The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"Don't worry, I'm not trying to take their side. It's just that we're guests right now. If we intervene rashly, wouldn't that put Zhongli in a difficult position?"

"Well!"

Hearing Kiana's advice, Shadow didn't really want to agree, but he couldn't find a good reason to refute it.

Ultimately, out of respect for the Rock King Emperor, she chose to back down.

The idea of ​​purging the fools in this place was abandoned.

Kiana breathed a sigh of relief after successfully dissuading Shadow from taking the knife.

Then he turned his attention to Zhongli and his group.

"Hey, you guys are done chatting?"

The young master, unaware of the nature of the two, beckoned and then asked:

"Well then, let me introduce myself. I am the last executor of the Fools, codenamed 'The Prince.' My real name is Tartaglia. Who are you?"

"Just an unknown traveler."

Kiana had no intention of revealing her true identity to the Fatui Enforcer; she simply gave the same answer as before.

However, the young master did not believe her answer at all.

"Haha, this joke has gone too far."

He naturally rose from his seat, then strolled over to Kiana, staring intently into her azure eyes.

From those clear and resolute eyes, he saw all the qualities a warrior should possess.

If there's anything commendable about this girl who calls herself a nameless traveler...

Without a doubt, this unique quality that only the strong can possess makes it absolutely number one.

The young master has always held the strong in high esteem.

At the same time, they are also hostile.

“I can see a quality in your eyes that is completely different from those of the weak. Hmm... not bad, not bad. If I have the chance, I'd really like to have a good fight with you.”

Oh, you want to fight me?

As expected of a young master, he challenged someone to a duel less than thirty minutes after meeting them.

He perfectly fits the description of a battle maniac provided by the system.

Kiana sighed, then laughed, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on her face:

"Then you might die?"

"Haha, this is the first time someone has said they can kill me in a duel! How will you know if you don't try?"

"From a purely rational perspective, if you go all out, you will indeed be killed by her."

The sudden, steady male voice was like a resounding slap, leaving the young master utterly embarrassed.

He slowly turned his head and looked at Zhongli, who was calmly drinking tea, with a hint of helplessness.

"Mr. Zhongli, you don't need to embarrass me like that, do you? You can tell I'm not as skilled as you without even trying?"

"I am merely stating the facts. If you insist on the contest, then invite her to the city to compete, and then we will see who is right and who is wrong."

Zhongli stated his views quite calmly, as if he was absolutely certain of his position.

This detached way of speaking is quite fitting for the style of this retired rock god.

Although he had just been tricked by Zhongli and Lady not long ago, the young master still trusted him quite a bit.

After all, in terms of experience, this Rock God who roams the mortal world is second to none.

Few can surpass him in recognizing people and things in this respect.

Therefore, he said he couldn't beat them...

Maybe we really can't beat them?

"Haha, what a spoilsport. Mr. Zhongli, never mind. It's a rare treat to come to Wanmintang and enjoy the delicacies of Zhidong Kingdom. If you don't believe me, you'll break the tables and chairs, and then Chef Xiangling's Wanmintang won't welcome us anymore."

Upon hearing this, Master Mao, who had been standing behind the counter since the beginning, slowly turned to the side:

"Uh... Wanmintang is still in my hands. My daughter Xiangling is still young."

"Eh? Aren't you a waiter at Wanmintang? Oh, is that so?"

The young master, who had never paid much attention to the shops and staff in Liyue, finally realized this.

He seems to have misunderstood something...

Master Mao originally thought that this matter was common knowledge in Liyue, so he didn't pay much attention to it.

It turns out he only just realized that he has a very ordinary face.

Feeling utterly speechless, he gave an awkward but polite smile:

"...You're quite the joker, sir."

"Haha..."

Feeling extremely embarrassed, the young master smiled and then urged his men to eat quickly. After they finished eating, he took out a bag of Mora and placed it in front of Master Mao.

"Boss, I'll cover the bill for my men's meals. And the same goes for Zhongli and... these two ladies. Is that enough?"

"Yes, yes, yes, absolutely enough. Hahaha! Young master, you are truly generous!"

Master Mao was delighted by the young master's generosity.

However, the young master was unimpressed by his joy and simply turned around to look at Kiana and Shadow.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Well then... let's have another match sometime, Miss Nameless Traveler."

Looking into those battle-hungry eyes, Kiana realized she had to teach this winter-destroying battle maniac a lesson.

I'm afraid he'll still rush over and compete with me, right?

Since that's the case...

"I'm available anytime."

Kiana clasped her hands together, performing a very traditional Liyue ceremony, thus finalizing the duel.

The Battle Between Fire and Lightning and the Abyss (Genshin Impact): Chapter Sixteen: Geo God and Thunder God

After saying these words, the young master swaggered away with his men.

Judging from his imposing appearance, anyone who didn't know better would think he had finally won the duel.

However, Zhongli, who had already judged the outcome of the duel, knew very well that if they really started fighting...

He was almost certainly going to die.

However, this is not that important to me now that I'm retired.

After all, the advice has been given; whether or not the visitor from the Winter Kingdom will listen is entirely up to him.

"Ah...it's been a long time."

After temporarily setting aside the matter of the young master, Zhongli turned his attention to an old friend he could never have imagined.

General Raiden...'s shadow warrior.

She vaguely remembered that in the past, when the gods gathered in Liyue, she once served by her sister's side.

At that time, she was taciturn, and all she showed was her deep respect for and commitment to her duties.

And after that event happened hundreds of years ago...

As Zhongli sipped his tea, he reminisced about the past.

And just as this ancient deity lamented the passing of time and the passing of loved ones.

Ying, holding Kiana's hand, sat down next to Zhongli with a rare display of assertiveness.

"Hmm. Long time no see, Morakot—"

"Hey hey!"

Just as Ying was about to reveal Zhong Li's true identity in the street, Kiana hurriedly interrupted Ying's confession.

And as the other person looked at him with a puzzled expression, he slowly extended his hand, pointed at Zhongli, and introduced him:

"This man is Zhongli, a guest elder of the Hall of Rebirth."

"What? Zhongli? Who exactly is Zhongli...?"

Because Ying had never heard Ying reveal anything about the Rock God's recent situation before, Ying was completely confused.

Why does Kiana address the other person as Zhongli?

However, judging from Morax's attitude... it seems he does indeed accept this title?

"That's right, my name is Zhongli, and I am currently a guest elder of the Hall of Rebirth."

Zhongli put down his teacup, crossed his arms, and slowly turned his gaze toward Ying.

"And what about you? How should I address you? General? Or something else?"

"Just call me Shadow."

“Shadow… Hmm, I thought that after the iteration, you would abandon your past as a shadow. But now it seems that you still have some attachment to the past.”

As Zhongli spoke, she slowly looked at the hair ornaments on Yingxiu's hair.

That uniquely styled hair accessory should, in any case, only be half of what it is.

However, now the hair ornament has been combined into one.

Does this behavior indicate that she still cherishes the past, or that this martial artist has grown after experiencing the pain of loss?

Has he become the new Thunder General?

"Let the world judge this."

Zhong Li, who had already retired, did not spend too much energy on this matter.

He slowly turned his head and looked at the white-haired girl who had arrived in this land with his shadow.