Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

"Traveler, you have been wandering Teyvat for a long time..."

Zhongli's deep, mellow voice resonated in the air, carrying a hint of barely perceptible sigh. He suddenly looked up and posed the question to the person in front of him: "Do you also believe that 'the wealth created by humankind should be controlled by humankind'?"

These words, brimming with deep frustration, came so abruptly.

Both the Traveler and Tartaglia were shocked upon hearing this. They knew Zhongli's true identity and were even more aware that every Mora circulating on the continent of Teyvat was a crystallization of the power and flesh of the Geo god Morax.

Hearing the creator say such words firsthand, alarm bells rang in their hearts.

Could it be that Zhongli has grown weary of the responsibility of managing wealth and is considering returning this power, which originally came from the gods, to humankind?

The traveler was momentarily speechless, his mind racing with a jumble of thoughts.

If Zhongli were to truly relinquish his crown as the god of wealth, and the Mora system, upon which it is based, were to collapse, what an unmanageable chaos would ensue for the entire Teyvat financial order?
“There’s no need to worry,” Zhongli said, as if he could read their concerns. His gaze swept calmly over their tense expressions, and his steady voice rang out at the right moment. “I only asked this question. I have not yet expressed any disappointment with the economic rules of Liyue or even Teyvat.”

This supplementary sentence acted like a stabilizing force, instantly calming the traveler and Tartaglia's minds, and their lingering worries finally began to dissipate.

Walnut, standing to the side, was completely confused from beginning to end.

She blinked her bright, plum-blossom eyes in confusion, her gaze shifting back and forth between the visibly relaxed Traveler and the Fool's Enforcer, finally settling on the guest beside her who remained calm and composed, as if he could drink tea with ease even if the sky were to fall.

"Ok?"

The girl's clear voice was filled with curiosity, and her fingers, painted with black nail polish, unconsciously circled the dried plum blossom branch at her waist.

"What were you all so nervous about just now? Could it be... that you're hiding something from me?"

"Uh……"

The blond traveler and the orange-haired executive simultaneously looked away, a subtle, synchronized reaction that deepened the suspicion in Hu Tao's eyes.

But just as she was about to press for more information, Paimon suddenly rushed in from between them, hovering in the air and stomping his foot.

"Wait! Shouldn't we be discussing how to thwart that Pantalone guy's plot now?"

The little white sprite stared at the cloak in Zhongli's hand, unaware of the complicated gazes cast upon it by the crowd.

The traveler helplessly pulled the little mascot to his side and explained in a low voice, "All of Pantarone's actions are in accordance with the laws of Liyue, and even Mr. Zhongli and Ms. Ningguang are helpless now."

Although the traveler was whispering, his words were clearly heard by everyone.

Famas raised an eyebrow and chuckled, glancing at Zhongli with interest.

The other party's expression at this moment was truly rare; in those usually calm and serene golden eyes, there was a hint of helplessness, like that of an ordinary person.

This scene reminded him of a plot from a novel by Yaedo Inatsume, where he was like a helpless husband facing his wife's infidelity.

After the traveler explained the whole story to Paimon, he suddenly seemed to have thought of something.

She blinked her amber eyes and asked Zhong Li in a questioning tone, "Mr. Zhong Li, you just mentioned our dinner with Pantalone... Could it be that you want to commission us to gather concrete evidence of his financial fraud at that dinner?"

The girl's voice carried a hint of nervousness.

It's no wonder the traveler thought that way, since earlier, Xingqiu and Yanbo had also commissioned her to investigate Pantalone's true motives for participating in the auction and to collect relevant evidence.

Now, with Zhongli's help, they have guessed that Pantalone's participation in the auction was to endorse the release of the Lantern Tickets. All they lack now is conclusive evidence.

Since Ningguang and Zhongli cannot directly restrain Pantarone's behavior using the Liyue Laws, perhaps Xingqiu can use his status as the young master of the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild to compete fairly with Pantarone on the issue of the Lantern Tickets.

"and many more……"

Thinking of this, the traveler suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

"Isn't Ningguang the biggest businesswoman in Liyue Harbor?"

This idea suddenly enlightened the traveler.

Ningguang, as the current de facto ruler of Liyue Harbor, is fully capable of defeating Pantarone within the bounds of business rules.

Even without the official power of the Thousand Rock Army, she could still engage in a fair battle with Pantarone in the business world, using capital against capital. "I understand, Mr. Zhongli. Paimon and I will definitely find evidence of Pantarone's sabotage of Liyue's economy!"

The light from the lanterns hanging from the eaves shone through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows on the floor of the Rebirth Hall.

The traveler clenched her fist, her eyes gleaming with determination, as if she could already see herself heroically exposing Pantalone's conspiracy. Paimon, standing beside her, nodded repeatedly, hands on her hips, and echoed, "That's right! We are partners of justice!"

Zhongli frowned slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in her amber eyes.

He had only mentioned the dinner party to warn travelers to be wary of the banker's schemes, but how did it suddenly turn into a grand statement about collecting evidence?

Zhongli opened his mouth, about to explain, but saw the girl had already turned around in a hurry and dragged Paimon towards the door.

"Speaking of which, it's time to go and deliver the commission to Xingqiu and the others..."

As the traveler walked, he muttered to himself, recalling the reward Qiu had given him for his journey. The sight of those crystal-clear, colorful raw stones shimmering in the sunlight was truly mesmerizing.

Paimon floated excitedly beside her, already planning what delicious food they would eat to celebrate.

The two figures quickly disappeared into the noise at the end of the alley.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Famas leaned lazily against the table, his fingertips tapping the surface with a rhythmic sound.

His gaze inadvertently swept over the cloak that Zhongli had casually set aside. The exquisitely crafted dark outer robe gleamed with subtle patterns in the candlelight, and the delicate northern floral patterns on the cuffs were faintly visible. Even someone who didn't know much about fine things could tell that this garment was quite valuable.

Thinking of the value of the garment, FAMAS's eyes narrowed slightly, and a sly smile appeared on his lips.

He casually strolled over, and while Zhongli was holding the lantern and lost in thought, he suddenly struck with lightning speed, grabbed the cloak, and turned to leave.

The rustling of fabric startled Wendy, who was munching on an apple, and the bard coughed, choked by the sound.

"Cough cough... Eh? Wait! FAMAS, you..."

"Why don't you run?"

Famas's voice drifted away on the wind as he darted out the door.

Wendy blinked his emerald eyes, the apple core fell to the ground with a clatter, and he hurriedly grabbed his harp and chased after her, his green cloak fluttering in the night, disappearing into the alley in the blink of an eye.

Hu Tao, who was deep in thought with her chin in her hand, was awakened by the sudden commotion.

The girl, who had been worried about the ferrywoman's insistence on leaving, now seemed to have found the perfect excuse to leave.

"What are those two up to now?" Hu Tao slammed his fist on the table and stood up abruptly, the staff of homa appearing in his hand without him even noticing. "They actually dared to steal from our Rebirth Hall! No, I, the hall master, have to go and see!"

Her reddish-brown ponytail drew a sharp arc in the air, and the girl's figure darted out of the hall like an arrow, but in the opposite direction from Famas and the other two, heading straight for the securities issuance office of Yujingtai.

In the blink of an eye, the once bustling Rebirth Hall suddenly became deserted.

Tadalia looked around and awkwardly shrugged, "Mr. Zhongli, it seems like just yesterday it was the two of us?"

The candlelight flickered in his dark blue eyes, reflecting a hint of mischief.

Zhongli sighed softly, the teacup striking the sandalwood table with a clear, melodious sound. His expression remained calm, with only his eyebrows slightly raised, almost imperceptibly: "Perhaps... I didn't express myself clearly enough."

D'Artagnan suddenly stood up and took a few steps closer, his deliberately lowered voice carrying the distinctive rolled "r" sound of the North: "But to be honest, that Pantalone fellow is quite cunning. If that traveler really goes to investigate, he'll probably get into big trouble. Should I keep an eye on him?"

Zhongli looked up at him, his amber-like pupils holding a depth that had been etched for millennia: "If Your Excellency D'Artagnan has the time... perhaps you should first explain why you are always covered in wounds whenever we meet?"

The young executive's smile froze instantly. He casually turned his face away, pretending to be deeply interested in the apricot tree outside the window:

"Well... the weather's really nice today, isn't it?"

The alleyway outside the Hall of Rebirth was pitch black, and it was impossible to tell what kind of weather it would be.

Only the firelight in the hall illuminated the still-unhealed abyss wound on D'Artagnan's neck, giving it a faint tinge of blood. (End of Chapter)