What God's Mouth? She's Paimon!

Heaven Dou City, west side, at a breakfast stall.

Zhongli calmly sipped his tea, but Paimon was nowhere to be seen.

This had to be explained from ten minutes earlier, after the two had finished breakfast.

"Paimon, did you bring any money?"

"Zhongli, don't tell me you forgot to bring money again?"

The two stared at each other, and after exchanging a glance, both felt thoroughly awkward.

They truly were not short of money now. It was just that, while inventorying their "antiques" last night, they had emptied everything they carried in one go...

"It seems carrying the Inner Scenery with us would be more convenient."

Zhongli had stored the more valuable "antiques" belonging to himself and Paimon within the Inner Scenery.

It was a place similar to the Serenitea Pot.

It was worth mentioning that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was there as well...

Ever since yesterday at the Seven Treasure Hotel, when the owner had put the bill on their tab without even asking to see a Token, Zhongli no longer carried the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Token with him either.

Only Gold Soul Coins and some ordinary jewelry were kept in the storeroom. Even if thieves set their sights on it, the loss would not be too great.

Paimon's situation was different from Zhongli's. She had simply taken out everything she carried in one go, then forgotten to put it back...

For Paimon, this sort of thing was perfectly normal.

So, after finishing breakfast, the two had no way to pay.

Naturally, putting it on a tab was impossible at such a small stall.

It was equally unrealistic to send the bill to the Crown Prince's Mansion or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The shop owner might not even dare collect it.

Paimon could only be troubled to go home and get some money...

After a while, Paimon returned, accompanied by Heaven Dou's Crown Prince, "Xue Qinghe."

Her expression was strange, and the way she looked at Zhongli and Paimon changed again and again.

Good heavens, she had even given them a Storage Soul Tool, yet these two could still forget to bring money!

What was a Storage Soul Tool for?

Wasn't it meant for storing such miscellaneous items?

They did not even carry their Storage Soul Tool with them!

"Guest Zhongli..."

"Qinghe..."

Zhongli and "Xue Qinghe" exchanged a look. Though Zhongli's expression did not change, he could see "Xue Qinghe's" eyelashes twitching.

Paimon slapped her forehead, then helplessly took out a Gold Soul Coin and went to settle the bill with the owner.

On her way back after getting the money, she had happened to run into "Xue Qinghe," which was why she had come over together with her.

When "Xue Qinghe" saw her, she had been extremely surprised. It was the first time she had seen Paimon acting alone, so she had asked what Paimon was doing.

Who could have imagined it? Good heavens, Zhongli apparently could not afford his meal and had sent Paimon home to get money...

You really were something, dear Guest!

Originally, "Xue Qinghe" had intended to visit Zhongli and catch up after handling state affairs, but she truly could not hold herself back and had come early instead.

On the way to Zhongli Manor, she had happened to encounter Paimon.

After paying the bill, Paimon gave Zhongli a lifeless look.

"Zhongli, what kind of tea did you drink that cost ten Gold Soul Coins!?"

The owner had waived the breakfast charge, but this pot of tea alone was worth ten Gold Soul Coins!

That owner, honestly... If she had known he would waive the meal, there would not have been this expense for a pot of tea.

"What tea it was, I cannot say. The owner purchased it for me from the shop across the street."

"It did have a faint fragrance, with a sweet aftertaste..."

"Who asked what the tea tasted like!?"

Paimon felt too powerless even to complain. Fortunately, she had brought plenty of Gold Soul Coins, or she would have needed to make another trip.

A short while later, the three left the breakfast stall amid the owner's enthusiastic farewells.

"Zhongli, I saw at least five Gold Soul Coins in that owner's smile!"

Zhongli gave Paimon a surprised look. Since when had this little fellow become so clever?

Still, the owner really had made some profit, though not as much as five Gold Soul Coins. It was probably around 1.89 Gold Soul Coins.

That was assuming he had not waived the breakfast fee.

He had bought the tea from the tea house across the street for eight Gold Soul Coins and sold it for ten. Did that not mean he earned two Gold Soul Coins?

Fortunately, he had some conscience and waived the breakfast fee.

"The tea was good tea. It was worth ten Gold Soul Coins."

Zhongli stroked his chin and spoke with a serious expression.

"By the way, Qinghe, did you need something?"

Without continuing to dwell on the matter, Zhongli swiftly changed the subject.

As the Crown Prince of a nation, "Xue Qinghe" was extremely busy. How could she have so much time to talk with him all day?

She had most likely come because there was something she needed.

"Ah~"

Paimon froze. Zhongli's seamless change of subject caught her completely off guard.

Wait, something seemed wrong. She was God's Mouth... Ah, pfft!

What God's Mouth? She was Paimon!

The best guide!

Even after crossing into another world, she was still the best guide!

She had to do her guiding work properly, so she would not seem so foolish.

"That's right, Qinghe. I heard you say earlier that you were looking for Zhongli. Is there something you need?"

Paimon hurriedly picked up where Zhongli had left off and spoke to "Xue Qinghe."

To keep her job, to protect her livelihood, Paimon was going all out!

The Traveler was better. He barely talked at all and left everything to her...

"???"

"There is nothing in particular. I came specifically to thank you, sir. If not for you, I fear this journey would have ended in grave danger for me."

"Xue Qinghe" spoke with utmost sincerity. Besides thanking Zhongli, she had another purpose.

That was to see Zhongli.

After seeing Zhongli, the heart that had been hanging in midair seemed to settle down.

This sense of security could not be expressed in words.

It was as if, with Zhongli by her side, even if the sky fell, he could hold it up.

Upon hearing this, Paimon's expression changed. Her previously troubled face immediately blossomed into a grin.

She rubbed her hands together and said ingratiatingly to "Xue Qinghe," "Qinghe, hehe, as for thanks..."

A favor could not be done for nothing, right?

Back on Teyvat Continent, the Traveler helped people every day, and they would still receive some Mora rewards and those Primogem rewards.

She understood Mora, but Paimon truly did not know what Primogems were for.

Even if she did not know, they still counted as compensation, at least!

Seeing this, "Xue Qinghe" gave Paimon a somewhat puzzled look. That gesture and expression were rather unfamiliar.

After thinking briefly, she suddenly understood!

So this little fellow wanted a reward!

But a life-saving favor could never be repaid. What could she possibly offer that would be sufficient compensation for saving her life?

One had to know, her life, Qian Renxue's life, was incredibly valuable!

No, that was not right. Her life was priceless. How could it be measured in money?

Thinking of this, "Xue Qinghe" fell into deep thought, unsure what to say or do for a moment.

After a long while, "Xue Qinghe" seemed to think of something and said tentatively, "A life-saving favor cannot be repaid."

"No item, no matter what it may be, would be enough to express my gratitude to Guest Zhongli."

"Today, at the Heaven Dou City Grand Auction House..."