28. He Was Being Observed

"We haven't met in a while, it would be nice to share a drink and chat. I don't have much to offer, but you can always count on this old lady for a pot of tea." Madame Ping offered. Zhongli stared at her before letting out a sigh.

"Haah, that tone does not suit you. Still, your tea is indeed very good. There is none better for brewing tea at a time like this."

Madame Ping smiled. She said,

"That's more like it. I also wanted to ask you something since you're always strolling around here."

"I see." He replied without changing his expression. Then, Madame Ping led him somewhere.

— — — —

Zhongli and Madame Ping arrived in a floating abode above the cloud. It was surprisingly an island cluster suspended in mid-air.

The abode was actually created by the power of the Adeptus including the surrounding clouds. It was a small world inside a teapot that was created by Madame Ping with the blessing of Rex Lapis, or the person beside her.

In the middle of the abode, there was a gazebo with a short round table arranged to enjoy drinks without having to sit on a chair. The gazebo was decorated with various items such as flower pots, urns, jade screens, scrolls, and also a zither.

After Madame Ping brewed tea for Zhongli, they chatted for a while, discussing Liyue's current state. Over time, Zhongli's awkward expression gradually faded away.

"By the way, Streetward Rambler. Do you read the manga as well?" Zhongli noticed the two books under the jade screen were none other than the Dragon Ball manga. So, he couldn't help but ask. Yet, her expression suddenly changed to one of displeasure as the corner of her mouth curved downward.

"Do you know who drew this book?"

"Yeah. The child who fled from Inazuma drew this. Are you perhaps looking for him? Well, I guess you're a step too slow. I just saw him appear on the top of Mt. Tianheng behind the Yuehai Pavilion before we went inside the teapot."

"What the… why didn't you tell me, Milord?"

"You didn't ask."

"..."

Madame Ping was speechless at his response.

"You're blockhead as usual, Milord."

"Stop the "Milord". I'm just a gentleman called Zhongli. And why are you looking for that child?"

When Zhongli asked her, her expression turned grumpy.

"That child drew indecent things in a book called manga and sold it to my youngest disciple."

Zhongli tilted his head. He didn't understand what Madame Ping meant at all.

"Indecent things? In my opinion, the story of the Dragon Ball manga is great. I don't understand why you think the story is indecent." Zhongli said.

Madame Ping rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe that Zhongli still didn't understand, so she explained to him the story in the second chapter. After that, Zhongli held his chin.

"So you're saying the story isn't appropriate for young children to read?"

Madame Ping nodded.

"I see. But, let's wait until he returns to his shop." Zhongli suggested it to her.

"Why?" She didn't know why, but it seemed he knew something about the youngster.

"I think he has a matter to take care of, and it's inappropriate for us to stand in his way."

"From what you've said, you seem to think highly of him. Is there something I'm unaware of?"

Zhongli nodded. Then, he told her when Zhongli spotted Ryūhei for the first time. At that time, he was inside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. But, he suddenly felt negative energy near the parlor, which led him to check it out, fearing that it was caused by residual hatred of the fallen ancient gods throughout the Archon War.

To his surprise, the negative energy suddenly disappeared. And the cause was a youngster called Ryūhei. It was as if he could completely control the negative energy and use it as his power.

From the time after he bought Ryūhei's manga, Zhongli used his technique to observe him from afar. And his conjecture was right. He could see that Ryūhei could control the negative energy completely and used it to form a powerful technique that sucked everything in the surroundings. Although it wasn't that powerful, it had the potential to reach a higher power. Just like how his old friend from Mondstadt reshaped mountains using a similar technique on a larger scale and the remnants of the mountains he destroyed were thrown into the sea in the east, then eventually became the Golden Apple Archipelago.

"And since he could manipulate negative energy perfectly, he might be helpful for our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor or Alatus to take care of the lingering hatred of fallen ancient gods in Liyue. That's why I asked my Director to make a deal with him. And I have ordered Alatus not to antagonize him." From his statement, it was as if Zhongli declared that he sided with Ryūhei.

However, his statement left Madame Ping dumbfounded. Then, she let out a chuckle.

"Hehe. You've thought that far ahead, huh? That's quite rare of you."

"Well, I just remembered Guizhong's words. If that child is able to reach his potential, he might be equal with us as deities with his mortal body."

"Guizhong, huh?"

Mentioning the name of the God of Dust, Guizhong, made Madame Ping reminisce about her past where she often hung out with Cloud Retainer, Guizhong, and Morax. It was a shame that a moment like that couldn't be repeated after Guizhong passed away.

She looked at Zhongli before saying.

"Then, let's wait till that child settles his matter. I want to clarify why he sold the manga to my youngest disciple."

Zhongli nodded.

"In that case, I will observe him for a while. When the matter is solved, I will let you know."

— — — —

A moment after Ryūhei left his shop, he walked toward the west road. However, his direction was Mt. Tianheng.

Ryūhei merely wanted to find a remote area. However, someone tailed him without showing a presence. Ryūhei was not too far from the person tailing him, so Ryūhei could still feel the presence of the person enveloping one's presence by using a Hydro Vision. Too bad, Ryūhei was sensitive to such energy, especially elements. That was why he realized that person instantly. Moreover, he noticed the appearance of a person who tailed him although that person tried to avoid his gaze.

With the Rikugan, he could see that person's appearance in an instant the moment he saw that person. However, he pretended not to see that person.

That person is a woman around 25 years old and around 180 cm tall. She has pale skin, light emerald green eyes, dark blue hair, and asymmetrical bangs that are lighter at the tips.

Her hair was similar to his sworn brother, Xingqiu. But, Ryūhei knew that she had no relation with Xingqiu.

"Who is that woman? Is she perhaps someone sent by Liyue Qixing?"

Since the woman's face had Chinese characteristics, Ryūhei was certain that she was a local. Regarding someone who wanted to copy his manga, he didn't suspect that woman at all. If she planned to do that, there was no way she would have time to tail him.

Ryūhei heard that Liyue Qixing governed Liyue Harbor, so it wasn't strange if they would try to observe him. Moreover, they would try to confirm whether he was a threat or the other way around.

Ryūhei climbed the stairs leading to Mt. Tianheng swiftly. And when he was in the blind spot of the woman's sight, he immediately used teleportation.

Shortly after, a woman arrived at the spot he disappeared. That woman frowned.

"Did he notice me? Though, I hid with my Hydro Vision. Looks like the info I got should be revised. Not only can he sense energy disturbances, but he can sense elemental energy."

Meanwhile, Ryūhei already stepped on Mt. Tianheng behind the Yuehai Pavilion. From there, he could observe Liyue Harbor entirely and this could make it easier for him to find the person who wanted to copy the manga from his shop even though his brain might be overflowing with information if he wanted to find that person quickly.

Ryūhei took out his sunglasses. His first glance was the Yuehai Pavilion in front of him. However, his gaze landed on a man who was none other than Zhongli who was with an old lady. And Zhongli's gaze also happened to fall on him. Even though the two of them were quite far apart, both of them could see each other clearly.

Ryūhei was dumbfounded at first. And after thinking it through within his accelerated mind, he nodded in Zhongli's direction. And Zhongli did the same in response. What surprised him even more was how Zhongli was sucked into a teapot.