The night passed uneventfully and harmoniously.
Upon waking in the morning, Feng Yi felt a bit tired, his arms a little sore and numb. To clarify, this was from resting his head on Hu Tao's, his arm being pinned by her.
After getting up and washing, Feng Yi took Hu Tao to the tea house for breakfast.
Zhongli had already arrived and was sitting at a table, sipping his tea.
Seeing Feng Yi and Hu Tao approach, Zhongli waved to the owner, signaling him to bring the steamed buns.
As Feng Yi sat down, he saw thirty steaming baskets of buns and three pots of oil tea laid out on the table.
Feng Yi: You understand me perfectly!
Enjoying Zhongli's attentive service, Feng Yi found it slightly unusual. Could it be that the other party had some request?
But with the buns right there, Feng Yi didn't overthink it.
'A foodie shouldn't be distracted while eating!'
Feng Yi cleared his mind of all other thoughts.
After the meal, Zhongli quietly pulled Feng Yi aside.
"I need to leave Liyue Harbor for a while. Hu Tao has only recently taken over her duties, so I'm entrusting the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to your care!"
Zhongli gazed at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, lost in thought.
"Hu Tao is my friend, and I'll definitely help her if she encounters any difficulties, so don't worry! By the way, Zhongli, are you facing some trouble? If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask!"
Feng Yi said this politely. Despite Zhongli being a pauper, he was the Geo Archon, the protector of Liyue. If even he found a problem difficult, Feng Yi certainly wouldn't be able to assist.
However, to maintain their friendship, superficial concern was essential.
"Really? I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"
Zhongli: I was waiting for you to say that!
Feng Yi: I was just saying, don't take it seriously!
If Zhongli truly dragged him into a fight, wouldn't that be him delivering himself on a silver platter?
An opponent that could trouble Zhongli would at least be Archon-level. Going there would be like offering a meager meal that might not even be enough to pick their teeth.
"Uh... of course, if I can help..."
Feng Yi emphasized the condition, hoping Zhongli would understand.
"Currently, you are the most suitable!"
Zhongli smiled with satisfaction. Feng Yi was indeed righteous; he hadn't misjudged the person.
"Then... what do you need me to do?"
"The Heyu Tea House. I owe some Mora, could you pay it for me first? I'll return it to you when I get back..."
Feng Yi: So that's it. I thought it was about fighting an Archon, scared me half to death!
Zhongli: If I can't repay the Mora I owe, I might not even be able to enter the Heyu Tea House next time! That won't do!
"Leave it to me, you can go with peace of mind!"
Feng Yi nodded his agreement. The more Mora Zhongli owed, the happier he became.
Once Zhongli's debts accumulated enough, Feng Yi could discuss releasing Ganyu from her contract.
Zhongli: Feng Yi's words are correct, but why do they sound a bit strange?
Without further thought, Feng Yi nodded his thanks and turned to leave.
After the meal, Hu Tao needed to return to the Funeral Parlor to prepare for teaching the disciples how to make talismans.
As for Feng Yi, he went alone to the Wangshu Inn for "combat training."
Zhongli, meanwhile, did not leave Liyue Harbor immediately but went to Yujing Terrace, to the location of Granny Van Horn.
"Archon, it's been a long time. Do you miss my fine tea?"
With a wave of her hand, Granny Van Horn conjured a stone table and two stone stools, with a pot of good tea already placed upon it.
"It has been a long time. To be able to enjoy a cup of clear tea is excellent!"
Zhongli accepted the teacup brewed and handed to him by Granny Van Horn and took a sip, filled with emotion.
Having just eaten buns, drinking tea to aid digestion was also quite pleasant.
"Someone from the North has set their sights on the Southern seal. I need to go and watch over it these few days. Liyue's peace is hard-won; I must guard it with all my heart!"
When the tea in the cup was finished, Zhongli slowly spoke.
Ever since the Cryo Archon made that decision, her actions had become increasingly frantic, and even he couldn't dissuade her.
The Fatui under the Cryo Archon were all somewhat mentally unstable, too driven by their goals.
They would stop at nothing to achieve their objectives, even harming innocent civilians.
If the Fatui were to destroy the southern Archon seals this time, who knew how many innocent Liyue civilians would be implicated? It was truly unforgivable!
Zhongli did not want such a situation to occur. He would be watching at the seal site, and any madman who dared to challenge his bottom line would taste the wrath of the Geo Archon.
"A young man named Feng Yi has recently arrived in Liyue. I've met him a few times, and he's quite an interesting fellow..."
Having known the Archon for many years, Granny Van Horn understood his temperament. This time, she wondered how many people would experience his terrifying power.
Since the Archon had decided how to handle the matter, she said no more. Some things were understood implicitly.
Thus, she changed the subject, chatting about lighter matters.
"Indeed, he is quite good!"
Zhongli nodded with a smile. He suddenly recalled Feng Yi's promise to help him settle his debts and immediately praised him.
"Besides Feng Yi, a few interesting youngsters have emerged in Liyue over the years, such as Ningguang and Keqing of the Liyue Qixing..."
Seeing the Archon let go of the serious topic, Granny Van Horn continued.
"Although we are long-lived, there will come a day when we are no longer around. At that time, will Liyue also have interesting youngsters like Ningguang and the others to maintain Liyue's peace and stability?"
Granny Van Horn's words resonated with Zhongli. Among all the Adepti, Granny Van Horn understood him the best.
Although Immortals and gods were long-lived, they eventually eroded. What Granny Van Horn spoke of was precisely what he had been contemplating.
Zhongli worried that the Liyue Qixing might not be able to withstand the covetous gazes of other Archons.
It was like an old father worrying if his child could survive independently.
But children eventually grow up and become independent...
"I believe they will not disappoint us, but before we truly let go, a small test is still needed. I will spend these two to three years contemplating the difficulty of this test..."
Zhongli already had a rough outline of the test in his mind, requiring only two years for subtle arrangements.
He thought that Ajax, whom he met yesterday, was quite promising, with the potential to become a pawn (crossed out)... a helper.
All he needed was to cooperate with that Cryo Archon at the right time and then fake his death to withdraw from the forefront, quietly observing Liyue's free development...
"As long as you have a plan..."
Granny Van Horn nodded and smiled. She enjoyed this feeling of dwelling in the mortal world. The Archon had toiled for Liyue for most of his life; it was time for him to rest and enjoy the tranquility of life.
Zhongli drank two more cups of tea, then rose to bid farewell, disappearing in a flash of light.
After Zhongli departed, Granny Van Horn did not remove the stone table, as she sensed someone else would arrive soon.
Indeed, shortly after, Feng Yi arrived in a hurry and drank the tea she had prepared.
"Granny, I... I succeeded!"
Feng Yi rushed in, panting from exertion. He grabbed the clear tea before him and drank it in one gulp.
Unbeknownst to him, Zhongli had just drunk from that very cup...