Chapter 184

After about an hour, the Dragon-Queller area returned to peace.

And on the streets of Liyue, three new figures appeared.

They concealed themselves with adeptal arts - otherwise, on this busy afternoon, they would have been surrounded by crowds.

Zhongli was Geo Archon, Jiang Ning was the young Geo Archon, and then there was a burly man with dragon horns who was clearly not an ordinary mortal.

If they had appeared directly on the streets, wouldn't that have caused chaos?

Obviously, that two-meter-tall muscular man with dragon horns was Lord Azhdaha.

After Jiang Ning's treatment, Azhdaha gradually regained his sanity.

Although he still couldn't remember some things from the past clearly, at least he remembered the important matters.

More importantly, he would no longer go berserk.

Looking at the bustling, prosperous Liyue, Azhdaha couldn't help but feel emotional.

"It's really... gratifying."

"Has Liyue become so prosperous now? Before, it was just a slightly larger village and market town."

Zhongli said: "Now Teyvat is changing with each passing day. It's no longer the Liyue of the past. Moreover, I have seen Liyue's current beliefs, so I'm very comfortable completely delegating power, keeping only supervisory authority."

Azhdaha said: "Is that so... Then I feel your current life must be quite good."

Jiang Ning said: "Master now spends his days drinking tea, walking birds, watching opera, or appreciating food and listening to storytellers."

"This is really an old man's life. Morax, you've learned to enjoy yourself, huh."

Azhdaha was surprised - it seemed time had smoothed the sharp edges of this rock.

Jiang Ning said: "But Uncle Azhdaha, Master Zhongli never pays with Mora."

"Freeloading? You've fallen to this level?" Azhdaha was stunned.

Zhongli said: "Generally speaking, I merely send my bills to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. It's not that I don't pay."

"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Master works there as a consultant," Jiang Ning added.

Azhdaha stroked his chin: "How shameless, isn't that still freeloading?"

"Actually, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor now has a new industry cooperation with the Tianquan and Yuheng called the Insurance Association. The major shareholders behind the shops where Master consumes are basically all the Qixing, so when dividends are distributed, they return the consumed Mora to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

After all, how could they let the Archon who worked tirelessly for Liyue spend money? So the Qixing discussed and simply used this method to give rebates to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Although Zhongli said this, looking at his calm expression, it was hard to tell if his surprise was genuine or fake.

"After all these years, you're still such a stone face..." Azhdaha grumbled.

Zhongli glanced at Azhdaha. Very well, since you say that... I should properly check if your power has been eroded over these many years.

Let's spar later...

The old dragon was quite vindictive.

"Later we're planning to gather some old friends. Would you like to come?" Zhongli asked Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning thought for a moment and said: "Better not. What business would a junior like me have at your old friends' gathering?"

Zhongli nodded: "Then I'll call Madame Ping and the others later, but let's not call Xianyun..."

Azhdaha pointed at Zhongli: "Huh? What do you mean? Are you bullying immortals now? Old Zhongli, how did you become like this after not seeing you for so long?"

Zhongli sighed: "After so many years, how did you become such a chatterbox..."

"Why aren't you inviting Xianyun... and who is Xianyun?" Azhdaha asked.

Zhongli said: "Xianyun is Cloud Retainer, who just settled in Liyue under the name Xianyun."

Jiang Ning also asked: "So... why not invite Master?"

"This child is your and Xianyun's joint disciple?" Azhdaha's eyes widened.

Zhongli said: "Generally speaking... Xianyun hasn't taught Jiang Ning much. It was mostly me teaching hands-on, along with Ganyu and Shenhe, Jiang Ning's seniors, doing the teaching."

"So, Xianyun can only be considered a master in name."

"As for why I'm not inviting Xianyun... that's something to ask you, Jiang Ning."

Zhongli's meaningful gaze fell on his disciple, as if saying, don't you know what big event you're planning to do?

Jiang Ning turned his head away sheepishly: "Your disciple doesn't know."

