Taro shook his head. "Seems unlikely, then."
It was only a passing thought. No need to dwell.
"Young master… young master, finally we've found you!!!"
"The master and eldest young master are searching for you!"
"Please come back quickly, it's urgent!"
Shouts rose from below. Several attendants in house servant garb rushed toward them in panic.
"…Ugh."
Xingqiu's heart sank.
Really? Right now? After boasting in front of Brother Taro? Couldn't this have waited?
"What is it, Shin?"
"Young master!"
The lead servant, Shin, stopped, panting.
"A guest has arrived at home, demanding to see you. The master and eldest young master had no choice but to send us to find you. You must return immediately, it cannot wait."
"Who?"
Xingqiu's brow furrowed.
Someone his father and older brother could not handle, yet who had called him by name?
"This…" Shin hesitated, glancing nervously at Taro.
"No matter. Speak plainly."
"It's… Lady Tianquan."
"…!"
Xingqiu's eye twitched.
So, it was hopeless to refuse.
If it had been anyone else, he could have declined. But Tianquan Ningguang herself? Calling him by name?
If he refused, his father would break his legs.
"Brother Taro…" Xingqiu said awkwardly.
"Go, Xingqiu," Taro replied lightly.
"A meal can wait. Family matters come first."
Xingqiu cupped his hands. "This time I have been a poor host."
"Shin, tell him—"
"Go, go." Taro cut him off with a wave. "I won't get lost. Find me when you're free."
"…Very well!" Xingqiu nodded. "Brother Taro, I'll take my leave."
"Shin, let's go."
"Yes, young master."
Taro watched them leave, feeling faintly dazed.
So much warmth. Almost too much.
In twenty years of being a wage-slave, he had no real social life beyond supervisors.
Even in YGGDRASIL, few companions had truly connected.
And now, to meet someone so openly friendly… he almost didn't know how to respond.
"A good kid," he murmured.
He shook his head, then continued toward Liyue Harbor.
A new world. A new start.
First—find lodging.
Then build a comfortable life. Retirement, at last.
The rest could wait.
Soon, the city gates loomed ahead.
The main bridge was enormous, wide enough for eight-horse carriages to pass side by side.
Qingce Millelith guards stood watch on both sides.
Yet despite their presence, no one was being stopped or questioned.
Even Taro, clad in light armor and armed with a sword, drew no extra glance.
Confidence radiated from the city.
And rightly so.
The name of Rex Lapis alone suppressed all evil.
The Adepti held vigil in the mountains.
The Qixing ruled the harbor.
No city in Teyvat gave its citizens more security than Liyue.
Blending into the crowd, Taro stopped at the largest inn near the entrance.
"White Horse Inn…"
The sign's script was unfamiliar.
But thanks to Supreme Cognition, he read it easily.
The skill functioned like universal comprehension—turning unknown languages and knowledge into something he could instantly understand.
A buff he normally used before PvP, to spot traps and pierce false info.
Unexpectedly useful here.
"Honored guest, seeking lodging? Alone?"
A quick-witted attendant hurried up.
"Alone," Taro nodded. "But I left home in haste. I carry no mora or notes. Can this inn pawn items?"
"Yes, yes!"
The attendant beamed. "Our White Horse Inn is the most renowned in Liyue. All services provided. Master appraisers from the Jewel House are on call. Fair prices, no trickery."
"You may pawn temporarily and redeem later with the receipt."
"What item will you offer, honored guest?"
So they really could? Not bad.
"This."
Taro opened his hand.
A smooth orb, glowing with eerie blue light, appeared.
The glow stunned the attendant.
"T-this is… priceless…"
He shook his head quickly, bowing deeper.
"Honored sir, please, this way!"
Ten years as a doorman, he had seen much.
But never this.
One wrong word and the manager would skin him alive.
"May I ask you to wait?"
A calm, resonant voice sounded from behind.
Taro paused, turning.
And froze.
"Oh—esteemed Consultant Zhongli! What an honor! What brings you here?"
The attendant immediately recognized the man, rushing to greet him.
"Chanced upon a treasure, could not resist. Forgive the intrusion."
Zhongli inclined his head to the attendant, then turned his amber-gold gaze to Taro.
"This traveler, from afar…"
"Might I examine that orb?"
"No problem."
Taro tossed it lightly.
The blue glow traced an arc through the air.
Zhongli caught it calmly, eyes locking onto it.
He studied it, then sighed softly.
"A true rarity. Rare indeed."
Taro nodded silently.
Yes, he saw it.
And he wasn't wrong.
After all—this was something only Taro possessed.
(End of Chapter)
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