After seeing Zhong Li off, Lin Ze returned to his room.
As for Zhongli's female incarnation being named Zhong Li—he had nothing to say about it.
He was certain Zhongli wasn't bad at naming things. Choosing a name with the same pronunciation but a different character clearly carried some deeper intent.
Still…
Heh.
[Zhong Li.jpg]
[The Geo Archon's female incarnation. Big-sister type.]
[Male form: Zhongli. Female form: Zhong Li. Same pronunciation.]
[No matter how you look at it—doesn't the Geo Archon have some kind of naming problem?]
"Disrespectful to the Adepti!"
A sharp cry rang out.
At the same moment, a piercing crane call echoed through the skies. A massive figure vanished in a blur of motion, shooting straight toward Liyue Harbor.
"…Sigh. Let's hope no other Adepti have that thing."
Madam Ping shook her head helplessly. With a soft sigh, her figure also faded from view, heading toward the Jade Chamber.
Whether other Adepti possessed the diary was still unknown—but all things considered, waiting at the Jade Chamber was the safest option.
Elsewhere—
"Pfft—! As expected of you, Lin Ze!"
Hu Tao was laughing so hard she was practically rolling on the ground, pounding the earth with her fists.
Thankfully, she wasn't at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor at the moment. She was over at Wuwang Hill—otherwise, someone might have thought the堂主 herself had been possessed.
Meanwhile, Lin Ze knew nothing of this.
He was staring at the brand-new pillow in front of him, his expression filled with disdain.
"So this is it?"
"This stupid system really can't give anything useful?"
A pillow—seriously?
As if he couldn't design one himself.
If not for the diary's ability to remotely mess with its readers, spread bits of his pre-isekai culture, vent, complain, or casually flex—
He honestly couldn't be bothered to keep writing in it.
After venting his dissatisfaction, Lin Ze hugged the pillow, flopped onto the bed, and fell asleep peacefully.
But over at the Jade Chamber—
Things were anything but peaceful.
"Aping, step aside."
"This man openly disrespects the Adepti. I must teach him a lesson."
A massive crane hovered in midair, facing off against an elderly woman.
This was none other than Cloud Retainer, Adeptus of the Mountains.
And the elderly woman, of course, was Madam Ping.
"Cloud Retainer, why go this far?"
"He enters and leaves Celestia freely, offends beings above the heavens, and walks away unscathed."
"Is that someone we can afford to provoke?"
Madam Ping sighed softly, her gaze complicated.
She truly didn't understand how Cloud Retainer's brain still worked after being cooped up in the mountains for so long.
Leaving Heavenly Principles aside—even the Geo Archon himself showed caution around Lin Ze.
Charging in headfirst like this was no different from throwing oneself at a cliff.
"And if he redirects his anger toward all of Liyue—can you bear that responsibility?"
"Even Rex Lapis may not be his match."
Cloud Retainer snorted.
"Enough."
"Aping, you are not me. I am a free Adeptus."
"I do as I please."
"A mere Descender—so what if he's powerful? Even if I lose, I'll make sure he learns one thing."
"The Geo Archon is not to be insulted."
A ripple of cyan light spread as Cloud Retainer transformed into human form, floating midair. She let out a cold huff and moved to storm into the Jade Chamber—
Only to be stopped again by Madam Ping.
"You insist on inviting an unknown catastrophe?"
"If he lashes out at Liyue, are you prepared for annihilation?"
"It is because his emotional restraint is immature that he may act rashly."
"Cloud Retainer—calm yourself."
The air trembled.
Then a composed voice interjected.
"Esteemed Adepti, this is not the place for discussion."
"Please follow me into the Jade Chamber, lest Mr. Lin Ze notice something amiss."
Ningguang had arrived with the others.
At her words, both Adepti immediately ceased their argument, nodded politely—and followed her inside.
Ningguang could only smile wryly.
Whether the earlier argument was genuine or not, one thing was clear—
Their real objective had always been her.
Once inside the office, seeing the two Adepti still locked in a silent standoff, Ningguang decided to take the initiative.
"Enough, esteemed Adepti."
"There's no need to continue the performance."
"Please speak freely. Ningguang will answer what she can."
Cloud Retainer huffed.
"I was not acting—but very well."
"After cooling down, I admit I acted rashly."
Madam Ping watched her quietly, clearly unconvinced.
She knew very well—she hadn't been acting at all.
"Tell me," Cloud Retainer said, turning to Ningguang.
"You've met Lin Ze several times already."
"What kind of person is he?"
"…That's difficult to say," Ningguang replied after a pause.
"Difficult?"
"Yes."
She nodded firmly.
"At first, based on the diary, I thought he was similar to Keqing."
"But later, he claimed he only wished to enjoy life—yet still personally sold clothing."
"He enjoys showing off."
"He answers most questions directly."
"He openly claims he wants a harem—yet despite being in Liyue for days, surrounded by exceptional women…"
"He's never actually pursued anyone."
"It doesn't add up."
"In short—he's complicated."
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