Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Sunlight streamed down through the veil of clouds.

The door to the side room opened again, and the figure who entered carried an aura completely different from the two before.

Zhiyi walked steadily in and stood in front of Keqing and Famas, his gentle face showing just the right amount of unpretentious tension.

He first bowed slightly to Keqing, but when his gaze swept over the inscrutable Famas beside him, the feigned tension instantly froze.

Before entering the selection venue, Zhiyi had already mentally rehearsed the faces of the possible examiners. He had even simulated countless countermeasures for various unexpected situations to ensure that his answers were watertight and that he would not show any abnormality that contradicted his persona.

But as Zhiyi's gaze swept across the examiners' table, FAMAS's figure unexpectedly came into view.

The other person stood calmly side by side with Keqing from Yuheng Star and the Traveler who supposedly saved Liyue.

Zhiyi's pupils suddenly contracted.

According to Zhiyi's deduction, Famas should be a demon hiding in the mountains and wilderness of Liyue. How dare he openly appear in Liyue Harbor and even stand next to Qixing? He promised to restrain the Liyue intelligence agency that investigates the backgrounds of candidates, but now he has transformed into an examiner for the Tian Shu selection?

A series of questions instantly disrupted Zhiyi's thoughts.

Zhiyi was not entirely unaware of Famas's background. After parting ways with Famas last time, he secretly consulted ancient texts and used various channels to try to trace the origins of the names Famas and Halpas.

However, the investigation reached a dead end; despite his extensive research, he could not find any record of such a person in any of Liyue's historical records.

Zhiyi had no choice but to secretly ask a friend in Xumi to search for clues through the Great Library of the Order Academy and the Void Terminal, but so far there has been no feedback to Zhiyi.

However, the few people Zhiyi knew who might know the inside story of Famas's identity, such as his teacher Tian Shu, remained tight-lipped about it.

Even now, Zhiyi still knows very little about his partner.

The young man's gaze lingered on Famas for only a moment. Almost simultaneously, he lowered his head and suppressed all his surprise and doubt. When he looked up again, his expression was one of perfect, impeccable respect.

Zhiyi slightly adjusted his posture, his demeanor humble and natural, as if the brief pause had never occurred.

"Good morning, examiners."

"Phew... To be honest, I'm actually a little nervous."

The young man's voice was calm and clear, with a comfortable rhythm. He exhaled softly, his gaze meeting Keqing's honestly, but deliberately avoiding Famas, his posture humble yet not subservient.

"What questions would you like to ask? Since this is an assessment, I will answer to the best of my ability."

Ke Qing looked at Zhi Yi, who was finally acting a bit more normally, and nodded slightly. However, she seemed to have been exhausted by the previous two candidates, so she didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point with her questions:

"Zhiyi, I see that your planning document covers a wide range of topics, including various fields."

"But your resume shows that you haven't had in-depth experience in many of these areas. How can you guarantee that these theoretical plans can take root and flourish in Liyue?"

Ke Qing's fingertips lightly tapped the unfolded paper, her tone calm yet carrying the weight of scrutiny.

Paimon, standing nearby, couldn't help but whisper in the traveler's ear, "Wow...that's a sharp question."

Zhiyi, however, did not panic at this direct question. Instead, as if he had expected it, he nodded slightly, a knowing smile on his face:

"I think it's perfectly normal for Lady Keqing to have such a question."

"However, I am very confident in the feasibility of the plan, and this confidence does not come from wishful thinking."

Zhiyi paused, his gaze fixed on the distant, towering Liyue Harbor, as if recalling the days and nights of his arduous journey, his expression gradually hardening.

“I have traveled to many parts of Liyue, delving into the streets and alleys, climbing the strata mines, and visiting the fields of Qingce Village.” “Most importantly, I have had countless in-depth exchanges with true experts in all walks of life, artisans, merchants, miners, and farmers, drawing wisdom from their words, and finally condensing these conclusions.”

Zhiyi made a solemn promise, and indeed, as he said, aside from his despicable methods and ruthlessness, Zhiyi's talent and diligence were beyond doubt.

When Ke Qing heard that Zhi Yi shared weal and woe with the working people at the bottom of society, her eyes suddenly lit up.

Despite her noble birth, Keqing has always upheld the ideal of benefiting the people of Liyue since becoming a member of the planet Yuheng. For example, she once went to the site to experience the life of a worker for two whole months in order to formulate a plan to improve the treatment of workers.

It's hard to imagine that this high-ranking young woman once pulled a cart in the deep abyss, helped workers at the South Wharf tamp soil, and worked as a waitress in a small restaurant.

Now that Zhiyi has mentioned the lives of ordinary Liyue people again, Keqing naturally recalls those days from the past and can't help but look at Zhiyi with higher regard.

"However, reality is complex, and different problems are often intertwined, and the corresponding conclusions often contradict each other."

Zhiyi emphasized his tone, his eyes brightened, and his gestures were as if he were combing through invisible threads.

"Therefore, the core I pursue is not radicalism or bias, but balance. It is to do my best to find the optimal solution for Liyue as a whole amidst countless seemingly contradictory needs and dilemmas."

Listening to Zhiyi's explanation, Keqing nodded slightly, but she didn't let it go easily; the probing look in her purple eyes deepened.

"Optimal solution? That sounds ideal. How do you determine if the balance point you've found is insightful or just wishful thinking?"

Zhiyi stood ramrod straight, meeting Keqing's gaze, and answered clearly and logically:
"Lord Keqing, before the plan was implemented, it was not something I did behind closed doors. It needed to be carefully considered by my colleagues and rigorously evaluated by the experienced secretaries of Yuehaiting. This in itself was an important filter."

"After the plan is implemented, the blueprint on paper must face the test of reality, and all success or failure will be judged solely by the final effect."

"If the results prove that my judgment was indeed flawed, causing Liyue to suffer losses, I, Zhiyi, will bear the due responsibility without hesitation."

Zhiyi paused slightly, his voice steady and powerful, carrying an undeniable sense of responsibility.

When Famas saw Zhiyi's dignified and upright appearance, he almost burst out laughing.

Dude, you're just a poor student, not a powerful family like Keqing with deep roots. What makes you think you can take responsibility for policy mistakes?

Is it fate?

Can your worthless life outweigh the disastrous consequences caused by policy mistakes?

Keqing's thoughts were clearly different from Famas'. She simply observed Zhiyi quietly, and after a moment, her tense expression finally eased slightly, even showing a hint of barely perceptible approval.

"That's a good answer."

"Then let's move on to the next question..."

After a detailed exchange of questions and answers, Ke Qing signaled to Zhi Yi that he could leave.

The young man bowed again with a sigh of relief. His steps were steady, but when he turned around, his back still showed a hint of relaxation after the tension.

As soon as Zhiyi left, Paimon immediately floated to the Traveler's side, gesturing with her little hands and her eyes shining:

"Wow, this student named Zhiyi seems like a very easy person to get along with! He speaks clearly and logically, like a gentle stream, which is very pleasant to listen to!"

The traveler nodded in agreement.

Keqing had already withdrawn her gaze and turned to the Traveler and Paimon, her expression regaining its usual calm and competence. (End of Chapter)