Chapter 13: Zhongli Joins the Group and Karma Speculation
After taking their seats at the wooden table, Zhongli politely requested Chef Mao to prepare a few additional dishes. The bustling atmosphere of Wanmin Restaurant surrounded them, filled with the clatter of woks and the rich scent of chili. Zhongli's calm gaze swept over Paimon, his amber eyes carrying a distinct hint of understanding.
"You two have come to find me today, presumably regarding that strange object Paimon has recently acquired?" he asked, his voice smooth and measured.
"No, you guessed wrong this time, Zhongli!" Paimon crossed her arms with a proud huff. "Let Lumine tell you all about it."
Having delegated the task, the little floating companion immediately grabbed her utensils and began to eagerly devour the appetizers.
Lumine leaned forward and provided a detailed explanation. She told Zhongli everything about the interdimensional chat group, the true origin of Paimon's newfound Optimization Power, and the primary purpose of their visit to Liyue Harbor today. They wanted to invite him to join their ranks. She also made sure to explain the group's alias and renaming functions.
Zhongli listened quietly, his expression thoughtful. "Since it is an earnest invitation from a good friend, I shall certainly accept."
Seeing his agreement, Lumine tapped the air in front of her, handling the system interface to send the invite.
A moment later, notifications chimed across multiple universes.
[Teyvat - Lumine] has invited [Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Guest] to the group! Let's welcome the newcomer!
A flurry of welcoming messages instantly flooded the chat. To give everyone a better idea of who they were greeting, Lumine snapped a quick photo of Zhongli and uploaded it to the group.
In the image, Zhongli sat perfectly composed amidst the chaotic, smoke-filled environment of Wanmin Restaurant. Despite the mundane setting, he exuded a deep and serene demeanor. He looked like a deep, undisturbed pool of water or a towering, immovable mountain. His amber eyes stared into the camera lens, deep and peaceful, carrying an ancient weight that seemed to pierce straight through the boundaries of time itself.
When the other members opened the photo, even separated by vast dimensional walls, they instantly felt an invisible, heavy pressure. An unmistakable air of grandeur radiated from the screen.
Aboard the Astral Express, Dan Heng narrowed his eyes slightly at his holographic display. 'This person is extraordinary. His bearing far surpasses that of ordinary long-lived species...'In New Eridu, Wise and Belle leaned over their shared monitor.'Wow,'Belle thought, her eyes wide.'He looks incredibly imposing, like a legendary figure straight out of a historical epic!'
Even March 7th, sitting on one of the parlor car's plush sofas, unconsciously straightened her posture just from looking at the image.
[Genshin Impact - Zhongli]: "I am Zhongli, a mere idler. It is a pleasure to meet you all."
[Astral Express - March 7th]: "Are you the retired Geo Archon of Liyue that Lumine mentioned before?"
March 7th had typed the message out with unusual care, unconsciously using polite honorifics.
At the table, Zhongli slowly lowered his teacup. He shifted his gaze toward Lumine, his eyes carrying a distinct hint of knowing amusement.
Sensing the incoming judgment, Lumine immediately buried her head in her bowl. Her chopsticks became a blur as she rapidly shoved pieces of fish and vegetables into her mouth. Her cheeks bulged like a squirrel's.
"Mmm," Lumine muttered indistinctly around a mouthful of food, refusing to make eye contact. "This Black-Back Perch Stew is incredibly good today. Chef Mao's cooking skills have definitely improved again. Paimon, you need to try this piece right now."
She radiated an powerful aura of 'I do not know anything, I am just an innocent traveler eating my lunch.'
Zhongli shook his head slightly. A helpless yet entirely indulgent curve formed at the corners of his mouth.
[Genshin Impact - Zhongli]: "Past events are like smoke scattered by the wind. The title of Geo Archon is already a thing of the past. Now, Zhongli is merely a mortal residing in Liyue Harbor, spending his days drinking tea, listening to storytellers, appreciating ancient artifacts, and passing the time."
[Genshin Impact - Zhongli]: "There is no need for any of you to be so formal. If there ever comes a time when I, Zhongli, can be of some small assistance to your endeavors, please do not hesitate to ask."
Just as the chat began to process the presence of a retired god, the system interface flashed with a bright, golden alert.
[System Notification: The number of members in the Beginner Chat Group has reached its current limit. We hope all group members will continue to help one another and build a harmonious, diverse multiversal community.]
[System Announcement: A World Event is about to begin! Please look forward to it!]
The lingering shock of Zhongli's arrival was instantly overshadowed. The system announcement acted like a massive boulder dropped into a quiet lake, sending massive ripples of excitement through the chat.
[Astral Express - March 7th]: "Wow! A World Event! I am so excited right now! Let's all guess what this event is going to be!"
[Astral Express - Stelle]: "It wouldn't be something like the Simulated Universe, would it? Like dropping us into a dungeon to clear floors for loot?"
[Zenless Zone Zero - Belle]: "Or maybe everyone will have to cooperate to complete a massive commission? Like all of us grouping up to take down an extremely dangerous, notorious Ethereal?"
[Teyvat - Lumine]: "Or, perhaps, temporary world passages will open up, allowing everyone to physically visit each other's universes?"
The chat group instantly exploded into a flurry of wild guesses and theories. The atmosphere became incredibly lively, with messages scrolling by at a rapid pace.
Zhongli calmly sipped his tea, watching the chaotic discussion unfold on his own interface. His expression remained as serene as still water. Only when the topic of conversation fully shifted away from his true identity did he dismiss the screen and turn his attention back to Lumine and Paimon.
In those golden eyes that had witnessed millennia of history, a certain quiet resolve seemed to settle.
