Following Xiao through the skies,
Venti was finally taken to the summit of Mt. Tianheng.
Zhongli had already prepared wine and refreshments there.
But the moment Venti saw this, he gulped nervously and spoke awkwardly:
"Old man… this isn't necessary, right? I didn't mean to overhear anything… there's no need for a kill-and-silence situation, is there?"
Zhongli raised his eyes and glanced at Venti. Xiao had already slipped away the moment Venti said that.
He wouldn't dare stay when Zhongli was in a bad mood.
If someone said "slap your ancestors" to anyone else, Xiao might not care.
But if it was directed at his own Archon…
Hearing someone badmouth his boss in front of him? That's a problem waiting to happen.
Zhongli gestured for Venti to sit, which only made Venti more anxious.
"Come on, old man, why come after me and not go after Azhdaha? I swear I won't breathe a word of this!"
Zhongli set down his teacup and said softly,
"We've been friends for thousands of years. In your eyes, am I truly that petty?"
"No way, no way! How could you possibly be petty, old man?"
Obviously, he's a petty dragon!
Venti gave a dry chuckle, divine power quietly stirring—ready to bolt at the slightest sign of trouble.
Zhongli looked at him calmly and then suddenly said, with meaning:
"I trust your character. But you should also know: the nature of bards is to exaggerate and sing of things far and wide."
"That's other bards!"
Venti patted his chest seriously and said with a straight face:
"You know me best, old man! I'm such a reliable guy—how could I ever exaggerate things like that? I've got standards!"
Zhongli didn't comment.
This guy? Standards?
Does he even know how to spell the word?
He stole the Cryo Archon's staff and replaced it with a hilichurl's torch.
Tampered with his contracts.
Drank and slept in Fontaine's courtroom, the symbol of justice and fairness.
Poured water into Natlan's sacred volcano—calling it "fire prevention"…
If this guy has standards, then Zhongli might as well let Azhdaha really slap his ancestors.
Still, as old friends, Zhongli was willing to let him save some face—as long as Venti returned the favor.
Strands of divine power gathered, and a dazzling contract manifested in the air.
"I trust you," Zhongli said as he sipped his tea. "But I trust contracts more."
"Some matters, some words, are best left to rot in your gut under the seal of a contract. Don't you agree?"
Zhongli wore a benevolent expression, but divine power was already wrapped tightly around Venti.
If he dared say one word of protest, Zhongli would dig up every ancient transgression he ever committed.
Venti swallowed hard.
"A… a divine power contract? Old man, you really…"
He was about to complain, but seeing Zhongli's gaze, he instantly changed tone:
"As expected of the God of Contracts! Such integrity—I pale in comparison! To show my utmost respect, I'll sign!"
With a look of despair, Venti signed his name.
There went the most important stanza in his bardic ballad of the tragic feud between Azhdaha and the Geo Archon…
Zhongli, satisfied, tucked the contract away and brought out a bottle of fine aged wine.
At the sight of it, Venti instantly forgot all his gloom, happily hugging the bottle and drinking away.
After all, Zhongli rarely drank during times like this—this was clearly hush money.
And Venti had no intention of being polite.
They'd been friends for thousands of years—if anyone knew how vast Zhongli's wine collection was, it'd be him.
It's just that he didn't dare to steal from it…
Then Zhongli suddenly asked in a quiet voice:
"What do you think… of the Lion of the South Wind? Is she fit to lead Mondstadt now?"
Venti's smile faded slightly.
"Jean, huh… I believe in her. She's still a bit green, but she's growing fast. No one is more suited to guide Mondstadt."
He gave a self-deprecating smile.
"But what right do I, the derelict God of Wind, have to evaluate her? I couldn't even protect my own people…"
Thinking of the Doctor again, Venti's eyes flared with killing intent.
Don't think that just because the God of Freedom cherishes peace, he won't kill.
During the Archon War, many perished by his hand.
The first generation of Fatui Harbingers? None of them were easy to deal with.
They all clawed their way to power through blood and fire.
But that was then. Time had worn them down.
"You were gravely wounded and in slumber, yes. But dereliction is still dereliction."
Zhongli gently shook his head, his gaze turning sorrowful.
"But it's not just you…"
"I too… made a grave mistake."
Perhaps to the people of Liyue, Zhongli had no choice back then. He had to go.
They understood.
But as an Archon—as a god who loved his people—Zhongli couldn't say he was blameless.
He had failed.
The adepti suffered grievous losses. Bosacius was trapped and died.
The Millelith were nearly wiped out. Countless civilians perished.
Even if he had a thousand reasons…
Failing to protect his people—just that one reason—was already unforgivable to him.
His decision to step down now was not without guilt for the past.
The two of them sat in silence.
Shame for their people. Hatred for Celestia.
Had it not been for Celestia's destruction of Khaenri'ah 500 years ago, forcing them into a doomsday struggle—
Would the Archons have suffered so?
Would the seven nations have been overrun with dark beasts?
Khaenri'ah was guilty, but Celestia was the true architect of tragedy.
The two didn't speak further. They simply drank tea and wine in quiet understanding.
....
