Chapter 177. The 'Seven Archons' Meeting Part 2
Zhongli led the procession through the bustling streets, eventually arriving at the familiar entrance of Heyu Tea House.
Looking at the establishment, Mitama sighed quietly.
I knew it.
It was the exact same teahouse where Zhongli had officially transferred the Geo Archon's legacy to him.
"This is a lovely establishment."
Rukkhadevata smiled, taking in the vibrant atmosphere and the ornate, traditional Liyue architecture.
Nahida was practically vibrating with excitement, her large eyes darting everywhere. Through the Akasha System, she theoretically knew everything about Teyvat's cultural landmarks. But knowing data and physically experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells were two entirely different things. She was, at heart, a five-hundred-year-old child who had spent her entire life locked in a cage. Everything was novel.
"Not bad at all."
Venti grinned, leaning over the balcony railing to catch the breeze.
"The wind flow up here is excellent. I approve."
Makoto took a delicate sniff of the air, nodding approvingly.
"The aroma of roasted tea leaves is exquisite. A very civilized venue for a summit."
Ei remained entirely silent, her eyes darting around the tables, desperately searching for any sign of the promised tea snacks.
"Oh! Mr. Zhongli!"
A waiter, currently rushing between tables with a tray of teapots, spotted Zhongli. His eyes instantly lit up with the unmistakable zeal of a man who had just spotted a walking goldmine. He rushed over, bowing deeply.
"Bringing friends to listen to the opera today?"
Zhongli offered a polite, imperceptible nod.
"The usual, please. A pot of your finest tea. And for my guests, who have traveled a great distance, bring a wide assortment of your premium tea snacks."
"Right away, sir! Your usual table is ready and waiting..."
The waiter's smile stretched so wide it threatened to split his face. He quickly ushered the group of gods to a large, prime viewing table near the stage.
As they took their seats, the waiter leaned in close to Zhongli, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"I assume you heard the news, sir. Master Yun is taking the stage today! I knew you wouldn't miss it, so I made sure to hold this table for you."
The waiter knew exactly how to play this. The gentleman before him was famously generous. His companions were a strange mix—especially the bard who smelled like a brewery—but that didn't matter. Zhongli had just ordered the "premium tea snacks." which in Heyu Tea House parlance meant "the most brutally expensive items on the menu."
"You have my thanks."
Zhongli said smoothly.
The waiter beamed, promising the tea and snacks would arrive shortly before rushing off to the kitchen.
"What exactly is this venue designed for?"
Ei asked, looking at the surrounding tables. The patrons were buzzing with anticipation, murmuring phrases like 'Master Yun,' 'Rex Lapis,' and 'Sea Beasts.'
"It's a venue for storytelling and traditional opera." Mitama explained, noting Ei's confusion. "Functionally, it's like having someone read a Yae Publishing House light novel out loud, but with elaborate musical accompaniment and stage acting. It's a very specific art form. You'll understand once the performance starts."
Ei nodded slowly, accepting the explanation.
Moments later, the waiter returned, balancing a tray carrying a pristine porcelain teapot and seven delicate, beautifully plated servings of premium tea snacks.
Ei looked at the tiny, artistic portions.
"Insufficient."
"Eh?"
The waiter froze. He had just delivered seven servings of their most expensive delicacies.
"I can wait." Ei added calmly. "But as long as they are palatable, I will require significantly more."
Zhongli nodded to the waiter.
"It is fine. We have time before Master Yun's performance."
"Uh... right away, sir!"
The waiter poured the tea with slightly trembling hands, bowed, and sprinted back to the kitchen.
Once the waiter was gone, Zhongli casually snapped his fingers.
A subtle, localized pulse of Geo energy expanded outward, forming a perfectly transparent, acoustic barrier around their table. Mortals wouldn't notice a thing, but to anyone possessing Demon God-tier perception, it was a flawless, impenetrable soundproof ward. They could hear the ambient noise of the teahouse, but no one could hear their conversation.
"Now." Zhongli said, picking up his teacup and taking a slow, appreciative sip. "We can discuss official business."
"Official business? What official business? I thought we were just here to hang out!" Venti gasped theatrically, clutching his chest. "I'm just a humble bard!"
Zhongli ignored him entirely. Venti's presence here was purely recreational; the Anemo Archon had zero geopolitical stakes in Liyue's transition and was only here to watch Azhdaha have a mental breakdown.
"Do I need to intervene directly?"
Futsu Mitama asked, cutting straight to the chase.
He knew Zhongli was actively facilitating the Fatui's operations. Unsealing Osial was the only logical way to generate a threat severe enough to test Liyue's current defenses. Weaker, nascent gods could be handled by the Adeptus. But with the Azhdaha Mech nearing completion, and the actual Azhdaha growing restless beneath Mt. Hulao, the threat matrix was incredibly complex.
"Yes." Zhongli nodded, looking at Mitama. "If the situation dictates, I would prefer that you be the one to deliver the final sealing blow to Osial and Orochi."
"Excuse me?"
Purple lightning crackled violently in Ei's eyes. She glared at Zhongli.
