He changed Tiwat

The phoenix screen is half-closed, and the hairpin flowers reflect the flickering red candlelight.

Her skin is warm and smooth, her hair delicate and fair. Her fragrance permeates even the finest silk.

A broken soul lingers in dreams, smoke obscures the Chu post station, the moon hangs cold over the Blue Bridge.

The former lover silently sang on the jade flute.

I lament the distant spring breeze and my lingering dreams, my pillow still heavy with longing.

Half of her skirt was accidentally stained with wine, the stain difficult to remove.

The incense burner is cold, the jeweled clouds drift. May the immortal linger, her slender waist held captive.

I fear seeing her again; my eyes well up with tears of shame.

The two figures entangled behind the screen for an unknown amount of time. Finally, one of the slender figures raised her chin, tears streaming down her face, and whispered, "Spare me, dear brother..."

The "big sister" who was heartlessly abandoned by her ungrateful host lies alone and lonely in the "lock of the mortal world" on the floor, silently complaining: "Ningguang, you win, win, win, but in the end you lose everything."

As the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, Ningguang, standing by the bathtub, held Han Fulai in her arms, her slender fingers drawing circles on his chest.

"You're leaving tomorrow?"

"Ah."

"Then... stay tonight?"

"Isn't it a bit inappropriate to stay overnight..." Han Fulai was a little embarrassed. His relationship with Ningguang was not yet public, and he didn't know what kind of rumors would spread if he stayed overnight at Ningguang's private residence.

Ningguang rolled her eyes at him. "If I say it's okay, then it's okay."

Yes... Anyway, she owns shares in most of the newspapers in Liyue.

"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer," Han Fulai said with a smile.

"Hmm..." Ningguang bit her lip and asked softly, "Do you remember our last date?"

"I remember."

Han Fulai nodded. How could he forget?

“Then… I’ll ask you one more time.” Ningguang looked up at him, her wine-red eyes brimming with deep affection: “I also want to have my own child… Would you help me?”

Han Fulai grasped Ningguang's hand.

"Yes, Ningguang."

Volume 3 Summary (It's already full, you can subscribe now!)

The following is the usual summary, mainly divided into three parts: timeline, plot and characters, and writing notes. As always, there are spoilers; readers who haven't finished Volume 3 should proceed with caution. Also, readers who have been waiting for this book to finish can now subscribe—two million words is quite a substantial amount!

Since some of my readers also write books on Maozhan and discuss writing methods with me, I'll be sharing some personal writing insights in this "Writing Musings" section. Those interested can refer to it. It's quite long, so I'll dedicate a separate chapter to it. These are truly my heartfelt words, and I hope they will be helpful to everyone.

Volume 3 is mainly divided into four major sections: the Night Orchid Legend quest, the Teyvat Economics (True and False Mora) section, the super-long Layered Rock Abyss section, and the Guili Plains flood control section. Among them, the Layered Rock Abyss section alone occupies nearly two hundred chapters—because it is an important plot related to the underlying settings of Teyvat, with too many hidden clues and settings that can be explored in depth, and with a large number of characters, including five character storylines, it was really tiring to write.

Well, the good news is that so far, no other storyline in the game has surpassed the complexity of the Layered Rock Abyss, so I should consider myself to have completed the most difficult task (laughs).

I. Timeline

On February 21, Han Fulai attended the Seven Stars Conference for the first time, where the construction of Liyue's new navy and air force was established, and the Thousand Rock Army's military strengthening plan was launched.

From February 22nd to 24th, Han Fulai and Shen He went to Mt. Aozang to "meet the parents," and the "Liyue Academy of Arts" was established.

From February 25th to 27th, Tian Shu Star falls seriously ill, the Seven Stars Selection begins, and the Night Orchid Legend quest commences.

From February 28 to March 3, the Qingxupu incident came to an end, Zhiyi became a spy, the "willing to take the bait" plan was launched, and the Night Orchid Legend mission ended.

On March 4th, the counterfeit currency incident in Liyue Harbor marked the beginning of the Teyvat Economics arc.

On March 5th, Han Fulai met with Ningguang, but they disagreed on their plans, and Han refused Ningguang's marriage proposal. He exchanged Ningguang's four trillion yuan stimulus package for the condition that Han could "solve the counterfeit currency problem in one sentence".

On March 7, Han Fulai went to the Pearl Pavilion and met Zhongli, thus beginning the Salt Flower mission.

