Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Just as the suffocating wait was about to reach its limit, the heavy palace door was finally opened again.

The Thousand Rock Army squad leader who went in to announce the arrival came out alone, his face bearing a mixture of respect and rigidity. He quickly approached the three men, gripped his spear, and gave a standard military salute.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting."

His voice was clear and steady, yet it conveyed a startling message.

"Lord Ningguang instructed me to convey that she is already aware of your purpose in coming. There is no need to worry about this matter; she has her own arrangements."

He paused, met the incredulous gaze of the travelers, and continued, "However, tonight is filled with official duties, and Lord Ningguang is truly unable to attend to the three of you in time."

"The master instructed that if the three of you wish, you may rest in the side pavilion of Yiyan Hall for the time being, and formal reception will be arranged tomorrow morning at dawn."

No need to worry. Everything will be taken care of.
Unable to meet? Let's talk again tomorrow morning?
These few words, though seemingly casual, acted like an invisible barrier, shutting out the traveler's urgent warning—a warning that could trigger an economic tsunami in Liyue—and the existence of the three women themselves, from the temple gates.

Something's not right. Something's nine out of ten things is not right.

The traveler and Paimon exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and confusion in each other's eyes.

Even Famas, who had been watching from the sidelines with his arms crossed, lost his languidness in his crimson eyes, which were now filled with a cold scrutiny.

He tilted his head, his gaze piercing the Thousand Rock Army squad leader with an undeniable air of authority, his voice carrying a palpable sense of pressure:
"Are you sure you personally delivered the message to Ningguang? Did she really respond like that?"

Under Famas's gaze, the squad leader tensed up almost imperceptibly for a moment, but quickly straightened his back and said in a resolute tone: "I have indeed personally reported to Lord Ningguang, and everything I said is true. That is indeed what the lord instructed."

The atmosphere in front of the hall instantly plummeted to freezing point; the air seemed to solidify, and even the distant footsteps of patrolling sounded particularly jarring.

The traveler's hand silently pressed down on the hilt of the sword, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure.

The playfulness on Famas's face vanished completely, leaving only a deep coldness, like frosty moonlight.

More and more patrolling Thousand Rock Army soldiers noticed the unusual situation and silently surrounded the area. The invisible pressure squeezed the space like an iron wall, creating a tense atmosphere that was about to erupt.

At this critical moment.

"I see."

The traveler suddenly spoke, his voice unexpectedly calm, even carrying a hint of understanding and relief.

She slowly released her grip on the sword hilt and nodded slightly to the squad leader.

"Thank you for relaying this message. Since Miss Ningguang has already made arrangements, we will not disturb you any longer. Farewell."

After saying that, the traveler turned around without hesitation, grabbed Paimon, who was still in a daze, with one hand, and tugged at Famas's sleeve with the other hand very naturally, and whispered, "Let's go."

"Huh?! Travelers! Wait! They..."

Paimon was pulled so hard she stumbled, kicking her legs in the air in frustration. She couldn't understand why the traveler had suddenly given up; she felt the squad leader was clearly lying.

"Stop talking and follow me."

The traveler's tone left no room for argument. He pulled the two of them quickly through the encircling Thousand Rock Army and left the suffocating atmosphere in front of the Yiyan Palace without looking back.

Only after re-entering the cold night of Yujingtai did Paimon angrily question:
"Traveler, why are we leaving? There's definitely something wrong with that Thousand Rock Army. How could Ningguang possibly be..."

“I know.” The traveler interrupted her, his gaze intense as he swept over the dark area where Scarlet Cloud Slope and Tiger-Eating Rock met. “The road to Yiyan Palace is also blocked; something is wrong there now. But we have another place we can go.”

"where?"

Paimon pressed for an answer, his curiosity piqued. "The Hall of Rebirth."

The traveler uttered three words, a glimmer of hope rekindling in his eyes: "Find Mr. Zhongli; surely he won't turn us away too."

Upon hearing the name "Hall of Rebirth," Famas subtly curled his lip.

Before leaving, the boy turned back for one last time and took a deep look at the brightly lit yet eerily silent Yiyan Palace. A cold understanding and mockery flashed in his crimson eyes, and then he followed the traveler without hesitation.

The three once again traversed the nightscape of Liyue Harbor, this time heading towards the Hall of Rebirth, located at the intersection of Tiger Rock and Scarlet Cloud Slope.

The Hall of Rebirth at night is less silent than shrouded in a chilling and eerie atmosphere.

The two lanterns hanging in front of the door emitted a cold, dim light, barely illuminating the three ancient characters "Wangshengtang" on the lintel.

The faint scent of incense and candles wafting from behind the hall, mixed with the damp chill of the sea breeze, added to the mystery and eeriness.

The ferrywoman who usually stood guard at the gate was nowhere to be seen. It seemed that she had really resigned because of the prosperity brought by the lantern tickets. The whole place seemed unusually deserted and lonely, like the entrance to the underworld that was isolated from the world.

The traveler took a deep breath, suppressing the chill in his heart, and stepped forward to knock forcefully on the heavy door that separated the living from the dead.

"Tuk, Tuk, Tuk..."

The knocking sounded particularly clear in the quiet night, carrying a somewhat hollow echo.

A moment later, the door creaked open a crack.

Instead of the familiar Hu Tao or Zhong Li, a middle-aged man with an unfamiliar face appeared behind the door, dressed in dark-colored attire as a ritual attendant for the Hall of Rebirth.

He was thin, his face pale in the dim lantern light, and his eyes held a professional inquiry mixed with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

"Knocking on the door in the dead of night, I wonder who the distinguished guest is..."

The middle-aged man spoke, his voice low and hoarse, carrying the solemnity unique to the Hall of Rebirth, "Is there a funeral in your family that requires our services? I am Lao Meng, and I am the ritual attendant of our hall."

He clearly did not recognize the two renowned heroes of Liyue before him.

The traveler and Paimon were both taken aback upon hearing this, and then quickly waved their hands.

"No, no, no!" Paimon quickly clarified, "We're fine! We're here to see Mr. Zhongli! I'm Paimon, and she's the Traveler!"

"Mr. Zhongli?"

Old Meng's gaze swept over the two faces, as if he was trying to recall something, before finally giving them an apologetic look.

"So it's the traveler and Miss Paimon. I've heard so much about you. But... Mr. Zhongli went out this evening and hasn't returned yet. He's definitely not in the hall right now."

"Not here?"

The traveler and Paimon exclaimed in unison, looking at each other in disbelief.

Based on their experience with Zhongli, this guest master's daily routine was as stable as a rock.

During the day, he would stroll leisurely throughout Liyue Harbor, listening to music, walking his birds, and enjoying tea and antiques. At night, unless there was a special invitation, Zhongli would always return to the Hall of Rebirth.

Hu Tao, on the other hand, was active at night and spent her days catching up on sleep in the hall.

It's the middle of the night, so why isn't Zhongli in the Hall of Rebirth?
Tonight, all the familiar people and roads seem strangely unfamiliar. (End of Chapter)