In Teyvat, it all begins with rescuing the grass god.

This also freed her from the anger that had been building up inside her all this time.

Given the feeling that I never want to see Rod's hateful face again.

The moment Rosalind obtained the Heart of God, not wanting to linger even for a moment, she immediately returned to Winter to report for duty.

"With one less person, I feel more relaxed. How come that's the case?"

In stark contrast to Rosalind's behavior, Rhodes was inexplicably in a good mood.

Not only because I got rid of Rosalyn, who was always trying to change my mind, but also because that bastard Doctor finally got me to Sumeru.

"hey-hey--"

In high spirits, Rod couldn't help but laugh out loud.

His smile caused Xiao's face, who was walking beside him, to twitch.

Xiao originally didn't want to get involved in Rhodes' affairs.

Despite Luo De's smile, he couldn't suppress his doubts and asked with a conflicted expression, "The Emperor's Divine Heart."

"The Emperor has given me permission to handle this as I see fit."

Speaking of this, Rod recalled the matter of Xiao and Zhongli, and stroked his chin, saying, "You don't need to worry about that. I asked the Emperor, and the position of the Rock God comes from the Rock God's throne. The Heart of God will not affect the inheritance."

That's not what I meant.

Xiao said helplessly, "I want to ask you, who exactly is that doctor? Why are you going to such lengths to get him to Sumeru? Even at the cost of giving up the Heart of God."

"The Emperor originally granted you permission to dispose of the Heart of God as you see fit, so I shouldn't have said anything."

"I just feel that by using the Emperor's Divine Heart, you should have gained more practical benefits, instead of simply bringing back a different person."

"Or."

"Is the Doctor a great help to Sumeru?"

This was the longest conversation he had ever had with Rod since he met Xiao.

It's probably only when it involves Zhongli that he would say so much.

In short.

It can be summed up in one sentence.

Xiao felt that Rod's Heart of God was a waste, not worth the effort.

Especially after Rhodes said, "The Doctor is useless to Sumeru, he's just here to cause destruction," Xiao's confusion almost materialized.

"I want him."

"Actually, it was to kill him."

"It's that simple."

Before Xiao could ask, Rod explained the reason himself: "I have a student who was almost tortured to death by the doctor's human experiments. Even her parents were killed. Although I didn't teach this student much, she still called me teacher. Since I am her teacher, her hatred is my hatred. Now that I have the opportunity to avenge her, I must seize this opportunity."

"revenge."

The word "eye demon" is familiar to many.

But Xiao never expected that Rhodes actually wanted to avenge his student.

However, this operation is not unusual for immortals.

The Liyue masters are generally very protective of their own.

If one's own disciples are bullied by outsiders, it's fine if they are in the wrong, but if they are bullied for no reason, then one will definitely go to their door to fight back.

Listen to what Rod just said.

His disciple was tricked into going to that doctor's laboratory when he was young. He suffered a lot of torture and his parents were also killed. This can indeed be called an irreconcilable hatred.

It's reasonable for a master to stand up for his disciple.

Having received a reasonable explanation, Xiao stopped asking questions and instead brought up Rosalyn.

"That Fool's Enforcer left a bit too early."

He said this.

Rhodes, whose attention had previously shifted away from Rosalind, immediately became interested: "Hmm? What do you mean?"

"She was deliberately left for you by True Lord Liuyun and the others."

Xiao casually recounted the immortals' plans at the time.

Rod was right.

The fairies and Wendy deliberately brought Rosalind to their place.

Their purpose is clear.

The purpose was to inform Rosalind that the Geo Archon was about to step down, and at the same time, while Rhodes and Xiao were preparing to take over as Geo Archon, to show Liyue's strength to Zhidong, in order to make a show of force.

Xiao didn't know if this was Zhongli's pre-arranged plan.

But nobody said anything.

He didn't dare to draw a conclusion.

However, just because he dared not speak out does not mean that Rod dared not speak out.

"The Emperor has really gone to great lengths for Li Yue."

Xiao heard something similar yesterday, only the core term was changed from "he" to "Liyue".

Anyway, Rhodes was certain of it.

From the various antics of the immortals to Wendy's deliberate acts of help everywhere, and the arrangements made to intimidate foreign envoys.

These things seem to have nothing to do with Zhongli.

It was all arranged by him in advance.

Perhaps in the shadows, unrelated to Rhodes, the upper echelons of Liyue are also stirring up trouble, preparing for the upcoming handover of the divine throne.

These events have not yet affected the common people of Liyue.

At least based on what Rhodes and Xiao have seen so far.

The lives of ordinary people in Liyue remain peaceful and stable, showing no signs of being affected by any undercurrents.

This is along the route arranged by Zhongli.

Xiao's emotions became more and more stable each day.

"When those guys were still alive, they often said that when the world was at peace, they would also go and live a human life."

While drinking the sweet fermented rice balls that Rod had treated him to, Xiao said with a strange expression.

Those guys he was talking about.

This undoubtedly refers to the other four members of the Immortal Yaksha.

Unfortunately.

This is a simple wish.

Now only Xiao is left to carry their burden.

"Don't feel too burdened."

Xiao has always been carrying a heavy burden, perhaps because he is too close to the situation to see clearly, but as an outsider, Rhodes can still see it clearly.

Whether it was the contract to protect Liyue when he was a Yaksha.

It was the same promise made after seeing the remnant soul of Fushe.

In fact, Xiao is always carrying countless burdens that are enough to crush a person.

Even if he promised the remnant soul of Fushe that he would bear the will of his brothers and sisters to witness the warmth and coldness of the human world, it would still be a burden that could crush a person.

"To keep a promise in order to fulfill it."

"You're not living for them at all."

Rhodes once again took on the role of spiritual mentor, enlightening the immortal who was over two thousand years old, saying, "Do you remember what Fushe said? Live well for them and see more of the scenery in this world that we haven't had time to see yet."

Do you think Fushe is meant to make you live with their wishes on your shoulders?

"wrong."

Rhodes shook his finger: "What Fushe hopes for is that you will no longer be bound by the duties of the Yakshas, ​​nor by your mind. He hopes that you can fulfill their wishes and live the life of an ordinary person."

"Do you know why the Emperor would make you, like that Wind God, only retain the name of the Rock God and not fulfill the duties of the Rock God?"

"It's because he also wants you to live the life that the Yakshas once longed for."

the end.

Rod said something that moved Xiao deeply: "What you considered your life's duty has now become a burden."

Has the responsibility become a burden?

Xiao murmured, repeating Rod's words, then lowered his head slightly and said, "Perhaps you're right."

"What do you mean by 'maybe'?"

Rhodes looked displeased: "That's how it is."

He ignored Xiao's slightly somber expression and continued, "You should know this very well, otherwise you wouldn't have been so eager to die in the underground mine."

"You're already very tired."

"It's time to relax."

This sentence, "You're already very tired."

This caused Xiao's face to change color again.

He mumbled something, but Rod couldn't hear what he said.

Judging from Xiao's expression, he did seem much more relaxed than before.

They just wanted to use a few words to help him truly get over the burdens of the past.

This is obviously impossible.