I, the Geo Archon Morax with 2.1 Billion Mora, Have Joined a Chat Group [135]

Lanterns lit up the evening, casting their glow on the stages where performances took place.

The main thoroughfare was bustling, thronged with people.

Countless citizens of Liyue roamed the streets—some singing, some hawking their wares, others laughing and playing.

On this day, people from all walks of life, whether poor or rich, laborer or noble, set aside their worries to celebrate the beauty of the Lantern Rite.

For Guizhong, the sight of such prosperity, nurtured in an era of long-lasting peace, was a spectacle she had never experienced. She darted about like an excited magpie, tugging on Zhongli’s sleeve one moment, clasping his hand the next as she pulled him from one attraction to another.

“‘A scarlet bride ascends the tower, her heart aches, and tears flow.’ What’s the answer to this riddle?” she asked, gazing curiously at one of the riddles displayed among the hundred lanterns.

“It’s a red candle,” Zhongli replied. “Four thousand years ago, such items didn’t exist, so it’s no surprise you wouldn’t know.”

“Oh, a red candle,” Guizhong murmured. She pondered the answer before meeting Zhongli’s calm golden gaze, her lips curling into a faint smile.

“A lonely bride in her wedding dress ascends the three-story stage, hoping to see her beloved. Yet the more she looks, the deeper her heartache grows—her father and brothers disapprove, and her mother stands firmly against it. In the end, she weeps bitterly in solitude.”

“I don’t like this riddle,” she declared, her lips pouting like a child’s. “Let’s move on to the next one.”

Her cool, delicate hand naturally slipped into Zhongli’s again, guiding him forward a few steps to the next lantern riddle.

‘Spring rain drizzles on the little bridge.’

“Hmm...!” She furrowed her brows, her expression displeased.

“What kind of answer is this?”

Though her tone carried irritation, it was laced with self-directed frustration. As the Dust God renowned for her wisdom, failing to solve such a simple riddle—one from the outermost row, no less—felt humiliating.

Releasing Zhongli’s hand, she crossed her arms and placed one finger on her chin, falling into thought.

Several moments passed, but the answer continued to elude her. Begrudgingly, she turned her gaze to Zhongli, who had been silently observing.

“Hmm...” He chuckled under her questioning stare before shaking his head. “The answer is ‘jujube.’ Both the fruit and the written character first appeared 3,400 years ago. For someone who has been asleep for 4,000 years, it’s only natural not to know.”

“Ahh!” Guizhong stomped her foot in frustration. “I get it now—you’re doing this on purpose to tease me!”

“Ha!” Zhongli finally let out a genuine laugh, his usual stoicism momentarily breaking. “Hahaha!”

Clutching his sides as if to steady himself, he wiped away tears of laughter before affectionately patting Guizhong’s head—just as he had done so often four millennia ago.

“This is what happens when you sleep for 4,000 years. It’s 4,000 years of history, the lives of countless generations of Liyue’s people. There’s still so much you don’t know.”

He smiled gently. “Stick with me, and I’ll teach you. That way, perhaps you won’t encounter so many embarrassing moments like today.”

“Hmmph!” Guizhong puffed her cheeks indignantly, resembling a floating Anemo Slime in her petulance. “Even if I’m 4,000 years younger than you, don’t treat me like a child! I’m Guizhong, the God of Dust, famed for my wisdom! Back when I was protecting my people with knowledge, you were still just a humble farmer, Zhongli!”

“Alright, alright,” Zhongli replied, his tone indulgent as he patted her head again. Taking down the Mingxiao Lantern that held the solved riddle, he handed it to her. “This one’s enough for now. The sugar-fried chestnuts from the Jade Pavilion are quite good—let’s exchange this lantern for some.”

“Okay!”

Guizhong nodded obediently, tugging on his sleeve as they walked together to the Jade Pavilion.

Soon, they exchanged the lantern for a paper bag of warm, golden chestnuts. The chestnuts had already been peeled, their glossy, fragrant flesh releasing steam into the cool evening air.

Zhongli picked one up and was about to offer it to Guizhong when—

“Ahm!”

She leaned in suddenly, her soft lips brushing his fingers for the briefest moment before the chestnut disappeared into her mouth.

“Ahm~! Mmm~!”

She chewed delicately, savoring the flavor before swallowing.

“These are delicious!” she exclaimed, her smile as radiant as her joy was pure. “Chestnuts like this didn’t exist 4,000 years ago either. They’re so good!”

“Zhongli, you and the ancestors, along with Qingyun, really created such a wonderful Liyue. I love it.”

After her heartfelt words, she picked up another chestnut and held it out to Zhongli with a playful smile.

“Here, try one! Open wide—it’s so tasty!”

Zhongli looked at her brilliant smile, then at the chestnut in her delicate hand.

He paused for a moment before turning his head slightly, taking the chestnut from her hand and eating it. “Hmm... It is quite good.”

“However, I’d still recommend trying Xiangling’s version from Wanmin Restaurant. She uses unique ingredients that leave you longing for more.”

“Oh, I see.” Guizhong’s expression turned unreadable as she turned her back to him.

“I’m feeling a little tired,” she said softly, her voice carrying a note of something unspoken.

“Let’s go home.”

Zhongli remained silent but followed her as they made their way back toward their small courtyard.

As they crossed a bridge, the faint light of Mingxiao Lanterns began to rise over the sea, their glow blending seamlessly with the silvery moonlight. Liyue Harbor looked like a dreamscape, ethereal and boundless.

“Guizhong.”

Zhongli called her name gently.

“Hmm?” She turned to face him. Under the moonlight, the tear streaks on her face were clearly visible.

“I have a gift for you,” he said, his tone steady. “I was supposed to give it to you earlier, during dinner.”

“A gift?” she asked, her expression puzzled.

“This.”

Zhongli extended his hand, and a luminous white pearl slowly materialized in his palm.

“This is an invitation to the Multiversal Chat Group,” he explained, pausing briefly. “I’m giving it to you as a Lantern Rite gift.”

“From the friend who slept for 4,000 years...”

“...my dearest friend.”

Guizhong’s face softened into a smile, tears pooling in her eyes. She nodded lightly.

“Thank you.”

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This is a fan translation of 我，21亿岩王帝君加入聊天群 by 大一统. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!