The red light from the system panel is still glowing.
At this moment, you draw a breath. "If I can't destroy this wall," you think, "maybe I should climb it."
You immediately try every way to overcome the problem, not with fists, but with your mind.
What if you no longer try to resist?
What if you stop being a stubborn rock?
Alright. I'll play along.
Instantly, you try to change your mindset, and suddenly the aggressively pulsing red arrow disappears.
The warning screen has shrunk, returning to a calm blue, then fading into the background of your vision.
At this moment, the alley becomes silent.
You close your eyes for a moment, letting the cold air enter and dispel the pressure in your head. Your shoulders, previously stiff like pulled steel wires, slump relaxed. Your body, which was tense before, finally softens. Your breath escapes slowly, long and trembling, as if the thousand-ton burden pressing on your chest finally crumbles into dust.
I'm safe... at least for now.
At this moment, as you just enjoy the first second of your peace, you suddenly hear the sound of people talking.
"I know you're not from around here, but I can't prove it."
Those words float in the damp air, hanging without a clear threat, but making your blood buzz.
You turn around immediately, the heel of your athletic shoe squeaking softly on the wet stone.
At the end of the alley, where the light from the main street lanterns only reaches dimly, stands a man. His figure is tall, his silhouette slim but not frail.
He wears modified traditional Liyue clothing, elegant yet functional.
He wears thin-framed glasses that reflect a bit of moonlight.
With a long, pale index finger, he pushes up the bridge of his glasses—measured and precise. A perfect smile appears on his lips, its curve symmetrical, which somehow feels too polite for a meeting in a dark alley.
And his eyes... his eyes are closed. Or at least, they appear like two friendly crescent moons.
He leans against the wall with an almost theatrical style. One foot firmly on the ground, while the other is bent, its sole against the stone wall behind him.
Your eyelids blink twice, trying to process what's happening in front of you. Your lips press to one side as if something doesn't fit with this scene. Your brows furrow slightly, your head tilting a bit as your eyes scan his face.
Your gaze goes up and down, examining his face, then his posture, then back to his blindly smiling face.
He must be a weirdo, you mutter inwardly. Who stands in a dark alley with a magazine model pose while smiling with closed eyes?
The man, as if he can hear your thoughts, straightens his body a little, releasing his foot from the wall.
"Look at your clothes," he opens his eyes—just a bit, revealing a flash of sharp irises behind the lenses—and points with his index finger at you. The finger moves slowly, tracing the silhouette of your oversized jacket and sneakers from afar.
Then he shakes his head several times. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
You narrow your eyes. "Are you mocking me?" your voice is sharp.
He chuckles softly, a light laugh like wind chimes. He shakes his head again. "No."
"You have good taste in clothes," he continues, his tone sounding sincere. "The cut is foreign, the material unusual, but there's harmony in that chaos."
He lowers his hand, his smile widening a bit. "But, let's set aside the unimportant things, I just overheard your conversation with that drunk man at the stall."
Your blood freezes.
At this moment, your cheeks suddenly heat up, burned by embarrassment spreading to your ears. You quickly look away, staring at the moss on the wall, at the tip of your shoe, at anything but the man's smile. Your gaze wavers, before finally you rub your nape awkwardly and clear your throat softly.
"What do you want from me?" you ask finally, your voice lower.
The man steps forward one step. His shadow lengthens, touching the tip of your foot.
"You want information about Miss Ganyu, right?" he asks. The name rolls off his tongue with a strange familiarity.
"I can give it to you."
You draw a short breath, your mouth opens as if to ask, but you hold it back in your throat.
"Nothing is free in this world," you say, staring straight at the man's glasses. "Once again, what do you want from me?"
The man's smile changes. Becomes more... sharp. More satisfied. Like a merchant who just found a clever customer.
"Good! I like people who get it right away like you. Transactions are always easier with those who have sense," he says cheerfully. He turns his back to you, his robe rustling softly. "Follow me."
You pause for a moment. Hesitant.
Is this a trap?
But then, you glance again at the silent system notification in the corner of your eye. Conquer Ganyu's Heart.
You need clues. And this man is the only clue you have.
You sigh in resignation, then follow him out of the alley.
