Walnut used me to boost her sales performance.

"Before the Emperor created Mora, there was no concept of trade or contract in Liyue. What our guest elder said about the Emperor spending the first Mora to guide humanity to trade is much more significant than what you call a single sword strike!"

"If the Emperor hadn't initiated the transaction, how could we have the current contract? How could Liyue be now bustling with merchants?"

Hu Tao snorted, "What do you mean by getting a sword and becoming the supreme ruler of Liyue, or being crowned the king of Liyue just by drawing the sword? It's like something out of a novel. Such childish talk is hardly the work of a far-sighted emperor."

Chapter 402 This is the Emperor's profound foresight [Seeking monthly votes]

"I admit you have a point, but to call my idea childish is an overstatement! This is precisely the Emperor's profound foresight!"

Hanxue closed his fan, tapping the handle against his palm, and spoke with great conviction:

"He had long ago hidden the way to become the next Geo God in that first Mora. By drawing the sword, he could inherit the Emperor's will and become the next Geo King! And this is being called child's play!"

Hu Tao wanted to argue with this guy a bit more, but Zhong Li patted her hand, signaling her to calm down.

"I only have a superficial understanding of history and dare not say that I understand emperors. But if there are no differences in opinion, the discussion would lose its meaning."

"Then let's discuss it properly, as you say."

Seeing Zhong Lizhen start discussing it, Hu Tao pouted unhappily.

She pulled out a chair and sat in the empty seat at the table, listening to their discussion.

Jiang Bai walked up behind her and asked curiously, "Master, it seems that people don't know much about the Emperor."

"It's not that there aren't enough, it's that there are too many! They always like to interpret the various things the Emperor does using their own way of thinking, such as the first Mora, the first piece of jade, the first weapon the Emperor forged... They can always find all sorts of interpretations, and then look for various things to verify their conjectures..."

Hu Tao sighed deeply, "It's not that this method is wrong, but some people are just too outrageous."

"For example, if the emperor glances at this tree and then glances at that tree, they can interpret all sorts of interpretations from just that one action."

"For example, upon seeing two trees, the Emperor was reminded of his former companions; the rustling leaves and the bleak autumn wind seemed to reflect his current feelings of sadness and melancholy..."

"Isn't this forcing us to do reading comprehension exercises...?" Jiang Bai was also speechless.

Even the slightest action of someone in a position of power will be subject to all sorts of speculation by those below, let alone by deities.

Such instances of "applying one's own understanding to matters of the gods" will only become more numerous and exaggerated.

Wanyan, who had previously discussed the topic of the first Mora, had been staring at Zhongli. After listening to Zhongli's various opinions, she finally composed herself and said to Zhongli:

"Sir, I have some questions about archaeology and would like to ask you in a quiet place. I wonder if this will be disturbing you?"

"Oh, that's alright. However, this small boat is quite noisy and not a secluded place. Besides, my master is here, and he probably has something to discuss with me. Perhaps we should reschedule?"

"Then I will go see the teacher again tomorrow."

After saying goodbye to the scholars, Hu Tao pulled Zhong Li to the second floor where they had just been sitting.

"Old man, what are you doing here tonight?"

"Several scholars invited me to come and discuss history; how could I refuse?"

“I think it’s completely unnecessary for you to talk to them about this…” Hu Tao said, hands on her hips.

Who is this old man? He's an immortal! Who could possibly know more about the Rock King Emperor than an immortal?

Zhongli smiled faintly and shook his head, "It's quite interesting that everyone is expressing their own opinions."

He wouldn't have known that his actions could be explained in this way if he hadn't listened to their discussions.

"Only you would find this interesting..." Hu Tao rolled her eyes.

"Hehe, what brings you here, Hall Master?"

"Jiang Bai signed a big deal these past few days, so I brought him over to broaden his horizons."

“I haven’t eaten yet either, let’s eat together.” Zhongli opened the menu and started ordering.

Hu Tao suddenly regretted bringing him up; he was freeloading off other people's meals downstairs without her having to pay.

The next day.

Zhongli sat on the Three Bowls Hill drinking tea and listening to Tian Tiezui tell stories, while Jiang Bai sat next to him, one hand supporting his head.

