"After going through this whole plot, I really find it hard to believe that Jun Bai would assassinate the Geo Archon. But there's no way to explain the cryptic conversation between Jun Bai and Zhongli."
Silver Wolf ruffled her own hair with slight irritation.
[Right now, my wife Guizhong believes that Rex Lapis has not passed away, yet Big Bro Bai insists on seeing the Archon's remains before he can confirm it.]
[If Jun Bai really is the one who assassinated the Geo Archon, then he should be stubbornly insisting that Rex Lapis is already dead.]
[What if Old Mi is playing reverse psychology and had Jun Bai deliberately confuse everyone?]
"Seriously, just one tiny detail is exposed and the plot analysis bloggers are already scratching their heads in frustration." Silver Wolf helplessly slumped back in her swivel chair and spun around. "That one conversation alone completely overturned my original theory."
Silver Wolf's original theory: proving that Zhongli is Rex Lapis.
Silver Wolf's current theory: whether Rex Lapis was actually assassinated by Jun Bai and Zhongli.
[It's obvious that the little wolf cub is really stumped this time.]
[There are too few clues, yet they point very strongly in one direction. From the players' perspective, Jun Bai and Zhongli are both highly suspicious regarding the Archon's murder.]
[We can treat it as entertainment, but the little wolf cub has to make a plot analysis video, so of course she feels troubled.]
"I hope the later plot gives some useful information." Silver Wolf prayed as she continued advancing through the story.
"Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains? What is that?" Paimon asked upon hearing the unfamiliar term.
"It is the Archon's remains."
Jun Bai explained the concept of the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains to Paimon, then sighed and said, "If we could see the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains, we would be able to confirm whether the news of the Archon's death is true or not."
"Right now, the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains are in the hands of the Liyue Qixing, correct?" Lumine asked with one arm crossed over her chest, puzzled. "Even all the adepti from Jueyun Karst and the Guili Assembly together cannot see the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains?"
"We once signed contracts with the Archon and cannot harm the residents of Liyue. Moreover, as I said before, the people of Liyue Harbor only worship the Archon."
"That is why the Liyue Qixing will show respect to the adepti and me, but they will not obey our every demand. So if we want to see the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains, we may have to prepare for a prolonged battle with the Qixing." Jun Bai frowned deeply as he explained.
Because they could not attack civilians without cause, the adepti could only choose to negotiate with the Qixing.
Negotiations on this matter would definitely take a long time; a war of attrition was inevitable.
After Jun Bai's explanation, even Paimon understood the situation. She scratched her head, then her eyes suddenly lit up.
Paimon looked at Lumine and said, "Lumine, didn't you make a deal with that Fatui guy called Childe before? Didn't he say he had a way to let you see Rex Lapis's remains as soon as possible?"
The moment Paimon said this, everyone present except Lumine turned their gazes toward her.
"Paimon, can you explain the situation in detail?" Jun Bai asked.
"Let me explain it instead." Lumine stepped in front of Paimon and revealed everything about the deal she had made with Childe.
"Oh? A mere mortal actually possesses such capability?" Cloud Retainer expressed disbelief.
Xiao pondered for a moment, then said, "I heard the boss of Wangshu Inn mention the Fatui. It is an organization with a rather poor reputation."
"Even if their reputation is not great, on Liyue's territory they would not dare violate the contract." Jun Bai said, then turned to Guizhong. "Guizhong, what do you think?"
"Jun Bai, I remember you mentioned not long ago that the Cryo Archon is collecting Gnoses. And the Fatui are the subordinates of the Cryo Archon."
"Yes."
"Then the Fatui's goal is obviously the Gnosis in Morax's hands." Guizhong's eyes flashed with thoughtful light. "In the eyes of the world today, Morax has undoubtedly passed into immortality. When an Archon falls, the Gnosis in their possession resides within the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains."
"At least that is what the Fatui believe. Therefore, the Fatui's goal is the same as ours—they are all after the location of the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains."
"So the words spoken by that person codenamed 'Childe' carry high credibility. Even if they do not know the exact location of the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains, they must have a method to find it."
Guizhong looked at Jun Bai and asked, "Do you understand what I'm thinking now?"
"A little."
Jun Bai nodded and turned to the young man behind him. "Xiao."
"Marshal, please give your orders." Xiao reflexively responded like a soldier receiving a military command.
"I'm entrusting you to make a trip to the Guili Assembly. Tell everyone not to pay attention to the news of the Archon's passing. Guizhong and I are already working on confirming whether the information is true or false. During this time, everyone should focus on their own duties." Jun Bai said.
"Understood." After replying, Xiao turned into a streak of dark green and vanished from Mt. Aocang.
"So fast." Paimon exclaimed in surprise.
"Cloud Retainer, come with me." Guizhong said to the blue-and-white crane.
"Why should this Adeptus listen to you?" the tsundere crane said while crossing her arms.
"As you wish." Guizhong said, walking straight down Mt. Aocang.
"This Adeptus never said she wasn't going! Wait for this Adeptus!" Cloud Retainer flapped her wings and chased after her.
"Lumine, Paimon, let's go." Jun Bai said, then headed toward Liyue Harbor.
"Wait, wait, Jun Bai. I don't understand this development at all." Paimon caught up, her face full of confusion.
"That guy called Childe has the same goal as us—obtaining the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains. So he definitely has a way to find out its location. It's just that due to his position, he may face some restrictions and needs help from others."
"He wants to use the adepti to make the Liyue Qixing too busy to deal with the Fatui. In that case, we can also use him in reverse to obtain information about the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains."
"So Guizhong and I have a plan. Guizhong and Cloud Retainer will negotiate with the Liyue Qixing, creating the illusion that both the adepti and the Qixing have no time to spare for the Fatui. The adepti led by Moon Carver will investigate the Fatui's intentions, while I go with you to meet that Childe and inquire about the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains."
As Jun Bai spoke, his hair gradually turned black and his attire transformed into dark-red ordinary clothes.
After Jun Bai's explanation, Lumine and Paimon suddenly understood and quickly followed in his footsteps.
"By the way, Jun Bai. Here's your military tally."
Lumine handed the military tally to Jun Bai.
"Hold onto it for now. Return it to me after this matter is concluded." Jun Bai said. "You were still holding the tally when you left, but it was gone when you returned. That flaw would be too obvious."
"Got it."
Lumine did not act coy and simply put away the military tally, following Jun Bai into Liyue Harbor.
The moment they entered Liyue Harbor, Jun Bai sensed a hidden gaze falling upon him.
He pretended not to notice and said to Lumine, "Lead the way. Let me see whether this Fatui Harbinger really has three heads and six arms."
Lumine nodded and walked ahead.
Soon, Lumine and Paimon met Childe at the agreed location. The two informed him that they had already notified all the Mighty and Illuminated Adepti.
"We have fulfilled your request. Now it's your turn to deliver your payment."