After that, you walk not far from there, following the man's straight back through the increasingly empty back streets of Yilong Wharf. Lights start to be turned on, creating islands of light in the sea of twilight.
Then he stops at an open area near the harbor exit gate.
In front of you is a horse-drawn carriage. Not a luxurious carriage for nobles, but a sturdy goods carriage. Its wood is thick, its wheels lined with strong iron.
And on top of it, and around it, stacked large wooden crates sealed tightly. The horse tied in front snorts boredly, stamping its foot on the dusty ground.
The man turns to you and spreads his arms, as if presenting a masterpiece of art.
"Ta-da," he says flatly.
Your gaze fixes a few seconds too long on the stack of crates, then on the man. Making the silence feel awkward.
Seeing you staring at him strangely, he looks a bit embarrassed.
He lowers his arms, coughs softly into his fist, then starts explaining, "I'm on a long journey to a place called Liyue Harbor."
"And then?" you ask, your eyes narrowing, observing the large crates around the carriage. Those crates look heavy. Very heavy.
He then explains while pacing in front of the carriage, moving his body as if someone who can't stay still.
"I have a friend," he begins, his hands making dramatic gestures. "A friend who's very... reliable usually. He promised to help me lift these goods and escort the journey, but then I heard he's in trouble so it's impossible for him to help me."
He stops pacing, looking at you with a hopeful smile.
"That's why I'm offering this to you."
"Since we're heading in the same direction!"
You pause, processing the offer.
So, he needs a porter?
Or a guard? With my skinny body like this? Come on... crazy.
He must be really desperate.
But there's one keyword that catches your attention. Liyue Harbor.
"You mean, the miss...." you look around, afraid of other eavesdroppers, then shift your gaze back to him, lowering your voice. "The miss named Ganyu is in Liyue?"
The man nods enthusiastically, his glasses slipping a bit. "Of course! Where else would the Qixing Secretary be if not in the heart of the largest harbor in Teyvat?"
That information hits you. Qixing Secretary. The title sounds high. Far above your reach.
But at least, you know where she is!
"And don't worry," the man adds quickly, afraid you'd refuse. "I'll also pay you. Mora. The absolute currency here. You can't woo a woman without money, right? Especially a woman of her class."
His last sentence stings, but it's true. This offer gives you a ride, a destination, money, and information. A complete package for a desperate beginner.
Crazy how good this guy is at marketing... you mutter.
"How about it?" he urges.
You stare at the carriage. Staring at the long road stretching beyond the Yilong Wharf gate, toward the darkness of night and towering mountains.
You think for a moment. Weighing the risk of being kidnapped against the risk of dying for failing the quest.
To you, this is an easy choice. Besides, you don't have many options.
Then, you nod.
"Deal."
…
Creak… Creak…
The sound of wooden wheels rubbing against their axles stops suddenly. The shaking disappears, replaced by a low, foreign bustle—the sound of waves crashing against the dock, sailors' shouts, and the hum of thousands of people.
"Hey, wake up, we've arrived."
That voice pierces your sleep fog. Your eyelids feel heavy as if glued. When your consciousness returns, your whole body screams in protest. Pain. Ache spreads from your back to your calves. Your bones creak like the hinges of an old gate never oiled.
"We've arr–"
Your sentence cuts off, stuck in your throat as your eyes finally open wide and capture the view in front of you.
There, stretching below the cliff, is Liyue Harbor.
The city sparkles under the morning sun, dominated by red, gold, and warm brown wood. Wooden docks jut into the sea like giant fingers, filled with sailing ships of sizes that make you feel small.
Multi-story buildings with curved roofs arranged neatly yet organically, as if growing from the rocks themselves. Paper lanterns, though unlit in the daytime, still hang in every corner, promising another beauty when night falls.
"So this is Liyue Harbor…." you say, amazed. Your voice sounds small, almost swallowed by the sea breeze.
The bespectacled man beside you, the carriage owner, glances at you. He smiles, a thin smile full of satisfaction, pleased to see your shocked face.
"Everyone who comes here for the first time has the same face as you," he says, his tone like a teacher seeing his student gape at a world map.
After that, the carriage moves slowly again, passing the checkpoint and finally stopping at the unloading area near the city's main entrance.
"Get down," he says to you, jumping down gracefully as if he hasn't just endured a long journey. He pats his horse's neck gently. "I appreciate your help. Without you, my fragile back might have broken lifting those crates."
He reaches into his robe, taking something hidden who knows where—a heavy-looking cloth pouch—then hands it to you. The clinking sound of metal colliding sounds melodic.
"This?" you ask, accepting the pouch. Its weight surprises you.
"Mora, as I promised," he replies, adjusting his glasses. "A man of his word."
You open the pouch's tie. Your eyes widen. Inside, gold coins with triquetra symbols gleam, reflecting the sunlight.
There's a lot. Way too much for a makeshift porter's wage.
"From your reaction…" he narrows his eyes, observing you closely. His smile is still there, but his eyes are sharp and probing. "It seems you really aren't from here. You stare at Mora as if it's an alien artifact!"
He brings his face closer a bit. "Did you really live in a cave before this?"
You startle, feeling insulted. "Is that a question?" you ask, narrowing your eyes back. "Very rude!"
He laughs crisply, then shakes his head. "Sorry, sorry. My tongue sometimes outruns my manners."
He steps back, giving a farewell gesture. "Well then, goodbye, strange friend. May your goal be achieved… I mean, good luck. Your goal, you know…"
He hangs his sentence, his gaze as if piercing your mind's content.
"…is difficult. Too difficult."
There's a note of sympathy in his voice, but also amusement. As if he knows you'll crash into a concrete wall, and he's looking forward to the sound.
You try to force a smile, a stiff curve of lips. "Haha, I know."
You bow slightly, thanking awkwardly, then turn around. You walk away, leaving the unloading area, entering the true bustle of Liyue Harbor.
Behind you, you hear him shout, his voice competing with the market's hubbub.
"See you! Let's meet again if fate wills it!"
You don't look back, but somehow, you know he's waving enthusiastically.
"Meeting someone like him isn't bad…" you mutter softly.
As you mutter this, you look up at the now scorching sky. The sun directly overhead, burning your skin, but also illuminating your path.
"That was a really long journey…."
You delve deeper into Liyue Harbor. The wide stone streets filled with people from various nations.
There are merchants with turbans, adventurers in armor, and locals in silk or rough cotton clothes. The aroma of food—chop suey, grilled fish, and spicy soup—assaults your sense of smell, making your empty stomach rumble.
However, as time passes, your footsteps start to feel heavy, oppressed by the atmosphere. You receive glance after glance.
Some people stop eating just to watch you pass. Some mothers pull their children closer.
"Look at his shoes…" "Why is his clothes so loose?" "Is he a robbery victim wearing someone else's leftovers?"
You feel uncomfortable being stared at.
It feels like walking naked in the middle of a royal wedding party!
You try to calm yourself, drawing deep breaths, but Liyue's air feels dense.
"Euh, I should have asked for clothes from that guy so I wouldn't stand out so much," you mutter regretfully, your hand squeezing the Mora pouch strap. You sigh long, frustrated at your own stupidity.
You have money now, but you still look like a foreigner here.
But what's done is done. You can't go back and ask for clothes from him. Besides, who knows if he's still in the same place.
These stares are unpleasant, you think. But in the end, adapting takes time, and I don't have to blend in from the first step.
You try to rationalize the situation. Being the center of attention could be an advantage... or at least, that's what you tell yourself to comfort your heart.
Instead of being bothered by that social embarrassment, you decide to shift your focus to one concrete thing. The mission.
Right, the stupid mission that forced me into this condition.
You mutter, your lips moving quickly. Now I have to find out where this character named Ganyu is… that guy said she's a secretary… her job must be very noble.
Your brain starts assembling deductions.
Let's think logically… this system always gives me difficulties. It definitely won't give an easy test. Meaning it'll be very hard for me to achieve the goal.
You stop in the middle of a red wooden bridge, letting people flow around you.
With that premise, then the job this character has must be very special, something ordinary people can't have. Qixing Secretary... Qixing are leaders. So she works for the leaders.