"Jean, that's not the answer I wanted to hear—nor the one everyone else is hoping for. Face the question directly."
Jean's gaze flickered, and she shook her head.
"I don't know what you're talking about. It's late. I'll go transcribe my notes. You all should rest."
Seeing that Jean still refused to speak openly, Lisa raised her voice slightly.
"If you don't say it, Jean, I'll leave Mondstadt. I'll take up permanent residence in Liyue and continue researching that world from there."
Jean froze, silently turning her back to Lisa and the others.
"Jean… I don't want to pressure you."
Lisa let out a soft sigh.
"But I'm in Mondstadt because you're my friend—and because it's my homeland."
"Jean, Mondstadt needs a leader who truly understands and cares for her. It needs a Knights of Favonius dedicated wholeheartedly to this city."
"And only you can do that. You are the Lion of the South Wind, one of the destined Four Winds. You were always meant to shoulder the burden of the Knights and carry Mondstadt forward."
"Even if we take a huge step back—do you think Ningguang and the others will ever agree to cooperate with a chaotic, unstable order like our current Knights?"
Beside her, Diluc's eyes lit up slightly. He quietly gave Lisa a look of approval.
Diluc disliked the Knights of Favonius. Perhaps even despised them.
That hatred stemmed from the rot festering within the upper ranks.
But if Jean was truly willing to become Grand Master, to take full command and purge the corruption from within…
Diluc would give her his full support.
Even if he still thought Jean's methods were a bit too soft, he knew deep down: only with Jean at the helm could Mondstadt begin to heal.
Because Jean was the one who truly, selflessly devoted her life to Mondstadt.
She loved this land more than anyone.
"You already know how corrupt the higher-ups are," Lisa continued. "There's no way Ningguang and her allies would agree to work with them."
"But the contract's already been signed. You're the one officially guiding Mondstadt now. If the corrupt leadership returns to reclaim their power…"
"How can we guarantee Liyue won't be enraged? How can we be sure they won't step in and suppress Mondstadt by force?"
Jean clenched her teeth and said coldly:
"I will deal with the corruption one by one. Those behind what happened back then… I'll make them atone for the lives of those children!"
"That's not enough!"
Lisa's voice rose sharply, firm and decisive:
"You must become the true Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius! You must take control of Mondstadt!"
"Only then can we prevent more tragedies from happening!"
At her words, Jean suddenly turned around.
"Lisa! Mondstadt is a nation of freedom! No one has the right to interfere with that freedom!"
"So unrestrained freedom—can that really make Mondstadt stronger?!"
Diluc stood up, locking eyes with Jean.
"Look at what's become of Mondstadt these past few years! We cling to freedom, and our people live in hardship! We cling to freedom, and the Grand Master led the main force away on an expedition!"
"We cling to freedom, and we let the Fatui move in without resistance!"
"We cling to so-called freedom, and we can't even muster the strength to clear out monsters!"
"This is the happiness brought by freedom?! Why is it that despite clinging to freedom, Mondstadt's people can't even live a hundredth as well as Liyue's?"
"Is this freedom—or is it just indulgence? The Mondstadt I see is a city of overgrown infants who only know how to take!"
Jean remained silent.
Seeing this, Lisa added:
"Jean, freedom is not wrong. But freedom isn't the same as indulgence. No one should be pulling the reins too tight—but someone must walk ahead and lead the way."
"Mondstadt can't continue weakening like this. And you're the only one who can stop it."
Jean lowered her head, emotions twisting inside her.
After a long silence, she turned wearily and walked toward the door.
"I'll think it over carefully… But those rotten leaders—I will destroy them."
"Mondstadt owes that to the children who died!"
Watching the normally composed and responsible Acting Grand Master looking so defeated, Lumine couldn't help but worry.
"Lisa… will Jean be alright?"
"She'll be fine."
Lisa shook her head, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"There's an old Liyue saying—'grave illness requires strong medicine.' Things are different now."
"Jean will come around. Only she can truly carry Mondstadt forward."
She paused, then smiled teasingly:
"You're an honorary knight now, Lumine—a part of the Knights. So tell me, who do you think is more qualified to lead Mondstadt? Jean, or Grand Master Varka?"
"Of course it's Jean!"
Lumine answered without hesitation.
"Jean cares deeply about Mondstadt. That so-called Grand Master just ran off on an expedition out of hot-blooded idealism. No matter how you look at it, Jean is more suited to be our guide."
Lisa chuckled and gently patted Lumine's head.
"Exactly… Seems that's the general consensus in the Knights too."
"And the people of Mondstadt, though they value freedom, they're not blind. They know who truly deserves to lead this city."
"The only one who doesn't see it is Jean herself—or maybe she's just too rigid to allow herself to think that way…"
Lisa paused, then said softly:
"And right now… we don't have time to wait."
"She needs to make a decision. This is our best chance."
Lumine more or less understood what Lisa and the others were aiming for, but still voiced a concern:
"But… can Jean really stand against Mondstadt's main expeditionary force?"
At that, Lisa chuckled and shook her head.
"Never underestimate Mondstadt."
~~----------------------
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