I, the Geo Archon Morax with 2.1 Billion Mora, Have Joined a Chat Group [88]

“Love?”

The Traveler’s eyes widened in sync with Paimon’s as she stared at Zhongli.

“But wait,” Paimon interjected, frantically waving her hands. “Didn’t you say that the God of Dust, Guizhong, appeared as a young woman with flowing robes? And wasn’t the Cloudsplitter, Qingyun, also female? I’m not wrong about this, am I?”

“You’re saying that Guizhong fell in love with Qingyun?”

“Indeed,” Zhongli replied, his tone calm and composed. He gave a small nod. “For gods, gender is not as rigid a concept as it is for mortals. Do not let human norms restrict your understanding of the divine.”

“Hmm, I suppose that makes sense.” Paimon nodded thoughtfully.

“But...” The Traveler opened her mouth to voice a thought but hesitated. Eventually, she decided against saying it aloud.

But I saw that book on Guizhong’s shelf: [How to Flirt with Boys]. Doesn’t that mean she liked men?

Oh well. Even Zhongli might not have all the answers for this.

“Very well, let us continue,” Zhongli said, stepping out of the room and heading toward the next door.

“Rex Lapis and Qingyun were married, while Guizhong loved Qingyun. This relationship isn’t all that complicated, is it? I trust you understand now.”

“So,” Zhongli continued as he pushed open the next door, “perhaps, to Rex Lapis, Guizhong’s demise was a fortuitous event. However, he could not bear to see Qingyun grieve. Out of respect and care for her, he gathered Guizhong’s remains and sealed them beneath a stone spear. Using the vortex god’s power, he nourished Guizhong’s physical remains, preserving the possibility of her resurrection.”

“This tale is recorded in the ancient text The Rock Lord and Qingyun, a solitary volume from a millennium ago. Based on my research, most of its contents are factual.”

At this, Zhongli turned to the Traveler, his gaze steady. “Traveler, do you recall our purpose for exploring Guizhong’s tomb today?”

“Hmm...” The Traveler thought for a moment. “To find Rex Lapis’ memories of the past?”

“Exactly,” Zhongli confirmed with a slight nod. “In all my studies, I have never come across any evidence that Rex Lapis ever felt nostalgia for the past—neither for Adepti nor for the people of Liyue. His writings reflect his vision for the future and his satisfaction with the present, but never a yearning for what was.”

“Rex Lapis is a god who lives in the now and looks toward the future.”

“The only one who could evoke such longing in him would be his wife, Qingyun. However, since her disappearance millennia ago, any remnants of what could be considered Rex Lapis’ memories of the past have nearly vanished from the world.”

“Through my research, I learned that Guizhong’s tomb contains items left behind by the Adepti—objects tied to the shared memories of Qingyun, Rex Lapis, and Guizhong. While these represent memories of all three, they should qualify as ‘Rex Lapis’ memories of the past.’”

“Whoa!” Paimon clapped her tiny hands in admiration. “Zhongli, you’re incredible! All this research must’ve taken ages. I’d almost believe you were there to witness it all firsthand.”

Zhongli gave her a knowing glance, his expression unreadable, and responded softly, “Indeed.”

Shifting the conversation, he added, “Earlier, I retrieved the [Memory of Dust], a relic that Guizhong gifted to Qingyun and Rex Lapis during their first meeting. It is also the vessel for her final words before she scattered into dust across Liyue.”

“I still remember those words.”

‘I cannot walk alongside you, but I leave this gift with you. Let it be forgotten.’
‘This is both a token of our pact and a challenge I present to you.’
‘All my wisdom resides within it.’
‘If you can solve it...’

“Judging by its condition,” Zhongli said, glancing at the [Memory of Dust] hanging from his waist, “it seems Rex Lapis never solved the puzzle.”

“That’s incredible!” Paimon floated closer to examine the artifact. “Even Rex Lapis couldn’t figure it out?”

“Indeed.” Zhongli’s tone remained even as he pushed open the third door. “Come. Let’s continue.”

As the Traveler stepped inside, a wave of floral fragrance enveloped her.

The room was filled with blue and white petals, their scent unmistakably that of Glaze Lilies. The delicate flowers swayed gently as though in response to the faint breeze.

“Guizhong adored Glaze Lilies, as did Qingyun,” Zhongli explained. “The two of them once spent entire nights discussing their cultivation and varieties. Rex Lapis joined them on occasion. According to records, the Glaze Lilies here are descendants of those the three nurtured together.”

“You may take one.”

“Traveler, would you pick one for me?” Zhongli asked.

The Traveler nodded, stepping forward to examine the flowers. After careful consideration, she chose the most vibrant bloom, its petals full and radiant.

Seeing her selection, Zhongli offered no comment. He simply opened the next door and stepped through.

Behind the fourth door was an ordinary bedroom—a maiden’s boudoir.

Zhongli stopped at the threshold, not stepping inside. His golden eyes swept the room before he spoke.

“This room was arranged by Cloud Retainer to replicate Guizhong’s quarters. As a man, it would be improper for me to enter. Traveler, I’ll leave it to you to search inside. Look for a book titled [Collected Essays on Iron and Agriculture]. It was co-authored by Guizhong, Qingyun, and Rex Lapis, containing their combined wisdom on governance and labor. It is said that even the Adepti were not privy to its contents, making it a significant relic of their shared memories.”

“Understood,” the Traveler replied with a nod, stepping into the room.

Zhongli watched her enter before gently closing the door. He walked a few more steps along the corridor until he reached a hidden garden. With a slight push, a door of light appeared where there had been none.

Without hesitation, Zhongli stepped through.

The room beyond was stark and empty, a vast expanse of pure white. No colors or features adorned the walls, ceiling, or floor, save for a single object at the center: a sand-filled hourglass, its grains trickling down with measured precision.

Zhongli approached, his expression calm but tinged with nostalgia. Reaching out, he took the hourglass in his hands.

“Guizhong.”

“My... rival in love.”

“I’ve come to bring you back to Liyue.”

He closed his eyes, his voice soft.

“May you and Qingyun sing joyfully once more in the fields of Glaze Lilies.”

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T/N: oooh wait... while I LOVE the drama from the rivals in love, what if Guizhong also actually love Zhongli?? but his dumb ass didnt understand that

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