Yixuan, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke up.
"I think Mr. Hanxue's hypothesis makes a great deal of sense. As for Mr. Zhongli here—without any concrete evidence, isn't it rather presumptuous to dismiss Rex Lapis's profound foresight so lightly?"
Zhongli shook his head.
"No. My words carry no praise or censure. I am merely stating a fact."
Hanxue snorted.
"Give me a break. Do you really think you understand Rex Lapis better than I do?"
The moment he said that, Lora couldn't hold back and let out a soft laugh, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
Hanxue turned toward her. "Honored guest, do you find something wrong with what I said?"
"Huh?" Lora paused, then quickly composed herself. She restrained her smile and said seriously, "Oh, not at all. I just found your story quite interesting. If it were ever compiled into a book, it would surely sell very well. Of course, you'd need to note on the title page that it's purely fictional, and to read with caution."
"Oh?"
Hanxue let out a cold laugh.
"From the sound of it, you don't believe my conclusions either—just like Mr. Zhongli here?" His tone grew faintly contemptuous. "May I ask, are you an archaeologist?"
Lora shook her head. "No."
"Haha! Not an archaeologist, yet you dare question my judgment?"
Hanxue laughed openly.
Someone who didn't even understand archaeology—what right did she have to speak here? He was the one who truly understood these ancient matters.
Lora waved her hand dismissively. "It's not that I don't believe you. I simply can't convince myself to."
"It seems this young lady has her own perspective," Yixuan said, looking at Lora from the side. "I would very much like to hear it. Might I trouble you to elaborate?"
"Oh, I wouldn't call it a perspective," Lora replied casually.
"After all, I'm nobody important. But you see, as a distinguished guest of Tianquan Ningguang, my words carry at least a little weight. If you're so confident that your view is correct, how about I invite an adeptus to come and discuss it with you? Then we can see whether the account of an actual eyewitness is more accurate, or the guesses of people speculating from several thousand years later."
That single remark effectively put an end to the discussion.
After all, who would dare claim their understanding of that history surpassed that of a true adeptus?
Hanxue, Yixuan, and the others laughed awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Lora nudged Zhongli in the waist with her elbow and whispered, "Well? How was that? Not bad, right?"
"What?"
Zhongli looked at her.
Lora continued quietly, "Helping you correct their understanding of history. I know who you are—the god who treats history with absolute seriousness. Even if you don't show it or lose your temper, I know you don't agree with people twisting and fabricating the past like this."
Hearing her words, Zhongli gave a small nod. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me. We go way back, after all," Lora said with a smile.
At that moment, Wanyan stood up. She looked at Zhongli and said somewhat hesitantly, "Sir… I have a few questions related to archaeology. I was hoping we might find a quieter place so I could ask you properly. Would that trouble you?"
Zhongli looked at her and thought for a moment before nodding.
"That would be no trouble. However, would it be convenient for my friend to come along as well? She is closely acquainted with the adepti, and may be able to offer some useful insight."
Wanyan smiled.
"Of course. Let's go."
Everyone followed Wanyan toward a more secluded area. Walking behind Zhongli, Lora reflected on the situation. As she thought it through, realization finally dawned on her.
Oh.
So this was that part of the story.
The matter of Havria.
Once they reached a spot with no one else around, Wanyan turned to Zhongli and Lora and spoke in a low voice.
"What I'm about to say may be considered disrespectful to the Geo Archon, and could draw a great deal of scorn. That's why I thought it best to speak here, in private."
Her gaze settled on Zhongli as she continued.
"Earlier, I noticed that you spoke with remarkable insight and had your own interpretations of history. So I'd like to ask you something. Do you believe that all the gods slain by the Geo Archon were evil?"
After she finished, Zhongli answered slowly, "Leaving aside the question of good and evil, Rex Lapis places great importance on 'contracts.' Therefore, any god he slew must have violated some form of 'contract.'"
"That may be so," Wanyan replied solemnly, "but during my archaeological research, I uncovered accounts concerning the 'God of Salt.' Havria, the God of Salt, was a benevolent deity—yet she was still assassinated by Morax during the war, using dishonorable means."
Before Zhongli could respond, Lora let out a cold snort.
Both Zhongli and Wanyan turned to look at her. Wanyan frowned slightly. "Miss Lora, what do you mean by that?"
Zhongli was patient by nature, but Lora had no intention of indulging certain ideas. She spoke bluntly. "Miss Wanyan, do you really believe that Rex Lapis, with his divine power, would resort to assassination to deal with an enemy?"
"What are you implying…"
Wanyan's brow furrowed.
"I'll be direct," Lora said. "You're a follower of Havria, the God of Salt, aren't you?"
Having her identity exposed so plainly, Wanyan instinctively took a step back, panic flashing in her eyes. "Y-you're talking nonsense! In Liyue, how could there be any faith other than that of the Geo Archon?"
"Oh? Is that so?" Lora smiled faintly. "Then why did you just address Morrax by name? In Liyue, no one has ever dared to speak that name outright. To claim devotion to the 'God of Salt' while enjoying the protection of Rex Lapis—how laughable."
"You—" Wanyan clenched her fists, her brows drawn tight. She finally admitted it outright. "Yes! I am a follower of Havria, the God of Salt. And so what? Morrax assassinated our god—am I not even allowed to speak his name?"
"An utterly foolish idea," Lora said with undisguised disdain.
"Lora," Zhongli called out from the side, letting out a quiet sigh. "That's enough."
"The true history cannot be changed," Lora replied, turning to look at him.
"Zhongli, isn't that your creed? If you think telling her now would be too cruel, then let me be the one to do it. You should understand—perhaps among everyone here, I'm the only one who can speak of all this while remaining completely detached."
After hearing her words, Zhongli fell silent. After a long moment, he nodded slightly.
"Then… so be it."