Gu Residence.
Ningguang's people were efficient—within minutes, the ingredients had arrived.
As two of Liyue's top restaurants, Xinyue Kiosk and Liuli Pavilion used only the finest produce, which saved Gu Chen the trouble of gathering them himself.
"Paimon, don't just stand there watching! Come help!"
Ying, dressed in casual home clothes, rolled up her sleeves and called out.
Paimon responded with a chirp and floated over to assist.
Gu Chen was busy preparing the dishes.
Meanwhile, in Inazuma, Raiden Makoto had already set out with Raiden Ei and Yae Miko.
She could no longer wait another second—she wanted to see Gu Chen immediately.
And as the broadcast ended, the world was in an uproar.
Khaenri'ah—a name few had ever even heard of.
To most people, it was an unfamiliar word, something they might have skimmed past in an old, dusty tome—
an ancient kingdom long destroyed.
Those who did know the name were few.
Khaenri'ah had long since become a secret buried in time.
And now that secret was shrouded in even deeper layers of mist.
The video had revealed everything—
that it was the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles who divided the mortal realm among the Seven Archons,
and it was the Sustainer who had summoned them to destroy Khaenri'ah.
But why?
No one among the Seven Nations could understand.
They recalled what Raiden Ei had said in the first episode—
A nation that runs with all its might… may one day be destroyed by the hands of the Sustainer.
That thought was terrifying—yet even more confusing.
Before the truth, humanity always fears the unknown.
"Old man, do you think it's a good thing or a bad thing that Khaenri'ah's been exposed like this?"
Venti asked anxiously after finding Zhongli.
Zhongli pondered for a few seconds before shaking his head. "I cannot say."
He was certain that the exposure system was not the work of the Sustainer.
Even the fabled Primordial One likely couldn't achieve such a feat.
The system's purpose was unclear—
so the only thing that mattered now was how the Sustainer would react.
Khaenri'ah's existence was out in the open,
and Raiden Makoto from the past had now become part of the current world.
Such drastic changes—yet not a single response from the Sustainer.
What future awaited them?
Zhongli didn't know. He couldn't even imagine.
"Eh, forget it. The sky's high—there's always someone taller to hold it up! Old man, I'm counting on you~"
Venti chuckled.
Things he couldn't figure out, he simply didn't bother with.
Mondstadt didn't need him to manage it anyway, and sticking close to Zhongli gave him an immense sense of security!
Zhongli glanced silently at the bard whose mood had flipped faster than the wind.
He couldn't understand how someone could change attitudes that quickly.
"…By the way, old man, should we go mooch some dinner?"
Venti asked, looking conflicted—clearly tempted but pretending otherwise.
Gu Chen's cooking had already stunned the world in the first episode.
Even calling him a "God of Cookery" was selling him short.
Zhongli himself was tempted,
but after a moment of thought, he shook his head.
"This isn't a gathering of old friends—it's a family reunion.
It wouldn't be proper for us to intrude."
"Yeah, if it weren't for that, I'd already have the thick skin to go!" Venti agreed.
[Transcendents Group Chat]
Kaeya: The next episode drops in seven days… Seven! I can't wait that long! I'm losing sleep! (Qiqi.faint)
Furina: Ugh, another week of boredom… (Qiqi.faint)
Neuvillette: If you're that bored, go watch a trial at the Opera Epiclese.
Furina: Boring! Nothing in the opera's as exciting as watching Gu Chen's past lives! (Paimon.hmph)
Heizou: Speaking of Mr. Gu Chen, the first two episodes were both about him. Do you think the third one will be too? (Curious)
Keqing: I doubt it. Two in a row might be a coincidence, but a third? That'd be absurd.
Kaeya: No point guessing—we'll see in a week. But with rewards like "historical integration," anyone hoping to see a familiar face?
Cloud Retainer: Hmph. This Adeptus had an old friend—sadly long gone. If she appeared in such a video, it would be amusing.
Madame Ping: Haha, Cloud Retainer, you miss her, don't you?
Cloud Retainer: Hmph! One merely seeks an opponent worth the time. She was the only one who could match me!
Gu Chen: Come on, True Lord, the tsundere act's outdated these days. (Funny)
Kaeya: (Hu Tao.evilsmile)
Cloud Retainer: ??? Tsundere? You dare accuse this Adeptus of—preposterous! You've been addled by your harem, spouting nonsense! (Shenhe.deadpan)
Mountain Shaper: A pity… we still can't tell if the reward truly is "single-line historical integration." (Sigh)
Xiao: Mountain Shaper is right.
