"No! This isn't something we can decide on our own—we must first seek the judgment of Lord Morax!"
Even though the refugees looked pitiful—covered in sand, thin, exhausted—the people of Liyue still blocked them.
None dared allow them into the territory without divine approval.
After all, these people came from another demon god's domain.
If they welcomed them recklessly, they might bring trouble to Liyue.
If Lord Morax were inconvenienced because of their actions, it would be their unforgivable fault.
"What's going on?" Zayn approached.
The villagers immediately made way for him.
Everyone recognized the familiar voice—
The Demon God of Manifestation, Zenos.
"Lord Zenos, these people escaped from the lands of the Wind-Sand Demon God.
They seek to join our domain… but letting them in might cause trouble for Liyue."
Zayn looked over the refugees.
When they realized the youth before them was a demon god, the entire group bowed their heads in terror.
A few even knelt and kowtowed frantically.
"Great god, please show mercy—save us!"
"We did not wish to betray the Wind-Sand Demon God—we simply could not survive any longer!"
"We do not need food or shelter! We only ask to live under your protection!"
Zayn felt a pang of sympathy…
but he didn't answer.
This was Morax's domain. Decisions like this were his to make.
So Zayn used divine transmission to call Morax from his dwelling.
Morax arrived shortly, listened to a brief explanation, then said calmly:
"Since the Wind-Sand Demon God was at fault first, their leaving is justified.
Let them stay."
To Morax, the matter was simple:
a god who mistreated his people deserved to lose them.
Sandstorms were no threat to gods—but inflicting them upon mortals?
That was negligence.
The moment Morax's verdict fell, the refugees burst into tears of relief.
"Thank you, Lord Geo! Thank you, Lord Manifestation!"
"We will devote our lives to your worship!"
And so they joined Liyue—
a humble, fragile community of humans helping humans.
Zayn hadn't expected Morax to agree so quickly.
He'd thought Morax would at least deliberate.
But this was fine.
Demon gods loved humanity in their own ways—
even if that "love" sometimes came twisted or strange.
Back in the residence, Zayn asked,
"Say, aren't you worried the Wind-Sand Demon God will come to cause trouble?"
Morax replied plainly,
"Cause trouble? The fault was his.
Had he cared for his people, they would not have fled.
Since they are now Liyue's people, they shall not be returned.
If he insists—then we fight."
…
Yep. That was very Morax.
Zayn sighed.
Whatever.
If trouble came, Morax would handle it.
He, a professional recliner, would simply maintain his laid-back life.
—
The next day, Zayn brought a chessboard to Morax.
He wanted to show Morax the charm of Xiangqi—
and also bully him a little.
The first match ended quickly.
Morax knew the rules but not the traps, so Zayn crushed him.
But after that…
Morax improved at a terrifying speed—
like an overpowered artificial intelligence.
In their current match, Zayn had been driven into a corner.
Morax raised the corner of his mouth slightly.
His expression seemed to say:
There is no escape.
"Checkmate!"
Zayn declared loudly—
—and picked up Morax's guard piece and used it to "capture" Morax's king.
"?"
Morax slowly manifested a question mark.
Seeing his confusion, Zayn explained seriously:
"From the start, that guard was secretly working for me.
He was a spy we planted in your ranks!
Thus—your king fell to my mole!"
Morax pressed his fingers to his forehead.
He didn't need to question it—
This was classic Zayn nonsense.
The boy had a childlike mind.
Morax had grown used to it.
"To my knowledge, chess rules include no such thing as 'spies.'
You broke the rules.
Therefore, this round is my victory," Morax argued calmly.
"!"
"Morax, I invented the game of chess."
"So who understands chess better?
You—or me?"
"I won!"
Zayn went full unreasonable mode.
Morax sighed in resignation and conceded the match.
Then he suggested another round.
Zayn waved dismissively.
"No more, no more. My skill is too high—
you'll never beat me.
Playing like this is pointless."
…
Morax fell silent again.
He was beginning to understand a truth:
No one can win an argument against Zayn.
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