Lu Heng invited Zhongli to sit down and have tea.
He knew Zhongli, but Zhongli didn't know much about him. It was only through Venti's introduction that they became acquainted.
Though Venti didn't know Lu Heng all that well either.
After getting to know each other, Lu Heng's mindset was quite calm.
Compared to Zhongli's melancholy, Venti was clearly more upset.
He thought to himself, Even if I'm not doing well, my brother's rich!
With the bond between us brothers, surely he'd lend me a hand, right?
But then—
Hey!
Guess what?
The rich brother's down on his luck too!
You're Morax!
You literally produce Mora!
This was like hearing the bank responsible for printing money had gone bankrupt.
Bro, how does that even make sense?
But Zhongli obviously wouldn't joke about something so absurd.
Venti scratched his head and let out a long sigh, his gaze drifting toward Zhongli's face every now and then.
Zhongli couldn't take it anymore under his scrutiny.
"I… sigh."
He wanted to explain but found himself powerless.
His expression was complicated, his heart filled with regret.
Choosing to live as Zhongli, a mortal, meant he had already begun adapting to a human life.
In other words, when Old Master Hu invited him to be a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli already had plans in mind.
However, at that time, he could still "rein in at the brink of the precipice."
But two months ago… he signed a contract with the Tsaritsa.
The content of the contract?
Let the Fatui Harbingers stir up trouble in Liyue, using the opportunity to test how Liyue would handle a crisis without him.
His intentions were good.
After all, he'd nurtured Liyue for 3,700 years—surely it had grown up enough to stand on its own.
But once this contract was set in motion… even if the Gnosis was still in his possession and he retained the ability to produce Mora, Zhongli couldn't do it.
Because alongside this contract, he had also made a vow to himself.
The gist of it was: Once the contract with the Tsaritsa is executed and completed, I will fully relinquish my position as an Archon.
As the God of Contracts, the first rule was to abide by one's own contracts.
If he broke his own contract, it would be like "a backlash against one's Dao Heart" in the concept of cultivation.
A wavering Dao Heart would breed inner demons, hinder future progress, and mean abandoning one's own "path."
So, what could Zhongli do?
He had to swallow the consequences of his own actions.
After hearing Zhongli's explanation, Venti clicked his tongue in amazement.
"That's like cutting off your own arm."
Before the card shop existed, Zhongli's decision wouldn't have mattered much.
But now?
This was more than just cutting off an arm.
"Let's not talk about this anymore." Zhongli shook his head.
The Zhongli of two months ago was still too naive.
Why didn't I think it through more carefully?
What's done is done… might as well drink tea.
"It's just that the old man's sense of morality is too strong." Venti shrugged.
If it were him… heh, what does freedom stand for?
I can sign contracts, but whether I fulfill them or not is up to me!
I may have no morals, but at least I'm having fun!
Too bad.
Venti sighed.
Success and failure both stem from morality.
Why did everyone love making contracts with Morax?
Because he actually honored them—he would never unilaterally break or renege on a deal.
But now… he tripped himself up. Hahaha!!
Venti was already laughing gleefully at Zhongli's misfortune.
"How much do you earn at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?" Lu Heng asked.
"No salary." Zhongli shook his head lightly.
"Pfft—!"
"Not a single Mora! Hahaha!"
Zhongli replied calmly, "The Director allows me to take money from the Parlor as needed."
"...?"
Venti laughed so hard he nearly choked, spitting out his tea onto the ground beside him.
"Wait, old man, you're working for free? That's just unpaid labor! At least I earn some Mora from busking!"
Then, his laughter abruptly froze.
Are you even speaking the same language?
"No, you… huh?" Venti was baffled, utterly shocked.
"I truly have no salary."
Zhongli smiled faintly. "By the way, why aren't you laughing anymore? Are you unhappy?"
Venti: "..."
He didn't feel like talking to Zhongli anymore and turned to Lu Heng instead.
"Boss Lu, do you think this is reasonable?"
"Existence implies reason." Lu Heng didn't want to judge.
After all, Old Master Hu knew a bit about Zhongli's true identity and had entrusted him with her legacy.
Isn't it normal to have unlimited access to the treasury?
If this were a royal court, it'd be like "the emperor's private vault is open for the taking!"
Mora?
Hu Tao might grumble about it, but she didn't actually care that much.
Besides, Zhongli had an impeccable memory—he remembered events from thousands of years ago, was knowledgeable in all fields, and thus highly valued by Hu Tao.
Places to eat?
Wanmin Restaurant, Xinyue Kiosk, Liuli Pavilion.
Places to drink tea?
Heyu Teahouse, Yanshang Teahouse…
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business had no competitors—it was a monopoly!
So, while Director Hu's achievements might seem modest, in a way, she was rolling in Mora!
"Boring, I'm done!" Venti sighed.
His mood had been on a rollercoaster.
First, he feared his brother was suffering too much.
Then, he feared his brother was living too lavishly.
But in the end?
Not only did Zhongli cut off his own arm, he wasn't even driving a luxury car!
"Damn it all!" Venti gritted his teeth.
Zhongli remained unbothered, composed as ever.
Even if he couldn't mint Mora for himself… he really wasn't short on funds!
"I brought 360,000 Mora with me."
"Mr. Lu, may I try my luck first?" Zhongli looked at Lu Heng.
"Of course, this way." Lu Heng gestured politely.
Zhongli bought two phones in less flashy colors and two charging docks.
Clearly, like Tartaglia, he was thinking of his boss.
After spending 40,000 Mora, Zhongli kept 20,000 and recharged a full 300,000 Mora.
Then, he prepared to start pulling.
Venti watched from the side.
His expression wasn't calm—in fact, it looked a little strange.
Lu Heng had seen pre-made meals before, but this was his first time seeing a pre-made laugh.
He'd bet anything that if Zhongli's pulls went poorly, Venti would burst out laughing instantly.
Zhongli tapped the first 10-pull.
Nothing.
Another 10-pull.
Still nothing.
Final 10-pull.
"Haha, that's totally normal!"
Though he'd never pulled cards himself, he'd seen enough to know.
Venti laughed heartily, trying to console him.
"It's fine, it's fine! We'll just try again next time!"
"It seems great power isn't so easily obtained."
Zhongli mused, "300,000 Mora for a decent Tier 3 card… that's still decent luck."
"Any gain is a good thing." Lu Heng said.
"Indeed." Zhongli nodded in agreement.
"What about you?"
Lu Heng turned to Venti. "The shop's all set up. Tartaglia even wants to challenge you after some prep. What do you say? Surely you've got some spare Mora hidden away?"
"Me?"
Venti smirked.
Just as Zhongli expected him to say something befitting an Archon's dignity—
He deadpanned: "I'll just lie on the ground and extort him for medical fees!"
Genius.
Zhongli's face was the epitome of "subway-surfing old man."
"Wouldn't you need to get beaten up first to make it convincing?" Lu Heng pondered.
"Not only will I get medical fees, I'll make him pay an appearance fee too!"
"Now that's how you do business." Zhongli fell silent for a moment.
He quietly filed this away for future use.
Just in case.
"Gotta make money somehow—no shame in it!"
Venti waved it off, then stood up. "Enough chit-chat, I'm heading back! I'll return later!"
He was going to inform Mondstadt.
"Looking forward to good news." Lu Heng smiled.
A gentle breeze swept through, scattering Venti's form like dandelion seeds as he vanished.
And people say this guy got caught and slapped by La Signora?
No wonder Mondstadt has Cider Lake—it's all the water Venti let loose!
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T/N:
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