"Boss, how much for this ore?"
Inside a jade shop along the bustling street, a young man in a brown robe held up a piece of amber-like jade and asked the shopkeeper.
That's right — this young man in brown robes was none other than our Geo Archon himself — Morax!
At this moment, Morax had fully taken human form, no longer bearing his dragon horns. He had assumed the same appearance that he would be known for in later generations — and was using the alias he'd once come up with while traveling with Jiang Yan: Zhongli.
A name befitting the saying — "A leisurely wanderer of the mortal world."
"Ah, this gentleman clearly knows fine goods when he sees them,"
the shopkeeper hurried forward, rubbing his hands together with a smile.
"This piece of jade was freshly unearthed from the Chasm. A top-grade stone! Since you've got such an expert eye, I'll give you a good deal — ten thousand Mora, just enough to cover costs."
At this time, under Jiang Yan's deliberate control, Mora hadn't yet experienced inflation. Ten thousand Mora was no small amount even in the bustling harbor of Liyue.
"By the common measure of value, that does seem a fair price,"
Morax nodded thoughtfully, then said to the shopkeeper,
"I'll take it."
"Excellent! A man of taste and refinement indeed. How would you like to pay, sir?"
the shopkeeper asked with a grin.
"Hmm… I seem to have forgotten my wallet today. Just put it on the account of Yuehai Pavilion.
I work at the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
The moment the shopkeeper's expression stiffened in disbelief — likely thinking he was being scammed — Morax quickly clarified.
As the Geo Archon, saying he "worked" at the Ministry of Civil Affairs wasn't technically wrong.
He could work anywhere he wished — or rather, inspect.
"I'll cover it."
Just then, a gentle, graceful voice sounded beside him.
A blue-haired woman with delicate horns atop her head stepped forward and handed a pouch of Mora to the shopkeeper.
"L–Lady Ganyu!"
The shopkeeper instantly recognized her — none other than the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ganyu herself.
"Yes, this gentleman does indeed work at the Ministry. I happened to pass by, so there's no need to trouble Yuehai Pavilion,"
Ganyu said with a polite smile.
"Ah… Lady Ganyu, how do you do."
Morax feigned the manner of one of her subordinates, greeting her calmly.
"Mr. Zhong, please don't address me that way. Lady Tianquan wishes to meet you.
If you would, please come with me,"
Ganyu's gentle smile faltered for just a moment — clearly unaccustomed to being addressed so informally by her own god.
"L–Lady Tianquan?!"
"The gentleman's being summoned by one of the Liyue Qixing?!"
The shopkeeper was dumbstruck — never imagining this man before him had such a lofty background!
"...I understand. I'll tidy up and come at once."
Morax was briefly taken aback — what was Jiang Yan up to now?
But if Jiang Yan had sent Ganyu to fetch him, it must be something important.
"Very well, Mr. Zhong. Please don't delay — I'll head back first."
Ganyu nodded lightly and turned to leave, clearly relieved to escape the awkward situation.
Morax chuckled, taking his purchased jade and departing as well.
Yuehai Pavilion, Third Floor.
Having reverted to his true form, Morax pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"You're here!"
At the center desk sat Jiang Yan, head lowered, busily reviewing documents.
"Indeed. To what do I owe the summons from our esteemed Grand Stewardr?"
Morax took a seat, smiling as he teased.
"Hey! Watch your tone, my dear Geo Archon — or I might just quit right here and now."
Jiang Yan looked up sharply, glaring in mock anger.
"Alright, alright. I'll behave. Now, what do you need me for?"
Morax laughed heartily and asked.
Jiang Yan set down his pen and rose from his seat, turning to retrieve something from behind him.
"Here, it's done. You'd better find a place to store it — we can't just keep it lying around the Pavilion."
He handed over two mechanical devices to Morax.
"Only two?"
Morax frowned slightly, sounding a bit disappointed. He'd expected more.
"Don't be impatient — that's exactly why I called you here."
Jiang Yan smirked and patted Morax on the shoulder.
Morax suddenly felt an ominous premonition.
"You see, these devices are condensed from the energy fluctuations that arise when a god dies… or self-destructs."
"So I'm planning to take a trip to Minlin, and turn those surviving remnant gods there into more of these."
As Jiang Yan spoke with a smile, Morax instinctively tried to shrug off the hand gripping his shoulder — but Jiang Yan held fast.
"Thing is," Jiang Yan continued, "I've been away for a month already, and all the government work's piled up."
"This next trip to Minlin will take months at least."
"So, about those few months of official business…"
Morax's eyes widened.
"You… you're trying to make an old man work?!"
Jiang Yan looked at him, deadpan.
"Seriously? You don't even feel guilty saying that? Look at you — where exactly are you old?"
"I'm over three thousand years old!"
"I'd say that's a good thing — older means wiser. You'll handle the paperwork beautifully."
Morax finally understood — Jiang Yan had made up his mind to dump all the administrative work on him.
"How about… I just go suppress those gods and send them to you instead?"
Morax offered a compromise.
"Oh please," Jiang Yan rolled his eyes.
"With one swing of your Geo spear, there wouldn't be any gods left. I need them alive long enough to harvest their energy."
"The ones in Minlin aren't that many to begin with. You kill one, that's one fewer device."
"And if I don't go myself, you can't stabilize the energy from their deaths."
Morax: "…"
"So just accept your fate,"
Jiang Yan grinned wickedly, patting him on the shoulder again.
"Resistance is futile!"
"When are you leaving?"
Morax sighed in defeat. Might as well give in — after all, Jiang Yan was the only one who could handle that volatile godly energy.
"Right now."
Jiang Yan stood up.
"Hey! At least finish the paperwork before you run off!"
Morax nearly exploded.
"Ah, don't be like that — the sooner I go, the sooner I'll be back~"
Jiang Yan waved him off, already walking toward the door.
"I'll let Ganyu know — the government's in your hands for the next few months."
He paused at the doorway, turned around — and with a teasing smile, raised his hands to form a heart.
"Love you~"
"Get out!"
Just the sight of Jiang Yan made Morax's blood pressure rise.
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