This Rite of Parting was the grandest in all of Liyue's history.
Every idle person in Liyue Harbor came to attend the ceremony, completely filling the venue. Even Yujing Terrace itself was utterly packed, so crowded it could burst at any moment.
Luckily, the Millelith maintained order; otherwise, there might have been a stampede.
As the hour approached, solemnity gradually settled over the crowd.
Zhongli crushed petals of glaze lilies and placed them into the incense burner, lighting the Everlasting Incense. A wisp of smoke rose slowly, gently dispersing upward, its rich fragrance permeating the air.
Step by step, each ritual proceeded. Chanting voices mingled with the ringing of cleansing bells, echoing across Yujing Terrace.
Soft weeping emerged from the crowd, then gradually spread and intensified. People sobbed openly, tears streaming uncontrollably down their faces.
Their Lord of Geo was truly gone.
Once the rituals were completed, Zhongli stepped back, and Ningguang took his place.
The age of adepti had ended; the era of humanity had officially begun.
"Though dragons soar and qilin fly, their lives as enduring as mountains, they too shall return to dust. The Lord of Geo, whose lifespan equaled sun and moon, yet as skies shift between clear and storm, so did he meet tribulation, and his soul has returned to heaven."
Hearing the announcement from the Millelith, Venti, who had specially come for the funeral, once again teased his old friend:
"So, how does it feel to organize your own funeral?"
Zhongli seriously considered the question before earnestly replying, "Quite enjoyable. Would you like to give it a try?"
"No, no, thank you!" Venti shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum.
He suddenly missed the serious, dignified old man from the past. Now the old man had become more and more human-like—he even held grudges!
I only made fun of him a little, and now he always wants to hold a funeral for me…
Scary, scary!
He quickly changed the topic. "Didn't Jiang Bai say he'd treat us to a meal? Come, come, come—I can't wait anymore!"
Zhongli very much wanted to clarify that it was Xiangling inviting them, with Jiang Bai just taking credit, but he knew his old friend wouldn't care either way.
Today, Wanmin Restaurant wasn't open for business. Chef Mao had gone to Yujing Terrace to watch the ceremony, leaving only Xiangling and Guoba in the restaurant, busy preparing ingredients for their feast.
"Xiangling, we're here!" Jiang Bai called as he pushed open the door, coming straight from Yujing Terrace.
Aether and Paimon followed right behind him.
To thank them for their help, Keqing had specifically asked how she could repay them. Aether had requested only that Keqing issue a notice to help find his missing sister.
Such noble character was entirely beyond Jiang Bai's grasp, though he didn't directly ask for Mora either.
To leave a good impression on Liyue's leaders, Jiang Bai, now fully considered a member of Liyue, naturally couldn't appear so vulgar.
Favor from powerful people was far more valuable than simple money. With these relationships established, he'd earned merit as a hero. In the future, wouldn't doors open easily wherever he went?
"A feast! A feast!" Paimon was bouncing excitedly.
Wearing an apron, Xiangling poked her head out from the kitchen. "I won't formally welcome you—please sit wherever you'd like!"
"Mm-hm!"
Not long after, Zhongli entered, with Venti trailing behind.
"Lulu~!" Seeing him, Guoba jumped up, waving.
"Thanks for your hard work," Zhongli said with a gentle smile.
"Lulu~!" Guoba squinted his eyes happily, then waddled back into the kitchen to help.
"Any wine around here? Fine dishes deserve good wine!" Venti dragged out a stool, eyes glued to the wine jars lined up on the hall shelves.
"Feel free to drink whatever you want! It's my treat, no need to hold back!" Xiangling called from the kitchen.
Hearing this, Venti eagerly grabbed two large jars of wine.
Liyue's wine was different from Mondstadt's. Since he was visiting, of course he'd try some good Liyue wine!
As for the girl saying it was her treat, he completely ignored it.
He was just here to freeload—who was paying wasn't important at all!
Venti lifted off the jar's clay seal, and rich fragrance spilled out.
"Excellent wine!" Venti's eyes sparkled.
He poured a full cup for Zhongli. "Old man, drink up!"
Friends gathered casually, no need for formalities. Jiang Bai munched on peanuts while waiting for the food, eagerly pushing forward his cup. "Pour one for me too!"
Aether eyed them enviously, but since he looked far too young, no one intended to let him drink.
"Isn't the Director coming?" Zhongli asked after noticing Hu Tao still hadn't arrived.
"The Director went to Wuwang Hill yesterday—said there were ghosts she needed to take care of."
Wuwang Hill wasn't exactly close to Liyue Harbor; it'd probably take several days before she returned.
Their Communication Device could only send a message every three days. Even if Xiangling lent hers, Hu Tao wouldn't be able to respond immediately anyway.
Zhongli chuckled softly. "If the Director finds out we had a celebration without her, she'll probably throw quite a tantrum."
"No worries. Once the Director returns, Shifu, you can just treat us all again!"
"With his habit of never carrying money, how could he possibly afford it?" Paimon openly doubted Zhongli's ability to pay.
Zhongli paused thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it, I really do seem to have no Mora left…"
He'd never had the habit of saving money, nor did he ever check prices when shopping. Now, without his Gnosis, he'd completely lost the ability to create Mora.
The days of casually pulling Mora out of thin air were gone forever.
So, he really had no money.
Zhongli glanced toward Jiang Bai. "I'm afraid I can't treat you."
"Hahahahaha!" Venti laughed uproariously at the penniless Morax.
"Wait, Zhongli—you didn't save any secret stash at all?" Paimon asked, utterly speechless.
This was Morax, the one who could literally conjure Mora anytime he wished! How could he possibly be broke?!
"A secret stash? From a purely rational perspective, that's actually a good idea." Zhongli nodded thoughtfully. "Unfortunately, I forgot."
Jiang Bai, Aether, and Paimon simultaneously facepalmed.
For some reason, they weren't surprised at all by his response.
Forgetful of carrying money, forgetful of keeping a secret stash… Such forgetfulness from the god who represented Mora actually seemed strangely fitting!
Jiang Bai felt deep regret now. So much regret!
If he'd known earlier that Morax could directly create Mora, he would've endlessly nagged Zhongli to summon an entire houseful of Mora before handing his Gnosis to the Fatui!
But there was no such thing as "if only."
He had missed his chance at becoming an instant billionaire.
"Hahaha! You truly never disappoint, old man!" Venti laughed breathlessly, throwing an arm over Zhongli's shoulder.
Seeing Venti laughing so hard, Zhongli narrowed his eyes, countering mercilessly, "While I may not have Mora, at least I have ways to earn it. Moreover, I have my disciple to support me in retirement—unlike you, who has to sing on the street to scrape together a few coins for wine."
Venti's laughter froze instantly.
Named directly, Jiang Bai looked more miserable than if he were crying. He glanced at his pitifully thin wallet, mourning for his future.
No, he absolutely had to work harder!
Tomorrow! Tomorrow, he'd hand out flyers!
Only Paimon and Aether gleefully watched the drama unfold, taking great joy in stirring things up.
"That's right, that's right! Two broke gods!"
Two gods who couldn't even scrape together a single Mora—this surely referred to them!
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