He changed Tiwat

“Interesting.” Tartaglia returned the smile. “Since you’re Liyue’s intelligence expert, have you heard any information about me?”

"Which one are you referring to?" Ye Lan asked.

“The bow is actually the weapon I’m least proficient with.” D'Artagnan spread his hands apart, and the longbow transformed into two sharp, wintery blades. His eyes narrowed, and he pounced on Night Orchid, his movements so swift that even the naked eye couldn’t keep up.

Yelan rolled to the side, her hands moving without pause. In the midst of her dodge, the Arrow of Destruction in her hand had already been fully charged. The arrow shot towards Dadalia, who was rushing in front of her, and suddenly burst forth, forming a curtain of water.

"Hmph, a mere trick." Dadalia waved his hands, and the water curtain that blocked the view was instantly broken through, but Yelan's figure had already disappeared.

Acting purely on instinct, D'Artagnan thrust his twin swords behind him, immediately feeling a weight on his hands, as if he were being entangled in spider silk.

"Oh, you're the first one to be able to stop my 'Entangling Life-Sustaining Rope'." Ye Lan seemed quite surprised.

“That’s because you are destined to be my defeated opponent.” Datalia said, suddenly tensing up as if gathering strength.

Ye Lan seemed to sense something and immediately tried to leave, but it was too late.

"An opening, fleeting!" Dadalia spun around, and the water blades in his hands broke free from the threads of Night Orchid, drawing a bright line of light that resembled a full moon descending in the moonlight.

Having seized the opportunity, Dadalia did not linger. He suddenly appeared beside the two guerrillas, and in the next instant, he had one in each hand and was running away.

After a while, a graceful figure slowly emerged from the night. Ye Lan gently raised her hands and deactivated her stealth mode.

She toyed with a delicate die in her hand, tossing it up and down repeatedly.

"It's a real pity this time, but there will always be another chance."

Chapter Fifty-Five: The Emperor Protects the Entirety of Teyvat

In the study of Qunyu Pavilion.

After listening to Ningguang's words, Han Fulai pondered for a moment and replied, "It seems that Lord Ningguang is well aware of my every move. Then Lord Ningguang must also know the purpose of my visit to you."

Ningguang nodded.

"You came to find me because of the Rock King Emperor."

“I know you met the Emperor and the 'Young Master,' the executive officer of the Fools, at the Glazed Pavilion this afternoon, and I also know you agreed to help the Emperor organize the ‘Sending Immortals Ceremony.’ Don’t be surprised, I own half of the Glazed Pavilion.”

"Wait a minute..." Although Ningguang said there was no need to be surprised, Han Fulai was still surprised.

Ningguang knew that the Emperor was not dead, and that he had spoken with Zhongli and the young master, which was not surprising, but he had never called Zhongli "Emperor" in the conversation.

As if sensing Han Fulai's question, Ningguang's voice was slightly lower: "Of course I know that Mr. Zhongli is the Rock King Emperor."

“Because I have a very good memory. There are some favors I’ve always wanted to repay.” Ningguang’s face showed a look of reminiscence. “Twenty years ago, I was a little girl selling fish. This Mr. Zhongli silently watched over me as I walked from Yaoguang Beach to the South Wharf several times. Occasionally, he would even pay a high price for my fish and never haggle.”

"After I became a member of the Liyue Seven Stars, I searched for him everywhere. Later I learned that his name was Zhongli and he was a guest of the 'Hall of Rebirth'. But when I wanted to recruit him to my merchant guild as a guest, I found that he looked exactly the same as I remembered him. Twenty years had passed and he had not changed at all."

"This Mr. Zhongli knows all the stories of Liyue; his erudition is astounding. But I can't find any trace of his origins. It's as if he always appears out of thin air and disappears just as suddenly. Who else could he be?" Ningguang smiled and asked Han Fulai in return.

Han Fulai tacitly accepted Ningguang's statement.

Now that Ningguang knows this is the Emperor's intention, things are actually easier for him.

"Then Lady Ningguang will surely agree to hold the Sending-Off-Immortal Ceremony."

