"According to the innkeeper, weren't you the one who showcased your skills last night and annihilated the demons, Mr. Lu Ze?"
The caravan leader's words left him somewhat bewildered. How had it become him? Not only the boss had seen it last night, but the Millelith had too. It should have been Xiao, right?
"Do not reveal what happened last night lightly. Consider this merit yours. Thank you."
Xiao's voice suddenly echoed from the depths of his mind. He looked up, but Xiao was still lowering his head, eating Almond Tofu, seemingly undisturbed by anything.
"It's nothing, just a small matter. Let's pack up and be on our way. I can't wait to see what Liyue looks like."
After a few more pleasantries, everyone hurried on their way. Xiao, who had finished a plate of Almond Tofu, silently raised his head and glanced back. As if sensing something, he quickly got off his chair and knelt on one knee.
"Your Excellency... Lord Zhongli, how did you get here?"
Looking at the person before him, Xiao couldn't recall the last time he had seen him. He deeply respected the Geo Archon, and anyone who dared to speak ill of him would surely face Xiao's judgment.
He was a devoted Archon fan.
"I came here to tell you a small matter. Please do not allow mortals into Yaoguang Shoal for the next week, as it is very dangerous. I entrust this task to you."
Xiao quickly nodded. He was idle anyway, so he might as well carry out the Lord Archon's mission.
"I will not allow any common folk to enter. Could you tell me what kind of danger it is? If it can be dealt with early, wouldn't it be better to clear it out?"
Zhongli said nothing but found a seat and signaled the waiter to order food. Xiao also took a seat beside him. The waiter trembled inwardly upon seeing Xiao.
He knew who this young man was. He might be able to stab him to death with a single spear. Moreover, the proprietress had said that this person never had to pay for his meals.
After quickly ordering a few dishes, Zhongli picked up a teacup from the table and drank it himself, then said, "It's rather complicated to explain. Let me put it this way, do you know Honkai Impact 3rd?"
After a period of explanation, Xiao nodded. So, there were such peculiar things in the world, monsters from other worlds... how wondrous.
Meanwhile, at Wangshu Inn, not far behind lay Pervases, the ancient Liyue. Legend had it that the Dust Devil, Guizhong, and the Geo Archon, Morax, built Pervases together. But with the onset of the Archon War, Pervases was submerged by floods, forcing the people to move south and build what is now Liyue Harbor.
Thus, a ruin was left in its place, a testament to history, a sad story.
"By the way, how do you know the history of this place? Did you do your homework before coming?"
Bronya looked at the person in front of her with suspicion. However, perhaps because she was sitting on a horse, her body swayed, and she had to hold onto the person in front of her again. This time, the big duck was smarter and sat behind.
After all, yesterday's events were still vivid. That kind of sensation... it could wait until after marriage.
"How could that be? Do I need to? I've known this history for a long time. As for how I know it, just consider it a secret."
"Day after day... Sigh, don't make the horse run so fast! It's so bumpy!"
As the horse galloped, a tombstone in the back flickered with a faint light. On the tombstone was a large inscription: "My Dearest Friend," seemingly erected by a friend.
As noon approached, they saw a large archway. Beneath the archway, a fair-skinned beauty stood quietly, holding a smoking pipe, as if waiting for someone.
A maid beside her silently held an umbrella, as the midday sun was indeed harsh, and getting tanned would be undesirable.
"You must be Mr. Lu Ze, correct? Welcome to Liyue. I have been expecting you for a long time. Oh, I forgot to mention, I am Ningguang, the Tianquan. The one you corresponded with. Do you remember me, sir?"
A wisp of red hair fluttered in the wind. Ningguang took a puff from her smoking pipe, and wisps of smoke drifted from the corner of her mouth. Her white hair was as pure as snow, inviting one to touch it.
"How could I not remember? After all, you generously gave me a deed to land. I came to Liyue this time specifically to see you."
After Bronya dismounted, he too leaped off his horse. Looking at the beautiful woman before him, he had to admit she exuded the aura of a wealthy woman. How to put it? One could tell everything she wore was valuable just by looking at her.
"Then let us go. We shall host a welcoming feast for Mr. Lu Ze. I have already sent my subordinates to purchase the finest Yue and Li dishes. Let us discuss there."
Ningguang pointed towards the high-rise pavilions. To be invited to the Jade Chamber on their first meeting demonstrated Ningguang's high regard for him. After all, Herrscher weapons and such could easily outperform current items. Even a capitalist would be tempted by such power, wouldn't they?
"Then I shall trouble you. May I ask if my companion can also come?"
Hearing about a companion, Ningguang looked at Bronya with a hint of surprise. She had assumed this woman was just a passerby, not a companion...
"Naturally. Mr. Lu Ze's friends are my friends. I don't yet know this friend's name?"
Seeing the white-haired woman's feigned politeness, Bronya replied with considerable displeasure, "My name is Bronya. I am Lu Ze's wife, not just a friend."
As if declaring ownership, she even puffed out her chest, causing what was in front of her to jiggle slightly. Indeed, she had transformed from a little duck to a big duck.
"Oh, that's quite surprising... But no matter, let's head up and sit down."
The group arrived at the Jade Terrace. To reach the Jade Chamber, one had to take a special elevator, which required a special password. However, with Ningguang present, such a password was unnecessary.
As the floating stones drifted, they arrived directly at the Jade Chamber. Looking at the aerial pavilion standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the clouds, Bronya didn't show much shock, merely curiosity about its operating principle.
"You two arriving at this aerial pavilion don't seem very surprised. Today has been full of surprises. Previous visitors were quite astonished the first time they set foot here."
Hearing Ningguang's words, Bronya let out a dismissive chuckle. She had already ridden battleships, so a mere aerial pavilion? Too immature.
Mini-Theater: Marriage (4)
"I... I want to marry you, Captain! On this journey, I've realized the importance of cherishing the present. I've been very happy while I've been with you. I hope that in this life, the person by my side will be you, not Kiana. So, will you accept me, Captain!"
Hearing Mei's words, you couldn't suppress your excitement. Just as you reached into your pocket for the proposal ring, you failed to notice Kiana, who was seething with dark energy beside you.
"Heh heh, Captain! Go to hell! Mei will always be mine!"
Will you accept Mei's proposal, Captain? Or... do you prefer the Raiden Shogun next door? Heh heh... a single blade, to end it all!
(Ahem, I got too carried away in the fan group, so the update is a bit late. Apologies. If you're interested, feel free to join the group.)