I, the Geo Archon Morax with 2.1 Billion Mora, Have Joined a Chat Group [114]

In the midst of a faint drizzle, a young girl, a god clad in flowing robes, sat beneath the eaves of a courtyard. She gently warmed a pot of fragrant wine.

She was seated on the ground atop a straw mat. Beside her was a small brazier, where osmanthus-infused liquor simmered.

On a short table before her were several plates of snacks:
One contained Glaze Lily cakes freshly bought from Glaze Pavilion.
Another held soft, green dumplings she had crafted herself.
The last was a dish of salted plums Zhongli had preserved.

"Care for a drink?"

The delicate aroma of osmanthus mingled with the tartness of plum as she dropped a few plums into the wine. Her gentle voice carried a soothing warmth, reaching Zhongli’s ears.

"Hmm…" Zhongli gave a slight nod, accepting the wine offered by his old friend. "Thank you."

"No need for thanks." Guizhong tucked her ink-black hair behind her ear and smiled faintly.

"Over the past few days, I’ve had a chance to learn more about your life with Qingyun after I… departed."

"I didn’t expect that someone as frivolous as you back then could accomplish so much."

Zhongli shook his head, downing the osmanthus wine in a single gulp. "It’s all just the flow of time and the changes it brings. My character is different now because I’ve experienced so much."

"Hmm…" Guizhong refilled his jade cup with care and spoke earnestly. "You’ve been through so much, Zhongli. Originally, even after I was gone, you and Qingyun could still support each other. But later, when Qingyun left as well… these two thousand years must have been unbearably lonely for you."

"I’ve grown used to it," Zhongli replied softly.

"Like the old oil seller in the northern district who can pour oil without spilling a drop—not because of magic, but habit."

"I’ve grown used to doing things alone, to thinking alone."

"After all… it has been two thousand years."

Guizhong’s expression faltered briefly before softening into a bittersweet smile. She moved a little closer to him, her voice tinged with a forced cheerfulness.

"At least now I’m here to keep you company. It must feel a bit better than before."

Zhongli inclined his head slightly.

"Yes… thank you, Guizhong."

But the girl quickly shifted the conversation.

"So, have you thought about how you’ll attempt the second resurrection?"

Zhongli shook his head.

"The time is not yet right. Your revival was seemed to be a fluke, Guizhong. As I’ve told you, the conditions for resurrection are exceedingly stringent. I’ve had few chances to attempt it, and this time, I made too many mistakes. Otherwise, Qingyun would have returned as well."

Guizhong nodded quietly, her gaze drifting past Zhongli to the misty courtyard where Glaze Lilies swayed in the breeze.

A thought crossed her mind as she watched the flowers.

She turned back to Zhongli, her lips curling into a playful smile.

"Zhongli?"

"Hmm?" He looked at her, his amber eyes calm. "What is it?"

"Do you remember the [Memory of Dust] I gave you and Qingyun?" Guizhong’s smile deepened.

"Of course I do," Zhongli replied with a faintly nostalgic expression.

"You said at the time that it contained the culmination of your life’s wisdom. You claimed that whoever could unlock it…"

"Did you ever unlock it?" she interrupted, stepping closer with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Zhongli averted his gaze slightly.

"Neither Qingyun nor I ever managed to open it. If it truly represents a lifetime of wisdom, it’s no wonder it’s so difficult."

"Hah, I lied," Guizhong said, her grin now openly mischievous.

Zhongli raised an eyebrow for the first time, his tone tinged with incredulity.

"Lied?"

"Of course," she replied, straightening her posture and placing her hands behind her back. Her slender figure stood before him, her snowy white robes fluttering slightly.

"You see, you, Qingyun, and I were allies, weren’t we?

"One of us guarded the southern peaks, the other the northern. We watched over and supported each other."

"When I first met Qingyun, I thought we were well-matched. My wisdom was unparalleled among the gods, and her martial prowess was second to none."

"Together, we were like a perfect pairing—like a pearl of dust set into the rock wall of a dragon, guiding it with clarity."

"At least, that’s what I thought."

"But then I met you," she continued, her tone light yet tinged with mockery.

"I realized that your wisdom was even deeper than mine, like the abyss beneath the stone—a depth I couldn’t fathom."

"And?" Zhongli’s curiosity was piqued. He followed her graceful movements, her silhouette drifting like a dream through the misty courtyard.

"And so," she said, turning back to him, raising her delicate hand, thumb and forefinger pinched together to form a small gap.

"I developed just a little bit of competitiveness."

Her playful smile was that of a mischievous girl enjoying a small victory over a flustered lover.

"So, I lied to you both, claiming that the [Memory of Dust] embodied all my wisdom."

"In truth, it’s just an ordinary artifact. It can never be unlocked. Not by you, not by Qingyun, not by anyone."

"…I see."

Zhongli’s expression shifted, but after a moment, he let out a rare chuckle.

"No wonder… Despite four thousand years, neither Qingyun nor I could unravel its mystery."

He couldn’t help but smile.

"Ha… as expected of you."

He pointed a finger at her with mock reproach.

"Do you have any idea how much time Qingyun and I spent trying to solve that puzzle after you were turned to dust by Azhdaha?"

"Sorry," she said, though her smile carried no trace of guilt—only a tender warmth.

"Allow me to make it up to you, as I always have."

"Let me dance for you… and for Qingyun, in her stead."

"After four thousand years apart…"

"Watch me, Zhongli."

"I’m watching," Zhongli murmured, lifting a cup of osmanthus wine.

For the first time in millennia, across the expanse of time, he gazed upon the elegant dance of the Dust Archon.

"To buy osmanthus wine together..."

"An old friend stands before me once more."

Guizhong winked at him, her smile radiant as the falling petals.

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T/N: WAIT I REMEMBERED ZHONGLI SAID HE WOULDNT LIVE A THOUSAND YEARS MORE

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!