Zhongli

Biodata

Appearance

• Face: Youthful, with an exceptionally composed bearing 8.
• Hair: Dark brown and tied back 8.
• Eyes: Amber 9.
• Clothing: A long, dark brown coat or robe 8 76.

Personality

Zhongli remains calm and courteous, even when dealing with Ronava’s presence in Liyue or Hu Tao’s aggressive funeral-service pitches. He recognizes Ronava without publicly exposing her identity and tactfully calls her Lin En’s “companion” after understanding that Lin En does not want his romantic feelings mentioned 9.

Contracts govern both his assurances and his limits. He accepts Ronava’s promise not to threaten Liyue but warns that breaking her word will bring the wrath of the rock. Later, an existing contract with the Tsaritsa prevents him from directly intervening in certain matters, though he still offers Lin En and Ronava shelter 10 76.

He values courage and sincerity. After rescuing Lin En, he reassures him that a ruined gift still carries its giver’s sentiment; after the Ruin Serpent incident, he praises Lin En as a young hero of unusually rare character 8 12.

His leisurely habits and spending regularly draw criticism from his colleagues. He visits friends for tea, listens to storytellers, and watches opera, defending these outings as promotion for the funeral parlor. Hu Tao reprimands his spending, while Zibai teasingly claims to have learned her own habits from him 65 77.

Abilities & Skills

Geo Power and Protective Talismans

Zhongli creates a paper talisman bearing a faint Geo sheen and gives it to Lin En as a Moonchase Festival gift. Ronava identifies it as a contract rather than merely a present 10.

• Fatal-attack protection: The talisman is described as capable of blocking one fatal attack. Its protection is associated with Lin En’s survival in the Chasm 11 28.
• Geo absorption: Even after its initial power is spent, the paper retains an exceptional affinity for Geo. Lin En uses it to absorb energy and find openings within a space-folding Geo formation 28.
• Further protection: After absorbing Geo, it saves Lin En from another fatal impact during a cliff fall, but shatters in the process. The remaining force still breaks his arm and ribs 31.

Contract-Based Protection

Zhongli explicitly links Lin En’s survival to their outstanding contract. When Ronava brings Lin En to him after the Ruin Serpent attack, he draws a sheet of white paper from Lin En and states that he will not allow him to enter the Ley Lines yet 11.

• Demonstrated effect: Lin En remains alive despite having been pierced through the chest 11.
• Unspecified terms: Zhongli does not explain the contract’s full obligations when presenting the talisman as a gift 10.

Divine Presence and Discernment

• Intimidation: Hilichurls flee when Zhongli approaches and orders them to stop, without his needing to draw a weapon 8.
• Unusual origins: According to Venti, Zhongli recognizes that Lin En’s origin and level of existence are unusual despite his limited power 21.
• Deterrence: Ronava considers Liyue comparatively safe because the Lord of Geo and Planet Befall guard it; the supplied events do not show him using Planet Befall 64.

History

Rescuing Lin En

Zhongli first encounters Lin En after Hilichurls attack him near Wuwang Hill and crush the red spider lily he gathered for Ronava. His arrival drives the attackers away. He then takes Lin En to the foot of Wangshu Inn and arranges basic treatment for his wounds 8.

After learning that the flower was intended for the woman Lin En loves, Zhongli assures him that its sentiment remains despite the damage. Before parting, he introduces himself as a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor 8.

Ronava’s Promise and the Chasm

During the final night of the Moonchase Festival, Zhongli encounters Lin En and Ronava alongside Hu Tao. He keeps Ronava’s identity private. Afterward, Ronava concludes that he already knew she was in Liyue and was waiting for her to personally promise that she would not threaten it 9.

At the funeral parlor the next morning, Ronava declares that she has no designs on Liyue and intends to reclaim her power from the Chasm to pursue Phanes. Zhongli permits the journey, reasoning that she is reclaiming what belongs to her. He also expresses approval of Lin En and gives him the Geo talisman 10.

When Ronava later carries the gravely wounded Lin En out of the Chasm, Zhongli reassures her that he has fainted from exhaustion and remains protected by their contract. He subsequently visits Lin En with Hu Tao and Zibai, praising his courage 11 12.

Contact with Venti

During a drinking visit from Venti, Zhongli mentions Lin En, Ronava, and their unusual relationship. He also speaks favorably of Lin En and notes his strange origin. Venti later cites Zhongli’s rare approval as one reason for taking an interest in Lin En before offering to teach him Anemo 21.

The Tsaritsa’s Request

After returning to Liyue, Lin En and Ronava find Zhongli at Bubu Pharmacy. He relays the Tsaritsa’s request for Ronava’s cooperation in an attack on the Life Ruler planned for half a month later 67.

Ronava refuses, choosing a peaceful life without her authority. Zhongli warns that the Heavenly Principles may still hold her responsible, but after Lin En vows to stand beside her, he observes that the Heavenly Principles is currently occupied and can be dealt with later 67.

The discussion ends when Baizhu requests five thousand Mora for Zhongli’s medicine and notes that the funeral parlor already owes eighty thousand Mora. Zhongli asks Lin En and Ronava whether they have money; Lin En immediately denies it and pulls Ronava away 68.

Shelter and the Chenyu Vale Branch

Following their clash with the Tsaritsa and the Jester, Zhongli finds the injured pair resting on a harbor bench. He explains that his contract with the Tsaritsa restricts direct intervention in certain matters, then offers them the funeral parlor’s unused guest room 76.

When Hu Tao hires them to manage a branch in Chenyu Vale, Zhongli warns them about dangerous roads, monsters, and recent unrest. He advises investigating the area before opening and notes that accidents and disappearances may soon bring them corpse-recovery work 77.

After discovering a kidnapping operation, Lin En sends Zhongli a letter requesting help. Lin En and Ronava plan to leave the mines and a connected Millelith insider to him while rescuing captives from nearby hideouts themselves. His response and the outcome of that intervention are not shown in the supplied events 83 86.

Relationships

• Lin En — A beneficiary of Zhongli’s protection and rare personal approval. Zhongli rescues him, establishes a protective contract, and later provides shelter 8 10 11 21 76.
• Ronava — An acquaintance whose presence initially raises concerns for Liyue’s safety. Zhongli accepts her promise of nonaggression and allows her to reclaim her power from the Chasm 9 10.
• Hu Tao — Director of the funeral parlor where he works. He moderates her sales pitches; she criticizes his spending and leisurely approach to work 8 9 77.
• Zibai — An old friend and fellow funeral-parlor worker. He encourages her to go out more, while she teases him about his supposed promotional activities 12 66 77.
• Venti — An old acquaintance and drinking companion with whom he discusses Lin En’s character and unusual origins 21.
• The Tsaritsa — A contractual associate who approaches him repeatedly while gathering forces. He conveys her request to Ronava but acknowledges limits on his own intervention 67 76.

Notable Quotes

“Go back. Although the flower is ruined, the sentiment remains. I believe the woman you love will understand.” 8

“No, but those who break their word shall suffer the wrath of the rock.” 10

“He and I still have a contract between us. I won't let him enter the Ley Lines just yet.” 11

Trivia

• Venti attributes Lin En’s Geo Vision to Zhongli, and Lin En nods rather than correcting him. The acquisition scene itself presents the Vision as a system reward for completing the red spider lily quest 8 21.
• Hu Tao blames Zhongli for using so many tea leaves that she cannot sleep for half the night 10.