Chapter 8: Meeting Zhongli

Upon hearing Tai's words, Wang Daoyi was momentarily stunned. Although he had anticipated meeting characters from the game after arriving in Teyvat, he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. After spending some time in this world since his soul transmigration, he was finally about to encounter characters from his past life's game.

And the character he was about to meet was none other than Zhongli, one of the most popular characters in Genshin Impact.

Although in his previous life, people often joked that Zhongli was a social recluse, and Wang Daoyi had seen many funny videos featuring Zhongli, especially the worn-out series by a certain uploader, which had left an indelible psychological shadow on Wang Daoyi.

However, in this real world, Zhongli was Morax, the God of Contracts, the Geo Archon, the protector of Liyue, and the oldest of the Seven. Even though he now spent his days drinking tea and enjoying performances, the thought of meeting Zhongli still made Wang Daoyi feel somewhat apprehensive.

Would Zhongli discover that he was a member of the Treasure Hoarders?

Would he realize that Wang Daoyi was a transmigrator?

Regardless, whatever was meant to happen would happen eventually. Wang Daoyi reasoned that considering Zhongli's attitude toward the Traveler, even if Zhongli realized he was a transmigrator, he probably wouldn't take any aggressive actions against him.

As for his identity as a member of the Treasure Hoarders, if Zhongli would be provoked into taking action upon learning this, it would only serve to enhance the reputation of the Treasure Hoarders.

Seeing Wang Daoyi lost in thought, Atai thought he might be reluctant to wait and quickly urged him, "Young Master, please rest assured. My master is the biggest lover of antiques in all of Liyue, and Mr. Zhongli, although he is a guest at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, his knowledge is profound, even surpassing some of the old scholars in the academy. It's perfect for getting your treasures appraised!"

Wang Daoyi couldn't help but internally scoff at the mention of "old scholars." Were there scholars in Liyue older than Zhongli?

But regardless of his internal thoughts, Wang Daoyi replied to Tai, "Very well then, I'll wait here for a while. Please go and return quickly."

Atai was overjoyed. "Excellent! Please wait a moment, Young Master. I'll go fetch my master and Mr. Zhongli."

With that, Tai dashed out of the shop.

"You're not afraid that I might be a thief," Wang Daoyi remarked to himself. Whenever he wasn't considering reforming his ways, if the shopkeeper dared to leave him alone in the shop, then he dared to make sure the shopkeeper knew what society was all about.

Grabbing a pastry from the table, Wang Daoyi washed it down with some hot tea, filling his stomach. Although the aroma of Wanmin Restaurant was now absent, his hunger only seemed to grow.

Indeed, Tai was remarkably fast. Before Wang Daoyi could finish a few bites of his pastry, Tai returned with two people in tow.

"Young Master, you've waited long enough. Allow me to introduce my master, Lord Ande, the greatest lover of treasures in all of Liyue. Handing over your treasures to my master would be the wisest choice," Tai said, disregarding the crumbs of pastry on Wang Daoyi's table.

"And this is Mr. Zhongli, a guest at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Mr. Zhongli's knowledge is profound, and with his appraisal, you're sure to receive a satisfactory price!"

Lord Ande, dressed in a gentleman's attire, though elderly with white hair, appeared to be in good spirits as he nodded to Wang Daoyi. Then, he turned his gaze to the two treasures on the table, a look of excitement appearing on his face.

But what caught Wang Daoyi's attention was the man named Zhongli, a guest at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Wearing a modified Western-style suit with a lot of Chinese elements, it looked like a dragon robe, yet also resembled a tailcoat. Compared to anyone Wang Daoyi had encountered since transmigrating, Zhongli was entirely different.

One could say that Zhongli and the others were not on the same level. Not only in appearance but also in the information displayed by his Golden Finger, Zhongli had a different style from everyone else.

---

Name: Zhongli (Morax)

Level: ??

Skills: ??

---

"Greetings, Lord Ande and Mr. Zhongli. Please evaluate the treasures at your leisure," Wang Daoyi said, ignoring the crumbs of pastry on the table.

"Young friend, you have a composed demeanor," Zhongli remarked casually, although his praise sounded particularly plain when spoken by him.

Before Wang Daoyi could respond, Zhongli and Lord Ande approached the table, examining the two antiques.

"Made of red agate with orange and milky white layers, this agate cup has distinct layers and a harmonious mix of colors, appearing translucent and lustrous."

"Crafted with round carving technique, the shape is vivid and beautiful. The cup resembles the head of a reclining beast, displaying a natural and lifelike feel. Exquisite workmanship gives it a glassy luster, sparkling and radiant..."

"The beast's mouth is fitted with a bird-shaped gold stopper that can be removed, allowing wine to flow freely from the mouth. Truly a rare treasure."

"This agate cup is not only an extremely rare piece of ancient jade carving art, but if it were handed over to the old scholars at the academy who study the Guili Assembly, it would undoubtedly have significant reference value."

As they admired and discussed the agate beast head cup, Zhongli and Lord Ande expressed their amazement.

Both of them were experts in antiques, and they quickly determined a price for the agate beast head cup.

"Young friend, you've waited long enough. Seeing such treasures, we are also delighted!" Lord Ande reluctantly placed the agate beast head cup back on the table. "If you're willing to part with it, I am willing to purchase this treasure for 1.5 million Mora!"

1.5 million Mora. Wang Daoyi learned from the memories of the original owner that prices in Teyvat were relatively stable, without the exorbitant prices seen in the game where a single dish could cost thousands or even tens of thousands.

At the Qixing Inn, for an ordinary person, the annual living expenses were around 20,000 Mora, including additional expenses for holidays.

In Liyue Harbor, 1.5 million Mora would indeed be considered a substantial sum. The most expensive meal at Wanmin Restaurant only cost a few hundred Mora, enough to feed three to five friends until they were full.

Of course, this was only the expenditure of ordinary people. Mora, as the currency circulating throughout Teyvat, had a high affinity with elemental energy. People used it as a consumable for various high-level forging and

 alchemy processes, which was why Liyue minted a massive amount of Mora each year without causing currency inflation.

As Zhongli examined the dragon tooth cup, he put it down.

"For such a treasure, I dare not put a price on it," Zhongli said, recalling something as he caressed the cup.

(End of this chapter)