“I wouldn’t have stopped it in the first place.” Ningguang nodded. “Because things were already beyond repair. From the moment I learned that the Emperor was going to hold a ‘Sending Off the Immortals’ ceremony for himself, things were beyond repair.”

"What does Lady Ningguang mean?" Han Fulai frowned slightly, realizing that Ningguang's attitude was somewhat different from what he had imagined.

“Little Han, there’s something you probably already know,” Ningguang said. “The Golden House stopped producing Mora last month. At that time, the Emperor was still on the throne.”

"I know," Han Fulai nodded.

“But you don’t understand.” Ningguang shook her head. “You’re not a businesswoman, so you’re not sensitive to this. If you understood what this meant, you would have realized, like me, that things were beyond repair. I actually had a premonition that Liyue was going to lose its Emperor from the moment I heard that the Golden House had stopped production.”

"The Jade Pavilion is the second most important thing in my life." Ningguang suddenly changed the subject, "Xiao Han, do you know what's the most important thing to me?"

"Of course it's Mora." Han Fulai was no stranger to Ningguang's situation and quickly came up with the answer.

Ningguang picked up a shiny Mora from the table and held it in her hand.

“That’s right, Mora.”

"It is said that when the Emperor forged the first Mora, he said the following: 'All the silver coins circulating on the continent are my flesh and blood. In this way, I am guaranteeing all the sweat, wisdom and future of mankind. This is my trust in all living beings, and to betray it is to defile my blood.'"

“These words were told to me by Mr. Zhongli when I was a child, in the tone of a storyteller. But I have kept them in my heart ever since. I swear with my sweat, wisdom and future that I will never tarnish the flesh and blood of the Emperor. That is why I have become Ningguang today.”

As Ningguang spoke, her wine-red eyes sparkled with a captivating light. Although she was talking about something as mundane as money, Ningguang's earnest expression made one feel as if they were seeing a saint from a church.

Han Fulai had to admit that Ningguang possessed an irresistible charm.

"The Emperor is the God of Commerce and also the God of Contracts. He is the God of Commerce because he created Mora with his divine power, laying the foundation for commerce. He is the God of Contracts because he made the first 'contract' with Liyue. Little Han, do you know what that 'contract' is?"

This is a line etched into the DNA of every primitive scientist, okay? Han Fulai raised an eyebrow.

"Legend has it that when the Emperor went to war, he said, 'Although I have no intention of vying for supremacy, I know the suffering of the common people. I only wish to cleanse the four corners of the world and protect this corner of the floating world.' This was the original 'contract' of Liyue," Han Fulai replied.

“Indeed, this is the greatest contract the Emperor has ever made. When he said ‘protect a corner of the floating world,’ he was referring not only to Liyue, but to the entire continent of Teyvat; and the people he spoke of were not just the citizens of Liyue, but all the people of the world!”

With a slight exertion of her hand, Ningguang sent the Mora leaping from her palm, spinning and tumbling in the air.

"The Emperor protects all living beings under Heaven using this Mora."

“Long ago, the currencies used in different countries and regions of Teyvat were not all the same, but the Emperor forged the precious metal Mora with his divine power and flesh and blood, and everyone can understand the value of Mora.”

"Mora is the only circulating currency on the continent of Teyvat, the unified currency of the seven kingdoms. Do you know what that means?" Ningguang asked.

Although Han Fulai majored in Chinese literature, he still had some knowledge of general economic concepts.

"Since Mora is the unified currency of the Teyvat continent, it eliminates the hassle of exchanging different currencies between different countries, making cross-border trade very convenient, and international trade and investment will flourish. Any traded goods can participate in market competition across the entire Teyvat continent, bringing prosperous commerce. Moreover, since Mora can be used wherever there are people, migration between different countries becomes very simple, which is conducive to population mobility."

“Yes, that’s why the Emperor is called the God of Commerce. It can be said that the commercial prosperity of the entire Teyvat continent comes from the Emperor,” Ningguang said.

"For over three thousand years, Mora has circulated among the seven kingdoms. Currency naturally suffers losses in circulation, and as a precious catalyst for alchemy, Mora is also consumed on the alchemists' synthesis tables. At the same time, the continuous development and prosperity of commerce expands market demand, thus requiring more currency. Therefore, the minting of coins in the Golden House has never stopped for over three thousand years."

