Liyue, Mount Aozang.
Under a canopy of green trees, four people sat around a stone table.
They were Cloud Retainer, along with Morax, Guizhong, and Azhdaha who had come to visit.
Because Morax usually enjoyed drinking tea, Cloud Retainer specially brewed a pot of high-quality tea.
The tea was vibrant in color and rich in aroma; just smelling it was refreshing.
Immediately after, the teapot on the stone table floated into the air without warning.
It was as if an invisible hand was controlling it, refilling each teacup.
Morax raised his teacup and took a small sip.
"Good tea."
Morax slowly gave his appraisal.
"It's much better than the tea at those teahouses in Liyue."
"Is it? Let me try." Guizhong picked up Morax's teacup and took a sip.
Even though she had her own teacup, Guizhong just wouldn't drink from her own; instead, she was particularly keen on Morax's teacup.
Immediately after, Guizhong spat twice, shaking his head and saying, "It's bitter and not good at all."
"Azhdaha, don't you agree with me?"
Azhdaha next to him scratched his head and honestly replied, "I don't know the taste of the tea because I swallowed it in one gulp."
Morax slowly said, "Good tea needs to be savored to truly appreciate its essence."
"If you are interested in drinking tea, you can come with me to the teahouse tomorrow."
Guizhong blinked his eyes, showing a surprised expression: "Eh? Going to the teahouse tomorrow? I was planning to fly kites tomorrow."
"Alright, alright, then we'll go to the teahouse tomorrow and fly kites the day after."
Watching Guizhong and Morax discuss their leisure plans, Cloud Retainer's expression was a bit dazed.
Because she found it hard to imagine that Lord of Geo, who protected all of Liyue, was now living the life of an ordinary person.
"Lord of Geo… are you really planning to retire and no longer govern Liyue?"
Cloud Retainer looked at Morax, asking with a serious expression.
Facing Cloud Retainer's question, Morax's eyes were as calm as water, showing no fluctuations.
"I am the god of humans, and I should witness the rise and fall of humanity."
"Now, I just want to be an ordinary Liyue person."
Morax's tone was slow and steady as he stated his decision.
"But… will Liyue truly be okay without Lord of Geo?"
"Throughout the long years, Liyue has grown under Lord of Geo's watchful eye."
"If Lord of Geo leaves, who will guide Liyue's future?"
Cloud Retainer expressed her concerns.
Morax didn't respond; he was pondering Cloud Retainer's question.
Lord of Geo abdicates, who will guide Liyue's future?
If it were before, Morax wouldn't have been able to give an answer.
But many things had happened recently, giving Morax a sense of certainty.
Morax looked down at his teacup, then slowly said, "At the right time and place, someone will step forward to guide Liyue forward."
Hearing Morax's words, Cloud Retainer sighed softly.
"I hope so."
"But who could possibly take over the responsibilities from Lord of Geo?"
Cloud Retainer felt a headache just thinking about it.
Looking at all the adepti and the Liyue Seven Stars, none of them seemed to be the optimal choice.
However, Cloud Retainer knew that Lord of Geo always acted with prudence.
Since Lord of Geo had decided to retire, he must have already made thorough preparations.
Perhaps, he already had a suitable candidate in mind for the next Lord of Geo.
It was just unknown who that person was.
Silence.
After their conversation ended, the air became exceptionally silent.
Guizhong also noticed the somewhat oppressive atmosphere, and he immediately changed the subject.
"Cloud Retainer, let me tell you about our travels recently!"
"We first went to Mondstadt, and then to Inazuma."
"In Inazuma, we even unexpectedly met Mr. Faxun and that little girl Ganyu."
When Makoto and Ganyu were mentioned, Guizhong seemed to open a floodgate of words.
He couldn't contribute to discussions about governing Liyue, but he had a very high interest in matchmaking.
"Cloud Retainer, sometimes you should also advise that girl Ganyu,"
"Tell her not to focus solely on work, but also to consider her future,"
"For example, having a little Ganyu or a little Makoto,"
"As his aunt, I could help take care of the children then."
Actually, Guizhong really liked children.
Every time he saw Little One next to Makoto, he would stop in his tracks.
Every time, he couldn't resist squatting down to play with the child.
Over time, Guizhong developed the idea of helping Makoto and Ganyu raise children, preferably a little Ganyu or a little Makoto, as that would be more interesting.
Guizhong's idea resonated with Cloud Retainer.
"It's been a long time since I've seen that girl Ganyu."
"Her life now is a two-point line: either she's busy with work, or she's by Makoto's side."
"The next time I see her, I will talk to her about this."
"After all, I also have no small interest in things like raising a little Ganyu."
As Cloud Retainer spoke, her voice suddenly paused.
Because she noticed that someone had arrived.
Looking up, she saw that the visitors were Makoto and Ganyu.
Ganyu also hadn't expected her master's adeptal abode to be so lively today, with three guests.
"Cloud Retainer, Aunt Guizhong, and Lord of Geo…"
"What, what are you all talking about?"
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