RNP Page 74
Page 74
"Reporting, Lord Chieftain! According to the information received by the Commissioner, the Geo Archon of Liyue is about to visit Inazuma!"
"what?"
Yae no Miko turned around in astonishment, looking at the messenger who was panting as he climbed up.
"Don't talk nonsense, this kind of news is not ordinary!"
Yae no Miko blurted out those words without thinking. After all, the seven gods don't easily visit each other. After Kage became the Thunder God, the Rock God never came to Inazuma again. How many years has that been?
And now, he had just uttered a comment, and the next moment the Rock God was going to visit Inazuma. This was just too much of a coincidence.
This is exactly like the plot development in Yaedo's novels.
"Priest, that's what the news is like within the shrine's headquarters. And the message was delivered by an official from Liyue stationed in Inatsume. Right now, the shrine's headquarters and other magistrate offices are in chaos. So, Lord Kamisato passed the information to me, hoping that you, as the priest of Narukami Shrine, can get involved."
"That guy asked you to deliver this message? Hmm...."
Upon hearing that the message was sent by Ayato Kamisato, Yae no Miko raised an eyebrow. Although the magistrates were currently extremely inefficient and often made mistakes, at least the higher-ups of the company, especially Ayato Kamisato, were indeed first-rate in ability and quite famous among the new generation of Inazuma magistrates.
He's already had the information sent over, so he must have confirmed the accuracy of the message.
"When will Lord Rock God arrive?"
Yae no Miko asked a crucial question.
"If nothing unexpected happens, it will be tomorrow."
"what?"
Yae no Miko looked at the messenger in disbelief.
The messenger had no choice but to say, "As you know, when the people under these major magistrates received the news from Liyue officials that the Geo Archon was going to visit Inazuma, they just took it as a joke and didn't report it."
"A week later, when the Liyue officials came to inquire about the situation again, the staff handling the relevant matters were shocked to realize that the matter was actually true, and they immediately notified their superiors."
"This is also why the major magistrate offices are in such a state of chaos right now. After all, Lord Geo is coming to visit tomorrow, and we haven't come up with a suitable plan yet. In fact, the leaders of the major magistrate offices are still arguing amongst themselves..."
"Is this why your Lord Kamisato informed me?"
Yae no Miko was certainly not stupid. On the contrary, she knew all too well the style of Inazuma's various magistrates. They would discuss even the smallest things for dozens of rounds. Normally, it was fine, and she could still have time to argue and shirk responsibility with these guys. But now that she was about to die, she didn't have time to let them do this.
"...In my name, I hereby notify the major magistrate offices to temporarily obey Ayato Kamisato's orders and immediately arrange the reception ceremony. If things go wrong this time, I believe Lord Narukami will likely not be too happy. If the magistrates of these offices do not want to face the wrath of the Thunder God, then they had better obey orders."
Yae no Miko sighed, but still gave the order. That guy, Kamisato Ayato, really succeeded in his scheme this time.
Regardless, as long as he can successfully suppress the other magistrates this time, he will have greater confidence and authority to suppress them in the future.
Although I was a little annoyed at being used, I still had to show the proper etiquette. After all, this visitor was no ordinary person. His qualifications were far beyond those of Thor, and it could even be said that Thor would have to bow to him with utmost respect.
153 Zhongli, do you have some hidden illness that prevents you from getting married?
"Oh my, this is Inazuma! It's really nice. Look at that huge temple and the soldiers fighting. Hmm... why are there soldiers fighting? I've been thinking of coming to Inazuma to expand my business, but this is too intense!"
On the huge wooden boat, Hu Tao gazed into the distance and said with some surprise.
"Master Hu, don't get too excited. I do know a little about Inazuma's situation. I heard from a merchant who returned to Liyue that there is a place called Haiji Island in Inazuma, where a resistance army is fighting against the Shogunate represented by General Raiden under the leadership of the current human-god priestess, Xin Hai."
Sitting beside him, Zhongli, who was drinking tea, shook his head helplessly and told him what he knew.
"So that's how it is. Oh dear, it seems that the goddess of Inazuma isn't doing a very good job. Even the people of her own country are rebelling against her rule. Our Emperor is much more capable. Under her rule, Liyue is truly thriving."
"And most importantly, the Emperor is willing to lead us in expanding the market. I declare that from now on, the Emperor will be my supreme faith!"
"So, who did Master Hu worship before?"
"Before? Of course it was Mora, Zhongli. Don't you think about it? If I hadn't worked hard to expand the market and promote various packages, how could I have afforded someone like you who doesn't even have a concept of money but spends it all so extravagantly?"
"But now that you're a civil servant and Seven Stars is paying your salary, I'm much more financially comfortable. However, as a responsible boss, I can't just stop here. If you ever lose your job in the future, I can still give you some money for your retirement."
