The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

The answer to what led these two people to this place is actually self-evident.

It was because of Zhongli, the guest minister who quietly watched the show.

However, none of this mattered to Master Hu Tao.

After all, she cared more about her own business than receiving guests who came to see Zhong Li.

"Business has been terrible lately. I haven't seen a single potential customer. I thought he was a dead man, but..."

"Don't be impatient."

Not being very good at dealing with Hu Tao, Zhong Li silently replied, but then felt that one sentence might not be enough to soothe his master's anxious emotions, so he prepared to continue.

However...

"Zhongli! You really are here, and so are Hu Tao."

"Huh? Who called me?" Hu Tao jumped up and saw two familiar faces. "Traveler and Paimon? What are you doing here? And in such a hurry, what's wrong? Something terrible happened?"

Ying was panting heavily, and didn't have the energy to reply to Master Hu for the time being.

Seeing this, Paimon, who didn't seem particularly tired, spoke up:

"Yup!"

Immediately afterwards, she recounted the arrival of the shadow. The other three people present, including Hu Tao, the head of the Rebirth Hall, all looked puzzled.

Who is Ying? I've never heard of her before, and why is she trying to steal Mei's man after arriving in Inazuma? What kind of nonsense is this?

What on earth is going on?

Actually, retired rock god Grandpa Zhong also felt something was strange.

"Barzebu... no, it was caused by that puppet named General Thunder that malfunctioned? What could be the reason for this?"

Upon learning that a deity from a foreign land had once again visited his country, Zhongli remained calm. The seven gods had gathered here long ago; now only one had come—what was there to worry about?

If I had to say something, I'd rather think about it...

Well, if it were her, she probably wouldn't let Ying run rampant. So the question is, who exactly is the person who clashed with Ying, or rather, who was fighting over someone?

"It's alright, let me go with you."

Unable to resist Ying and Paimon's pleas, Zhongli slowly rose and headed towards the scene of the conflict. He intended to see just who was so powerful, daring to defy the gods...

...

"Hmm...hmm, I see."

The streets of Liyue have returned to their former prosperity.

Because the impending conflict was inexplicably resolved, the passersby who had been watching the excitement escalate into a riot finally breathed a sigh of relief. Once they were safe, they dispersed from the crowd, some going shopping, some going home, and some eating.

It was as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than a fleeting illusion, utterly insignificant.

However, because brandishing a knife within the city was somewhat inappropriate, Ying was questioned by the Thousand Rock Army who arrived shortly afterward. Just as a renewed conflict seemed imminent, Gan Yu, who had been missing for some time, reappeared.

However, as the secretary of the Liyue Seven Stars, she was also a little confused.

"Huh? Lady Ningguang sent me here immediately, but... what exactly happened?"

"Oh, is that so? Actually..."

Upon seeing the Seven Star Secretary appear, Qianyan Jun naturally dared not ignore him. He immediately recounted the general situation he had overheard from the passerby.

After a brief exchange, Gan Yu instantly realized what she was about to do, and felt utterly dejected and speechless.

However, despite the silence, many people are now watching.

At this critical juncture, it's best to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

To avoid any unforeseen complications later.

Thinking of this, Gan Yu raised her head and explained to Qian Yanjun:

"I will explain this to the General Affairs Department. Please refrain from causing trouble in Liyue Harbor. Is that alright?"

"This...is this Lady Ningguang's order? Alright."

After Qianyanjun was dismissed, Gan Yu said goodbye to everyone and then prepared to leave to continue her work.

However, before leaving, Kiana realized that she would have to trouble her again, so she went up to her.

"Gan Yu, I'm sorry to trouble you again. How about this, I'll treat you to dinner after work?"

"Eh? Uh... well, I'd better not."

"Why? What are you looking at?"

"Ahem! Miss Kiana, I hope you can handle your affairs well. That would be the greatest thanks you could give me. Well then... farewell!"

Unable to bear Mei and Kage's 'friendly' gazes any longer, Gan Yu fled as if escaping.

She never expected that she would provoke such strong hostility from those two people without even saying anything.

Well, hopefully the parties involved can resolve their conflict as soon as possible. Otherwise, even if the Rock King were reborn, he wouldn't be able to handle this situation.

"From the perspective of universal reason..."

Shortly after Gan Yu left, Zhong Li slowly approached Ying from behind and gently comforted the three people who were standing in a triangle, looking at each other:

"Violence is often ineffective in resolving disputes, especially those involving emotional issues. My suggestion is to resolve them according to Liyue customs."

"Liyue customs? Hmm," Kiana stroked her chin, pondering for a moment. Although she was a little surprised that he had come to act as a peacemaker, considering that although he was retired, he was still the guardian of this land, she didn't waste any more words. "How do we resolve this?"

"Let's find a time, arrange a good meal, and bring a pot of fine wine. It would be best if we could resolve this amicably, but if hostility persists, someone will naturally come to maintain order during the duel."

Maintaining order during the duel...

Upon hearing this, Kiana glanced at Mei, then at Kage.

I instantly understood that Zhongli meant for me to resolve the conflict peacefully. If that didn't work, then it would be another duel before the emperor; if it really came to that...

You have to make a very difficult choice between two options...

Out with the old, in with the new, an unforgettable Lantern Festival (Liyue New Year): Too busy with New Year's greetings, taking a day off.

I'm taking the day off today because I'm short on time for New Year's greetings.

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Out with the old, in with the new, an unforgettable Lantern Festival (Liyue New Year): Chapter 42 - Both sides plot to eliminate their sisters on the opposite side...

Liyue Harbor, Crystal Pavilion.

At this moment, seated in the private room was Zhongli, a heavyweight figure from Liyue and the retired Geo Archon. He sat in the main seat, displaying the dignity and etiquette of a host despite hosting the banquet in a restaurant, as if he were the owner of this Crystal Pavilion.

The group took their seats at the dining table in a scattered manner, with Kiana, Bronya, Sirin, and Void Repository sitting on the right. On the left sat two people who looked like sisters.

Mei and Ying...

Because Zhongli had taken over the area, and even the waiters and waitresses had been asked to leave, there were no other people present besides the main people involved in the incident.

This resulted in a very oppressive atmosphere throughout the restaurant, a truly oppressive atmosphere.

Bronya and Void Archives could even clearly feel the crackling of electrical charges in the air, and occasionally they could see flashes of deep purple lightning.

It is self-evident who these two forces come from.

The two of them turned to look at the culprit who had caused their anger, Kiana...

At this moment, Kiana placed her hands clasped on the table, her expression calm. But cold sweat was pouring down her back... Her pensive look, with her head bowed, was immediately apparent.

She is thinking about something...

What... what are we going to do? I didn't expect Mei and Kage to be sitting together so soon!?

Kiana felt she might be facing a difficult problem, an epic dilemma where she had to choose one of them!

The atmosphere at the scene was eerily quiet.

Her heart was filled with mixed feelings. She had a thousand words to say, but she didn't know where to begin or how to explain them to the two of them.

Ultimately, after the conflict just now, even the most oblivious person should understand that once one side is chosen, the other won't let it go easily, right?

"So how should we respond so as not to... cause a major disaster?"

Kiana muttered to herself.

Just then, Ying stood up.

"Kiana, I hope you can resolve that matter completely. If you can't, then I'll have to." As Shadow spoke, his gaze, which had been fixed on Kiana's face, slowly shifted and finally settled on the girl beside him who resembled his sister, without looking away.

"Huh? Take care of it? What do you mean? Could it be..." Mei sensed something was wrong and slammed the knife on the table without hesitation. Then she turned around and glared at the shadow with a heroic air...

She cannot back down now, even if it means facing a confrontation with God.

When Ying saw Mei's appearance, his expression also turned serious.

“As you expected, a traveler from another world,” Shadow said, then turned his gaze to the others.

Upon hearing this, the other four all turned their gazes toward Ying.

"This is Shadow? What do you want to do to my friend?" Bronya's tone was normal and her expression was amiable, but her attitude suddenly became sharp.

Everyone else looked at Ying in shock upon hearing this.

"It's just a response to her provocation." Ying slowly raised her hand, answering calmly.

"Hmph! I'm just defending the people I should protect!" Mei said, extending her right hand into a fighting stance, ready to fight Kage.

Seeing this, the situation was indeed about to spiral out of control again.

At this critical moment, Zhongli's expression became slightly serious.

But before he could speak, or perhaps he used some supernatural power to temporarily restrain the two, he heard...

"Shadow, I think you should pay more attention to your image," Kiana sighed and hurriedly reminded him.

Her tone carried a hint of concern.

Upon hearing this, Ying frowned slightly.

"My image?" Shadow smiled. "Kiana, you should know my personality."