While Venti and Lycaon were discussing matters regarding Hollow Zero, suddenly, Lycaon's phone rang. When he checked it, he found that another new job order had just been placed on the website.

Seeing this, Ellen yawned.

"Looks like another poor soul's been called to work."

Rina smiled slightly.

"Lord Lycaon, did the client request that particular butler?"

Lycaon slowly set his phone down.

"Venti, this job's for you."

Venti blinked in surprise.

"Eh? Me?"

Although he had been with Victoria Housekeeping for quite some time, this was the first time a client had specifically chosen him. His service fee was notoriously expensive, and on top of that, he demanded a bottle of fine wine as part of his payment—plus a whole list of other requests...

Beside him, Rina, Ellen, and Corin all turned to look at Lycaon.

Lycaon explained calmly, "It's Miss Astra Yao. Apparently, she's composing a song about bards and wants to consult you on a few things."

At that, Corin's eyes widened.

"Astra Yao? The superstar?"

Lycaon nodded.

"Venti, I'll leave it to you."

Venti grinned.

"No problem. I was just thinking I'd like to see how the songs here differ from the ones back home."

With that, he rose to his feet, strumming his lyre as he walked out the door of Victoria Housekeeping.

After Venti left, Lycaon spoke again.

"We should start preparing as well."

Saying this, he left together with Rina.

...

Meanwhile, in another corner of the universe, on a vast and remote planet—the continent of Teyvat, on the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor.

It was midday, and the streets were lively as ever. Vendors called out, selling snacks and tea, their shouts blending into a lively chorus.

Suddenly, a flash of light flared.

Sam Li, Xiao, Nicole, Billy, Keqing, Zhu Yuan, Hoshimi Miyabi, and the little Azhdaha appeared beside a teleportation anchor.

To the people of Liyue, such scenes were nothing new. But the sudden appearance of so many at once still drew curious stares from passersby.

At the same time, Billy, Nicole, and Nekomata gasped aloud.

"Sam Li, you're not actually Liyue's Geo Archon, are you?"

"Wait—wasn't the Geo Archon supposed to be dead?"

"I get it now... Sam Li is the Geo Archon!"

Their exclamations drew even more attention.

But before Billy, Nekomata, and Nicole could figure out what was happening, the surrounding citizens of Liyue grew angry and quickly surrounded them, glaring fiercely.

"Who are you people? How dare you show disrespect to Geo Archon?"

"Lady Keqing, these outsiders are speaking ill of our late Geo Archon! Please order the Millelith to arrest them!"

"With Lady Keqing here, there's no way they can escape!"

"I recognize them! They were in Liyue a month ago—I saw them!"

"According to Liyue's laws, anyone who insults or spreads rumors about Geo Archon must face punishment!"

"Geo Archon has passed away! How dare you outsiders make light of him!"

"Where did you come from—and why did you bring a young dragon lizard?"

"You mortals... it's time to settle accounts."

Seeing Azhdaha's growing anger, Sam Li immediately pulled him behind.

Trapped in the middle of the crowd, Billy and Nekomata panicked, completely unsure what to do.

At that moment, Keqing stepped forward.

"By the authority of the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, you are under arrest. Come with me to Yujing Terrace."

Billy protested, flustered.

"Wait—seriously? We didn't even know about Liyue's laws... or wishes—"

Nicole's eyes flickered as she instantly understood what was going on. Without resisting, she allowed herself to be taken into custody.

Nekomata opened her mouth to speak, but Sam Li stopped her.

"I'll explain once we reach Yujing Terrace," he said calmly.

Billy stared in disbelief.

"I can't believe saying a few words is illegal here..."

Nekomata sighed.

"..."

Nicole was speechless.

"..."

Anby said nothing.

"..."

Soon after, under Keqing's lead and amid the murmurs of the crowd, the group made their way to Yujing Terrace.

Once inside, Billy couldn't hold back anymore.

"Sam Li, what's going on? Just now, Xiao actually called you 'Geo Emperor.' You're not really that long-dead Geo Archon, are you?"

Hearing this, Nekomata, Nicole, and Anby all turned their eyes toward Sam Li.

They'd always known he wasn't ordinary—but at most, they had assumed he was some kind of Adeptus, like Cloud Retainer. They had never imagined he was the leader of Liyue—the Geo Archon himself.

But still... if he was the ruler of Liyue, why would he be working at Hare's House? It didn't make any sense.

Compared to their shock, Hoshimi Miyabi, Zhu Yuan, and Keqing showed no reaction—they already knew.

After a brief silence, Sam Li spoke slowly.

"I stepped down from my position four years ago."

Then, seeing their puzzled faces, he repeated what he had once told Zhu Yuan—why he had resigned from his post as Geo Archon, why he had faked his death, and why he had given up his authority to rule.

When he finished, Billy and the others seemed to understand—at least a little.

Billy nodded slowly.

"So basically, you just got tired of being the Geo Archon?"

Sam Li replied evenly.

"In general terms... you could say that."

Nekomata fidgeted nervously.

"Then how should we address you now? Geo Emperor? Geo Archon? Or God Sam Li, meow?"

Sam Li chuckled.

"Since I've stepped down, I'm no different from any ordinary citizen of Liyue. Just call me Sam Li."

Nekomata grinned.

"Alright then, Sam Li—"

Nicole cleared her throat, putting on a serious face.

"That still makes you an employee of Hare's House."

Anby sighed softly.

"..."

Sam Li nodded.

"Of course. I would never go against a contract."

He didn't seem to notice it himself, but as his role deepened, he was becoming more and more like the real Morax. Even now, he had almost forgotten he was merely playing the part.

After resting briefly at Yujing Terrace, Keqing said her farewells and headed alone to the Jade Chamber to discuss New Eridu's affairs with Ningguang.

Meanwhile, Sam Li led Azhdaha, Xiao, Zhu Yuan, Hoshimi Miyabi, and the others toward the area around Mt. Hulao—the place near where Azhdaha had once been sealed beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree.

Or rather, the place where Sam Li had first unearthed him.