When Keqing asked if they had done something wrong, a flicker of panic passed through her heart. Though she worked diligently, was a natural workaholic, and was extremely conscientious, she was still human. She could not guarantee that she never made mistakes. She feared that human error had caused Rex Lapis to lose faith in humanity, leading him to step down from his position as archon.
Hearing her words, Zhongli's expression finally shifted slightly. His usually indifferent face let out a sigh.
"No—you have made no mistakes. The reason I stepped down is not because you did poorly, but because you did too well. Do you still remember the question you asked me during last year's Rite of Descension?"
To this day, Zhongli still clearly remembered that question. It was precisely that question that had made him resolve to orchestrate this whole affair.
Keqing seemed to recall something. Last year's Rite of Descension had been hosted by her, Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing. Taking the opportunity to be close to Rex Lapis, she had asked him a question she had long pondered:
"Rex Lapis has guarded Liyue for a thousand years. But will the next thousand years, ten thousand years, a hundred thousand years be the same?"
At the time, Rex Lapis had not answered. He had only smiled a meaningful smile. Had he already been planning all this back then? Was stepping down from the position of archon his answer?
Thinking this, Keqing seemed to understand. The confusion on her face cleared.
But for Liyue, Rex Lapis was far too important. Since he was not dead, he should naturally return to his position as the revered archon.
Keqing said seriously, "Please, Rex Lapis, reclaim your position as archon and guide Liyue's development."
Since the founding of Liyue, every major decision and every significant development plan had been personally decided by Rex Lapis. After his "death," the Liyue Qixing had managed on their own, but Rex Lapis was still Rex Lapis. As long as he was alive, he was Liyue's supreme ruler.
Zhongli's indifferent face broke into a faint smile. "The glorious history of Liyue was not created by me alone. It was created together with the people of Liyue. The age of gods is coming to an end. Humanity has found its own path and is gradually proving it. The position of archon has instead become an obstacle to Liyue's development. Keqing, the future of humanity has been placed in human hands. Go forth with confidence."
With that, his expression returned to its usual indifference. He no longer looked at Keqing but turned his gaze to the storyteller on stage, as if waiting for the next story.
Keqing's expression was conflicted. Rex Lapis was right. What he said was exactly what she had always thought. So she could understand him.
The next moment, she spoke slowly. "I understand. Thank you for explaining, Rex Lapis."
With that, ignoring the shocked expressions of the surrounding audience, she left the corner of the inn and returned to her seat.
Keqing's questions were resolved. But Hu Tao's were not. Looking at Zhongli's indifferent face, she felt deceived and grew angrier by the moment.
"Zhongli, you've been tricking me all this time. And—and you cheated me out of a grand funeral! Pay up!"
In her anger, Hu Tao showed no respect for Zhongli. She stretched out her hand and demanded Mora. The surrounding audience was stunned. This was Rex Lapis! To speak to him like this—truly, Director Hu Tao of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had more nerve than most.
Hearing her demand, Zhongli was speechless. Normally, when he bought things or had tea or meals, it was Hu Tao or Childe who paid. Now even Hu Tao was asking him for Mora.
As Zhongli turned to look at Barbatos and the Raiden Shogun, Barbatos quickly turned out his pockets. "Look, empty. Not a single Mora. Eh heh!"
The Raiden Shogun said coldly, "I never carry Mora either."
Zhongli: "…"
The surrounding audience could barely watch. No matter how short of Mora one might be, asking Rex Lapis for money was just rude.
Then Hu Tao's eyes darted around. She pretended to be angry and said, "Fine. If you won't pay Mora, then you can't leave Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Deal? Remember, you're still Zhongli, still a consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
As if afraid Zhongli would quit, Hu Tao turned and ran off without giving him a chance to refuse.
Everyone was dumbfounded by this dramatic scene. What was Director Hu Tao thinking? Her actions were completely unpredictable.
After Hu Tao left, Barbatos could not help but remark, "No wonder you were in such a hurry to retire. You have such excellent subordinates."
The Raiden Shogun could not resist asking, "Morax retired because his subordinates are excellent. What's your excuse for not doing your job?"
Barbatos: "Eh heh, surely you're not talking about me? I'm very diligent."
The Raiden Shogun: "…"
Applying the word "diligent" to Barbatos was an insult to the word.
...
Meanwhile, when Hu Tao and Keqing returned to their seats and recounted their conversation with Zhongli, those around them were dumbfounded.
So Rex Lapis had faked his death and stepped down from his position as archon for the future of Liyue. Hearing this, even Xiangling was moved.
"The next time he comes to Wanmin Restaurant, I'll give him a free meal."
Keqing said seriously, "What Rex Lapis has done is certainly admirable. But we cannot let our guard down in Liyue's development just because he is still alive."
Hu Tao laughed. "That's right. We need to seize this opportunity."
Regardless, the fact that Rex Lapis was still alive was a tremendous boon to all of Liyue. It gave everyone in Liyue a great boost of confidence.
Except, perhaps, Hu Tao. Her only thought was how to earn back the Mora that Zhongli had effectively freeloaded from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
For example—since Rex Lapis was a consultant of the funeral parlor, why not launch a "Rex Lapis Funeral Package"? Surely many people would be interested.