"Su Bai, we need to go. Why are you still upstairs?"
Paimon flew over and tugged at Su Bai's sleeve, finally pulling his gaze away from the distance. With the Rite of Descension approaching, ensuring Liyue's safety had sent Xiao's workload skyrocketing. Throughout the entire afternoon, Xiao hadn't returned to Wangshu Inn even once.
'I wonder where Xiao is right now. Perhaps clearing monsters from some domain?'
"I'll have to leave this jade pendant with Verr Goldet to pass on to Xiao. Though she seems quite afraid of him—it must be tough for her."
Su Bai toyed with a specially crafted jade pendant meant for Xiao. Etched into it was a powerful illusion spell designed to trigger if Xiao ever lost himself to his karmic debt, helping him regain clarity. Such a spell had previously existed only in theory, but Su Bai had managed to create it using his innate authority over illusions.
"Why is it that my authority over illusions has no effect on Shenhe? So frustrating."
---
Far from the mortal world, atop Mt. Aocang, Xiao and the other adepti had been waiting for Rex Lapis for some time. Even though the Geo Archon had said he wouldn't arrive until the afternoon, they had gathered early in the morning.
"Ping, you've been spending quite a bit of time with Rex Lapis lately. Do you know why he's summoned us all?"
"Mountain Shaper, trust me when I say you don't want to know. I fear it might lead you down unpleasant paths."
A trace of helplessness crossed the kindly face of Madame Ping. Only Rex Lapis could likely keep that little one in check. The matter he was calling them together to discuss probably concerned that same troublesome individual.
Xiao cast a curious glance at Madame Ping. What could trouble her so deeply yet leave her powerless, while also causing Mountain Shaper to think of unpleasant things? Could there be a new young adeptus in Liyue? Xiao vividly remembered when Su Bai had plucked Cloud Retainer's feathers as a child, intending to make quills.
"Ping, since when did you become so evasive? What could I possibly find unacceptable? Even if you told me little Bai had fathered a child, I could offer my blessings."
Impulsive as ever, Moon Carver grew annoyed with Madame Ping's riddles. Having fought countless gods during the Archon War without fear, he would not be intimidated by mere words now.
"What?! Su Bai has a child?! Why has he never told me?"
"Morax, what should I give as a gift to establish my status as his senior?"
"Audacity! Who dares address Rex Lapis by name?!"
The young female voice reached Moon Carver's ears, igniting his temper. Though it sounded like a child's voice, it was no excuse for disrespect toward Rex Lapis.
"Has the common folk's reverence for Rex Lapis diminished so greatly? Even a child speaks so boldly. It seems some discipline is in order."
Before Madame Ping could intervene, Moon Carver's fiery temperament had already spoken. Feeling the silence on the mountain path, he proudly lifted his head, having defended Rex Lapis's honor once again. Meanwhile, Madame Ping quietly distanced herself a few steps—should blood spray, she'd rather not be nearby.
"Reverence? Morax, I ask you—have I shown you enough reverence?"
The childish voice accompanied the sight of their revered Geo Archon appearing before the adepti, carrying a small girl with dragon horns on his back. Not only did Rex Lapis carry her, but she also tugged at his hair freely, venting her frustration.
The Geo Archon showed no sign of anger. If anything, a doting smile graced his face—a sight that stunned all the adepti except Madame Ping.
Cloud Retainer spat out her tea all over the Mountain Shaper's feathers. A single question consumed her thoughts: When had Rex Lapis acquired a child? Had someone truly managed to melt this stone's heart?
"Staring at what, at what? Which bastard just said they'd discipline me? Step forward. Let's have a go!"
Moon Carver's deer-like mouth twitched. What in the world was this? If he had known this child was Rex Lapis's daughter, not only would he have refrained from scolding her, he would have applauded her instead.
Xiao also felt at a loss. Though Rex Lapis had instructed him not to reveal his identity to Su Bai, whenever Su Bai mentioned "Zhongli" in conversation, Xiao unconsciously noted down what Su Bai said about the Archon.
Though he was an adeptus of considerable age, his mind remained sharp. He distinctly remembered Su Bai mentioning that many matchmakers in Liyue Harbor had tried to set Zhongli up, but the man had shown little interest.
Little interest, yet his daughter was already this old? So Su Bai had been deceiving him, a thousand-year-old adeptus? Xiao patted his pockets, finding nothing suitable as a gift. He wondered if Rex Lapis's daughter would be interested in a Mitachurl's axe—he had spotted a Hilichurl camp on the way.
"Well, little one, what's your name? This is a gift from this uncle."
Attempting to make amends for his earlier blunder, Moon Carver produced a particularly fine piece of ore as a gift for Liyue's little princess.
"Little one? You're calling me a little one?"
"Moon Carver, have you forgotten who I am after all this time?"
The horned girl pointed at herself. Moon Carver examined her more closely—those dragon horns looked strangely familiar.
"Have you forgotten how you used those antlers of yours to gore my backside? Perhaps I need to jog your memory physically."
"You... you're Azhdaha?!"
Moon Carver's pupils contracted sharply. He had indeed ambushed Azhdaha during Rex Lapis's battle with the dragon. Azhdaha let out a sinister laugh as he jumped down from Zhongli's back. Those small hands crackled with terrifying Geo energy.
Having followed Rex Lapis for millennia, Moon Carver was highly attuned to Geo. The energy in Azhdaha's hands made his heart race. He began to regret his earlier actions—had he known Azhdaha would one day recover, he would never have targeted the dragon's rear.
"Dragon Sovereign, would you believe me if I said that was all a misunderstanding?"
"Heh, Moon Carver, if I said I believed you, would you believe me?"
"I would."
"Even if you believe it, you're still getting this beating today. And the rest of you—don't think staying quiet will make me forget how you all ganged up on me. I can't beat Morax, but I can certainly beat you lot."
"Today, every single one of you is getting a reckoning."
Zhongli watched the ensuing chaos with his hands behind his back, a smile playing on his lips. Bringing Azhdaha had indeed been a good idea—it had been far too long since the adepti had gathered in such merriment. Yet watching them, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of melancholy. Once, their gatherings had been far livelier, with a drunk Azhdaha taking down multiple adepti at once. Now only these few old friends remained.
"Alas, old friends fade away one by one, like fallen leaves in the wind."