Azhdaha felt that this episode's fan-made video was practically forbidden knowledge.
It was actively inflicting trauma on his mind.
Already mentally unstable due to erosion, Azhdaha felt his sanity on the verge of warping and rotting away.
Fortunately, the Taixuan Sutra held things together—otherwise, he really would have gone mad.
"I never expected that Morax wouldn't be the one hurt the worst…
Turns out I'm the real victim."
"The clown was me all along!"
[Kaeya]: May I ask how Azhdaha's current mood is? (LOL)
[Gu Chen]: Wow, that's really rubbing salt in the wound. (LOL)
[Venti]: I've said it before—there isn't a single good person in this group! (LOL)
[Cloud Retainer]: If Azhdaha goes insane because of this, everyone present bears responsibility. (Hu Tao · mischievous grin)
[Mountain Shaper]: That's not quite right. The responsibility should belong to the fan creator. (nods)
[Azhdaha]: Stop yelling—I'm perfectly lucid right now! (annoyed)
[Osial]: Do you honestly think that sounds convincing? (Furina · amused)
[Azhdaha]: Just you wait until I cultivate for a while and suppress the erosion. We'll see whether I smash you or not.
(Deathly smile)
[Osial]: Bro, that's not necessary. Really not necessary. (LOL)
[Paimon]: Last episode Zhongli got Mora as a reward—what'll it be this time?
(Nahida · curious)
[Furina]: Probably Mora again, right?
[Venti]: Don't tell me it's another one million Mora? I want to be "created" too! (Gorou · crying)
[Jean]: Mr. Venti, it's really not worth it just for some Mora. (facepalm)
[Venti]: "Some" Mora?! That's a million! You can't even spend it all!
(Venti · starry-eyed envy)
[Zhongli]: By common rational standards, one million Mora truly isn't much.
[Venti]: Of course the old fossil living off a pension would say that! (Nahida · pointing)
[Zhongli]: I know you're in a hurry, but don't be. I just received three million Mora in living expenses.
(Zhongli · smug dragon grin)
[Venti]: (How much?! Shocked voice message, 3s)
[Kaveh]: What?! Three million as living expenses?! (Kaveh · scratching head)
[Mona]: Do you really need to share this kind of thing in the group? (Mona · it's-Mora)
[Zhongli]: My apologies for affecting everyone. (Zhongli · smug dragon grin)
[Gu Chen]: We've got a show-off here. Kick him out?
(LOL)
[Venti]: Strongly supported.
[Azhdaha]: Supported!
The fan-made video ended.
[Fan Creation Series · Episode 2]
["Morax, Please Watch Me Properly"]
[Complete]
[Azhdaha receives reward: Purified Soul]
[Morax receives reward: One Million Mora]
Beneath the Dragon-Quelling Tree.
If erosion had once caused Azhdaha to forget the past—leaving his soul riddled with holes and his emotions irritable and violent—then now, his soul was becoming completely clear and pure.
All the memories of the past returned, vivid as if they had happened only yesterday.
At the same time, his violent temperament slowly faded, replaced by an unprecedented calm and stability.
The sensation filled Azhdaha with immense relief.
It was as if someone who had lived carrying a massive boulder on their back had finally set it down, feeling light all over.
This unshackled freedom made Azhdaha roar excitedly within the cavern.
[Azhdaha]: This feels amazing!! I suddenly think it'd be fine even if they "created" me a few more times—I can totally accept it! (Klee · yay)
[Raiden Ei]: "Purified soul"… it seems Azhdaha no longer fears erosion. (Raiden Ei · soft chuckle)
[Cloud Retainer]: Looked at this way, being "created" once doesn't seem so bad.
[Moon Carver]: Just a little emotional damage in exchange for such a reward… I want to be created too.
[Osial]: There's actually something this good? I'm so jealous my eyes are red. (Sucrose · starry-eyed envy)
[Zhongli]: Congratulations.
[Venti]: Fine, fine—whether it's Azhdaha's reward or the old man's reward, they both make me jealous! When will a video create me?! I can accept anything!
(Venti · relaxed)
To Venti, that tiny bit of mental damage from fan-made videos was nothing at all.
What mattered were the rewards!
[Azhdaha]: Welcome the rebirth of your king!! (Hu Tao · mischievous grin)
Direction of Nantianmen, Liyue.
The earth shook and the mountains trembled.
