The Abyssal Order.
Kong's mood had been complicated lately.
He knew there was no way he could stop Ying from chasing her love, so he had no choice but to reluctantly accept the fact that Gu Chen was now his brother-in-law.
At first, it was fine—at least Gu Chen had the strength to protect Ying.
But slowly… Kong became very displeased.
After Ying came Raiden Makoto, after Raiden Makoto came Guizhong, after Guizhong came Ganyu—
And now another one shows up, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata—Buer?!
Good boy.
Have you never died before?
Kong was furious.
As an older brother—an older brother with status, identity, and power—how could he possibly tolerate his brother-in-law having so many women besides his own sister?!
Others might accept it, but Kong absolutely could not.
He had to admit, though, in the past four videos, the episode featuring the High Priest showcased Gu Chen's grandeur to perfection.
He could sweep across all of Teyvat for the sake of humankind, or sacrifice himself for the sake of the world.
From any angle, Gu Chen didn't seem to have any flaws.
But Kong was simply unhappy.
Damn it.
Is my sister not enough for you?!
The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became—to the point where Kong even wanted to climb through the internet cable and beat Gu Chen up.
But after careful consideration, he felt he probably couldn't win.
This made him, already displeased, even more displeased.
Sometimes a man just reaches his limit—no more patience needed!
==========================(Advertisement block omitted in translation)
Kong immediately began attacking Gu Chen in the group chat.
[Kaeya]: Haha, Brother Kong must be fuming till his face turns green. (smirk)
[Venti]: First of all, let me state that I was tricked into this!
(Kaeya privately messaged Venti: "Say bad things about Gu Chen in the group—see if any black fans of the High Priest show up so we can screenshot them.")
[Kaeya]: ?! You're straight up framing me!
(Venti privately messaged Kaeya: "Say bad things about Gu Chen in the group—see if any black fans of the High Priest show up so we can screenshot them.")
[Dvalin]: You two really know how to play. @Prince, if you want revenge, I suggest you take both of them down. I fully support the idea! (Keqing liked this)
[Jean]: Looks like I'll need to start preparing for a new Cavalry Captain. (thinking)
[Barbara]: If things can't be reversed… then please give me the Wind God's ashes. Following the will of freedom, I will scatter them at sea so he can remain forever free...
[Venti]: Huh??
[Dvalin]: Strongly support!
[Furina]: No reason to refuse! @Prince, need help? (Furina laughs)
[Neuvillette]: I'd be happy to assist. (elegant)
[Zhongli]: I can contribute one "Heavenly Moving, Earth-Shaking." (sips tea)
[Kaeya]: High Priest! Save me!
[Venti]: High Priest! Save me too!
[Gu Chen]: My wife called me for dinner. (runs)
[Kaeya]: Betrayed!
[Venti]: Betrayed!!
Meanwhile, Gu Chen and the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata were having a pleasant conversation.
Through her, Gu Chen learned that her consciousness was linked to Irminsul.
She knew much of what was recorded within it.
But Gu Chen had brought her knowledge from beyond Teyvat—knowledge that greatly inspired her.
"Humans can actually stop advancing sandstorms simply through afforestation… Truly remarkable."
It was the first time she had heard that humans were capable of such things, and she was genuinely amazed.
Gu Chen chuckled. "No matter how difficult something is, as long as there is determination, it can be done."
"Yes."
Rukkhadevata nodded, her eyes shining with wisdom. "Do you have any long-term plans for the humans living here?"
"Of course I do."
Gu Chen smiled. "Living in the forest makes gathering food easy, but there are many inconveniences—mosquitoes, venomous insects, scorpions… So the first task is to choose a site and build a city, then gradually develop various trades."
Rukkhadevata nodded as she listened. "What about the desert?"
"The desert…" Gu Chen paused in thought. "That isn't your domain, is it?"
She nodded gently.
"Then we don't need to manage it. Just build a tall wall to block the sandstorms from entering the rainforest."
Rukkhadevata smiled. "That's a fine idea. Once the sand is blocked, I can use divine power to expand the rainforest… and the land suitable for humans will increase!"
"Exactly."