Your eyes scan the city horizon. You search for hierarchy in the architecture.
Where is the center of power?
Of course, usually, in the highest place.
"Let's see, what building stands out the most here."
Your gaze rises, passing shop roofs, noble houses, continuing up toward the higher part of the city.
There, on the upper terrace overlooking the entire harbor, stands a magnificent building complex. Its roof bluish-green, its pillars bright red, surrounded by gardens that look peaceful from afar.
The view is like Liyue's crown jewel.
You look up, your eyes sparkling. Your index finger automatically rises pointing there.
"I found it!" you shout unconsciously.
"That's Yuehai Pavilion!"
Your suddenly loud voice makes two fish merchants nearby jump in surprise. Their merchandise fish almost falls.
"Hey, kid! Don't shout!" "Crazy person…"
When you realize this, your face blushes red. People around stare at you strangely, again.
You feel embarrassed, your head bows low, and you immediately flee the place, slipping through the crowd toward a quieter alley.
After feeling in a fairly quiet spot, in a courtyard near a silent bookstore, you stop. Your breath pants a little.
You start muttering again while pacing, putting on a serious thinking face, hand on chin.
"Maybe I should disguise myself as an ordinary person… standing out makes me so uncomfortable."
You glance at your reflection in a puddle.
Yup, like a bum.
Besides, why do I have to be the most standout person here? This isn't anime where the protagonist has to have colorful hair and weird clothes!
Your mind drifts to the heavy Mora pouch at your waist.
"Should I buy clothes and do a perfect disguise, like a normal citizen?"
You weigh the idea. Enter a clothing store, buy a Hanfu or men's Cheongsam? But you don't know how to wear it! And what if you buy the wrong one? What if you accidentally buy servant clothes or mourning attire?
"Euh… this is annoying, I'll think about it later," you decide. You're too afraid to interact with shopkeepers right now.
After thinking for a long time, you finally decide on a "safer" strategy according to your logic slightly distorted by panic. You'll learn first.
Right, observation!
You stand at the street corner, your eyes sharp like an eagle—or more precisely, like an awkward spy.
You observe how citizens talk and move, hoping to mimic their basic attitudes without looking odd!
You see an old man walking with hands behind his back. Okay, hands behind back, you note inwardly. You see a woman smiling while bowing slightly when passing. Smile and bow, you note again.
You observe their step rhythm. Liyue people walk with purpose, but not rushed. Relaxed but firm. You observe their voice intonation. Melancholic yet authoritative.
You try to practice it.
You straighten your back, place hands behind your back.
However, because your jacket is too big, you look like someone with stumped arms, then walk with steps you think rhythmic.
You try smiling at passersby—a smile you hope is friendly, but perhaps looks like a grimace holding stomach pain.
Their small expressions, you try to mimic. Furrowed brows when bargaining, head nods when agreeing.
You try to adjust yourself not to stand out.
However, reality is far from expectation.
A mother holding her child's hand stares at you in horror. You're mimicking an old grandpa's walk, but with cyberpunk clothes and a young face, it looks like a motor disorder!
"Mom, why is that brother walking weird?" the child whispers. "Ssh, don't look. Maybe he's sick."
While doing this, you're stared at suspiciously by the citizens. Their whispers grow louder.
"Is he mocking Mr. Zhang?" "No, seems like he's doing a weird ritual." "Be careful, don't get close."
They whisper, point, and move away. The area around you becomes empty, creating an isolation circle that actually makes you stand out more!
Your effort to blend in becomes the main spotlight on that street!
But you, in your naivety and singular focus, try not to care. You think the empty space is a sign of respect, or perhaps, you're too busy counting your own footsteps to realize you've become a tragic comedy spectacle in Liyue Harbor.
"Good, one more step, then nod," you mutter to yourself, while your shadow on the stone road looks increasingly lonely amid the crowd.
…
A/N: I'll try to update every day, but it seems difficult because I also need to handle IRL. Whatever the obstacles, it won't make me stop writing (hopefully). Of course, that's just a joke. I can't always be in this mood. However, for now, let me brag xD I'll try to upload faster on Patreon once it reaches chapter 10 and above. See you in the next chapter!