No one understands the rules behind these exposure system rewards.
Ying received memories, Raiden Makoto received integration—two completely different gifts.
If the reward could be chosen… I'd wish to see my brothers and sisters again.
My two elder brothers, two elder sisters, and an old friend.
"I hope… one day, I can see them in the videos again."
He murmured softly, summoning his Yaksha race mask before leaping into the night toward a faint demonic aura.
Liyue, Yujing Terrace.
"So this is his home in Liyue?"
Raiden Makoto looked at the open gates of Gu Residence, impressed by the beautiful surroundings.
The thought that this was his home made her heartbeat quicken.
"It should be."
Yae Miko nodded and sent a message.
Yae Miko: @Gu Chen Brother-in-law, we've arrived! (Photo of Gu Residence entrance)
Gu Chen: Come on in.
The three stepped through the courtyard gate.
The garden was picturesque—artificial hills, pavilions, and a pond filled with koi.
"You're here!"
A distance away, Paimon waved at them, her little hands covered in grease, face smudged with soot.
"Is that… his daughter?"
Makoto wondered. "But how does she fly without wings?"
"This is Paimon," Yae Miko chuckled. "Gu Chen saved her in the first video. Ever since then, she's been his and Ying's guide."
"I see…"
Makoto had already grasped the concept of the "past life" videos. She glanced at Paimon again and smiled. "She's quite cute."
Paimon grinned proudly, hands on her hips. "Thanks! But seeing someone with the same face as the scary Raiden Shogun still freaks me out!"
"Eh? Why?" Makoto blinked at her sister in confusion.
"Cough!"
Raiden Ei coughed twice, her embarrassment practically tangible.
"Just watch the first video when you have time," Yae Miko advised.
"I understand."
Makoto nodded—she would watch it.
She wanted to know just what kind of woman had reached Gu Chen before she had.
Then she saw him—
that figure she had longed for countless nights.
Her eyes reddened, and she rushed forward, throwing herself into his arms, clinging to him as if afraid he might vanish again.
Gu Chen gently embraced her, the faint scent of sakura surrounding him.
Once, in the cycles of reincarnation, his mind had been full of nothing but "tasks" and "rewards."
He knew how Makoto felt about him, but back then he had brushed love aside—
telling himself he'd think about it after becoming invincible.
Now, feeling the warmth in his arms, he finally understood regret.
But it was too late for that.
All he could do was hold her tighter and silently promise:
I won't disappear on you again.
She stayed in his arms for a long while before stepping back, face flushed but eyes bright.
"Found you!" she said softly, smiling.
"Mm." Gu Chen smiled too, eyes filled with warmth. He flicked her forehead lightly.
"Next time, don't go running off to such dangerous places. Watching that video nearly scared me to death."
"Alright, if you don't go, I won't either." Makoto nodded obediently.
From the side, Paimon, Raiden Ei, and Yae Miko watched with open curiosity.
And thus, the long-awaited reunion meal began.
Later that night in the Transcendents Group Chat:
Gu Chen: [Sent a red packet]
"Dinner's served, everyone! Don't say your big brother doesn't take care of you~" (Paimon.hmph)
Zhongli: [Claimed a gourmet dish]
Venti: [Claimed a gourmet dish]
Klee: [Claimed a gourmet dish]
Kaeya: "Gu Chen and I—true brothers in arms! I think of him, he thinks of me! Look!" (Photo: Spicy Boiled Pork)
Venti: "Morax without Mora, Beelzebul without Beel… those days are over! Cheers to my brother Gu Chen and Miss Baal! May love bloom forever!" (Photo: Drinking with Zhongli)
Zhongli: "To old friends, and joyous occasions." (8s clip of Zhongli pinning down Venti after "splitting the pension")
Diluc: "Congratulations."
Alhaitham: "Congrats—and thanks for the food."
Furina: "Delicious! Truly divine! Oh—and congratulations! By the way, when are you two having a baby? Let me borrow it to play with~ (Excited)"
Klee: (begging.emote)
Nahida: "Congratulations! But… Miss Furina's comment is terrifying…" (Mushroom.fear)
Neuvillette: "Seconded. Parents in the group, be on guard against Furina." (Serious)
Furina: "….."
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