On March 8-9, during the exploration of the ruins, Zhongli "grants you divine blood and tells you three things." Han Fulai obtains the inheritance of the Salt God and aims to become one of the "Seven Rulers of the Mortal World." At the same time, he enters the competition for the highest power in Liyue and begins to "turn the secretary into the master."

On the evening of the 9th, Gan Yu confirmed Han Fulai as the successor to the Liyue government as the permanent secretary of the Moonlit Pavilion: "The public has entrusted us with all the practical matters. The administration will be passed down from generation to generation and will last forever. Always remember, 'I am the Liyue government.'"

On March 10th, at Shen He's birthday banquet, Han Fulai pulled Xingqiu into binding the Feiyun Merchant Guild and the Liyue Yun Clan to the Moonsea Pavilion's war chariot. The Feiyun Merchant Guild joined Liyue's "New Economic Policy".

On March 15th, Han Fulai, Keqing, and Ganyu held a press conference in the morning, shattering Pantarone's economic plans in Liyue with a single sentence.

That night, Zhiyi "defected" and entered the Winter Kingdom. Some time later, Zhiyi gained some of Pantalone's trust and became the secretary to the general manager of the Northern Bank, beginning his career as a "double agent." He learned that Pantalone's fake Mora plan was divided into a main strategist, "Butter," and a secondary strategist, "Cannon."

On the same day, Han Fulai and Gan Yu invited (or tricked) Keqing into joining the team, and the "Liyue Radiance" project was launched.

From March 20th to March 26th, Han Fulai, along with Keqing and Shen He, conducted a week-long investigation of Guili Plain to plan the construction of the "Guili New Area." At the same time, he explained "Teyvat Economics," clarifying Zhongli's true intentions regarding Mora's layout and his Liyue currency hegemony plan.

On the afternoon of the 26th, Han Fulai was assassinated by an Abyss Mage and Ruins Guardians. Jiang Xue, a fisherman entrusted by Uncle Tian, ​​stepped in to protect Han Fulai, revealing her "Wind-Slaying Sword" and formidable strength. Han Fulai discovered Jiang Xue's true identity as a descendant of the Liyue Star Clan and the current commander of the Thousand Rocks Army, Yaoguang Star. Hearing that he was going to investigate the Layered Rock Abyss, Jiang Xue agreed to accompany him.

From June 27th to 29th, Han Fulai began establishing the Liyue chemical industry system, providing the cultivators with a Teyvat version of the "three acids and two alkalis" preparation scheme. At the same time, he established a political base centered on Liyue's workers and peasants, paving the way for the subsequent power struggle within Liyue.

On March 30, Han Fulai set off for the Layered Rock Abyss, where Ke Qing presented him with a "token of love" (a cat headlamp).

On April 1st, Han Fulai and Jiang Xue met at the Layered Rock Abyss, marking the beginning of the Layered Rock Abyss chapter.

That day, Han Fulai and Jiang Xue met the adventurer Zhiqiong, and together they broke the Seven Star Magic Array sealing the Layered Rock Abyss. They also learned that Hilichurls had entered the Layered Rock Abyss. That evening, Han Fulai met the exploration team's Heidif and Jinwu, and obtained the "Lumen Stone" catalyst.

On April 2nd, in the early morning, miner Qi Ding from the exploration team went missing. Han Fulai, Jiang Xue, and Zhi Qiong formed a three-person rescue team to go to his aid. During their mission, they encountered the embodiment of the "Wishing Stone" and were attacked by a bleeding dog. Han Fulai awakened to a further method of utilizing the Salt God's power, and at the same time, he discovered that the exploration team was secretly colluding with the treasure-hunting gang to steal from each other. He also learned from Jin Wu that a "dark shell" had appeared in the Layered Rock Abyss two years ago.

On April 3rd, Han Fulai contacted Manager Mu Ning in the morning to settle the accounts for the exploration team. Zhiqiong, eager to make a contribution, went down into the mine alone. Han Fulai and Jiang Xue went to find Zhiqiong and unexpectedly found Lao He, a miner who had disappeared two years prior. Han Fulai reached a cooperation agreement with the scholar Haidif, obtaining the "Ayexia Chaos Detector," capable of detecting the power of the abyss. He also asked Haidif to borrow the "Pulshina Light Nail" from the Order of the Church to treat Zhiqiong, who was infected by the black mud.

