Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

Even after the two had eaten and drunk their fill, there was still a table full of dishes left.

"Put it on the bill for the Rebirth Hall," Zhongli said to the waiter after the meal.

The traveler silently thanked Hu Tao in his heart.

Master Hu is destined to make a fortune this year!

"Yes, Mr. Zhongli. Please continue to patronize Xinyuexuan in the future." Yue Shu, the receptionist at Xinyuexuan, said respectfully, while the shop assistant behind her kept a small notebook to record the accounts.

"The remaining dishes..."

"Please pack up the rest of the food," Zhong Li replied.

Looking at the table laden with delicacies, the traveler asked in a low voice, "Mr. Zhongli, didn't you say you could finish it all...? Why am I the main force?"

"Hehe, Xinyuexuan's signature dish is seafood moon vegetables, I don't really like this kind of slippery... ingredient." Zhongli frowned as if remembering something, her disgust was hard to hide.

"Oh, that's true..."

The character's backstory describes the foods he dislikes.

"Then why do we eat moon vegetables?" the traveler asked, puzzled.

Could it be that he thinks Hu Tao has too much money and is helping her spend some?

"Of course I brought my friends to try it out." Zhong Li put on a kind father's face, his previous lapse in composure completely gone.

"I remember that you need to make a reservation three months in advance for Xinyuexuan... three months ago..."

I haven't arrived yet...

The traveler saw through his lie.

Zhong Li turned his head away, avoiding the traveler's gaze, as if trying to hide something.

"Ahem, I have a use for the remaining dishes, which will benefit you."

"Alright, alright," the traveler thought, wanting to see what use it would be.

*

The afternoon sun was still scorching, and the two walked along the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor, not knowing where they were going.

To be more precise, it's only the traveler who doesn't know where to go.

"Oh, right, I just realized that the Hall of Rebirth occasionally has errands to run, so you should carry a weapon for self-defense when you go out alone."

"You just said you'd keep an eye on me, and now you're telling me to defend myself. Mr. Zhongli, those who break their promises will be punished by being eaten by rocks," the traveler joked.

I almost used up all the witty remarks I could muster in my life.

“Hehehe. All good things must come to an end. There are seven kingdoms on the continent of Teyvat. Since you call yourself a ‘traveler,’ you will naturally not stay in one place. One day you will also go to distant places.” After saying this, Zhongli looked up at the sky.

Several pigeons flew in flocks into the distance.

"Probably." The traveler herself wasn't sure; she felt it was best to stay in Liyue for the time being. As for the reason...

"Don't misunderstand, it's fine if you want to stay in Liyue." Zhongli keenly sensed the traveler's disappointment.

"Mr. Zhongli, would you like to visit other countries?" the traveler asked him expectantly.

"Although I have relinquished my thousand-year-old post, alas..." Zhongli paused for a moment, leaving the rest of his words to be guessed.

"There are still some unfinished matters that I need to settle myself."

The traveler understands.

I vaguely know it.

“Exactly,” Zhongli affirmed.

"So you're on vacation now, huh?" The traveler didn't press further; it's better to leave some things unsaid.

"Just a leisurely stroll through the mortal world," he said casually.

*

Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the southeast corner of Liyue Harbor, next to the Adventurers' Guild, a spot where they could see the sea.

Across the way is Tianheng Mountain, where several maple trees are turning red.

The clanging of blacksmiths mingled with the sound of flowing water.

"Hanfeng Ironware, your satisfaction is guaranteed!" a burly middle-aged blacksmith called out.

“Brother Zhang, I would like to buy some weapons for this young lady.” Zhong Li stepped forward and started talking to the blacksmith.

"Isn't this Brother Zhongli? You're buying weapons with your girlfriend today?" Old Zhang, the blacksmith at Hanfeng Ironware, greeted Zhongli.

"Hahaha..." The traveler couldn't help but laugh.

Grandpa Zhong actually called someone else "Big Brother".

"Hmm? Isn't that wrong?" Old Zhang realized he had said the wrong thing.

“This young lady is a distant relative of mine,” Zhongli lied without hesitation.

"Look at my mouth! Please don't mind me, I'm not good with words." Old Zhang was so ashamed that his ears turned red.

"It's alright, several other shopkeepers have also admitted their mistakes," Zhongli comforted them.

"What would you two like to buy?" Old Zhang asked, adopting a business-like demeanor.

"One of each weapon, please." Zhongli glanced at the samples for sale in the shop, accepting all offers without hesitation.

"You want both?" the traveler asked in surprise.

"Not bad. You probably haven't used a weapon before."

"How did you know?" the traveler asked, puzzled.

Do I look that frail?

“The hand that has held a weapon is different from the hand that has never held a weapon,” Zhongli explained.

hand……

I still vividly remember the feeling of our fingertips touching when we first met.

"Oh right." The traveler pulled himself out of his memories and tried to think of something else.

Hands that have handled weapons will develop calluses, at least that's how it's portrayed in TV dramas. That's probably how Zhongli realized I'd never held a weapon before.

"Then let's choose a suitable weapon and try them all out."

"Brother Zhongli, feel free to try out any of the weapons in the shop, you don't have to buy them all..." Old Zhang was an honest man, advising Zhongli to spend wisely.

"It takes beginners several months to become familiar with a weapon. If they only swing it a few times, they can only be considered to know its weight." Zhongli was determined to buy it. He wouldn't feel at ease if he didn't spend several thousand Mora today.

“Okay. My dad says business is all about relationships. You can return the weapon that doesn’t suit you after you’ve chosen the girl.” Old Zhang looked honest and simple.

"Since the goods have been purchased, there is no reason to return them if they are flawless."

Liyue's business has always been based on honesty and integrity; Zhongli would never let a shopkeeper suffer a loss.

"Well, there's no going back on what's said. If you two feel bad about it, please keep an eye out for rare minerals in Prince Yan's territory."

“Okay.” Zhongli agreed to Lao Zhang’s request.

Old Zhang beckoned to the traveler, "Young lady, come and take a look at the weapons."

"Yes." The traveler nodded.

Afterwards, the traveler obtained two-star weapons in his backpack: a silver sword, a mercenary greatsword, an iron-tipped spear, a pocket magic book, and a trial bow.

In the game, travelers only use two-star weapons as fodder.

Sigh, in this world, if you want to get a limited five-star character, the only way is to steal their exclusive weapon from them.

*

Armed with new weapons, Zhongli and the traveler arrived at the summit of Mount Aozang.

A stone table is placed in a pond, surrounded by blooming lotus flowers, whose fragrance is refreshing.

A maple tree provided shade, and shrubs surrounded the area. Zhongli neatly arranged the five weapons on the grass.

“Choose one,” Zhongli said.

The traveler originally wanted to choose the most conspicuous greatsword.

Zhongli added, "Let's save it for last."

The traveler picked up the silver sword; it was heavier than he had imagined, but still acceptable.

He swung the brush twice, horizontally and vertically. A fallen leaf drifted down and instantly split in two.

"Wow!" The traveler was surprised that a two-star weapon was so sharp.

"Swords and blades have no eyes; caution is paramount," Zhongli warned.

"Two stars... no! This ordinary weapon is this powerful." The traveler exclaimed.

"How about a one-handed sword?"

"It feels a bit heavy now, but I think I can handle it once I get used to it," the traveler said confidently.

“It can be considered as an alternative.” Zhongli nodded.

The traveler picked up his experienced bow and arrow.

Draw the bowstring, and a Geo arrow appears on the bow. Release your finger, and the arrow flies through the air, piercing the rock with a "whoosh."

This bow can penetrate even solid rock; it can surely pierce a person!

The traveler picked up the pocket grimoire, and after it touched the traveler's hands, the grimoire floated up.

The traveler lightly touched the page, and particles of rock element struck the tree. A deep crater was left in the trunk, and leaves rustled down.

The traveler raised the iron-tipped spear with both hands, but after just one twist, her wrists began to ache. She had no choice but to plunge the spear heavily into the ground…

Suddenly, the traveler was pulled to Zhongli's side.

The traveler stared at him with wide eyes: "Hmm?"

Before he finished speaking, several rock spikes grew from the spot where the gun had just struck.

"That was close! I almost..." The traveler felt increasingly frightened as he thought about it, his scalp tingling. If he had still been standing there, his feet would have been pierced by the rock spikes.

The sounds of heartbeats and panting drowned out the chirping of insects.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here. Everything will be alright." Zhongli's voice was gentle, reassuring the traveler.

According to the current plot development, the traveler wants to use the excuse of being still in a panic to rush into his arms and take advantage of him.

But it was just a thought; she didn't have the guts to actually do it.

A harmonious society is made up of civilized people.

"Mmm..." The traveler hurriedly picked up the mercenary's greatsword to cover his blush.

Not only did he fail to pick up the sword, he also strained his arm...

"This won't do." The traveler quickly gave up, not wanting to torture himself.

"You can use any weapon except two-handed swords. Which one should you learn first?"

"A gun, please." The traveler replied without hesitation.

Liyue is also known as the Land of Guns by players, so naturally, people would practice shooting in this setting. And... if I were to learn to shoot, could Zhongli personally instruct me?

"Alright."

"Um... Mr. Zhongli..." The traveler wanted to try out his rainbow-piercing spear, but was too embarrassed to say so directly.

"Hmm?" Zhongli was puzzled.

"May I see the Rainbow-Piercing Spear?" the traveler finally asked.

“Of course. You don’t need to be so polite with me.” Zhongli summoned his spear.

Wow! It looks so cool in person!

Unlike the model in the game, the real Piercing Rainbow Spear has an extremely imposing presence.

The traveler peered closer to admire it. The spear, piercing the rainbow, was over two meters long, with dragon scale patterns carved on its shaft. It had golden gleams on both the top and bottom.

"Want to give it a try?" Zhongli asked, seeing her interest.

"Mmm-hmm-hmm-hmm!" The traveler nodded frantically.

"I'll hold it, you try holding it." Zhongli held the gun handle with one hand and handed it to the traveler.

The traveler gripped the gun with both hands, and in an instant, golden particles of light surrounded the two of them, making the gun's edge glow even more intensely.