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Chapter 64: Zhongli and Childe
🕑 Added 2025-04-13 07:01:01 +0000 UTCOver the next few hours, Albedo conducted various tests on Lumine, including physical, structural, combat, and willpower assessments. However, aside from her ability to wield elemental power without a Vision, Lumine seemed no different from an ordinary inhabitant of Teyvat.
"So, any research breakthroughs?" Paimon asked curiously, looking at the silent Albedo. She also wanted to know how outlanders differed from the people of Teyvat.
"Based on the current findings," Albedo paused, and Lumine and Paimon held their breaths, waiting for his answer.
"The Honorary Knight is no different from an ordinary person, aside from her ability to use elemental power without a Vision."
"..."
The anticipation on their faces turned to disappointment. Paimon even complained, "What? After all that testing, this is all we get? Paimon is exhausted!"
Lumine, on the other hand, was speechless. What are you tired for? I was the one doing all the tests! What do you have to be tired about?
"Honorary Knight, the energy you extracted from the ice disappeared in your hand. Was it absorbed by you?" Albedo stroked his chin, asking Lumine, who was still disappointed. If the energy was indeed absorbed by her, it meant there were aspects the tests hadn't covered. But if not...
"No," Lumine shook her head. "It was absorbed by an item inside me."
"I see. Understood," Albedo nodded, not pressing further. It seemed the Honorary Knight's ability to extract and absorb this energy was likely related to Yun Fan, making it less relevant for his research.
"Then, Honorary Knight and Paimon, rest here for the night. I'll guide you over the mountain at first light tomorrow."
Liyue Harbor...
"Hahaha, Mr. Zhongli, let me toast you." At Liuli Pavilion, Childe, the Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui, raised his glass to Zhongli, who sat across from him.
Childe held great respect for Zhongli, the so-called consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. About three years ago, he had been sent by the Tsaritsa to investigate the "Divine General" in Liyue. However, the "Divine General" seemed to have appeared out of thin air, and after days of investigation, Childe had found nothing.
Feeling frustrated, he went to a teahouse to relax and listen to some opera. There, he encountered this elegant and knowledgeable man. After a conversation, Childe was surprised to find that Zhongli possessed extraordinary wisdom, not only well-versed in the tales of Rex Lapis but also offering unique insights into the newly emerged Divine General.
From then on, Childe decided to befriend him. Now, two or three years later, the two had become quite close.
"Childe, please," Zhongli raised his glass, his demeanor exuding calm and maturity, his movements graceful and refined.
Clink!
The two clinked glasses and drank. Childe picked up the wine jug again, pouring more wine as he spoke to Zhongli.
"Mr. Zhongli, with the Rite of Descension approaching, Liyue Harbor is about to get lively again," Childe remarked with some nostalgia. After spending so many years in Liyue, he had almost come to regard it as his home. If not for the Tsaritsa's recent orders to obtain Rex Lapis's Gnosis, he might have stayed here forever, bidding farewell to Snezhnaya.
"Indeed, though this year's Rite of Descension may be different," Zhongli said, taking the glass Childe handed him. His golden eyes reflected in the wine, appearing deep and mysterious.
"Oh?" Childe's interest was piqued. In the nearly three years he had been here, he had attended the Rite of Descension twice. Each time, Rex Lapis simply appeared to deliver divine decrees, outlining the direction for the coming year. It was rather dull.
"Mr. Zhongli, care to elaborate?"
"It's merely a hunch of mine. Don't take it too seriously," Zhongli shook his head, though whether his words were true or not remained unclear.
"Is that so? Let's not dwell on that. Mr. Zhongli, do you know about the Gnosis?" Childe asked, his eyes subtly observing Zhongli.
"I have heard of it," Zhongli replied calmly.
"Ancient texts mention that Rex Lapis, after winning the Archon War, was granted authority and proof by Celestia. That must be the Gnosis."
Childe was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected this consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to know about the Gnosis.
"Then, Mr. Zhongli, do you know where Rex Lapis is?"
"I am but a mere mortal. How would I know where the Lord of Geo resides? If you wish to meet him, you might as well wait for the Rite of Descension in a few days."
"Hmm, thank you for the reminder, Mr. Zhongli," Childe said, though his mind was already plotting. He couldn't just snatch the Gnosis during the Rite of Descension. Not only would he likely fail, but Liyue might declare war on Snezhnaya.
As Childe pondered, Zhongli lightly tapped the table with his finger, as if casually mentioning, "Earlier, you mentioned the Gnosis. Not long ago, I heard a rumor about it."
Childe's head snapped up, and he looked at Zhongli, who continued, "I heard that the Gnosis is no longer in Rex Lapis's possession. He has passed it to the Divine General."
"The Divine General again?" Childe thought to himself. If what Zhongli said was true, things would become complicated. If the Gnosis were in Rex Lapis's hands, he might have a chance. But if it were with the Divine General, it would be far more difficult, especially since the Fatui still hadn't uncovered the Divine General's identity.
What Childe didn't know was that the Tsaritsa had already sent the Divine General's portrait to Pierro. However, the distance between Snezhnaya and Liyue was great, and the messenger hadn't arrived yet.
As for using projection to transmit information directly, that would consume too much divine power. The Divine General's identity wasn't urgent enough to warrant such measures.