Zhongli pondered in silence for a brief moment, tapping his finger lightly against the wooden table. He then looked directly at Paimon, his voice carrying a subtle, probing inquiry.
"The Optimization Power you have acquired is truly extraordinary, Paimon. It borders on the divine." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "If it possesses the absolute authority to purify the filth of disaster and illness, I wonder... would it also have a miraculous effect on the Karmic Debt that originated from the dying grievances of ancient gods? The very same karma that has plagued the Yaksha for thousands of years?"
Paimon, who had been happily chewing on a piece of tofu, suddenly froze. She slapped her forehead with a tiny hand.
"Oh, right!" Paimon gasped, her eyes widening. "How could we not have thought of that earlier! If this power really works on anything, then the Karmic Debt troubling Xiao might actually have a hope of being completely cured!"
Lumine's eyes lit up with sudden realization. "If Karmic Debt can be purified..." A dangerous flash of inspiration struck her, and she blurted out her next thought without filtering it. "Then 'erosion' might also—"
She abruptly snapped her mouth shut. The air at the table seemed to drop a few degrees. Lumine looked at Zhongli with a sudden spike of trepidation, realizing she had just casually brought up the greatest, most terrifying inevitability facing all long-lived beings in Teyvat.
Paimon instantly caught on as well. She slapped both hands over her small mouth, letting out a muffled squeak of panic. "Ah! Oh, right..."
Zhongli's expression did not change in the slightest. His posture remained perfectly relaxed. Yet, in the absolute depths of his amber eyes, extremely subtle ripples seemed to spread outward, lingering for a fraction of a second before returning to a deep, impenetrable calm.
He did not directly address the matter of erosion. Instead, he smoothly guided the conversation back to the immediate present, his tone now carrying a much heavier layer of genuine concern.
"Paimon," Zhongli said, his voice lowering slightly. "When you previously used this power, did you experience any mental fatigue, physical exhaustion, or any other unusual sensations?"
Paimon swallowed the food in her mouth and waved her hand dismissively, her expression entirely relaxed. "Exhaustion? Not at all! It felt as natural as eating this meal right now. It was completely instinctive."
She puffed out her chest proudly. "And when I was summoning wrenches, smashing those ores, and 'treating' Huixin earlier today, I didn't feel drained in the slightest! Paimon feels absolutely great!"
To prove her point, a brilliant golden light flashed in the center of her small palm. A heavy silver wrench instantly materialized out of thin air, then vanished just as quickly. She repeated the process several times in rapid succession, her movements incredibly fluid and completely devoid of strain.
Lumine set her chopsticks down, her brow furrowing with lingering concern. "Paimon, are you absolutely sure you aren't feeling any discomfort? The power to alter reality and improve rules sounds like it exists on an incredibly high level. It cannot possibly come without some sort of cost, right? Could the toll be latent, or perhaps cumulative?"
Paimon tilted her head, tapping her chin as she seriously considered the question. "Hmm... At least right now, I really don't feel anything bad! My body isn't tired, my mind is super clear, and my appetite is just as massive as usual! There is no need to worry so much!"
Only upon hearing Paimon's confident and thorough reassurance did the tension in Lumine's shoulders finally begin to ease.
Zhongli gave a slow, measured nod. "Indeed. To wield such authority with no obvious consumption is truly fortunate."
He set his teacup down, and his tone shifted into something deeply solemn. The casual atmosphere of the lunch vanished entirely.
"However, the affliction of Karmic Debt is vastly different from common ailments or physical injuries," Zhongli warned, his gaze locking onto Paimon. "Its root lies in the resentful, lingering thoughts of fallen gods. It is an ancient malice, accumulated and compressed over thousands of years. It is exceedingly fierce, highly corrosive, and deeply entangled with Xiao's very soul."
He leaned forward slightly. "The sheer magnitude of power required to cleanse something of this nature is far beyond what you needed for your previous tasks. A single misstep, or a lapse in concentration, could lead to a severe and immediate backlash."
Zhongli's voice grew increasingly serious, carrying the heavy authority of the god he once was. "Therefore, I must still ask you this directly: Paimon, are you truly willing to try using your ability to help Xiao remove his Karmic Debt? There may be unknown risks and hidden tolls involved. Please consider this carefully before you answer."
Paimon dropped her playful demeanor entirely. A rare, intensely serious expression settled over her small face.
"Xiao has protected Liyue in the shadows for so long, and he has suffered so much pain doing it," Paimon said, her voice steady. "If I have the chance to help him, Paimon is absolutely willing to try!"
She clenched her tiny fists, looking back and forth between Zhongli and Lumine with fierce determination. "Don't worry! Even though Karmic Debt sounds really scary, my Optimization Power is incredibly strong too! I, the great Paimon, am no ordinary being! Besides, with Zhongli and Lumine right here beside me, nothing bad is going to happen!"
Paimon was putting on a brave front, deliberately acting a bit playful so Lumine and Zhongli wouldn't worry too much. But beneath the bravado, she truly wanted to do whatever she could to help the Yaksha finally escape his endless torment.
Seeing her resolve, Zhongli nodded slowly. "Very well. But if you sense any abnormality or discomfort during the cleansing process, you must stop immediately. Remember to focus on your own safety above all else. I will be there to protect you."
Lumine nodded in agreement, her golden eyes filled with deep trust and support, though a shadow of worry still lingered. "Paimon, promise me. If you feel even the slightest thing go wrong, you cut the power off right away, okay?"
Paimon eagerly agreed to every condition. With the heavy topic settled, she quickly urged them to finish their food so they could get moving.
Lunch ended shortly after. The trio did not waste a single second, immediately setting off toward Wangshu Inn, the towering structure that stood as a silent sentinel beside the main road of Dihua Marsh.
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