Hu Tao winked at Feng Yi, affirming that this was exactly the effect she wanted.
Hidden in the crowd, Feng Yi gave a thumbs-up. When it came to special effects, he was a professional, seasoned by his past life's big data experience!
If Zhongli hadn't wanted to keep a low profile, he would have even conjured auspicious clouds filling the sky, colorful mist descending, immortal music playing, and a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix.
...
"Aren't you the embodiment of justice? Why aren't you reporting them yet?"
Among the onlookers below, Yelan and Yan Fei, with nothing better to do, gathered together and playfully teased Yan Fei.
"Shouldn't you be reporting to the authorities immediately then?"
Yan Fei watched the performance on stage with great interest. She knew the Geo Archon was not dead, and wasn't it fascinating to see the Archon play himself?
"Then let's watch a bit longer?"
"Good idea!"
The two instantly reached a consensus, each with their own ulterior motives, deciding to watch a while longer.
...
On stage, Zhongli looked at Hu Tao earnestly and asked, "What should I say now?"
Hu Tao blinked and held up a finger, signaling Zhongli to proceed as planned.
"Ahem, long time no see, my dear citizens of Liyue. I am Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon, ia"
There was no emotion in his voice, only sincerity.
"Holy cow, the Geo Archon can even speak Mondstadtian!"
"Nonsense, this is clearly Fontainean!"
"Wait a minute, is this the main point we should be focusing on? Why do I feel like this Geo Archon is acting a bit strange?"
"..."
As soon as Zhongli finished speaking, the crowd below erupted in a clamor, with the onlookers chattering amongst themselves, utterly bewildered.
"Lady Ningguang, are we just going to stand by and watch?"
On a pavilion not far away, a Millelith general, seeing Ningguang watching the performance with apparent interest and no intention of intervening, felt a pang of urgency.
"No rush. Let's just enjoy the show."
Ningguang smiled faintly. From her vantage point, she had a panoramic view.
She noticed not only Feng Yi below but also the dragon-like humanoid form of Azhdaha and an unfamiliar figure trying to push their way to the center of the crowd from the periphery.
Regarding the former, given his relationship with the Adepti, he would certainly not allow anyone to tarnish the image of the Geo Archon without a compelling reason.
Moreover, given Feng Yi's connection with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Ningguang had a feeling Feng Yi was also involved in this matter.
She trusted Feng Yi to a degree, believing he had his reasons.
As for Azhdaha, his human form had been confirmed by the Qixing half a year ago. Since he hadn't caused any trouble, Ningguang had merely kept an eye on him.
It was the stranger beside Azhdaha who caught her attention. Ningguang observed that the person's mannerisms were not typical of a Liyue native. Based on their close interaction with Azhdaha, Ningguang guessed this person was likely another Adeptus.
If someone were impersonating the Geo Archon for fraudulent purposes, Azhdaha and the Adepti would surely be more anxious than she was. She would quietly wait and see.
...
"Wait, words are not proof! How can you prove you are the Geo Archon!"
Azhdaha, who was pulling Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus into the crowd, suddenly stopped when he heard someone questioning the authenticity of the Geo Archon, a matter he was also concerned about.
"Hall Master, as he said, how can I prove I am the Geo Archon?"
Zhongli was momentarily stumped. This was a valid question. Without revealing his true form, what other methods were there?
Besides, this wasn't in the script!
"Zhongli, you just stand there!"
Hu Tao, full of confidence, snapped her fingers at Feng Yi. She had indeed anticipated this situation.
Feng Yi nodded, cooperating with Hu Tao's performance. He stomped his foot, and the ground immediately began to tremble.
"Ah?! Wh-what's happening?!"
"Could it be that the Geo Archon has truly manifested?"
Panicked voices rose from the crowd, thinking their questioning had offended the Geo Archon.
"Oh dear! Please forgive us, Geo Archon!"
Hu Tao jumped onto the stage and knelt before Zhongli, feigning reverence and shouting.
Some frightened onlookers followed suit, and then they discovered that the earthquake had indeed stopped.
"Azhdaha, is it really the Archon?"
Of course, some people did not kneel, including Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus and Azhdaha.
Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus clearly saw the person on stage and carefully sensed his aura, detecting some clues.
The person's aura was profound, as heavy as bedrock, certainly not that of a mortal. He seemed to possess some resemblance to the Archon, and as he continued to perceive, he realized that the person had intentionally partially revealed his hidden aura.
"It's not 'seems like.' That fellow is the Archon, but why would the Archon impersonate himself? I can't figure it out, I truly can't figure it out..."
Azhdaha took out a flatbread from his pocket, took a bite, and pondered.
He was too familiar with the Archon's aura. Even if the Archon transformed into a mortal, he could recognize him at a glance.
Moreover, he had seen this particular guise of the Archon long ago.
However, with all his intelligence, he couldn't comprehend why the Archon would go to such lengths to impersonate himself. Wouldn't it be more straightforward to reveal himself and announce to the people of Liyue that he had not perished?
"Azhdaha, you don't understand, do you? The Archon must have a profound reason for doing this!"
Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus pondered with a look of genuine contemplation, trying to fathom the Archon's deep intentions.
"The Archon's profound intentions?"
Hearing Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus's words, Azhdaha was also stunned. He tried to think for three seconds, then gave up.
Thinking was too tiring. He would just ask the Archon directly later.
Zhongli, on stage, naturally saw the two. He recognized their identities at a glance, but the performance was paramount, so he pretended not to see them, his gaze sweeping over them.
He understood Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus to be a prudent Adeptus who acted only after careful consideration.
However, he couldn't vouch for the intelligence of the nearby Azhdaha, and he hoped Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus would keep an eye on him later to prevent this simpleton from causing any trouble.
"Moonshadow! I get it!"
Azhdaha, with a mouthful of flatbread, suddenly slapped his palm and looked at Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus with an expression of wisdom.
"Azhdaha, what do you get?"
Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus's eyelids twitched. He looked at Azhdaha with skepticism.
"Haha, Moonshadow, think about it. With the Archon's abilities, he must have known we would come. And since he's here impersonating the Geo Archon, he must want us to lend him a hand!"
Azhdaha analyzed it with utmost seriousness. This was the wisdom of a dragon king!
"Is... that so?"
After Azhdaha's analysis, Moonshadow and Sunpiercer Adeptus felt it made some sense, yet something felt off.
"Trust me, it's accurate!"