He changed Tiwat

"The blazing flames will eventually cool, and the extinguished embers will reignite with the will of the world. The constant cooling and rekindling, dissipation and condensation of the formless fire is also part of the will of this world, just like the endless cycle of life in the universe. Until the darkest fate arrives one day, reducing all things to nothingness."

"The future was already predetermined. The world will eventually turn to ashes. Flames will bring salvation! Ashes will give birth to new life!"

Through the ravings of the chanter, Lisa learned the truth behind the world, albeit only a small part, but it was enough to stop her from peeking into the abyss behind the truth.

Lisa touched the Eye of God on her chest.

"Suppose, what if this world is destined to end, and nothing you do can change it? Little Mona, what would you choose? Would you do nothing like an astrologer and await your fate, or... would you make a futile resistance against fate?"

Mona paused for a moment.

Although Lisa's tone was flippant, Mona had no doubt that she was serious—perhaps the witch had truly glimpsed the end of the world in her research? And her lazy days were because nothing she did mattered, so she might as well enjoy the present moment?

If it were the old Mona... no, even the current Mona, if faced with the so-called "end of the world," her first reaction would actually be to run away with her belongings... but at least, Mona now knows that some people have the ability to change the world.

Mona tossed her head and declared loudly, "We astrologers pursue only the truth! Even if the end of the world is just around the corner, I will use these eyes to witness the end!"

"That's quite impressive."

Lisa blinked, then suddenly stretched out her finger and tapped Mona's chest.

A current of electricity passed through her fingertips and touched Mona's delicate skin, instantly sending a tingling sensation through Mona's entire body.

"Hey! What are you doing!" Mona cried, her eyes brimming with tears from the electric shock.

Lisa raised that finger and put it to her lips.

"As I've said, making noise is prohibited in the library; this is the punishment."

Her fingers slowly moved down from her lips, tracing her chest, and a book appeared in her hand.

A book titled "Records of Secret Methods of the Imperial Clan".

"And this is what you were looking for in the forbidden library; consider it a reward for your courage."

Mona was furious. In other words, she had never been able to find this book in the library from the very beginning! No matter how many years she worked, she wouldn't be able to find it!

Lisa handed the book to Mona.

"Although I hate doing useless work, I like helping my lovely juniors."

"The holder of the Eye of God possesses the power corresponding to the constellations in the sky, which means there is a miniature universe within. The human heart contains all things, a miniature universe, and infinite power. This power can transcend the laws of life, death, time, and space—it is called 'Human Realm Power'."

"A replica of the 'Primordial Man'? What does that mean?"

Yura heard words she couldn't understand once again.

Communicating with alchemists is exhausting, just like Sugar and Abedo... Yura thought sincerely.

"Hahaha... Although I don't understand either, I still thank Professor Abedo for being willing to tell us these secrets about your background. By the way, our main task is still to deal with the Dulin resurgence crisis caused by your elder brother, right?" Han Fulai chuckled awkwardly, changing the subject slightly.

Good heavens, why are all these topics so morally reprehensible? Abedo, you're too honest...

Han Fulai had by then confirmed Rhein-Dörgüt's objective.

The first of the six root sins is the matter of human evolution.

Abedor is not simply a "homunculus"; he is a creation modeled after the first human on the continent of Teyvat, a replica of that "Primordial One." Once the Heavenly Principle awakens and discovers Abedor's existence, it will likely be the first thing it does to send spies into Mondstadt.

But thinking about it, given Abedo's identity, he's bound to be rejected anyway, so of course he'll dare to say anything... And Wendy's courage in accepting someone like Abedo is no less than Zhongli's...

Han Fulai couldn't help but complain in his heart: What a mess! Open your eyes and take a good look at the civil servants under your command! They're all traitors!

National Day Bonus Chapter Notice

Well, the cat station is having an extra chapter event during the National Day holiday, and I've got some free time, so I'm going to try it out.

