Chapter 124

Takumi and Zhongli came directly to Guyun Pavilion.

Zhongli found a place to stop. Then he looked at Takumi.

Looking at Zhongli, who had traveled all the way without messing up his hair, Takumi couldn't help but complain in his heart. Could this guy secretly be using his power to fix his hairstyle?

"Let's go together."

Zhongli didn't know what Takumi was thinking. Instead, he issued an invitation to Takumi.

Takumi nodded. He was already here—was there any use in refusing?

At the same time, Takumi became curious. What did Zhongli want to say to him?

The two arrived at a platform. Looking at the scenery over the sea, Zhongli slowly opened his mouth and said:

"I made a contract with the Queen of Ice. Next, people from the Winter Kingdom will come here. As long as they don't go too far, do not attack them. At next year's Rite of Parting, I will feign death and completely hand Liyue over to humans."

To put it bluntly, he was ready to retire—no longer being a king. Then, he would prepare a test for the people of Liyue.

Listening to his words, Takumi scratched his head. "Is this necessary? It doesn't seem needed at all, does it?"

Zhongli sighed. "Liyue Qixing knows my identity, so this test is actually for the ordinary people. Let them understand that even if Morax is gone, Liyue is still capable of resisting any threat. At the same time, I will ensure that the adepti do not interfere. It will be up to you to handle the demon gods that will appear next."

In other words, he wanted Takumi and the others to accompany him in a staged retirement play.

At the same time, everyone in Liyue would come to understand that their emperor was gone. But Liyue itself had stood up, possessing enough strength to resist all incoming enemies.

Essentially, what was originally a test in the original plan had now become a demonstration of the power of Liyue Qixing.

The changes Takumi had brought to Liyue in this time were obvious to all. He had also introduced new weapons. The power of the weapons now carried by the Qianyan Army even surprised him. Even wielders of the Vision had to be careful around those carrying such weapons.

It could be said that Takumi had significantly strengthened Liyue's military power. In addition, he had already solved the issue of Chi. So, dealing with two demon gods shouldn't be too difficult, right?

Therefore, Zhongli wanted to inform Takumi in advance so that he could relay the plan to Liyue Qixing and ensure they were prepared.

This display of strength would directly affect the entire continent of Teyvat. So, preparing in advance was the right move.

Even if it was just a performance, it had to be convincing, right?

Takumi and Zhongli chatted for a long time.

Then, thinking of something, Takumi said to Zhongli, "By the way, Zhongli, do me a favor and teach me some martial arts. Also, give me some books from your collection. I need to increase my knowledge base. Whether it's mechanisms or alchemy, anything is fine. Just give me some."

Zhongli had lived for such a long time—he must have many valuable collections, right? Takumi wanted all of them.

Hearing Takumi's request, Zhongli glanced at him. "That power in your body seems to be related to your knowledge? The more you learn, the stronger you become, right?"

Takumi wasn't surprised by this observation. If Zhongli couldn't even figure that out, then he wasn't much of an emperor.

Seeing Takumi admit it, Zhongli didn't hesitate and waved his hand. Instantly, the place where Takumi stood was filled with books.

"These books are collected over thousands of years. Take them all. And this—these are martial arts techniques I created. You can learn from them."

Zhongli generously handed over his treasured collection.

Seeing all these things, Takumi's eyes lit up. "Thank you!"

He immediately started packing the books. There were too many to store using just a Vision. Fortunately, the Heart of God also had a storage function. Since it was a more advanced organ than the Vision, it made sense that it would have extra capabilities.

"If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me anytime. Especially in martial arts—I am quite confident in my expertise."

If he wasn't confident, then who would be? After all, his skills had been refined through countless battles with demon gods. Morax was known as the God of War, after all.

Takumi didn't even know how to respond to that.

After storing the books, Takumi didn't dwell on it any further. He chatted with Zhongli a little longer before they both began their return journey.

However, midway, Zhongli and Takumi separated. Zhongli took the motorcycle that Takumi had given him and rode off towards Liyue Harbor. He looked just like someone rushing to an urgent appointment at a high-class venue.

Seeing this, Takumi's lips curled into a smile. This guy had probably been holding back for a while. Asking for a flying machine was likely just for the convenience of quickly returning to Liyue Harbor.

Flying was much faster than running, after all.

So, Zhongli was probably hurrying back to listen to an opera.

Shaking his head, Takumi didn't think about it anymore. Instead, he returned to his office and began reading the books Zhongli had given him.

He needed to study them quickly and enrich his own knowledge base.

With the power of the Herrscher of Reason, Takumi could basically memorize books after reading them once. Then, he could slowly deduce and consolidate the knowledge.

Just as Takumi was deep in his studies, people from the Winter Kingdom arrived in Liyue.

At that moment, inside a luxuriously decorated bank, the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui was reviewing the intelligence gathered by his subordinates.

To be honest, he was utterly shocked by the changes in Liyue.

Was this still the same Liyue he had known?

Reading the documents, he was filled with astonishment. Electricity, high-yield crops, vehicles powered by elemental energy, weapons strikingly similar to those of the Winter Kingdom—

And many other strange advancements.

It made him feel as though he had stepped into another world.

Although Liyue Harbor itself hadn't changed much, the photos showed that Guili Plains had undergone an earth-shattering transformation. What was once ruins had now become a city filled with towering buildings.

And it had all happened in such a short period of time.

According to the data, all of Liyue's changes pointed to one person—

A mysterious figure who had suddenly appeared in Liyue and signed a contract with the Geo Archon.

Liyue's current advancements were all linked to this man.

After reading the report, Childe set it aside.

For a moment, he was lost in thought.

Although he was a warrior who preferred to speak through strength, it didn't mean he lacked intelligence.

What should he do next?

For now, Childe pondered deeply.