Liyue Tariffs: Welcoming the Gods

A monograph recording the local customs of Liyue Harbor. First compiled by Fadlan, a traveling Sumeru scholar sojourning in Liyue, then edited by many Liyue scholars, and widely published and circulated in Liyue.

—Welcoming the Gods—

Of Liyue's most famous festival rites, none surpass the rite of welcoming the gods known as the "Rite of Descension of the Qixing."

As the god who has always watched over and guarded Liyue's lands, the Geo Archon descends in person each year to deliver an oracle, that mortals may follow its meaning in their acts—so that all things proceed in order and none overstep into chaos.

In a remote and ignorant past, Liyue's forebears chose representatives from among the farmers to welcome and see off the Geo Archon.

They would offer rich sacrifices and solemn prayers, then listen respectfully to the divine word, and announce to the people the year's direction of enterprise—thus guiding mortals toward wealth and flourishing, overcoming disaster, and keeping the Geo Archon's land firm and unmoved.

Later, when the Archon War was settled and Liyue Harbor gradually rose, the "Qixing," representing the port's trades and industries, became the medium between Liyue Harbor's mortals and the Geo Archon. They spoke directly with the Archon and conveyed the oracle to citizens in plain words, issuing the policies for a whole year.

And the illustrious person who hosts the "Rite of Descension of the Qixing," as the name suggests, arises only from within the Qixing; beyond that, none may inquire.

In the minds of many merchants of Liyue Harbor, the Geo Archon's spoken oracle is more precious than gold.

On the day the Lord of Geo descends, no matter how distant the eaves under which they stand, merchants of Liyue Harbor will hurry home themselves or send someone with all speed—only to receive the Geo Archon's guidance and thus secure a year of thriving business.

In the land of the rainforest, raving sages cast off the secular world and grow mad seeking hidden supreme wisdom; yet in the land of solid stone, people are used to praying for the gods' generous guidance to consolidate a prosperous secular life.

It seems that at certain moments, even the Seven who walk the mortal world together may set out on divergent paths.