He changed Tiwat

Before entering the ruins, they passed through a long, narrow tunnel in the dark. At that time, the group was using emergency light sources such as tinderboxes for illumination, and they could not see the environment inside the tunnel very clearly. Moreover, Yelan had everyone turn off the lights before opening the door. However, Han Fulai still managed to see the rock element mark on the door in a brief moment.

"This is a relic left behind by a Geo Archon before the Demon God War, and both Pantarone and Lady Ningguang wanted to obtain this Archon's treasure. Miss Yelan, am I right?"

Ye Lan opened her mouth, but ultimately chose to remain silent. It was one thing for Han Fulai to guess something, but quite another for her to confirm it with her own mouth.

Han Fulai smiled at Ye Lan's reaction and did not force her to speak.

As a time traveler, his understanding of the Qingxupu Ruins was actually far greater than Ye Lan and the others imagined, even surpassing that of Gan Yu, the over three-thousand-year-old permanent secretary of the Yuehaiting. Gan Yu only knew that Qingxupu had once been the territory of the Ruotu Dragon King, who had once caused a great disturbance there, but Han Fulai knew about the events before the Ruotu Dragon King took control of Qingxupu.

He remembered that in the game, the treasure chest in Qingxupu was obtained by activating five Geo Enchanters. And now, he had found a Geo Enchanter on the gate of the ruins, which was clearly not a coincidence.

Moreover, as a player, he had also read an adventurer's log in the game, which was "Roald's Log: Qingxupu," written by Roald, the most famous clumsy person in the game who lost things wherever he went.

He also remembered that Roald had written the following in his journal:

"Legend has it that these ruins existed before the Geo Archon took control of Liyue. The area around Lisha was submerged by a great flood during the era of the war between the demons. At that time, the rocky mountains were just small islands that emerged above the water. When the war subsided, Lisha was scattered by the sea, and the ancient buildings left by the ancestors were revealed."

"At the Wangshu Inn, I met a scholar of Sumeru named Soraya. She was quite knowledgeable about the ruins of Lisha Suburbs and couldn't stop talking about it. According to her, these ruins were left by a demon god whose name is now unknown and his followers. However, the sea eventually turns into mulberry fields, and the once invincible demon god was defeated. The tall ancient capital fortresses and temples left by our ancestors were abandoned and became the Qingxupu of today."

Combining this information, Han Fulai has arrived at a highly credible hypothesis—

The Qingxupu Ruins are the temple of a rock-type demon god from 3,700 years ago.

If this is the premise—why did Nightlan and the Fatui investigate this ruin, and why did they silence anyone who might know its secrets? Why were Pantarone and Ningguang, the two richest people in Teyvat, so enamored with this ruin? What precious treasure did that Geo Archon leave behind that would make these two powerful figures, who could influence the entire Teyvat economy, fight over it?

The answer is obvious.

Han Fulai's expression turned unusually serious.

"Zhiyi, I heard you say something before, 'I never want to bow down to anyone again.' That's what you really mean, isn't it?"

Zhiyi paused for a moment, then nodded just as seriously.

He knew that Vice Minister Han wouldn't save him for nothing. He had a premonition that he might soon face a life-or-death decision.

“You are just like I used to be. For a long time, I had the same thoughts as you. But it’s hard to ‘not bow down to anyone’.”

Han Fulai recalled his past as a corporate slave.

"Actually, many people share the same thoughts as you. Living in this world, we will always find that sometimes, money can be earned, but you have to kneel down. And sometimes, even kneeling down... you still can't earn money."

Zhiyi bit his lip. He remembered Yusupov's words: "For a starving stray dog, just one bone is enough to keep it guarding the house for a lifetime."

He sold his dignity, he sold his conscience, and all he got in return was... to become a dog in other people's eyes. A lowly, stray dog.

“I know this is unfair. But fairness never falls from the sky; it is earned through sacrifice.”

Han Fulai sat there, looking up at Zhiyi. Zhiyi stood ramrod straight, no longer wanting to lower his head.

“I spent a long time reviewing your planning document repeatedly. Your planning document is very well written, with solid investigation, in-depth research, and careful consideration. Even I wouldn’t have done a better job than you. I even believe that you could have done a good job in my position. I’m just a little luckier than you.”

"Your luck wasn't too bad; you met Uncle Tian... but you went down the wrong path. Uncle Tian gave you a bite to eat when you were starving, and he has been mentoring and nurturing you all along. To you, he is both a teacher and a father, yet you repay kindness with enmity. You even cooperated with the Fools to climb the ranks, poisoning the current leader of the Celestial Star and engaging in espionage with the Fools to harm Liyue's interests. For these two acts alone, you should be sentenced to death for treason."

“I know. I also know that you will give me a chance.” Zhiyi’s voice was very calm.

"Yes, I will give you a choice. I am about to say something to you, and once you hear it, there will be no turning back. You can choose whether to listen to me and work for me, or to return to Liyue Harbor with Miss Yelan now. For Uncle Tian's sake, Lady Ningguang may be willing to help you commut your death sentence to life imprisonment." Han Fulai's voice was equally calm.

"Hearing this, even if I do things for you, I might die, right?" Zhiyi asked.

“Yes.” Han Fulai said bluntly, “But as the deputy head of Yuehaiting and the successor of the Rock King Emperor, I give you a guarantee: if you can do what I ask you to do, no one will ever make you bow down again. You can doubt me, and you can try to betray me... as long as you feel you won’t regret it.”

Zhiyi lifted the hem of his robe and knelt down in front of Han Fulai.

"Vice Minister Han, please speak. I am all ears."

"Very well. I entrust you to pass on a message to Mr. Pantalone, the ninth executive officer of the Fools of the Winter Kingdom, the founder of the Northern Bank, and the 'Rich Man'—"

Han Fulai looked directly into Zhiyi's eyes, and the latter silently met his gaze.

"—'The method for creating Mora is buried beneath the ruins of Qingxupu.'"

"That's it. I'm done."

"Ah..." Ke Qing, standing to the side, stared in shock with her mouth half open, wanting to say something, but only felt that her mind was a mess.

"Sigh..." Ye Lan sighed deeply. She knew that things had already taken an irreversible turn. Just as Han Fulai had said before, he was in control in this game.

Shen He remained calm as she observed everything unfold. She knew that her Han-gege was doing something important, and all she had to do was believe in him and support him.

"May I ask Vice Minister Han your purpose in doing this?" Zhiyi looked up at Han Fulai.

"My goal is simple: to enable everyone in this world to stand tall and make money. I hope you can do the same," Han Fulai said with a smile.

"So, what are your plans for the future?" Zhiyi continued to ask.

"You will work as the successor of Tian Shu Star for half a month. During this time, Miss Ye Lan will cooperate in coercing Theofan and at the same time restart the investigation into you. At that time, please take this sentence you heard today with you and defect to Zhi Dong. The 'rich man' should be very happy to see you. With your talent, you will surely be highly appreciated in Zhi Dong."

“These two weeks… are the time I’m giving you to say goodbye to Uncle Tian,” Han Fulai said slowly. “I once heard a hero who was ready to die say something like this: ‘I’m not afraid of dying, I’m afraid that the people I love won’t know why I died.’ If you die, I hope Uncle Tian knows why you died.”

"Thank you, Vice Minister Han." Zhiyi bowed respectfully to Han Fulai.

Han Fulai stood up, helped Zhiyi up, turned around and picked up the two wine glasses on the table, tossing one to Zhiyi.

The wine glass was naturally empty, and besides, there might be poison in it... Zhiyi stood there holding the empty wine glass, at a loss.

Han Fulai smiled and raised the empty wine glass in his hand to him.

"The fortune teller said I have 'everyone has their own unique talents,' and I really like that saying. I believe that in this world, life and death are decisions for oneself. You've been with me the shortest time, and your background is the cleanest. How you choose your path... you have to decide for yourself."

"May you have a smooth journey in the Kingdom of Winter Solstice, cheers, future Executor of the Fools!"

Two empty wine glasses clinked together in mid-air with a "snap".

A tear slid down Zhiyi's cheek.

The tear fell into the empty wine glass with a "smack".

Half a month later, Zhiyi, the successor of Tian Shu Star, conspired with the Fools to poison and kill the former Tian Shu Star, Yun Tian. After the plot was exposed, he fled to the Winter Kingdom in a panic.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: How Long Are the Days of Traveling Together Left?

In the Qunyu Pavilion, Ningguang listened carefully to the recording presented by Yelan.

After a long silence, she sighed softly.

"'As the Deputy Head of Yuehai Pavilion and the successor of the Rock King Emperor, I give you a guarantee: if you can do what I ask of you, no one will ever be able to make you bow down again.'... He said those words to me. He has grown to this point as well..."

Ye Lan was leaning against the bookshelves in Ning Guang's study, admiring the antique collection in Ning Guang's room with great interest. Upon hearing Ning Guang's words, she couldn't help but chuckle: "Heh, the way you're talking makes you sound like an 'older sister'."

"So what if it looks like me? So what if it doesn't?" Ningguang's phoenix eyes flickered slightly as she glanced at Yelan.

Ye Lan shook her head. "This isn't like you. You've never been the kind of woman who would do something for someone else."

"Oh?" Ningguang raised an eyebrow.

“Since the Golden House stopped production, I’ve explored the Qingxupu Ruins five times in the past three months. How many injuries did I sustain to obtain the information? How much effort did we put into controlling Zhiyi and setting up this scheme? Now that he’s used Zhiyi to do Uncle Tian a favor, what about our plans for the Fools? Are you really willing to part with the demon god’s remains at the bottom of Qingxupu?” Ye Lan’s barrage of questions was relentless, clearly revealing her deep resentment.

Of course, not only was her meticulously planned scheme disrupted just before it was about to succeed, but she also suffered a beating for no reason. No matter how magnanimous Ye Lan was, she would still hold a grudge.

Moreover, she has already written Han Fulai's name down in her little notebook.

Ningguang smiled. "It's alright. The Demon God's Remains were originally intended to deal with the Golden House's production halt. Now that Han is in charge of the 'Liyue Coin - Mora' system, this matter can be postponed. Qingxu Pool won't just disappear into thin air... I can eat the meat that's right in front of me whenever I want."

"As for Zhiyi's matter... since he is confident, let him do it."

"Heh, I didn't realize you spoiled him so much." Ye Lan said sarcastically. "Have you ever thought about it? Zhi Yi is a wolf in sheep's clothing. If you let him go to Zhi Dong, where the world is vast and thousands of miles away, how will you control him? If Zhi Yi really betrays you, in time, Li Yue will have another formidable enemy!"

“That’s where you’re wrong, Yelan.” Ningguang smiled. “If you doubt someone, don’t use them; if you use someone, don’t doubt them.”

“I would believe it if others said that, but you… hey, you seem to have forgotten who asked me to investigate this Deputy Minister Han in the first place.”

Ye Lanbi raised an eyebrow, looking Ningguang's face up and down. She really wanted to reach out and poke Ningguang's face to see just how thick-skinned Ningguang was.

“I still remember what you said to me when we failed a mission before—'Using spies without suspicion is the first mistake; being greedy and impetuous is the second mistake; misjudging the situation is the third mistake! An accident? Ye Lan, your victory or defeat was decided by an accident?'...Why can't you say these things to your 'Little Han'?”

“Because you are different people.” Ningguang said calmly. “I’m talking about you because I believe you are capable of doing better. I’m not talking about him because I know what he wants to do—as long as Zhiyi can deliver that message to Pantalone, Pantalone will step into the trap even if he knows it’s a trap. You and I both know that Pantalone will never give up his pursuit of ‘Mora’.”

"As for Zhiyi... do you know who inspired my method of using Zhiyi as bait?"

"...It's him?" Ye Lan frowned.

“If necessary, I believe he will harden his heart and say, ‘Please, Young Master Zhiyi, offer your head.’” Ningguang smiled and gestured with her pipe to her neck. “Even if he can’t be ruthless, you can help him be ruthless, can’t you?”

Ye Lan thought of Shen He beside Han Fulai and felt a chill run down her spine. She raised her hands and said, "Let me make this clear first, I will refuse any physical labor. I don't think I can control him."

“That’s not what I meant… never mind.” Ningguang smiled and shook her head.

"Just continue according to the plan I set beforehand. After all, I, Ningguang, only know one move."

“‘Raising an army for a thousand days, using it for one day.’... Sigh, you’re always like this, always planning things out in the long term, but the longer the time goes on, the more likely things are to change. We used to say that ‘only Mora and Moonsea Pavilion are eternal in Liyue,’ but both ‘Mora’ and ‘Moonsea Pavilion’ have changed now.” Yelan looked helpless.

