Zhong Li

Fatui in Genshin Impact
The Fatui are an influential organization from the Snowy region, directly answering to the Cryo Archon (Queen). They are one of the main political and military forces in the game world, often acting as antagonists.

Key Features of Fatui
Hierarchy and Harbingers. Fatui has 11 Harbingers—the most powerful and influential agents. Each has their own title, style, and objectives: for example, Dottore is passionate about experiments, while Tartaglia (Childe) enjoys battles and direct conflict. The Queen's Goals. The Queen collects the Gnosis of other Archons. Her motives are tied to her opposition to Celestia and her desire to change the existing world order. Fatui is the primary instrument for achieving this goal.

Archons in Genshin Impact
Archons are deities ruling regions in the world of Teyvat. They are also known as "The Seven": each Archon corresponds to an element and an ideal, which underpins life in their region.

What is important to know about the Archons
Connection to an element and an ideal. For example, Anemo Archon Barbatos (aka Venti) embodies freedom—that's why Mondstadt values ​​independence and dislikes strict control. Geo Archon Morax (Zhong Li) is associated with contracts—in Liyue, everything is tied to trade, agreements, and order.

What does the bureau
“Wangsheng” deals with funeral rites and ceremonies, including for adepts—and this is a separate level of responsibility, because adepts are not exactly ordinary creatures, and their care requires special rituals. The bureau maintains the balance between life and death: for Li Yue, it is not a somber service, but an important part of order and respect for the ancestors. History and Philosophy
Originally, the organization was closer to the curative business, but in the hard times when the plague rolled through Li Yue, the approach had to change. To contain the epidemic, cremation of the infected began to be practiced—and gradually the bureau came to specialize precisely in rites of passage. Since then, “Wangsheng” from generation to generation keeps the balance: not just “conducting” the dead, but helping the living to say goodbye properly and not to lose their footing.

The Bureau's philosophy is built on the idea that death is not the end of memory, but part of an eternal cycle.

Zhong Li and Hu Tao's relationship in Genshin Impact lore is one of Li Yue's most colorful duos: the serene, ancient Archon and the eccentric director of the Wangsheng Funeral Bureau. Where and how do they intersect
Zhong Li works as a consultant at Wangsheng, and Hu Tao is his boss. This working relationship in itself already sets the tone: Zhong Li is extremely polite, restrained, and meticulous, while Hu Tao is impulsive, fond of sweepstakes and a “creative approach” to rituals. Zhong Li treats Hu Tao with patient respect: he does not condemn her antics, but gently brings her back to the point. Hu Tao, in turn, appreciates his knowledge and experience, although not far from tempting the “old lady” and pouncing on something unusual. Contrast philosophy of death
This is perhaps the most profound part of their interaction: they have different but complementary views on death and memory:

Zhong Li (Morax) perceives death as part of order and eternity. For him it is important that everything is issued worthily, according to tradition, with respect for the past. It draws on ancient rituals and sees in them the sustainability of the world.
Hu Tao also respects tradition, but believes that mourning should not be heavy and hardened. Her approach is to help people let go of the departed without drowning in grief, and even through a joke or oddity to facilitate the goodbye. Hu Tao often prods Zhong Li: asking him to “add solemnity” or come up with some eccentric scenario, and he calmly but firmly reminds about rules and propriety. Zhong Li, in turn, more than once rescues the bureau with his knowledge: he remembers old rituals, subtleties of etiquette, and historical details that Hu Tao can overlook in a fit of inspiration.

Legends, rituals and 'trivia' that show the scale
There are a few details that convey well what he was like as an Archon:

Draconian form (Rex Lapis). In ancient times, it often took the form of a stone dragon. This is not just a "battle mode", but a manifestation of his essence: he is Li Yue's backbone. Legends and murals depict him lifting mountains and covering the sky with his wings, protecting people. Even in Zhong Lee's contemporary design, references to this form remain: the patterns on the clothes, the luminous tips of the hair, the heavyweight fluidity of the movements. “Doesn't like seafood.” There's an amusing but telling detail in the lore: after one of his campaigns against the sea monsters, Morax became so fixed on them that he now shuns everything slimy and alive from the sea. This perfectly shows that there are real, heavy wars behind his calm. Rituals and traditions. Many of Li Yue's rituals (including those related to funerals and ancestor veneration) were either created or approved by Morax. Therefore, his appearance in the funeral bureau "Wangsheng" is not a coincidence, but a logical continuation of his role: he has always been associated with memory, order and completion. Preparing for the Transfer of Power: A Long and Deliberate Plan
It's important to understand that Zhong Li's “leaving” was not a sudden decision. He had prepared Li Yue for independence for centuries: watched laws strengthen, people learn to take responsibility, institutions work without direct divine intervention. His goal was not to “get tired of ruling” but to make sure: Li Yue would be able to stand on her own feet.

