Chapter 165. The Rock God reminds us that the plan has begun...
Seno still managed to grab Mainkuen's severed forearm.
Although the owner of the forearm was very resistant and uncooperative, and even frequently turned to Zhongli for help in order to escape reality, Sino still grabbed his forearm as he trembled uncontrollably and rubbed the severed part in his palm.
At the very end is a dark brown creation, hard and smooth to the touch. Further up, it takes on a reddish tinge. When held up to the light, the broken muscle fibers and blood vessels are clearly visible, as if frozen in amber, solidifying time.
It was frozen in the most painful time.
...
Sino's thoughts began to become chaotic and complicated.
If an ordinary person's wound were treated like this, the blocked blood vessels would surely cause the muscles in the other arm to atrophy or die... Mainkuhn's special physique became an advantage.
...
The cunning Yae no Miko, Raijin should really thank her for her decisive and firm pleas for mercy.
“Sai, Sai Nuo…”
Are you trembling because of your fear of people?
Where is your crown?
"By the pillow..."
Release the severed limbs and crown him, just as Nasita did many years ago.
The trembling of his earlobes began to lessen, and his dilated pupils contracted slightly; he was much calmer now.
"Don't tell anyone about this."
Once things were settled, he immediately began to push his luck, revealing the only claw he had left.
"This is an order... a royal command."
"OK."
Of course, Sino wouldn't tell anyone.
Because this news has already spread both at home and abroad.
However, judging from his suddenly relaxed expression, Seno felt it was better for him not to know.
*
Mainkun still had many questions to ask, such as how Cyno knew he had been slashed by Thor, how everyone defeated the gods, and whether Inatsuma was affected...
However, his communication efficiency was still inferior to that of non-human beings, and his blood-deficient brain was also experiencing dizziness. He gradually closed his eyes amidst the cold laughter of the soldiers watching the show.
It is another exquisite stone statue.
"His periods of lucidity seem to be considerably shorter than last time?"
Wan Ye was surprised to see him asleep and asked Zhong Li in a low voice.
“An old nephrite stone is hard to keep lit, and given the various wear and tear on his body, I think that long hours of sleep is a very light price to pay.”
After lighting some calming incense, Zhongli closed the door to the room, took out some tea leaves for guests, brewed them, and took a sip himself first.
Good tea.
Unfortunately, cats can't drink it.
"Glug glug glug!"
The Little Paimon is drunk in a boisterous, almost crude way, style, and then it's carefully evaluated afterward: "It's quite fragrant, but I still prefer the sweet apple wine!"
“Paimon is for kids.” Inatsume was quite satisfied, savoring it carefully. During this time, Tomohito looked up and curiously glanced at Seno, who was staring blankly at the tea.
"Why don't you drink it? You don't like it either? Speaking of which, the Sumeru people usually drink... coffee?"
"Hmm? Well, it is indeed coffee, a drink that a cat shouldn't try."
Although Yu Ren called out to him, Seno was clearly still in a daze. He walked out of the bedroom looking dazed.
"We'll drink tea too, hmm, hmm."
"Are you worried about Mainkuhn to this extent? That won't do! You need to at least get some rest."
Paimon clenched his fist and flew up, "Skirm! You should talk to him too... Wow! You look a little dazed too? You can't be worried about him too, can you!"
"...You really should get your tongue fixed!"
The soldier rubbed his forehead and leaned back. Although he wasn't as distracted as Bieno, he seemed a bit absent-minded after leaving the bedroom.
"Damn it! I thought he was going to be an ugly monster!"
“Kavi will definitely regret the mask he made… definitely…”
The two Sumeru people seemed to be possessed, and as soon as they were out of Mainkun's sight, they began to mutter to themselves, as if they had been holding back for a long time and finally could not hold it in any longer.
"No, what's wrong with him? He almost scared me when he suddenly showed his face. Who is he trying to fool by hiding this trump card? Idiot..."
"Is it because of my teeth? They're a bit sharp, but nothing serious... Could it be some kind of psychological trauma?"
Their reading left everyone somewhat bewildered. Paimon, ever outspoken, asked, "What's wrong with them? They seemed perfectly normal in front of Mainkun just now. Did they suddenly fall ill?"
“Could it be…” Wan Ye analyzed their mutterings briefly, then suddenly widened his eyes. “You haven’t seen what’s behind Mainkun’s mask!”
...
"Huh??"
The traveler was taken aback.
"Isn't he the king of Mount Sumeru?"
What subjects don't recognize their king?
The stragglers, holding their straw hats, were the first to distance themselves from the situation.
“I’ve only lived in Sumeru for a few years, and I’m not one of his close advisors, so what if I haven’t met him? But what’s wrong with you, Seno?”
“This is not my fault. In the past ten years, Mainkuhn has never once taken off his mask in front of us. Even when he had to eat or drink, he would turn his back to us and eat very quickly.”
"Wait a minute, ten years!? How much do they want to avoid showing their face?"
Yu Ren was completely bewildered, "But when we took off his mask, although he was in a high fever and unconscious, he didn't react much when he woke up..."
"I also want to ask what kind of sleeping potion you gave him."
Seno's eyes instantly filled with resentment as he looked at Wan Ye, You Ren, and the Emperor, "What Naxi Da couldn't accomplish in ten years..."