My limit is 10,000 words a day, so I'll challenge myself to update at the 60,000-word level in seven days. I won't participate in the 100,000-word level (because I can't do it anyway).

I'll try to see if I can maintain a daily update rate of 8,000 words for seven days, consider it a challenge for myself... Please forgive me if I can't do it, after all, it's really hard for me to update so frequently, and I'm not young anymore (laughs).

I won't be offering a reward; this is simply a way to give back to the readers who have supported me all this time.

If you'd like to show your support, please vote for me! Thank you.

Starting today, let's get going at 4 AM!

Chapter 104 Abedo and Abeso (Bonus Chapter 1)

Although Han Fulai was trying to change the subject, his suggestions were still quite practical.

The most pressing matter right now is indeed about Abedo's "elder brother".

It is true that Abedo may bring annihilation to Mondstadt in the future, but if his elder brother is ignored and the dragon Durin is allowed to revive, Mondstadt will immediately face annihilation.

Of course, Han Fulai felt that even if Dulin revived, it wouldn't be a big deal. If the sky fell, Wendy, being tall... no, it had nothing to do with height, Wendy would definitely hold it up. But since he was already here, he still had to do something, even if not for his friendship with Abedo, he still had to give Wendy face.

Yura then realized what was going on: "Indeed, although there are many surprising aspects to your background, none of them help us find your 'elder brother.' My biggest concern is how to find the 'elder brother' you mentioned. I believe you must be hiding some methods, right?"

Yura was indeed willing to believe in and help Abedo, but she needed to know where to put her strength. The vast Dragon Ridge Mountains were far too easy to hide someone in. If the other party intended to conceal themselves, how could they possibly find them in the mountains?

Even if you include Amber, who might return in a while, and the reinforcements Sugar might bring back from the Knights of Favonius, finding someone in this snowy mountain is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Abedo had told them this: "If their target is me... as long as I'm not dead, they'll come looking for me sooner or later. Then things will naturally progress."

In other words, it was a "wait and see" scenario, letting Abedo wander around the snow-capped mountains every day while they secretly followed and lay in ambush.

However, in Yura's opinion, this was not a good idea.

Putting aside the fact that such a passive waiting plan doesn't suit Yura's personality, there are too many uncertainties. Even if the other side is indeed lured out by Abedo, the initiative is entirely in Abedo's hands; Abedo can choose any time and place to launch an attack on them.

When the enemy is in the dark and we are in the light, waiting is not "waiting in comfort for the enemy to tire themselves out," but rather "passively taking a beating."

In addition, Yura and Han Fulai did not move to the snow mountain specifically for a vacation—they did not have as much time as Abedo to wait idly on the snow mountain.

Yura's question also reminded Han Fulai.

"Well, since Miss Yura brought it up... I actually wanted to ask you how you tracked down the imposter? You found us and there was less than half an hour between you and the imposter. And you also mentioned before that you originally had another plan to deal with the imposter yourself. Is this plan related to your special tracking skills?"

Abedo returned to the lab earlier and discovered the imposter's existence. He had been busy destroying and concealing traces of the imposter. How did he manage to appear in front of them almost simultaneously with the imposter? Even Yura and Amber, two tracking experts, were able to shake off the imposter. How could Abedo find the imposter so quickly?

Clearly, he must have some special tracking method to find the imposter.

Abedo nodded and said, "Although I have never met that elder brother, I have a way to track him—I can track the aura of the Corrupted Sword, which is the aura of the Demon Dragon Dulin. As long as he takes out that sword and uses it, I can find the traces left by the sword."

"I see." Han Fulai suddenly realized.

Yura, however, had already considered the tactical application: "What's your method? Some kind of alchemical potion or alchemical equipment? Can it be used by anyone other than you?"

If this tracking method can also be used by others, they can consider launching a multi-pronged attack to encircle their opponents.