[Cloud Retainer]: Was that really necessary, Azhdaha? Even my abode is shaking. (disdain)
[Mountain Shaper]: You're fine over at Mt. Aocang. My Mt. Hulao has it the worst.
(Mt. Hulao shaking video · 10s)
[Kaeya]: Damn, the commotion from Azhdaha's reemergence is this big? (Paimon · shocked)
[Gu Chen]: Ever considered that he's deliberately announcing his return? (LOL)
[Azhdaha]: As expected of the Cult Leader—you get me! (Hu Tao · mischievous grin)
Azhdaha still had a sense of restraint.
Despite the tremors, no accidents occurred.
Soon, his enormous body was about to crawl out from beneath the earth.
After some thought, however, Azhdaha decided it wouldn't be appropriate and transformed into a human form instead.
Walking the world in human form was simply more convenient.
If he used his true body, he'd probably fill all of Liyue Harbor just by arriving.
After all, ordinary mountains were smaller than Azhdaha's body—if Mt. Tianheng collapsed, he could prop it back up with a single arm.
He transformed into a calm-looking young man, wearing a pair of glasses.
"He actually looks quite refined," Mountain Shaper muttered.
"What do you know?"
Azhdaha curled his lip, cleared his throat, and said, "As the future Taixuan Earth Virtue Guardian Heavenly Venerable, I naturally must pay attention to my image."
You?
Mountain Shaper silently scoffed but said nothing.
In his view, the Azhdaha from the previous-life videos becoming a Heavenly Venerable had already been a stroke of luck.
This life? Forget it.
"I see doubt in your eyes."
Azhdaha glanced at Mountain Shaper and said flatly, "You're still young. You don't understand my lofty ambitions."
Mountain Shaper nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Alright, I'm heading to Liyue Harbor."
With a few hearty laughs, Azhdaha left Mt. Hulao.
Gu Residence.
After watching the fan-made video, Gu Chen's family was enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea in the courtyard.
A knock sounded at the main gate.
Paimon flew over instinctively to open it.
"Hello—oh? Zhongli!"
Seeing Zhongli, Paimon was surprised, then looked at the young man beside him. "And this is…?"
"Handsome, right?" Azhdaha ran a hand over his hair and asked.
Paimon frowned slightly. "You're Azhdaha, right? Has your erosion really been cleared? Why do I feel like you've been eroded even worse?"
Logically speaking, an ancient being like Azhdaha should be extremely careful with words and conduct—
Calm and elegant like Zhongli, with an air of nobility in every gesture.
But someone this smug on first meeting… Paimon had never seen before.
"When meeting the Cult Leader, of course I have to show my most spirited side."
Not blaming Paimon for not understanding, Azhdaha continued, "The Cult Leader is home, right?"
"He is."
Paimon nodded, then turned and shouted, "Boss Gu! Zhongli and Azhdaha are here to see you!"
"Coming."
Gu Chen walked over from the courtyard, nodded slightly, and smiled. "So you've finally regained your freedom?"
"Yes."
Azhdaha sighed with emotion, then solemnly bowed. "Many thanks, Cult Leader. Without you, my consciousness would have continued suffering under erosion for who knows how long."
"The key was the fan-made video reward—I didn't really do much," Gu Chen said with a smile, waving it off and gesturing for them to follow him.
In the pavilion, Raiden Makoto had already prepared tea and brought it over.
Azhdaha said earnestly, "I still must thank the Cult Leader. The reward merely accelerated the process. Even without it, I would eventually have recovered through the Taixuan Sutra… Your great kindness will never be forgotten!"
Gu Chen smiled and nodded.
Paimon asked curiously, "Now that you can walk around Liyue, how will you handle daily life?"
"Isn't there a perfect sucker right here?" Azhdaha pointed at Zhongli.
Zhongli's mouth twitched.
So he'd become Azhdaha's wallet?
"I'm also planning to work at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Don't you think working there is very easy and pleasant?" Azhdaha rubbed his hands, full of anticipation.
"Ever considered that work is pretty much the same everywhere?" Gu Chen shrugged. "The reason Zhongli looks so relaxed is because he's special. He even teaches the ritual clerks sometimes."
Zhongli's role as a consultant was mostly advisory.
Usually he wandered about freely, but when something truly happened, only he could resolve it.
Azhdaha found that reasonable and continued, "Anyway, I'm sticking with Zhongli. Splitting retirement pay fifty-fifty between good brothers isn't too much, right?"
Zhongli opened his mouth, then closed it again.
"I think it's fine," Gu Chen said with a gentle smile.
