Genshin Impact: The Sage's Disciple Doesn't Want Fame

Genshin Impact: The Sage's Disciple Doesn't Want Fame

Book author: Frankfurt Salty Fish

Book Summary: At eighteen years old, Ji Ming stood like a lackey.

As the ninth member of the gang, in order to bail out his eight sworn brothers in jail and to live a happy life of washing his hands of the gang and living in anonymity, Ji Ming has no choice but to spend his days making people willingly give him gold coins.

But ever since Zhongli Keqing of the Rebirth Hall introduced him to a job, Ji Ming has found that he is getting further and further away from his dream.

He was supposed to buy a house in Yujingtai and then retire from the underworld, but how come he's becoming more and more famous?

Chapter 1 Always Honest and Fair

"Not a buddy? Where is this place? This is Liyue Harbor. With the Geo Archon above me, how could I dare to do something like cheating? Wouldn't that be tarnishing his reputation?"

In a dark alley in Crimson Cloud Slope of Liyue Harbor, Ji Ming was trying to explain his actions, while a middle-aged man beside him grabbed his collar, clearly annoyed.

"Don't try to scare me with the name of Prince Yan! I've heard from people in the martial arts world that you, Ji Ming, are very famous. Everyone from all walks of life knows you. So you're just a conman!"

Bringing up the Rock Lord did have some effect; at least in Liyue, no one disbelieved the Rock Lord. The middle-aged man was clearly hesitant, but he still didn't let go of Ji Ming's collar.

Ji Ming smiled slightly, picked up the law book that had just been thrown to the ground, and feigned surprise, saying, "A charlatan? Your words are certainly sharp. I went to great lengths to get this book for you, and you call me a charlatan?"

The middle-aged man, his face flushed, slapped the law book out of Ji Ming's hand and roared furiously, "What use do I have for this law book?! Listen to me, I want Lady Yan Fei's personal belongings!"

Seeing that the middle-aged man's rationality was about to collapse, Ji Ming remained calm and said indifferently, "Who said that this codex is not Lady Yanfei's personal item?"

"Huh? What do you mean by that? Can a law code really be considered a personal item?"

Ji Ming narrowed his eyes and said meaningfully, "As a fervent admirer of Lady Yanfei, you should know that Lady Yanfei usually carries the Codex, right?"

"You...you mean?"

The middle-aged man was stunned for a moment, then revealed a look of ecstatic joy. Could this law code be the one that Lord Yanfei always carried with her?

As expected of the infamous "Flirtatious Scoundrel" in the martial arts world, he obtained something that others couldn't access with ease. This money was definitely well spent.

The middle-aged man immediately released Ji Ming's collar, and with a fawning smile, straightened his messy collar: "Oh dear, I didn't know about your abilities, please forgive me."

After saying that, the middle-aged man carefully picked up the law codex that had fallen to the ground. At this moment, in his eyes, the law codex was radiating a sacred light.

Blowing away the unsightly dust from the legal code, the middle-aged man, completely convinced of his superiority, thanked Ji Ming repeatedly. The latter remained neither humble nor arrogant, waving his hand and saying, "I am an honest man, young and old alike, so I won't hold your disrespect against you this time."

He slightly raised his left hand, which had been hanging down naturally, and began to gently rub his index finger and thumb together.

"Oh, I understand, I understand. Rules can't be broken," the middle-aged man said, taking out a money pouch from his bag and handing it all to Ji Ming. "I'll come to you again if I need anything next time. Please be understanding."

Fantasizing about winning over Lady Yanfei, the middle-aged man drifted away from the dark alley, taking with him the law code he regarded as his "bible".

After confirming that the customer had walked a distance, Ji Ming finally couldn't hold back any longer. Leaning against the wall, he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Not a buddy? You actually believed that? This law code can be bought at Wanwen Publishing House, and it's the latest edition, hahaha..."

