Chapter 83 - 83: "I Have Many Names, But Here, Call Me Zhongli"

There's a saying: one glance amidst a crowd, and just that one glance, you'll never forget.

Right now, that couldn't be more fitting for Bai Luo.

But this wasn't the kind of glance where he fell in love; rather, it was...

Bai Luo didn't sit at the table his subordinates had reserved for him. Instead, he walked directly over to the elegantly dressed man and sat down across from him.

The man's hand, holding his tea bowl, paused for a moment, then he sighed.

Uncle Zhou's tea-making skills were indeed impressive; though a bit rough compared to his grandfather's, it carried a depth of stories that made the man enjoy coming here.

But if he made a move today, he feared he might never be able to visit in peace again.

He looked up and frowned slightly, sensing something unusual.

"Sir, there's a free table over there, perhaps you might want to..."

Uncle Zhou wasn't saying this to Bai Luo, but to the elegantly dressed man.

He knew one thing very well—no matter how special this man's identity might be, he couldn't be more special than the Fatui.

Seasoned in the ways of the world, Uncle Zhou could tell this person who commanded such respect from the Fatui likely held a high rank among them.

"No need, shopkeeper, I have something I'd like to discuss with this... gentleman."

"Understood. Your peanuts will be out shortly," Uncle Zhou replied, though he was already planning to seek help from the Qianyan troops.

However, the Fatui members of the Ninth Company easily picked up on his intent, subtly blocking his way out. Uncle Zhou's hands began to shake in anxiety, but seeing that Bai Luo didn't seem to mean any harm to the gentleman, he let out a sigh of relief.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

The man in elegant attire sensed a certain wariness in Bai Luo's gaze, but it was mixed with curiosity and... respect?

Judging by his features, Bai Luo seemed to be from Liyue as well. Had he recognized him?

"My name is Bai Luo. May I ask the gentleman's name?"

"I have many names. At this moment... you may call me Zhongli."

"..."

Bai Luo had to admit, while he had recognized Zhongli's true identity from the start, hearing it confirmed still made his heart skip a beat.

This was the fourth god he had encountered in this world, and compared to the previous three, this one was much more down-to-earth.

If not for his knowledge of the storyline and his memory of this man's appearance, he would never have guessed that this person—sitting in a teahouse, holding a chipped tea bowl—was actually Morax, the mighty God of Contracts.

"You came here from Mondstadt?" Zhongli set down his tea bowl, glanced toward Stone Gate, and asked casually.

Without realizing it, Zhongli had already seized the upper hand, commanding the situation through his sheer presence alone—even though Bai Luo's subordinates had completely surrounded him.

In certain situations, quantity is meaningless in the face of true strength.

If Zhongli really wanted to act against these Fatui, most of them wouldn't stand a chance—perhaps only Bai Luo himself would survive.

"Yes, there are no suitable ships for sailing in Mondstadt, so I plan to set off from Liyue Harbor." This wasn't classified information, so Bai Luo had no concerns about sharing it.

"Liyue Harbor is the most prosperous port in the eastern Teyvat, often called the 'Harbor of Rock and Contracts.' I'm certain you'll find a vessel there capable of bearing your journey." Zhongli's tone held an unmistakable pride as he mentioned Liyue.

He had created it, watched it grow into the grand city it was today.

To him, Liyue was like his own child, and how could a parent not feel pride?

"A ship that can bear me, you say?" Bai Luo felt a subtle sense of danger from this remark.

Zhongli might appear to be an elderly gentleman, leisurely and seemingly harmless, and he never seemed to carry money or involve himself in worldly affairs beyond sharing bits of high society knowledge. But in truth, he was the Geo Archon of Liyue, wielding his Gnosis and the divine powers that came with it.

Just as Bai Luo had seen through Zhongli's identity, he suspected Zhongli, too, had identified him as a Fatui Harbinger from his attire and name.

"If you don't find a suitable ship, you're welcome to seek me out. I'm currently fulfilling an invitation to serve as a consultant at a place called the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, where I've made connections with several shipowners."

"Thank you, Mr. Zhong, but the Fatui ships are sturdy enough."

Right, as if stepping onto those vessels wouldn't lead him into the company of some mask-wearing guy holding a harpoon, muttering about boredom or incompetence while waiting for him.

And as for those boatmen introduced by the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor... were they really trustworthy? Bai Luo definitely felt safer on Fatui ships.

"Yes, indeed. In practical terms, if it were for friendship, such a ship would be as solid as stone; but if for war, it's as fragile as paper."

"..."

This was a threat, right?

Absolutely a threat, crafted with the finesse of fine literature.

But Bai Luo was helpless.

Even the Fatui and his own higher-ups would likely do nothing more than issue warnings to someone like Zhongli.

After all, this seemingly harmless old man was known as the Martial God.

Despite his repeated claims to "disinterest in conquest," who knows how many other gods he had eliminated in the past?

No one truly knew how many defeated gods were hidden away in cement-filled barrels at Guyun Stone Forest.

Bai Luo understood his identity, but his subordinates in the Ninth Company and the four Fatui guards accompanying him from Mondstadt had no clue.

Zhongli's actions appeared to be a blatant provocation to the Fatui, to Snezhnaya, and even to the Tsaritsa.

If not for Bai Luo's restraint, the Ninth Company would have already drawn their weapons.

"Are you a native of Liyue?" Just as tensions seemed to be reaching their peak, Zhongli's next question eased the atmosphere slightly.

"Yes, I suppose so," Bai Luo replied. "But I have lost some of my memories. I awoke in a river in Snezhnaya, and all I remember is my name, Bai Luo. I still don't know where I lived in Liyue."

In a way... he wasn't lying.

"That explains it." Zhongli's previously furrowed brow relaxed, as if something puzzling had finally been resolved.

Was it because of his Liyue background, or something else...?

"Your identity in Liyue might be unknown to me, but I have some understanding of why you've lost your memories. Generally speaking, such matters ought not to be shared with you. However... perhaps it won't hurt."

Hearing Zhongli's words made Bai Luo feel an unexplainable tension.

His identity as a traveler from another world was something virtually no one knew. But he couldn't be sure if gods of Zhongli's level could discern the truth.

He still recalled the Tsaritsa's gaze and her comment—"Interesting"—when she looked at him.

Was she really only remarking on his stealth?

Could his powers truly have justified her promoting him to become a Harbinger?

"Ghosts, specters, and evil spirits... These unusual existences emerge on the continent of Teyvat, influenced by ley lines. Your current condition is also connected to ley lines and these corrupted entities. You... are missing part of your soul."

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read