Gu Chen continued, "Besides that, we'll need a place dedicated to spreading knowledge. One smart person can't accomplish everything—you need countless smart people gathered together, mastering advanced knowledge, then progressing toward a shared goal. I believe, under the guidance of many clever minds, our expectations will be reached quickly."
"Good!" the Greater Lord nodded.
[Heizou]: This does look similar to Episode Two—Mr. Gu Chen helping the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata just like he once helped Lady Makoto… The difference lies in the region.
[Nilou]: Yes, that seems to be the overall direction. But due to environmental differences, things should turn out quite differently.
[Alhaitham]: Naturally.
[Paimon]: This should be the time of the Archon War, right? Liyue is fighting nonstop—why has Sumeru not shown any signs of war yet? (Nahida: confused)
[Thoma]: Maybe ancient Sumeru just didn't have that many gods?
[Nilou]: All I remember are the Greater Lord, the Flower God, the Scarlet King, and… our old friend Apep? (Paimon: shocked)
[Apep]: Correct.
[Amber]: If even Apep says so, then ancient Sumeru must've had very few gods… But why does Liyue have so many?! Besides Morax's faction, there's Osial, the God of Love, Orobashi—who ran off to Inazuma—and so many other gods I can't even remember!
[Venti]: Huh? Now that you say it—Mondstadt only had Decarabian, me, and Andrius.
[Gu Chen]: Look at the map. Liyue is at the center of Teyvat. Geography accounts for half the reason. And the environment—well, anything is better than Sumeru's endless sand and barren land.
[Nahida]: (Layla cries in poverty)
[Osial]: When you put it that way… Morax wiping out enemies left and right to protect Liyue wasn't entirely baseless.
[Zhongli]:
(Dragon King smirk emoji)
[Keqing]: Lord Rex Lapis… why… (Paimon shocked)
He was getting younger mentally—using his own memes at just the right moment!
But why does it feel so abstract?!
[Azhdaha]: I know you want to act cool, but don't forget my contributions! (Kaeya holding a rose, "Heart-stealing Rogue" pose)
[Azhdaha]: In Liyue—setting aside our invincible High Priest—I'm definitely top three! (Zhongli smirk)
[Zhongli]: True.
[Osial]: Am I third?
[Azhdaha]: With those five faces of yours? Morax pinned you to Guyun Stone Forest with one spear—third place my ass. (picks nose)
[Venti]: (smirk)
[Osial]: Enough! Stop this pointless topic. We should be discussing ancient Sumeru's combat capabilities! (angry)
[Gu Chen]: Successfully made one break down. (smirk)
[Venti]: He's trembling. When will Osial stand up again? (Hu Tao evil grin)
[Apep]: There's nothing to discuss.
[Cyno]: I heard the grass dragon Apep was a vassal of the Scarlet King? She should know his power. (Albedo thinking)
[Apep]: Did the Scarlet King appear in your dreams and tell you that?
[Cyno]: No—sorry! Just rumor. (sweating)
[Candace]: (Ayaka embarrassed)
[Gu Chen]: Apep, what exactly is your relationship with the Scarlet King? (smirk)
[Charlotte]: What?! I smell gossip! "The Grass Dragon and the Scarlet King: A Story That Must Be Told!""Their Entanglements of Love and Hate!" (Charlotte: please continue)
[Yae Miko]: Miss Reporter, you'd be perfect writing light novels. (mischievous smile)
[Apep]: Enough!!
Are these people insane?! They make up outrageous rumors without blinking!
[Apep]: I'm not his vassal. We simply had an ordinary contractual relationship.
[Zhongli]: Define "ordinary."
[Venti]: The melon is fragrant—please elaborate! (Charlotte: continue)
[Gu Chen]: I get it now!
[Furina]: Brother please—I'm begging you—say it!! @Gu Chen (Klee begging)
[Gu Chen]: Based on Apep's words, the Scarlet King must be male and Apep must be female; therefore… the Scarlet King must have pursued her, but Apep had another suitor and called him a "normal friend"! (smirk)
[Furina]: Meaning the Scarlet King was a clown?! (laughs)
[Venti]: This would shake even Celestia!
[Sustainer of Heavenly Principles]: So this is how you slander Celestia?
[Venti]: Just figurative speech!