"Hear that? Even the Cult Leader agrees." Azhdaha laughed heartily.
Paimon said, "You should be really sensitive to ores, right? You could make a fortune just gambling on jade stones at the market."
"Huh?!"
Azhdaha's eyes lit up, but he asked doubtfully, "Zhongli, have you ever done that?"
"No." Zhongli shook his head.
"Alright—when I get rich, I'll treat you to a meal," Azhdaha said to Paimon.
"Don't forget my share," Zhongli added softly.
Azhdaha's smile froze, then he nodded. "Deal!"
That night, Azhdaha treated Gu Chen to dinner at Xinyue Kiosk.
The bill was, naturally, paid by Zhongli.
Back at the Gu Residence.
After eating her fill, Paimon glanced at the moonlight and flew back to her room on her own.
She was in a great mood.
Recently, Gu Chen had reinforced the soundproofing in the residence. Paimon felt her future sleep quality was finally secure.
Over in the master bedroom, long legs were entwined.
Paimon had already tucked herself under a small blanket, ready to sleep.
The next morning.
In the spacious courtyard of the Gu Residence, only the chirping of finches could be heard.
An empty house in the early morning was nothing unusual for Paimon.
After buying herself some food and filling her stomach, she checked the time—it was nearly ten.
Still no movement.
After some thought, Paimon couldn't help growing worried.
When it was just Lumine, it was fine.
Then came Raiden Makoto, then Guizhong, then Ganyu, and finally Buer (Nahida).
Five people.
Could Gu Chen really handle that?
Paimon rubbed her slightly rounder chin, thinking.
"Should I ask Baizhu? If Gu Chen's health fails, it's those five who'll lose happiness…"
"What are you muttering about?"
A voice sounded beside her.
Paimon looked up to see Gu Chen, full of energy.
"Oh, you're awake." She snapped back, then said with concern, "I read in a book that doing that every day is bad for your health, you know?"
"?"
"Stop reading weird stuff."
Gu Chen was helpless.
How had Paimon gotten access to material she shouldn't be seeing at her age?
"I'm just worried about you!" Paimon huffed.
"Alright—let's think about what to eat today instead," Gu Chen said.
As for Paimon's concern, he didn't take it seriously at all.
A mere five—he didn't even need to use his full strength.
Hands in pockets, already invincible in the mortal realm.
Seeing his "lonely invincibility" expression, Paimon rolled her eyes. "I'm going out to buy snacks today. Episode six of the past-life series is coming soon—watching without snacks just isn't fun."
"Go ahead. Just don't treat them as meals. Haven't you gotten a bit chubbier lately?"
Gu Chen sized her up, then pinched her soft cheek. "Yep—definitely more squishy. You've gained weight."
"I haven't!"
Paimon puffed up angrily. "I'm growing up, not getting fat!"
Sure enough, girls of any age cared deeply about their weight.
Mentioning it made Paimon instantly explode.
Gu Chen just smiled.
Seeing his teasing look made her even angrier. "I've decided—I'm not talking to you for ten minutes!"
She flew off by herself.
Gu Chen laughed helplessly.
No need to comfort her—before long, she'd be back on her own, grinning foolishly.
"What's up now?"
Gu Chen raised an eyebrow, lying back in his chair.
"I'm out of Mora…"
Paimon shrank back sheepishly.
"Just that?"
Gu Chen rummaged in his pocket, then spread his hands. "Me too."
"What?! You're out of Mora as well?!"
Paimon gasped. "So raising wives is really that expensive?"
"Yep. So you'll have to suffer today and eat one meal less—by which I mean fewer snacks."
With a wave of his hand, Mora piled up beside them like a golden mountain.
"Wow!!"
Paimon's eyes turned into Mora shapes.
"Go spend it. And remember to buy a few pairs of stockings while you're out," Gu Chen said lazily.
"How many did you tear again?"
Paimon sounded completely used to it.
Stockings were consumables around Gu Chen.
"Kids shouldn't ask. Just go," Gu Chen said, hands behind his head, basking in the sun.
"Oh."
Paimon gathered the Mora, carried it into her room, then stuffed large-denomination coins into her pouch and headed out cheerfully.
Gu Chen wasn't just sunbathing either—he contacted Ningguang to request leave for Ganyu.
Whenever Gu Chen spoke, Ningguang seemed to understand everything instantly and approved without hesitation.
This left Gu Chen very satisfied—and he made it clear that Ganyu would be back at work that afternoon.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage