Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence.

"Mister Zhongli, won't you come with me?"

"No," Zhongli replied, shaking his head.

"Why not?" Jiang Bai pressed, unwilling to give up.

"I'm not interested."

"Come on, just this once. Last time you came out with us, didn't it go perfectly fine? It won't take up much of your time…"

Jiang Bai tried soft persuasion, knowing full well it wouldn't work on just anyone—and certainly not on Zhongli.

Unlike Hu Tao, whom he could pester shamelessly, he didn't dare latch onto Zhongli's arm or whine. All he could do was try his best with words.

He still had to maintain some dignity in front of others.

"No."

Zhongli's response was firm. A flat refusal, with no room for negotiation.

But Jiang Bai's persistence struck him as unusual.

"You really want me to go that badly?"

"Yes! Absolutely!" Jiang Bai admitted without hesitation.

"Mister Zhongli, what's your view of the Geo Archon? What's your honest opinion?"

"I'm just a mortal. What right do I have to judge a god?" Zhongli calmly took a sip of tea, curious to see where this line of questioning would lead.

"Why ask me this all of a sudden?"

"The Director told me a few stories about the Geo Archon, and since you're so well-read, I wanted to hear your thoughts."

Jiang Bai moved behind him, massaging his shoulders with exaggerated deference.

"Just a casual conversation, off the record. With the Rite of Descension coming up, I'm really curious."

Zhongli countered with his own question: "Then let me ask you—what kind of god do you think the Geo Archon is?"

Jiang Bai thought for a moment.

"Compared to the Anemo Archon in Mondstadt, who only appears during crises, the Geo Archon gives divine revelations every year and personally guides Liyue's development. He's incredibly diligent. But…"

His tone shifted slightly.

"But doesn't he interfere a bit too much?

"Liyue's been around for over three thousand years, right? All that time, and the Geo Archon continues to show up annually to steer its direction. It feels like an overly concerned father—worried his 'child' will mess up, so he steps in every year to keep things in line…"

This was the impression Jiang Bai had formed upon hearing that Morax still descended to Liyue Harbor every year.

Before visiting Mondstadt, he assumed this was just how gods operated. But after hearing Barbara describe the Anemo Archon's hands-off approach, he realized he'd been wrong.

Not every god hovered over their people like the Geo Archon did.

Zhongli didn't refute him. "You put it quite well."

The Geo Archon and Liyue really did resemble a doting father and his grown son.

Even after three thousand years, the father still couldn't let go.

"My understanding of the Geo Archon is limited, and I'm sure there's bias in what I've said. But as someone who hasn't been in Liyue long, this is all I can observe."

Jiang Bai's thoughts turned to what he'd heard in Mondstadt.

"…I don't remember much from before, but I think the world I came from had no gods. Which means no divine guidance—humans had to figure out how to progress on their own.

"Liyue's people are lucky. They have a god who cares for them, and they're protected by adepti. They're shielded by mighty beings."

That was a blessing—but under certain conditions, it could also be a curse.

"But if that god suddenly disappeared… if the adepti were gone… wouldn't that leave them defenseless in a crisis?"

Zhongli blew gently on his tea and took a quiet sip, then smiled.

"You underestimate the people of Liyue."

Liyue's people were not the kind to panic at the loss of gods or guardians.

They were tenacious, wise, sincere, and brave. Mere mortals, yet capable of extraordinary feats.

"Five hundred years ago, a cataclysm swept across Teyvat. A horde of beasts plunged the world into chaos. At that time, the Geo Archon was no longer in Liyue—it was the Millelith and the adepti who stood guard and protected the people."

As he spoke of the events from five centuries past, Zhongli's expression dimmed slightly.

Too much had happened in those years—events that had left a lasting impact on all of Teyvat.

Thankfully, the Millelith and the adepti had remained behind to defend Liyue. Otherwise, the city might not have survived.

He finished the last of his tea, only the fading steam left in the cup.

"But there is one thing you said that may be true—perhaps humanity no longer needs gods."

"…Huh?" Jiang Bai froze.

That one sentence had completely thrown him off.

Humanity doesn't need gods? That wasn't what he meant at all!

"Everything that exists has its own purpose. If gods exist, then surely they must have a role to play. Isn't that a bit blasphemous of you, Mister Zhongli?" Jiang Bai looked at him with narrowed eyes, full of suspicion.

I was just testing the waters and he… admitted it?

Those words—he's not trying to overthrow divine rule, is he?!

Zhongli chuckled and tossed the question back at him. "Then tell me—do you think humanity needs gods?"

"Of course!" Jiang Bai replied without hesitation. "Gods protect us. They guide us. They grant us strength. Of course humanity needs them!"

What kind of joke is this? I'm in the Director's camp!

Hu Tao revered the Geo Archon, and Jiang Bai felt the same. Morax was diligent and responsible—a god who had shepherded Liyue with tireless dedication.

A god like that? No way am I agreeing he's unnecessary! Don't even think about dragging me onto that boat, Mister Zhongli!

Zhongli poured him another cup of tea, voice slow and calm.

"But everything you just mentioned… humans can do that themselves. They can protect each other. They don't need divine guidance. And as for strength—wasn't it your own power that shattered the Skyfrost Nail?"

Zhongli had no idea what Jiang Bai was thinking—but these were words he'd never spoken to anyone before.

Do humans need gods?

It was a question he'd pondered for a long time. And when he saw the Nail obliterated by mortal hands, he found his answer.

No—they don't.

Or, to put it another way: gods may exist, but they're not essential to humanity's survival.

A certain old friend far away in Mondstadt had probably seen this truth long ago—and thus, had chosen to let Mondstadt grow freely.

Jiang Bai was truly stumped by the question.

Yes, mortals could do many things without divine help—but that didn't mean the gods' achievements should be ignored.

He scratched his head, trying to reason with Zhongli.

"But… that's different! If there hadn't been gods, how would humanity have survived the Archon War?"

"That war ended long ago…"

"Maybe, but that doesn't erase what the gods accomplished! You can't just say we don't need them now just because the world is at peace!"