Tenshukaku
Ei had been happily munching on her beloved tricolor dango, waiting eagerly to enjoy Morax's misfortune.
But when the light screen mentioned those slimy creatures, she frowned slightly.
Their strength might be insignificant—
But just like the chat said…
They were disgusting.
The moment she imagined them, even her favorite dango suddenly felt hard to swallow.
After all—
Dango was also kind of… sticky.
Ei hesitated for a moment, then put the dango aside, deciding to eat it later.
She turned her attention back to the light screen.
And then—
The light screen mentioned her.
"Hmm?"
"Ei, that dummy?"
"…Is that talking about me?"
Ei froze.
"If not you, then who?"
"Oh my, this light screen really sees people clearly!"
"Hehehe~"
Beside her, that mischievous fox broke into a brilliant smile.
Ei instantly felt indignant.
"You can say I'm bad at governing!"
"But I am definitely not a dummy!"
She felt that word was a direct insult to her intelligence.
The fox's smile only grew brighter.
Someone who says that…
And still claims not to be a dummy?
But she didn't argue further.
After all, if Ei got mad enough to flip the table and draw her sword, things would get troublesome.
So she shrugged innocently.
"Hey, don't complain to me."
"I wasn't the one who called you that~"
"Go argue with the light screen."
Ei opened her mouth… then closed it.
Argue with the light screen?
How?
She couldn't beat it.
She couldn't outtalk it.
And she still needed it to evaluate her in the future.
So in the end, she could only sulk silently.
Still, sulking aside, she turned back to the light screen.
"Hmph!"
"I want to see just how good those two are at acting!"
Seeing her friend's awkward expression, the fox chuckled softly.
Then she also looked up.
Sanctuary of Surasthana
"Among the Seven, aside from me and the Raiden Shogun, everyone else is good at acting?"
Hearing this, Nahida rested her chin on her hands, deep in thought.
So the other gods had this kind of skill too.
She wasn't sure how it would be useful yet—
But since all her seniors had mastered it, she should learn it as well.
She might not need it—
But she had to have it.
That was the mark of a qualified god!
As for the Raiden Shogun…
"So the Electro Archon is a dummy?"
"That's… unexpected~"
"But if that's the case, then it's understandable why she can't act."
Nahida nodded thoughtfully.
She didn't dwell on it further and turned her attention back to the light screen.
She planned to study Barbatos and Morax carefully.
Palais Mermonia
"Masters of acting?"
Neuvillette pondered for a moment, then subtly glanced at Furina beside him.
"Lady Furina, do you have any thoughts on this?"
"Huh?"
"Thoughts?"
"Uh… well… that…"
Furina panicked internally.
Others aside—
She knew herself very well.
Pretending to be a god for five hundred years without being exposed?
If that wasn't top-tier acting, what was?
Was the light screen hinting at that?
Luckily, it hadn't targeted her yet—it was only talking about Barbatos and Morax.
Still, with Neuvillette asking, she grew nervous.
Her eyes darted around, and she quickly came up with an answer.
"Ahahaha! Of course it's true!"
"After all, I'm Fontaine's most popular superstar!"
"Is my acting even up for debate?"
She puffed out her chest proudly.
Neuvillette nodded slightly.
Indeed.
Lady Furina's stage performances were truly exceptional.
He had seen them himself.
Still…
He felt the light screen might be implying something else.
But given recent events, he already suspected the scale of what she was hiding.
So he didn't press further.
Once the light screen evaluated it, everything would be revealed.
He inclined his head and returned his gaze to the screen.
Furina finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
She shook her head with a bitter smile and also looked up.
[Extraordinary Chat Group]
Lumine:
Masters of acting? Definitely! Venti's a veteran actor—just look at how he deliberately let Signora win! (doge)
Paimon:
Yeah! That weak-and-mocking act was so convincing—it fooled everyone!
Alice:
Hehe~ and that confidence boost got one Harbinger killed by the Raiden Shogun~ (evil grin)
Venti:
Ehe~
Signora:
...
Is this something you're never letting go?
Xiangling:
Then what about the Geo Archon? (curious)
Furina:
That's even more obvious! He stayed in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for years without anyone noticing—bad acting where?
Hu Tao:
...
Hu Tao:
Uh oh—by that logic, I'm the fool here~
Zhongli:
Cough.
Nahida:
So… this time it's a video featuring both seniors?
Yae Miko:
Oh? Now that sounds fun~
Ei:
With those two, if there's acting involved, someone's definitely going to suffer.
Lumine:
Not me, for sure! Based on future info, I definitely know their identities—just don't know who the unlucky one is~ (evil grin)
Paimon:
Hehehe, can't wait to see the unlucky one~
Venti:
Ehe~ can't wait~
Zhongli:
(observing)
Nahida:
(curiosity)
Furina:
(eating popcorn)
Villa
Seeing the chat explode, Luo Chen chuckled.
The next video was that legendary Lantern Rite banquet.
That scene perfectly showcased the acting skills of Venti and Zhongli, two seasoned veterans.
As for the "unlucky one"?
Who else could it be?
Xiao, of course.
Luo Chen was genuinely curious—
After watching this, would Xiao still be able to say:
"His Excellency must have his reasons."
The video was ready.
The light screen shimmered.
Light Screen — Video Begins
Location: Xinyue Kiosk, private room.
Zhongli, Xiangling, Xingqiu, and Chongyun sat at the table, chatting.
After discussing cooking techniques, Xingqiu exclaimed:
"I've long heard of Mr. Zhongli's vast knowledge. I never imagined you'd also be so skilled in the culinary arts!"
"Meeting you is truly an honor for us juniors!"