"Well... haha, maybe we just click."
Wan Ye chuckled twice.
Oh no, why do I feel this guilty feeling of being confronted by the person in question?
Wow, her eyes are even fiercer now...
Zhong Li remained unaffected, leisurely swallowing a sip of tea. "Actually, the answer is quite simple, Mr. Seno."
"Please consider, during the time when Mr. Mainkuhn completely removed his mask, how was he different from usual?"
“What could possibly have happened?” Seno had already read through the information in the group many times and could recall it easily. “High fever, coma, serious injury, coma, stress, coma… Sigh, he’s really made a mess of himself. If only he had stayed in the country and been a peaceful and dignified king, how much better it would have been! He wouldn’t have encountered such a terrible thing…!”
If I had to name the biggest difference, I could only think of one.
Weak, weaker than ever before, the king fell from the sky, almost degenerating into a dying cub.
“That’s how it is.” Zhongli lowered his golden eyes slightly, his phoenix eyes filled with a hint of sorrow. “In the human world, masks have a negative symbolic meaning: disguise, defense, self-protection, and the coldness that keeps people at a distance… When Mainkun was powerful, he was happy to make himself look more unapproachable, but now he is weak and can only rely on the weakness of others.”
Zhongli chuckled softly, "You say he's stupid, but that's not true. As a young immortal being, he's already quite clever. He knows that when injured, it's best not to bare his teeth at the rescuer; showing his soft abdomen is considered polite..."
"Mr. Zhongli?" Seno felt a strange sense of dread about him. "You mean..."
“He was terrified, more terrified than ever before,” Zhong Li stated directly.
“When I touch his sweaty forehead, he will unconsciously bite my finger, gently nibbling it with his sharp teeth, making low purrs; when I stand beside him, he will clumsily and repeatedly use that stump to hook around the Eye of God hanging behind my waist, like a kitten leaving the nest, instinctively seeking the comfort and guidance of its mother's tail…”
Zhong Li's lips curved into a faint, yet inexplicably unsettling, smile. It was not mockery, but rather a knowing and compassionate interest.
"Hehe... Perhaps he himself didn't even realize that he was using his most primal instincts to desperately, pitifully, and adorably beg for my affection and all the 'security' he could perceive."
Amidst the wafting aroma of tea, Seno froze completely, as if frozen solid by invisible ice.
"How could someone like him wear a mask of rejection on his own face? Don't worry, Mr. Seno, he's just afraid of death, not opening his heart."
What you're saying... is really...
Hell.
"Stop, stop!" Paimon was a little confused. "What's wrong with a cat being affectionate? Isn't Mainkun always like that? When we first met, Lord Liuyun was already able to pet his head, he was super well-behaved! Even when the Traveler teased him, he didn't get angry..."
"Hahaha! My dear Miss Paimon, you may not be aware of some things."
With a burst of wild laughter, the stragglers suddenly stood up and spread their hands mockingly at the crowd.
"Red Sand King, fearless and eternally punished; Beast-eyed mystery master; Abyssal King—these were Mainkun's original titles!"
He left as soon as he finished speaking, looking like he didn't want to listen anymore.
Seno remained where he was, frowning in thought, imagining Mainkuen cuddling Mr. Zhongli and acting coquettishly, comparing it to the quiet and gentle wise king in his memory, and then to the gloomy and tyrannical king from earlier times.
It's hard to believe they are the same person.
"If you also want to get close to him, you just need to wait until he wakes up."
After an unknown amount of time, everyone else had left, leaving Zhongli Anran sitting alone in the room.
"He might be a little hesitant at first, but he'll soon lean on you because he's more afraid of dying than of people."
"...You did this on purpose, Mr. Zhongli. You deliberately disturbed my peace of mind and made me restless."
Seno closed his eyes, then opened them again, his crimson pupils shining like a wolf's.
"What do you want? It can't just be grumbling about taking care of patients."
"It wasn't exactly complaining, just some reminders." The teacup landed heavily on the table.
“Remind Mr. Elhesen, that steady gentleman whom Mainkun both trusts and fears.”
Seno knew almost immediately what he was going to say.
Sure enough, Zhongli pointed at the table with his finger, his expression authoritative and leaving no room for doubt.
"Let's get the plan started as soon as possible; we can't delay any longer."
"While I enjoy the intimacy of younger generations, it is excessive for them to become intimate with me repeatedly out of fear, both of us."
Seno said helplessly, "This is beyond Elhesen's control; the time is not right..."
He had barely finished speaking when he heard two beeps from the terminal—a notification for new users.
Mavica: Hi everyone.
"Mavika: Although Ms. Nasita has tried her best, unfortunately, the Nata ley lines are unique, and in the end, only one terminal can be connected."
"Mavika: But it's alright, I'll place it at the Holy Flame Arena when the plan is in progress. With Mr. Mainkun's 'reputation' in Nata, I'm sure it will be packed with people even if it's not the Holy Flame Night Pilgrimage that day..."
Sino didn't look any further, but instead looked up and met Zhongli's gaze.
"Can the plan finally begin?" Morax asked.
"Yes, although the gods of Fontainebleau still refuse Nasida's diplomatic request, we will not wait any longer."
“Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Nata… that should be enough.”
"Good," King Rock praised.
"The long period of suffering should come to an end."
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