liyue?"
Lumine asked, puzzled.
"As you've seen, the era of the Adepti is fading, while the age of humanity is becoming reality."
"In the past, whenever an Adeptus departed, a grand memorial ceremony would be held."
Zhongli frowned slightly and continued, "This is a long-standing tradition in Liyue, yet this time, even the Qixing have neglected it. It's quite improper."
Good grief, he's really putting on a show. Qiu Bai, standing nearby, couldn't help but think Zhongli deserved the title of "Acting Emperor."
After all, he and Morax were the true masterminds behind this grand game of chess, and now it was time to stir the board.
"Well, it is a godslaying case, after all."
Lumine looked at Zhongli as she spoke.
"Yeah... and we haven't even caught the real culprit yet."
Paimon, floating in the air, nodded in agreement.
"A godslaying case, huh? The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has no interest in such matters."
"What it does care about is this: if the Rite of Parting is such an elaborate affair, then why is no one ensuring a proper Rite of Passing?"
Qiu Bai twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth. Was Zhongli seriously arranging his own farewell?
"Traveler, I've heard about you from Childe."
"Since you have some ties to Barbatos, would you consider assisting me in preparing a farewell ceremony for the Geo Archon?"
Zhongli gazed at Lumine, his voice steady.
"Uh..."
"Traveler, if you think about it, there really isn't any other option."
Paimon held her head, running through the possibilities, but ultimately coming to the same conclusion.
"Exactly. No matter how much you think about it, the outcome remains unchanged."
"Ningguang is preventing anyone from paying their respects to the Geo Archon's body."
"If you want to achieve your goal of finding the Seven Archons, this is your only path forward."
Childe quickly interjected, knowing that Lumine was his best chance at obtaining the Gnosis—he couldn't afford to let her give up.
"Besides, Liyue's other deity, the Lord of Yin and Yang, has mysteriously disappeared as well."
"Indeed. Participating in the Rite of Passing is the only way for you to see the Geo Archon's body again."
Zhongli picked up where Childe left off, his voice calm as he addressed Lumine.
Thinking about it, Lumine couldn't help but feel a bit helpless. The two deities she had been searching for—the Lord of Yin and Yang and the Geo Archon—were standing right in front of her, casually explaining how to conduct a farewell ceremony for themselves.
"It seems there's no other choice."
Lumine murmured.
Her goal was to find the Seven Archons, hoping to discover traces of the unknown god from that fateful day and ultimately rescue her brother. Even if they weren't one of the Seven, as long as they were a god, it would be enough.
"Well, if you agree, come with me after dinner. We'll discuss the details on the way."
Zhongli spoke calmly before stepping out of the room.
Lumine glanced at Zhongli as he left, then turned her gaze to Qiu Bai, who was still seated.
"Qiu Bai, I really didn't expect you to be involved in something like this."
Before Lumine could say anything, Paimon flew over to Qiu Bai, her voice full of curiosity. After all, among those present, Qiu Bai was the only one she could consider even slightly familiar.
"Haven't I already told you? I'm a guest consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"There's no need to rush. Let's finish our meal first—after all, the food here isn't cheap. Once we're done, I'll take you to see Zhongli."
Qiu Bai smiled as he looked at Lumine and Paimon.
"Well, that works out nicely. I was planning to have a few more drinks anyway."
"And I could use the time to practice using chopsticks. Mr. Qiu Bai, would you care to join me for a few rounds?"
Childe chuckled and took a seat next to Qiu Bai.
"Haha, of course," Qiu Bai responded leisurely.
Lumine and Paimon didn't stand on ceremony either and began eating. Qiu Bai ordered a few fruit juices for Lumine and Paimon, while he and Childe enjoyed their wine, chatting idly.
As they talked, Qiu Bai also gave Childe a quick lesson on how to use chopsticks.
For a brief moment, Childe found himself thinking—if not for the differences in their positions and nations, he would have genuinely wanted to be friends with Qiu Bai. Compared to Zhongli, Qiu Bai was much more approachable.
Time passed bit by bit.
"I'm stuffed!"
Paimon rubbed her stomach with a satisfied grin.
"Thank you for the meal," Lumine said, smiling at Childe and Qiu Bai.
Hearing this, Qiu Bai stood up.
"Then let's get going. I'll take you to Zhongli."
"Childe, we'll take our leave now."
Qiu Bai smiled as he glanced at Childe, who was still struggling with his chopsticks.
"Chopsticks... are so difficult to use."
Childe muttered under his breath, visibly frustrated.
Qiu Bai twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth but didn't comment. Instead, he led Lumine and Paimon out of the room and in the direction of Zhongli.
After a short walk, they finally spotted Zhongli standing beneath a tree, gazing at the distant mountains.
"Zhongli, I've brought them."
Qiu Bai spoke steadily.
"Much appreciated, old friend."
Zhongli turned to Qiu Bai with a nod, then looked at Lumine and Paimon.
"Old friend?"
"That makes it sound like you've known each other for a really, really long time."
Paimon looked at the two in surprise.
After all, Zhongli and Qiu Bai both appeared young. Even if they had known each other since childhood, calling each other "old friends" still seemed a bit much.
"Haha, Qiu Bai and I have indeed known each other for a long time."
"There's nothing wrong with calling him an old friend."
Zhongli chuckled and explained to Paimon and Lumine.
Qiu Bai also smiled and nodded in agreement. Their history did go back quite far.
"The way you two talk really gives off an ancient vibe."
"And Qiu Bai's mysterious techniques are super suspicious."
Paimon narrowed her eyes, striking a detective-like pose as she scrutinized the two.
Lumine also nodded. The composure they carried didn't seem feigned—it felt like the result of countless experiences.
Qiu Bai was one thing, but this Zhongli... He gave off the impression of someone who had lived for an exceptionally long time, someone who spoke with the weight of ages.