Chapter 78: Decree

The viewing platform where the people of Liyue had gathered slowly descended to the ground.

As Lumine and the others set foot once again on Liyue's land, everything around them felt strangely surreal.

Life's highs and lows had never been more intense.

First came the Overlord of the Vortex—Osial—attacking Liyue Harbor. Ningguang had nearly succeeded in resealing it with the Jade Chamber.

Then, out of nowhere, appeared another Demon God—the God of Dream, Harpas—

—Along with a beast of demonic might, Overlord of the Abyss—Baqiu.

Just when it seemed like death was imminent, Shajin had appeared, utterly annihilating both Demon Gods and even subjugating Baqiu.

It was all so fantastical, so unreal.

The Millelith had begun to awaken the moment the Dream God, Harpas, was crushed in Shajin's hand.

They stared blankly at the sky, their minds still reeling from what had just happened.

When they saw the Demon Gods had truly been defeated, disbelief filled their faces.

They simply couldn't comprehend that a human could be this powerful—able to vanquish gods with such ease.

Many of them had witnessed the entire battle.

"We won…"

One Millelith soldier muttered under his breath.

Like a stone dropped in still water, his words rippled out.

More and more people heard him. All eyes turned toward the soldier, then upward to the figure of Shajin in the sky.

Then, from the distant crowd, a roar of jubilant cheers erupted.

"We won!!!"

Tears welled up in the eyes of the citizens. They cheered, they jumped, they shouted, releasing the joy that had been building inside them.

"Thank the heavens!!!"

"Humans can be this powerful?!"

"That was a god!!!"

Then someone muttered under their breath, "Isn't he the one who caused the Beisht Rebellion three years ago?"

The joyous crowd fell silent in an instant.

But a sharp, clear voice rang out in protest:

"Hey! What kind of nonsense is that?!"

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw a twin-tailed girl with plum blossoms in her eyes standing high on a platform, pointing at the man who had just spoken.

It was none other than Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

She shouted loudly, "He just saved all of Liyue!!!"

The crowd began to rally behind Hu Tao's words.

"Yeah! He's a true hero!!!"

Another voice chimed in, "If he had really wanted to destroy Liyue during the Beisht Rebellion, it wouldn't have been just a few coastal areas that got damaged!"

…

In the General Affairs Office…

Zhongli drained the last of his tea.

"It seems… the time has come."

…

As for how the people of Liyue saw him—Shajin didn't care.

Right now, he had a much more pressing problem.

"How do I take Baqiu with me…"

He was clearly troubled.

After descending from the platform, Paimon was the first to zip over to him.

"Shajin! We're here!!!"

Shajin was still trying to figure out how to shrink Baqiu—its massive size was definitely inconvenient.

He turned toward Paimon's excited voice.

He raised a hand in greeting.

"Yo, Paimon."

Stars sparkled in Paimon's eyes.

"You were amazing, Shajin!!!"

Shajin waved her off with a smile.

"It was nothing, really~"

Lumine stepped forward, concern in her eyes.

"Shajin, earlier you…"

But Shajin knew exactly what she was going to say.

He gently placed a hand on her head.

"Don't worry, Lumine. That kind of thing won't happen again—because I've finally found myself~"

A soft blush colored Lumine's cheeks. She nodded, shyly.

Suddenly, as if remembering something important, she hurriedly pulled out her Serenitea Pot.

Her eyes glimmered with a mix of anticipation and nervousness, as though she wanted to tell him something—but was unsure how.

After a moment, a finely wrapped gift box appeared in her hands. She held it out to Shajin with great care.

"Um… Shajin, this is for you… th-thank you…"

Her voice trembled. The words tumbled out awkwardly—clearly flustered.

Shajin looked at Lumine's apple-red face and couldn't help but smile inwardly.

He accepted the gift and asked gently, "Thank you, Lumine. Can I open it now?"

Lumine snapped out of her daze and nodded quickly. "P-please! Go ahead!"

Shajin untied the ribbon and slowly opened the box.

When he saw what was inside, his expression shifted to one of surprise.

"Is this… a sachet?"

He asked curiously.

Lumine beamed, pride twinkling in her eyes.

"Of course! I put a lot of effort into it!"

Shajin lifted the sachet to his nose and gave it a sniff.

Refined, yet not overpowering. Subtle and elegant.

"Then thank you, Lumine. I really like it."

Lumine let out a breath of relief.

A smile bloomed on her lips, and her eyes curved into happy crescents.

"I'm glad you do."

Nearby, Keqing pouted.

"Hmph! It's just a sachet, right? I can make one too! Right, Ningguang?"

"…Eh?"

Keqing turned to look at Ningguang, confused.

But Ningguang's eyes had gone glassy, her pupils unfocused.

…..

"What is this…?"

Ningguang's consciousness had been pulled into a mysterious space, shrouded in clouds and celestial light—an ethereal realm like something out of legend.

She stood still, dazed by the familiar surroundings.

Whenever major events occurred in Liyue, Ningguang would burn a special incense—a ritual that allowed her to commune with the Geo Archon.

Through it, Rex Lapis would appear to her in a dream, offering guidance and instruction.

But this time… Rex Lapis had summoned her directly.

Which left her deeply shocked.

"Could it be… Rex Lapis never perished?"

Hope surged within her, but it was tangled with confusion and unease.

She stood quietly, awaiting Rex Lapis's presence, desperate for answers.

"Tianquan—Ningguang…"

A vast dragon blotted out the skies as it rose into the air.

Light returned to Ningguang's eyes.

"Rex Lapis!"

Floating in midair, the Geo Archon spoke slowly.

"Tianquan—Ningguang. Regrettably, I fell during my tribulation. What remains is but a wisp of soul, soon to fade."

"Long ago, I foresaw this moment. Now, I summon you for three matters—my final decree."

"First, the Beisht Rebellion three years ago was not Shajin's fault. It was a trial I entrusted him with—to test Liyue's strength. I knew my end was near and had no better option. You must expunge all record of his exile from the General Affairs Office."

"Second, sensing this calamity long in advance, I made a contract with Shajin: he would help Liyue overcome the crisis, and in return, I would grant him my corpse. This was my price."

"Third, with my death, Liyue becomes a nation without a god. You all must stand united—and carry on the glory of Liyue!"

_

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