Abedo shook his head: "Unfortunately, this is a method that only I can use. As I mentioned before, I was attacked by a monster on the way... which means that it absorbed blood with that sword, allowing the sword to grow. And I can feel the pulse of that sword's growth; it resonates with my bloodline, allowing me to sense its location."

"You... can resonate with that sword?" Yura looked at Abedo incredulously again. "But didn't you say that the sword housed the remnant soul of the demon dragon Durin? Could it be...?"

Aberdo nodded silently.

"...Actually, I have another 'relative'. If this kind of 'creation' that transcends human ethics and morality can be called 'birth', then I am actually related to it."

“Master… Rhinedot created two miracles in alchemy. One is me, and the other is the evil dragon Dulin, who slumbers here. Before Dulin and me, there was an elder brother who only existed in the register, an unnamed elder brother whom Master called a ‘failure’, also known as ‘One-Cornered White Steed’.”

“My master is a very strict person, strict with everyone, including me. Every challenge I faced was difficult, and I believed that his threats of ‘abandoning you if you can’t do it’ were always spoken seriously. So I used to think that so-called ‘failures’ must no longer exist in this world…”

Abedo slowly reached out and grasped the "Cinnabar Spindle" on the table.

“...But now I know, he is still alive. Not only is he alive, he also wants to resurrect our common relative, Dulin...I must stop him, it is also a responsibility of 'family'.”

Although he didn't say it aloud, Han Fulai and Youla both knew what he meant by "stopping"—he would personally kill his brother who should have died long ago.

This is the responsibility of Abedor, who inherited the "Cinnabar Spindle" and possesses the ability to combat the poison of decay, and it is also his resolve as a Knight of Favonius to protect Mondstadt.

Han Fulai spoke up: "Then, I'd like to confirm, Abedo, are you able to sense your elder brother now... let's just call him 'Young Master Abe'... can you sense Young Master Abe's current location?"

“No,” Abedo answered decisively. “I can only sense his location when that sword is absorbing blood to grow. Only then will the remnants of Durin in the sword resonate with my bloodline.”

"So, if he doesn't let the sword absorb blood to grow, you still won't be able to find him?"

Yura frowned again.

“That tracking method is actually very inefficient. That imposter, I mean... Young Master Abe, he could easily put away his sword and move on after hunting the monster, and we can’t fly to his side immediately. We’ll always be a step behind him.”

Abedo gripped the hilt of his sword tightly and whispered, "But he always has to let the sword grow. The next time he kills his prey, I'll start tracking him... and keep tracking him."

Indeed, this seems to be the only way at the moment—keep tracking him, gradually closing the distance between them, and finally catching up with him when he stops to hunt for blood.

At this moment, Han Fulai tapped the table with his knuckles.

"I have two very important questions, and I hope you can give me accurate answers, Aberdo."

Abedo nodded seriously: "Please ask."

"The first question is, can the Corruption Sword still grow outside the Dragonspine Mountains?"

“No. Its growth depends on the dragon power that Dulin left in the snow mountain, as does my bloodline resonance. This power only works within the snow mountain area.”

Han Fulai nodded, so Abe fled deeper into the snow-capped mountains, not beyond them. His return to Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain after obtaining the sword was based on this reason; otherwise, he could have easily taken the sword and fled far away.

"My second question is, does Abe know that you have a way to track his location?"

“He can also resonate with the sword through blood, so he must know,” Abedo replied immediately.

“Oh…that makes things easier.” Han Fulai smiled. “So after killing those thieves, he stopped hunting for blood. He looked quite regretful as he gave up the prey he had already obtained—because he had to stay far enough away that we couldn’t easily catch up with him. He also knew that you would start tracking him the next time he killed his prey.”

"So?" Yura asked.

“So he won’t be taking any more action in the short term, giving us enough time to make arrangements.” Han Fulai’s smile became even more relaxed.

Yura looked at Han Fulai, completely unaware of any element among these conditions that could make her feel relaxed.

Han Fulai leaned forward slightly.