"You've worked at my funeral parlor for so long. If you ever die of old age, I'll spend a fortune to give you a funeral no less grand than a grand send-off ceremony. How about that? With a boss like me, aren't you moved to tears?"
Walnut put her hands on her hips and said smugly.
“Uh…” Zhongli looked somewhat embarrassed, unsure of what to say.
“Master Hu, look at Mr. Zhongli, he spends all day idly catching fish and walking his birds, just like a street urchin, living such an easy life, unlike you who are so hardworking. If you don’t pay attention to your health and keep running around every day, Mr. Zhongli might even live longer than you.”
Bai Zhi walked over, glanced at Zhong Li, and then smiled and spoke to Hu Tao.
"How could that be? I'm so young, while Zhongli must be at least... uh... wait, Zhongli, how old are you?"
When asked about Zhongli's age, Hu Tao suddenly hesitated. At that moment, she realized a problem: she couldn't accurately say Zhongli's age. Although Zhongli looked to be in his early twenties, he had the air of an old man.
His speech and actions are so steady and mature that it's impossible to guess his age.
In addition, there's the Geo-type Eye of God.
As everyone knows, the Eye of God can effectively extend the lifespan of its holder, so she really couldn't tell Zhongli's age.
“My age… um… 32 years old.” Zhongli hesitated for a moment before stating a number.
"32 years old? Zhongli, you're that old! You're twice my age! How come you're not married yet? That's strange. You're so handsome and knowledgeable. You must be the dream lover of many girls."
"Could it be..." Hu Tao looked Zhong Li up and down.
"If you have any unspeakable difficulties, you can talk to your boss about it. If it can be treated, then go for it. I can reimburse you for the cost. If that doesn't work, there's still the Emperor here. He will definitely have a way to cure you."
“Others get married at 16 and by 32, they're already grandfathers. I’m worried about you being single at your age.”
Hu Tao patted Zhong Li on the shoulder with an "I understand" expression.
"Yes, yes, Mr. Zhongli is already 32 and still unmarried, which really worries me. Such an outstanding person can't stay single forever. Tell me which one you like, and I'll help you propose. Even if it's the most difficult one, I can get her for you."
Bai Zhi joined in the commotion, and even though Zhong Li was over 6000 years old, he was made to blush with embarrassment by this.
"Your Majesty, and the Hall Master, my unmarried status is not due to any hidden illness, but simply because I am used to being alone. I am a very easygoing and indifferent person. If a girl were to follow me, it would be like following a stone. I would rather not go and harm others."
Zhongli gave a wry smile and replied.
"Mr. Zhongli, do you really not have anyone you like? I can give you a guarantee. Just tell me who you like, and no matter how difficult it is, I will help you."
Bai Zhi repeated what she had just said in a subtle tone.
Zhongli shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I... once had feelings for a certain woman, but that's all in the past. Time flies, and the past is gone and will never come back. I'm already in a very good state now, carefree and at ease."
He still remembered that woman, but that was during the War of the Demon Gods. Unless time could be reversed, the dead could not be resurrected.
As for ordinary women, the lifespan difference between the two is too great, and in the end, the result is mostly just a sigh.
Thinking of the difference in lifespan, Zhongli glanced at Hu Tao and remembered what Hu Tao had just told him: that he would hold a grand funeral for him, comparable to the ceremony for sending off immortals. He could only shake his head.
This kind of suffering will likely repeat itself countless times.
Perhaps, only when I am completely worn down will this cycle of torment ease.
"Oh~ Since Mr. Zhongli says so, I won't force you. But if Mr. Zhongli ever asks for anything in the future, I can help you."
Just as Bai Zhi finished speaking, a whooshing sound was heard, followed by the captain's shout:
"Those guys are using artillery shells, we need to get out of there quickly!!"
With the captain's voice, the ship began to move rapidly, but then a tooth-grinding noise came from below.
"Captain, we've run aground. We must dock at the shore as soon as possible for repairs, or we'll sink very soon."
Before long, the captain ran up to the deck and respectfully said to Bai Zhi, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, the ship was just hit by a reef, and I'm afraid we'll have to disembark around here..."
154 Goro's astonishment
"Who are you? Are you from the Shogunate's side?"
As soon as the ship docked at the shore, a group of foot soldiers dressed in distinctive Inazuma style surrounded them, holding up their long spears and watching Bai Zhi, Zhong Li, and the others on the ship warily.
"Hey everyone, we're Liyue officials who are coming to Inazuma for a visit. Please make things easy for us."
The captain raised his hands and slowly walked off the ship, explaining to the soldiers as he did so.
"Liyue officials visiting Inazuma?"
A young voice came from behind the soldiers, and as the voice spoke, the soldiers made way for a young boy with animal ears.
