Seeing Xiao looking ready to vanish at any moment, Jiang Bai quickly ceased his teasing.
"I wanted to ask your opinion on Rex Lapis's death, Xiao."
At this question, Xiao remained silent for a long moment.
My opinion?
I can only watch.
Whatever Rex Lapis wished to do, it wasn't his place as a subordinate to question.
"I can't imagine Liyue without Rex Lapis," Xiao finally said, his voice cold and edged with lethal intent. "Once the other adepti have gathered, we will investigate this matter in Liyue Harbor thoroughly and eradicate any and all evil."
Clearly, when Xiao spoke of "eradicating evil," he wasn't joking.
Jiang Bai began to worry whether Zhongli could survive under the adepti's pressure.
Tentatively, he asked, "After Rex Lapis ascends back to heaven, do you think there will be a next Geo Archon?"
"I don't know," Xiao shook his head.
"Do you know our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant, Zhongli?"
Hearing this name, Xiao's eyelashes flickered slightly.
"I've heard of him. What about it?"
"What do you think of him becoming the next Geo Archon?"
Xiao: ?
He blinked, then blinked again, uncharacteristically bewildered.
Wasn't Rex Lapis intending to retire? Why would he become a second Geo Archon?
He fell into deep silence. Under Jiang Bai's expectant gaze, he eventually turned his head aside.
"I've only heard Hu Tao mention this person briefly. I don't know him well enough to answer."
"You're right, I suppose my question was too tricky." Jiang Bai sighed, propping up his head.
Xiao looked back at him. "Why are you asking this?"
"No special reason. Since Rex Lapis has ascended, there must be a successor. I'm curious about the adepti's opinion."
Jiang Bai certainly wouldn't tell him the truth.
Between Zhongli and Xiao, it was obvious he was closer to Zhongli.
Although he'd been playfully slandering Zhongli lately, Jiang Bai deeply respected the man who had guided him from the start—a teacher and a friend.
In truth, he didn't feel much about the Geo Archon's death. After all, he didn't even know the god personally, so sadness wasn't something he felt deeply.
He simply disliked seeing his Director so upset.
But the Archon was dead, and there was no use dwelling on it. Life had to move forward.
If Zhongli became the next Geo Archon, he'd essentially become the disciple of a god. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would also rise alongside him.
But if Zhongli really wanted to be Archon, how would he get past the adepti?
Jiang Bai left with a troubled mind, leaving Xiao behind, utterly baffled.
Slowly finishing the almond tofu on the table, Xiao eventually decided he needed to visit Rex Lapis in Liyue Harbor.
He had to clarify Rex Lapis's intentions to avoid unintentionally sabotaging the god's plans.
By the time Xiao arrived at Liyue Harbor, night had fallen. Zhongli sat in his courtyard, calmly pouring himself wine under the moonlight.
Xiao suddenly appeared in front of him, lowering his head respectfully. "My Lord."
"Why have you come?" Zhongli poured him a cup of wine, gesturing for him to sit.
Xiao sat stiffly opposite him, staring silently at the wine before him.
"I met Jiang Bai today at Wangshu Inn."
"Oh?" Zhongli raised an eyebrow, intrigue flashing in his eyes. "What did he say to you?"
Xiao looked up, evidently perplexed. "He asked if the adepti would seek out a successor for the Geo Archon, and what we thought about you—a mortal—becoming the next Geo Archon."
Zhongli chuckled, leaving Xiao even more confused.
"That brat. He grumbles aloud, but his actions reveal his true thoughts clearly."
Xiao: ?
What was Rex Lapis talking about? Xiao couldn't follow at all.
Noticing Xiao's confusion, Zhongli explained with obvious amusement, "He believes I am the culprit who killed Rex Lapis, and that my goal was to become the next Geo Archon."
Xiao: "..."
He nearly laughed, but restrained himself.
Honestly, if Rex Lapis truly wanted to remain Archon, why bother faking his death only to assume a new identity as the second Geo Archon?
Such conjecture was absurd—but understandable, given Jiang Bai didn't know the truth.
"My Lord, aren't you going to explain it to him?"
Xiao genuinely worried Jiang Bai might do something foolish, forcing the Archon's burdens right back onto Zhongli's shoulders.
"Why should I explain?" Zhongli understood Xiao's concern, but it was unnecessary.
Given Jiang Bai's personality, he wouldn't deliberately cause trouble. At most, he'd do exactly as he had today—testing the adepti's attitudes.
Zhongli gestured for Xiao to drink, and Xiao quietly obeyed, draining his cup.
Perhaps due to the wine—or the amusing topic of Jiang Bai's misunderstanding—the atmosphere relaxed, allowing Xiao to ease up, his posture becoming more natural.
Seeing Xiao more at ease, Zhongli's eyes softened warmly.
This child was always overly formal with him. Even after thousands of years, it hadn't changed.
But Zhongli was no longer Rex Lapis—just the mortal Zhongli now. There was no need to rigidly uphold their former hierarchy.
Refilling Xiao's cup, Zhongli continued, clearly entertained, "He's so convinced I'm the culprit. No matter what I say or do, it only reinforces his suspicion, blinding him to everything else. He's utterly convinced I had grievances against Rex Lapis, aiming to destabilize Liyue, even though I've done absolutely nothing."
Xiao's lips curled into a faint smile, clearly amused.
Who would've guessed Jiang Bai's imagination could be so outlandish?
He truly was Hu Tao's disciple—both master and apprentice taking the path less traveled.
If the other adepti learned about this, they'd probably laugh openly, teasing Jiang Bai for hundreds of years.
"I'm rather curious to see his expression when he discovers my true identity," Zhongli said lightly, sipping his wine, his amusement obvious.
Hopefully, Jiang Bai wouldn't mimic an ostrich, burying his head in the sand when the truth came out.
Seeing Rex Lapis so intrigued, Xiao also found himself wondering what Jiang Bai's reaction would be. But due to his reserved nature, he kept his curiosity to himself.
As they continued talking, a voice suddenly approached, and Xiao immediately vanished.
"Mr. Zhongli, I've gathered everything you requested!" Jiang Bai entered Zhongli's courtyard, pants rolled up, clutching several lotus pods, flowers, and leaves in hand.
He wore slippers, and traces of dried mud from wading in the lake to gather lotuses lingered on his trousers.
He dropped the lotus pods carelessly onto the table and plopped down on the stool across from Zhongli.
To avoid taking too long, Jiang Bai had paid premium prices and even traveled all the way to Mt. Aocang's pool to collect these lotus pods himself.
Glancing at the half-empty cup of wine in front of him, he asked in surprise, "Were you drinking with someone, Mr. Zhongli?"
Zhongli didn't answer his question, instead directing his gaze at the lotus pods Jiang Bai brought.
"I thought you were unwilling to formally acknowledge me as your master. How did you manage to gather everything so quickly?"
Hidden in the shadows, Xiao's eyes widened in shock.