"Since Ningguang personally invited you, there's already a room reserved for you at the hotel," Keqing said as she led him through the streets.
They soon reached a tall establishment with a signpost that read "Baiju Guesthouse," the building standing out with its tall height and clean structure, lanterns hanging neatly outside giving it a steady warm glow.
Keqing walked up to the reception while Henry stayed beside her, looking around the place. The interior matched the outside, wooden , polished and quiet, the kind of place that didn't need to show off to look expensive.
She spoke briefly with the receptionist, her tone casual, like she'd been here enough times to not bother with unnecessary politeness.
The receptionist nodded, already aware of the arrangement, and handed over a key without asking questions.
"Room 305," she said, passing it to Henry.
Henry took it with a small nod. "Thanks."
Keqing glanced at him. "Everything's already handled, so you won't have to deal with anything."
"Nice" Henry replied, a small grin forming. "Benefits of having connections, huh?"
"Mhm." Keqing smiled at Henry and checked her pocket watch for the time.
"I'll head back now. You should get some rest."
Henry shook his head. "Yeah, I will… but after food. I'm starving now."
"I would suggest Wanmin Restaurant," she said. "Liyue's food tends to be… memorable."
"I'll go there then," Henry replied.
Keqing gave a small nod and a wave of her hand, bidding him goodbye, then left, disappearing into the street.
He stepped back out and made his way toward the upper part of the city, following the long set of stairs leading up.
The climb took a bit, the steps stretching longer than expected, and by the time he reached the top, he slowed down and then stopped completely without even realizing it.
The view just… hit.
This was on a completely different scale compared to what he remembered from the in-game version.
Henry had just stepped through the archway, and everything opened up in front of him. Wooden buildings stood tall on both sides and in front, structured cleanly but with enough detail that none of it felt repetitive.
His eyes moved over the pillars, bridges and support structures first, noticing how most of them were painted red, the color standing out under the lantern light in a way that made everything feel more alive instead of just decorative.
The lanterns themselves lit the area in a steady glow, just enough to make the place feel active even as evening settled in.
Henry walked forward slowly, taking it in properly, his attention shifting from one thing to another, completely absorbed in the surroundings.
So absorbed that he didn't notice the person standing right in front of him.
"Ahhh-"
The next second felt like he had run into a solid steel wall, and then he fell back, landing on his ass.
For a moment, he just sat there, slightly dazed by the impact.
Henry looked up.
The person he had bumped into wore brown robes with silver and golden patterns, black gloves, black pants, and a long earring in his left ear.
What was distinctive were the person's eyes.
Amber, calm and steady, looking at him with a quiet curiosity that carried power behind it.
"Holy SHIT!! That's ZHONGLI!"
What kind of coincidence is this?
Did I just run into him during his evening walks?
And I'm still sitting on the ground, what a bad first impression.
"Young man, are you alright?"
The man extended his hand toward him, his voice deep, his tone calm and composed.
Henry hesitated for a brief second, more because of who it was than anything else, then reached out and took it.
"Sorry for bumping into you, Sir?" Henry said, brushing himself off.
"Zhongli," the man introduced himself.
Henry nodded quickly. "Mr. Zhongli, I apologize again. I was a bit too absorbed in Liyue's beauty and didn't see where I was going."
Zhongli gave him a small, almost amused smile.
"No worries, young man. I am fine. But are you?"
"I'm good," Henry replied, straightening up properly now.
Even though we're the same height, Zhongli still insists on calling me "young man," maybe because he's so old he sees everyone as children.
At least he didn't call me young "childe."
Zhongli looked at him for a moment, then spoke again.
"First time in Liyue, I assume."
"Yeah."
"Welcome to Liyue," Zhongli said, his voice carrying a hint of friendliness. "There is much to take in here. I hope you enjoy your stay."
Henry nodded. "I will."
Zhongli didn't linger after that. He simply turned and walked away, his pace unhurried, blending into the surroundings like he belonged there more than anyone else.
Henry watched him go for a second. Then exhaled.
"What a welcome."
"Straight from the Geo Archon himself."
---
Sorry for the shorter chapter 😅 This will be rare though. All of my (11)chapters after this one are averaging 1200+ words.
I'll try keeping the average closer to 1500+ words per chapter going forward
Also we are still only halfway to the 100 Power Stones goal.
So please do the needful 🙏
Read Advanced Chapters on Patreon— we are ahead by 11 chapters
https://patreon.com/A_Peverel