On April 4th, Han Fulai encountered a group of treasure hunters from Mingyun Town, discovered their collusion with the Fools, and rescued the Mondstadt alchemist Kritov. At the same time, Han Fulai realized that the exploration team was a trap set by Ningguang and that Night Orchid was present.

On the same day, Grandpa Zhongli strolled over to Mondstadt.

From April 5th to April 7th, Han Fulai and Jiang Xue ventured into the ancient ruins deep within the Layered Rock Abyss, where they encountered Jiang Xue's senior brother, Ye Mingxiang (an original Kanria character designed by an enthusiastic reader), and Dainsreb. They later discovered that the ancient ruins were a trap set by the Abyss Order against Dainsreb, and together they disrupted the Abyss Order's ritual, becoming friends and allies. On the same day, they learned about the history of Kanria and the origins of the Hilichurls.

Dain presented Han Fulai with the Crest of Kanria, introduced him to the existence of the power of the three realms in Teyvat, and prompted him to use the power of "Word of Power" before leaving the Abyss of Laminaria.

Afterwards, Han Fulai and Yelan reached a temporary cooperation agreement to find the Fatui in the Layered Rock Abyss. They encountered the Fatui "Ninth Company" and learned that the Ninth Company's mission was to help Liyue resist the Dark Calamity.

On his way to the deepest part of the Layered Rock Abyss, he rescued the lightning mage Katarina and her brother Nikolai, returning them to their unit. Later, he saved the Ninth Company by leading them to their capture by the Thousand Rock Army. From this point on, Katarina's feelings for Han Fulai were a complex mix of love and hate.

On April 8, Han Fulai, Jiang Xue, and Ye Lan returned to the camp and obtained the Pulshina Light Nail and the Sumeru scholar Husseini. They learned about the Six Root Sins of the Church Council and related history before the Seven Reigns, and came into contact with the secret of the Layered Rock Nail.

On April 9, Han Fulai conducted experiments at the ancient civilization ruins to collect human "willpower," learned the path to becoming a god in human form, and saw the remains of the "silver-white ancient tree" in the Layered Rock Abyss, understanding that everything that happened in the Layered Rock Abyss was guided by the power of the heavens.

That evening, Han Fulai learned about Jiang Xue and Ye Mingxiang's past, discovering that Ye Mingxiang was an orphan with the blood of the King of Kanria, that the Hilichurls were her Kanria relatives, and about the various secrets of Kanria's "True Arts." He also discovered a conspiracy by the Abyss Order behind it all.

Jiang Xue overcame her confusion and decided to once again wield the sword to protect Liyue.

On April 10, Han Fulai, Jiang Xue, and Ye Lan's team headed to the rock hall deep within the Layered Rock Abyss.

Zhongli and Wendy made a secret pact with the heavens behind their backs.

On April 11th, a battle broke out outside Qingxupu. Liuyun Jiefeng Zhenjun and Shenhe joined forces to fight against the second seat of the Fools, the Doctor. Gan Yu sniped the Doctor's slice from a great distance. (Note: Yuehaiting's secretary's traditional skill - observing the whole thing and killing the enemy with low health.)

Han Fulai contacts the Layered Rock Nail and, through the Salt God's inheritance, gains Demon God authority, becoming a "Sky Island Candidate Civil Servant." Ye Mingxiang, leading the Black Serpent Knights and joining forces with Tartaglia, sent by the Fools to provide support, betrays the Abyss Order. The Order's high-ranking members, known as the "Perfect Life Form"—the "Apostle of Fate"—appear. With the help of the Layered Rock Nail, Han Fulai delivers the final blow to the "Apostle of Fate." (Note: A traditional collaboration between Secretary Yue Haiting and the Apostle of Fate.)

Han Fulai learns that four hundred years ago, the leader of the Salt God's descendants in Liyue, Tianji Xingzhuji, plotted to seize control of the Liyue regime but was killed by Ye Mingxiang, who was then in charge of Tianquan. He understands her ideal of justice in the world and her long-cherished wish to change the laws of nature for the sake of that ideal.

Ye Mingxiang obtained the "Glazed Frost Crystal" unearthed by the giant serpent in the Kanria Ruins, gaining "power from beyond the world" and becoming the "God of the Abyss." Han Fulai used "Word Spirit" (reciting poems to generate combat power) and, with the help of the Demon God's authority and human willpower, temporarily ascended to the Demon God rank to fight him.

