Chapter 178. Self-Introduction
The atmosphere at the table plummeted into absolute, suffocating awkwardness.
Futsu Mitama was functionally wealthy, possessing an absurd amount of Mora. Unfortunately, he had delegated his entire treasury to Aila and Black Aila for logistical convenience. Without them present, he didn't have a single coin on his person.
Venti did have Mora when he arrived in Liyue. But after discovering the endurance drinking contest hosted by Captain Beidou last night, he had systematically liquidated his entire net worth on premium vintage alcohol before crashing the event. It was a well-documented flaw: the Anemo Archon was constitutionally incapable of saving money if there was booze in the immediate vicinity.
When the tipping segment arrived, he had confidently reached for his pouch, entirely forgetting he was bankrupt.
Makoto, Ei, Nahida, and Rukkhadevata were even worse off. As sovereign rulers and divine entities, the concept of carrying physical cash was entirely foreign to them.
So, five pairs of expectant eyes slowly turned to Zhongli.
He was the Geo Archon. He was Morax. He literally invented the currency. Conjuring a handful of gold coins to tip a local theater troupe should be effortless.
"..."
Zhongli stared blankly ahead. He remained entirely silent for several agonizing seconds before finally opening his mouth.
"I am Zhongli."
He stated with perfect, infuriating calm.
The implication was clear: he was currently operating strictly under his mortal alias. If he were acting as Morax, generating infinite wealth would be trivial. But Zhongli, the humble consultant, did not possess the ability to materialize currency out of thin air.
"How can you, the literal God of Wealth, not have any Mora?!"
Venti whispered furiously, throwing his hands up in sheer disbelief.
What kind of excuse was that? Everyone at this table knew exactly who he was! If they didn't throw down a tip right now, the first-ever modern summit of the Seven Archons was going to end in a public humiliation!
"..."
Zhongli closed his eyes and sighed softly. He briefly considered opening the Chat Group to message Albedo or Keqing for an emergency loan. Manifesting gold in the middle of a crowded teahouse would shatter his cover instantly.
"Esteemed guests~"
The waiter reappeared, hovering near their table with a practiced, customer-service smile.
"What did you think of Master Yun's performance today?"
It was a polite, thinly veiled prompt. He was asking for their tip.
The waiter was genuinely confused. The table was covered in expensive teas, delicate pastries, and premium snacks—yet there wasn't a single Mora left for the performers. Had they forgotten? Or were they just incredibly stingy?
Unlike a storyteller who might pause midway through a narrative to collect donations before continuing, an opera was a complete, uninterrupted performance. The tipping segment at the end was mandatory social etiquette. If you didn't tip, it was perfectly acceptable, but the surrounding patrons would absolutely judge you as uncultured skinflints.
"It was excellent! We must tip!"
Futsu Mitama suddenly declared loudly.
He reached into his jacket, triggering the Chat Group's inventory interface, and materialized a massive, heavy pouch of Mora. He tossed it casually to the waiter.
"Please, ensure Master Yun receives this token of our profound appreciation."
"!!!!!!!"
The waiter's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
Where did he even keep that?!
He caught the heavy pouch with both hands, instantly registering the sheer weight of the gold.
By the Rex Lapis, there has to be over a hundred thousand Mora in here!
This guest wasn't just generous; he was functionally insane. Standard tipping protocol for a stellar performance usually capped out at a few hundred Mora scattered on the table. Dropping over a hundred thousand was unprecedented unless the patron was actively trying to buy the opera house or court the lead actress.
Despite his shock, the waiter's smile exploded across his face.
"Thank you, my lord! Thank you! I will personally deliver this to Master Yun immediately!"
He bowed frantically and rushed off, clutching the bag like a newborn child.
The surrounding tables immediately turned their attention to Mitama's group. The gazes were a volatile mix of shock, disdain, envy, and intense jealousy.
Liyue Harbor possessed countless millionaires, but dumping a hundred grand on a tea house performance was a vulgar display of wealth. It signaled either extreme ulterior motives or a catastrophic lack of financial sense.
However, as the patrons tracked the massive tip back to the table, they noticed the distinguished gentleman sitting quietly in the center.
Ah. Mr. Zhongli.
Understanding washed over the crowd.
If the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor consultant was involved, this kind of absurd, logic-defying financial behavior was entirely expected. Zhongli's reputation for aggressive, unhinged spending was legendary throughout the harbor.
"Phew~"
Mitama exhaled quietly, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.
He had almost forgotten about the emergency slush fund he kept in his digital inventory. Dealing with Archons in public was a logistical nightmare. They possessed limitless cosmic power but absolutely zero common sense when it came to basic mortal infrastructure. He made a mental note to never, ever let Aila hold all his cash again.
"Thank the winds."
Venti whispered, slumping back in his chair in relief.
He glared at Zhongli. "Morax, honestly, you are the most unreliable entity in this entire pantheon."
Venti genuinely felt a spike of second-hand embarrassment.
You invite the world's remaining gods to a secret summit in your own city, and you don't even bring cash to pay the tab?! If Mitama hadn't pulled a miracle out of his coat, the Seven Archons would have been escorted off the premises for loitering!
"I apologize. It simply slipped my mind."
Zhongli admitted calmly.
He understood the concept of tipping perfectly. However, whenever he dined out, his companions—be it Childe, Hu Tao, or the Traveler—always rushed to cover the bill before he even realized it was time to pay. He had simply forgotten he was supposed to provide the funds himself this time.
"I see. I must remember to acquire physical currency for future excursions."
Makoto murmured thoughtfully. She wasn't embarrassed, but she recognized a tactical flaw in her operational protocol. If she was caught in a similar situation without Mitama to bail them out, she would have to beg the Chat Group for emergency funds.
"Indeed."
Rukkhadevata nodded in profound agreement. She had actually been seconds away from drafting a message to Albedo for a quick loan.
Nahida nodded furiously, filing the data away in her Akasha terminal: Rule #1 of Archon Summits: Always bring Mora.
Ei, entirely unbothered by the near-disaster, was focused entirely on systematically destroying a plate of lotus seed pastries. She knew her role perfectly. She was the muscle. Mitama and Makoto handled the politics and the finances; if a problem arose that couldn't be solved with Mora, she would draw her blade.
Until then, she ate.
With the crisis averted, the table settled back into a relaxed rhythm, sipping tea and discussing the geopolitical ramifications of Zhongli's upcoming stunt.
"Hmm? Yun Jin is approaching."
Mitama noted, slightly surprised.
Usually, after a performance, Yun Jin immediately retired backstage. As the head of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe, she had a massive fanbase and a relentless schedule of wealthy patrons demanding her time. To see her actively walking toward their table was unusual.
Did I tip too much? Mitama wondered.
"It is to be expected." Zhongli said mildly, taking a sip of tea. "The script she performed today was heavily revised based on my historical consultations."
A moment later, Yun Jin stepped through the invisible acoustic barrier.
"Eh?"
Yun Jin froze, her eyes widening as she recognized Mitama sitting at the table. She quickly bowed, her tone instantly dropping into formal respect.
"I had no idea Lord Futsu Mitama was present. I assumed this was merely Mr. Zhongli and his private acquaintances. Please forgive my intrusion."
Futsu Mitama winced internally, offering a helpless smile. He despised the stifling formality that accompanied his title. He finally understood why Nahida constantly begged people to stop calling her 'Lord.'
"Please, Master Yun, just Mitama is fine."
Futsu Mitama smiled warmly, a flicker of genuine nostalgia in his eyes.
When he first encountered Yun Jin in the original game's storyline, her performance of The Divine Damsel of Devastation had fundamentally elevated his appreciation for Genshin's in representation culture. She was a cultural icon. Though his attention had later been entirely hijacked by Shenhe, he had spent the last month making a point to attend Yun Jin's performances whenever he had free time.
"Ah? I... I apologize if I was overly formal."
Yun Jin offered a slightly awkward, but deeply flattered smile. Futsu Mitama's casual demeanor indicated he had attended her shows frequently, but she had been so focused on the stage she hadn't noticed him in the crowds.
"There is no need for anxiety, Master Yun." Zhongli assured her gently. "Your performance today was flawless. We are all profoundly satisfied."
"He's right."
Futsu Mitama nodded encouragingly.
Her ability to paint apocalyptic imagery using only her voice and subtle instrumentation was spellbinding. While listening to the aria, Mitama had genuinely felt the urge to unseal his demonic authority and dive into the ocean to hunt Orochi himself.
"I entirely agree!" Venti chimed in enthusiastically, raising his teacup in a toast. "As a fellow performer, I must say, your vocal control and narrative pacing were absolutely stellar!"
As the Anemo Archon and the greatest bard in Teyvat, Venti did not hand out musical compliments lightly. He recognized genuine, painstaking effort, and Yun Jin's performance was undeniably world-class.
"It was very good. Much more engaging than the light novels from Yae Publishing House."
Ei commented casually, popping another pastry into her mouth. She found the visceral, live-action storytelling highly novel compared to Inazuma's literary trends.
"It was wonderful. Please continue to refine your art."
Nahida smiled gently.
Makoto and Rukkhadevata simply offered warm, encouraging smiles. They had witnessed Liyue opera before during ancient summits, but they both silently agreed that this young mortal possessed a generational talent that eclipsed her predecessors.
"Thank you all so much."
Yun Jin beamed, a bright, incredibly cute smile lighting up her face. Regardless of their status, genuine praise was always a joy to receive.
She turned to Zhongli, offering a respectful bow.
"I also wanted to personally thank Mr. Zhongli for his invaluable guidance. Honestly, I have never met a scholar with such a profound, encyclopedic grasp of Liyue's ancient history. He possesses such a... unique perspective on the Archon War. As a playwright, discussing the past with Mr. Zhongli is an absolute privilege."
Yun Jin was being entirely sincere. Zhongli had practically co-written the Orochi script.
She had heard the rumors among her troupe. Aside from his slightly disrespectful, overly critical analysis of Rex Lapis's tactical decisions, Mr. Zhongli was a flawless gentleman. His manners, his intellect, and his unyielding patience made him an incredible mentor.
Yun Jin had assumed the mantle of Troupe Director at a very young age. She possessed a natural, quiet pride in her achievements. But after consulting with Zhongli, she realized how vast the ocean of history truly was, and how little she actually knew.
"Pfft—!"
Venti suddenly clamped a hand over his mouth, violently suppressing a laugh.
"..."
Zhongli stared blankly at the bard.
"Is something wrong?"
Yun Jin blinked her large, expressive eyes, entirely confused as to why the boy in green was suddenly choking on his tea.
"No, no, nothing at all. I just remembered a very funny joke."
Venti wheezed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"I completely agree with you! Mr. Zhongli is incredibly knowledgeable! Whenever I discuss ancient history with him, I get this overwhelming feeling..."
Venti leaned forward, whispering conspiratorially.
"...It almost feels like he was actually there when it happened!"
Venti shot Zhongli an exaggerated, theatrical wink.
Isn't that right, Mr. Consultant?
Zhongli's expression remained perfectly, flawlessly neutral, but the grip on his porcelain teacup tightened just enough to create microscopic stress fractures in the glaze.
"Exactly!" Yun Jin nodded enthusiastically, completely missing the subtext. "Sometimes, his knowledge is so terrifyingly precise, it feels like he's one of the legendary Adeptus in disguise!"
"But." she giggled softly, "how could a mighty Adeptus be working as a consultant for a funeral parlor? That would be far too demeaning."
It wasn't a completely novel theory. Many in Liyue suspected Zhongli might have Adeptal blood. But his mundane, bureaucratic job at the Wangsheng Parlor usually killed the rumors. The citizens of Liyue revered the Adeptus as aloof, divine protectors; the idea of one clocking in for a nine-to-five job organizing funerals was culturally absurd.
"Ah!" Yun Jin suddenly gasped, her hands flying to her cheeks. "How incredibly rude of me! I've been talking this entire time and I haven't even introduced myself properly to the rest of the table!"
She realized she had been casually chatting with a group of strangers, entirely ignoring basic social etiquette.
"It's perfectly fine! No harm done."
Venti waved his hand dismissively.
"Still, I must insist." Yun Jin smiled gracefully, taking a small step back to offer a formal, theatrical bow. "As the old saying goes: it is better to meet in person than to hear by reputation. It is an absolute honor to make your acquaintance."
"My surname is Yun, and my given name is Jin. I am the current Director of the Yun-Han Opera Troupe. Our troupe is permanently affiliated with Heyu Tea House. If my performance pleased you today, I humbly invite you to return in the future."
She ended her introduction with a playful, highly charismatic wink, seamlessly weaving a subtle advertisement into her greeting.
Mitama, Makoto, Nahida, and the rest exchanged deeply amused smiles. It was impossible to dislike a girl this earnest, talented, and fiercely dedicated to her craft.
"I believe my introduction is unnecessary." Mitama smiled. "You already know who I am."
Yun Jin nodded respectfully. Everyone in Teyvat knew the Acting Archons' face by now.
"As for me~" Venti tipped an imaginary hat. "I am but a humble bard from Mondstadt. I enjoy vintage wine and writing terrible poetry. A pleasure to meet you!"
"I am..."
Ei began, her voice firm and authoritative as she prepared to state her actual title.
I am the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma.
She possessed zero capacity for deception and saw no tactical reason to lie to a playwright.
Makoto, instantly recognizing the impending disaster, casually leaned over and shoved a lotus pastry directly into Ei's open mouth.
"We are wandering Ronin from Inazuma."
Makoto smiled flawlessly, speaking for both of them as Ei chewed indignantly.
"We are traveling scholars from the Sumeru Akademiya, here to study Liyue's cultural history."
Rukkhadevata added smoothly.
"Your opera was beautiful." Nahida smiled warmly. "I will definitely come back to see another one."
Yun Jin beamed, looking around the table in absolute wonder.
What an incredibly diverse, fascinating group of people! A Mondstadt bard, the Wangsheng consultant, two Inazuman Ronin, two Sumeru scholars, and the world-famous Acting Dendro Archon.
As she looked at the bizarre assembly, a sudden thought struck her.
They are fine, right?
If it were her, sitting at a casual tea table with the literal inheritor of a divine throne would be absolutely paralyzing. The pressure must be immense. She silently admired the bravery of these ordinary travelers for daring to share a meal with a god.