Azhdaha also looked confused.

"Never mind, as long as you know what you're doing. On the contrary, we old friends are quite happy to see this..." Zhongli chuckled.

Oh my, so you're also someone who enjoys drama? Living in seclusion no longer satisfies you immortals.

You have to come out to watch the show?

Fine, when it's time for my wedding, old Zhongli, you must give a big red envelope.

"Then I'll go first, I have things to do... So I'm going to dig up your grave now? Give me a token or written permission?"

Jiang Ning said something outrageous.

"Sigh, I think you could phrase that completely differently," Zhongli held his forehead. "Never mind, keep this token safe. With this, the Millelith will let you through."

Why does it feel like his disciple is getting more wayward?

And there seems to be a tendency to become closer to that Hu Tao child.

Having one person he finds difficult to deal with is enough, why is there another one?

Watching Jiang Ning's departing figure, Azhdaha looked at Zhongli suspiciously:

"Are you planning something big? That kid can talk about digging up your grave so casually..."

Zhongli said: "We'll talk about it slowly at the banquet later. Let's go get Madame Ping first."

"Alright."

Jiang Ning arrived at the burial ground after the Rite of Parting.

The Millelith patrolling around saw it was Jiang Ning and hurriedly bowed respectfully:

"Lord Jiang Ning."

"Mm, at ease... By Master's order, I'm here to take his ancestral molting."

Jiang Ning took out the token Zhongli gave him.

The Millelith very carefully took the token, examined it thoroughly, and only after confirming it was genuine did they return it to Jiang Ning.

"Please forgive us, Lord Jiang Ning. Matters concerning the Lord's ancestral molting require caution," the Millelith said.

"It's fine, it's just your duty... Well then, I'll start digging up the grave now."

Jiang Ning took out a shovel.

Although it was the truth, the two Millelith still felt it was strange... and why would someone let their disciple dig up their own grave?

However, since it was the Lord's order, they would obey.

The divine see things from a different perspective than mortals. The Lord must have his profound reasons for doing this!

After digging up the grave, Jiang Ning grabbed the dragon tail with one hand and flew away.

He looked like he was carrying a fish.

When Jiang Ning returned to Liyue Harbor, everyone was in an uproar, staring dumbfounded at him.

Still dragging the ancestral molting by its tail, walking on the street, people automatically made way for him.

Some even mumbled prayers for the Lord's blessing.

But no one came out to question it.

Because the Lord hadn't come out to stop it, so it was clearly approved.

As said before, the Lord must have his profound reasons for doing this!

After a brief look, people continued with their business.

It could only be said that rarity makes things precious.

Before, when they didn't know Zhongli was the Lord, everyone would practically fall to their knees whenever they saw the Lord.

But now that they could see the Lord leisurely strolling through Liyue's streets daily, after some time, the Qixing didn't even need to prevent commoners from disturbing the Lord's retirement life anymore.

They had gotten used to it, since they could see him again later... It's just that what Jiang Ning did today was a bit shocking.

And in a building nearby, Azhdaha was lying by the window laughing uncontrollably, repeatedly slapping the thigh of a middle-aged man with red highlights beside him.

"Look, Zhongli, it's really funny."

Zhongli was also having trouble keeping his composure. This child, how...

"Well, truly youthful and energetic."

"But speaking of which, Azhdaha, why aren't you slapping your own thigh?"

"Obviously, hitting yourself hurts..."

...

"I've brought the thing over, Lady Ningguang."

Jiang Ning directly dragged Zhongli's body to the open space at Jade Chamber.

Ningguang looked at their Lord's body, then at Jiang Ning, and said helplessly:

"I knew before you came to the Jade Chamber..."

"Hehe, as expected, Senior Ningguang is well-informed, impressive."

"No, it's because you were too conspicuous, so..."

Jiang Ning scratched his head: "Well, I had no choice, I didn't have anywhere to put something this big..."

Ningguang said: "What about your Serenitea Pot?"

