**Chapter 9: The Contract for the Geo Archon's Heart**
Seeing Brightmoon Pavilion's state, Jingchen could only offer Zhongli an awkward smile.
"Zhongli, I remember there were birdcages imported from Fontaine at the harbor. Let's go take a look there."
Zhongli remained with his eyes closed, offering no response.
"Then, Zhongli, let's go to Heyu Teahouse and listen to a story."
Zhongli shook his head slightly, his expression calm as he said, "Jingchen, you came here for the same reason as Tartaglia—to obtain the Geo Archon's Heart, didn't you?"
Jingchen froze momentarily, realizing Zhongli had known his true purpose all along.
In the original storyline, after Tartaglia unleashed Osial, the Liyue Qixing, the Adepti, and the Traveler joined forces to subdue the sea monster. La Signora then obtained the Geo Archon's Heart through a contract with Zhongli and the Ice Queen.
But now, if he could secure the Geo Archon's Heart before Tartaglia, perhaps he could ease the strained relations between Liyue and Snezhnaya.
His mentor, Cloud Retainer, and Senior Sister Ganyu had always treated him kindly, and Columbina was the third-ranked Harbinger. Improving relations between the Fatui and Liyue was now his top priority.
Jingchen finally nodded firmly.
Zhongli immediately produced his Geo Archon's Heart, emitting a gentle radiance of Geo Element. With calm composure, he addressed Jingchen:
"According to my contract with her, this God's Heart can indeed be given to you now. However, I have a condition."
Jingchen scratched his head awkwardly, forcing a wry smile.
*A condition for me?! Is this a test because I'm Cloud Retainer's disciple? Or perhaps a trial for my past role as Acting Tianquan of Liyue?*
"Your Majesty, please state your condition without hesitation."
"That girl Hu Tao... I've watched her grow up. She fled in tears earlier, and it was because of you, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
"Then let her resolve her inner turmoil and truly mature. Only then will I entrust you with this God's Heart."
"This... Your Majesty, you know Hu Tao's temperament. I'm afraid this will be quite difficult."
Zhongli withdrew the God's Heart.
He understood better than anyone how desperately Hu Tao needed emotional support.
Though he possessed vast knowledge, this stone-like being remained utterly clueless when it came to matters of the heart.
Jingchen wanted to ask more questions, but Zhongli had already vanished.
He had no choice but to return to the Northland Bank with Columbina, where they overheard two guards whispering outside the entrance.
"Did you hear? Mondstadt's Honorary Knight is a remarkably powerful blonde girl."
"Yeah, and she seems to have some kind of bizarre emergency food with her."
Aya cleared her throat softly, and the guards immediately fell silent.
Jingchen frowned. Mondstadt's Lumine had already appeared, and it was only a matter of time before she reached Liyue.
If she arrived in Liyue, the Archon Quest "A Thousand Rocks, a Thousand Streams" would begin.
Tartaglia would unleash Osial, La Signora would obtain the Geo Archon's Heart, and the Fatui's relationship with Liyue would shatter completely.
The members of the Ninth Company, including himself, would face certain doom in the Chasm.
Columbina sensed Jingchen's unease. She gently took his hand and whispered in his ear, "Jingchen, once you complete the trial Zhongli has set for you, everything in Liyue will end exactly as you wish."
"Hu Tao, that little girl... Helping her resolve her inner conflicts and grow might not be such a bad thing."
"Sigh. It seems we have no other choice."
Jingchen retrieved the Serenitea Pot and led Columbina inside.
The two guards exchanged suspicious glances.
"Wait... Lord Jingchen actually possesses the legendary Serenitea Pot?!"
"After all, he was once not only the Acting Tianquan of Liyue but also the disciple of an Immortal."
"Damn... With so many identities, why would he join the Fatui as a Harbinger?"
"I heard a rumor that the current Tianquan and Yuheng Stars rejected Lord Jingchen's confession, while Lady The Maiden offered him salvation."
"Ah?! So he joined the Fatui because of heartbreak? I always thought...
That those who join the Fatui do so either out of loyalty to the Ice Queen or for so-called glory or Mora."
"You're wrong. There's also self-interest, like that one from the House of the Hearth."
"Enough, enough. We're just gatekeepers. We shouldn't be gossiping about the Harbingers all day. We need to be more careful."
"Be careful?! We've been guarding the doors of the Northland Bank for years! What's there to be careful about now?!"
***
In Huaguang Forest, Hu Tao sobbed incessantly, her voice choked with tears.
"Jingchen!! You big jerk! You promised you'd give me a chance when my hair grew long enough to reach my waist!!"
"What's so great about that Harbinger?! She's just a bit older and has longer hair than me! You'll regret choosing her over me one day!!"
Cloud Retainer and two other Immortals stood in the sky, observing Hu Tao.
"This girl... why is she still cursing? Is she heartbroken over some so-called romance?!"
"Cloud Retainer, could she be cursing your precious disciple?"
"Lishan, don't be ridiculous. It's probably just a coincidence with the same name."
"Sigh, stop arguing, you two. Cloud Retainer, Lishan, doesn't that girl look familiar? I think she might be connected to Your Majesty."
The three Immortals transformed into human forms and descended to Hu Tao's side.
Cloud Retainer pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped away Hu Tao's tears as she asked, "Child, why are you alone in this deep mountain forest, cursing at someone in the middle of the night?"
Hu Tao froze. It wasn't a ghost appearing before her in the dead of night?!
Seeing their radiant, otherworldly appearance, could they be Immortals?!
Hu Tao clung tightly to Cloud Retainer.
"Immortal! Can you help me?!"
"Hmm? You recognized us as Immortals at a glance? Girl, you have quite the Immortal Affinity. Tell me, how can I assist you?"
"There's a boy I like, but he's always with this strange yet beautiful girl with wings."
"Wings?"
Cloud Retainer immediately pictured wings on the girl's back, not her head. Naturally, she didn't think of Columbina or Jingchen.
Hu Tao nodded.
"Yes, a girl with wings."
Lishan, standing nearby, pressed further.
"Are you sure they're not Wind Gliders? Actual wings?"
Hu Tao pouted, explaining, "She has six dove-like wings on her head."
Cloud Retainer gasped. Six wings on her head?! Jingchen and Columbina?!
Lishan, unfamiliar with Columbina and Jingchen, asked, "Based on your description, she might be a Seelie—a legendary spirit untouched by the curse."
Hu Tao froze, disbelief etched across her face.
"Seelie?! Those spirits who guide us? They're actually my romantic rivals?!"
............
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(End of Chapter)