"Master, don't you find these stories strange?"

Tian Tiezui's story is basically about the Rock King Emperor, but the Rock King Emperor in the story has undergone a lot of artistic embellishment, and it is estimated to be far from the truth.

Zhongli, the person involved, comes here often to listen to others tell his story. Is he reminiscing about the past, or is it simply narcissism?

Don't you find it interesting?

"Interesting?" Jiang Bai tilted his head, not understanding what he found interesting.

"It's as interesting as listening to someone else's story."

"Uh......"

Jiang Bai understood; Zhong Li was just taking it as a joke.

It's clear there are too few forms of entertainment, so much so that people come here to listen to this story that's been told eight hundred times over.

"Hey! Zhongli, you're here!" Paimon's voice came from not far away, along with the female scholar they had met last night.

"Traveler, Paimon, it's been a while."

“It hasn’t been long, has it?” Paimon pointed to Wanyan beside him. “This Miss Wanyan is here to see you. We met on the way and came here together.”

"Mr. Zhongli." Wanyan nodded slightly and greeted him.

Jiang Bai ignored her and looked up at the sky. "When did you get back? Where's Gan Yu? How is she?"

Paimon, speechless, put his hands on his hips. "How oblivious you are to everything? Gan Yu is back a long time ago and is working in the General Affairs Department!"

"Why would I bother asking about her... Besides, as Qi Xing's secretary, Gan Yu's affairs aren't so easy to pry into..."

Jiang Bai was just asking about what happened next, since he wasn't involved in the aftermath and didn't know if Gan Yu had resolved her inner conflict.

Kong was more reliable and gave Jiang Bai the answer he wanted to hear.

"He's back, but I guess he hasn't resolved his inner conflict yet."

"The kind of knot in your heart can only be untied and resolved by yourself; outsiders can't help you. Numbing yourself with work is also a viable way."

Ignoring the idle chatter of the people around him, Zhongli looked at Wanyan and asked:

"Miss Wanyan, what would you like to ask?"

"The question I'm about to ask might be a little offensive to Geo, so let's find a quiet place. You're all welcome to join us."

Jiang Bai followed them to a quiet place with a curious heart.

"I previously met you, sir, and you spoke with remarkable clarity and understanding. Most importantly, you didn't readily believe boasts or embellishments; you were remarkably objective. I'd like to ask you a question, hoping to receive an answer different from that of ordinary scholars..."

Wanyan first praised Zhongli before revealing her purpose.

"Do you think that all the gods killed by the Rock God were evil?"

Zhongli looked at her for a while and said, "Let's put aside good and evil for now. The Rock King Emperor respects the [contract], so the demon god who died at his hands must have broken some kind of contract."

"The Emperor is not the kind of person who would indiscriminately kill innocent people." Jiang Bai strongly defended his master!

"However, during my archaeological work, I learned some legends about the [Salt Demon God]."

"The Salt Demoness Heureia was a kind demon, yet she was assassinated by Morax in the war using dishonorable means..."

Chapter 403 Can I Learn This Move? [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Jiang Bai narrowed his eyes.

The last time he trained with Xiao was in the Salt of the Earth, which Xiao said was the place where the Salt Demon once fell.

As for the claim that he was secretly harmed by the Rock God through dishonorable means, anyone with a brain wouldn't believe that's true.

Given that the Rock King Emperor is known as the God of War, could it be that the Salt Demon God has the power to make even the God of War back down?

If such a person existed, would he be so obscure?

"Huh? No way!" Paimon's mouth dropped open in surprise, but he didn't seem to believe it.

Jiang Bai and Kong looked at Zhong Li, whose brows furrowed slightly, showing some hesitation.

"This... is indeed a long story, but the truth of the story may not be what you want to know."

"Is it inconvenient to say?" Kong's curiosity was completely piqued by Zhongli's reaction.

"No... but where should I begin..."

"Mr. Zhongli!"

Just as Zhongli was pondering where to begin, a voice interrupted him.

The group looked over and saw that the speaker was someone who clearly had the characteristics of the winter solstice.

"Mr. Zhongli, I didn't expect to see you here!" The visitor was clearly delighted to see Zhongli.

His name was Clement, and he was an archaeological researcher. Hearing that Zhongli was knowledgeable in ancient and modern times, he paid a large sum of money to the Hall of Rebirth to hire him as a consultant.

With both the Seven Stars' permission and the job offered by the Hall of Rebirth, Zhongli naturally wouldn't refuse.

Although Clement was somewhat reluctant to bring so many people along, everyone had their own reasons, so he could only grit his teeth and let Sora and the others come along.

"We shouldn't delay. Let's go to Lonely Cloud Pavilion and see if anything has been washed ashore. Antiques, traces, anything—even a tiny fragment of a demon god's body would be great..."

Paimon stared intently at Clement with his large eyes. "You're not planning to do anything bad with the fragments of the demon god's body, are you?!"

Clement scratched his head awkwardly. "Haha! How could that be! Seven Stars approved this research, and the results are to be shared, so don't stare at me like that..."

"But if you want to study the Whirlpool Demon God, why wait until now? A while has passed. Even if something was washed ashore in the last battle, it probably can't be found now."

Jiang Bai crossed his arms, still holding some stereotypes about the Chinese people during winter.

Especially this archaeologist who is suspected to be a member of the Fools.

"Well... since what happened last time, Lonely Cloud Pavilion has been under lockdown. Even I applied for a long time before it was finally approved recently."

Hearing his words, Jiang Bai seemed to be deep in thought.

The reason why Qixing agreed to the other party's research must be related to the incident at Dunyuling.

After all, not all of the Fatui's research is harmful. If the Fatui can find a way to counter the Daedric Prince by sharing their research results, then Liyue will have made a huge profit!

The ship that Clement had rented was already waiting on the shore. After the group boarded the ship, they headed towards the Lonely Cloud Pavilion, which was located deep in the Cloud Sea.

Jiang Bai didn't come to Guyun Pavilion very often. There used to be some demons living there, but after that great battle, there probably weren't any demons left living there.

As Guyun Pavilion drew closer, the strangely shaped rock formations he had seen before came into view.

Jiang Bai looked at Zhong Li, "Master, I heard before that Gu Yun Pavilion was smashed open by the Rock King Emperor with a rock spear, is that true?"

For this kind of question, asking the person directly is the most reliable approach.

"Yes, during the War of the Demon Gods, the Rock King Emperor used rocks as spears and threw them into this sea area to pierce and suppress the vortex demon god. Those rock spears have undergone long years of weathering and eventually formed this unique landscape."

"This mountain is so huge! It's actually Lord Rock's weapon!"

Paimon stared wide-eyed in surprise. She looked at Zhongli, then at the huge mountain in the distance, and found it all very incredible.

"Last time we only saw a few of Ausel's heads, does that mean Ausel's lower body is still nailed to the seabed and he can't move?"

Jiang Bai imagined a hydra pinned down, with only its head able to move.

"This... I don't know either..."

Zhongli was unsure whether, after thousands of years, Ausel was still pinned to the same spot by the rock spear, since the rock spear had long since turned into rocks. All he could sense now was that Ausel was still sealed away.

"If Ausel's lower body is still pinned down and unable to break free after all this time... then the Emperor's power is truly terrifying..."

Zhongli's image in Jiang Bai's mind immediately rose significantly.

He had experienced Ausel's strength firsthand; it was truly formidable!

Considering the power of the God of War, one might ask, what demon god would require him to use schemes and tricks to harm them?

Zhongli chuckled, looking at the strangely shaped rocks in the distance, seemingly recalling the glorious years of the past.

"What remains before us now is only the tip of the iceberg. The number and size of the rock spears that the Emperor threw back then far exceeded this. However, due to their unusual angles and enormous size, many of them sank to the bottom of the sea due to seawater erosion or gravity."

Jiang Bai's eyes lit up, and he clung to Zhong Li's arm tightly, asking, "Can I learn this move?!"

He also wanted to use the mountain to smash people!

Zhongli smiled and said, "If you can manipulate such a large amount of rock element, you can naturally do it too."