He lifted a cup of clear tea calmly and took a sip.
His expression was indifferent and composed, as if even the noisy Liyue Harbor could not affect his elegance and tranquility.
His sitting posture was upright.
Holding the teacup like pinching an orchid, his gestures revealed an indescribable elegance and calmness.
Even though he was sitting at an ordinary breakfast stall, even though the diners around him were gorging themselves...
Some chatting casually, but his temperament made all this seem out of place.
In such a market environment, he was still so unhurried.
Like a noble son sitting in a jade palace.
Even drinking tea and eating cakes carried a bit of transcendental elegance.
As for the breakfast on the table, it was arranged neatly.
A pot of warm tea.
Several exquisite cakes.
The teacup was clean and translucent, and the shape of the cakes was also extremely particular, even the cut corners were symmetrical just right.
In the next second, his fingers gently picked up a piece of Osmanthus Cake and put it into his mouth.
The movement was gentle and elegant, as if not eating breakfast, but tasting a carefully prepared royal meal.
Lumine originally glanced casually, but looking over like this, she was slightly stunned.
"...So particular?"
Eating breakfast at an ordinary stall, can one actually eat with such elegance?
She was just following Kael's gaze, scanning casually.
But seeing Zhongli's flowing movements, gentle demeanor, and calm expression...
For some reason, she felt inexplicably smooth?
And Paimon was obviously still immersed in the aroma of food, completely failing to notice Zhongli aside.
After ordering breakfast, she clapped her small hands and said enthusiastically, "Hehe, next is to choose a good seat to sit down!"
"You can sit here."
Just then, a low and gentle voice sounded slowly, tone steady.
Like a clear spring flowing, carrying a trace of indifferent rhythm.
Paimon was stunned, looking in the direction of the voice, finally noticing Zhongli drinking tea leisurely beside them.
"Eh?"
Paimon blinked, her gaze falling on Zhongli, obviously surprised. "You are...?"
Lumine also opened her eyes slightly.
Obviously didn't expect this man, who could eat so elegantly even in front of a breakfast stall, to actively invite them to sit down.
And Kael raised an eyebrow.
Because in front of him, the virtual panel actually appeared.
[After staying at Wangshu Inn for one night, you decided to stroll around the Luofu properly the next day, and investigate the current situation of the Luofu by the way, to prepare for the next action.]
[As a result, just after going out, you met the Luofu's Arbiter-General, Jing Yuan, by the roadside.]
[You know that Jing Yuan of the Luofu appears lazy on the outside but is meticulous in mind. Appearing here must be for you.]
[Sure enough, when you met Jing Yuan, Jing Yuan actively issued an invitation to you. Facing Jing Yuan's invitation, you choose...]
[ OPTION 1: GLADLY ACCEPT ]
Since Jing Yuan appeared specially and issued an invitation, you might as well go with the flow and see what his intention is. After all, instead of waiting passively for the movements of the Luofu high-level, it is better to take the initiative to listen to intelligence. Maybe you can take the opportunity to learn more about the internal situation.
Reward: [Strange Magnet]. (A magnet dropped from unknown where. Life hack: The magnet can move metal props on the other side through cardboard.)
[ OPTION 2: DECISIVE REFUSAL ]
Jing Yuan's invitation looks like a probe no matter how you look at it, and you don't want to step into the vortex of the Luofu situation easily. Besides, your itinerary has long been arranged. How can you easily change the plan because of a seemingly friendly General?
Reward: [Jade Abacus Unit]. (The most basic Jade Abacus part, often used in the last step of installation. Pick one, they are all obsolete old models. But after installation, it can definitely make your machine seem to have a soul.)
[ OPTION 3: STRAIGHT TO THE POINT ]
While accepting the invitation, you choose to hit the theme directly, giving Jing Yuan no chance to beat around the bush, striving for benefits for yourself better as a collaborator. This option may cause Jing Yuan's judgment of you to change. Your frankness may make him look at you differently, but it may also make him raise his vigilance.
Reward: [Snow Lion Mimi]. (The stone lion at the entrance of the Seat of Divine Foresight. After obtaining, you can make the lion be in a real body state or stone statue state at any time. Can change freely.)
Looking at these three options, Kael looked strange.
Zhongli is Jing Yuan?
What is the judgment standard of this Retarded System?
As for the rewards of the three options, the second one was not bad, but seemed to be parts.
For the third one, was the reward a Pet?
Can change freely between stone statue sculpture and real creature?
This is not bad.
As for the first option, Kael eliminated it directly.
Trash reward. Looking at it more felt like a waste of time.
And the third option indeed fit his idea of being straightforward.
Thoughts flashed through his mind.
All this passed in an instant.
Kael nodded. "Since it is the invitation of Consultant Zhongli of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, then I respectfully accept."
As he spoke, he sat in front of Zhongli.
"Ah, that is that Consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Hearing Kael's words, Paimon widened her eyes abruptly, looking at Zhongli. "You are the person we are looking for?"
Beside her, Lumine also looked surprised.
Such a coincidence?
Actually met the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant they wanted to find early in the morning?
Looking at Zhongli in front of her, Lumine knew at a glance that the other party was definitely not as simple as he looked on the surface.
This temperament made her instantly 90% sure.
This one must be the Geo Archon of Liyue.
"Oh? Looking for me?"
Hearing this, Zhongli chuckled. "Is there something you need from me?"
Zhongli really didn't expect these Travelers to come looking for him as soon as they arrived.
You have to know, these two arrived in Liyue yesterday.
They shouldn't have heard of his reputation yet. Why look for a Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant?
At this time, sunlight spilled slightly.
White steam rose from the stall. The aroma of soy milk, the wheat aroma of buns, and the sweet aroma of cakes intertwined, forming a warm and quiet morning picture.
Zhongli, who just asked back, put down the teacup gently.
His gaze swept over Kael and Lumine calmly, the corner of his mouth raising slightly, revealing a faint smile.
"Umm."
Hearing Zhongli's rhetorical question, Paimon scratched her head instantly, somewhat at a loss for words.
Subconsciously looked at Kael, waiting for Kael's answer.
Lumine spoke directly, "You are Rex Lapis, right."
Zhongli: "..."
As Lumine's voice fell, Zhongli's originally calm expression stagnated slightly, and the hand raising the teacup also paused for an instant.
The air was filled with the aroma of hot tea.
The surroundings were still the hustle and bustle of the morning market, the shouts of vendors and the conversations of customers intertwined.
But at this moment, Zhongli's world seemed to fall into a brief silence.
Zhongli did not respond immediately but fell into a brief silence.
His amber pupils contracted slightly, seeming a bit surprised, as if he didn't expect Lumine to ask this question so bluntly.
Born in the mortal world, having experienced thousands of years of wind and frost, he had heard countless people's speculations, guesses, and probes.
But this kind of blunt questioning was the first time.
However, his face remained very calm, as if not affected at all.
In the next second, Zhongli put down the teacup indifferently, his voice still steady as jade: "Why do you think I would be?"
Zhongli's tone was calm, seemingly a casual rhetorical question, but those deep eyes faintly revealed a trace of inquiry.
Lumine didn't answer, but subconsciously looked at Kael beside her.
This subtle movement did not escape Zhongli's eyes.
He followed Lumine's gaze to Kael, a trace of scrutiny and deep thought added to his eyes.
Is it this one who knows my true identity?
Kael spoke slowly: "There is only one Consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue."
Kael's tone was unhurried, as if telling a very ordinary thing.
"In Liyue, there are many people who understand rules, know etiquette, and are familiar with the rites of heaven and earth. But if you say someone who can surpass any scholar, even the Liyue Qixing can't compare... how many are there?"
Hearing this, Zhongli's fingertips tapped the teacup gently, nodding slightly.
True.
Kael continued, "You not only know all traditions of Liyue, but even know the most trivial rules clearly."
"This is not just a matter of erudition, but—being in the game."
"Everything you know is not through books, but personally experienced."
Zhongli didn't answer, just picked up the teacup and took a sip, expression still calm.
But his silence was an attitude in itself.
Paimon and Lumine looked at this scene with shining eyes.
In their eyes, Zhongli's silence was acquiescence.
And this Rex Lapis had nothing to say.
Kael continued, "Secondly, your identity issue."
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor takes funerals as its business. As a Consultant, you should only be an advisor."
"But in Liyue, all affairs of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, big or small, follow your arrangements. Even without you, it won't work."
"If you were just an ordinary Consultant, how could you have such influence?"
"After all, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has more than one learned Consultant."
Speaking of this, Kael looked at Zhongli, eyes deep, chuckling: "Liyue is the Nation of Contracts, stressing fair trade."
"But only you, penniless."
"You listen to the most popular operas, walk the brightest thrushes, eat and wear everything fine. Only the matter of paying is not in your heart."
"No one has ever asked you for money because you didn't pay."
"Although Wangsheng Funeral Parlor pays the bill, looking at Liyue, only you are so calm."
"So special... doesn't it look like a Retired God who wants to put down his burden and enjoy?"
"Liyue people don't think you, a Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant, are Rex Lapis because they never had this thought. Rex Lapis is inviolable in their minds."
Hearing this, the teacup in Zhongli's hand paused completely, eyes fluctuating slightly.
Fingers rubbing the teacup gently, seeming to be thinking, or savoring Kael's words.
After a long while, he slowly put down the teacup, voice soft: "Indeed so. Liyue people wouldn't think so."
"In the hearts of Liyue people, Rex Lapis is faith."
"No matter how mysterious he is, he definitely won't be a Consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
With Zhongli's words falling, Paimon and Lumine looked at each other.
This Geo Archon admitted it!
"Indeed... From these details, this Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Consultant is indeed very wrong."
Paimon couldn't help muttering, "But why don't Liyue people suspect it?"
"Faith."
Kael smiled. "Liyue people believe in Rex Lapis, believe in his majesty and authority, believe in his power and unshakeability."
"So, they will believe Rex Lapis hides in the fairyland, observing all phenomena in the world, but they won't believe Rex Lapis will incarnate as a mortal, drinking tea, listening to operas, and wandering in the marketplace."
"Faith is often an ideal shaping."
"They are willing to believe Rex Lapis still overlooks Liyue and protects the people, rather than drinking a cup of clear tea with them in the human world."
Lumine was silent, seemingly thinking about this truth.
Paimon opened her mouth, not knowing how to refute.
Zhongli listened quietly.
After a long time, he sighed low, looking deeply at Liyue in front of him.
Looking at those lively streets, looking at the bustling crowd, looking at this city he had guarded for thousands of years...
Finally, Zhongli smiled faintly. "What you said makes sense."
"But you haven't said, what do you want from me?"
Zhongli picked up the teacup gently, amber eyes flashing with inexplicable light, tone leisurely.
"Help a Traveler find a relative."
Kael smiled faintly, looking at Lumine.
Lumine spoke without thinking, explaining the situation.
"I see."
After listening to Lumine, Zhongli rubbed the teacup gently, whispering, "I do not know."
"Eh? You don't know either?"
Hearing Zhongli's words, Paimon widened her eyes. "That Tone-Deaf Bard didn't know, and you don't know either."
"Although I don't know, I observe that this gentleman seems not surprised that I don't know."
Hearing Paimon's words, Zhongli smiled gently, looking at Kael. "He should know the answer. You traveled with him, didn't you ask?"
As he spoke, Zhongli looked at Kael.
Just now when he said he didn't know, Zhongli glanced at Kael and found Kael wasn't surprised.
He was too familiar with that look.
That was the look of knowing.
"Eh? Kael knows?"
Hearing Zhongli's words, Paimon and Lumine were dumbfounded, looking at Kael subconsciously.
Kael knows what they want to find?
"Just know a little, but even I can't find him."
"And even if I tell you, it doesn't affect you asking the Gods again for verification."
"After all, it was like this in Mondstadt."
Kael shook his head. "Remember the Abyss Order you heard about in Mondstadt? Your brother is with the Abyss. In Mondstadt, the Abyss Order's action only appeared once."
"Subsequent appearances were gone, so there was no chance to see your brother."
"Compared to Mondstadt, here in Liyue, the Abyss Order acts very frequently."
"The Abyss Order has an extra Prince. That Prince is your brother."
"It's actually like this!"
Hearing Kael's words, Lumine was astonished. "So, I not only have to find Gods but also find the Abyss Order? Chase the Abyss Order?"
"Correct."
Kael nodded. "Mondstadt side, we can go back anytime. Here in Liyue, there are clues to the Abyss Order."
He knew that the first meeting between Aether and Lumine was in that ruin in Liyue (We Will Be Reunited quest).
And that ruin was related to the investigation of the Adventurers' Guild.
"Abyss Order..."
Hearing this, Lumine frowned tightly.
Indeed, she had seen an Abyss Mage once in Mondstadt.
And she didn't ask Kael. This was her problem.
But since the Abyss Order acted frequently in Liyue, that was indeed a good way.
As for her next step, just chasing the Abyss and biting.
"Hehe."
Paimon suddenly thought of something and chuckled. "As long as there are clues to the Abyss Order, our action is very fast."
You have to know, last night they experienced the Starskiff.
That thing could fly wildly in the air even without relying on Ley Lines.
"Right!"
Lumine nodded heavily.
"If you want to say who pays the most attention to the Abyss Order's actions in Liyue, it must be the Liyue Qixing."
Beside them, Zhongli spoke softly, "If you can gain the friendship of the Liyue Qixing, they can even share intelligence with you."
"During this period, you can stay in Liyue first, waiting for the Rite of Descension to be held."
"If the Rite of Descension goes smoothly, you will definitely be able to gain the friendship of the Liyue Qixing."
"Eh? Rite of Descension?"
Hearing Zhongli's words, Paimon scratched her head immediately. "But the Liyue Qixing don't know your current identity. What is the meaning of holding this Rite of Descension?"
They had already seen the Geo Archon of Liyue, found the Geo Archon to ask, and knew the whereabouts and clues of Lumine's brother.
Now they didn't seem to need to participate in the Rite of Descension, just find clues to the Abyss Order.
But clues to the Abyss Order were best known by the Liyue Qixing.
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