Hu Tao Is Monetizing My Existence.

The two of them were arguing on completely different wavelengths—worlds apart, really—yet neither of them seemed to notice. They just kept talking past each other, a classic case of misaligned intentions.

"I'm not trying to discredit the gods," Zhongli said. "I'm just pointing out a fact. Have you ever considered that the so-called Cataclysm of the Archon War… was caused by the gods themselves?"

Zhongli's response made Jiang Bai think only one thing:

His convictions run deep—there's no way I'm talking him out of this.

But giving up wasn't an option either. Jiang Bai decided to take another angle, something a little sneakier.

"Mister Zhongli, do you think humans are the most important beings in Teyvat? Otherwise, why would you say humans don't need gods instead of gods don't need humans?"

At that, Zhongli gave him a peculiar smile.

"And who says gods don't need humans?"

Jiang Bai froze, spine prickling with alarm. The look he gave Zhongli turned even warier.

No wonder he's brave enough to question the rule of the gods—he must've discovered some sort of divine secret!

Zhongli's words practically screamed it: The gods need humanity.

But… why?

Was it because human faith was the source of a god's power? The stronger the belief, the stronger the god?

Then why doesn't the Anemo Archon in Mondstadt ever show up? Doesn't he need faith too?

Jiang Bai was at a loss.

And why am I trying so hard to overthrow the Geo Archon's rule? What did Morax ever do to me?!

"Uhh…"

Jiang Bai floundered for a while and couldn't find a way to respond. Fearing that Zhongli might try to rope him into some world-shaking revolution, he turned to the oldest, most reliable tactic in the book—

Run.

"Well, uh, Mister Zhongli—I'll take my leave now! I'll drop by again next time, haha…"

He turned and fled before Zhongli could get another word in.

Watching him bolt like a startled animal, Zhongli let out a quiet laugh.

"Interesting."

He didn't know what Jiang Bai had imagined, but he was sure it was something absurdly amusing.

Turning his gaze toward Yujing Terrace, it was as if he could see through the buildings to the people busy preparing for the Rite of Descension.

"I suppose… I have indeed coddled Liyue for too long. It's been 3,700 years, and I still can't let go…"

His voice was barely audible, soft enough that not even the birds in the courtyard heard it.

Before they knew it, the day of the Rite had arrived.

To the people of Liyue, the Rite of Descension wasn't much different from any other day. They still rose early for work. Some bought groceries, some opened their shops, some played, some rested.

Outside of those with a keen political sense, most citizens didn't pay much attention to what kind of divine guidance the Geo Archon would deliver this year.

To them, no matter what policy the Archon announced, the sun would still rise in the east, and meals still needed to be eaten.

Even the streets of Liyue were no different from usual.

No lanterns hung overhead. No drums pounded. No lion dances or processions.

Jiang Bai got up early. He and Hu Tao each held a steaming baozi in hand, munching as they walked toward Yujing Terrace.

Hu Tao took a big bite, cheeks puffed full. With her mouth half-full, she mumbled, "Told you he wasn't coming. You still didn't believe me. He was gone before dawn—birdcage in hand. Didn't even leave a shadow behind."

Jiang Bai gave an awkward laugh.

Ever since his hasty retreat two days ago, he'd developed a mild phobia of Zhongli's courtyard.

He was half-afraid the man would suddenly ask, "So, would you like to join my great endeavor?"

"Mister Zhongli's got a lot on his plate…"

"Yeah—like watching operas and walking birds, living the full retired old man life."

Jiang Bai suspected that all those leisurely strolls and opera visits might actually be cover for something more… clandestine.

That opera house might be a secret rendezvous point.

He made a mental note to stay vigilant once they reached Yujing Terrace. If anything suspicious happened, he did not want to get caught in it.

Not wanting to linger on Zhongli, Jiang Bai shifted the topic. "Director, today really is the Rite of Descension, right? Because it doesn't look like it…"

It was supposed to be this grand, ceremonial occasion, yet the streets looked like any other day.

"I told you already, didn't I?" Hu Tao said. "Most folks in Liyue don't pay much attention to the Rite. Hardly anyone shows up. It's not even a public holiday—people just do whatever they usually do."

If the Rite came with a multi-day break like the Lantern Rite, then maybe people would get excited.

"Oh…"

As they neared Yujing Terrace, the crowd finally thickened, and the ceremonial atmosphere began to reveal itself.

Brightly colored banners fluttered in the breeze, lining the stairs from the base of the mountain all the way to the summit. Millelith soldiers stood guard on both sides, dressed in armor and holding long spears, eyes sharp and posture rigid. Onlookers buzzed with curiosity, speculating about what kind of divine guidance the Geo Archon might deliver this year.

Climbing up to Yujing Terrace itself, Jiang Bai was struck by how much more formal it looked than last time.

Colorful banners of varying lengths and hues were positioned throughout the terrace. At the center sat an ancient bronze cauldron, surrounded by a vivid red carpet that extended outward in eight directions like a blooming flower.

Before the cauldron, a long ceremonial table displayed an array of offerings. Freshly-bloomed glaze lilies encircled the altar.

A set of ancient bronze bells hung beneath the altar platform, and solemn musicians stood ready, dressed in elaborate ritual attire, waiting for the moment they would play.

Keqing, the appointed overseer of this year's Rite, stood before the altar in full ceremonial robes, her expression stern and focused as she waited for the proceedings to begin.

Jiang Bai and Hu Tao had arrived early and managed to grab a spot up front, close enough to see all the fine details.

They weren't alone. Others had come to witness the Rite—many dressed in ornate garments, their bearing refined and poised. Clearly, these were members of Liyue's upper class.

"Didn't expect Tianquan Ningguang to be here too," Hu Tao said with mild surprise, nodding toward a striking woman in a golden qipao nearby.

Aside from the host, the other Liyue Qixing weren't required to attend the ceremony.

After all, of the current generation of the Qixing, only Yuheng Keqing and Tianquan Ningguang were known for appearing in public. Most of the others kept their identities far from the public eye.

"Tianquan Ningguang? Where?" Jiang Bai craned his neck curiously.

The famed power figures of Liyue's Qixing—he'd only met Keqing so far.

"The one in the golden qipao, holding a pipe. Standing next to her is Beidou, captain of the Crux."

Hu Tao gestured casually in their direction.

Jiang Bai followed her gaze and spotted them.

The first thing that came to mind when he saw Ningguang was a single word:

Regal.

She was beautiful and elegant, the kind of woman who clearly existed in a world far above the common crowd.

Yet the woman beside her was no less striking.

If Ningguang was refined and noble, then Beidou was bold and unrestrained—brimming with confidence and charisma.

She moved with the calm strength of someone utterly sure of their power.

Noticing Jiang Bai's gaze, the two women looked back in their direction.

---

T/N: AWOPOOOOOOOOOOOGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA