บท 49: Chapter 49
In Liyue's folk legends, Morax held many titles and divine duties.
During the Archon War, when He conquered countless enemies across the lands, He was the "God of War."
When He used his divine power to establish laws for Liyue Harbor, He was the "God of Contracts."
He personally forged the first "Mora," establishing Liyue Harbor's foundation in commerce, and merchants revered him as the "God of Commerce."
He lived through endless years, the oldest among the Seven, and historians called him the "God of History."
Thousands of years ago, when Liyue Harbor's ancestors were cultivating wilderness, they would often make fire by rubbing stones and build stoves with rock. These blessings from "Geo" also made the Geo Archon known as the "God of the Hearth" among the people.
Foreigners preferred to call Him Morax, while the people of Liyue favored the colloquial "Rex Lapis."
And in the hearts of opera enthusiasts and children, among Rex Lapis's many divine duties, the "God of War" who swept away thousands of demon gods on stage and founded and protected Liyue was the most interesting.
The snacks that "Rex Lapis" discovered when lost, the signboards that "Rex Lapis" personally inscribed, the famous opera where "Rex Lapis" once passionately played a minor role... Many of Liyue's customs and traditions, upon closer inspection, had all received direct care from the deity himself at some point. The people of Liyue took great pride in this history of walking alongside their god.
So, even after experiencing the turmoil of the "Rite of Descension," even after the Qixing announced that He had perished due to failed ascension, the Yiyan Temple still flourished with incense offerings, with even more worshippers coming to pay respects than before.
This was Zhu Zi's first time offering incense at Yiyan Temple. She carried a basket of fruit offerings, looking around curiously at her surroundings.
"Boss, there are so many people here."
"Mm."
"Many more than at the Grand Narukami Shrine in Inazuma."
"Liyue is a trade center, naturally having more population than Inazuma. Rex Lapis is also the God of Wealth, widely popular, and with Inazuma's Sakoku Decree... There's no comparison."
"That's true."
Beside the temple were merchants' stalls selling incense.
Yellow ones, red ones, blue ones...
Straight ones, spiral ones, round ones...
Long ones, short ones, thick ones, thin ones...
Xia Zhi took a subtle sniff and imperceptibly shook his head.
Last time he came to Yiyan Temple, he had bought incense from this stall.
Due to limited funds, he had only bought the cheapest grass incense at 1 Mora per stick, rather than the thickest and longest pillar incense at 100 Mora per stick.
At the time, he had felt quite regretful, thinking this action showed disrespect to Rex Lapis.
But now, with his master perfumer's eye, he realized that these two types, no, not just these two types, but all the incense sold here were essentially the same "crude merchandise."
Unfortunately, Zhu Zi clearly didn't have his keen sense. She stood before the incense stall looking at the diverse variety, feeling enlightened: "Boss, these incenses are so beautiful."
Xia Zhi was somewhat speechless: "...Zhu Zi, I can't see."
Zhu Zi lowered her head embarrassedly: "Ah..."
The vendor picked up a bundle of fine-looking expensive incense, smiling: "Would you like to buy a bundle? This is Rex Lapis's favorite incense! Most popular among buyers!"
Xia Zhi shook his head, saying, "No need, we brought our own incense."
"You could still buy a bundle to leave at the temple. The priest will help burn it daily, one bundle lasts over half a month."
"How much for a bundle?"
"Only 300 Mora."
"Farewell."
Xia Zhi left without looking back, and Zhu Zi hurriedly followed with her basket.
Entering the temple, they first took out several offerings, arranging them according to Liyue custom. Then, Xia Zhi took out three self-made thin incense sticks and lit them.
A subtle, elegant, and calming fragrance immediately wafted through the temple, standing out pure and unpretentious among the gaudy smoke of other incense, drawing surprised glances from surrounding worshippers toward his hands.
Xia Zhi stood before Rex Lapis's statue, earnestly bowing three times, inserted the incense into the burner, and prayed with clasped hands.
"Rex Lapis, the incense last time wasn't good. I've brought self-made quality incense to fulfill my promise this time, along with several offerings. Please enjoy them."
"I'm new to Liyue and have opened a specialty beverage shop in Feiyun Slope. We open tomorrow. I hope you'll bless us with prosperous business and success in all matters."
"Also, there's one more thing to report: Recently at night, a spirit frequently visits my shop. Though it bears no ill will, there should be boundaries between the living and dead. I hope you can spare some time to address this."
--
At Wangshu Inn, in an open-air teahouse.
A storyteller named Tian Tiezui sat on stage, dramatically narrating the legend of Rex Lapis carving and bringing stone to life.
"...Last time we spoke of Rex Lapis walking alone in the mountains, when in a crevice, he heard an unprecedented distant sound..."
The tables below were filled with people listening to stories and drinking tea, the leisurely atmosphere even livelier than Heyu Tea House.
At one corner table sat a tall man with extraordinary bearing and handsome features.
It was Zhongli, the consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor whom Xia Zhi had met once before.
He held a cup of tea, listening to the storyteller's tale with a calm expression that seemed to carry a hint of nostalgia.
Taking a sip of tea, just as he was about to set his cup back on the table, he suddenly seemed to sense something, his expression slightly changing as he looked up toward Yiyan Temple on Mt. Tianheng.
"Oh?"
--
Xia Zhi finished his prayer and cleaned up the offerings to make room for later worshippers.
Several worshippers immediately came closer, eagerly asking him where he had bought the three incense sticks he just burned.
Xia Zhi replied seriously: "Some days ago before I arrived in Liyue, I stayed at a nameless small temple in the mountains. I bought this incense from the temple priest there. He would only sell me three sticks, 1 Mora each, and made me promise to burn them only for Rex Lapis."
"Why was that?"
Xia Zhi shook his head: "I don't know. I asked him too, but he just gently shook his head, appearing very aloof."
"Just smelling this incense brings peace to one's mind and clarity to one's senses. It must be a treasure. How could it be sold so cheaply at 1 Mora?"
"How mundane! Immortal treasures have always been gifted to the fated! How can they be measured by money!"
"In my opinion, that temple priest must be an adeptus living in seclusion in the mountains!"
"Could it be that he was an old acquaintance of Rex Lapis, sending incense from thousands of miles away?"
"It must be so!"
"Doesn't this mean Rex Lapis hasn't perished?"
"Well... perhaps he wanted someone to offer tribute on his behalf, after all, immortals dislike involving themselves in mortal affairs..."
"Ah, that makes sense..."
While these worshippers were caught up in their baseless debate, Xia Zhi had already left Yiyan Temple with Zhu Zi.
Passing by the incense stall, they saw the vendor still peddling his wares to others.
Xia Zhi shook his head, reaching into the basket of offerings and taking out a Sunset Berry, taking a bite.
Sweet and crisp—though it hadn't been blessed by the Lord's divine essence in the temple, it was still delicious.
"Zhu Zi, would you like some?"
"Huh?"
Zhu Zi dazedly accepted the fruit, her expression somewhat strange.
"What's wrong?"
"Boss, did you really meet an immortal?"
"No, I made that up."
"Then, that incense?"
"I made it myself."
"Ah?"
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