Contracts as a peacebuilding tool
For Morax, contract is not a bureaucracy, but almost a force of nature. He made pacts not only with humans, but with adepts, and even with the spirits of the land. The point was to fix commitments so that they worked even after the emotions had subsided: a word fastened with a material sign (often a stone or seal) became a fulcrum of order. So he introduced moru not just as money, but as a measure of trust. If you make a promise, it's backed up by something tangible, and society holds onto those bonds. This idea permeates all of Li Yue's culture: from trade to rituals. Even the phrase “the word is a stone” in Li Yue is not a figure of speech but a direct reflection of his philosophy. His relationships with adepts and specific heroes
Before 'leaving', Morax was not only the supreme guarantor, but also the binding link of Li Yue's entire defense system:

Xiao. This is perhaps the most personal and heavy episode. Morax actually saved Xiao from being destroyed under the weight of his curse and yaksha debt. It gave him purpose and support, and for Xiao Zhong Li forever remains the figure that kept him on the edge of the abyss. Their bond is not just a duty, but almost a paternal care through millennia. Other adepts. Morax had a contractual relationship with them: each adept was responsible for his parcel of land and his balance, and Morax remained the high point of this system. He did not impose his will, but was the one turned to if the threat became too great.
Cixing and the elders. Even long before the events of the game, Morax was setting up institutions that he then handed over power to. He did not want Li Yue to depend on a single god: his goal was to create a system where order is held by people, laws, and mutual obligations. Legends, rituals and 'trivia' that show the scale
There are a few details that convey well what he was like as an Archon:

Draconian form (Rex Lapis). In ancient times, it often took the form of a stone dragon. This is not just a "battle mode", but a manifestation of his essence: he is Li Yue's backbone.

he had been Morax for millennia—Lord Stone, God of contracts, and Li Yue's chief pillar. His lore in this period is the story of how a civilization is born out of stone, blood, and treaties. Age of War of the Archons: How Morax Created by Li Yuyo
During the War of the Archons, Morax was already one of the oldest and most powerful deities. His power was literally geological: he shaped mountains, put up stone walls to protect the people, and fought other gods and sea monsters that threatened Li Yue's lands. As he physically created Li Yue
Morax didn't just “rule the territory” — he literally was its architect. The lore directly states that the mountains, cliffs, and even the outlines of Li Yue's bays are vestiges of his power. He didn't just put up walls: he raised entire ridges to blocks harbors from monstrous waves, and created natural fortresses. For him, earth was the building material and fortitude the highest virtue. Hence his style: everything must stand for centuries. This is why there are so many stone structures in Li Yue that look 'ancient' even by the standards of the region: this is indeed his work from the War of the Archons era. The Battle of Osial and the Price of Victory
One of the most large-scale episodes before his “retirement” is the war with Osial, an ancient sea deity that threatened all of Li Yue. Morax defeated him, but did not do so alone: ​​​​​he made a number of onerous contracts and attracted allies, including adepts. The victory over Osial became for Li Yue something of a “security reference point”: after that, the region was able to develop as a trade and cultural center because the direct threat from the sea was neutralized. And it is this story that later pops up in the plot of the game: when Tartaglia awakens Osial, it becomes a test not only for Qixing but also for Zhong Li himself—he had to make sure that Li Yue could handle even such a disaster without his direct intervention.

Common traits:

He is tall and slender, looks like a young man with fair skin.
He has a stern, restrained expression.
The eyes are a bright, amber color with yellow pupils that sometimes emit a golden glow. And when Zhong Li activates his Geo abilities, the eyes become fluorescent. Hair is dark auburn. From the right side of the face dangles a long bang. The tips of the hair gradually fade to an amber-brown hue and are gathered into a long ponytail that reaches to the waist. And here's the chip: when he uses Geo, the tail tips start glowing too.
The outfit is fitted and elegant, it harmoniously merged elements of Western tuxedo and traditional Chinese chanpao. I would highlight the following details: beige shirt;
brown with amber ebb waistcoat;
tight black trousers;
black shoes;
black gloves with gold rings on the thumbs.
Around his neck is a white tie pinned to his throat with an amber stone. Over all - a long dark brown frock coat. It is decorated with patterns resembling dragon scales, as well as gold and silver inserts, gold tassels. On the back is a diamond symbol of Rex Lapis (one of the names of Zhong Li). Similar diamond symbols are also on the sleeves, belt, trousers, buttons of the vest and tailcoat.
He even wears Geo's “Eye of God” (with the Geo symbol upside down) on a chain around his waist, a tassel earring in his left ear and uses red eyeshadows. Interesting lore fact: In the past, Zhong Li could take the form of a brown-amber dragon with golden inserts.