Reading poems from Teyvat

She really couldn't find a suitable comparison object for the time being, so she found Xiao as a yardstick to measure the boy in front of her.

Although if it was height, the result would have been obvious a long time ago.

Shen Zhigui said this with some malice in his heart.

But he didn't misunderstand Ningguang's meaning, so he just thought about it for a while, and finally said: "If it really comes to a life-and-death fight, the outcome is still uncertain--"

Because he was not too sure whether these immortals had accumulated more drastic means over thousands of years to exchange lives for lives. It was true that he could now infinitely extend a certain moment in time, but this did not mean that he would not capsize in the gutter.

Ningguang thought he was just trying to save face by saying this, thinking that he could exchange his life with the immortals, but under normal circumstances he was not good enough to be compared with those immortals, so she just nodded: "Even so, it's still quite impressive——"

"I said, did you misunderstand something?"

What do you mean even so?

"Don't you mean that although you can fight with immortals, under normal circumstances--"

"Under normal circumstances, I am obviously above them now."

Shen Zhigui said as a matter of course.

His brazen attitude made the secretaries, who had been trying to suppress their emotions and not get overly anxious, think that he was bragging. Although the news that this man had defeated Ningguang before had been circulating among them, they all regarded it as a coincidence. They all thought that it might just be a flaw that Ningguang handed to him so that she could continue to have contact with the young man in front of her. Although no one thought that this man would waste that condition on such an insignificant matter as going to Inazuma, in just less than half a year, this young man who appeared in front of them again was so pretentious. The secretaries were immediately very indignant and wished that they could let some immortal teach him a lesson so that he would respect Lord Tianquanxing more.

Although they probably didn't know it, Ningguang actually wanted to use Shen Zhigui to suppress those immortals.

So when Ningguang heard Shen Zhigui say that, even though she still had some doubts in her heart, she couldn't help but smile like a blooming flower: "Since Master Shen said that, I feel relieved."

"Although I don't know why you are relieved, but maybe in the end things may not go as you wish."

"But I believe that although the road may be tortuous at first, the final result will be bright."

Shen Zhigui even widened his eyes when he heard her words. Of course, he quickly realized that these words were actually nothing. He could find similar words elsewhere, like Shelly's "Ode to the West Wind": "Winter is here, can spring be far behind?"

He even read it out loud in Liyue's language.

Ningguang was not surprised that he could say such words. After all, he had shown such a talent for poetry very early on. In the beginning, she actually wanted to pull Shen Zhigui to her side as a personal secretary who could write poems to please her. However, she really did not expect Shen Zhigui's martial arts achievements to reach the current level in such a short time, so her mentality towards this person also shifted accordingly. But at this moment, for Shen Zhigui's poem, her eyes still revealed a considerable degree of admiration: "Although you seem to have said similar poems before, this one can better express that meaning. Although for you, spring and winter seem to be no different, right?"

Shen Zhigui really didn't expect Ningguang to say that, and was stunned for a moment.

Chapter 9: Don’t Let Poetry Become a Prophecy (Part 2)

Of course, Shen Zhigui was not surprised that she would say similar verses to his before. After all, he had copied Storm's "October Song" in Mond before, which contained the line "Autumn has indeed come, but please wait a little longer, as long as you wait a little longer, spring will come, the sky will smile, and the world will be filled with the fragrance of violets", which is similar to Shelley's "Ode to the West Wind": "Winter is coming, can spring be far behind?" Although in the original history of the earth, "Ode to the West Wind" actually came first and "October Song" came later——

Of course, "October Song" should not have been transmitted from the tavern in Mondstadt to Liyue and then placed on the desk of Tianquan Star in such a short time. However, considering that the acting leader of the Knights of Favonius was her close pen pal, it seems that Leader Jean has actually explained the whole story to her in the letter.

What surprised him was that Ningguang felt that there was no difference between winter and spring.

Although this is true.

However, this only deepened Shen Zhigui's stereotype of her being deliberate.

Wait, is this actually a stereotype?

"Even if that's the case, so what?"

The reason why Shen Zhigui was so straightforward when he first met this Tianquan Star was purely because he was not in a good state, so he chose to make it short. But now Shen Zhigui is obviously not as bad as before, so it is not impossible to talk nonsense to her. So when he saw that the other party did not mention what he saw during the journey, he just responded casually.

"In the eyes of the world, winter often represents cold and difficult conditions, and spring often means the most difficult period of the year has passed. But in the eyes of Young Master Shen, there is no difference between the two. Does this mean that for Young Master Shen, there are not many things in this world that can be called difficult, so you can do whatever you want in this world?"

Ningguang just stared at the young man at this time and said.

