"I haven't agreed to her request."
Morax shook his head.
"At present, she has nothing worth exchanging for a Gnosis."
Indeed, although Morax had long considered stepping down from the position of Geo Archon, there was a condition attached—
Jiang Yan had to be willing to inherit the Geo Gnosis and assume the role of Geo Archon.
In Morax's eyes, Jiang Yan was undoubtedly the best possible successor.
Power that surpassed even gods.
The ability to inspire faith among the people equal to what they held for Morax himself.
And his treatment of the people was beyond reproach.
If Morax was Liyue's emperor, then Jiang Yan was, in many ways, its acting co-ruler.
"Hmm…"
Jiang Yan fell silent for a moment before looking at Morax.
"Morax…"
He suddenly spoke.
"Have you ever considered…"
"Letting humans govern Liyue?"
Morax paused.
Let humanity govern Liyue?
He had once entertained such a thought.
If he relinquished the position of Geo Archon, could humans truly shoulder the responsibility of ruling a nation?
But that thought had quickly faded.
Even if Liyue no longer had him, Jiang Yan still remained.
Jiang Yan would never allow the nation they had built together to be destroyed.
That was also why Morax had lived such a leisurely existence these past years.
Because in a sense—
Jiang Yan was already a god without the title of one.
"I haven't seriously thought about it."
As Jiang Yan raised the topic again, Morax found himself contemplating it.
"Are humans truly prepared… to welcome an era that belongs to them?"
"A stone left untouched will never become smooth, no matter how carefully it's protected."
Jiang Yan stood up and walked to the edge of Mount Tianheng, gazing down at the thriving lights of Liyue Harbor.
"Liyue is the same."
"I imagine your decision to take Ningguang, Beidou, and Shenhe as disciples comes from that line of thinking."
Morax looked toward him.
He had long sensed something unusual.
For thousands of years, Jiang Yan had never accepted disciples.
Yet now, he had suddenly begun taking several under his wing.
There had to be a reason.
"Yeah. I started thinking about it a long time ago."
Jiang Yan stretched out his hand, feeling the mountain breeze brush against his palm.
"When those three little ones finally grow up…"
He smiled toward Morax.
"I'll hand over all my authority to them."
"And then…"
"I can retire in glory."
His voice carried a relaxed tone.
"Retire?"
Morax looked at him before chuckling.
"So you've planned this for quite some time."
"Of course."
Jiang Yan shrugged.
"I've worked hard long enough. Eventually, it's time to rest."
Morax nodded slowly.
"I understand."
His gaze deepened thoughtfully, as though considering something far-reaching.
Then Jiang Yan turned back toward him.
"Morax."
Morax lifted his head.
"Regardless of what methods the Cryo Archon intends to use to oppose Celestia…"
"I do not want Liyue dragged into that storm."
Jiang Yan's eyes remained calm.
"At least while I still hold authority, I won't allow Liyue to fall into danger."
"No matter what kind of contract you ultimately make with the Cryo Archon…"
"I won't interfere."
"But my noninterference comes with limits."
"If things go too far…"
"I can't guarantee I'll stay calm."
Though his words bordered on a warning, Morax did not become angry.
He understood.
This was Jiang Yan's way of protecting Liyue.
As one of Liyue's founders, Jiang Yan would never stand idle if disaster struck.
The reason he said this…
Was because he knew exactly what Morax had done in the original storyline.
Feigning death to step down.
Even arranging his own funeral.
That truly sounded like something Morax would do.
In that original path, it had been for the sake of Liyue's growth.
But although Jiang Yan planned to retire someday, he had no intention of letting Ningguang, who would one day inherit his responsibilities, suffer because of it.
"I know my limits."
Morax nodded.
"Liyue has grown under my watch as well."
"Good. Then handle things as you see fit."
Jiang Yan nodded.
"Well then, I'll head back."
"Go ahead."
Morax gave a small nod.
Jiang Yan rose into the air, flying toward Liyue Harbor.
Outside the house.
Jiang Yan pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"You're back?"
Ganyu sat on the sofa reading, clearly waiting for him.
"Mm. Are Ningguang and the others asleep?"
"Just now."
Ganyu nodded.
Then she asked:
"Why did Rex Lapis suddenly come to see you? Was something wrong?"
Jiang Yan shook his head with a smile.
"Nothing major."
"He just wanted to ask me about a few things."
He had no intention of telling Ganyu about his discussion with Morax.
The fewer people who knew, the better.
Morax had not made his final decision yet.
But Jiang Yan knew—
The world possessed a kind of corrective force.
If Morax still chose the same path as before, Jiang Yan would not stop him.
Because this world was no longer the same.
The adepti had not withdrawn entirely from mortal affairs.
And Jiang Yan…
He had retired.
He wasn't dead.
Even if Morax staged his death, with Jiang Yan still present, Liyue's people would never panic.
And Jiang Yan certainly would not allow the Fatui to run wild in Liyue.
Whatever agreements Morax made—
Jiang Yan would not necessarily honor them.
If Snezhnaya objected?
Then let the Cryo Archon come negotiate personally.
He certainly wouldn't be as patient as Morax.
"Good. As long as nothing's wrong."
Ganyu nodded.
She knew Morax would never seek Jiang Yan out without reason.
But if Jiang Yan chose not to explain, she wouldn't press further.
Her trust in him was absolute.
If he didn't want her to know, then it meant she didn't need to worry.
"Come on. Let's wash up and get some rest."
Jiang Yan grinned.
Ganyu instantly understood what that smile meant.
Her cheeks flushed.
Her thighs seemed to ache reflexively.
"Tonight… let's just rest."
She spoke softly.
"Still hurting?"
Jiang Yan immediately remembered that he might have gone a little too far last night.
"Mm…"
Ganyu nodded shyly.
"I see…"
Jiang Yan sounded somewhat regretful.
"Then let's rest properly tonight."
He trusted the Horse Talisman's healing ability completely.
But while it could heal injuries, lingering sensations were another matter entirely.
He understood how she felt.
Ganyu had just begun to relax—
When suddenly she found herself swept into a princess carry.
"Eh?!"
Startled, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"But we still need to bathe."
Jiang Yan grinned mischievously.
His expression clearly revealed he had no innocent intentions.
"Didn't you say we'd rest tonight…"
Ganyu asked, blushing.
"Of course."
Jiang Yan smiled wickedly.
"Then why are you…"
She looked up in confusion.
"Your lower half can rest tonight."
"But your upper half doesn't get the night off."
He carried her upstairs.
"You're terrible…"
Even though no one else was around, Ganyu still lowered her head in embarrassment.
She understood exactly what he meant.
Three hours later—
Jiang Yan looked refreshed and utterly satisfied as he carried Ganyu back into the bedroom.
Ganyu rubbed her sore jaw.
"I'm not talking to you anymore."
She curled beneath the blanket like a little hamster retreating into its nest.
Afterward, her mouth always felt sore and numb.
Jiang Yan smiled.
He loved this adorable, pouty side of her.
He climbed into bed and wrapped her in his arms, burying his face into her fragrant hair.
Ganyu wriggled slightly, trying to escape.
But failed.
Jiang Yan had no intention of letting her go so easily.
"Alright, stop squirming."
"Sleep."
His voice softened.
"Bad person. I'm never doing that with you again."
Ganyu still sounded upset.
"Okay, okay. My fault."
He gently turned her toward him.
"We still have to visit Nahida tomorrow morning, remember?"
Before falling asleep, Nahida had made an agreement with Ganyu.
She clearly adored her gentle sister-in-law.
Though she understood Ganyu couldn't stay every day like Jiang Yan could.
So she had asked Ganyu to visit again the next morning.
Ganyu had naturally agreed.
Who could resist soft, adorable little Nahida?
At the mention of Nahida, Ganyu finally settled down.
"Hmph. Tomorrow, I'm resting."
She sounded firm.
"Alright, alright…"
Jiang Yan smiled fondly.
Whatever his precious wife wanted—
He would agree to it.
As for tomorrow…
Tomorrow was tomorrow.
Heh.
Jiang Yan thought shamelessly.
"Sleep now."
He stroked her soft blue hair.
His gentle voice carried a soothing warmth.
Sleepiness quickly overtook Ganyu.
Wrapped in his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent, her eyelids grew heavier.
Soon—
She drifted into sleep.
Feeling her breathing steady, Jiang Yan smiled softly.
Even after thousands of years, his feelings for Ganyu had only deepened.
He could look at her face forever and never grow tired of it.
His fingers combed gently through her hair.
Then he too closed his eyes.
Mount Tianheng.
After Jiang Yan left, Morax remained standing alone.
He gazed down over the prosperous city of Liyue.
"Let humanity govern Liyue…"
Jiang Yan's suggestion echoed endlessly in his thoughts.
For the first time—
Morax truly considered it.
Humans were fascinating creatures.
Unlike gods, they were not born powerful.
Yet Jiang Yan had proven one thing.
Human potential was limitless.
The Millelith.
The workers.
The merchants.
The countless people building and protecting Liyue in their own ways.
Perhaps…
Humanity truly could lead Liyue into its next era.
Morax found himself tempted.
No—
More than tempted.
But he still wondered.
Were humans truly ready?
"Hmm…"
"This matter requires deeper thought…"
Morax murmured quietly.
He remained atop Mount Tianheng for a long time.
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard