Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

FAMAS's resounding conclusion was like a heavy block of ice, suddenly falling into the warmth of the Hall of Rebirth.

Knowing Zhongli's identity as the Rock God, the Traveler and Paimon instinctively held their breath, their gazes drawn to him like a magnet, first fixed on Zhongli, who stood as still as a rock, showing no ripples, before remembering that there was another Fatui Executor present.

The two men's gazes, like two sharp searchlights, suddenly shifted and focused on D'Artagnan's face in the corner.

Walnut and Famas also turned their gazes away. Being stared at by several pairs of scrutinizing eyes, D'Artagnan immediately reacted like a fox whose tail had been stepped on, dramatically raising his hands in a gesture of surrender:
"Hey, my dear friends, don't look at me like that!"

He spread his hands, his shoulders shrugged in unison, and a signature sunny yet slightly innocent smile spread across his face.

"As you all know, I don't get along with that Pantalone guy."

The young man shook his orange head vigorously, his tone carrying undisguised aloofness.

“I know nothing about his plans.”

As D'Artagnan finished speaking, a brief silence filled the air once more, broken only by the faint crackling of the candle burning in the corner.

The young executive dismissed the matter easily and frankly, and no one doubted Dadalia's explanation.

After all, his conflict with Pantalone was obvious to all, and given that the traveler had spent many days with D'Artagnan, he was even more convinced that the other party really didn't like to play any tricks or schemes.

At this moment, Zhongli finally slowly raised his eyelids.

In those golden eyes, as clear as refined glass, there was neither the anger D'Artagnan had anticipated, nor the astonishment of being provoked, but only a calm lake that seemed to encompass everything yet was unfathomably deep.

His gaze did not immediately fall on the executor who was making excuses, but instead returned to his palm.

The lantern tickets there, bearing the exclusive coat of arms of Pantalone, looked like a bloodstained piece of evidence of a crime under the candlelight.

Zhongli's fingertips traced the cold, smooth edge of the vase with extreme slowness, as if silently measuring the insurmountable chasm between mortals and gods.

After a long silence, his deep, magnetic voice finally broke through the stillness, so steady it betrayed no emotion, yet carrying an undeniable weight:

"The Geo Archon cut off his flesh to turn it into gold, intending to establish the foundation of the covenant and benefit all the people of Teyvat."

He paused slightly, each word striking the hearts of the crowd with clarity: "And this so-called tailoring and voucher making is paving the way for selfish desires, completely contrary to the actions of the Rock God."

Zhongli slowly raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the roof of the Hall of Rebirth, landing on the brightly lit night sky of Liyue Harbor, and on the undercurrents hidden beneath the prosperity.

"Liyue is the land of contracts and the place where all wealth is accumulated. The current frenzy is just a minor disturbance. I'm sure the Liyue Seven Stars have already reacted."

For the first time, the traveler detected a subtle yet unsettling undertone in Zhongli's calm voice. It wasn't anger, but rather a knowing compassion and the calm before a storm.

The traveler's heart sank with Zhongli's words. The comment of "a little trouble" was like a cold needle, piercing the sense of urgency that had just risen due to the conclusive evidence.

Pantalone is no fool. He dares to imitate the gods and even provoke the laws of the Rock God. He must have a backup plan. The cloak is such an obvious clue. It is more like a trap entrance deliberately placed in the open by the other party, or the opening act of a grand game.

Paimon's little face scrunched up like a bun. She looked at the silent and solemn traveler, then at Zhongli, who was as calm as an ancient bell, and finally stole a glance at Dadalia, who seemed relaxed but whose eyes held a complex expression.

The little mascot instinctively moved closer to the traveler, its little hands nervously gripping the traveler's clothes, and muttered softly, "Traveler, things seem to be getting more complicated than we thought..." Zhongli's gaze finally returned from the void to the lamp ticket. He flicked his fingertips slightly, and the paper, as thin as a cicada's wing, made a soft, crisp sound between his fingers.

"Traveler, if I remember correctly, you mentioned having a dinner appointment with Pantalone?"

Zhongli's voice regained its usual gentle and steady tone.

"Yes! That scoundrel promised to treat us to dinner!"

When food is mentioned, Paimon immediately comes to life, flying to Zhongli's side with his little fists clenched and his eyes shining with eagerness.

"Oh! I understand!" She pointed excitedly at Zhongli, "Zhongli, you go and inform Ningguang to mobilize the Thousand Rock Army, and the Traveler and I will pretend to go to the banquet! When we're halfway through the meal, we'll work together from the inside and outside to capture that villain Pantalone and ruin his conspiracy!"

Paimon excitedly described the plan, but Zhongli did not approve. He simply shook his head calmly, his deep gaze fixed on Paimon.
"A conspiracy? What do you mean?"

"Huh?" Zhongli's question made Paimon freeze for a moment, blinking blankly. "No... clothes... and lantern vouchers...aren't these all..."

"These are at best some intriguing clues."

The speaker was Famas, who was observing from the sidelines. His tone carried a hint of lazy insight.

“If you really confront him about the clothes, Pantalone can claim it was a coincidence, or that the lantern's pattern was so unique that he had it copied onto the robe.”

Famas shrugged and looked around at everyone.

"Don't forget, Pantalone is a major banker who controls the largest financial network in Teyvat, a guest of honor in the commerce of the seven kingdoms, and now Liyue's biggest debtor."

"To think that one would go to such lengths to detain the owner of the Northern Bank based solely on a piece of clothing would tarnish Liyue's reputation as a 'gathering place of merchants and free trade.'"

Famas turned his gaze to Zhongli, his tone playful: "Moreover, the Lantern Vouchers have been operating as a compliant commercial document issuance on the surface. I doubt there's any provision in Liyue's current laws that prohibits banks from issuing securities, is there?"

"Then...what should we do?!" Paimon stamped his feet anxiously, looking at Famas. "Are we just going to watch him swindle everyone's money and do nothing about it?"

"Scam? What scam? Isn't this a legitimate stock investment scheme?"

Famas raised an eyebrow and lowered his voice meaningfully.

"Do you believe that if Ningguang were to forcefully suppress the price of lantern coupons right now, those common people and merchants holding handfuls of lantern coupons would immediately turn into a tidal wave of anger, sweeping down Yujingtai... and even Yiyan Palace, which enshrines the Rock King Emperor."

After speaking, Famas seemed to imagine the collapse of the Yiyan Palace and laughed with pleasure.

"As long as this piece of paper is still regarded as a treasure, the Liyue Septim cannot touch Pantarone. Every step he takes, at least for now, is still within the white line of the contract rules."

Famas's gaze finally locked onto Zhongli, each word sharp as a knife: "Bound by the rules of the gods, yet creating wealth surpassing even that of the gods. Isn't this the vow he made before his ignominious departure from Liyue?"

All eyes turned to Zhongli, and the only response they received was a barely audible yet incredibly heavy sigh from the Emperor. (End of Chapter)