"What do you mean, 'did you hesitate'? What kind of line is that?"
The moment Azhdaha said that, Xuehua instantly slipped into full-on fangirl mode.
[You loved him, didn't you]
"Even stone can possess a heart. Naturally, so can I."
"But I am the God of Contracts… and once, the god of the people of Liyue."
Zhongli sighed and answered Azhdaha's question.
"You chose righteousness, yet did not abandon compassion."
"That is why you did not strike to kill me."
"I chose to be sealed of my own will."
Kun Jun turned his head, gazing at the valley under the fading light, his expression complicated.
"When the earth dragon stirs, it shakes heaven and land."
"With your power, even I at my peak could hardly face you alone—let alone seal you."
Zhongli said calmly, arms folded.
[Are you two just praising each other now?]
[But this proves Azhdaha is at least on par with Rex Lapis]
[Liyue's top-tier combat power is insane]
[Azhdaha is that strong?!]
[Of course—what we saw was only a fragment]
"That is why 'I' came into being."
"I witnessed the birth of Liyue Harbor."
"Even if I am no longer what I once was, I must fulfill the contract in my own way."
"As the closest friend of the God of Contracts…"
"This is the final way I honor that agreement."
Kun Jun placed a hand over his chest.
"..."
"Thank you… Azhdaha."
Zhongli sighed and turned to him.
"…This hurts too much…"
Xuehua's eyes reddened, tears shimmering as she struggled to hold back.
[I'm crying…]
[That sigh from Zhongli broke me]
[Azhdaha helped him resolve his burden…]
"My life is near endless. I will continue alongside eternity…"
"And you, and Guixu… are also beings of long lifespan."
"…"
Kun Jun paused, then sighed.
"Guixu… in these three thousand years…"
"Did you find your answer?"
He turned to Qiu Nian, his gaze heavy.
"I did, Azhdaha."
"That is why I returned."
Qiu Nian smiled faintly.
"…I see."
Kun Jun smiled as well.
"The road ahead…"
"I leave it to you and Morax to walk together…"
He turned toward the golden valley.
"You should already feel it—we will meet again."
"That day will not be far."
"When you resolve yourself…"
"Morax and I will share a pot of tea with you once more."
Qiu Nian looked up at the orange sky dyed by the sunset.
"Haha…"
"Then let me put it another way…"
"Until that day comes—how about it?"
Kun Jun asked.
"..."
"…Alright."
Qiu Nian fell silent for a moment, then nodded with a smile.
"Stop stabbing my heart like this, miHoYo—I can't take it anymore!"
Xuehua burst into tears.
[I'm dead… absolutely destroyed]
[Guixu doesn't seem as sad as Zhongli]
[Because he believes they will meet again]
[That's why he's not grieving]
[There will be that day… right?]
"…Mm…"
Kun Jun closed his eyes.
The white aura around him began to flicker and fade.
"Are you leaving?"
Zhongli asked.
"Morax… Guixu…"
"If fate allows…"
"We shall meet again."
With those final words—
The white aura vanished completely.
Kun Jun collapsed, falling unconscious.
A piece of music began to play.
[I'm crying so hard]
[You have to meet again, please…]
[After three thousand years, Guixu returned… and only a few old friends remain]
[What answer was he searching for all that time…?]
[The timing of this music is too perfect]
"Wah—!!"
Paimon's eyes widened as she stared at Kun Jun lying on the ground.
"The one who fell just now…"
"Is the real Kun Jun, right?"
Lumine asked.
"Yes. There is no need to worry."
"He is merely asleep."
Zhongli nodded.
Relieved, Lumine and Paimon stepped closer.
"…This feels strange…"
"It's like he suddenly became someone we didn't know at all."
Paimon sighed.
"We were never acquainted with Kun Jun."
Zhongli said calmly.
"But the Azhdaha that once existed within him…"
"Was someone important to you and Qiu Nian."
Lumine placed a hand over her chest.
"The setting sun melts like gold, the evening clouds gather thick."
"Three thousand years ago, the sunlight that flowed across this land…"
"Was no different from what we see now."
"The only difference…"
"Is this ancient tree—known as the Dragon-Queller Tree…"
"For me…"
"Today's farewell…"
"Is only for a better reunion in the future."
Qiu Nian smiled faintly.
"'The setting sun melts like gold, the clouds gather…'"
"Th-that sounds so cultured…"
Paimon held her forehead, completely lost.
[Translation: the sunset glows like molten gold, and the evening clouds gather like a closing veil]
[It fits this moment perfectly… with the music, it's beautiful]
['The only difference is the Dragon-Queller Tree'—stop hurting me (crying)]
['Farewell for a better reunion'—that line is incredible]
"For you and Zhongli…"
"Your friendship with Azhdaha must have been very precious."
Paimon said softly.
"…Mm."
"It was a long time ago."
"Though thousands of years have passed…"
"It feels like yesterday—every detail still vivid."
Zhongli looked at them and began to speak.
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