Bai Zhi recognized this man; he was Goro, the general of Haiji Island.
"Yes, we are official personnel from Liyue, and these are our relevant documents."
The captain pulled a stack of documents from his pocket and handed them to Goro.
"Hmm..." Goro hesitated for a moment, then took the documents and read them carefully. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Liyue has come to visit. The visitors are... Hu Tao, the head of the Hall of Rebirth, Zhong Li, the guest elder, and the Geo Archon...? Wait, the Geo Archon?!"
Goro looked up, his face full of astonishment. He wondered if there was something wrong with his eyes or if he couldn't read. It clearly said on the sign: Visitor, Geo Archon of Liyue.
"Uh...that's right, sir. Our Emperor is currently on the ship. He has come here because he wants to visit Inazuma to discuss some matters."
Goro fell silent, and it took him a long time to react. "Regardless, this is truly astonishing. Lord Rock God is on this ship..."
He no longer knew what to say. Even in Inazuma, these rebels dared not say they were rebelling against Lord Raijin, but rather against the tyranny of the shogunate and the Eye Hunting Edict.
This is enough to show that, in the eyes of ordinary people, gods hold a supreme and revered position.
Compared to their Thunder God, this Geo Archon of Liyue is known as the oldest of the Seven Archons. Even the Mora that everyone uses was created by this god. How could he possibly remain calm?
This is equivalent to if Qin Shi Huang were alive today and unified the world, and an ordinary person saw him, it would be a similar scene.
Moreover, he is also using the power of the Geo-type Eye of God.
If the gods hadn't cast their gaze upon him, how could he have gained such power, and how could he have become the general of Haiqi Island?
"Don't be so nervous, it's just a normal visit. But you, young man, what exactly is the reason for your war with the Inazuma Shogunate army?"
Angelica dahurica slowly floated down, then asked a question knowing the answer already.
"You...you are Lord Geo God?!"
Goro's mouth was even bigger than before. Wasn't the Rock God supposed to be a very dignified male figure in various records? How did he turn into this dragon-horned loli?
Am I in the wrong timeline, just like in the light novels that Xin Hai likes to read?
"That's right, this is our Emperor. You're surprised, aren't you? But this is what the Emperor looks like after his rebirth. It's normal that he looks different from before. Besides, the Emperor hasn't answered the questions he asked you yet. Tell us, it will also help my Rebirth Hall expand its market."
Hu Tao suddenly appeared, speaking rapidly like a machine gun.
"Uh, ah, the Emperor's rebirth..." Wulang scratched his head. He was a little suspicious, but there was no need for these people to use this reason to deceive him.
But it just felt absurd in every sense, reminding him of a term from the light novels he often read—"super-expansion."
This scene, resembling the opening of a novel, is filled with a strong sense of déjà vu.
After thinking for a while, Goro finally gave up on continuing to think, because he couldn't make any arbitrary conclusions. If the other party wasn't the Rock God, then it was just empty talk at most. But if it was, and he did something offensive, he might be in big trouble if the anger was directed at Umijima.
Goro scratched his head. "Could you please stay on Haiji Island temporarily? As you can see, we are currently at war with the shogunate. If you go there, it may cause a lot of misunderstandings, or even lead to an attack by the shogunate."
"We, the people of Haigi Island, will try to communicate with the shogunate and explain your situation."
Goro thought for a moment and said these words. Although he really wanted to send Baizhi and the others over directly, he thought that even if the shogunate attacked them and the Iwagami was enraged, the shogunate army might die a lot, but the people of Inazuma might also be harmed as a result.
Everyone in Inazuma knows that if the even more ancient Rock God were angered by the Musou Blade Hazama that was cleaved out by the Thunder God, the resulting attack could be even more terrifying.
He would not, and disdain to, do something that would bring disaster to the entire Inazuma people.
Besides, if Lord Xinhai knew about this, he would surely have his own considerations.
After all, this is the Rock God. If we tell the Rock God what happened here, given his status, he can surely persuade the General to lift the Eye Hunt Order.
"That's fine too. I'm quite curious about the local customs and culture in different parts of Inazuma."
Bai Zhi wasn't in a hurry to see Thor. Since she was already here, it was a good idea to see the scenery in real life, which she had only ever seen in games before.
What's more, you can also see the lovely Xin Hai.
Although the plot of the Heart Sea was too weak in the previous life, which prevented Bai Zhi from drawing the Heart Sea, the plot is the plot, but the person still needs to be seen.
Hearing Bai Zhi's answer, Wu Lang breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Lord Yan Shen was not the kind of person who was difficult to talk to. If it were the General, he might have just cleaved him in two with a single blow.
"Well then, gentlemen, please follow me. I'll take you to visit our military camp on Haiqi Island first, and then we'll try some of our island's specialties."