Genshin Impact, I'm Slime

Zhiyi met Yelan's gaze and instead of backing down, he took a barely perceptible half-step forward, closing the distance.

His voice was lower, yet filled with an incredibly enticing assurance:
"Therefore, once I officially take control of the power of Tian Shu Star, the depth and efficiency of Liyue Harbor's intelligence network will be enhanced like never before."

"As a leader in this field, you will naturally enjoy the highest level of resource allocation and priority in action."

"The General Affairs Department's archives, the secret networks in Liyue Harbor, and even some special channels in neighboring countries will all be open to you."

Zhiyi's gaze swept over the traveler and Paimon, his tone equally solemn:
"As for you, Traveler and Paimon, the friendship between Liyue will be further tangible: seven-star VIP privileges, the highest right of passage to all ports, limited access to the General Affairs Treasury... and any clues you need to investigate or troubles you need to resolve will receive the highest level of support from the current Celestial Planet."

Zhiyi paused slightly, then turned to look at the Thousand Rock Army soldiers wielding axes and halberds, his tone full of temptation:

"And everyone else... I can guarantee that all of you involved in this will be promoted. Think about your future, your prospects..."

Unfortunately, Wen Yuan and Shang Hua brought only the elite of the Thousand Rock Army. These soldiers remained unmoved by Zhi Yi's promises, simply standing silently in place, waiting for Ye Lan's next instructions.

At this moment, Zhiyi's face showed a mixture of honesty and helplessness, which softened the atmosphere perfectly.

"I must admit that I have used some unconventional methods to get to where I am today, but that was not my intention, but rather the harsh reality."

He spread his hands, his posture conveying a sense of vulnerability and frankness, yet his eyes remained focused on observing Ye Lan's reaction.

“Miss Yelan, you are well aware of the rules governing the operation of Liyue Harbor.”

"For someone like me, with no background and humble origins, it is absolutely impossible to truly gain a foothold in that position and do something practical for Liyue by simply following the rules... Extraordinary things require extraordinary people and extraordinary methods."

"I'm not trying to excuse myself, I just hope you can understand this unavoidable compromise."

"Everything I've done is ultimately for Liyue."

Zhiyi bowed slightly, lowering his posture, but his tone carried a strong sense of confidence:
“Give me this opportunity to prove my worth. I will prove to you and Liyue through my actions that I am more suitable for this position than anyone else, and that I am better able to protect all the interests that you and your friends care about.”

Ye Lan listened quietly to Zhi Yi's impeccable yet seductive and justifying statement, her face remaining completely calm.

She simply shook her head very slowly, her sigh almost inaudible, yet carrying a profound disappointment born of a complete understanding of everything.

“Sigh… Zhiyi, you’re still trying to cover everything up with deals and having no other choice.”

"The problem is never whether your methods are honorable or not, but that the heart that led you to choose this path has long since deviated from its original intention."

Yelan turned her gaze to the traveler, as if seeking confirmation from an observer, her voice echoing clearly in the silent cave: "What do you think, traveler?"

The cave was eerily silent, save for the crackling of burning torches and the monotonous sound of dripping water.

The traveler's clear voice broke the silence, striking hard at the psychological defenses that Zhiyi was trying to build.

"From beginning to end, Uncle Tian has always trusted you."

These words acted like a fuse, instantly igniting Ye Lan's prepared judgment. Her emerald eyes reflected Zhi Yi's instantly frozen face. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a power that pierced the soul:
“That’s right, Zhiyi.” “A clever person will always weave countless fancy excuses in his life. These excuses may be able to deceive the world, or even temporarily deceive his own uneasy heart... but they can never deceive the truest self deep inside you.”

Ye Lan met Zhi Yi's evasive gaze directly, took a slow step forward, and spoke like a cold tide, mercilessly washing away his crumbling defenses.

Zhiyi's lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to refute, but no sound came out.

“You say you crave respect and want to escape humiliation, which is perfectly understandable.”

"But how could Uncle Tian ever look down on you in the slightest? His expectations of you, his cultivation of you... weren't they all heartfelt recognitions?"

Her words carried a strange pity, like a dull knife, yet sharper, slowly cutting into Zhiyi's memories.

Those late-night teachings, those unreserved guidances, the old man's kind and trusting eyes... these images churned uncontrollably in Zhiyi's mind.

"He treats you like his own son, as well as a teacher and a father."

"But what about you? What did you give him in return?"

Ye Lan's gaze swept over Yusupov's corpse on the ground, then returned to Zhi Yi's pale face.

"It was a carefully prepared fish soup laced with poison."

"From the moment you chose to mix poison into the fish soup, your path has completely deviated from your original intention of winning respect. You have betrayed not only Uncle Tian, ​​but also your own heart, which may still have a glimmer of light."

"Enough...stop talking..."

Zhiyi's voice was hoarse and dry, like sandpaper rubbing, and his body trembled slightly, as if he was resisting some kind of invisible pressure.

He tried to raise his hand to cover his ears, but his arm was too heavy to lift.

But Ye Lan didn't stop; her words precisely exposed Zhi Yi's final act of self-deception:

"What's even more ironic is that, Zhiyi, you thought you had no other choice, that this thorny and venomous path was the only way to get to that place."

"But you're wrong, terribly wrong. Even if you do nothing, just study diligently and work conscientiously as before... Uncle Tian will still give you opportunities. He will still be the one who paves the way for you."

Ye Lan took another step closer, her gaze piercing, her words like daggers:
"Because he is the person who trusts you the most in the world. This trust is so great that he can drink the piping hot fish soup that you personally serve him without reservation or doubt."

Ye Lan's voice suddenly rose, while Zhi Yi let out a wild, beast-like roar.

"Stop talking!!!"

The sound, filled with pain, despair, anger, and the shame of having one's disguise ripped off, exploded in the narrow stone hall, making the cave walls seem to hum.

Zhiyi could no longer maintain her composure; her body trembled violently, and she clutched her head tightly with both hands, as if trying to erase from her mind all those sharp words, those bloody truths, and the old man's trusting, gentle smile. (End of Chapter)