Zhongli smiled gently.
"You flatter me."
"You are all outstanding young talents, each with your own strengths. There are things I must learn from you as well."
"We're not worthy of such praise."
Chongyun scratched his head shyly, then continued:
"Well… if there's a chance, could Mr. Zhongli perhaps give me some guidance on exorcism techniques?"
Zhongli nodded.
"I have some experience in that area."
"If you don't mind, we can discuss it further later."
[Extraordinary Chat Group]
Xiangling:
Eh? I'm in this too? Chongyun and Xingqiu as well? (surprised)
Hu Tao:
Heh, looks like you guys were involved too~ Are you the unlucky ones? (evil grin)
Lumine:
Oh my~ such fine young talents~ Even the Geo Archon feels inferior~ (evil grin)
Alice:
Not to mention asking them not to mind~ (doge)
Xiangling, Chongyun, and Xingqiu all felt awkward.
If Zhongli were just Zhongli, these words were fine.
But now?
Those words came from Morax.
They nearly short-circuited.
They were nowhere near worthy of making the Geo Archon feel inferior!
Zhongli:
A renowned chef of Liyue, the second son of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, and a member of a famed exorcist clan—calling you "young talents" is hardly an exaggeration.
Xiangling:
Cough—thank you, Your Excellency. I'm just an ordinary chef!
Xingqiu:
Your Excellency is too kind. I'm merely from a merchant family.
Chongyun:
I—I feel honored! I would never dare be picky about Your Excellency's guidance!
The rest of the chat rolled their eyes.
If this was "ordinary," then what were normal people?
Light Screen — Continues
Soon after, Lumine and Paimon arrived.
After greetings, it became clear—
This was Lantern Rite.
Hu Tao had invited everyone to Xinyue Kiosk.
And now—
She was off inviting another guest.
Curiosity surged.
Everyone present was already someone special.
So who warranted Hu Tao personally going to fetch them?
The answer appeared quickly.
[Extraordinary Chat Group]
Lumine:
Oh! It's the Conqueror of Demons! I thought it'd be Venti! (surprised)
Paimon:
Didn't expect Hu Tao to manage this—her connections are impressive!
Hu Tao:
Hmph! I'm the boss of his boss's boss! (proud)
Cloud Retainer:
I didn't expect the Conqueror of Demons to attend a human banquet.
Moon Carver:
Indeed. He usually stays at Wangshu Inn.
Mountain Shaper:
Seems the Conqueror of Demons has changed. That's a good thing.
Xiao:
...
Xiao himself was surprised.
Because of his karmic debt, he rarely went to Liyue Harbor.
Attending a human banquet felt unreal.
"This must be because of Director Hu…"
He thought silently.
After all, His Excellency worked under her.
That alone justified accepting.
Perhaps… his future self truly had changed.
Then—
Alice suddenly realized something.
Alice:
Wait! Zhongli's identity isn't revealed yet—so what happens when Xiao sees him?!
Lumine:
Gasp—
Ganyu:
Gasp—
Yae Miko:
Gasp—
Nahida:
Gasp—
Furina:
Gasp—
Everyone inhaled sharply.
That's right!
Zhongli definitely didn't want his identity exposed!
But Xiao—
As his subordinate—
And the highest-status person in the room on paper—
What was he supposed to do?!
Could it be…
Xiao was the true unlucky one?!
Excitement exploded.
This was premium drama.
All eyes locked onto the screen.
Xiao's heart skipped a beat.
Just imagining it made his scalp tingle.
Could it really be him?
For the first time in ages—
The stoic Yaksha felt nervous.
Light Screen — Continues
Hu Tao cheerfully led Xiao inside.
Paimon and Lumine exchanged strange looks.
Xiao froze when he saw Zhongli.
His gaze lingered, uncertain.
The others stayed silent.
The room fell into an awkward stillness.
Zhongli sighed inwardly.
He had to step in—or this banquet would collapse.
He stood and spoke warmly.
"So the honored guest is the Conqueror of Demons—long admired!"
"Director Hu didn't mention it beforehand."
"To think this gathering includes young heroes, Liyue's talents, and the Golden-Winged Adeptus who safeguards the four corners."
"To share a table with all of you truly brings honor to this humble gathering."
"Uh…"
Xiao short-circuited.
Expression unchanged—
Internally panicking.
How was he supposed to respond to that?
He swallowed, steadied himself, and replied:
"C-Consultant… you flatter me."
[Extraordinary Chat Group]
Lumine:
PFFT—HAHAHAHA! I'm dying!
Paimon:
Hu Tao really put together a legendary banquet!
Alice:
'Long admired, Golden-Winged Adeptus!'
Turns out the real main dish is Xiao! (evil grin)
Furina:
This is even more awkward than Neuvillette meeting the Traveler!
Neuvillette:
...
Yanfei:
To avoid exposing his identity, His Excellency and the Conqueror of Demons truly put on a masterful performance.
Hu Tao nodded enthusiastically, then teased:
"Oh come on, Xiao—Zhongli's here! Hurry up and bow!"
Zhongli: "..."
Cloud Retainer:
Cough. His Excellency must have his reasons!
Moon Carver:
Indeed!
Mountain Shaper:
Thankfully, the Conqueror of Demons adapted quickly.
Madame Ping:
Hehehe~ the banquet has only just begun~
Xiao:
...
Xiao twitched.
As expected—
That ominous feeling was spot on.
Thinking about what came next, he silently mourned himself.
At the same time, he felt relieved.
Thank the heavens His Excellency's identity was already exposed now.
Otherwise—
He might've had to live through this nightmare personally.
Just imagining it made him uncomfortable all over.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito