The former Tianxuan and Tianji of the Liyue Qixing were both descendants of ancient heroes — men whose ancestors had once fought alongside Rex Lapis himself.
But bloodlines meant nothing when the descendants had long since rotted in greed and arrogance.
Their foolishness had crossed the line, and even Zhongli's near-endless patience was wearing thin.Did these men truly think he would tolerate corruption simply because their ancestors once served him in glory?
Ridiculous.
"If one commits wrong, one must pay the price,"Zhongli said calmly, his voice echoing through the hall.
He turned to Ganyu, who stood respectfully nearby.
"Establish a new oversight system immediately. Strengthen Liyue's legal code.Those who know the law and still choose to break it shall face punishment double that of ordinary offenders.The Qixing, the Eight Bureaus, and all affiliated offices will now be subject to full supervision."
His words fell like iron across the room.Even the remaining Qixing — most of whom had clean records — felt their hearts tighten.
They had never feared Rex Lapis' wrath, but his disappointment? That was far worse.
"Yes, Emperor," Ganyu replied softly, bowing low.
Zhongli turned his golden gaze toward Keqing and Ningguang.
"Yuheng and Tianquan, you have done well.There are too many corrupt figures festering within the Eight Bureaus and the merchant guilds.From now on, the two of you will lead the internal audits — focusing on fraud, favoritism, and especially nepotism.This task takes priority above all others.The rest of the Qixing will fully cooperate with Tianquan and Yuheng."
Keqing and Ningguang exchanged a look — the kind that only two ambitious visionaries could share.This was it — a green light for reform.
Exactly what they had both been waiting for.
The Eight Bureaus had long been a source of whispers and resentment among the people — their inefficiency and corruption the stain on an otherwise golden city.Now, Rex Lapis himself had given permission to purge the rot.
"Yes!" the remaining Qixing — Kaiyang and Yaoguang — answered quickly, their expressions stiff. They knew the tides were turning, and that many within their circles were about to face judgment.
Few would dare challenge Ningguang — her mind was as sharp as jade and twice as unyielding.But Keqing? She was likely to act more directly. Many of the so-called noble administrators of the Eight Bureaus were about to find themselves jobless — or worse.
Then, Uncle Tian stepped forward, bowing respectfully with an old tome held in both hands.
"Emperor, this is a manual of foundational internal arts — simple exercises meant to strengthen the body and nurture qi.We wish to distribute it throughout Liyue, so that even common citizens may practice and build resilience. May it be permitted?"
This was a proposal that had been privately discussed. Uncle Tian had volunteered to present it publicly.
To everyone's surprise, even Childe — that reckless Snezhnayan Harbinger — had quietly helped expose Tianxuan and Tianji. His name, for once, had been useful.
Zhongli accepted the book and flipped through a few pages.
"Basic internal cultivation is beneficial and harmless.Those without Visions may improve their health and longevity; those with Visions may gain finer control over their elemental resonance.Distribute it freely. The Qixing shall oversee its spread."
With that, his golden eyes glowed faintly.The air around him shimmered — and in a burst of radiant light, the Geo Archon vanished from the Yuehai Pavilion.
"Farewell to the Emperor!"The Qixing bowed low, though each wore a complex expression.
The biggest winners were clear. Keqing and Ningguang had not only gained control over the cleanup of the Eight Bureaus but also the Emperor's explicit trust.
But still… what exactly was this "basic internal cultivation" that even Rex Lapis had personally endorsed?
Kaiyang and Yaoguang exchanged uneasy glances and turned toward Uncle Tian, who only smiled mysteriously.
Meanwhile — At the Northland Bank
"Mr. Zhongli, where did you go?" Childe (Tartaglia) asked, squinting at him suspiciously."You've been gone forever. I was starting to think you got… stuck somewhere."
Zhongli raised an eyebrow. "I was occupied with important business."
"Ah, I get it," Childe said solemnly, nodding as though sharing some secret understanding. "You don't have to explain. Happens to the best of us, old man. Time catches up, you know?"