“As a merchant, if I were the Emperor, possessing the sole right to mint coins on the continent of Teyvat, do you know what I would do?” Ningguang asked.

Han Fulai rested his chin on his hand, lowered his head and thought for a moment before uttering four words: "Mora Hegemony."

“Yes, Mora hegemony.” Ningguang nodded with a smile. “As long as the Emperor is willing, he can easily gain hegemony over this mortal world by manipulating the flow of Mora. Where Mora flows, prosperity occurs; where Mora is withdrawn, desolation occurs.”

“But the Emperor wouldn’t do that. The Emperor cares for all living beings. He hopes that every place in the world can be as prosperous as Liyue Harbor. The prosperity of the seven kingdoms of Teyvat is all built on Mora,” Ningguang said.

"But now, Mora has stopped production."

Chapter Fifty-Six: Respect for the Emperor's Lone Courage (Third Update)

"The cessation of production at the Golden House will result in...deflation?"

Han Fulai's body trembled slightly, as if an electric current had passed through him.

In that instant, he understood many things.

Why did Gan Yu prepare for "the day the Emperor is no longer here"? Because the Golden House has ceased production.

Why was Ningguang so certain that Liyue would lose the Emperor? Because the Golden House had ceased production.

Why did Zhongli fake his death and retire? Because the Golden House had ceased production.

Why did the Liyue Seven Stars hide the remains of the Geo Archon? Because the Golden House production ceased.

A sentence suddenly flashed through Han Fulai's mind—a sentence he had learned in middle school, repeatedly mentioned in China's nine-year compulsory education political textbooks, required to be memorized, but which few students took seriously.

Upper decision decided by the economic background.

The actions of Liyue's political figures—whether it's Ganyu, Ningguang, Zhongli, the other members of the Seven Stars, or even the Fatui of Winterfell—were all predetermined by the Golden House's decision to halt Mora production.

That's why Ningguang just said, "Things are beyond repair."

Because everything was already predetermined.

The fate of Mora was sealed the moment it ceased production last month... no, much earlier, much earlier, from 3700 years ago, when the Rock King forged the first Mora with his own flesh and blood!

Han Fulai suddenly realized how naive he had been before he met Ningguang tonight.

Did they really think they were writing some kind of "script"? Did they really think they could control the situation with their silver tongue? Did they really think they were one step ahead in their calculations? Did they really think they could persuade Ningguang to cooperate with them?

Zhong Li has a script, the Ice Queen has a script, Ning Guang has a script, and Gan Yu has a script. Only Han Fulai doesn't! He, Han Fulai, is just an extra, jumping between several film crews!

So Gan Yu went to invite the Liyue Asuras back himself, entrusting him with the easiest task of staying behind.

Therefore, Zhongli had previously asked him to leave the Liuli Pavilion, hoping he would not get involved in this matter.

That's why D'Artagnan readily agreed to cooperate with him in the Glass Pavilion, as if he really was just a simple-minded walking wallet.

So the first thing Ningguang said to him upon meeting him was, "You shouldn't have come."

"I'm still too young and my thinking is too simplistic. It's like picking up clothes!" Han Fulai wished he could laugh at himself on the spot.

Han Fulai is now having a strange experience. He clearly recognizes his own ignorance and powerlessness, but suddenly he has more motivation to move forward. It sounds contradictory, but it is a very real experience.

Because he saw the back of Zhongli walking ahead of him. The Seven Rulers of the Mortal Realm, the most ancient demon god, the Rock King Emperor—his realm was too high and too far; Han Fulai had never dared to hope that he could truly reach such a level. But today he discovered that he had seen Zhongli's back, in a very high and far place, yet he could still see it.

A man often grows up watching another man's back.

Han Fulai lowered his head and covered his face with his hands.

"Ningguang... Sister."

Ningguang raised an eyebrow. When she had recruited Han Fulai before, she had said that if Han Fulai was willing, they could address each other as brother and sister, but Han Fulai had refused at the time. This was the first time Han Fulai had called her sister.

