Chapter 459

This silly apprentice, why don't I see you being as clever as usual?

Cloud Retainer felt helpless, but then she thought about it and felt quite gratified. Although Shenhe was naive and inexperienced in worldly affairs, her pure and innocent mind allowed her to see through many things. Therefore, there was no need to worry too much about her being deceived after entering the world.

At least, she shouldn't be like Yuan Dai, who was easily bewitched by a mere sorcerer.

Cloud Retainer shook his head, setting aside his distracting thoughts, and said solemnly and authoritatively:

"Go quickly. Remember, show respect to the Emperor."

"...yes."

For the first time Shenhe resisted her master's orders. However, the Red Rope bound her heart, and she couldn't understand what emotion gave rise to this resistance.

Ultimately, her respect for her master left her no choice but to obey.

Shenhe accelerated with the wind, arriving at Liyue Harbor at top speed.

My master said that if you get lost, you can ask someone for directions.

So Shenhe randomly grabbed a passerby.

How do I get to the Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor?

"Ah?"

How do I get to the Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor?

"Uh, in that direction."

Thank you.

"You're welcome..."

The passersby who pointed in the direction didn't even have time to see Shenhe's face clearly before they saw his snow-white figure drift away.

At this moment, Zhongli was drinking tea in the Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor.

Hu Tao couldn't deny the value of Maria's knowledge about funerals, so she had no choice but to agree to pay. However, unable to bear the thought of adding another expense that seemed to drain her wallet, she followed the two to supervise the spending.

Zhongli felt that such a quiet Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor was a rare treat, so she decided to be lenient today and not go out to spend money, but stay in the room and enjoy her tea in peace.

"Your Majesty!"

"Puff!!!"

This is the Wang Sheng Funeral Parlor, in Liyue Harbor!

After being called that, how can I have a peaceful life from now on?

Zhongli quickly surveyed his surroundings, and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that no one was nearby. Seeing that it was Cloud Retainer's disciple, Zhongli lost his temper and could only sigh:

"Sit down. And don't use that kind of address here, just call me Zhongli."

"Yes, Lord Zhongli."

Shenhe nodded and sat down. Then, disregarding her feelings about arriving in Liyue Harbor for the first time and meeting the Vago Rock King for the first time, she went straight to explaining the purpose of her visit.

"You're saying that an Invader appeared in Mount Aozang?"

Zhongli paused in his tea-drinking motion.

Across from him, Shenhe nodded again.

Zhongli couldn't help but raise her hand and touch her forehead.

"Am I Erosion out too much?"

He doubted he had heard correctly.

From time immemorial, long before the Archon War, that world riddled with holes and its civilization consumed by war seemed to appear before my eyes. The so-called Descendants are beings who could very well trigger such an event.

So what's wrong with Teyvat?

The Abyss Order, the World Tree, the resurgence of an old friend, the near-flight of a divine war—so many major events have occurred in just a few months, and now a new being has appeared. Even Morax is starting to feel overwhelmed.

Despite his uncertainty, Zhongli, as the pillar of Liyue, managed to calm himself down. He sipped his tea and said:

"Please tell me in detail."

"Yes."

Shenhe recounted her experiences with the Descendants in straightforward and simple language.

An exotic Western-style building, an indistinct face, an incomprehensible power, and delicious food that always filled her to the brim.

Zhongli unconsciously touched her chin and blinked.

"Um?"

What kind of being is this? Generally speaking, even if a being doesn't directly engage in a world-destroying battle with the Heavenly Principles, shouldn't they at least be the kind that exudes majesty? This one sounds more like a friendly and approachable neighbor.

After recounting the basic facts, Shenhe, feeling a vague unease, disregarded formalities and continued:

"Master plans to go and test the waters directly; she said she'd send me..."

"What did you say?"

Zhongli's pupils contracted.

Having lived together for three thousand years, Zhongli and the immortals were not only superiors and subordinates, but also close friends.

He immediately understood Cloud Retainer.

The Celestials' strength was insufficient to uncover Teyvat's true secrets. However, once the concept of a Descendant was revealed, Cloud Retainer Feng immediately understood the gravity of the situation. Her mission was clearly to test the waters on behalf of Zhongli and Liyue, including verifying their identities and ascertaining their attitudes—but if it truly was a Descendant, the price of such a test would likely be her life.

"This is bad! We must summon the Salt King immediately!"

Zhongli immediately got up and strode out the door.

As the Geo Archon Morax, he knew that if he could exchange the life of a Celestial for information about the Descendants, it would be a worthwhile trade.

But whether it's worthwhile and whether it's feasible are two different things.

Zhongli absolutely could not allow his old friend to sacrifice his life to pave the way for him and Liyue.

"Lord Zhongli, then I..."

"I have already informed the Salt King. You know where it is; let's go to Mount Aozang first, and we must be quick!"

"Yes."

The urgency of the Vago Rock King made Shenhe immediately realize the risks on his master's side.

'You're not a bad person, are you?'

Shenhe was somewhat relieved that she never sensed any hostility from outsiders, which was an important reason why she ultimately obeyed.