The group walked through a long flight of stairs, entering the next ruin hall, and saw a ruler-like object resembling a sword placed on an altar.
"Hmph, just a ruler, it looks useless."
King Clement the Wise began again. Things he looked down upon were often precious.
"This is... if I recall correctly, this should be a measuring tool?"
Wan Yan found it somewhat familiar, as if she had seen it in an ancient book.
"Indeed it is, but the 'God of Salt' also holds authority here. Once this salt ruler is inserted into the ground, the soil will be covered with salt as if a tide is rising. The deeper it's inserted, the more salt grains there will be. In other words, it signifies a 'harvest' of salt."
Zhongli stepped forward to explain.
This treasure was more aggressive than the salt lamp they had just seen. If exploited by someone with ill intentions, it could potentially cause land salinization.
"This, this... isn't this more powerful than the salt lamp?!"
Clement's eyes lit up, seeming to believe the divine power within the salt ruler was even greater.
"Then, according to the 'contract', Mr. Clement, you have chosen the salt lamp. Therefore, you forfeit the right to choose this salt ruler. The others will discuss its ownership."
Zhongli said calmly, as if he had foreseen Clement's reaction.
"No! I disagree! I'm paying the money, and I organized this exploration! Why should I be at a disadvantage!"
Clement: I want it all!
"So, you intend to break the 'contract'?"
Zhongli looked at Clement sternly.
"So what if I break it? I've pretty much figured out the mechanisms in this ruin. Therefore, you are no longer useful. Ultimately, I hired you. Why should I follow your rules?"
He had already secretly notified his boss. Before long, they would take over this place, and everything in this ruin would be theirs.
"Because you made a contract. The Geo Archon once said: 'Once a contract is made, those who break it shall suffer the punishment of devouring the rock.'"
"That's your Liyue god. I'm from Snezhnaya. I..."
"The punishment of devouring the rock. Feel it for yourself... it won't be easy."
Zhongli: Even if the Tsaritsa herself came, she wouldn't dare speak to me like this.
Zhongli's black pupils instantly flashed with golden light. Several Geo pillars erupted from around Clement, firmly restraining him.
With a slight movement of Zhongli's finger, Clement's mouth was pried open by an invisible force, and a slender stone was inserted into it...
Mmmph mmmph—
"Good appetite."
Paimon: You should be grateful that the Geo Archon is feeding you personally!
"I shall confiscate your gains, and you are no longer qualified to proceed further. Leave now."
Zhongli remotely retrieved the salt lamp from Clement's person and then released his restraints.
"Damn it... you all just wait!"
Clement's molars were grinding against each other. He would definitely get revenge for this.
But he knew he was no match for these people. He had to wait for his boss to arrive.
"Calling it archaeological exploration, but in the end, you couldn't keep up the pretense, could you?"
Paimon said, shrugging and spreading her hands as she watched Clement flee in disarray.
"Clement's mistake was greed. But beyond greed, there are also many temptations that make people want to break contracts. When faced with what one desires, how many people can restrain their desires and follow the contract..."
Saying this, Zhongli looked at Wan Yan and Yuan Shang beside him:
"Perhaps, we should take this opportunity to clarify things. This temporary archaeological team... no one is actually here for 'archaeology'."
"W-why do you say that?"
Wan Yan instinctively took half a step back, her eyes showing a hint of panic, avoiding Zhongli's gaze.
"Yeah, Mr. Zhongli, why aren't we here for archaeology?"
Yuan Shang also took half a step back, ready to flee at any moment.
"Ms. Wan Yan, you lack the most basic knowledge of archaeology and can barely identify a few artifacts. Yet, you are exceptionally knowledgeable about the 'God of Salt'. Is it not the 'God of Salt' itself, rather than archaeology and artifacts, that truly interests you?"
Zhongli directly pierced through Wan Yan's disguise with his words.
"I..."
"The legends about the God of Salt that you mentioned on the Jade Chamber, as far as I know, are most prevalent in the 'Silver Hall'..."
"Stop, stop talking!"
Wan Yan felt as if she had been completely seen through. No secrets were useful in front of Zhongli, so she decided to confess directly.
"Sir, you are indeed learned and talented. My courage to ask you questions seems to have been the right choice. That's right, I am not an archaeologist. I am from one of the 'Seven Stars' and 'Eight Gates' of Liyue, the 'Silver Hall' responsible for salt affairs. Our ancestors were citizens who were protected by the 'God of Salt' during the arduous period of the Archon War that swept across the continent..."
"Oh, no wonder you always refer to the God as Morax, Morax. Liyue people rarely mention 'Morax'..."
Paimon, after hearing her explanation, realized it did align with her previous behavior.
"During the war, Morax assassinated our god! He was jealous of the 'God of Salt's' authority and caused us to become refugees! I... we hate him! But Liyue is Morax's Liyue, and history is surely manipulated by him. Therefore, I want to prove that Morax also has sin, that he has a cruel and ruthless side! Please help me, Mr. Zhongli..."
"..."
Zhongli: You want me to smear my own deceased self?
"We had a 'contract'. I will present history fairly and justly. Furthermore, Liyue is no longer Morax's Liyue. Once we reach the deepest part of the ruin, all the answers lie there."
Zhongli nodded and said no more. For Wan Yan, the truth was the opposite of what she expected. Only by witnessing it with her own eyes would she believe.
"As for this scholar from Sumeru, although you have tried to conceal the Abyss aura on your person, this scent is too heavy to hide completely. Moreover, the Abyss power on the seashell clue you presented earlier is the most obvious evidence..."
"Alas, I knew I couldn't hide it from your eyes. I didn't expect you to expose me here. I was so close to entering the final ruin chamber. I'm truly unwilling. How about this, you beat me up, and then let me take a look inside?"
Yuan Shang was aware of the true identity of this Guest Official Zhongli. Therefore, he had not intentionally disguised himself from the beginning. Now that he had been seen through, he had to resort to his inherited passive skill...