The Villa
Luo Chen continued calmly,
"As for Havria—same rules as always."
"We watch the video."
"After that, you'll understand everything."
Some things simply hit harder with visuals.
Like the people of Sal Terrae—
turned into salt.
As for the footage—
It was none other than Zhongli's Story Quest: Sal Flore.
Naturally, Luo Chen adjusted the content to match the commentary order, trimming certain parts.
Under his control, the video quickly appeared in the livestream.
The chat groups quieted down instantly.
All eyes turned to the light screen.
On the Light Screen
The scene opened aboard the Pearl Galley.
Lumine and Paimon ran into Zhongli there.
Approaching closer, they found him discussing something with archaeologists Hanxue, Yixuan, and a woman named Wan Yan.
After listening in, it became clear—
They were discussing the whereabouts of the very first Mora.
Wan Yan believed it might've been passed down as a symbolic relic.
Hanxue and Yixuan strongly disagreed.
To them, the first Mora had immense significance.
Perhaps—
Rex Lapis used it to empower a blade and a sword.
Whoever obtained the blade would become Liyue's supreme ruler.
Whoever drew the sword would be crowned King of Liyue.
Zhongli rejected all of their theories.
In his view, the Geo Archon created Mora to guide humanity toward trade.
The first Mora?
It was probably spent like any other coin.
After all—
No one in this world understood the first Mora better than Rex Lapis himself.
Unfortunately, that attitude irritated Hanxue and Yixuan.
Hanxue folded his arms and sneered,
"Enough already."
"Do you understand Rex Lapis better…
or do I?"
Reality — Immediate Social Death
Back in reality, Hanxue and Yixuan were hiding in their rooms.
Faces red.
Not from anger—
From sheer humiliation.
They had boldly discussed the first Mora in front of the Geo Archon himself.
And even claimed to understand him better.
If that wasn't courting death, what was?
Before, their embarrassment was limited to Liyue.
Now—
With the video broadcast across all of Teyvat—
Everyone knew.
Liyue had produced a man who understood Rex Lapis better than Rex Lapis.
Public execution.
Zhongli hadn't even finished his evaluation—
And someone had already socially died.
[Transcendent Chat Group]
Lumine:
That guy's got guts. Saying he understands Rex Lapis better than Rex Lapis? 😳
Paimon:
Not knowing Zhongli's identity is one thing—but now? I'm cringing just watching this.
Keqing:
I know him. An archaeologist who studies the Geo Archon. Always claims he's the one who understands His Excellency best.
Xiangling:
He'll never say that again. Might even take detours when he sees the Geo Archon. 🐶
Furina:
Hahaha! They must be hiding in their rooms right now.
Alice:
This reminds me of Barbara telling Venti he knows nothing about the Anemo Archon. 😈
Paimon:
That's true though! He's just a bard—what would he know? 🐶
Venti:
Eh-heh, exactly~
Barbara:
...
Back to the Light Screen
Impressed by Zhongli's knowledge, Wan Yan decided to ask him about Havria, the Salt God.
"Mr. Zhongli, during my excavations, I learned of the Salt God's legend."
"Havria was a kind god."
"But during the Archon War—
she was assassinated by Morax using despicable means!"
The moment those words fell—
The chat exploded.
[Transcendent Chat Group]
Keqing:
Impossible! The God of War would never resort to such methods!
Ganyu:
There must be a misunderstanding!
Cloud Retainer:
Assassination? How utterly insulting to the title of God of War.
Lumine:
Exactly! If Havria offended Zhongli, he'd just spear her outright!
Paimon:
Why assassinate when one strike is enough?
Ayaka:
Then why would Wan Yan believe this so firmly? 🤔
Moon Carver:
Either misinformation—or ulterior motives.
Cloud Retainer:
I do know a bit about Havria… but keep watching.
Jade Chamber
Ningguang narrowed her eyes.
"Baizhi. Have Yelan investigate this woman—Wan Yan."
Baizhi replied softly,
"Uncle Tian already has people monitoring her."
"Then that's enough."
Ningguang nodded and returned her gaze to the screen.
On the Light Screen
Zhongli naturally rejected the accusation.
But before he could explain—
A Fatui agent arrived, inviting him to serve as an archaeological consultant.
After some discussion, Zhongli accepted.
Using her credentials, Wan Yan joined the expedition.
As for Lumine and Paimon—
Zhongli recommended them for their unique treasure-hunting talent.
