Finally, the young man and the lady left the Northland Bank.
Zhongli looked at Lumine and Paimon. "Anything else you want to ask?"
"By the way… I want to know the price the Cryo Archon paid," Lumine said.
Paimon nodded in agreement. "Yeah! You always say transactions must be fair, but… is there really anything in this world worth exchanging for a Gnosis?"
Zhongli paused for a moment before replying, "From a universal standpoint, not really."
Fu Ning nodded. "It's better to say: what can a Gnosis obtain in this world? After all, the Gnosis itself is worthless."
Paimon looked surprised. "Huh? Why do you say a Gnosis is worthless? Isn't it supposed to be super valuable?!"
Fu Ning smiled faintly. "Can you use a Gnosis?"
Paimon scratched her head. "Uh… I don't think so."
"What about you?" Fu Ning looked at Lumine.
"I don't know, but I guess it's probably impossible," Lumine said after thinking.
"Exactly. What's the use of something no one can use? Does it at least look nice?" Fu Ning shrugged.
In truth, that was just an excuse Fu Ning gave.
He had been playing word games, saying no human could use a Gnosis. But what about demons? Or beings beyond mortal comprehension?
For example—he could use a Gnosis.
In those few glances just now, he had used his strongest insight ability—Sequence Nine—to observe the Gnosis. And he saw far more than most ever could.
He realized it was just an energy storage device, and not even a good one.
Its energy conversion efficiency was low, although the amount it could store was considerable. Still, it wasn't as useful as his own body—at best, it was just a beautiful object.
Worse yet, the thing radiated a sense of ominous doom. The farther away he stayed from it, the better. He felt that merely touching it would bring misfortune.
Strictly speaking, a Gnosis could be considered something with negative value.
Then again, that depends on one's perspective.
Maybe if you gather seven Gnoses, you could summon a dragon?
…In any case, they needed to find a time for Fu Fu to throw away the Hydro Archon's Gnosis.
The Cryo Archon likely didn't understand the dangers of the Gnosis either.
So—give it to her.
Zhongli smiled slightly. "Don't joke around, Mr. Fu Ning. While a Gnosis may be of little use to others, it holds great significance to me. It is a symbol of divinity."
"You just keep making up stories."
"I would never sign a contract unless it is profitable. The transaction with the Cryo Archon was the final contract I executed as the Geo Archon."
"As for the weight placed on the other end of the scales—what chips the Cryo Archon laid down…"
"You'll discover the answer on your journey."
"You won't even tell me?" Fu Ning asked.
"No. Confidentiality is also part of the contract."
"Well, I'm not that interested anyway."
***
Fu Ning and Zhongli arrived at the venue for the Rite of Parting.
"Everyone should know: even though soaring dragons and mist-walking qilins may live as long as mountains, in time they still return to dust."
"His Majesty's record is as radiant as sun and moon, but the weather turns without warning, and lightning may strike even the divine."
"There are all sorts of rumors on the streets, saying the Archon was assassinated. But that is false."
"The Emperor suffered a calamity from the heavens, and his soul has returned to Celestia. Therefore, I make this announcement to all of Liyue, and ask the people to mourn with restraint, and refrain from despair."
"Also—stop spreading rumors and making baseless speculations."
After listening, Fu Ning nodded. "That was well written. There's no need for a foolish excuse like an assassination."
"Though the tortoise lives long, its life still comes to an end."
"The flying serpent rides the mist, but eventually turns to dust."
"Perishing from a failed ascension—now that's an interesting twist."
Zhongli looked somewhat exasperated. "Your couplets are indeed well written, but it's confusing to call me both a tortoise and a snake."
"I am the devil," Fu Ning laughed. "Don't take it too literally. As long as the meaning is there, that's enough."
"Look over there—Lumine and Paimon. They're headed this way."
After Ningguang, Keqing, and Ganyu announced the Rite of Parting, Keqing approached Lumine.
"Traveler. The Liyue Qixing repay favors. I'm sure you've heard—we have global reach and can accomplish anything."
"—Speak your wish, and it shall be granted."
Lumine looked at everyone.
"Then…"
"Please help me post some missing person notices."
Lumine and Paimon walked to the edge of the platform and found Fu Ning and Zhongli chatting casually.
"Hey! Fu Ning! Zhongli!"
The two turned toward Paimon.
Paimon pointed at the crowd behind her. "Look! Everyone in Liyue thinks they'll never see Rex Lapis again. Just look at this somber atmosphere!"
"…So why do you two look so relaxed?"
Zhongli chuckled. "Haha, wouldn't life be easier without the burden of 3,700 years?"
"Besides, Fu Ning has already agreed to become Liyue's top guard, hasn't he?"
Paimon was shocked. "What?! He's going to serve as the supreme guard for both Fontaine and Liyue?!"
Fu Ning shook his head. "I never agreed to that."
"The position of Supreme Guard is just a title. Personally, I prefer working as Lady Furina's personal guard."
"That's part of our contract. You promised to help me," Zhongli reminded him, bringing up their agreement.
"This is beyond my capabilities. I don't have the strength to protect Liyue. Besides, this request crosses my bottom line."
Lumine and Paimon exchanged speechless glances.
"I don't have enough strength..."
Zhongli smiled. He had never truly expected Fu Ning to accept.
"By the way, when do you have time? I'd like to treat you to dinner at Xinyue Kiosk."
Fu Ning glanced at Zhongli and said sarcastically, "There is no Mora in Morax. Ah… why would I even dream of such a thing?"
Paimon added, "Hmph! Stop bragging, Zhongli! I can believe the 'three bowls of plain noodles' thing, but Xinyue Kiosk even charges for tea! Can you really afford that?"
Zhongli rested his chin in one hand, a bit embarrassed. "Uh… well, I am short on Mora."
"As the Geo Archon, I could conjure Mora easily. But since I chose to live as the mortal Zhongli, I must follow mortal rules."
"I traveled with you before. Though I still held the Gnosis at the time, I knew I would soon relinquish my place among the Seven. How could I not give myself a preview of mortal life?"
Paimon understood. "Oh! So that's why! Now it makes sense. Zhongli always spent money without looking at the price—because he wasn't used to having to!"
"But now he's not used to not being able to conjure Mora on demand, so he's become a freeloader who eats for free and makes others pay!"
Fu Ning burst out laughing.
"Haha! Freeloader—that's a good one."
"That's even more bizarre than the tale of a tortoise outliving time or a flying serpent fading into mist."
Zhongli was a bit perplexed. "Come on now, I just spent some of the Fatui's money. Don't slander me."
"In a city of commerce, people trade more than money and goods—they exchange knowledge, memories, and perspectives. Even identities, roles, and lives."
"Though I am Morax, the Lord of Geo, I now live as Zhongli. And the emotions I experience as Zhongli are different."
"Haha, Lumine—thank you for this."
"As Zhongli, I will treasure the memories of traveling with you through Liyue."
Lumine nodded. "It was a good journey."
Zhongli agreed. "Indeed. As long as we travel together, there will always be a day when we must part."
Paimon nodded too. "Well, maybe it's time we set off again—to continue looking for the rest of the Seven."
Fu Ning smiled. "No matter what, those we meet on the journey will return in the days ahead."