Hearing Qiu Nian's answer, Lumine and Paimon's brains practically short-circuited.
If he wasn't a god, how could he be this powerful?
If he wasn't a god, why was he called a foreign god?
If he wasn't a god, how could he stand on equal footing with Morax?
"Whaaaat?!"
It wasn't just Lumine and Paimon who were stunned.
Even Xuehua dragged out a long, disbelieving shout.
Qiu Nian… wasn't a god?!
The livestream chat instantly filled with question marks.
[Qiu Nian isn't a god?!]
[Then why does he feel even more godlike than a god?!]
[Wait… what?!]
[Most importantly—if he's not a god, why is he so strong?!]
[And what about the title "foreign god"? Was Zhongli acting the whole time?!]
[So what exactly is Qiu Nian's identity?!]
[He doesn't have a Vision and isn't a god… could he actually be a normal person?]
[Your logic almost makes sense… except it absolutely doesn't!]
"However…"
Qiu Nian suddenly changed his tone.
"H-However what?!"
Paimon asked immediately.
"Calling me a god wouldn't exactly be wrong."
"I'm simply… somewhat special."
"I don't have a title like 'God of Something.'"
"As for a divine name… you may consider Guixu to serve that role."
Qiu Nian waved his hand casually as he explained.
"What kind of vague answer is that…"
Paimon pouted.
"Qiu Nian."
"Is your strength really equal to the Geo Archon's?"
Lumine asked curiously.
"And who actually won that battle between you two?"
Paimon added, clasping her hands behind her back.
"At the time, my strength truly was comparable to Morax."
"As for who won that battle…"
"After so many years, the result no longer matters."
Qiu Nian smiled faintly.
"There it is again."
Lumine's expression slowly turned into the same mischievous look.
"Haha…"
"Then tell me—who do you think won that battle between Morax and me?"
Qiu Nian asked.
"Sometimes you have to think in reverse."
"Since Liyue's historians believe the Geo Archon won… I'll guess that you were the one who won."
Lumine said after thinking for a moment.
"Yes."
"I won."
Qiu Nian nodded.
"That can't be right!"
Paimon protested immediately.
"If you had won, Liyue wouldn't look like it does today!"
"In that case… Morax must have won."
Qiu Nian said with a thoughtful nod.
"See? I knew my guess was right!"
Paimon crossed her arms proudly.
"Wait… hold on!"
"You—so who actually won?!"
Paimon suddenly realized something and stomped angrily.
"Qiu Nian…"
Lumine was starting to get annoyed too.
"Haha…"
"But haven't I already told you the answer?"
Qiu Nian laughed.
Xuehua burst out laughing as well.
[Qiu Nian: Basically, you're all correct]
[He's treating Lumine and Paimon like little kids]
[There's no way the Traveler can outplay these ancient people]
[Didn't he say the answer was already given?]
[Wait… does that mean neither of them actually won or lost?]
[So who won?!]
"Let's go have dinner."
"My treat."
"Consider it compensation for deceiving you."
Qiu Nian said.
"You're so poor though."
"How are you going to treat us?"
Paimon said skeptically.
"Haha…"
"I may not have much money, but I can still afford one meal."
With that, Qiu Nian began walking down the mountain.
Lumine and Paimon exchanged helpless glances.
Aside from the things Qiu Nian admitted himself—
Every other question they asked had been answered in the most ambiguous way possible.
"But…"
"What exactly was that thing he made me accept earlier?"
Lumine touched her chest thoughtfully.
"Come on, let's follow him!"
"I still regret not getting to eat at Xinyue Pavilion last time!"
Paimon said excitedly.
Lumine nodded, and the two of them hurried after Qiu Nian.
At the same time, in Liyue Harbor.
Ningguang stood on the upper floor, holding her long pipe.
"The Jade Chamber…"
Looking out the window at Liyue Harbor—now no longer visible from the heights she once commanded—she let out a quiet sigh.
The Jade Chamber could be rebuilt.
But the cost would be immense.
Still…
It had been worth it.
The adepti had ultimately chosen to return authority to the Qixing, leaving supervision in the hands of the people of Liyue.
Now…
The era of humanity had begun.
If Rex Lapis were still here, he would surely be pleased.
"Mr. Qiu Nian…"
Ningguang picked up a document and examined it carefully.
His martial prowess was extraordinary—comparable to those who possessed Visions.
But Liyue was vast and full of talented individuals.
Exceptional fighters were not uncommon.
However…
Someone who possessed both great martial ability and profound knowledge—
That was rare.
Still, it proved nothing.
"I had hoped he might work under me."
"But it seems Director Hu beat me to it."
Ningguang smiled faintly.
Until she discovered someone's weakness, even the most outstanding chess piece could not truly be used.
Meanwhile, at a barbecue restaurant in Liyue Harbor.
Because of the chaos caused by Osial earlier that day, many shops remained closed.
So the three of them settled for a small barbecue place called Three-Foot Craving.
"This is amazing!"
"This place is called Three-Foot Craving, right? I'm definitely coming back!"
Paimon said happily while chewing a perfectly grilled piece of meat.
"Paimon, you eat way too much."
Lumine said helplessly, looking at the five empty plates stacked beside her.
"If you know I eat a lot, then hurry up and increase my food allowance from 250,000 Mora a month to 300,000!"
"Besides, Qiu Nian is paying! What's wrong with eating a little more?!"
Paimon protested.
"Paimon eats 250,000 Mora worth of food every month?"
Qiu Nian glanced at her tiny belly in surprise.
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