"Sal Terrae."
Zhongli repeated the name, his face obscured by the dappled shadows of leaves outside the window, making his expression difficult to read.
"Young friend," he said.
"Did you say you plan to go to Sal Terrae?"
They were in a small tearoom.
The sunshine filtering through layers of pine boughs cast faint golden bands upon the room; only the purest light and the silhouettes of gently swaying pine needles remained after the heat was screened out.
People in Liyue loved their tea—it was considered an elegant pastime, meant to be enjoyed in refined surroundings, in the company of a few cultured friends, while the warm midday sun turned time golden. They would call it 'stealing half a day of leisure.' Indeed, Liyue folk knew how to savor the finer things in life.
Clearly, Mr. Zhongli was a proper, old-school Liyue local. When Seino Yaku found him, he was leisurely sipping tea.
Apart from Zhongli, three other scholars—a woman and two men in traditional robes—were seated around the low tea table, conversing with an air of genteel grace.
"Yes, Sal Terrae. Do you know where it is…?"
Lumine tugged on Seino Yaku's sleeve and discreetly stood on tiptoe, trying to look taller—she thought it would give her a more imposing presence. Her golden eyes shone with a certain sternness, like a small but formidable hen, glaring at Zhongli.
In the little hen's mind, the suspicious man named Zhongli was not to be trusted. He was the classic drinking buddy type—despite appearing refined, he might very well be a lazy scoundrel, gambling, boozing, and carousing behind everyone's back. If she let her guard down, Seino Yaku would surely be led astray by this fellow!
They had come seeking his help only as a last resort.
Sal Terrae was indeed mentioned in the Teyvat Travel Guide, but it was an obscure site, remote and practically unheard of. Even the locals of Liyue had little idea about it.
At her wit's end, Seino Yaku had recalled that Mr. Zhongli was said to be a walking encyclopedia of Liyue's geography, antiquities, and history. He suggested they consult him. And so here they were.
"Sal Terrae…"
Before Zhongli could respond, the scholarly woman on his left interjected, her tone tinged with nostalgia. "That's… the domain of the God of Salt."
"It's been a long time since I heard it mentioned."
She had chestnut hair, light blue eyes, and wore glasses over a poised expression, apparently someone who took knowledge quite seriously.
"You two," she said, raising her eyes toward Seino Yaku, "my name is Wanyan. May I ask, for what purpose do you seek Sal Terrae?"
Seino Yaku obviously couldn't reveal his private vow, so he smiled and said, "Just out of curiosity. I wanted to see the place, maybe do some sightseeing, learn about its history. Broaden my horizons, you know."
"Ah, you want to learn about history…"
Wanyan's eyes brightened. She rose to her feet, looking enthusiastic.
"Wonderful, wonderful. I'm very interested in that piece of history myself. We can discuss it. Perhaps we can find a quiet place to talk."
Lumine's gaze instantly sharpened. The little hen shifted her wary eyes from Zhongli to Wanyan. A cold gleam, like an icy spring in the mountains, flashed in them. She suspected these people were showing their true colors at last!
This place is definitely shady.
That woman calling herself "Wanyan," with her two long, bare legs… plus those glasses, academic attire…
Lumine had heard rumors of this kind of "role-playing." They dress all prim and proper, but in reality—just thinking of it made her flush with embarrassment!
A private place to "discuss things academically"…
Lumine had seen right through Wanyan's scheme. The woman must have noticed that Seino Yaku was young, naive, and gullible, so she was trying to lure him off in the name of research, only to… to…
Imagining the scene, Lumine's cheeks grew hot, a pretty blush creeping across her pale face like a pure white sky dyed with sunset hues.
The hungry look in Wanyan's eyes was like a weasel spotting a little chick!
Indeed—everyone involved with that booze-lover Zhongli was bad news.
The more she dwelled on it, the more furious Lumine became.
She spread her arms, blocking Wanyan from Seino Yaku. Chin held high, the warm light illuminating her stern profile, her ears were tinged with red, yet her eyes remained resolute—truly like a small hen protecting her chick. She declared imposingly:
"No way!"
"If you want to take him, you have to take me first!"
Wanyan paused, somewhat taken aback by the interruption. But instead of anger, she looked rather pleased.
The more people interested in that lost history, the happier she was.
Smiling, she said, "Naturally, naturally. If the young lady wishes to come as well, by all means. It's an academic matter—extra participants can only help."
Liyue folks… are you all… this open?
They're going this far?
Such a… a big group?!
A female scoundrel!
Lumine gaped, realizing that Wanyan was, unbelievably, eyeing her as well!