Is this Geo brute openly trying to poach my successor right in front of me?!
If Zhongli was trying to steal the Third Generation Electro Archon for Liyue, Ei was fully prepared to draw the Musou Isshin right now.
"Isn't that a severe diplomatic overstep?"
Makoto frowned, her tone hardening. She knew Mitama's potential was limitless, but asking a foreign Archon-candidate to save Liyue was a massive political entanglement.
"Do not misunderstand my intentions." Zhongli said calmly, pouring himself a second cup of tea. "Having Mitama deliver the final blow serves a very specific, sociopolitical narrative."
"Liyue is entering an era of human governance. The Adeptus and mortals will fight together to suppress the disaster, proving they can hold the line. However, having Futsu Mitama—a 'human' who has inherited the divine mandate of the Electro Archon—seal the beasts reinforces a critical concept: humanity's potential is infinite."
"It benefits Inazuma as well. Your nation gains the prestige of saving Liyue Harbor, and the citizens of Liyue will look upon an Inazuman human as a symbol of absolute martial perfection."
Makoto raised an eyebrow.
Logically, it was a flawless geopolitical maneuver. It elevated Inazuma's international standing and provided the people of Liyue with a tangible, mortal idol to aspire to over the next century.
But it still felt incredibly manipulative.
Ei glared at Zhongli. She didn't care about the politics; she just knew the Geo Archon was scheming to keep Futsu Mitama in Liyue for as long as possible.
Rukkhadevata and Nahida remained silent, analyzing the board.
"Osial and Orochi."
Mitama mused, rubbing his chin.
He knew Osial intimately.
He had exchanged long-range artillery fire with the Overlord of the Vortex during their previous confrontation. Even while suppressed, Osial was a terrifying, apocalyptic threat.
But Orochi?
Mitama only knew the name from obscure, deep-lore flavor text. He had no idea what the abyssal leviathan was actually capable of.
"Are you sure Azhdaha won't just kill them both?"
Futsu Mitama asked.
Azhdaha was currently experiencing a massive resurgence in power. The Chat Group's passive healing had almost entirely purged his erosion. If Azhdaha broke containment and went on a rampage, only a fully unsealed, synchronized assault from both Osial and Orochi might slow him down.
"We will have to improvise."
Zhongli admitted, his brow furrowing slightly.
Zhongli was actually profoundly conflicted regarding Azhdaha. If he stepped in to suppress the Geo Dragon, his cover would be instantly blown. Once Azhdaha realized Morax was alive and faking his death, the resulting tantrum would likely level half of Liyue.
Furthermore, Zhongli felt a twinge of guilt. Azhdaha had been locked beneath Mt. Hulao for millennia. Since his erosion was nearly cured, he deserved to stretch his legs.
Currently, only Guizhong knew Azhdaha was lucid. The Geo Dragon stubbornly refused to reveal his recovery to the rest of the pantheon until he was back at absolute peak performance.
"Improvise..."
Mitama groaned, rubbing his temples.
This entire operation is held together by duct tape and prayers.
"What about you?"
Rukkhadevata asked, looking at Zhongli with sharp interest.
"How exactly do you plan to remove yourself from the board? A feigned death? Or a public, temporary departure? Given the apocalyptic nature of the threat you are orchestrating, Rex Lapis simply ignoring the destruction would completely shatter your people's faith. You have to remove yourself from the equation permanently."
Rukkhadevata left the thought hanging, but everyone at the table knew there was only one viable option: a public, highly traumatic assassination.
"The systemic risks are catastrophic." Makoto warned softly, her tone deadly serious. "If you fake your death, the psychological fallout will be immense. If the Qixing fail to stabilize the panic, or if the Fatui exploit the chaos better than you anticipate, Liyue could tear itself apart."
Makoto knew exactly how fragile a nation was in the wake of an Archon's death. When she perished, Ei had seamlessly assumed her identity, preventing Inazuma from collapsing into immediate anarchy.
Sumeru hadn't been so lucky. When Rukkhadevata died, the Akademiya Sages violently rejected the weakened Nahida, imprisoning her and plunging the nation into five hundred years of intellectual tyranny.
"It is a calculated risk." Zhongli replied, entirely unfazed. "I trust my people."
He had originally intended to execute this transition a year ago, but Mitama's interference had forced a delay. The delay had proven beneficial, allowing the Qixing to consolidate power. Now, Zhongli wanted to see how Ningguang would react to the ultimate crisis, and how aggressively the Fatui would move to secure the Gnosis when they thought the board was clear.
If the Qixing held the line, the era of humans would officially begin. If the situation devolved into unrecoverable chaos, Zhongli would instantly manifest, vaporize the threat, and accept that Liyue still required a god.
"..."
The table fell silent.
Venti grinned behind his teacup. Morax was playing 5D chess with his own country, using a Fatui Harbinger as a pawn to stress-test his government.
It was absolute madness, and Venti was thrilled to have front-row seats.
Makoto briefly wondered if she should implement a similar stress test in Inazuma, but quickly discarded the idea. With Futsu Mitama slated to take the throne, theatricality wasn't necessary. She and Ei could hold the line against anything short of the Abyss or Celestia itself.
