"The Jade Chamber was sacrificed for Liyue's sake. Given its significance, such cooperation and sacrifice deserve at least a word of praise," Madame Ping gently concluded.
Ningguang shook her head slightly. "No, it would be more accurate to say 'it's at least a useful bargaining chip.' That phrasing is more to my taste."
She made no attempt to hide her true intentions. "Thank you, Madame Ping, for speaking kindly on my behalf. We're fully aware of the adepti's reasons for coming here today, but I'm afraid we simply cannot yield."
Jiang Bai no longer had the energy to listen to the Qixing debating their governance of Liyue.
His brain had momentarily stalled, but once the fog lifted, the truth wasn't actually complicated.
He understood clearly that the adepti couldn't govern Liyue forever, and the Archon willingly relinquishing his rule meant that ultimately, Liyue would return to human hands.
The Qixing had already proven they could protect Liyue. The outcome was predetermined—there were no more mysteries.
None of this really mattered to him. But one matter…one matter concerned him very deeply.
He sat at the edge of the docks, heaving heavy sighs, strongly considering throwing himself headfirst into the sea to drown.
How can I possibly face Zhongli now? Can't I just…never go home again?
In the end, the adepti relented and left one by one. With the crisis settled, the Millelith and Qixing dispersed quickly too.
Having just survived a major disaster, Liyue had plenty of urgent matters left to resolve. No one could afford to waste any more time.
Paimon and Aether approached Jiang Bai, who was sighing miserably.
Paimon tilted her head curiously at him. "What's with you? Ningguang just thanked us, you know..."
Jiang Bai hung his head lifelessly. "I'm tired."
"We still have unfinished business—get up!" Paimon grabbed his arm, trying to pull him upright.
"Yeah," Aether chimed in, "since Rex Lapis didn't actually die, we still have to ask Mr. Zhongli about this whole Rite of Parting…"
Jiang Bai buried his face in his hands. "You two go ahead. Just tell Zhongli I'm dead…"
He'd already died socially today; he really didn't want to go for round two.
Paimon and Aether exchanged confused glances, question marks practically visible above their heads.
You're clearly fine. Why would you tell Zhongli you're dead?
But Aether quickly realized what Jiang Bai was thinking and joined in trying to drag him up.
"You have to face this eventually. Running away won't change anything."
Guessing the truth was one thing—confirming it directly was quite another. They needed Zhongli himself to explain clearly. Who knows, maybe they were all mistaken?
But Jiang Bai was glued to the deck like he'd been coated in adhesive, immovable no matter how they pulled.
However, the next voice froze Jiang Bai's entire body stiff.
"Finished your tasks already?"
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Jiang Bai instinctively shrank inward, curling up tighter. His toes curled painfully in his shoes, desperately wishing he could leap straight into the sea and drown himself.
Zhongli slowly approached, hands clasped behind his back. His gaze settled upon Jiang Bai, who was curled up like a frightened quail.
A faint, amused smile curled Zhongli's lips. He asked deliberately, "What happened here?"
"No idea. He suddenly turned out like this," Paimon replied, shrugging helplessly.
"But Zhongli, what are you doing here? We were just about to go looking for you!" She glanced around him. "Where's the bard? Wasn't he with you?"
"He went to find a tavern," Zhongli replied calmly.
Observing Jiang Bai attempting to shrink into a tiny ball and erase his own existence, Zhongli's smile deepened even further.
"Get up. Come with me, all of you."
"Where are we going?" Paimon asked curiously.
"To a place where you can learn the full truth."
Aether instantly understood—Zhongli intended to finally reveal everything.
He glanced sympathetically at Jiang Bai, who still stubbornly refused to accept reality. Hmm. It was honestly kind of funny.
"Come on."
Zhongli placed his hand firmly on Jiang Bai's shoulder. Jiang Bai flinched visibly.
Then, stiff as a wooden puppet, Jiang Bai stood upright mechanically and followed behind Zhongli, walking with the same arm and leg forward like a broken toy soldier.
He didn't want to go. He really, really didn't want to go!!
Why is this happening to me?!
Please don't tell me the truth!
I don't wanna hear it!!!
"Wait a second," Paimon realized suddenly. "This path… are we heading to Northland Bank?"
"Indeed," Zhongli confirmed.
"Oh right, we still haven't dug Childe out yet," Aether added. "Hope he hasn't died down there."
"You buried Childe alive?" Zhongli raised an eyebrow slightly.
"We were in a hurry to get onto the Jade Chamber and couldn't just leave him lying around, so we dug a hole and buried him temporarily to keep anyone from rescuing him," Paimon explained helpfully.
Zhongli immediately recognized this plan as Jiang Bai's handiwork and shook his head with quiet amusement.
This unusual thinking truly was as distinctive as always.
...
When the group arrived at Northland Bank, they found the guards had already been taken away by the Millelith. The place was entirely deserted.
Zhongli calmly pushed open the doors and stepped inside.
Signora had clearly been waiting for them. She wore a pristine new outfit, completely free of any battle damage.
Seeing Zhongli stroll in so leisurely, she laughed sarcastically. "My, my. The mighty Rex Lapis truly takes his time."
Crack—
Aether faintly heard something shatter. He turned and saw Jiang Bai's entire expression had utterly fractured.
Eyes hollow, gaze empty—Jiang Bai seemed lost in a trance, completely numb to the presence of the enemy standing directly before him.
Zhongli glanced briefly at him, amused.
Wasn't he confidently certain of himself earlier? Now he can't even face the truth?
Signora's gaze drifted casually toward those behind Zhongli. "Oh, isn't this our dear Traveler, and that other nobody?"
"What 'nobody'?! Paimon has a name, you know!" Paimon immediately retorted, hands indignantly placed on her hips.
Aether silently jabbed her heart a little deeper. "Paimon, I don't think she was talking about you."
"Argh, now I'm even angrier!" Realizing Signora hadn't even noticed her existence, Paimon stomped her foot in frustration.
"By the looks on your faces, don't tell me you only just realized the one who's been playing you all along was the Geo Archon himself?" Signora laughed mockingly.
Her words instantly pierced Jiang Bai's heart, pulling him violently out of his socially-dead numbness.
No longer caring if Zhongli mocked him, Jiang Bai retorted icily, "Not half as bad as a certain Lady who lost her own weapon in a fight."
"Yeah, and we still have your colleague," Paimon chimed in ruthlessly. "You couldn't even rescue your comrade—doesn't seem very impressive to me!"
"Sharp tongues, both of you." Signora's eyes chilled dangerously, but restrained herself due to Zhongli's presence.
Jiang Bai was never one to swallow his anger, especially in front of this woman who irritated him immensely.
Anyway, he'd already died socially—what was one more embarrassment?
Shamelessly, he grabbed Zhongli's sleeve, eyes immediately turning moist and teary, voice becoming pitifully sweet. "Shifu~ Dìjūn~"
Stretching his voice, Jiang Bai dramatically showed off his wounded arm. "Shifu~ this terrible woman attacked me! Waaah, your poor disciple got beaten up sooo badly…"
Zhongli: "…"
Signora: "…"
Aether: "…"
---
T/N: LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
discord.gg/wisetl
patreon.com/wisetl