Mu Yang pretended to ask about the "Sigil of Permission" talismans.
Lumine then recounted her experiences since they parted ways, including the perilous battle inside the Golden House.
Finally, Childe activated dozens of "Sigil of Permission" talismans, unleashing Osial.
"So that's how it happened..."
Paimon: "Speaking of which, isn't there still one thing left unresolved?"
"Childe released an ancient god to attack Liyue to force Rex Lapis to show himself!"
Lumine also realized, "But in the end, we dealt with it ourselves, so he never appeared..."
Paimon pondered. "Hmm... If that's the case, then what's the deal with that god's 'death'...?"
Lumine glanced at Mu Yang, about to suggest they rest first and think things over after recovering.
But Mu Yang proposed instead, "Mr. Zhongli was the one who insisted on holding the Rite of Parting. He must know sothing..."
"Should we go find him now? Or should we recover first?"
Mu Yang stretched slightly, indicating he had a unique thod of recovery and was already well-rested.
Seeing that his complexion had indeed improved significantly—no different from usual—Lumine didn't press further.
She asked Mu Yang, "By the way, why did you say earlier that Mr. Zhongli can be completely trusted?"
"I tested his strength—he's incredibly powerful, but I feel like he's hiding a lot."
"Like with the 'Sigil of Permission' talismans. I just ntioned them, and he imdiately changed the subject."
Mu Yang: "Instinct. He feels... familiar to ."
Paimon gasped. "That's it?"
"That's it."
[Feels like Mu Yang's words carry deeper aning...]
[Familiar? Could Zhongli be one of the Adepti?]
[Then why didn't he co to help?]
"About Zhongli—when we parted ways at the city gates, he ntioned he was returning to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
The three arrived at the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, where a ferrywoman greeted them.
"How may I help you? The parlor isn't currently receiving unfamiliar guests."
[This lady's outfit is quite stylish.]
[What do you an? Does Wangsheng Funeral Parlor even have 'regulars'?]
"We're here to see Zhongli. Could you pass along a ssage for us?"
The ferrywoman inford them that Zhongli wasn't in the parlor at the mont—he seed to have gone to the Northland Bank.
Lumine, of course, knew about the Northland Bank.
Wasn't that Childe's territory?
"Zhongli went to the Fatui's base at a ti like this? Could he be in danger?"
After a mont's thought, Lumine said, "I have a feeling that if we want the truth, we should go to the Northland Bank now."
Paimon: "Well, it's dangerous for us too, but if that's the case, we'll just have to check it out."
Mu Yang: "With here, there's nothing to worry about."
——————
Guinaifen's Livestream
"Folks, do you think he stayed behind just for us?"
"Knowing we still have to investigate the truth and all."
[That's the vibe, yeah.]
[He's seriously so reassuring.]
[Y'all are praising him, but I'm just worried about his injuries.]
[Escorting them the whole way—total loyal guard dog type.]
[Talking about dogs again? Fine, you do you.]
"Woof woof woof—"
The livestream was flooded with question marks...
——————
The player's screen suddenly cut to the Northland Bank.
Childe seed to be complaining to his colleague, La Signora.
"You call this 'cooperation between Harbingers'? At the very least, cooperation should involve sharing information..."
La Signora dismissed his complaints.
"Tsk... Don't dwell on it, Childe."
"In the end, you ignored deals and sches and just had a grand old brawl. Isn't that more your style?"
She paused, hearing movent at the door.
"Wait—it seems so acquaintances of yours have arrived."
The trio entered, only to find that aside from Zhongli and Childe, there was one more person present.
Lumine imdiately took a combat stance.
"La Signora!"
La Signora smirked. "Oh? You. We t once in the city of bards, didn't we? Not bad—you rembered my na."
She was about to mock Lumine further when she noticed Mu Yang.
Instantly, she fell silent, a flicker of confusion crossing her face before she quickly masked it—likely to avoid giving Childe any clues.
After all, she had been outplayed by Mu Yang before.
Being exposed would be humiliating.
Childe spoke up. "Well, well, Lumine. This is the first ti we've t since everything went down."
"How should I put this? The atmosphere's a bit... awkward, no?"
Lumine: "No need. I never trusted you in the first place."
Childe grinned. "Co on, I really didn't have any ill intentions at the start..."
"Besides, didn't I help you out at Yujing Terrace?"
"If soone hadn't interfered, that is..."
He glanced at Mu Yang.
Mu Yang ignored him, instead telling Lumine:
"Last Harbinger, 8th Harbinger. I can handle them even without a sword. Ask whatever you want."
Childe was speechless. "Last Harbinger, Last Harbinger—do you have to phrase it like that?"
[LMAO, 'Last Harbinger']
[Childe sounds a little pressed.]
[Mu Yang knows how to push buttons.]
Childe sighed, waving his hand dismissively.
He told them to ask Zhongli and La Signora instead—he'd been fooled just as much as anyone.
"La Signora and Zhongli?"
La Signora scoffed. "I'm not here to answer your questions."
"If you want to chat, wait until I finish my business."
She turned to Zhongli.
"According to our contract, I've co to claim your Gnosis—Morax."
——————
Guinaifen gasped. "Zhongli is Morax?!"
"That's so next-level hiding! No wonder Mu Yang said he felt familiar and could be trusted."
[Hosting his own funeral? Damn, that's wild.]
[Then why is he broke? Shouldn't he be able to make Mora on the spot?]
[Morax has money—what does that have to do with Zhongli? Zhongli just likes keeping tabs, that's all.]
[Why would he cooperate with the Fatui, though?]
——————
Mu Yang's expression shifted slightly as he and Lumine both turned to Zhongli.
Paimon was lost. "What are you all talking about?"
Zhongli didn't rush to explain. Instead, he retrieved his Gnosis.
"The contract is fulfilled. As agreed, I bestow upon you the promised item."
La Signora took the Gnosis. "Hmph. Such a condescending tone..."
Even Paimon understood now—Zhongli was Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon Morax.
"Even though this is shocking, but, but, but... why would you give your Gnosis to the Fatui?!"
Zhongli corrected her.
It wasn't a gift—it was a transaction based on a contract.
"A matter between myself and the Tsaritsa."
Lumine was more interested in why Zhongli faked his death and held his own funeral.
That kind of behavior seed a little... extra.
La Signora's tone remained as haughty as ever.
"Heh. Gathering the undercurrents beneath the surface..."
"Pressing them to their limit before letting them explode—isn't that exactly what he wanted to see?"
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