Chapter 15: Farewell and Departure

"Zhongyuan delicacies, delicious and affordable!"

"Last time, we spoke of Liyue in those days, when the sea..."

"Wanmin Restaurant's new..."

Returning to Liyue Harbor once more, Yun Fan walked alone through the bustling streets. The surroundings seemed to have lost some familiar faces. Brother Qiang, who used to sell fish at the market, was nowhere to be seen, and Old Fan, who sharpened knives at the entrance of Wanmin Restaurant, had also disappeared.

Had they all left? The passage of time—just two years—had already brought such changes. If he were to live for a thousand years in the future, what would become of the people around him? This wasn't Yun Fan being overly anxious. With the help of the Primordial Code, he was bound to have an extraordinarily long lifespan. But what about the women by his side?

'Void Archives, do you have a solution?' Yun Fan asked nervously. He knew the Void Archives must have a way to solve this problem, but he wasn't sure if it would help him.

'Yes. Grow stronger.'

'Grow stronger?'

'Yes. When the holder becomes powerful enough to trample all laws underfoot, even time will bow before you.'

"I see... A heavy responsibility lies ahead..."

Knock, knock, knock.

Creak~

The sound of a door opening echoed as a girl dressed in the uniform of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor opened the gate.

"Ah, it's Mr. Yun Fan! Long time no see. Are you here to see Director Hu?"

Recognizing Yun Fan, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, the girl greeted him politely.

"No, I'm here to see Mr. Zhongli. By the way, why is the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor closed during the day?" Yun Fan stated his purpose while also expressing some confusion. Why was the funeral parlor so empty? Shouldn't it usually be quite busy?

"That's how it is, Mr. Yun Fan," the girl replied with a mix of pain and joy on her face. "The new service you suggested to Director Hu, called 'End-of-Life Simulation,' has become incredibly popular in Liyue. Now, almost all the staff are out fulfilling orders. Even Consultant Zhongli has been dragged by the director to carry coffins. I'm the only one left to watch the shop."

Imagining Zhongli's expressionless face as he carried a coffin, Yun Fan couldn't help but laugh.

Zhongli, oh Zhongli, you've finally met your match! What goes around comes around!

"Do you need me to call Consultant Zhongli back for you?"

"No need. When Mr. Zhongli returns, please let him know that I'll be waiting for him tonight in the private room at Wanmin Restaurant."

"Zhongli, how's life been lately? I heard you've been living quite comfortably," Yun Fan poured a cup of tea and handed it to Zhongli, who was still in his work uniform, smiling mischievously.

"It's been... tolerable," Zhongli replied expressionlessly, his eyes seemingly saying, How dare you ask? These days, he had been dragged around by Director Hu to carry coffins, leaving him no time to listen to storytellers at Third-Round Knockout or attend several of Yun Jin's new operas.

"Haha, don't take it to heart. I'm actually helping you. Think about it—you, the God of Contracts, freeloading off a young girl like Hu Tao. If word got out, the other six Archons would laugh their heads off."

"From a universal perspective, they wouldn't," Zhongli replied, his eyes still fixed on Yun Fan with a hint of displeasure.

"Ahem, let's get to the point. I'm here to bid you farewell," Yun Fan had already made up his mind. He was planning to head to Mondstadt now. With about a year left before the Traveler's awakening, he would live in Mondstadt for a while. Once the story began, he could naturally join the Traveler's journey.

Though he wasn't sure if the Traveler would be Lumine or Aether. If it were Lumine, perhaps he could find a way to travel with her. If it were Aether... should he find a way to eliminate him?

"Farewell?" Zhongli paused, deep in thought. "I see."

Every Descender who had come before was no ordinary person. Yun Fan must be the same. It seemed the continent of Teyvat was about to experience a new turning point.

"I plan to step down from my position as the Geo Archon. Would you like to take my place?"

"No, thank you," Yun Fan shook his head. The Seven Archons of Teyvat were not true gods. His ambitions would not stop there.

The Void Archives had said that true gods existed beyond the cycle of reincarnation, unaffected by the passage of time.

Looking across the entire continent of Teyvat, there might not be a single true god.

Even Istaroth, the God of Time, could only manipulate time within Teyvat. In other words, she relied on the world's power. Without the support of Teyvat's laws, she would likely lose her ability to control time.

"Is that so?" Zhongli seemed to have anticipated Yun Fan's response.

"In the future, I plan to return power to the people of Liyue. When that time comes, I will need your help."

So that's where you were going with this, you sly old fox. You knew I would refuse, so you set a trap to make me work for you for free.

"Fine, I agree," Yun Fan had no reason to refuse. This would give him a legitimate reason to intervene the story. When that dragon skin really fell from the sky, he would just take it and have Xiangling cook it.

"Excellent."

"Mr. Yun Fan, the caravan is about to depart. Are you ready? Do you need us to wait for you?" At the inn, a caravan from Mondstadt was preparing to return. The leader approached Yun Fan with a smile.

He couldn't understand why people from Liyue were so wealthy. The fee this gentleman had paid was equivalent to half the profit from their entire shipment, and all he asked was to be taken to Mondstadt.

In this day and age, money talks. Waiting a little while for him was no problem.

"No need. I travel light and have nothing to bring," Yun Fan signaled that they could depart immediately. He truly had nothing to carry.

"Mr. Yun Fan, I heard you're going to Mondstadt for business. Don't you have any goods to transport? We can help you ship them for free."

"No need. I brought money."

"..."

And so, Yun Fan, posing as a merchant, followed the Mondstadt caravan back to Mondstadt.

The journey was uneventful, with no monster attacks or Treasure Hoarder ambushes. Within Liyue's borders, the security was impeccable, with Millelith soldiers stationed along the way.

In Mondstadt, the situation wasn't as dire as in the game, with monsters running rampant and even attacking the city gates. Perhaps this was because Varka hadn't yet led the elite forces of the Knights of Favonius on their expedition.

"Mr. Ivan, welcome back to Mondstadt."

Lawrence, the guard at the city gate, saluted the merchant leader, Ivan, with a knight's courtesy.

"Haha, Lawrence, my friend! Standing guard must be tiring. How about a drink tonight?" Ivan laughed heartily, slapping Lawrence on the shoulder.

"But I'm on duty tonight..." Lawrence hesitated.

"Don't worry about it. Mondstadt's security is excellent. Missing one night won't hurt."

"Alright then, tonight it is. No backing out!"

"Deal."

Watching the two interact, Yun Fan couldn't help but sweat. The Land of Freedom was truly different. If someone in Liyue dared to abandon their post, military law would teach them why flowers bloom so red.