-The Next Day-
They then went to restaurant where Childe introduce them to Zhongli, a consultant of Wangsheng Parlor.
Zhongli currently appears as tall man with fair skin and stern expression. His eyes are bright and sharp, amber in color with glowing yellow pupils I the shape of diamonds. He wears red eyeliner on the lower lids of his eyes. His dark brown hair is styled in windswept fashion with longer fringe that hang from the right side of his face. Its fades to amber brown at the tips and is pulled back in long ponytail that falls beyond his waist.
Childe: Allow me to introduced Mr. Zhongli, consultant to organization known as Wangsheng Parlor and a trusted associate of the Fatui.
Sekai: Associate of Fatui?
Aether: Wangsheng Parlor?
Childe: Indeed. Whangsheng Parlor's line of work can be sensitive at times. Let's just say they understand when discretion is needed.
Childe: And we Fatui, have always been glad to do business with friend who walks in the shadows.
Zhongli: It is an honor to meet you two. I heard tale of both you in Mondstadt.
The first time both Sekai and Zhongli meet the two couldn't stop but stare at each other. His watch starts to shine in brown color, while he felt a presence of someone like Venti. Zhongli have a face like reminiscing his past.
Zhongli: This is… interesting… (your back old friend)…
Sekai: What the—
Childe: I didn't expect Zhongli and Sekai look quite like a lot.
Aether: Yeah, just Sekai didn't have ponytail.
Paimon: Yeah, they do look alike but Sekai looks much younger version of Zhongli.
Zhongli chuckled at the group's observations, his expression distant as if recalling something long past. Then, as if grounding himself, he returned his attention to the moment.
Zhongli: Let us focus on our purpose here—giving Rex Lapis a proper farewell. As the adepti step back, the time has come for Liyue's people to forge their own path.
Zhongli turned to Sekai.
Zhongli: Mr. Silver, might I have a word with you…in private?
Sekai: Uh…sure.
Aether: Is there something that bothering you, Zhongli?
Sekai: Its fine Aether, I'll catch up with you later.
Aether: Alright then.
Zhongli: Please follow me.
He said while the elemental hero followed Zhongli as the two of them heading to near alleyway.
Reaching the secluded area Sekai was the first one to speak.
Sekai: Care to explain why the so-called Geo Archon is working on funeral parlor? No only that… but prepare for his own funeral at that.
Zhongli was taken aback by his word but managed to regained composure and asked a question as well.
Zhongli: You're perceptive. Tell me, what gave it away?
Sekai: Well, let just say I have Archon detector on me. Or it mostly because you have quite similar presence like some bard.
Zhongli: That irresponsible bard… Yes, I suppose he might leave such an impression. But I'll grant you this—you have a keen sense
Sekai: "Thanks. So, is it all confidential, or can you share why you're preparing for your own departure?"
Zhongli considered the question, then nodded.
Zhongli: "For you, I will explain. The people of Liyue have learned to prosper, to grow, and to believe in their own strength. They no longer need an Archon to watch over them. Gods must step aside when mortals are ready to stand on their own."
Sekai listened, nodding slowly as Zhongli continued.
Zhongli: "I've grown tired, you see. There are times when the responsibilities of gods are...wearisome. I've spent millennia guarding and guiding. Yet even a god can reach the limits of his endurance."
Sekai's face softened. As a teacher, he understood this all too well. There came a time when students needed to step out from under his guidance and learn to stand on their own.
Sekai: Basically, you are tired babysitting your citizen.
Zhongli: *chuckle* yeah if it can be said in simple term. Are you satisfied from my explanation.
Sekai: Yeah, I just surprised there Archon that responsible, I mean Venti is quite well you know… and from fatui action Tsarista I can conclude a pervert. I guess what really matter is that they also have feeling and their own personality.
Zhongli: "Venti certainly has his eccentricities."(Laughs)"And the Tsaritsa? Let's just say her methods are…unorthodox."
Sekai: "Guess Archon really do have personalities too."
Zhongli: "A sentiment my old friends once shared."(He pauses, then smiles)"Now then, how about we spar? A friendly test of strength."
He asked as the Shinning hero just glared to him.
Sekai: You do know that currently you are MIA (Missing In Action). You know right! if we spar the other adepti will sense your power? And also, I had enough fight for today, *sigh* why there always unreasonable people where I went.
Then Zhongli made a small chuckle at Sekai.
Zhongli: I jest.
Sekai frowned at the supposedly assassinated Geo Archon. Then grumbled.
Sekai: You owe me a meal…
Zhongli: "Agreed."(He gestures back toward the main street)"Shall we return? I believe the others are waiting."
Sekai: Alrightx2…
They turned to leave, but Zhongli's voice called out one more time.
Zhongli: Sekai
Sekai looked back, confused.
Sekai: Uh?
Zhongli: (Smiling mysteriously) Welcome back.