Ye Mingxiang died as a "stepping stone to success," and Han Fulai gained the recognition of the Layered Rock Nail.

Ke Qing arrived at the scene at the last minute and successfully rescued the damsel in distress (referring to her wall-pinning Xiao Han).

The Abyss of Layered Rocks chapter has ended.

On April 15, Han Fulai and Keqing returned to Liyue Harbor and were photographed in intimate poses by the media.

From April 16th to April 22nd, Han Fulai took a week off and cooked with Xiangling during their training. He helped Chongyun, who had always only been able to eat cold meals, to have many hot meals. He also helped the hearth god Maxius revive, made a contract with Xiao to help Xiao share his karmic burdens, and gained Xiao's friendship.

During this time, she collaborated with Xingqiu to spread Liyue poetry and culture to Ye Tiandi, a friend of Daoqi, experienced Yun Jin's Liyue opera and Xin Yan's rock music, learned about the tragic experience of Lao Meng, a newcomer to the Hall of Rebirth, and sought justice for him. She recruited Xingqiu to join the "Liyue Labor Association", and Xin Yan formed the "Red String Orchestra" in the association. She also wrote the immortal masterpiece "Kill That Man from Mingyun Town".

April 23 - May 25, the story of Guiliyuan's fight against the flood.

Han Fulai recruited Fontaine experts Patrick and Galcha to build water conservancy projects in Liyue. At the same time, Ningguang launched a tax audit in Liyue to bring down the Chiang and Soong families' Seven Stars, aiming at the Silver Plains Hall.

In May, torrential rains fell, causing the Bishui River to overflow. The leader of the Rouran people, a descendant of the Salt God, plotted to inherit the Salt God's legacy and used the Salt Sorrow Spear, a relic of the Salt God, to control the pure water spirits and corrode the Guiliyuan Dike.

During her illness, Ke Qing confessed her feelings to Han Fulai, and in front of Shen He, she said "My wife is in the eye of the beholder."

Ningguang pressured Han Fulai to make a choice by proposing the Mingyun Town flood diversion plan. Han Fulai declared that the current government would not divert the flood and would save Mingyun Town.

Han Fulai used the power of the Salt God to create concrete, and combined it with Shen He's Frost Cloud Technique to build a long ice and snow dike to resist the flood.

Afterwards, he joined forces with Keqing to suppress the Water Spirit and killed Rouran.

Keqing kisses Han Fulai, but is later thwarted by her lifelong rival Ningguang.

Ningguang and Han Fulai confessed their feelings for each other, revealing her secret as the successor of the God of Dust. Later, Han Fulai discovered her plot to usurp the power of the God of Wealth in Zhongli. Ningguang resolved to sever her feelings and kill Han Fulai, but was tragically killed in return, losing both her body and soul.

The struggle for supreme power in Liyue has come to an end.

On May 28th, Zhongli bestowed upon Keqing the artifact Rockbound, and at the same time gave Han Fulai the mission to go to Mondstadt to find Wendy.

On May 31, Han Fulai entered the pass and condensed light, achieving the achievement of "condensing light and transmitting light".

Well, although the timeline is only three thousand words long, the third volume is actually about 1.4 million words...

II. Plot and Character Related

Volume 3 focuses on Ningguang as the female protagonist (although Yelan and Keqing also have significant roles). Ningguang is probably the most prominent character in Liyue besides Zhongli, the Emperor, after all, "Heaven's authority is supreme".

As the cover girl, Ningguang has a lot of screen time.

If you recall Ningguang from the first volume, you'll find that the contradiction between Ningguang's thoughts and actions was already shown in the chapter "Human feelings are the most precious." The contradictions she faces as the Crown Prince of Liyue were foreshadowed in the chapter "Above ten thousand people, below one person," where she asks Han Fulai, "Will you become an obstacle in the future?"

Of course, these are things you can only truly understand now.

There is a key point in the third volume – the “Heaven and Earth Cage Fate Test”.

The Emperor and Gui Zhong did this before, and Ningguang is doing it too—so if we think about it broadly, isn't the entire Teyvat world a version of "Heaven and Earth Cage of Fate"? They are all lives locked in a cage, right?

Ningguang, however, has always been trying to break free from her predetermined fate. She wants to be Ningguang, not a pawn.