Zhongli blinked. "...Pardon?"
"Don't worry about it," Childe said with exaggerated sympathy. "Not easy being over six thousand years old, huh?"
For a moment, Zhongli's divine composure faltered.He had fought gods, slain monsters, signed contracts with nations — but never had anyone managed to insult him so innocently.
He took a deep breath, adjusted his gloves, and replied smoothly, "It simply took longer than expected."
"I understand." Childe nodded gravely. "Completely understandable."
Zhongli chose to let it pass. Arguing with Childe was like arguing with an overexcited puppy — ultimately pointless.
The two of them had met the previous day, after Childe received a recommendation letter from Kael.Once they had confirmed each other's identities, their cooperation had gone surprisingly well.
Zhongli found Childe's boundless enthusiasm curious — dangerous, but curious.And Childe, for his part, was in awe of Zhongli. The man seemed to know everything — history, trade, contracts, even obscure details about the Abyss. It was no wonder the Tsaritsa herself had instructed Childe to find him.
This man is wasted as a consultant, Childe thought. He should be an executive! Maybe even an advisor to Her Majesty!
He grinned inwardly.When he returned to Snezhnaya, he'd personally recommend Mr. Zhongli for the position of Executive Officer.Surely, the Tsaritsa would be thrilled.
If only he knew the truth — that the calm man beside him was Morax himself, the very being the Tsaritsa sought to outmaneuver.Had Zhongli known of Childe's "recommendation," even he might have laughed.
Deep within the Abyss
Far beneath Teyvat, a Pyro Abyss Mage knelt before the throne of Prince Kong, his voice trembling with reverence.
"Your Highness, the hilichurls in Dadaupa Gorge have been eradicated.Approximately one-fifth of the monsters in Mondstadt have also been destroyed."
Kong's golden eyes gleamed faintly in the darkness. "Oh? Then Barbatos must have acted personally."
If the Anemo Archon had truly donned his divine crown once more, this scale of cleansing made sense.
Barbatos… the carefree god of freedom — yet perhaps far from the weakling many believed him to be.Ancient records hinted that he once wielded not only the winds but fragments of the power of time itself.
And time was a force even gods feared.
The Pyro Mage shook his head. "No, Your Highness. According to our analysis of the Statues of The Seven, Barbatos has not reclaimed his full divinity.He fights using residual energy — and that energy is steadily being polluted by the Abyss."
A dark thrill ran through the Mage's voice.They were the remnants of Khaenri'ah, a people abandoned by the heavens.
Five centuries ago, Celestia and the Archons had destroyed their homeland in divine fire.And though they had embraced the Abyss to survive, they would never forget — or forgive.
If they could not destroy the gods… then they would corrupt them.
Let the Archons feel what the Abyss had felt.
"The Archons can be tainted," Kong said quietly. "Their divinity may shield them, but it is not invincible. Only Celestia's laws stand beyond corruption."
If Barbatos fell, the balance of power would shift. The war between the Abyss and Celestia would finally tip in their favor.
"Delay the next attack on Stormterror," Kong ordered. "Let Mondstadt grow complacent. When we strike again, it will be with precision. Stormterror will return — and the Anemo Archon will be forced to reveal his full power.When that happens, unleash the corruption completely."
He paused, the air around him trembling faintly with abyssal heat.
"Forget the Wolf King for now.A hundred wolves are worth less than one fallen god."
"Yes, Your Highness," the Pyro Mage hissed. "We will bring glory to Khaenri'ah once more!Also… we have located your blood relative in Mondstadt."
Kong's eyes softened — the only warmth in the Abyssal dark.
"Lumine…"
His foolish little sister. No doubt, she was already wandering Teyvat, fighting, hoping, dreaming.He knew she must be searching for him — but not yet. Not until the truth of this world was unbound.
Grow strong, little sister, he thought. Live freely while you can.
Teyvat is only a single stop on our journey. Once Celestia's chains are broken, we will walk the stars together again.
"I will bear the darkness," Kong murmured. "So you can still walk in the light."
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