…flowers please.
[Apep]: I'm tired. You can learn the truth by watching the video.
[Zhongli]: Rationally speaking, the videos differ so much from real history that even if the Greater Lord dies in the very next second, I wouldn't be surprised. So whether the video offers answers is uncertain. (sips tea)
[Heizou]: My observations match Lord Zhongli's—so Lady Apep, could you clarify? (Thoma kneeling to beg)
[Kokomi]: Could it be like the secret that destroyed the Great Serpent's people—something unspeakable?
[Apep]: It's complicated. I don't want to explain.
[Yae Miko]: When will we get an episode of the High Priest vs. Apep? Would the Scarlet King fight Gu Chen for her? (mischievous)
[Apep]: Stop being absurd!!!
[Cloud Retainer]: This immortal is beginning to take interest. (Furina laughs)
[Furina]: Great Exposé System, are you hearing this? I want to see it too!
[Nilou]: Ohhh~ exciting!
[Collei]: Though it feels bad to tease the Scarlet King… I still want to see it!!
[Gu Chen]: I think… people shouldn't—no, really shouldn't—! (Paimon shocked)
[Yae Miko]: It's fine, brother-in-law. Apep is a grass dragon—she can take human form. (smirk)
[Apep]: Blasphemy!
Deep beneath the sands, even Apep nearly laughed in disbelief.
These group members all had some kind of illness—how else could they say such things?!
[Gu Chen]: Hard to imagine. This is too abstract. (Qiqi faint)
[Apep]: Fine. I'll explain it simply.
Apep's Explanation:
Long ago, the Seelies were envoys of Celestia, sent to help humans.
The Flower God was one of the Seelie.Humans grew too curious about forbidden knowledge outside Teyvat. Celestia grew furious and dropped a Nail of Punishment, destroying human kingdoms. The Seelie were cursed and exiled.The Flower God wandered into the Great Red Sandsea. The water from her wounds formed oases where flowers bloomed. From those flowers, her familiars—the "Jinn"—were born.She chose to live with the Jinn. Later she met the Scarlet King and the Dendro King. The age of the Three Gods began.
Eventually, the Flower God told the Scarlet King why she was exiled and warned him never to touch forbidden knowledge.
But the Scarlet King—being an idiot—believed in his own strength. Not only did he want to touch it, he wanted to study it deeply.
The Flower God knew it was a dead end, but she saw hope for humanity in his ambition. She was willing to die for that possibility.
She guided the Scarlet King toward forbidden knowledge and perished upon contact. Celestia dropped another Nail, shattering her oasis.The Scarlet King promised the Jinn he would resurrect her. They believed him and abandoned their bodies, entering vessels to assist him.The Scarlet King entered the underground city to continue his studies, but governance was still needed, so he ordered the Jinn Liloupar to find a human ruler.Liloupar chose what she thought was an ideal king—but he was actually a tyrant. Feeling betrayed, she devised a plot spanning three generations and destroyed the entire kingdom.She fell in love with the tyrant, killed him, seduced his son, and staged a father-killing, mother-stealing tragedy…When the Scarlet King returned and saw the devastation, he tore Liloupar apart and sealed her.He then attempted to rebuild his kingdom with forbidden knowledge, but ended up corrupted himself. The kingdom fell.Forbidden knowledge flooded the land, causing suffering everywhere—Dunyarzad's "Eleazar" disease originated from this.In the end, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata helped suppress both forbidden knowledge and Eleazar… but died as a result.
[Apep]: As for me… I swallowed the Scarlet King's corpse. Not only did I fail to regain a fragment of my draconic authority—I was tormented endlessly by forbidden knowledge.
[Kaeya]: Wait—ancient Sumeru's history under the Scarlet King was THIS insane?!
[Candace]: (Ayaka stunned)
[Dehya]: The desert people think the Greater Lord killed the Scarlet King… They'd never imagine this was the real story! (Paimon shocked)
[Paimon]: So… what is forbidden knowledge that killed the Flower God, killed the Scarlet King, and even caused the Greater Lord to fall?
[Sustainer of Heavenly Principles]: You're very curious?
[Paimon]: N-no!! I'm not curious! I'm scared!! (shivering)
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage