"Everyone, I feel like this Miss Yunshang is playing some kind of undercover cop game."
Little Gui said while biting her lighter.
[Watching this plot, I have the same feeling, but I can't quite put my finger on why.]
[I think I know the reason… Isn't the Geo Archon Zhongli? So the Geo Archon is actually still alive. Then Yunshang's wife is using the information about the Adeptus' immortal shedding to trade with the Fatui. Isn't that just getting something for nothing?]
[That makes sense. From a first-person and second-person perspective, Yunshang is betraying them. But right now we have a God's-eye view…]
[So Yunshang's wife is basically pulling off an undercover operation, deceiving both sides at the same time.]
"I don't understand. I'll either continue the plot or wait for Silver Wolf to release her plot analysis." Little Gui decided to spare her not-very-wealthy brainpower.
With a tap of her little hand, the plot continued.
"Hm? Dual perspective?"
——Teyvat
Arriving at the outskirts of Liyue Harbor, Jun Bai dispelled the transformation art on his body and unfurled his flaming wings.
The flaming wings vibrated, leaving a trail of sparks behind.
Jun Bai landed at the entrance of the Guili Assembly, and what greeted him was the neatly lined-up Millelith.
"Welcome back, Marshal!"
A uniform shout rang out. The Millelith in armor held their spears and saluted Jun Bai.
"It's still the same grand spectacle as always, Xuanjian."
Jun Bai placed one hand on his waist and looked forward as he spoke.
"Welcoming the Marshal naturally requires a scale worthy of the Marshal's status." An impassioned and sonorous tone came from the front. "This is what we, as people blessed by you, should do."
A burly man strode forward like a dragon and tiger. He wore well-fitted ink-colored luxurious silk robes, adorned with pale gold dragon patterns and crimson soaring phoenixes.
He was not particularly handsome, but he was exceptionally pleasing to the eye. The corners of his eyes drooped slightly, giving him a natural three-tenths smile even without any expression. A hairband tied back his ink-colored long hair, revealing the Geo Vision hidden among the strands as he moved.
Guili Assembly Ziwei Star — Ji Xuanjian (Original character)
[image]
Liyue Harbor had the Liyue Qixing with designated rules. Naturally, the Guili Assembly also had its own leaders.
Ziwei Star was one of the changes produced by the world line shift. It was the highest position under the gods in the Guili Assembly.
The Guili Assembly was different from Liyue Harbor.
After the Archon War ended, Rex Lapis led some commerce-savvy citizens south to establish Liyue Harbor and establish diplomatic relations with the six nations.
After all, the Guili Assembly's location was right next to Mondstadt and did not have as advantageous a geographical position as Liyue Harbor.
After Liyue Harbor was built, Rex Lapis's focus gradually shifted toward Liyue Harbor. He thought that since the Guili Assembly had Guizhong and Jun Bai, even if He was not there, the Guili Assembly would not have any problems.
However, in reality…
Guizhong was obsessed with Adeptus arts and mechanical arts. She usually stayed in her own cave abode all year round and basically did not come out unless necessary.
Jun Bai was never good at management and had no interest in power. Even when he went to the Guili Assembly, most of the time he would go to Fengdeng Lou or supervise Millelith training.
The two of them had an unusually consistent mindset: As long as Morax and Guizhong (Jun Bai) were there, even if they did not manage it themselves, nothing would go wrong.
Under the strange tacit understanding maintained by the three gods and with the adepti of Jueyun Karst in seclusion, the Guili Assembly developed freely without anyone managing it.
Until one day, on his way to Fengdeng Lou, Jun Bai was blocked by a plainly dressed commoner.
After that day, the Sky Phoenix Marshal descended a divine miracle and handed the management rights of the Guili Assembly to an ordinary person who did not even have a Vision.
Thus, the Guili Assembly went from being ruled by gods, to having no rule, and finally evolved into human rule, which continues to this day.
Liyue Harbor had the Liyue Qixing. The Guili Assembly had its own exclusive Ziwei Star.
The Rite of Invoking the Adepti in the Guili Assembly, which had failed to invite the gods, evolved into the annual Rite of Sacrificing to the Adepti after the Ziwei Star position appeared.
It was no longer about inviting the three gods to guide the Guili Assembly, but about thanking the three gods for their contributions to the Guili Assembly.
This year's Rite of Sacrificing to the Adepti was today.
"The welcoming spectacle is quite good, but you can disperse now. I don't want to be surrounded by the common people later and treated like a rare animal on display."
Jun Bai looked at the current Ziwei Star of the Guili Assembly and said.
Liyue Harbor was full of the eyes and ears of the Liyue Qixing and the Fatui, so he needed to disguise himself simply.
But the Guili Assembly did not need it, because this was his territory.
Even so, even without hiding his identity, Jun Bai did not want to be surrounded and watched like a rare animal by the enthusiastically welcoming common people.
"Please rest assured, Marshal. I have already arranged the entire itinerary. I will definitely satisfy the Marshal." Xuanjian's attitude was respectful.
The Millelith who had been brought over to serve as the welcoming spectacle returned to continue patrolling after welcoming the Marshal.
Under Xuanjian's lead, Jun Bai arrived at a mansion in the central area of the Guili Assembly.
Along the way, the people of the Guili Assembly all looked at Jun Bai with eager eyes, but seeing Xuanjian beside the Marshal, no one dared to surround him.
Seeing this, Jun Bai knew that before he arrived, Xuanjian had already notified the people of the Guili Assembly.
The prestige of the Guili Ziwei in the Guili Assembly was fully demonstrated at this moment.
Entering the mansion, Jun Bai naturally sat down on the main seat.
Xuanjian stood to the side without any objection.
"You specially had your younger sister and deputy come find me. Has a problem arisen in the Guili Assembly that cannot be solved?"
Jun Bai casually poured himself a cup of tea and asked.
"No. With the land blessed by the Marshal, this year is also a bumper harvest year."
"The Guili Assembly enjoys favorable weather, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. All of this is thanks to the blessings of you, Lord Marshal, Lord God of Dust, and Rex Lapis."
"On behalf of everyone in the Guili Assembly, I offer you our most sincere gratitude."
Xuanjian passionately expressed his true feelings to Jun Bai.
"You don't need to say polite words or nice words. If you really respect me as you claim, then you'd better explain the patterns on your clothes first."
Jun Bai narrowed his eyes and looked at the soaring phoenix patterns on Xuanjian's attire.
Xuanjian gave Jun Bai a frank smile.
"Disrespectful to the gods, yet acting so devout." Jun Bai put down his teacup and walked to Xuanjian's side. "Just like before, if even one word out of three that you and Yunshang say together is true, that would already be good."
"My loyalty to you, Lord Marshal, has never wavered." Xuanjian turned around and knelt on one knee toward Jun Bai's back.
"I suggest you be more honest, Xuanjian." Jun Bai turned his head and looked sideways at the burly figure. "You came looking for me precisely because you discovered something, didn't you?"
"Just say what you have to say. I will not bring down divine punishment. Even if I really have to punish you, it will not endanger the Guili Assembly."
"With those words from the Marshal, I can rest easy." Xuanjian lowered his head. "Lord Marshal, please allow me to overstep my bounds."
Xuanjian took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Recently, news has spread in Liyue Harbor that Rex Lapis has passed away. However… Lord Marshal, Rex Lapis has not actually passed away, has he?"
It was a question, yet spoken in a declarative tone.
Jun Bai stood by the window. The originally bright sky had unknowingly become covered with thick dark clouds.
"Probably… it can be considered as having passed away."