Jiang Ning was silent, and after a while finally spoke: "...Would you believe me if I said I forgot?"

Ningguang said: "It doesn't matter, the Lord permitted it anyway, or he would have stopped you earlier... You've absorbed all the energy from this ancestral molting, right?"

Jiang Ning nodded and said: "Yes, it's done. I took care of it on the way here."

Ningguang said: "Then leave the rest to our alchemy department. This ancestral molting is also a very good alchemy tool."

"Mm-hmm, Master said the same thing. And I said, since it's already dead, why bury such valuable things underground? Wouldn't it be better to use them to benefit Liyue? Then Master agreed."

Ningguang looked down at Jiang Ning, patted his head and said:

"You should still show more respect to the Lord in the future..."

Jiang Ning said: "I know..."

But it was hard to feel respectful toward such a socially inept master.

He hadn't experienced the Archon War period after all.

Ningguang said: "Well, since you're here, would you like to have tea with me?"

Ningguang seemed to be hinting at something: "This afternoon, I'm resting, and only you and I are in the Jade Chamber."

Jiang Ning's eyes lit up: "Sure."

...

After an afternoon, Jiang Ning was refreshed and energetic, but Ningguang was quite exhausted.

She probably wouldn't wake up until the next day.

However, although this two-person aerobic exercise was tiring, it could strengthen the body.

Therefore, even Ningguang, who didn't like exercise, found it sweet as honey.

When Jiang Ning returned home, he saw Xianyun sulking there and found it strange.

Both seniors weren't home, so he went up to Xianyun and asked:

"Master, what's wrong?"

Xianyun glanced at Jiang Ning and said: "It's nothing, just annoyed by certain people."

Jiang Ning said: "Who? I'll definitely help you deal with them!"

Looking at Jiang Ning patting his chest in guarantee, Xianyun said:

"It's your two grand-masters, Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver. They've also come to settle in Liyue, but didn't inform me, and even invited several old friends for a feast without calling me."

Dogs, you've changed. Once upon a time, we were the iron triangle among the adepti, now you've excluded me.

Jiang Ning laughed awkwardly. He couldn't exactly say that today the Lord and the others were also drinking and feasting there, along with the newly recovered Azhdaha, and still didn't invite you...

Xianyun would probably really get angry if he said that.

"Never mind, this immortal has a disciple to comfort me in my old age, they don't. Let's just pity them, this immortal won't hold it against them."

When angry or excited, Xianyun would still refer to herself as "this immortal."

"By the way, I heard that after the Traveler returns to Liyue, you're planning to set off for Sumeru together?" Xianyun asked casually.

"Yes, they say there's something called the Withering in Sumeru, supposedly similar to the Abyss... It's also a kind of negative energy. I want to see if I can utilize this Withering too. That way, Guizhong could wake up earlier, and I still have several Yaksha relics with me," Jiang Ning said.

It wasn't easy for him either, running around for Liyue's fallen heroes.

Xianyun said: "Don't be too rushed, if you get tired..."

"Master would worry?" Jiang Ning grinned.

Xianyun glared at Jiang Ning: "This immortal would feel like I failed as a master, letting my disciple work so hard."

That's not right, shouldn't a master feel proud seeing their disciple working hard diligently?

Hmm, looks like Master, this big tsundere, isn't ready to speak her true feelings.

But at least there's progress, knowing how to care for people now.

Jiang Ning was quite pleased inside.

"Take this with you. The Akasha Terminal is made with the Dendro Archon's power, and considering how Sumeru people don't dream... I even suspect that the current manager of the Akasha Terminal is using it and the Dendro Archon's power to steal Sumeru people's dreams."

"Although this thing can't resist the Dendro Archon's power, it can let you know if you're being affected by it. It's quite useful."

Xianyun said.

As expected of the Invention Adeptus, one good thing after another.

"Hehe, thank you, Master."

Jiang Ning was very satisfied.

Master had responded to his friendliness.

Great progress.

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