"Sister Ningguang, do you know what I'm thinking right now?"

This was the first time Han Fulai spoke to her without using honorifics.

She saw Han Fulai raise his head, his eyes clear and without any confusion.

"What are you thinking about?" Ningguang asked with a smile.

"All I want to do now is bring a pot of wine and offer a toast to the Emperor."

"Respect him for being alone, making a pact with all people, defying the laws of heaven above, and uniting with the seven gods below, protecting all living beings in Teyvat for 3,700 years."

Ningguang stood up, left the desk, and walked to Han Fulai's side. Her fingertips gently traced Han Fulai's cheek and landed on his shoulder.

Han Fulai looked up and met Ningguang's smiling red eyes.

"Congratulations. You have successfully taken the first step into the realm of the Seven Governing Strategies of the Mortal World!"

“Now, we can finally talk about the next plan.” Ningguang said, walking to the bookshelf and pulling out a book and a piece of paper.

"Take a look at this."

Ningguang handed the book and letter to Han Fulai.

The letter contained several neat lines of handwriting in a very common and standard script, without any personal style.

The following content is written on it:

"The newly ordered copy of 'Liyue Customs and Culture: Welcoming the Gods' was delivered to the Jade Pavilion yesterday. Please check it, Lady Ningguang."

Below this ordinary greeting was a bunch of incomprehensible numbers.

“...three, two; seven, five; four, four; three, one…”

"...seven, twenty-three, twenty-four; eight, twenty-three; two, one; nine, twenty-eight..."

There was originally a signature in the bottom right corner, but Ningguang has already covered it up.

Han Fulai pondered for a moment, then opened the "Liyue Customs and Traditions" and found the article "Welcoming the Gods".

The content of the welcoming of the gods chapter is as follows:

The most famous festival in Liyue is the welcoming ceremony known as the 'Seven Stars Invitation Ceremony'.

As a deity who constantly watches over and protects the land of Liyue, the Geo Archon descends in person every year to deliver a divine decree, instructing mortals to act in accordance with its meaning, so that everything will proceed smoothly and in accordance with the rules, and no transgression or chaos will occur.

In the distant past, the ancient inhabitants of Liyue selected representatives from among the farmers to welcome and send off the Geo Archon.

They would offer generous sacrifices and solemn blessings, then listen attentively to divine pronouncements, announcing the direction of the year's affairs to the people, thus guiding mortals to prosperity and overcome calamities, and ensuring the stability of the rock god's land.

Later, the Demon God War ended, and Liyue Harbor gradually prospered. The "Seven Stars," representing the various industries and commerce of Liyue Harbor, became the medium between the mortals of Liyue Harbor and the Geo Archon, responsible for communicating directly with the Geo Archon and conveying divine pronouncements to the citizens in a simple and easy-to-understand way, as well as issuing policies for the whole year.

The prominent person who presides over the "Seven Stars Inviting Immortals Ceremony" is, as the name suggests, only selected from within the "Seven Stars" themselves; no one else is allowed to interfere.

In the minds of many merchants in Liyue Harbor, the Geo Archon's pronouncements are more precious than gold.

On the day the Geo Archon descends, no matter how far away they are, merchants in Liyue Harbor will do their best to rush back to their hometown, either personally or by sending someone, just to obtain the guidance of the Geo Archon and ensure a prosperous business throughout the year.

In the rainforest kingdom, madly wise men abandon worldly affairs, driven to madness by the search for hidden supreme wisdom; while in the rocky kingdom, people are accustomed to praying for the generous guidance of the gods to consolidate their prosperous worldly existence.

It seems that at certain times, the seven gods who walk together will also go their separate ways.

Han Fulai scanned the entire text and understood its meaning; it was a classic scene he had seen in Chinese spy dramas before. Those seemingly chaotic numbers were actually keys. By deciphering the entire text using those keys, he could find the necessary words from seemingly unrelated sentences and obtain the code.

If we consider the first number as the paragraph order and the following numbers as the position within that paragraph, the first code is the second character of the third paragraph: the character "愚" (foolish/ignorant) in "在愚愚久远的过去" (in the long, foolish past).