Rukkhadevata and Nahida mutually agreed to stop analyzing the situation. Sumeru was already bankrupt and recovering from a coup; if Nahida faked her death right now, the Akademiya would literally spontaneously combust.
A few minutes later, the waiter returned, balancing a massive tray loaded with ten fresh servings of premium tea snacks.
"Will this suffice, esteemed guests?"
The waiter asked, slightly breathless. He was stunned. The patrons who frequented Heyu Tea House usually ordered a single plate to nibble on while listening to the opera. This table was devouring them like they were starving.
Whatever. The more they eat, the bigger my commission! the waiter cheered internally.
"Acceptable." Ei said, eyeing the new plates. "Double the order again. And bring your entire selection of desserts and pastries."
She was the supreme ruler of Inazuma. Her vessel was the most exalted in the mortal realm. And that vessel demanded sugar.
"Me too!" Nahida chimed in, raising a hand. "I want desserts too!"
"Right away!"
The waiter bowed so fast he nearly headbutted the table, sprinting away to empty the kitchen's pantry.
As the gods resumed eating, a sudden hush fell over the teahouse. The ambient chatter died down as a rhythmic, percussive beat echoed from the stage.
"Yun Jin?"
Futsu Mitama looked toward the stage, a flicker of recognition in his eyes as the legendary opera singer stepped into the spotlight, adorned in elaborate, traditional costume.
"Indeed." Zhongli nodded. "The current director of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe. A prodigy of Liyue theater. The performance she is debuting today is a heavily dramatized retelling of the battle where I suppressed the leviathan, Orochi."
Makoto's eyes lit up with understanding.
"Ah. You are utilizing cultural media to preemptively educate the populace on the exact nature of the threat they are about to face."
Rukkhadevata smiled in approval. It was a brilliant, subtle manipulation. By weaving the forgotten leviathan back into the cultural zeitgeist through popular entertainment, the citizens would subconsciously understand the stakes when the beast inevitably appeared. It prevented the sheer, blinding panic that had paralyzed Mondstadt when Dvalin had suddenly attacked.
"Precisely."
Zhongli nodded.
"Flawless." Makoto chuckled. "This way, when you 'die' and the ancient seals immediately rupture, the public will logically conclude that the beasts only broke free because the Geo Archon perished."
As Archons, they all knew that divine seals didn't just instantly dissolve the second the caster died; they degraded slowly over centuries. But the mortal public didn't know that. The dramatic timing of the beasts' release perfectly framed Morax's death as the sole catalyst for the apocalypse.
Zhongli offered a faint, cryptic smile.
On stage, Yun Jin's voice rang out—clear, powerful, and utterly captivating. Her mastery of the art form painted a vivid, terrifying picture in the minds of the audience.
She sang of the abyssal leviathan rising from the black depths, its massive bulk displacing the ocean and hurling mountains of water toward the fragile harbor. She sang of the Geo Archon's answer—a colossal whale forged of bedrock and jade, charging into the maelstrom to meet the beast.
The aria crested as the two titans clashed, the ocean boiling beneath their fury. But Orochi was too strong, driving the stone whale back, inch by agonizing inch, until the harbor was exposed.
Just as the leviathan prepared to strike the city, Yun Jin's voice soared, detailing the heavens tearing open. A blinding, jade-green spear of pure divine wrath plummeted from orbit, piercing Orochi's spine and pinning the roaring beast into the absolute deepest trench of the dark sea, sealing it away forever.
As the final, echoing note faded, the teahouse sat in stunned, absolute silence.
Then, the crowd erupted.
"Magnificent!!!"
"Rex Lapis protects us! A single spear to pin the ocean!"
"To think a beast that powerful was lurking in the depths! It sounded as terrifying as Osial!"
"Hah! Let it try and break out! The Lord of Geo will just drop another mountain on its head!"
"Master Yun's voice is unparalleled! I felt like I was drowning in the storm!"
"Reward her! Reward her!"
The atmosphere shattered into rapturous applause. The tipping segment of the performance had begun.
"Tipping?" Ei asked, pausing with a pastry halfway to her mouth. "What does that mean?"
"It is the customary offering of Mora."
Makoto explained, watching the surrounding patrons toss pouches and loose coins onto their tables for the staff to collect. It was an entirely voluntary display of appreciation.
"Ah. I do not carry Mora."
Nahida blinked innocently.
"Oh no."
Futsu Mitama froze. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. All of his personal funds were currently being held by Aila and Black Aila, who were currently in Guyun Stone Forest fighting a giant robot.
He was completely broke.
Makoto and Ei remained perfectly calm. As the dual sovereigns of Inazuma, they literally never carried physical currency. It was beneath them.
Venti grinned, patting his pockets confidently. Then, his face went completely blank as he remembered he had spent every single Mora he owned on vintage alcohol last night.
Venti slowly turned his head to look at Zhongli.
"Morax. You're the God of Wealth. Spot us."
Zhongli slowly placed his teacup on the table. He stared blankly ahead.
"I am currently operating under the mortal alias, Zhongli. I do not have any Mora."