In my opinion, Ningguang is the best-developed character in Liyue in the original work, even more profound than Zhongli (as the old man is a perfect, all-encompassing character designed to lure players into spending money, there are many aspects of him that cannot be written), and there is a lot to explore.

For example, let's talk about what's reflected in the invitation task:

She's a popular woman who's good at playing the field (but she's also quite innocent when she invites the man to express his affections), and she's not young but still single;

She seems to be a typical big capitalist, unwilling to lose a single Mora, and her methods are very capitalist. She is clearly involved in smuggling, yet she is willing to suffer huge losses by destroying the Jade Pavilion in order to protect Liyue.

She was gentle with the children and a good educator. She punished the merchants who resold the radiant marrow, but she also helped them without completely eradicating them.

She is feared and misunderstood by many, and no one has been able to understand her. On the surface, she seems indifferent, but deep down she longs to be understood.

She came from a poor background and had a very unreal rise to wealth. She had struggled to make a living since childhood and could not afford to go to school, but strangely she possessed an elegant temperament and a wealth of knowledge.

At the same time, her Qunyu Pavilion utilizes various immortal techniques, and she can fly. She is also a white-haired, red-eyed immortal cultivator, and she has a bad relationship with the immortals. She is the Seven Star who yearns for human rule even more than Keqing.

She is still pursuing the "infinite." She knows that she is trapped in the cage of the gods, and whatever she does is "limited," but she still strives to break free of these constraints.

—Right? This person is extremely complex, a real contradiction, just like Xiao Han said, each one is the real Ningguang.

In order to achieve her "goal", Ningguang had to use "means", but in the end, the "means" became the "goal", resulting in "alienation".

Is she Xiao Guang, the fishmonger from Yaoguang Beach, or Tianquan Ningguang from Qunyu Pavilion?

She should have been a compassionate person, but to achieve a compassionate ideal, she needed ruthless means, becoming a ruthless god.

Thus, Ningguang was born, who put on a "mask" amidst contradictions, ultimately unsure whether the mask was her true face.

Then let's combine these points: she, like Gui Zhong, loves lilies; in the game, her exclusive weapon is the Lock of the Mortal World; and Gui Zhong is also very good at managing the economy. Ning Guang's saying "Raising an army for a thousand days to use it for one moment" also coincides with Gui Zhong's "Four Commandments," and even their styles of doing things are very similar.

The legacy of Guizhong can explain many of her special qualities, so "Tianyi" (yes, that's Luo Tianyi, right? The composer AI) came into being.

Let's go back to the first major event in this book and the original work—the Summoning Ceremony, in which Liyue lost its gods.

Actually, there are a few hidden logics in the original work that many people may not think about, but some readers have indeed thought of them.

First, what makes Ningguang think that smashing down the Jade Pavilion will suppress Oser? Has she never fought Oser? Has she ever smashed down the Jade Pavilion before? Why does she think that smashing down the Jade Pavilion will work?

Secondly, what makes Ningguang think she can protect Liyue without the help of the immortals, especially when facing the demon gods?

Third, why is Ningguang the only one who claims to have seen Zhongli in a dream? Keqing was also present, but she didn't receive any dreams about him, even though the Emperor actually quite approves of Keqing's ideas.

—The above are all hidden logics from the original work. We can think about whether this is related to Ningguang's decision to smash the Jade Pavilion.

There is no male protagonist in the original work, and travelers don't stay in any particular country. Ningguang became the sole ruler of Tianquan after the Battle of Ocel. Could we consider that after a "performance," Ningguang gained sufficient prestige?

Thus, the character Li Yue Feng Aotian Ningguang appeared in Volume 3.

Next, let's examine a few more questions. For example, why were the Fools able to teleport to the sea where the Jade Pavilion is located? In the original work, going to the Jade Pavilion requires a wind field (the Traveler goes to the Jade Pavilion by default from the wind field of the Jade Palace Cloud Step). The teleportation anchor point requires the use of the ley line network. Where can you find a ley line network in the high sky above the sea?

Ningguang was banished to the Jade Pavilion by the Fatui. The original work says she's tough in diplomatic situations, but in reality, she's so cowardly that she didn't even bother to expel the Fatui forces within her territory (I wrote the expulsion part). There are still various Fatui forces in the wild within Liyue, and the Northern Bank and Winter Solstice Merchants can still open their shops in Liyue Harbor with impunity.