"Though the melody soars high, none shall fail to know—"
"For kindred souls will sing along, matching its noble flow—"
"Crimson tassels dance as swords mete stars aglow—"
"Pointed straight to purge the wrathful tides below—"
Yun Jin's voice faded softly as she delivered the final spoken lines:
"Back then, when the crane departed—vast heaven and earth offered no refuge, so she left alone."
"Now reunited—new companions and old friends fill the hall, gathered here as one."
As the song ended, a brief silence fell.
"Bravo!!" "Wonderful!!"
"Encore!!!"
The Millelith erupted in cheers and applause. When they'd heard Divine Damsel of Devastation before, it had merely been a tale.
But now, listening again, it felt like their own story—not entirely, but hadn't they just lived through parts of it? Some were even moved to tears.
Especially the final lines—"new companions and old friends fill the hall"! Wasn't that their greatest hope?
"So? How's the composition I helped arrange? Can it cover my drinks? Can it? Huh?" Venti grinned.
"Indeed splendid," Zhongli nodded. He found this revised version of Divine Damsel even more to his liking.
Shenhe, too, wore a rare smile. Beside her sat Lucian, Ganyu, Hu Tao, and Lumine.
Even Shenhe had to admit—Yun Jin's musical artistry slightly surpassed her junior brother's.
"Sh-Shenhe... senior siste, your smile is lovely. You should learn from Hu Tao—laugh more often," Lucian said.
"Mr. Lucian is right, though emulating the Funeral Parlor Director might be... hm... overdoing it?" Ganyu added tactfully.
"My laughter is perfectly natural! Where's the 'overdoing it'?" Hu Tao tilted her head, baffled.
"It's because you're always laughing. Asking Shenhe to match your energy is unfair," Paimon floated in, waggling a tiny finger.
"Then she should learn from me," Lumine struck a pose, hands on hips with a bright grin.
Shenhe earnestly mimicked Lumine—hands on hips, chin lifted in a smile.
Except while her lips curved, her eyes remained unchanged—the very picture of a forced smile.
"No no, not like that—like this!" Paimon demonstrated the expression again.
Shenhe redoubled her efforts, showing marginal improvement.
Cloud Retainer observed them from afar. "That child Shenhe truly fares better amidst mortal bonds."
"To see her so joyous is heartening," Mountain Shaper agreed.
"Having found companions is what matters," Moon Carver said.
These Adepti had watched Shenhe grow up—naturally, they wished her happiness.
Yun Jin descended from the stage and joined their table.
"How was it? Did I sing well?" she asked Shenhe with gentle warmth.
"I loved it," Shenhe answered, just as before.
"Your enjoyment is praise enough," Yun Jin smiled.
As the group chatted merrily, Lucian pondered the third volume of his book.
This time, instead of spoiling the future, it would document history—though to the uninformed, the difference was negligible. Both were equally staggering in revelation.
Whether foretelling or chronicling, the crux remained exposing Zhongli's identity.
Ningguang's decision to sacrifice the Jade Chamber had won many hearts. Lucian planned to immortalize that moment in his writing.
Being fiction, internal monologues were fair game—this would let Liyue understand Ningguang's resolve to protect them.
Thus, the Qixing's authority would solidify further. If Zhongli intended to return power to the people, their representatives needed greater public trust.
While they'd never surpass Rex Lapis, at least the Qixing could earn deeper faith from Liyue's citizens.
Lucian approached Zhongli, ignoring Vendi's glug-glug sounds.
"What exactly did you discuss with the Fatui at the Northland Bank?" he whispered.
Zhongli studied him. You plan to expose my identity, yet come asking for details? How brazen.
"Since you're aware of my 'contract' with the Tsaritsa, surely you know what transpired with her envoys?" Zhongli countered.
This young ally knew countless secrets—yet here was a gap in his foresight?
"You know how seers are—we never glimpse our own futures. The visions I see exclude my involvement," Lucian had prepared this excuse long ago.
"So I need to verify discrepancies with my prophecies."
Zhongli nodded—a reasonable limitation for diviners.
"Then write as your prophecies showed. I too wish to see whether Liyue could have withstood this calamity without you."
"They'd have succeeded—but the Jade Chamber would be lost," Lucian confirmed.
Zhongli contemplated. Now he understood how Liyue might have triumphed unaided.
What he'd sought was Liyue's resolve—and when the Qixing, Adepti, Millelith, and Crux Fleet stood against Osial, he'd witnessed it firsthand.
By then, Liyue had already proven itself. The rest was merely testing whether mortals could repel a god without him.
"At the Northland Bank..." Zhongli recounted the events.
Since Lucian's exposure of his identity was contract-bound anyway, resistance was pointless. Better to embrace it—and gain another trial: observing whether Liyue would seek to reinstate him as Archon.
Now that the Qixing held power, Liyue Harbor ostensibly 'needed' no deity.
As Zhongli detailed the Northland Bank exchange, Lucian committed every word to memory.
"Trading away the Gnosis... why didn't I think of that?" Vendi lamented between gulps.
So much fine wine lost! He could've billed the Northland Bank too.
Alas, his long slumber had left no time to bargain with the Tsaritsa.
The other Adepti overheard, learning of the Gnosis—yet none reacted.
If it was Rex Lapis' contract, it must be honored. Moreover, their lord surely had deeper designs.
A Gnosis mattered little. If the Emperor of Geo willed its surrender, so be it. Their allegiance wasn't contingent on him possessing divine authority.
"Lucian, are there vacant homes near yours for purchase?" Cloud Retainer inquired.
Unversed in real estate, she figured proximity to Shenhe's residence was ideal.
"None left~" Hu Tao's head popped over Lucian's shoulder.
"Because I bought all the properties around Xiao Qiqi's place!" she beamed.
Even Lucian was surprised—that explained the absent neighbors.
So you own half the block... yet still crash in my guest room?
"Would you sell this one an estate? This one can offer antique collections in exchange," Cloud Retainer proposed.
"Antiques..." Hu Tao sounded unimpressed.
Zhongli, however, perked up. "Among Cloud Retainer's relics are pieces I've long coveted."
"Then let me sell you my property there instead."
Only then did Lucian realize—these two had both bought homes near his.
Yet after storytime, they'd still bunk in his guest quarters rather than return to their own dwellings.
"Rex Lapis' former abode?" Cloud Retainer brightened.
The Lord of Geo had impeccable taste—his residence must reflect that.
"Precisely. Though seldom occupied, its furnishings require renewal," Zhongli admitted.
Between Wangsheng Parlor and Lucian's home, he'd barely used the place.
Truthfully, Lucian's guest room was already arranged to Zhongli's exact preferences—it felt more like home anyway.
"..." Cloud Retainer deadpanned. So it's an empty shell.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline - Shenhe: About Smiling
"I'm unskilled at smiling... but junior brother says it suits me. What do you think?"