At a stall…
Paimon: Boss, do you have any glaze lily here?
Bole: glaze lily? Of course, which kind do you want?
Paimon: Which kind? Hmm… the best kind?
So there are so many kinds of glaze lily?
Bole: Hmph, an ignorant foreigner, asking such questions.
Zhongli: "Golden House's Hidden Beauty," "Mountain Shade's Brocade Cluster," "Ethereal Immortal's Fate," please bring me one of each of these three types of glaze lily to see.
Bole: Oh—this gentleman is a true connoisseur!
Bole: Please take a look, honored guest, and tell me any thoughts you have.
Zhongli: Hmm… Depending on the growing environment and ancestral lineage, glaze lily will exhibit different characteristics.
The few plants the boss has here… are very well preserved.
They are all very fresh.
For example, this one, Zhongli said, picking up a flower,
“With lush branches and leaves, and stamens like a ‘Golden House’s Hidden Beauty’ with long-lasting green leaves,”
“It mostly grows in places with complex hydrological conditions.”
As for damp, shaded places,
glaze lily often grows with large petals and dense stamens, emitting a rich fragrance, truly a cluster of flowers and brocade.
The last type… is aloof and serene, with very sparse arrangement of branches, leaves, and flowers.
When it blooms, its fragrance is faint but extremely long-lasting, discovered accidentally by ancient people when climbing mountains to seek immortals.
However, by today, most wild glaze lily have become extinct during the geographical changes in Liyue.
Now, most rely on artificial "cultivation."
Bole: Oh, sir is indeed an "expert"; even I didn't know there were so many intricacies.
Zhongli: I merely know a little; these three friends of mine are not to be underestimated; they are travelers who will eventually traverse the "Continent."
Qixuan: So, should we buy all three this time too?
Paimon: Uh… I think Lumine might have some opinions.
Lumine: Mr. Zhongli, which one should we choose?
Zhongli: How about… all of them?
Lumine: …………
Qixuan: Hahahahaha!
Paimon: Again!? My food money!
Zhongli: Heh, when listening to opera, one must choose the most popular singer.
“When walking birds, one must buy the most precious thrush.”
This is life.
However, buying three kinds of glaze lily this time is not out of my life philosophy.
You might not know, but according to tradition, if different types of glaze lily are made into "balms" and offered before the Seven Archon Statue,
Lord of Geo will make his own choice.
Qixuan: (Does that old man have this hobby too?)
Zhongli: Although it has been simplified over time,
this is the only Farewell to Sefarer Ritual belonging to one of the Seven Archons in three thousand seven hundred years.
We should still follow tradition and offer these balms one by one.
Paimon: Lumine… do you still have enough Mora?
Lumine: I'm already used to it…
Qixuan: Alright, alright, I'll pay this time.
Lumine: That's not good.
Qixuan said nothing, then waved her hand, and three boxes of Mora appeared. (The cheapest thing in the system store is Mora.)
“Keep the change.”
Lumine: Rich lady, please support me!
Paimon: Wow!
Zhongli: (How did he not know this old friend was so rich? Hmm… it seems I have another reason not to carry Mora in the future.)
Bole: Uh… Honored guests, excuse me for interrupting… are you offering these glaze lily to Rock Lord?
Paimon: That's not wrong to say.
Bole: Oh… you should have said so earlier. After that Rite of Descension, I also heard some bad news…
I won't say anything inauspicious, but in short, I've always been very worried about Rock Lord, worried that the news was true.
If it's for Rock Lord, I won't charge you for these flowers.
Just convey my regards.
Paimon: This… is that really appropriate?
Bole: What are you saying? Without Rock Lord, there would be no "place to live" for common folk like me.
If it weren't for Rock Lord's poem back then, how could these precious glaze lily be so valuable?
Qixuan: Boss, while that's true,
this is the nation of "contract"; it's "only right and proper" to pay for things.
We appreciate your kindness, and we will convey your intentions to "Rock Lord," won't we, Mr. Zhongli?
Zhongli: Hmm… Miss Qixuan is right. Even for Rock Lord, we cannot violate the rules of "contract."
Bole: This… Alright, alright.
“Then thank you very much, honored guests.”
Zhongli: In any case, thank you, boss, for providing us with the glaze lily; it has solved our "urgent need."
After leaving the stall…
Paimon: We have the flowers, but how do we make the balm?
Zhongli: It would be best to find someone skilled at making balms.
However, among the people I know, there isn't anyone who personally makes balms…
Paimon: Hmm! Sounds like a rich person!
Zhongli: So, I'll trouble you to look around the city, perhaps young ladies from ordinary families or the like…
Paimon: Alright, so, someone who smells nice, right? That sounds like a pretty good "errand."
Paimon and Lumine then set off, while Qixuan didn't go.
She said she wanted to discuss "knowledge" with Mr. Zhongli.
Qixuan: Are you really planning to "send yourself off"?
Zhongli: We must give humanity some opportunities, after all, this is now the "era of human governance."
Let's talk somewhere else.
They then went to the teahouse Zhongli frequently visited.
Zhongli, drinking tea: How did you feel during your years in Mondstadt?
Qixuan: The "city-state" of freedom truly lives up to its name, but freedom sometimes comes at a price.
Zhongli: Hmm? I'd like to hear more…
Qixuan: Wind is masterless; it can go anywhere.
Although Venti does fulfill his duties as an Archon when Mondstadt encounters danger,
and Mondstadt has grown stronger through trials and tribulations,
humans are ultimately humans; greed, anger, and delusion, none can be absent.
But Venti cannot manage these, because these are human affairs; as long as it doesn't concern the life and death of Mondstadt City,
it's basically resolved by the Acting Grand Master.
Mondstadt City now appears prosperous and free, but who knows what might happen in some dark corner?
In diplomacy, there is oppression from the Fatui, and internally, there are corrupt officials and nobles.
The Acting Grand Master I saw is busy every day, unable to attend to everything.
I also admire her competence.
"freedom" without restraint ultimately drifts with the wind.
"freedom" with restraint is no longer "freedom."
Zhongli: …Listening to an old friend's words, I feel deeply.
Perhaps… it's not yet time. He originally wanted to see how humanity would act after this incident.
The common people are all worried about Rock Lord's departure, and they remember Rock Lord's benevolence.
At the same time, they also worry about what will become of a nation without a god's protection?
He couldn't help but think of Khaenri'ah? No, that's different.
And the actions of the Qixing… truly disappointed him somewhat.
Perhaps… should humanity be given more time?
Qixuan: (Took a sip of tea) I know what you're worried about.
"God loves the world"; they remember your kindness to them.
Give them some more time; after all, even the shortest blooming period needs "time" to grow, right?
Zhongli thought it made sense, then turned his head to find that Qixuan had already finished his tea.
Zhongli: …Boss, another pot, please.
Charge it to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's account.
Hu Tao: (Sneezed) Who's talking about me behind my back?