While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun spoke, his tone tinged with weariness: "What kind of matter is this?"

True Lord Li Shui Die Shan shook his head: "It's better that the Demon God was taken away by the Abyss than that he died here."

The True Lord of Carving Mountains and Building Sunshine nodded.

Xiao put away He Puyuan and walked to Xu Chuan's side.

"Do you know that person?"

Xu Chuan shook his head: "This is the first time we've met. Ying has been looking for him."

Xiao glanced at him but didn't press the matter further.

Fluorescent stood still, staring in the direction where the void had disappeared, motionless.

Paimon flew to her side and gently tugged at her sleeve: "Ying... are you alright?"

Xu Chuan walked over and stood beside her.

He didn't speak, he just stood there quietly.

The sea breeze carried the chill of shattered ice crystals.

After a long time, Ying finally spoke.

“He’s changed.” Her voice was very soft, as if afraid the wind would hear it. “The old Kong wasn’t like this.”

Xu Chuan did not respond.

Some things don't need to be said.

Just standing by their side, providing support from behind, is the greatest comfort.

Ying looked up at the fading cloud trail in the sky.

A moment later, Xu Chuan reached out his hand to her.

"Let's go. Even if we need to figure out what that guy is up to, there's no rush."

"I will help you find the answer."

Ying paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

In the direction of Qunyu Pavilion, Ningguang was standing in the square, waiting for them to return.

Paimon followed behind, flying unsteadily, muttering to himself:

"So much happened today, I need a big meal to recover..."

Chapter 127 The Witness of the Contract

On the Qunyu Pavilion, the fierce wind gradually subsided.

The heavy dark clouds that had enveloped Liyue Harbor had finally dissipated considerably.

Rays of sunlight pierced through the gaps in the clouds, like golden swords cleaving the gray sky, falling on the ravaged sea and the edge of the dilapidated Qunyu Pavilion platform.

Ningguang stood in the center of the square, her hands clasped in front of her, the hem of her clothes fluttering gently in the wind.

Two secretaries stood behind her, one on her left and one on her right, their expressions respectful and silent.

Ke Qing and Gan Yu are long gone.

One of them went to deal with the mess at the port, and the other went to mobilize troops to seal off the sea.

Ningguang waited for the figure to return from the sea.

Golden light fell on the platform, and Xu Chuan, Ying, and Paimon landed steadily.

The immortals followed closely behind, their footsteps striking the stone slabs with a dull, drum-like rhythm.

Ningguang stepped forward and bowed slightly.

Her movements were small, but her posture was very humble.

"Thank you all for your great help."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached the ears of everyone present clearly.

"If it weren't for everyone's help, the future of Liyue Harbor... would be truly unpredictable."

"Hehe." Paimon flew out from behind Ying, a smug smile on his little face.

"In that case, shouldn't we arrange a victory celebration banquet?"

"I've heard that the chefs at Qunyu Pavilion are the best in Liyue!"

Ningguang glanced at her, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, but there was little smile in her eyes.

"Paimon will certainly not be disappointed at the victory celebration later."

Paimon immediately beamed with joy.

But the Liyue immortals are not as easy to appease as Paimon.

In the midst of a great upheaval in Liyue.

The aftermath of the passing of the Rock King Emperor had not yet subsided when the calamity of the Whirlpool Demon God arose again, leaving even the immortals feeling somewhat lost.

Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun spoke first.

"There's no need for these tired, platitudes."

She raised her head slightly, her voice not loud, but every word carried weight.

“Protecting Liyue is the duty of us immortals. It is what we should do, and we don’t need your thanks.”

Then, she changed the subject.

Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun's gaze was like a nail, fixed on Ning Guang's face.

"You can absolve yourself of any connection between the Emperor's affairs and the foolish masses."

"But the continuous calamities that have befallen Liyue Harbor make me seriously doubt whether the Seven Stars of Liyue are truly capable of managing Liyue well for the Emperor?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the square seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

The True Lord of Flowing Water and Divided Mountains remained silent, but his eyes were sharp.

