Chapter 37 The Secret of the World, the Death of Gold

[You and Zhongli met the God of Eternity, but her mood was far from pleasant. In fact, it couldn't have been worse.]

[Her foul mood stemmed from several sources. Her sister, the former Electro Archon, had died in battle during the war that devastated Khaenri'ah years ago. Upon returning to Inazuma, she faced a rebellion led by the demon god Orobas. Recently, she also lost another friend, Kitsaigumi, who perished in the battle against the disaster.]

[Despite this, the God of Eternity still met with Zhongli and you, and you were taken aback by her words.]

"I wonder why Morax is visiting Inazuma at this time. What is your intention?" she asked.

You knew Zhongli's identity was significant, but you hadn't expected him to be the renowned Deus Auri. You had thought he was just an immortal.

But upon reflection, it makes sense. After all, how else could Tianquan Zhongli command the loyalty of Bosacius and Xiao?

"It's just a contract between me and her," Zhongli, now referred to as Morax by the Thunder God, said calmly. "She wanted to know who was behind the recent disaster, and hearing about the turmoil in Inazuma, I brought her here to see if the true culprit might be present."

"Hmph! That rat!" Zhongli's words seemed to strike a nerve with the Thunder God, and she exuded a strong aura of anger. "If that fool dares set foot in Inazuma, I will tear him to pieces!"

"If he's not in Inazuma, then you can consider Ms. Tsumugi and me as tourists here," Zhongli added.

With that, Zhongli led you out of the castle tower.

Over the next year, Zhongli guided you through Inazuma. You witnessed the conflict between the Kaido Island rebels and the Tenryou Commission, learned swordsmanship from wandering warriors, and saw the Thunder God use the "Musou no Hitotachi" to defeat the demon god Orobas.

A year later, Zhongli took you to Sumeru.

[23 years old: Zhongli led you through Sumeru for a year. The region was in chaos due to war. You helped many people fleeing the conflict, and the title of "Bloody Knight" began to spread throughout Sumeru.]

[24 years old: Zhongli brought you to Natlan...]

[25 years old: Zhongli took you to Fontaine...]

[26 years old: Zhongli led you to the Kingdom of Snezhnaya. At this point, having traveled from Mondstadt, your birthplace, and Liyue, your departure point, you had completed your journey across the continent.]

[Throughout your travels, the name "Bloody Knight" became well-known across Teyvat.]

"I hope that guy is in the Kingdom of Snezhnaya," you muttered to yourself while gazing at the snowy city of Snezhnaya.

After all these years, you knew who Zhongli was leading you to find.

He is the Royal Alchemist of Khaenri'ah—"Gold".

Many of the tragedies you witnessed during your travels were caused by her.

From Mondstadt's dragon Durin and Liyue's monster tide to Inazuma's dark disaster, all these monsters were created by "Gold" through her alchemy.

You also understand why Morax, the Geo Archon, disguised himself as Tianquan Zhongli and stayed in Liyue Harbor during the monster wave. According to him, this was a form of self-punishment.

"We, the Seven Archons, inflicted unjust punishment upon Khaenri'ah. Gold's creation of monsters to attack Liyue was a justified revenge. Hence, I did not intervene to protect Liyue. This is my self-imposed punishment," Zhongli had said.

Even Zhongli, who had always been indifferent to fame and fortune, couldn't hide a trace of grief in his eyes when he spoke of this. Watching the people he protected suffer without helping them was indeed a harsh punishment for him.

Zhongli's words made you reflect. If this was an unjust punishment, why did the gods destroy Khaenri'ah?

What were the Seven Gods thinking when they destroyed the Kingdom of Khaenri'ah?

Whenever you asked Zhongli about this, he simply replied, "You will understand once you find Gold." It left you puzzled.

Finally, after a thorough search with Zhongli, you found "Gold" hidden in a cave on a snowy mountain in the Kingdom of Snezhnaya.

Despite the years that had passed since Khaenri'ah's fall, Huang Jin still wore the ceremonial attire of Khaenri'ah's Royal Alchemist and a white half-mask with a gold-rimmed border. He looked dignified, not at all like the perpetrator of countless tragedies across the continent.

"I will speak with Her and try to extract as much information as possible. It's up to you to decide what to do with the information you obtain," Zhongli whispered to you before the confrontation began.

"So, it's the famous Lord Morax. I wonder what brings you to my humble abode?" Rhinedottir acknowledged Zhongli and you at the cave entrance. her gaze briefly lingered on you before focusing entirely on Zhongli.

"I wonder if Lord Morax enjoyed the little gift I gave to Liyue?" Rhinedottir taunted.

"The monsters you created have been destroyed," Zhongli responded calmly to Rhinedottir's provocation. "Rhinedottir, you know that the destruction of Khaenri'ah was not the intention of the Seven Archons. Let's each take a step back. I won't hold you accountable for the losses inflicted upon Liyue if you cease creating monsters to attack innocent people."

"Just you?" Rhinedottir scoffed at Zhongli. "Since when did the Seven Archons, who are mere servants of Heavenly Principles, gain the authority to ignore their master's will and make their own decisions?"

Heavenly Principles?

You picked up on this term and paid close attention.

"It was Khaenri'ah that first attempted to use the power of the Abyss to challenge the gods. Therefore, we were commanded to act. In the end, this is your own fault. And we, the Seven Gods, are not mere servants of Heavenly Principles," Zhongli explained.

"We attempted to challenge the gods?! We sought only the power to protect our people from the gods! Otherwise, Khaenri'ah would have eventually become nothing but dust, like the Kingdom of Fandynir!" Rhinedottir retorted.

"And if you claim the Seven Gods are not servants of Heavenly Principles, dare you speak the name 'Heavenly Law'?" Rhinedottir pressed.

[Zhongli fell silent.]

"See? Without permission, you don't even have the right to name your master. And you claim you are not the lackeys of Heaven?" Rhinedottir's taunts grew bolder with Zhongli's silence.

"Miss Tsumugi, remember what she just said," Zhongli instructed, pulling out a spear from his Vision and aiming it at you. "I'm sorry, though I also wish for you to learn more, knowing too much too quickly might endanger you like the refugees from Khaenri'ah."

With that, Zhongli swiftly moved behind Rhinedottir, driving the spear through her heart.

It was a decisive victory of sheer strength. There was no need for elaborate moves or grand proclamations. Zhongli used his unmatched speed to get behind Rhinedottir and thrust his spear with precision.

[Time seemed to freeze for a moment. A few seconds later, Rhinedottir saw the spear tip piercing his heart. She slowly collapsed, her expression one of reluctant defeat.]