Xin Yu suddenly felt a bit out of place. He popped a bite of a street snack into his mouth. To be precise, he had been passing by a stall when he saw the owner simply giving away the goods for free before leaving with a crestfallen look.
Although Xin Yu couldn't taste much, it was free, after all. It would be a waste not to take it.
Xin Yu observed the solemn, sorrowful expressions on every passerby's face. Everyone looked burdened, seemingly lost and confused about the future due to the baffling demise of Rex Lapis.
Xin Yu could actually understand this reaction. After all, that god had truly built Liyue bit by bit, then guided it forward for millennia. For the god to suddenly pass away one day without any warning would indeed plunge them into immense uncertainty.
But that was all it was. People would initially struggle to adapt, perhaps even miss the Lord of Geo intensely, but life would go on. Just as he himself had lost everything before, he had slowly come to accept reality and continued living.
The child has grown up; it's time they learned to walk independently. Perhaps the god releasing the hands that had supported Liyue for so long was a good thing now. Maybe that was why the god chose to feign death?
As for the earlier investigation, Xin Yu was let go after a few brief questions. Most people were similarly questioned and released, which made the blond young man who suddenly fled halfway through seem particularly conspicuous.
What was Kong's deal?
Xin Yu couldn't figure out why he chose to run. Even if he had done it, no one could find evidence, and no one could have discovered it immediately.
Furthermore, he was Mondstadt's Honorary Knight. Under no circumstances would he be singled out as a suspect without evidence or grounds for suspicion. Doing so would be a blatant disregard for Mondstadt's standing, tantamount to slapping them across the face.
But now, Kong's escape put Mondstadt in an awkward position. It was fine if nothing was found, but if even a trace linked back to him, things would look very bad indeed.
But would they really investigate thoroughly?
Xin Yu recalled how the Tianquan, Ningguang, had immediately declared the Lord of Geo assassinated and put on a show of urgently sealing the area, yet the subsequent investigation was extremely lenient, almost non-existent.
It all felt rather strange.
Xin Yu shook his head, deciding he couldn't be bothered getting involved in these kinds of schemes and intrigues. While he was a good person, unable to ignore those facing hardship and danger right before his eyes, that didn't mean he was willing to wade into matters clearly entangled with political factors.
Holding the snacks wrapped in oil paper, Xin Yu arrived at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and saw Hall Master Hu talking with Mr. Zhongli.
Xin Yu didn't immediately walk up and interrupt them. He stood at a respectful distance and waited. Only after their conversation ended and they parted ways did he approach Zhongli. "Are you the god of Liyue Harbor?"
"Why would you say such a thing, little friend?"
"That realistic corpse contained residual traces of your energy. Although I didn't touch it directly and can't fully confirm if your aura remains, I believe it was your doing. So, you are Morax?"
"Indeed, I am Morax. But now, I am merely Zhongli."
"Does that mean Venti is actually Mondstadt's god, the Anemo Archon Barbatos?"
"Mm, my old friend's original name is Barbatos. Venti is the name he uses now."
"I see."
After asking his questions, Xin Yu fell silent.
Zhongli understood that the reason the other didn't press further was his aversion to getting involved in affairs clearly laden with calculation.
"Little friend, I know you possess power far beyond the imagination of the people of this world. If, one day, Liyue were to face a threat, would you be willing to lend your aid?"
"Aren't you here? If there's a threat, can't you just handle it?"
"Morax has departed. A god who has already died naturally will not intervene."
"...Although I don't quite understand what you're planning, if this city faces the danger of destruction, a crisis where lives are devastated, I will not stand idly by. This has nothing to do with benefits, nor my relationship with anyone. It is simply what I ought to do as a human being."
"Then, my thanks, little friend."
"Mm. If there's nothing else, I plan to leave for a while to seek opponents for life-and-death battles."
"If you desire a battle where you can exert yourself fully, perhaps wait a short while. An enemy may appear before long."
Hearing this, Xin Yu understood. Mr. Zhongli likely intended to use him as an insurance policy within his plan.
However, considering Zhongli had taught him so diligently over the past week, often instructing him from morning till sunset, and had frequently treated him to meals – even though he forgot his wallet every time and sent the bill to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor...
"I understand. I will stay for a while, until this matter is concluded. Consider it repayment for the favor I owe you."
Xin Yu responded to Zhongli and handed him the snacks. After Zhongli accepted them, Xin Yu turned and left, heading back towards the small house where he was staying.
In the following days, aside from going out for his regular three meals, Xin Yu spent the rest of his time completely immersed in training. He also began, little by little, forging a blade specifically for himself.
Several days later, while still engrossed in his cultivation, Xin Yu suddenly sensed a sharp increase in the water vapor outside. A storm was brewing.
Xin Yu pulled himself out of his focused state of cultivation, pushed open the door, and looked up at the overcast sky, feeling the immense presence emanating from the sea beyond Liyue Harbor.
People hurried through the streets in panic. As ordinary humans, their senses weren't sharp enough to perceive the will awakening in the ocean, but the oppressive feeling of the impending storm urged every one of them to flee towards their homes.
When Xin Yu reached the docks, he found a man already standing there, seemingly having been there for some time, gazing towards the distant horizon.
"Do you need me to deal with that thing?"
Xin Yu stood beside the man. The entity awakening in the distance was strong, but Xin Yu felt it might not even be as powerful as Mobius in her second stage.
This wasn't just about the magnitude of power, but a fundamental difference in the level of energy wielded by both sides.
Most beings in this world used an energy called Elemental Power, and the gap between Elemental Power and Honkai Energy was significant.
"No need. This is something Liyue must experience to transition from the era of the gods to the era of humanity. Having lost the god's protection, they must also face the storms beyond that shelter. If they cannot even withstand this tempest, how can they speak of walking independently?"
"If things reach a point where it cannot be salvaged, then I must trouble you, little friend, to help Liyue this one time."
"If it truly comes to that, you could easily intervene yourself. At worst, just explain that everything that happened was a test. You would have learned by then that Liyue cannot face danger alone."
"That is different."
Seeing Zhongli had no intention of elaborating, Xin Yu held his tongue. He stood with the man on the deserted pier, watching the turbulent waves on the sea surface.
Would the people of Liyue be able to submit a perfect answer sheet to their god?