The prices of the Salt Ruler and Salt Chalice continued to climb. Fewer and fewer bidders remained, until only scattered voices echoed through the hall.
"One hundred and twenty million Mora!"
"One hundred and twenty-seven million!"
"One hundred and fifty million!"
A merchant from Natlan abruptly drove the price up, clearly intending to seize the demon god relics in one decisive move.
As expected, after that bid, no one responded for quite some time.
Just as the Natlan merchant began to think victory was his, a crisp female voice rang out from a corner of the auction hall.
"Two hundred million Mora."
A direct increase of fifty million.
The Natlan merchant stamped his foot in frustration, even suspecting a planted bidder—until he recognized who had spoken, at which point his attitude immediately softened.
"Wanyan… Is the Silver Plains Hall stepping into the bidding for divine relics?"
The bidder wore black-rimmed glasses. Her name was Wanyan.
The Silver Plains Hall was one of Liyue's Eight Bureaus, responsible for the salt and iron industries. Wanyan was its current head. Salt and iron were Liyue's two economic lifelines, giving her status considerable weight among merchants.
"My ancestors were refugees once protected by the Salt God, Havria," Wanyan said calmly.
"Her relics must be reclaimed. This was a decision made collectively by the Silver Plains Hall."
Only then did the crowd recall that after the Archon War, Rex Lapis had established the system of Seven Stars and Eight Bureaus to revitalize Liyue's economy. The Silver Plains Hall, in particular, was almost entirely staffed by Havria's former people.
"I've read in historical records that after Havria's death, her people sought refuge in Liyue," someone said.
"Out of respect for her benevolence, Rex Lapis appointed them to manage salt and iron. From then on, Liyue's salt and iron industries flourished—playing a crucial role in today's prosperity."
"So Wanyan really is a descendant of those once sheltered by a god. No wonder she's willing to pay such a price."
The Natlan merchant withdrew, conceding the items to Wanyan.
After obtaining the Salt Ruler and Salt Chalice, Wanyan stood and addressed the hall.
"During the Archon War, Rex Lapis contended for supremacy, slaying many gods and sealing others beneath Guyun Stone Forest. The Salt God Havria—was killed by Rex Lapis himself!"
"These relics, now stripped of divine authority, are the proof. A god's relic is indestructible—only Rex Lapis could have done this."
She raised the Salt Ruler and Salt Chalice high. Yet on her face there was no grief—only relief, even joy.
"Survival of the fittest. I am not here today to accuse the sins of the Archon War. We remain loyal to Rex Lapis. I merely wish to clarify one fact—so that future archaeologists and historians will record it truthfully."
With that, Wanyan departed, taking the relics with her.
In the stands, Zhongli's expression flickered between light and shadow.
"Havria was killed by her own people, yet Rex Lapis has borne the accusation of indiscriminate slaughter for centuries. Even now, her descendants still believe Rex Lapis was the murderer. Perhaps one day, the truth could be revealed—then they would realize their mistake and seek forgiveness."
Severin shook his head lightly.
"Zhongli, haven't you realized it yet? Wanyan and Havria's descendants aren't seeking the truth."
"On the contrary, they are desperate to bury it—to cement the narrative that Rex Lapis killed the Salt God. Only then can they avoid the stigma of regicide."
"They've spent generations cleansing their identity and securing their place in Liyue. And you want them to admit they murdered their former god? Why would they ever do that?"
"They're not ignorant of the truth—they simply refuse to accept it."
Zhongli pondered for a moment.
"Your reasoning has merit. But truth… must still be witnessed firsthand."
Stubborn as ever.
It wasn't without reason that Barbatos called Zhongli an inflexible old man.
No matter. When the Traveler and Paimon arrived in Liyue and the Sal Terrae legend unfolded, Zhongli would naturally understand the mindset of Wanyan's group.
This had nothing to do with right or wrong—only with human nature.
If Morax truly wished to live among humans, he still had to grasp the complexity of humanity—its greatness and kindness, but also its selfishness.
"Havria was born in the wrong era," Zhongli said quietly.
"Sometimes I wonder—had she lived in today's age of peace, she might have been a truly remarkable god."
"Not necessarily," Severin replied.
"Liyue's current prosperity and stability were bought through Rex Lapis's slaughter. Without him—or if Havria had ruled instead—Liyue would have vanished from history within a few centuries. Blind kindness and weakness bring disaster, even in times of peace."
Zhongli spoke with confidence.
"Rex Lapis established countless contracts for Liyue. As long as they are upheld, even without him, the Liyue Qixing can govern the nation well."
This time, Severin merely lowered his head and sipped his tea.
The deliberate provocation had worked. Morax seemed more resolute than ever in his desire to step down.
Delegating power to mortals and wandering the mortal realm benefited him greatly—avoiding erosion, refining his state of mind.
Most importantly, only after relinquishing his seat as one of the Seven could he calmly hand over the Geo Gnosis.
Once Wanyan left, the auction moved on to its final item—the true finale. Anticipation filled the hall.
"The final item of today's auction," Ji Fang announced, "is related to Rex Lapis himself."
The atmosphere ignited instantly.
Rex Lapis—the god who protected Liyue, the faith of its people, the god of contracts. Without him, there would be no Liyue.
"This artifact was unearthed in Guili Plains. Its name is the Dust of Realms Lock."
Ji Fang opened an ornate box, revealing a cube-like object. Its mechanisms rotated slowly across the surface—ancient, precise, exquisite.
"This was a token of alliance forged before the Archon War between Rex Lapis and the Dust God, Guizhong, creator of the Guizhong Ballista."
"After Guizhong's death, Rex Lapis carried this object close to him, treasuring it deeply. Later, for reasons unknown, he discarded it, burying it within the ruins of Guili Plains—until a traveler recently uncovered it by chance…"
The moment the words "Dust of Realms Lock" were spoken, Zhongli's hand froze midair with his teacup.
A subtle emotion flashed through his eyes—neither sorrow nor indifference.
A rare expression, one that appeared in Rex Lapis's gaze only for one being—
Morax… the only one who ever made you truly comprehend the mortal world
was the Dust God, Guizhong.
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