Sekai: Huh? shouldn't you actually said welcome to Liyue or something. This is the first time I came here to Liyue you know.
Zhongli: Indeed
Sekai: hah… (Shakes his head, muttering) weirdo.
Together, they rejoined the group, who were chatting among themselves and waiting with curiosity for their return.…
-Timeskip-
The group visit the Jade Mystery and inspect Shitou's samples. Although they only need one sample of jade, Zhongli inexplicably tries to buy all three.
And of course, Sekai was the one to pay for all it causing the elemental hero to be broke after that. As Sekai grumble to himself that he has to do a lot of free-lance adventurer job afterwards.
Zhongli asks the group about their opinion collecting the materials for the rite. Regardless of their response, he tells them to meet him at the third-Round Knockout, a hole in the wall tavern and he has brought mora to pay for the expenses.
Arriving at the Traven, Iron Tongue Tian tells them a story about Ningguang just as a young woman appears, having found the Traveler. The woman introduces herself as Ganyu and that Ningguang has extended them an invitation to the Jade Chamber.
Zhongli tells them to go, as such invitation are rare, and that he'll be waiting for them at Dihua Marsh when their business with Ningguang is done.
Having received an invitation from Ningguang to the Jade Chamber through the Liyue Qixing's emissary, Ganyu, Aether and Paimon search for a way there at Mt. Tianheng.
Meanwhile Sekai was tasked with different commission by Ningguang, of course she'll pay him with large amount of Mora for this. He was asked to meet up with a contact of Ningguang goes by the name of Beidou and give her the package.
The Elemental hero goes to the Liyue Harbor but he must maintain a low profile because the Millelith guards has still have price on his head right now.
Sekai just have arrived at Liyue harbor while wearing a cloak as he makes his way to Ningguag contact.
Sekai: Hush… this place is huge…
He muttered to himself as he goes.
Until he heard some girls screaming as he quickly turned his attention to the source of the voice and what he saw was a drunk group of people and one of them is forcing to drag on one of the lady as she continue to resist.
???: Please stop! Let me go!
???: come on! We're going to have some fun, that's all~
???: No! Please someone!
The elemental hero walked to them and grabs the drunken man arms and shove him off those companions while he helped up the girl to stands up.
Sekai: Are you hurt?
???: I'm fine! Thank you, mister.
Then Sekai just sigh in relief knowing the girl is unharmed until…
???: Hey you punk! Who the hell are you! Don't get in our way!
Then Sekai turned around to see that the group of the drunken man is already surrounding him.
???: You'll pay for that!
Sekai: Looks like this party is about to get crazy…
He said with a smirk on his dace as one of them pulls out a knife and charge at him as he quickly disarmed him and tossed the poor guy into ground.
Another attempt to launch another attack at him, but he sees it and used his cloak to cover him and finish him with kick on the face.
As everyone stare at him in shock realizing in front them is person with bounty on his head.
All the drunken men pull out their weapons with a shit-eating grin on their faces.
???: Well, well! What do we have here!
???: This brat got huge price on his head.
Sekai: Well, now you're motivated.
???: Get him!
As the men charge at Sekai all at once as Silver just smirk not even fazed by it and not even drawing out his weapon.
Sekai: Let's have some fun~
Soon they all charges at him as he quickly takes them down with ease.
As all the armed men were down for the count.
Sekai: Well, are all not entertained?
As soon he said that, several Millelith guards appears in the harbor and sees Sekai and the group of knock out people.
???: Stop right there!
Then Sekai project a flash bang on his hand and then throw at them.
The loud sound followed with bright flash of light force the Millelith to close their eyes.
???: Argh!!?
Sekai takes this chance to run away, but after a while, the Millelith managed to get back their vision and gave him a chase.
Sekai clicked his tongue and quickly headed docks and climb to the top of a ship as the guards continues to chase him.
As the chase continue, Sekai have nowhere left to run as he was about to get surrounded by them.
He then noticed another ship on the side but it's was a bit far away from him. He jump left and right making diversion to distract his chaser then quickly runs to the ledge and then jump using [Solar Leap]
As he makes through to the ship, Sekai picks himself up, he begun laughing as he mock the guards who couldn't followed him now.
Sekai: What's the matter? Can't keep up with me?
As he continues taunting them suddenly the floor beneath him starting to crack.
Sekai: You can't catch me suck—AHH!!!
Then suddenly Sekai falls into the hole that below him as son he landed onto the wooden floor with his face planted to ground.
Sekai: Ow… I didn't expect that… *groans*
???: My my~ I wasn't expecting a handsome man, falling from my roof~ fufufu~
Sekai: Huh?!
He quickly turned around and see a beautiful woman sitting on a bed and wearing a maroon kimono that's almost slipping.
She appeared to be drunken as well.
Sekai: Just my rotten luck…
???: Hey baby~ wanna have some fun~?
…