The True Lord of Carving Mountains and Building Sunshine nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with the idea of ​​retaining clouds and borrowing wind.

Only Xiao stood at the very edge, leaning on Pu Yuan's shoulder; their expressions beneath the Nuo mask were unclear.

"Wow, why did they suddenly start arguing?"

Paimon shrank back and muttered under his breath, "We just finished fighting together..."

Xu Chuan patted her head and then stepped forward.

“As far as I know.” His voice was soft, but steady.

"Even Liyue, under the rule of the Geo Archon, experienced the Abyss Calamity five hundred years ago."

"In the face of natural disasters, no one can guarantee that everything will be foolproof."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Liu Yunjiefeng's face before turning to the other immortals.

"Instead of arguing about who is at fault, we should think about how to continue governing this country that has lost its gods."

Xiao, who had always been silent, stepped forward at this moment.

“I agree.” His voice was low but firm.

"I think if the Emperor were still alive, he wouldn't want to see us fighting amongst ourselves like this."

Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun remained silent for a moment, then snorted coldly: "Hmph, you've brought up the Emperor's name, I have nothing to say."

Ningguang's eyes showed gratitude, and she nodded slightly to Xu Chuan and Xiao.

Then she turned to the immortals and took a deep breath.

"You immortals have long lifespans, so why not witness what we, the Seven Stars, are doing, and see if we can lead Liyue to a better future?"

Every word she uttered was powerful and resounding.

"If Liyue at that time disappointed the immortals, we would have no face to assume the responsibility of the Seven Stars."

Ningguang only begs the immortals to give us a chance to prove ourselves.

Sincere, frank, and neither arrogant nor humble.

Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun stared at her for a long time.

"I hope you will remember what I said today."

Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun's voice turned serious, "This is the contract you made with the immortals of Liyue. If you break your promise..."

"He will surely be punished by being devoured by the rocks."

Ningguang raised her head, her pretty face radiating extreme confidence.

She and Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun uttered those words almost simultaneously.

There was no fear in Ningguang's eyes.

Only confidence in oneself, in the Seven Stars, and in the future of Liyue.

Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun withdrew his gaze and did not make things difficult for him anymore.

"It's good that you know."

Ningguang turned around and her gaze fell on Xu Chuan.

"This contract between the immortal and the Seven Stars is still missing a witness of sufficient weight."

"Lord Xu Chuan, could you do me this favor?"

"I would be delighted."

Xu Chuan did not hesitate or refuse.

This contract, with the immortal and the seven stars each holding one side, requires a third party that both sides can trust.

And he just happened to be that person.

However, he was not interested in how the immortal and the seven stars would discuss things next.

Liyue will always be Liyue of the Liyue people; he has no intention of overstepping his bounds.

Xu Chuan waved to Ning Guang and said, "I have something to do, so I'll take my leave first."

He led Ying and Paimon, then turned and headed towards the exit of the Jade Pavilion.

Paimon followed behind him, complaining under his breath, "It was the same last time... When will we finally get to eat the delicious food from Qunyu Pavilion?"

Xu Chuan turned around, glanced at her, and smiled.

"Paimon, you're such a little glutton."

After he finished speaking, he seemed to remember something, and a strange look appeared on his face.

"I've decided, from now on I'll be called Paimon the Little Glutton."

"No way!" Paimon immediately bristled, his little face turning bright red.

"That nickname is awful!"

"Take it back, or I'll give you an awful nickname too!"

"What's so awful about it?"

"Uh... I haven't decided yet, but it sounds awful!"

Seeing the two bickering, Ying's depressed mood finally improved a bit.

The gloom that had been weighing on my heart was swept away.

Her gaze fell on Xu Chuan's retreating figure.

I don't know why, but when I look at him, I always feel a sense of peace.

She had only ever experienced that feeling with her brother.

……

The three left the Jade Pavilion, walked through the streets of Liyue Harbor that were gradually returning to order, and headed straight for the Northern Bank.