A talent defined as—
Never missing a treasure chest within their field of vision.
Inazuma — Kamisato Estate
Ayato, Ayaka, and Thoma stared at Lumine.
Then at Paimon.
Then back again.
Never miss a chest… ever?
What kind of absurd talent was that?
Lumine crossed her arms proudly.
"No need to doubt it."
"This is my exclusive skill."
"Test it sometime if you don't believe me."
Paimon puffed up.
"I'm good at it too!"
Ayaka smiled.
"Then let's try it after dinner."
She was genuinely curious.
Back to the Light Screen
After a brief expedition, the group arrived at Sal Terrae—
The former homeland of the Salt God and her people.
Wan Yan explained,
"Deep within the cave lies a ruin connected to Havria."
"The entrance is sealed by a mysterious force."
"I believe the seal exists to conceal the truth."
"The Salt God was gentle and beloved. She had nothing to hide."
"So the one hiding the truth…"
"…must be the murderer—Morax!"
Zhongli continued guiding the group, explaining calmly,
"Havria was a gentle god."
"To protect humans from war, she wandered across Liyue seeking refuge."
"In that era of divine conflict—
even brief peace was a luxury."
"In the end, she found this land."
"Sal Terrae."
Wan Yan sighed.
"Too bad that peace was shattered by Morax…"
Liyue — Rising Blood Pressure
At this point, Liyue viewers were furious.
This woman—
Accusing Rex Lapis repeatedly, without evidence?
Had she lost her mind?
If this were the Archon War era, she'd already be pinned to the ground by a spear.
The Geo Archon might be patient—
But the people of Liyue were not.
On the Pearl Galley—
People began surrounding Wan Yan silently.
"What… what are you doing?"
She panicked.
No one answered.
They simply stared.
Waiting.
Waiting for her to see the truth.
Inside the Ruins
The group entered a dark cavern.
Salt coated the walls.
Salt-covered statues—once people—stood frozen in terror.
The Fatui agent, greedy, tried to take more loot—
Breaking the contract.
Zhongli confiscated the treasure and expelled him.
He then exposed the truth.
Wan Yan finally admitted—
"I'm not an archaeologist."
"I belong to the Yinyuan Hall, the institution overseeing salt."
"Our ancestors were protected by Havria."
"Morax assassinated our god!"
"He envied her power!"
"We were driven from our homes!"
"We hate him!"
"History belongs to Morax—
so I want proof!"
"Proof that Morax has blood on his hands!"
Zhongli said nothing.
He gestured forward.
The truth awaited.
In a hidden chamber, Wan Yan saw two broken swords—
And instantly "understood."
"Broken swords!"
"This proves Havria resisted!"
"She was killed by Morax!"
[Transcendent Chat Group]
Lumine:
???
Paimon:
That leap in logic is wild. 🤦♀️
Keqing:
Even if I worship Rex Lapis, I'd consider real evidence. But this?
Ganyu:
She believes all of Liyue's history is fabricated…
Alhaitham:
She's projecting subjective beliefs. No academic objectivity whatsoever.
Furina:
So the God of War gets jealous over someone making salt? 🐶
Alice:
That's like Venti getting jealous of people going to work!
Paimon:
Biggest joke in Teyvat! 😆
Yae Miko:
If this were Ei, she'd have drawn her sword already.
Ei:
...
The Truth
Zhongli finally spoke.
"Havria was not powerful."
"She was weak."
"Too accommodating. Too gentle."
"In the Archon War, she chose to flee."
"She believed surrender would spare her people."
"But retreat has a limit."
"She lost all her land."
"And finally, her refuge."
"At the end—
she couldn't even lift a weapon to protect her people."
"As for that sword…"
"It was used to kill her."
Wan Yan collapsed.
She couldn't accept it.
She fled.
[Transcendent Chat Group]
Lumine:
So that's the kind of god Havria was…
Paimon:
She was gentle… but…
Venti:
Too idealistic. 😔
Zhongli:
In times of war, retreat brings not peace—but extinction.
Ei:
Having a sword and not using it is different from not having one.
Nahida:
Peace through compromise leads to ruin; peace through struggle survives.
Furina:
The weak aren't spared—they're ignored… until it's convenient.
Neuvillette:
So this was Havria's influence on Morax.
Alice:
Then the real question—who killed Havria?
Zhongli:
Keep watching.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
patreon.com/nani_kaito