"Divine Sovereign, how can you say that about me?" Nahida's voice trembled, her delicate face flushed with anger.
"How can I?" Yun Fan chuckled lightly and shook his head. "Liyue has always been governed by Morax, and at most, I've been nothing more than an observer. So, perhaps I really have no right to judge you. But—" At this point, Yun Fan paused.
"Azar has committed countless atrocities in Sumeru, crimes too numerous to list. Countless citizens of Sumeru have suffered under his tyranny, yet you only plan to exile him once he's overthrown. So, I ask you, God of Sumeru, by what right do you make such a choice on behalf of those he has harmed? Is it by virtue of your title as the Dendro Archon?" Yun Fan's gaze was sharp as he spoke, each word piercing Nahida's heart, causing her to lower her head involuntarily.
"For five hundred years, have you truly done anything for Sumeru? If it was a lack of power when you were first born, perhaps that could be excused. But after that? Even a pig could ascend to immortality in a few hundred years, let alone you, the purest branch from the Irminsul."
"You could have overturned all of this, yet you chose to stand by and watch. Was it because of so-called guilt? Forgive my bluntness, but that wasn't guilt, it was avoidance!"
"I..." Yun Fan mercilessly tore down the barriers in Nahida's heart, laying the truth bare before her. Faced with such cutting words, Nahida's eyes welled up with tears. Soon, large, diamond-like teardrops rolled down her cheeks, dripping onto her delicate little feet.
"Waaah... It's my fault. I've been too naive. I'm a useless god, waaah..." Nahida sobbed as she spoke, her cries eventually turning into full-blown wails.
"Hey, hey, it's not that serious..." Seeing the little shuttlecock burst into tears, Yun Fan was momentarily flustered. He wasn't good at dealing with children, even if this little girl was hundreds of years old.
"Yun Fan, Elysia once said that boys who make girls cry are the worst," Griseo said expressionlessly, her tone adding another blow to Yun Fan's conscience.
"Uh... Nahida, stop crying, I..." Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Yun Fan had no choice but to step forward and comfort her. He placed his warm hand on Nahida's silver hair, gently stroking it.
However, his usual tried-and-true method didn't work on Nahida this time. She continued to cry, ignoring his attempts to soothe her.
This is really a headache... Yun Fan was at a loss. He couldn't just cover Nahida's mouth to stop her from crying, could he?
"Little shuttlecock, stop crying, or I'll destroy Sumeru!" Having failed to comfort her, Yun Fan decided to resort to threats.
"You..." Sure enough, the new method worked immediately. Nahida quickly stopped crying, her teary eyes glaring fiercely at Yun Fan, looking as if she wanted to devour him whole.
Well, I guess her favorability just dropped to negative, Yun Fan thought bitterly.
"Listen, Nahida. The cheapest thing in the world is tears. Crying won't change anything. If you truly want to become a qualified god and change Sumeru's current state, come with me. I'll find you the most suitable teacher."
After saying this, Yun Fan took Griseo's hand and left, leaving Nahida alone.
Watching their retreating figures, Nahida remained silent for a long time. Finally, she gritted her teeth and followed. Although Yun Fan's words had been harsh and cruel, they were undeniably true. She had no way to refute them.
If she truly wanted to change Sumeru and make up for the suffering her inaction had caused its people, she had to change herself.
———
"So, you want me to teach her how to be a qualified god, is that it?"
"Haha, as expected of Mr. Zhongli. You truly understand me!"
It was dusk, and the setting sun cast its golden rays over the land. A flock of geese flew south under the evening glow. In the backyard of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, beneath a towering willow tree, Yun Fan and Zhongli sat facing each other. A delicate Qingce porcelain set adorned the stone table. Griseo and Nahida sat on either side of the silver-haired young man.
After hearing Yun Fan's explanation, Zhongli crossed his arms, stroking his chin with a thoughtful expression. His golden eyes clearly conveyed his displeasure.
Before Zhongli could refuse, Yun Fan pushed Nahida forward.
"Nahida, look, Morax has already agreed. From now on, he'll teach you how to become a true god!"
Listening to Yun Fan's words, Nahida felt speechless. As a clever little girl, she could clearly see that Morax's expression was anything but agreeable. He looked more like he wanted nothing to do with her.
If she pretended not to notice and approached him, only to be rejected, she would be the one left embarrassed.
"Sigh, fine. For the time being, you can stay by my side," Zhongli said with a sigh, seeing the second Dendro Archon's dilemma.
Consider it a favor to the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. Besides, this child named Nahida exuded an aura strikingly similar to the Greater Lord. Perhaps there was some special connection between them.
"Thank you, Morax," Nahida said politely, her eyes shining with a hint of excitement.
"Morax is dead. This body is named Zhongli."
"Understood, Mr. Zhongli," Nahida corrected herself and repeated.
"Mm," Zhongli nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Yun Fan. Under the latter's puzzled look, he picked up the teapot and poured Yun Fan a cup of tea.
Clink—
A full cup of premium Jueyun Chazhou was pushed toward Yun Fan. Seeing Zhongli's gesture, Yun Fan could only shake his head helplessly and stand up. "Then I'll take my leave. If Lumine returns, please let her know that I've gone to Jueyun Karst for some business."
"Oh, Griseo, do you want to come with me?" Yun Fan turned to the blue-haired girl who was fiddling with a teacup.
To be honest, he hoped Griseo would come with him. If he ended up in an awkward situation in Jueyun Karst, having her around would make it easier to handle.
"Brother Yun Fan, Griseo isn't a shield," Griseo looked up and shook her head seriously, her purple eyes revealing a hint of something unspoken. Her gaze was so penetrating that Yun Fan felt a pang of guilt.
"Ahem, then Griseo can stay with Nahida and Mr. Zhongli for now. I'll be going."
Before his words could fade, Yun Fan had already turned into a golden streak of light, disappearing into the distance without a trace.
"Sigh—" Another sigh escaped Zhongli's lips as he rubbed his temples. His retirement had turned into babysitting.
"Indeed, I feel somewhat weary."