The three wandered through Liyue Harbor that morning while eating breakfast.
Paimon, of course, was the happiest one — anything she pointed at, Jiang Chen bought for her on the spot.
She was practically glowing.
Once they were full, they began asking around about purchasing land.
Jiang Chen approached a Millelith soldier on patrol.
The man paused at the question, then nodded and answered clearly:
"If you wish to purchase land, you'll need to speak with Lady Keqing."
"She oversees territory management and construction within Liyue."
"All land affairs fall under her authority."
"Lady Keqing should be at Yujing Terrace right now."
"If not, you may inquire at the Ministry of Civil Affairs."
"If she's not there either… then you may need to search outside. Lady Keqing moves unpredictably."
The man wasn't exaggerating. Keqing's whereabouts could be anywhere between Yujing Terrace… or some random mountain she decided to survey.
"Got it. Thank you." Jiang Chen nodded.
So in the end, it was Keqing.
Jiang Chen instantly understood.
If they could find her at Yujing Terrace, perfect.
If not, Ministry of Civil Affairs.
And if even that failed — find Ganyu at Yuehai Pavilion.
Plenty of routes.
Having made up his mind, Jiang Chen prepared to head out with Lumine and Paimon —
When a calm, deep voice spoke from behind them:
"Planning to settle in Liyue, my friend?
Have you chosen a location?"
Jiang Chen turned around.
And there he was.
The Old Man himself — Zhongli.
Stepping out from the side of the street, composed and elegant.
Both Lumine and Paimon blinked in surprise.
"Hello," Jiang Chen said with a cheerful smile.
He didn't expect Zhongli to show up this fast.
Convenient, though. He had wanted to chat with him anyway.
Without hesitation, Jiang Chen pulled a bottle of wine from his inventory and handed it over.
"A small first-meeting gift. Nothing fancy, but I hope you'll accept it."
It was one of those bottles — the kind that sold for fifty million mora.
Lumine and Paimon stared, dumbfounded.
Five… fifty million?
Send a stranger such a thing on first meeting?
No.
No, anyone receiving this was not a normal stranger.
Lumine instantly connected the dots —
Rock… God…
Of course Jiang Chen wouldn't hand out something that valuable to a regular person.
Zhongli, on the other hand, paused in mild surprise.
This wine…
Wasn't this Barbatos' treasured bottle?
Zhongli knew the taste, the scent, the aura of that vintage.
Venti had treated it like a precious heirloom.
And Jiang Chen just casually handed it to him?
Interesting.
"Well then, I shall gladly accept," Zhongli said with perfect composure.
"I am Zhongli. And you are…?"
"Jiang Chen," he replied.
"This is Lumine, and this is Paimon. They're searching for someone named Aether.
If you know anything, feel free to tell us."
Zhongli shook his head politely.
"Aether? I'm afraid I don't know this person."
Jiang Chen nearly snorted.
Sure you don't.
The Seven who burned down Khaenri'ah together definitely "didn't know" the blond sibling running around.
He let it slide.
Zhongli's gaze subtly shifted.
Jiang Chen knew his identity — and Zhongli knew Jiang Chen knew.
"Shall we find a quiet place to talk?" Zhongli suggested directly.
"Gladly," Jiang Chen replied.
"You pick the spot."
No need to see Keqing just yet.
If the Old Man wanted to talk, talk they would.
Zhongli led the way.
Lumine gave Jiang Chen a questioning look as they followed.
Jiang Chen answered with a small nod.
Yes — this was the Geo Archon.
Lumine's eyes instantly sparkled.
She had guessed it, but getting confirmation was still exciting.
Paimon opened her mouth to blurt something out, but Lumine stopped her immediately.
Later. You'll understand later.
Zhongli brought them to his usual listening-hall, rented a private room, and ordered an expensive pot of tea.
Tea so costly that most people wouldn't even dare drink it.
But Zhongli poured it like it was water.
"Looks like you already know who I am," he said calmly once tea was served.
Jiang Chen nodded.
"Of course. Morax of Liyue."
Pfft—
Paimon choked on her tea.
"W–WHAT?!
Morax?!
The Geo Archon?!"
Utter disbelief filled her face.
Just walking down the street and bumping into Morax of all people?
Impossible!
Jiang Chen chuckled.
"When Lumine awakened the Geo statue, he sensed it. He looked in our direction at the time."
Paimon froze.
"So… so we were being watched?!"
"Not exactly," Jiang Chen said.
"He just checked when Lumine resonated with Geo. After that, he didn't follow us."
Zhongli nodded.
That was indeed the case.
Paimon sank back, overwhelmed.
Zhongli took a sip of tea, then asked:
"So. You intend to settle in Liyue permanently?"
Once he heard about land purchase, he had suspected so.
A strong being with divine aura choosing Liyue — that was good news.
Jiang Chen's power felt like sunlight.
Bright, warm, and absolutely not corrupt.
Nothing about him resembled an evil entity.
"Yes," Jiang Chen replied.
"I'm planning to buy land at Yaoguang Shoal and build a home."
Zhongli blinked in surprise.
"Yaoguang Shoal?"
"Not in Liyue Harbor?"
He truly hadn't expected that.
Was Liyue Harbor itself lacking?
Why choose such a remote area?
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/ZoroTL442