Such a formidable woman.
The Blonde Auntie had never endured such humiliation.
Her golden eyes flared dangerously; her teeth clenched tight, a faint grinding sound betraying her rising anger, like a little lion cub ready to pounce. She glared daggers at Wanyan, sparks nearly flying from her gaze.
"We're not going—!"
But before Lumine could finish, Wanyan seemed to have another idea. She turned to Zhongli:
"Right, Mr. Zhongli, you're such a knowledgeable man. Why not join us for a deeper discussion? I have some questions I'd love to consult with you about, as well."
Now she was inviting that "street loafer" Zhongli, too! So she wanted—two men and two women?
A foursome…?
Lumine's attention snapped back to Zhongli. He, with perfect composure and not a shred of shame, simply nodded and said in a calm, natural tone:
"That would be fine."
He agreed, just like that—this seemingly serious man!
The little hen's mind began to short-circuit.
This couldn't continue; otherwise Seino Yaku would be corrupted for sure.
The little hen panicked, feeling she could no longer protect her little chick.
She clung to Seino Yaku's sleeve, nearly baring her fangs, gold eyes darting between Zhongli and Wanyan, ready to confront whichever one advanced first. In a low voice near his ear, she murmured, "Don't… don't let them corrupt you…"
The girl was pressed close to Seino Yaku.
If he lowered his head, he could see her soft, pale gold hair fluttering in the breeze, each strand shimmering with that same golden hue in the midday sun. It was hard to tell where the sunlight ended and where her hair began. That gentle glow tickled his cheek, making him itch slightly.
Seino Yaku had no clue what bizarre notion the blonde sister was getting worked up about.
But the way she clutched his sleeve with trembling fingers, the wary gleam in those pretty eyes, the faint flush on her cheeks, and the childish way she grumbled to herself—her hair brushing his face… all of it made him find this golden-haired girl rather adorable.
He pinched Lumine's cheek, teasing her. "Corrupt me how?"
"You…" Lumine's face went even redder. She turned away in a huff. "I'm not talking to you anymore."
"Why not?"
"No reason," she muttered. "Stop pinching my face!"
"If you won't say why, and you refuse to go, I'll just go on my own," Seino Yaku said lightly.
"I… I'm going, too!" Lumine spun back around to stare at him, resolute.
"Why's that?"
"To… to keep an eye on you."
"Keep an eye on me? Keep an eye on what?"
"I'm not telling you!"
Lumine fumed again.
"Mr. Zhongli, do you think the very first Mora contained divine power?"
"In my view," Zhongli replied, "Mora and money evolved simply as a convenient means to measure a contract's worth. The world's first Mora was likely just an ordinary coin created by Rex Lapis."
…
The sun's light gradually shifted, the tree shadows flickering more pronouncedly. As time passed, dusk drew near.
Throughout the day, the redness on Lumine's face had never fully subsided.
She watched Zhongli and Wanyan discussing away, feeling both embarrassed and bewildered. "Why aren't they doing anything indecent?!"
She had made up her mind that should anything suspicious happen—no matter how risky—she would save her little chick. Yet after they found a quiet spot, these two simply began a serious academic conversation and had been going at it for half an hour…
Could she have been mistaken all along?
Could she be the only one with impure thoughts?
At that notion, her cheeks flushed even more.
"Lumine… your hand is so hot, and your face is burning… do you have a fever?"
She lowered her head like she wanted to bury it in the ground, biting her lip. Her dejected posture was like a little creature ashamed after losing a fight.
And Seino Yaku had to ask what was wrong—what a blockhead. How was she supposed to answer?
She gave no response, only grew redder, hot enough to steam, halfheartedly pounding her small fists on Seino Yaku's chest, muttering, "It's your fault, it's all your fault…"
Girls are impossible to figure out.
Seino Yaku sighed inwardly.
Why is it my fault? What is there to blame me for?
But all in all, the trip hadn't been a waste. Listening to these scholars talk was quite enlightening—he'd learned many interesting things.
After meandering conversation, they finally returned to the main topic: Sal Terrae.
Sal Terrae was the land established by Havria, the God of Salt, in a desolate region.
[Fifth Covenant: Go to "Sal Terrae," locate the salt jar and salt ruler, and awaken "her."]
That was the vow Seino Yaku had once made. But who was this "her"? Could it be another "little zongzi" like Qiqi?
He had no idea. The only way to find answers was to go there himself.
