There's a saying: "In a crowd, I saw you once, and that one glance was unforgettable."
Now, this phrase couldn't be more fitting for Bailuo.
However, this "glance" wasn't about falling in love at first sight, but rather...
Bailuo didn't sit at the table his subordinates had cleared for him. Instead, he walked straight over to the man in the luxurious attire and sat down across from him.
The man's hands, holding the tea bowl, paused for a moment before he let out a sigh.
Old Zhou's tea-brewing skills were quite good. Compared to his grandfather's craftsmanship, though slightly less refined, his tea carried more stories. That's why he liked this place. But if he were to act now, he might never be able to come here and enjoy tea in peace again.
However, when he looked up, his brows furrowed slightly.
Because he noticed something.
"Guest, there's an empty seat over there. How about..."
Old Zhou wasn't speaking to Bailuo but to the man in the luxurious attire.
Because one thing was clear to him: no matter how special this person's identity might be, it couldn't compare to the Fatui.
Having seen his fair share of human affairs, Old Zhou knew that the man who commanded such respect from the Fatui likely held a high position within their ranks.
"No need, boss. I'd like to have a chat with this... gentleman."
"Alright, your peanuts will be ready in a moment."
Old Zhou agreed verbally, but in reality, he was already planning to seek help from the Millelith.
However, the members of the Ninth Company weren't fools. They subtly blocked his path, making him tremble with anxiety.
Fortunately, Bailuo didn't seem intent on causing trouble for the gentleman, so Old Zhou finally relaxed.
"What would you like to discuss?"
The man in luxurious attire could sense that Bailuo was somewhat wary of him, but within that wariness was also a hint of curiosity and... respect?
Judging by his appearance, he seemed to be from Liyue. Could he have recognized his true identity?
"I am Bailuo. May I ask your name, sir?"
"I have many names. At this moment... you may call me Zhongli."
"..."
Zhongli? More like Geo Daddy!
Bailuo admitted that while he had recognized the man's true identity from the start, confirming it still made his heart skip a beat.
This was the fourth god he had encountered in this world. Compared to the previous three, this one was much more down-to-earth.
If it weren't for his knowledge of the story and his memory of Zhongli's appearance, Bailuo would never have guessed that the man sitting in a tea stall, sipping tea from a chipped bowl, was none other than the God of Contracts, Morax.
"You came from Mondstadt?"
Setting down his tea bowl, Zhongli glanced toward Stone Gate and asked.
Unconsciously, he had already taken control of the situation through his presence alone.
Even though he was now surrounded by Bailuo's subordinates.
In certain situations, quantity is no match for quality.
If Zhongli truly wanted to attack the Fatui, aside from Bailuo, the others would have little chance of survival.
"Yes, there were no suitable ships in Mondstadt for sailing, so I plan to take a ship from Liyue Harbor."
This wasn't information worth hiding, so Bailuo wasn't worried about leaking it.
"Liyue is the most prosperous harbor in the eastern part of Teyvat, known as the 'Harbor of Stone and Contracts.' I'm sure you'll find a ship there capable of carrying you."
When speaking of Liyue Harbor, Zhongli's tone was filled with unmistakable pride and satisfaction.
It was something he had created and watched grow into the colossal entity it was today.
He treated Liyue like his own child.
With such an outstanding "child," how could he, as a father, not feel proud?
"A ship capable of carrying me?"
This meaningful statement gave Bailuo a sense of impending danger.
Zhongli's impression was that of an old man who strolled around, birdwatching, and never carried money when he went out. At most, he knew some high-society knowledge.
But after all, he was the Geo Archon of Liyue. How could he truly remain indifferent to worldly affairs?
Keep in mind, he still possessed the Geo Gnosis and the authority of the Geo Archon. He was the genuine Geo Archon.
While Bailuo had figured out his true identity, Zhongli had likely deduced Bailuo's status as a Harbinger based on his attire and name.
"If you can't find a suitable one, you can come to me. I've accepted an invitation to serve as a consultant at a place called Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. During this time, I've made connections with many shipowners."
"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Zhongli. Our Fatui ships are sturdy enough."
Yeah, right. If he boarded one of those ships, he might find a masked man wielding a harpoon, shouting "Boring! Useless! Pointless!" waiting for him inside.
Besides, were the shipowners associated with Wangsheng Funeral Parlor really reliable? Did Zhongli really think Bailuo didn't know what Wangsheng Funeral Parlor did?
Better to stick with his own ships.
"Indeed, from a universal perspective, if it's for friendship, it will be as solid as a rock. But if it's for war, it won't be as sturdy as a piece of paper."
"..."
This was a threat, right? Absolutely a threat.
But Bailuo could do nothing about it. Even if the Tsaritsa herself were here, she would probably just issue a warning and not dare to actually fight him.
After all, this seemingly harmless old man was known as the God of War.
Back in the day, he had claimed to have "no interest in conquest," yet he had slain countless gods.
We still don't know how many gods are buried beneath Guyun Stone Forest, sealed in concrete-filled barrels.
Bailuo knew his identity, but the Ninth Company and the four Fatui guards who had followed from Mondstadt did not.
Zhongli's behavior was essentially a provocation against the Fatui, Snezhnaya, and even the Tsaritsa.
If not for Bailuo's intervention, the Ninth Company would have already drawn their weapons.
"Are you from Liyue?"
Just as tensions were rising, Zhongli's next words slightly eased the atmosphere.
"Yes, I should be from Liyue. But I've lost some memories. I woke up in a river in Snezhnaya, only remembering the name Bailuo. To this day, I don't know where I lived in Liyue."
In a sense... he wasn't lying.
"That explains it."
Zhongli's furrowed brows relaxed slightly, as if some puzzle had been solved.
Was it because of his Liyue identity? Or...
"I may not know your identity in Liyue, but I have some idea why you lost your memories. From a universal perspective, these matters shouldn't be disclosed to you, but... never mind, it's fine to tell you."
When Zhongli said this, Bailuo felt an inexplicable tension.
His identity as a transmigrator was known to almost no one.
But he wasn't sure if beings at the level of gods could see through him. He still remembered the Tsaritsa's gaze and her comment, "Interesting."
Was she really just commenting on his invisibility?
With his invisibility skills alone, could he really have earned the Tsaritsa's favor and been promoted to Instructor?
"Ghosts, spirits, evil spirits... On the continent of Teyvat, influenced by ley lines, such strange entities can appear. And your condition is related to the ley lines and these evil spirits.
You... are missing a part of your soul."