I, the Geo Archon Morax with 2.1 Billion Mora, Have Joined a Chat Group [54]

Exiting his meeting with La Signora, Zhongli had only taken a few steps through Liyue Harbor when a breathless young girl rushed up to him.

“Oh, it is you” Zhongli remarked softly as he examined a Noctilucous Jade at a nearby merchant’s stall.

"Take your time. Compose yourself before sharing the purpose of your visit."

The assistant, accustomed to Zhongli’s composed demeanor, took a few deep breaths before blurting out, “Mr. Zhongli, Hu Tao, the director of our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, requests your immediate presence.”

“I’ve been looking all over for you and finally got directions from someone nearby. So, I ran straight here!”

"Speak, and I shall listen." Zhongli asked as he turned to her, one hand resting behind his back, the other rolling the jade between his fingers.

“The Yuheng Star, Lady Keqing, has arrived at the funeral parlor to make a purchase,” the assistant replied.

"Oh? Welcoming customers is but a natural duty of the trade. Even if it is Lady Keqing, she is but another patron. Surely, the director is more than capable of managing such matters?" Zhongli raised an eyebrow in mild curiosity.

“She wishes to buy the sword box you acquired recently to store her weapon. Normally, this wouldn’t be an issue, as we’d sell it at the listed price. However, the director insists that only you have the authority to decide on this item’s sale. That’s why she sent me to find you.”

"Ah, I understand." Zhongli gave a slight nod, his expression calm as he handed the jade to the assistant. With a faint smile, he remarked, "This Noctilucous Jade is of remarkable quality. Its contours bear an uncanny resemblance to Mondstadt's Barbatos. Take it back and commission a skilled artisan to sculpt it into his likeness. Sell it to a Mondstadt merchant—it should command an impressive price."

"To forgo such a purchase would indeed be a pity."

“Uh…” The assistant instinctively took out her notebook to jot down Zhongli’s instructions, only to pause midway. “Wait, Mr. Zhongli, now isn’t the time for shopping! Director Hu Tao and Lady Keqing are both waiting for you at the funeral parlor!”

"You still fail to grasp the situation." Zhongli lightly tapped her forehead with a slender finger, his tone calm yet instructive. "You are well-acquainted with Hu Tao’s nature, are you not?"

"Their temperaments—Hu Tao’s and Keqing’s—are inherently at odds. Hu Tao’s refusal to sell the sword box speaks volumes. Sending you to seek me out was, in all likelihood, merely a pretext to keep Keqing waiting a little longer."

The assistant thought about it and quickly realized Zhongli’s reasoning made sense. She massaged her forehead thoughtfully before asking, “So, should we wait a little longer, Mr. Zhongli?”

"Hmm... that is a sound course of action," Zhongli remarked with a slight nod. "As the director, Hu Tao’s perspective carries significant weight. Allowing Keqing to wait a little longer should cause no great harm. As the old saying in Liyue goes, ‘The present official outweighs the distant authority.’"

"While Keqing bears the esteemed title of Yuheng and serves among the Qixing, her authority does not extend directly to you. Conversely, offending Director Hu Tao could bring about unnecessary complications."

“Right!” The assistant shuddered at the thought of incurring Hu Tao’s displeasure.

Memories of Hu Tao dragging poor Qiqi around while cheerfully digging a grave to bury her surfaced in the assistant’s mind, sending chills down her spine. Even Zhongli found Hu Tao difficult to handle; how could a mere assistant dare to provoke her?

Having made up her mind, the assistant carefully packed the jade into a small box, negotiated its price with the merchant, and purchased it. She then accompanied Zhongli on a leisurely stroll through several other shops before finally heading back to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

As they approached the entrance, they could already hear Keqing’s angry voice echoing from within.

“Is this how your establishment conducts business? I’ve been waiting here for over an hour! How do you intend to compensate me for the time I’ve lost?”

“Time is money! Do you not understand that?”

“Apologies, apologies,” the staff repeatedly bowed their heads in apology, but they avoided addressing her grievances directly.

The moment a supervisor noticed Zhongli stepping through the door, she rushed to greet him.

“Mr. Zhongli, you’ve finally arrived!” Taking his sleeve, she guided him to where Keqing stood.

“Mr. Zhongli,” she whispered, “this is Lady Keqing, the Yuheng Star.”

Zhongli lowered his gaze slightly, taking in Keqing’s appearance.

This leader among Liyue’s merchants had ash-gray hair styled into twin tails, lending her a youthful, almost childlike appearance.

Unlike Ningguang, her attire was modest—ordinary fabric with simple decorations. However, her black stockings, adorned with intricate patterns, stood out. The sheer material offered a faint glimpse of her smooth, fair skin underneath.

The stockings added a mature charm to her otherwise youthful demeanor, creating a striking and harmonious blend of innocence and allure.

"I know you well, Lady Keqing," Zhongli remarked with a faintly amused smile. "After all, one does not easily forget someone bold enough to question the Geo Archon directly during the Rite of Descension."

"The Archon has safeguarded Liyue for a millennium, but what of the next year, the next ten millennia, or the next hundred thousand years?"

"Such words are not easily dismissed or forgotten."

“Oh?” Keqing narrowed her eyes, her sharp gaze scrutinizing him. “I don’t know you. Are you one of those devout worshippers of the Geo Archon?”

Zhongli shook his head gently, neither affirming nor denying her statement. Instead, he offered a polite gesture. "Lady Keqing, as you are here on business, please, do take a seat."

"My name is Zhongli. I serve as a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and was the one who procured the sword box in question. As per our establishment's policies, the final decision regarding its sale rests with me."

Keqing frowned at the inefficiency of the matter but, desiring the sword box, begrudgingly accepted his invitation to sit.

After the assistant served tea, Zhongli sipped it leisurely before speaking.

"This sword box is crafted from the wood of the ancient tree where Qingyun—the Splitting Heaven and Liyue’s True Lord—once dwelled. It was a gift from Qingyun to the first Tianquan of the original Liyue Qixing. Such a peerless artifact holds a value that transcends mere Mora."

"For this reason, I must be the one to determine whether you are deserving of it. At Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, we hold treasures in the highest regard and take great care to ensure they do not gather dust or fall into unworthy hands. I trust you can appreciate this."

"To that end, I must ask you a few questions. Should your answers resonate with the spirit of the sword box, I will grant you the privilege of purchasing it."

“Hmph. I’ve heard of such practices.” Keqing nodded slightly. “Ask quickly.”

---

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