"Mr. Zhongli,"
Wanyan gazed intently at Morax (though she didn't realize his identity), speaking earnestly:
"The conversation that follows might be rather irreverent toward the Geo Archon—offensive, even, in the eyes of the adepti. Liyue is the Geo Archon's domain, so many things remain unsaid… That's why we sought such a private place."
Liyue is the Geo Archon's domain, so one must be careful what one says… The implication was quite clear.
Seino Yaku frowned slightly. The way she spoke sounded almost rebellious.
Was she trying to stage an uprising here?
Zhongli replied with gentle grace. He only smiled faintly:
"Liyue doesn't belong solely to the Geo Archon. It belongs to the people as well. They have every right to speak. What need is there to avoid it?"
"Then sir, let me ask you." Wanyan's voice was quiet but carried a dangerous edge.
"Is our current history truly 'correct'?"
"What do you mean?" Zhongli asked.
Wanyan gave a cold snort. "Think about it: the Geo Archon was Liyue's ruler. So perhaps Liyue's so-called 'history' is simply… the version of history Morax wanted."
"You suspect that Liyue's history was… altered by Rex Lapis?"
"It's possible," Wanyan said resolutely.
Zhongli paused, glancing at Seino Yaku. After a moment, he spoke quietly:
"Maybe not," he said, then added, "But maybe yes. I can't say. When it comes to history, we can only approach it with reasoned skepticism."
Looking confident, Wanyan continued:
"My archaeological research has revealed various leads. The God of Salt's death actually occurred during the war… There was that sinful immortal. Betrayed his vows, that immortal—"
Finally, she touched on a forbidden subject: in Liyue, that name was essentially taboo.
"—He assassinated the God of Salt, didn't he?" she said icily.
"The ones who rule Liyue know it, the adepti all know it, but we ordinary folk rarely hear of it. That sinful immortal—that vile bastard—committed such a disgusting act."
Sinful immortal.
For some reason, Seino Yaku sensed the mood had turned heavy.
Zhongli regarded Wanyan calmly. "Maybe so."
"Morax whitewashed the history," Wanyan declared, fixing her gaze on Zhongli's eyes. Plainly, she had done serious research over at least a decade. "I found numerous inconsistencies in historical documents, all related to this sinful immortal Bosacius."
Sinful immortal Bosacius.
She uttered the name.
"Perhaps Rex Lapis altered history. Maybe he was the one who ordered that criminal to murder the God of Salt. All the adepti knew it. Later, to preserve his reputation, he took care of that scoundrel and buried the truth."
Zhongli listened quietly. From start to finish, his expression remained serene. With eyes lowered, his amber gaze reflected Wanyan's face.
"My evidence is… I witnessed it myself—some of the adepti, hidden away in secret, are still worshiping… still offering memorials to that sinful immortal!"
A sinful immortal…
They worshiped him in secret.
It all lined up. He was a criminal, then?
Hearing her words, Seino Yaku felt a sudden realization. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a pang of recognition.
He lowered his head in a wry smile.
…Ah.
So that's it, then.
Actually, he had been vaguely prepared.
So that's why… everyone's so annoyed by me?
Heh.
What a world.
Suddenly, a gentle warmth touched his hand—someone was holding it.
Seino Yaku looked over.
It was Lumine.
She gave him a silly grin, showing a small, pointed tooth, raising her little fist as she said something nonsensical:
"Little chick, don't be scared. No matter how treacherous it gets down here, I'll protect you!"
She said it with such earnestness—completely serious.
"No matter what happens, I'll get my little chick out safely!"
The sunset glow lit her cheeks, dusk piling upon dusk. Her smile was like the evening clouds.
"Idiot," Seino Yaku murmured. "I'm fine."
"And who are you calling 'little chick'…?"
…
Wanyan's tone grew more vehement:
"Today they hold a ritual for him—what next? Are they trying to exonerate that criminal immortal? But what of all the people who died? I can't allow this—"
"Wanyan," Zhongli said softly. Though his voice was not loud, it seemed infused with a quiet authority that quelled the air.
He had listened patiently before, but now, he finally interrupted her.
"I've always agreed that we should approach history with skepticism and reason. So you have a point."
He looked her straight in the eye, expression calm:
"Maybe Morax did whitewash the past. Maybe that official history is false. You could be correct—"
In the twilight glow, he continued:
"But perhaps the truth behind that story… differs from what you imagine. Maybe it is just your conjecture."
"I…" Wanyan tried to speak, but he cut her off.
"No one knows the truth but those who have witnessed it themselves," Zhongli said evenly. "True knowledge comes from seeing for oneself."
He concluded, "We'll only learn what really happened by seeing Sal Terrae's depths for ourselves."