Chapter 28 – Preparing the Rite of Parting

Liyue Harbor, Liuli Pavilion.

“After all, we’re still people of the underworld, so I can’t go into details.”

“In any case, the reason I brought you to meet Zhongli, and of course Mr. Qiu Bai, is…”

At this point, Childe glanced at Zhongli meaningfully.

“…because I have a way for you to see the divine form of Rex Lapis.”

Zhongli looked at Lumine and Paimon and spoke calmly.

“What?!”

Paimon exclaimed in surprise.

Lumine also looked at Zhongli with astonishment.

“No need to be surprised. Although under the manipulation of Tianquan Ningguang, the divine form of the Geo Archon has long been hidden away…”

“But let’s hear what Zhongli has to say first.”

Childe smiled in response to the astonished Paimon, then turned his gaze to Zhongli.

“The main reason Ningguang hid the Geo Archon’s body is because of you, Tartaglia,” Qiu Bai thought to himself, somewhat exasperated. No wonder Childe was played like a fool by Zhongli and La Signora.

Zhongli continued, “Although Rex Lapis is the ancestor of all Adepti, in the end, he is still one of the Adepti.”

“Looking back at Liyue’s thousands of years of history, Adepti have been departing one after another—this is an irreversible trend.”

“Because times have changed. You must have already sensed this shift during your time in Jueyun Karst.”

After speaking, Zhongli looked at Lumine and Paimon, quietly awaiting Lumine’s response.

“The Adepti are distancing themselves from Liyue?”

Lumine looked at Zhongli with some confusion.

“As you can see, the era of the Adepti is fading away, and the era of humanity is gradually becoming a reality.”

“In the past, whenever an Adeptus departed, a grand memorial ceremony would be held.”

Zhongli furrowed his brow slightly and continued.

“This is a tradition of Liyue, but this time, even the Qixing have no time to uphold this tradition. It’s truly unbecoming.”

Wow, he’s really putting on a show, Qiu Bai thought to himself, almost calling Zhongli an acting emperor.

After all, he and Morax were the masterminds behind this chess game, and now it was time to stir the pieces.

“After all, it’s a bizarre case of deicide.”

Lumine looked at Zhongli and said.

“Yeah… and the real culprit hasn’t even been caught yet.”

Paimon, floating in the air, nodded in agreement.

“The bizarre case of deicide is of no concern to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.”

“What the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor cares about is this: the Rite of Descension was so grand, yet is no one going to take charge of the Rite of Parting?”

Qiu Bai twitched the corner of his mouth. So he’s planning his own funeral, huh?

“Traveler, I’ve heard about you from Childe.”

“Since you have some connection with the Anemo Archon, would you consider joining me in preparing a ceremony to bid farewell to the Geo Archon?”

Zhongli looked at the contemplative Lumine and spoke steadily.

“Uh…”

“Traveler, if you think about it carefully, there doesn’t seem to be any other way.”

Paimon held her head, thinking it over, and indeed, there didn’t seem to be any alternative.

“That’s right, no amount of thinking will change the outcome.”

“Tianquan Ningguang is preventing anyone from paying respects to the divine form of Rex Lapis.”

“So, if you want to achieve your goal of seeking out The Seven, this is currently the only path available.”

Childe chimed in hastily.

He believed Lumine was a crucial ally in his quest to obtain the Gnosis and couldn’t afford to let her give up now.

“Moreover, Liyue’s other deity, the Adeptus of Yin and Yang, has also mysteriously disappeared.”

“Exactly so. Only by participating in the Rite of Parting will you be able to see the Geo Archon’s Divine Body once more.”

Zhongli took over from Childe, speaking calmly to Lumine.

It was truly a hardship for Lumine, considering the two deities she sought—the Adeptus Lord and the Geo Archon—were right before her eyes.

And they were explaining to her how to send themselves off as if nothing were amiss.

“It seems there’s no other way.”

Lumine murmured.

Her goal was to find The Seven, to see if among them was that unfamiliar deity from that year, and then to rescue her brother. Even if not among The Seven, any deity would suffice.

“Indeed. If you agree, follow me after the meal. We can discuss the details along the way.”

Zhongli spoke plainly, then turned and left the room.

Lumine watched Zhongli depart, then glanced at Qiu Bai, who remained seated in his chair.

“Qiu Bai, I never would have guessed you were involved in this kind of work.”

Before Lumine could speak, Paimon flew over to Qiu Bai and said.

After all, the only person here who could be considered even slightly familiar was Qiu Bai.

“Didn’t I tell you I was a Consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?”

“Let’s finish the meal first, no rush. The dishes here aren’t cheap, after all. Then I’ll take you to see Zhongli.”

Qiu Bai looked at Lumine and Paimon with a smile.

“That’s perfect. I was thinking of having a few more drinks myself.”

“And practicing how to use chopsticks. It’s just right that Mr. Qiu Bai can join me for a few cups.”

Childe chuckled, sitting down in the chair beside Qiu Bai as he spoke.

“Naturally, of course.”

Qiu Bai replied slowly.

Lumine and Paimon didn’t stand on ceremony either and began to eat.

Qiu Bai ordered a few more glasses of juice for Lumine and Paimon, while he and Childe chatted about everyday matters over fine wine.

Qiu Bai also taught Childe how to use chopsticks.

He genuinely felt that, if not for their differing allegiances and nations, he would truly like to become friends with the Qiu Bai before him.

Compared to Mr. Zhongli, this Mr. Qiu Bai was much more approachable.

Time passed bit by bit.

“I’m full!”

Paimon patted her stomach happily.

“Thank you for the hospitality.” Lumine also smiled at Childe and Qiu Bai.

Hearing this, Qiu Bai stood up.

“Then let’s set off. I’ll take you to find Zhongli.”

“Childe, we’ll take our leave for now.”

Qiu Bai looked at Tartaglia, who was still practicing with chopsticks, and smiled.

“Chopsticks… are so hard to use.”

Tartaglia muttered.

Seeing Childe like this, Qiu Bai’s mouth twitched slightly.

Then he led Lumine and Paimon out of the room, heading in the direction where Zhongli had gone.

After walking for a while, they finally caught sight of Zhongli. He stood beneath a tree, gazing at the distant mountain scenery.

“Zhongli, I’ve brought them.”

Qiu Bai spoke slowly.

“Thank you, old friend.”

Zhongli turned around, looking at Qiu Bai, then at Lumine and Paimon beside him.

“Old friend?”

“That sounds like you’ve known each other for a very, very long time.”

Paimon said with some surprise to the two of them.

After all, both Zhongli and Qiu Bai looked so young. Even if they had been together since childhood, “old friend” seemed an odd term.

“Hehe, Qiu Bai and I have known each other for a very long time indeed.”

“Calling each other old friends is hardly inappropriate.”

Zhongli let out a light chuckle, then slowly explained to Paimon and Lumine.

Upon hearing this, Qiu Bai also nodded with a smile, after all, the two of them had indeed known each other for quite a long time.

“The way you two speak really gives off a very old feeling.”

“And that mysterious Mystic Arts of Qiu Bai’s seems quite suspicious.”

Paimon looked at Qiu Bai and Zhongli with a detective-like expression.

Lumine also nodded. She always felt that the composure of the two before her seemed to have been shaped by experiencing many things.

It didn’t seem feigned. Qiu Bai was still somewhat understandable, but this Mr. Zhongli gave her the impression of having lived an exceptionally long time, speaking with great maturity.