"Uh... I just spent some of the Fatui's money, you don't have to describe me like that?"
Zhongli felt a pang in his heart. Still, calling him a social parasite was too much, wasn't it?
"In the city of commerce, people exchange not only money and goods, but also knowledge, memories, and insights, as well as identities, roles, and lives..."
"God Morax, no matter how he descends as the 'Geo Archon' to share joy with his people, it's still different from the feelings of becoming a mortal named 'Zhongli'. Moreover, everyone's value cannot be measured by the same standard..."
Zhongli: I'm not a social parasite, I have my merits, like discerning the quality of a cup of tea just by tasting it!
"Alright, alright, then Zhongli, the Millelith using the excuse of 'tribulation' to cover up the truth, could it be that the Millelith already know you're not dead?"
"Haha... they really could come up with something like that, failing tribulation? Why would they choose such a reason? However, it's true that the Millelith were eager to understand this matter and stopped investigating the killer because they secretly learned that the Emperor was not dead."
When Zhongli first heard the Millelith's statement, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Hmm... have you guys ever heard of a convenient immortal art called 'dream communication'? I've already hinted to the Adepti, not just the Millelith."
"I see. Speaking of which, before the Millelith issued their announcement, we heard many passersby discussing how all the blame for the recent string of events was being shifted onto the Harbinger..."
Paimon couldn't help but laugh when she thought of this. The world where Tartaglia was injured had been achieved!
"But even if these 'false accusations' are untrue, the fact that the Harbinger sent people to ascend the Jade Chamber and attempt to obstruct the Adepti and the Millelith from confronting the Demon God remains indisputable. I heard Ningguang is fiercely holding onto this matter on the diplomatic front, making the Fatui envoys utterly flustered..."
Zhongli shrugged. Having such a big handle in hand was enough to gain considerable benefits for Liyue.
If it weren't for the 'Executive' status, those unfortunate diplomatic officials from Snezhnaya would have wished they could pin all the blame on the Harbinger and then declare him expelled from the Fatui.
Paimon felt a bit gleeful, who told Tartaglia to deceive them earlier and even fight them.
"Alright, with this matter concluded, let's part ways here. I still have some matters to attend to as instructed by the Director..."
Zhongli nodded. He needed to find a quiet teahouse to memorize the lines of the script the Director had given him.
Hu Tao: ???
Going to a teahouse to memorize lines?
Zhongli, I'm almost too embarrassed to point it out, but are you going to the teahouse to memorize lines?
Zhongli: Just to have a cup of new tea and listen to some music...
Hu Tao: I think memorizing lines is the side activity!
That afternoon, Hu Tao and Feng Yi borrowed an open-air stage from Yun Jin for theatrical performances, to be used as a venue for promotional activities.
Hu Tao had also prepared props like promotional flyers, just waiting for Zhongli's dazzling performance tomorrow.
That night, Hu Tao tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She put on her clothes and knocked on Zhongli's guest room door to confirm his memorization of the lines.
"Director? You're not asleep this late, is there something?"
Zhongli asked with a yawn. The Director coming to find him in the middle of the night must be something important.
"That's great, Zhongli, you're not asleep either?! Perfect, let's go over tomorrow's script lines..."
Hu Tao: Zhongli has not slept either!
Zhongli: ???
He should have known. The Director's way of thinking truly couldn't be judged by common sense.
The next day, after breakfast, they all went together to the rented open-air stage.
"Wait a moment, Zhongli, you just need to stand on this stage and act according to my instructions. I'll give you cues from backstage..."
Hu Tao led Zhongli to the designated spot and then gave him a peace sign.
"This is excellent."
Zhongli crossed his arms and nodded.
"Then let's begin!"
Hu Tao waved to Feng Yi, then jumped off the stage and called out to nearby onlookers.
"Hey, hey, hey, elders and folks of Liyue, the Geo Archon, who has passed away, is about to be revived! Walk by, don't miss out!"
Hu Tao held a bronze gong and beat it with a resounding clang to attract the attention of the crowd.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know, probably a play? Want some melon seeds? I bought some."
"......"
The people of Liyue naturally loved to watch lively events. Upon hearing that there was a play, more and more onlookers gathered in front of the stage.
The more people there were, the more they crowded the stage, making more people curious about what was happening.
In a short while, all the idlers on the street were drawn over.
This news also reached the ears of the Millelith and the Adepti.
"Lady Ningguang, the 'Rite of Descension' for the Geo Archon has just concluded, and yet someone dares to impersonate the Emperor to swindle people. This is simply a grave offense. Should we have the Millelith's army blockade the entire area and arrest all the blasphemers?"
A Millelith general requested instructions from Lady Ningguang. They absolutely could not let opportunistic individuals tarnish the Geo Archon's reputation.
"Bring people and come with me to see."
Ningguang nodded. On one hand, she would not allow anyone to damage the Emperor's reputation and make illicit money under his name. Yesterday, after returning from the 'Rite of Descension', she had explicitly stipulated this in the urgently updated commercial regulations.
On the other hand, she knew that the Emperor had not passed away but was witnessing Liyue's development in another identity. If someone were to impersonate the Emperor and do something outrageous, offending the Emperor, the Emperor would surely question the capabilities of the Millelith.
On the Adepti's side, Osial the Great Dragon was accompanying the materialized Moon Carver to stroll through the city, observing the new changes in Liyue's development over the years.
Upon hearing that someone dared to impersonate the Emperor, rage surged within him. The Emperor's dignity must not be offended. He vowed to punish those petty individuals who dared to offend the Emperor.
"The time has come, so... Key that hides immense power, reveal your true strength before me! By the contract I have made with you, Hu Tao, I command you, release the seal!!!"
Seeing that a sufficient number of spectators had gathered, Hu Tao took out her Staff of Homa and loudly recited the incantation that Feng Yi was somewhat familiar with, finally pointing in Zhongli's direction.
*Clink*
Receiving Hu Tao's instructions, Feng Yi snapped her fingers. Instantly, clouds and mist rose on the stage, with wisps of smoke swirling up from Zhongli's feet. A gentle breeze blew, causing the hem of Zhongli's robes to sway.
The clear, cloudless sky instantly turned stormy. Clouds gathered and deliberately left a circular opening, allowing a beam of golden sunlight to shine directly upon Zhongli.
Looking from afar, Zhongli stood with his arms crossed, eyes closed in meditation, with swirling mist rising from his feet and golden light shimmering on his body, making him appear majestic and imposing, truly seeming like the real deal...