Zhongli's sudden appearance still lingered in the air like a shockwave.
Takumi wanted to sink into the floor and evaporate. Revealing Zhongli's identity had been something he assumed everyone already knew—
but no.
Not even Ningguang knew.
Not even Keqing.
Not even Ganyu.
And now, with Zhongli himself stepping into the Jade Chamber, teacup in hand, staring at Takumi like a disappointed father, the room simmered with awkward silence.
"Was it necessary to expose me so quickly?"
Zhongli's question pierced the air.
Takumi stared at the table, wishing it were a hole he could fall into.
"I… thought everyone already figured it out."
Ganyu nearly choked on her tea. Keqing's eyes twitched. Ningguang stared in a rare moment of disbelief.
"Mr. Takumi," Ningguang said slowly, "absolutely no one knew."
Takumi whispered: "Oh."
Ningguang and Keqing bowed deeply.
"We greet the Emperor."
Zhongli shook his head, raising a hand.
"No. I am no longer the Emperor. I am merely a consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Please keep my identity a secret."
His voice carried authority even as he denied it.
Everyone immediately nodded.
"Understood."
Chairs were quickly arranged. Tea was poured. The atmosphere shifted from shock to a composed, high-level council meeting.
Zhongli sat down elegantly and nodded at Takumi.
"Continue."
Takumi inhaled, regained his composure, and resumed.
The Proposal — A New Liyue
"My plan," Takumi said, "is to build a new city."
Not a town.
Not an expansion.
A new city.
"A test city located in Guili Plains—a zone for new policies, new laws, and full modernization. A place where ideas can be tested before being brought to the rest of Liyue."
He met Ningguang's eyes directly.
"It will ease Liyue Harbor's burden. And it will be fully governed by humans, independent of the adepti. Liyue needs to learn to stand on its own feet."
Keqing's brows rose slightly.
"Human governance… I agree," she said. "But implementation will be difficult."
Takumi nodded. "That's why Guili Plains is perfect. Large, empty, historically meaningful. A place to rebuild from the ground up."
He spoke steadily, the vision unfolding naturally.
Something inside him—whether the Herrscher core or pure conviction—pushed his words forward with unusual clarity.
"Liyue is a land overflowing with resources, but its industrial development is severely lacking."
He leaned forward.
"We can change that."
Using Teyvat's Untapped Resources
Takumi raised his finger.
"Slimes."
The room blinked at him.
Ningguang: "…Slimes?"
Takumi nodded confidently.
"Teyvat's most renewable resource. Constantly respawning. Accessible. Easy to gather."
He listed them:
Rock Slimes → compressed stone materials
Pyro Slimes → heat and combustion use
Electro Slimes → electricity generation
Cryo Slimes → refrigeration and storage
Anemo Slimes → propulsion and wind machinery
Everyone stared.
Keqing covered her mouth, shocked.
Ganyu blinked in disbelief.
Ningguang frowned softly, not out of disapproval but realization.
"…We humans are being outsmarted by Hilichurls?"
Takumi: "Yes."
Dead silence.
Uncle Tian's lips twitched.
"That's… unacceptable."
Takumi nodded. "Exactly."
"This is why the new Liyue must industrialize. Not to copy the past, but to surpass it."
Ningguang Tests the Vision
Ningguang rested her chin on her hand.
"Interesting. But these ideas require immense resources. Stone, metals, fuel, labor… not to mention logistics. Even using slimes, this isn't something that can be completed quickly."
Takumi smiled.
"Not true. With enough manpower, proper organization, and modern materials, a city can be built in one to two years."
Ningguang raised an eyebrow.
"Impossible. Traditional stone and wood alone would take a decade."
"Ah. But we won't use traditional methods."
Takumi lifted a finger dramatically.
"My world has something called cement."
Ningguang blinked.
Ganyu froze.
Keqing leaned in.
"Cement," Takumi repeated. "A construction material that hardens like stone but is easier to mold and faster to use."
He could see their expressions shift.
"Paving roads, building homes, reinforcing structures… cement changes everything. And Teyvat's resources can produce it."
Ningguang's fan paused midair.
"Explain."
Takumi smiled.
"We mix limestone, clay, and other mineral powders. Heat it. Grind it. And then it becomes the foundation of modern construction."
He added:
"Cement roads connecting Mondstadt, Liyue, and even Sumeru? Travel time cut in half. Trade doubled. Tourism increased. A revolution."
Ningguang sat up straighter.
This… she liked.
Zhongli's Role — Watching, Not Leading
Ningguang turned to Zhongli.
"Emperor, what is your opinion?"
Zhongli shook his head gently.
"These matters are for humanity to decide. I merely observe. Liyue belongs to its people now."
He sipped his tea.
"I am retired."
Takumi almost choked.
Ningguang's left eye twitched.
Keqing spoke under her breath:
"He says that while casually summoning meteorites…"
Ningguang Gives Control
After a long moment of silent calculation, Ningguang made her decision.
"Very well," she said.
"Guili Plains is yours."
Takumi blinked. "Mine?"
"You will oversee the construction. Liyue Harbor will not intervene except with funding. You have full operational control."
Shock rippled through the room.
Keqing glanced at Ningguang. "Lady Ningguang… are you serious?"
Ningguang nodded.
"This project must have a single architect. If Takumi fails, it ends there. If he succeeds… Liyue enters a new age."
She pointed her fan at Takumi.
"Keqing will supervise and assist. She will ensure resources and manpower flow properly. Submit materials requests to her."
Keqing nodded firmly. "Understood."
Ningguang continued:
"If you need workers, craftsmen, or merchants—Keqing will coordinate. If you need funding—come to me."
Takumi bowed gratefully.
"I won't disappoint you."
Cement Formula & The Estate
"Before anything else," Takumi said, "we need cement production to begin. I'll write the formula. Please have workers start immediately."
He requested pen and paper.
As he wrote, Ningguang watched with fascination.
"Your handwriting is interesting," she noted. "Precise. Like a craftsman and scholar combined."
Takumi chuckled. "I practiced writing angry letters to companies in my world."
They stared.
Takumi coughed. "Moving on."
Once done, Ningguang said:
"Do you have lodging?"
Takumi froze. "I… have been sleeping in inns."
Ningguang nodded.
"Unacceptable."
She turned to Baiwen.
"Prepare a key. Give Mr. Takumi access to one of my private empty estates."
Takumi nearly fell from his chair.
"L-Lady Ningguang, that's too much!"
"It is practical," Ningguang said. "You need stable lodging to work effectively."
Ganyu smiled warmly.
Keqing nodded approvingly.
Takumi felt a wave of warmth.
This world was welcoming him… more than he expected.
He finished writing the cement formula and handed it to Ningguang.
She accepted it with the poise of a leader receiving a national treasure.
"This," she said softly, "is the first step toward Liyue's new future."
Zhongli, sipping his tea, smiled knowingly.