Hearing this, both Shen Zhigui and the secretaries standing trembling on the side looked towards her. The secretaries obviously had not expected that Shen Zhigui would occupy such a high position in the evaluation system of Lord Ningguang, whom they thought was revered as a god, so they could not help but look at each other in bewilderment:

Why on earth?

No matter how you look at it, this person is just an underage kid!

Even if Lady Ningguang cannot defeat him alone, Lady Ningguang is already in a high position and has control over most of Liyue's system. Can't she deal with this pretentious brat? If he is always unwilling to be used by Lady Ningguang, even if he and the Lord Yuhengxing are close friends, Lady Ningguang should not think so highly of him, right?

Shen Zhigui only hesitated for a moment and said, "Are you accusing me of not caring about the sufferings of the world?"

"That's not my intention," Ningguang shook her head calmly, and said, "In fact, I envy you, Young Master Shen, for being able to do whatever you want."

"But to be honest, does winter really mean a difficult and harsh environment for you?" Shen Zhigui just looked at the white-haired and red-eyed woman and said, "Anyway, I can't imagine that someone who shreds confidential documents and then sees the scraps of paper falling from the Jade Pavilion as snow because he likes the image of snow would think that winter is a disgusting season. From the perspective of doing whatever you want, you seem to be no less than me, right?"

"Be bold!"

A voice suddenly came from the secretaries.

Even though Ningguang had previously signaled them not to speak, they could no longer hold back: "Sir Ningguang, as the head of Tianquan Star..."

"Her power is unlimited?"

Shen Zhigui immediately looked at those people coldly.

Although in fact, Shen Zhigui did not use any martial arts methods at all, and his eyes were just a little cold, but he had fought his way out of a sea of ​​blood and corpses. In a sense, that attitude of treating human life as worthless was actually engraved deep in his soul. So when faced with the "baptism" of this gaze, the secretaries suddenly felt blank in their hearts. They only felt that the cold wind outside the pavilion ignored the obstruction of the wall, whistling into their souls, freezing their bodies into sculptures, and making them unable to utter any words for a long time.

"Why does Young Master Shen have to embarrass these people?"

Ningguang just sighed.

Then she waved her hand and asked these people to leave the room.

Although these secretaries were with her day and night and handled those affairs as her eyes, ears and feet, in theory, their knowledge was actually similar to hers, but the appearance and rise of Shen Zhigui was so rapid that it was inevitable that these secretaries who had always been a little arrogant felt a little at a loss. They thought that the man in front of them was only relying on his higher martial arts skills and his close relationship with Yuhengxing to be so presumptuous.

But Ningguang was very clear that the other party's martial arts skills were definitely not just a little higher.

In recent days, although the news from Inazuma did not mention any relationship between Shen Zhigui and the Eye Hunting Order and the lifting of the National Closure Order, it seemed that this was just a spur of the moment decision made by the general of Inazuma. Although someone has been tying a seemingly ordinary sword behind his back in a strange way since he came back from Inazuma, this does not seem to prove anything. However, with Ningguang's keenness and sense of smell, it is hard for her not to suspect whether the change in the attitude of the Thunder God is related to Shen Zhigui.

Needless to say, the boy's progress in martial arts was truly astonishing.

Regardless of whether he is talking nonsense now or not, and whether it is a lie to say that he can defeat those immortals now, but at his rate of improvement, even if he cannot do it now, he will do it sooner or later one day in the near future.

So he is indeed an investment target with unlimited potential.

Therefore, Ningguang often felt regretful, thinking that if she had met this person earlier than Yuhengxing, it would have been great. If so, the song "Peerless Beauty" might have been hers, and this young man might have been able to be of some use to her with her investment.

Although in reality she knew that her idea was wishful thinking.

Because to this day, his differences with Keqing seem to have not been completely resolved. If even that Yuhengxing cannot convince him, Ningguang, who she describes as "both a referee and an athlete", probably won't be able to use this person to help her suppress those immortals and seize power in Liyue.

Chapter 10: Spring Birds and Autumn Insects Make Their Own Songs (Part 1)

“I don’t think this is difficult.”

After watching the secretaries file out under Ningguang's instructions, leaving only him and the Tianquan Star star staring into each other's eyes, Shen Zhigui simply said indifferently.

"But if Young Master Shen doesn't agree with my actions as a member of the Tianquan Star, can I assume that Young Master Shen has made up his mind to support Gan Yu's promotion?"

"Doesn't Ganyu's promotion depend on the will of the emperor?"

"That's true."

When Ningguang heard this, she just sighed slightly, then skipped the topic and asked Shen Zhigui about his actions in Xumi and several other countries.

After all, no matter what, the existence of Morax is something that an ambitious person like her cannot avoid. Although the Geo King may not care about her small ambitions and may even want to use her ambitions to build Liyue better, the key to the power struggle lies in the recognition of others. On this point, she can never do better than the Geo King who has ruled Liyue for thousands of years.

Therefore, as long as Morax did not announce his abdication, their discussion would be meaningless.

Ningguang's questions to Shen Zhigui were actually mainly about his actions in Xumi and Inazuma. After all, as neighbors of these two countries, if there was any major change in the attitudes of the rulers of these two countries, Liyue's foreign policy and trade conditions would naturally have to make corresponding adjustments. Obviously, it would be more convenient to learn from Shen Zhigui than from others.

Although in fact what Shen Zhigui did had nothing to do with those.

However, the fact that Lei Dianzhen and the Great Compassion Tree King "resurrected" is actually very telling. After all, the top leaders of Liyue still believe that the ruler of Xumi is still the Council of Lords. This may lead to a formal misjudgment. Even if Xumi's diplomats declare that the Great Compassion Tree King has returned to this world, it will only make people think that the Council of Lords may treat the Great Compassion Tree King the same way they imprisoned the Little Auspicious Grass King before. At worst, there will be factional divisions. But who would have thought that Xumi's Council of Lords would dare to do such a treasonous thing as to want to create a god, and that Shen Zhigui could bring the remaining will of the Great Compassion Tree King out of the World Tree and let her rule that country again?

Ningguang was stunned for a long time after listening to Shen Zhigui's absent-minded talk about Xumi. "So, the power struggle within Xumi is about to end? The reason why they kept this news secret is that they just want to adjust the internal power structure and let the desert people participate in it? But soon they will announce the news that the Great Compassion Tree King has returned to this world?"

Shen Zhigui nodded.

"Then, Young Master Shen, do you mind if we use your name to send a gift to the newborn of the Great Compassion Tree King?"

Ning Guang hesitated for a moment and then spoke.

"Isn't this unethical?"

Normally, shouldn't it be in the name of Morax?

"It's okay, just send one more."

Ningguang was just saying.

Shen Zhigui thought about it. Although he really couldn't see the need to do so, he could also sense Ningguang's intention to bind him to Liyue. But he estimated that he would indeed stay in Liyue for a long time. Although he didn't think that Ningguang's little actions would make the Great Mercy Tree King think that he was a genuine Liyue person and take root here from then on, this little thing was just a trivial matter, so Shen Zhigui also acquiesced.

But soon, Ningguang changed the subject with great interest and asked about the details of the doctor's god-making plan. Shen Zhigui immediately realized her intention and said, "You don't want to replicate that plan and create a god, do you?"

Ningguang thought about it and did not deny it. "If it is possible, I am also willing to transform the Jade Pavilion into an existence that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods. Although, in the final analysis, if the artificial gods created by that doctor cannot survive under your sword, Young Master Shen, then the Jade Pavilion I built is nothing more than a pile of knowledge in the eyes of you and the Emperor. But if gods can indeed be created and can indeed be controlled, then there is actually nothing wrong with me controlling them, right? At least, I don't think I will be as unscrupulous as that doctor."

This is true.

Although Shen Zhigui believed that this Tianquan Star did have some minor issues with her personal ethics, if Shen Zhigui were in her position, he would probably find it difficult to restrain his selfishness and not use public power to satisfy his personal desires. Relatively speaking, this Tianquan Star actually did a very good job. At least she did not do this purely to satisfy her own selfish desires. If that were the case, Shen Zhigui did not believe that Zhongli would be completely indifferent.

Although Shen Zhigui felt that her plan to replicate the Doctor was pure wishful thinking.

She also did not have the conditions that the Doctor had, which allowed her to control the created god without any obstacles.

Not to mention, she did not have the skills of a doctor, nor the technical support of the Sumeru Ordinance Institute. As for the "void" and canned knowledge of gods required for creating gods, she had no idea where to start. After all, after the Great Compassionate Tree King regained control of Sumeru, she recompiled the software version of the corresponding "void" device. Because she was well aware of all the dangers inside the Sumeru World Tree, she also prohibited scholars from touching the dangerous areas inside the World Tree through the void, so the circulation of corresponding knowledge in the future would only become less and less.

After hearing what Shen Zhigui said, Ningguang immediately looked at the boy thoughtfully: "After all, the simplest method is often the most complicated."

"What do you mean?"

Shen Zhigui really didn't understand her riddle, so he just asked.

"Speaking of which, a long time ago, I asked Young Master Shen if you could teach your martial arts to the Qianyan Army. At that time, you said that such matters could only be decided by the Emperor, so you put it on hold for the time being. But why did you teach your martial arts to the Xumi people later?"

"Because the one who made the decision was the Great Kind Tree King?"

Shen Zhigui just said that.

"So in your opinion, the only ones who can be held responsible are always gods? Is there no way for mortals to be held responsible for such things?"

Ningguang just asked.

Actually, it was indeed like that at that time. Shen Zhigui only said in his heart that at least he had not been able to spread his martial arts unscrupulously before. He did not understand what kind of impact his martial arts could have in this world at that time, so he had to ask Morax to confirm the current situation in advance. As for now, although there is no need to ask for instructions in advance, the annual ceremony of inviting the immortals seems to be approaching, right?

Chapter 11: Spring Birds and Autumn Insects Make Their Own Songs (Part 2)

Needless to say, Liyue was still a country founded by Morax. Although he was indeed planning his retirement recently, as long as he was still in power, even if he really abdicated, he would definitely observe in secret. Although Shen Zhigui did not need to be afraid of him now, it was too rude to do so. And, most importantly...

"To bear the disgrace of the country is to be the master of the country, to bear the misfortune of the country is to be the king of the world," Shen Zhigui shook his head. "It is impossible to do something with only benefits and no disadvantages. You should have heard that Kan Ruiya was trapped in the curse because of his research on the power of taboos. In this case, only gods have a far-sighted vision to see this level of game clearly and be responsible for the possible collapse in the future. After all, no one can guarantee whether what I carry with me is also a taboo similar to the abyss, right?"

In a sense, Shen Zhigui's martial arts are indeed quite taboo, otherwise it would not be called the "Catalogue of Forbidden Martial Arts Books".

Although this "Index of Banned Books" is still incomplete.

Of course, if Shen Zhigui had an obsessive-compulsive disorder, he could actually challenge those holders of the Eye of God, or even those immortals, one by one from now on. However, Shen Zhigui really couldn't find the meaning of doing so. After all, at his current level, what he lacked was not the means to circulate his true energy. It would be better to say that as long as he had inspiration, he could deduce the corresponding means himself, although inspiration is not easy to find.

"Then if the Rock King Emperor determines that your martial arts are taboos similar to the Abyss, how will you respond?"

Hearing Shen Zhigui say that, Ningguang immediately asked curiously.

Shen Zhigui just smiled: "Even if that's the case, I think the emperor will let me go because I have saved the demon-conquering Great Sage."

Ningguang couldn't help but applaud Shen Zhigui's thoughtfulness: No wonder he first proposed to solve the problem of the Yaksha with bad karma, and he introduced him through Ganyu. He must have sought a way out for himself if his power was judged as a taboo, right? Although the faster his martial arts skills improved, the less he showed such meticulousness, and his attitude became more casual like now, but this only showed that he would carefully assess the situation when he was weak, and now, he was obviously strong enough to feel that he could control the situation, so he acted so casually.

Although this is also human nature.

Wasn't it the same when she was a small vendor?

But now that she has reached Qixing's level, basically only others look at her face, instead of her looking at others' faces when doing things.

The difference between her and this person is that this person has obviously achieved transcendence solely through his martial arts skills, while she can only choose Mora as her stepping stone to "infinity". However, she may not be able to climb to the end of the road she has chosen and see the scenery she wants to see in her lifetime.

So her eyes couldn't help but look at the boy with more and more brilliance:

"Young Master Shen said that you can now defeat those immortals. So, can I also assume that Young Master Shen can also complete the evolution through his martial arts and extend his life to a level similar to those immortals?"

Shen Zhigui just nodded.

"In that case, if I say that I can do three things for Young Master Shen unconditionally, will Young Master Shen teach me all your martial arts?"

Shen Zhigui sighed immediately: "According to your previous style, you shouldn't be so impatient, right? Not to mention, if my martial arts are really judged as taboo by the emperor, I can be let off because of my friendship with the Demon-Subduing Great Sage, but you may not be let off like that, right?"

Ningguang was silent for a moment, then she smiled and said to the boy, "But I think no one would be indifferent to this 'possibility'. Although there are many different opinions about why Kanreya became like this, it is obvious that they are also pursuing some 'possibility', but they failed, so they can only sink in the abyss of curse. I am naturally afraid of such a future, and I am also afraid of losing my current status as a Tianquan Star. But compared to my current situation, which in a sense can already see the end, the scenery you describe is more attractive, isn't it? Even if you are expelled from the country at that time, you and I may still be able to travel together."

"But maybe the scenery I described was just a hoax from beginning to end?"

Shen Zhigui took a deep look at the Tianquanxing, whose ambition was obvious, but just said.

The Tianquan Star only hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "That's fine. After all, most people in the world live in their own dreams and numb themselves with such hope. I just want my dream to be closer to reality. Even if I find out that it's just an illusion, at least I believed it before the last moment. Needless to say, I believe in my own judgment, so it's only natural that I was blinded by my own vision."

When Shen Zhigui heard her say that, he suddenly fell silent: