"That explanation is ridiculous… struck to death by lightning? Hahaha!"
When Xuehua heard Qiu Nian's blunt translation, she burst out laughing.
[A heavenly tribulation, I'm dying]
[Which fellow cultivator is ascending here?]
[Case closed, the Electro Archon did it]
[Liyue: Understood, declare war on Inazuma]
[I can't hold it in anymore]
"Eh… so that's the explanation the Qixing came up with…"
"That doesn't seem right. Why would they give up investigating the murderer so quickly?"
"And that reason… it sounds like something they made up on the spot."
Paimon said suspiciously, rubbing her chin.
"They probably did make it up on the spot."
Qiu Nian replied with a casual wave of his hand.
"If that's the case, then maybe after Zhongli completed the deal for the Gnosis…"
"He secretly told them the truth?"
Paimon whispered.
"That actually makes sense."
"This time I think Paimon's guess is pretty accurate."
Lumine nodded.
For those who knew the truth, the official explanation sounded absurd.
"Let's go."
"The Rite of Parting has already been underway for quite some time."
Qiu Nian said.
The three of them walked toward the ceremony.
The site was surrounded by a massive crowd.
Among them were Stone, the owner of Shitou's Jade, Ying'er from Chunxiang Pottery, as well as many merchants and social elites.
Regardless of status, every Liyue citizen present carried some trace of sorrow.
Well…
Except for Madame Ping.
Standing at the center was Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Qixing.
On her sides stood Keqing, the Yuheng, and Ganyu, the secretary of the Yuehai Pavilion.
"Oh, it's Ningguang and Keqing."
"What are they saying?"
"Is it almost over?"
Paimon asked curiously.
"…As previously stated."
"Rex Lapis has returned his soul to the heavens."
"The contract has come to an end."
"It marks the conclusion of an era."
Ningguang placed one hand over her chest and addressed the crowd.
"Three thousand seven hundred years of contracts…"
"And now they burn away into ashes…"
Stone sighed sorrowfully.
The crowd echoed with soft lamentations.
"The people of Liyue once lived in happiness."
"In that happiness, they forgot the cruelty of time."
Ningguang continued.
"A land with a god felt like an endless dream…"
Ying'er murmured with her hand over her heart.
Even she, usually playful and flirtatious, looked solemn today.
"Ah…"
Madame Ping lowered her head and sighed softly.
"When the dream ends…"
"People must learn how to say farewell."
"After the contract is renewed…"
"Will you bless the coming era?"
Ningguang asked the crowd.
"With that, Tianquan Ningguang's speech concludes."
"Yuheng Keqing, do you have anything to add?"
Ganyu asked.
Keqing glanced toward Lumine and Paimon.
"Huh? Why is she looking this way?"
Paimon muttered.
"Traveler."
Keqing walked over to them.
"So that's the Traveler who repelled the ancient god?"
"She's so young…"
"A true hero of Liyue."
"But who's the handsome gentleman beside her?"
"Have any of you seen him before?"
"Yes, that's Mr. Qiu Nian, a new consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"He's an old friend of Mr. Zhongli."
"I heard his knowledge rivals Zhongli's."
"Ningguang even invited him to the Jade Chamber before."
"So impressive…"
"I wonder if he already has someone he likes?"
The crowd began whispering excitedly.
"Of course Qiu Nian likes me!"
Xuehua said confidently while watching.
The livestream chat collectively sighed in exasperation.
"Liyue's Qixing always repay their debts."
"And as you may have heard, our reach is wide and our influence vast."
"Name your reward."
"You deserve it."
Keqing said to Lumine.
"Wow…"
Paimon stomped excitedly.
"…In that case…"
"Help me put up some missing person posters."
Lumine replied.
Keqing looked slightly surprised but nodded and recorded the appearance Lumine described.
Afterward, the three of them continued strolling through the ceremony.
Eventually they stopped beside a stone railing overlooking the view below.
"So the reason you're traveling across the seven nations…"
"…is to find your brother?"
Qiu Nian asked Lumine.
Lumine frowned slightly.
A memory surfaced in her mind.
Two golden meteors streaking across Mondstadt's sky.
A burning land beneath a dark red sky.
Floating crimson cubes drifting through the air.
And finally—
Her brother being taken away while she was sealed by an unknown god.
"…I will definitely uncover the truth."
Lumine said firmly.
"I hope you find your kin soon."
Qiu Nian replied gently.
After that, the three continued walking around the ceremony.
Later, Lumine and Paimon went to talk with Ying'er and Stone.
Meanwhile, Qiu Nian approached Madame Ping.
"Hmm…"
"So you've come."
Madame Ping smiled warmly.
"You really fooled me this time…"
She turned and looked toward Zhongli in the distance, shaking her head.
"It was part of his test for Liyue."
"But I doubt you were truly fooled."
"You must have suspected something."
"If you're still upset, I'll treat you to tea someday."
Qiu Nian said with a smile.
"I'm not the type to hold grudges over such things."
"But tell me…"
"Now that you've returned…"
"Will you stay only ten years again like last time?"
Madame Ping asked.
"Hmm…"
"This time…"
"I probably won't be leaving."
Qiu Nian answered after a brief pause.
"That's good… that's good…"
"If you disappear for another few thousand years…"
"I might not still be around to see you again."
Madame Ping said with a gentle laugh.
"If you have the time…"
"You should visit those old friends of yours as well."
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