"Indeed, in terms of general rationality."
Zhongli once again uttered his classic quote.
"?"
Jiang Mu expressed confusion.
"Perhaps it's time for me to leave Liyue Harbor..."
As his gaze drifted into the distance, Zhongli murmured.
"All my former friends are gone, and I am bearing the wear and tear of this world. Wandering through this mortal realm, I have witnessed the splendor of Liyue over the past millennium, but..."
Zhongli slowly shook his head.
"It's still different from what I imagined 'rule by man' to be."
"Neighboring Mondstadt is a godless, free city." After a pause, Zhongli continued, "Across the sea, the god who rules Inazuma is pursuing the realm of eternity..."
"But!" Jiang Mu exclaimed, "Do you think the path Liyue is taking right now is appropriate?"
"oh?"
Zhong Li was slightly surprised.
"The annual Summoning Ceremony is a blessing that you, as the Geo Archon and also the God of Wealth, bring to Liyue. You will give instructions on all of Liyue's business activities for the coming year. As long as we follow your instructions, we will at least not lose money."
Jiang Mu continued, facing the Rock Prince.
"This attracted merchants from other countries to rush to Liyue, seemingly bringing vitality to Liyue, but then what?"
“Messages are sent out one after another. Information is also a commodity, so it will have a price. Since it has a price, it is inevitable that some people will receive it later, or even not receive it at all.”
"Could a merchant who travels all the way to Liyue be an ordinary small-time vendor? If the local merchants can't compete, what can they do but be swallowed up? Otherwise, they'll just waste a year of their lives, waiting for the next year's Summoning Ceremony. Is this the result you want?"
"Don't you understand what will happen if this vicious cycle continues? The so-called Zheng family probably made their fortune by monopolizing information and earning huge profits."
"A nouveau riche actually dared to set his sights on the Hall of Rebirth, a loyal subject who has been comforting the wronged souls and offering sacrifices to the dead since the beginning of the Demon God War, and yet he has been bullied to this state. A city-state that walks with the gods, shouldn't that so-called god feel ashamed and embarrassed?"
“Contract…” Zhong Li was about to speak when Jiang Mu cut him off again.
"Don't mention contracts to me. It's because of your ridiculous contract that Gan Yu has toiled for Liyue for over three thousand years in vain, and all those Three-Eyed and Five-Manifestation Immortals have been forced to live in the deep mountains and forests, keeping company with loneliness. Don't tell me that immortals like quiet and dislike noisy places. They once contributed their strength and shed their blood for Liyue, and now that they're no longer needed, you throw them into the deep mountains and forests and bind them with a contract. If one day the immortals can't understand the changes in Liyue and decide to interfere with Liyue, whose fault will that be!"
"..."
Zhongli did not answer, but turned around and looked into the distance.
After a long pause, Zhongli said slowly.
What you said makes sense.
Jiang Mu was slightly taken aback.
To be honest, he didn't expect to say these things, because they were the thoughts of some gamers from his previous life.
Of course, Jiang Mu was among those gamers...
“The Tianquan Star among this year’s Seven Stars is Ningguang,” Zhongli said calmly. “Her methods and ideas coincide with the goal of ‘rule by man’.”
"The reason I gave her the Geo-elemental Vision was so I could see what she would do and what changes she would make in this process of moving towards human-led governance..."
“Friends from another world, you are indeed extraordinary.” Zhongli turned around and looked at Jiang Mu.
"Perhaps in the future, I will choose to withdraw."
"However, I think Liyue still needs some tests."
"As for the content of the test... let me think about it some more..."
Jiang Mu was startled. Could it be that he had inadvertently inspired Zhong Li to consider retirement?
However, none of this was within his consideration.
After all, to the entirety of Teyvat, he was merely an outsider…
At least, that's how it is now...
The two continued walking, chatting as they went.
During this time, Zhongli, like Ningguang, also asked Jiang Mu about some things related to his past life.
However, unlike Ningguang, Zhongli only inquired about those matters in general terms and did not consider the possibility of them being re-Tiwatted, or rather, manifested in Liyue.
………………
Soon, the two arrived at the location of the Hall of Rebirth.
“Well then,” Jiang Mu said, “I’ll leave you here, Mr. Zhongli. Goodnight.”
Just as Jiang Mu was about to turn around, Zhong Li called out to him.
"Young friend Jiang Mu, please wait a moment."
"Is there something you need?"
Upon hearing this, Zhongli smiled slightly, patted his chest, and after a moment, pulled out an ugly stone.
"Please accept this small gift as a thank you for the meal."
"Gift?"
Jiang Mu was taken aback, and subconsciously took the "stone".
The stone feels warm and smooth to the touch, as if it were more than just an ordinary pebble.
"This is……"
Jiang Mu looked at Zhong Li.
"I think this might be useful to you, so take it."
"All right."
Jiang Mu nodded, not bothering to hide it from Zhong Li, and directly put it into the system space.
Zhongli narrowed his eyes slightly, but did not speak.
"Then I'll thank you in advance."
Jiang Mu smiled slightly, then turned to leave.
"etc……"
Hu Tao's voice suddenly rang out.
A slight smile tugged at the corner of Zhong Li's lips...
"walnut?"
Jiang Mu turned around, slightly surprised.
"Why are you out here so late at night..."
"I..." Hu Tao hesitated slightly, and after a moment, stammered.
"I came here...to work..."
"Work?"
Jiang Mu was a little confused, but when he saw the sign for the Hall of Rebirth, he understood.
The Lantern Festival is approaching; those wandering souls should be returning soon...
"OK."
Jiang Mu nodded.
"Then I won't bother you any longer."
"Wait a minute!"
Upon hearing this, Hu Tao became anxious.
"Is there something you need?"
"I..." Hu Tao thought for a long time, and finally, blushing, she managed to utter a sentence.
"I'm afraid of ghosts..."
"puff……"
Zhongli couldn't help but laugh.
"Zhongli!"
Hu Tao glared angrily at Zhong Li.
"Ahem...you guys continue, I'm going back..."
Zhongli quickly waved his hand and slipped into the Hall of Rebirth.
………………
Just as Jiang Mu was about to refuse, he noticed Hu Tao staring intently at him...
"stare--"
"Alright..."
Jiang Mu had no choice but to agree.
Where are you going? I'll take you there.
"Go to Qingce Village!"
Upon hearing this, Hu Tao exclaimed excitedly.
"It's on my way!"
"Let's go then..."
Jiang Mu had given up struggling and started to walk away...
Behind him, Hu Tao chuckled and skipped after him...
The moonlight was perfect, casting two long shadows, one large and one small...
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