"Since neither Mora nor Moonsea will last forever, Liyue will also face change. This unprecedented upheaval will affect everyone the same way... I believe I have already secured the most advantageous position in this transformation."

When Ningguang said these words, her expression was perfectly calm, as if it were all perfectly natural. Even Yelan, who had known her for many years, had to admire her unwavering confidence.

“Alright. After I finish dealing with Uncle Tian’s matter, I’ll head to the Layered Rock Abyss. I’ll do my best, but don’t get your hopes up too high… anything involving Kanria is always a recipe for trouble.” Ye Lan shook her head, looking reluctant.

Ningguang moved gracefully closer to Yelan and tapped the Eye of God on Yelan's waist with her pipe.

"No matter how many obstacles you encounter, as long as you live, you will be the ultimate winner... 'The Magician in the Rock Tea House,' 'The Extraordinary Lord Yelan.' I will always have faith in you."

"Alright, alright, no matter how much you flatter me, I'll still leave work when it's time to leave."

Ye Lan blushed slightly and turned her face away.

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work." Ningguang nodded.

After Ye Lan left, Ning Guang was left alone in the study of Qunyu Pavilion.

Ningguang casually lit the cigarette in her hand and brought the mouthpiece to her lips.

In fact, Ningguang rarely smokes. For her, holding and playing with the tobacco stick is just a habitual action when she is thinking. She only needs the help of tobacco when she is struggling to make a decision.

The firelight flickered, and white smoke curled upwards.

She was thinking of Han Fulai.

When he first arrived in Liyue and was penniless, she made an investment.

This investment has now yielded substantial returns.

But while the returns exceeded expectations, something else also exceeded expectations.

On the day of the invocation ceremony, was it right or wrong for me to lead him into the realm of thought of the seven ruling powers in the mortal world?

"Let everyone in this world stand tall and make money." Han Fulai's words to Zhiyi still resonate.

She recalled that a few days earlier, at the Seven Stars Conference, Han Fulai held a sword without an edge and recited a poem.

"...traversing ten thousand miles from north to south, when will the thunderous roar sound?"

Ningguang softly repeated the poem, and before she knew it, the fire had gone out and the tobacco had burned out.

Ningguang sighed softly.

"I wonder how much longer we have left to travel together."

Chapter Thirty-Eight: That Kid Surpasses His Master

The day after Han Fulai returned to Liyue Harbor following the Qingxu Ruins incident, he received another invitation from Uncle Tian to meet at the Rock Tea House.

Although the atmosphere between Ye Lan, the owner of the Rock Tea House, and Han Fulai was somewhat awkward, Han Fulai honestly didn't want to go to Ye Lan's territory and provoke her. However, since Uncle Tian had made an appointment with him, he had no choice but to go, and he should also report the matter to Uncle Tian.

When Han Fulai went up to the second floor of the Yanshang Tea House, he saw a green figure.

"...The remaining poison has been cleared. However, the damage to the body caused by the toxins will probably not be recovered overnight."

Bai Shu's voice remained gentle, carrying that unwavering composure. In contrast, Miss Huixin's voice sounded quite anxious.

"Mr. Bai Shu, my father, he... he might..."

"Heh, there's no need to worry too much," Bai Shu said with a smile, waving her hand reassuringly. "Just follow the prescription, get the medicine, and take it every day. You should be completely cured in two or three months at most. Luckily, it was discovered early, and the toxins hadn't invaded your internal organs..."

"I didn't expect they could find such a rare poisonous creature. Those Fools have quite the connections! It's a pity they ran into us; they're just unlucky." A shrill, thin voice rang out. The "person" speaking was the small snake around Bai Shu's neck, "Chang Sheng."

Although the snake spoke, Uncle Tian and Huixin didn't seem very surprised, which suggests that they were already familiar with Bai Shu.

"Uncle, we'll take our leave now. Please remember not to get too excited during this time and get plenty of rest."

Bai Shu heard footsteps behind him and knew that Uncle Tian had a visitor. He bowed slightly.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Thank you all." Uncle Tian nodded repeatedly as he saw Bai Shu off.

When Bai Shu turned around, Han Fulai greeted him, "Mr. Bai Shu, it's been a long time."

Upon seeing that it was Han Fulai, Bai Zhu paused slightly.