"Gentlemen, I have a plan... We can ambush him."

Chapter 105 Aberdo Can Also Be the Law of Heaven (Bonus Chapter 2)

After the plan was finalized, Han Fulai rubbed his temples and said, "Excuse me, you two, I'm a little tired. I'd like to go outside for a while and get some fresh air."

Abedo and Yura nodded in agreement. Most of the planning had actually been done by Deputy Minister Han, and they both admired his ability to devise such a comprehensive plan in such a short time. It was normal to feel tired after engaging in so much mental work in such a short period.

In addition, the laboratory is very well heated, so it can get a bit stuffy after a while. Getting some fresh air will make it more comfortable.

Abedo stood up and said to Han Fulai, "I'll brew another pot of hot tea and make some snacks to help you replenish your energy, Mr. Han."

"Okay, I'll help too." Yura also got up to help.

Abedo was a little surprised: "Oh? Yura, you can make desserts too?"

In Abedo's mind, most nobles in Mondstadt had maids in charge of kitchen work, like the famous Lord Diluc. Yura, after all, was a young lady from a famous noble family, and she and Abedo weren't very familiar with each other. Naturally, Abedo didn't know that she had experience hunting and camping outdoors.

Yura raised her head upon hearing this: "Are you underestimating me? I'll remember this grudge!"

Abedo just smiled. He now understood that Yura's "grudge" against acquaintances was actually proof of a good relationship.

The two went about their business, while Han Fulai left the laboratory.

The gust of cold wind made him shiver.

Although his current physique made him immune to both heat and cold, he still felt cold... not physically, but mentally. The alchemical heater in the laboratory was indeed quite effective, but after hearing the secret of Abedo's origins, Han Fulai felt a chill on his back.

He deliberately made an excuse to calm himself down.

In fact, Aberdo's background reveals far more information than Aberdo himself thought.

—At least, Han Fulai saw in it a conspiracy that could be described as earth-shattering.

Wendy's willingness to risk being nailed to the ground by the heavens to secretly protect Abedo already reveals a lot of hidden information.

Although this veteran civil servant has always maintained a detached and self-protective attitude while slacking off everywhere—Venti can say that the Witches' Guild is a "Mondstadt residents' dialogue meeting," when Abelard came to Mondstadt, Venti can say that she was sleeping three years ago, and when the meteor fell, Venti can say that it was all the work of the Fools—in short, she is a "non-stick pan"—but "lazy governance" is actually a form of resistance.

The so-called "nonviolent non-cooperation" is probably an attitude like Wendy's.

However, this is just Wendy's facade.

Rheindorf's decision to send Abedo to Mondstadt is the most intriguing thing.

Think about it carefully and you'll understand.

First, Rhinedoth is the instigator of the "Dark Calamity," and she also owes a blood debt in Mondstadt. She caused the decline of the Knights of Favonius five hundred years ago, the attack of the dragon Durin, and even the "Dragon Plague" of Dvalin.

Secondly, Aberdo, as a replica of the "Primordial One," will inevitably lead to disaster for Mondstadt in the future, something that both Rheindorf and Wendy are well aware of.

Finally, given Rhinedoth's old grudge against Venti, why send the homunculus, who could potentially destroy Mondstadt, to Mondstadt? Aren't they afraid that Abedor will be banished or killed by Venti?

On the other hand, it's even stranger that Wendy would accept Abedor. From both Wendy's personal perspective and from the perspective of protecting the people of Mondstadt, this would bring no benefit whatsoever, but rather a great deal of trouble.

In the three years since Abedo came to Mondstadt, he has conducted countless taboo studies that could have been banned—Sugar's "bio-alchemy" is the most typical example. Her research is clearly the same "life creation" approach as Rheindorf!

Before coming to Mondstadt, Han Fulai thought that in terms of the level of traitors in Teyvat, Winter was number one and Liyue had to be number two—but now he felt that Mondstadt could secure second place and compete for first.