The saying "honesty and integrity" means not deceiving children and the elderly. Ji Ming defines middle-aged men who wear the word "disgust" on their faces as his preferred customers.

What are you thinking? You want Lord Yanfei's personal items? You're just trying to scam money from people like you.

As for whether he would be arrested after being exposed, Ji Ming, as a highly experienced conman, was no longer worried about such issues.

You dared to covet Lady Yanfei's personal belongings, and you still dare to go to the Liyue government to complain? Dude, aren't you afraid that Lady Yanfei herself will personally hand you a life sentence?

Ji Ming will only be locked up for a few weeks at most. He's a regular at the Liyue prison, and the old wardens are all his drinking buddies. Going to prison is like going home for him.

Oh, Ji Ming has no home. He spends his days sleeping outdoors in the outskirts of Liyue. Being in prison is at least a place where he can stay and shelter from the wind and rain.

Ji Ming suddenly stopped smiling. He put away his bulging money bag. This deal was quite a windfall. He should be able to go to Wanmintang for a better meal today. He wondered if Xiangling was the head chef.

Passing by Yujingtai, Ji Ming glanced enviously at the residential area that only the extremely wealthy could afford to live in. He really wanted to buy a house there and live a happy life with his wife, children, and a warm bed.

Once he has saved enough money to buy a house, he will quit his life of crime.

The Lower City of Liyue Harbor is the most populated area, and the Adventurers' Guild is located there, so the flow of people is naturally much greater than in other parts of Liyue Harbor.

Despite it being early autumn, Ji Ming was still dressed in shorts, at most wearing an old long gown that clearly didn't fit his body, making him quite conspicuous in the bustling downtown area.

As they approached Wanmintang, the enticing aroma of food wafted through the air. Ji Ming called out towards the back room, "Is Xiangling here? Xiangling, I'm so hungry! I want to eat!"

"Here it comes, here it comes, don't rush me, it's been ready for you for a while."

Xiangling walked out carrying a plate of Yan Gang San Xian on her head, a bowl of hot braised noodles with mountain delicacies in her hand, and Guoba behind her holding a large bowl of tea. It seems that today's meal is not bad.

Ji Ming, who was already impatient, looked around and found that all the seats in Wanmin Hall were full. If he wanted to sit here to eat, he would have to share a table with other people.

So Ji Ming decided to find an easy-going customer to share a table with.

"Sir, do you mind if I sit here?"

The elegantly dressed young man glanced at Ji Ming, put down the teacup he was holding, and gestured, "Please make yourself at home. I don't mind sitting with others."

Xiangling, who was standing to the side, first placed the hot braised noodles and seafood on the table, and then looked at the young man in surprise: "Mr. Zhongli? I'm sorry, I've been cooking in the kitchen and didn't notice you were dining at Wanmintang."

"It's alright, Miss Xiangling, you don't need to take the time to entertain me. I'm just an ordinary guest."

Ji Ming's pupils dilated in shock. So this guy was Zhong Li! He had long heard that the Hall of Rebirth had a learned and handsome young guest, and it turned out to be him.

He looks quite handsome, and he's about on par with him, maybe even.

"Ah Ming, you can't stare at people like that, it's very impolite. Hurry up and sit down to eat." Xiang Ling stood on tiptoe and patted Ji Ming's forehead, scolding the boy in front of her with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Coming to his senses, Ji Ming glanced at the bustling kitchen and said with a smile, "Alright, alright, I'll eat now. Xiangling, you go help Chef Mao first, and we'll pay later."

"Hey? Actually, Ah Ming doesn't have to pay. I'm leaving now, don't push me."

After watching Xiangling walk into the kitchen, Ji Ming sat down and began to eat heartily. After a while, he noticed a gaze watching him and couldn't help but look up.

Zhongli took a sip of tea and nodded politely, "Hello."

Ji Ming bit off a piece of noodle and asked blankly, "Hello?"

Ji Ming wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he always felt that Mr. Zhongli had a different kind of emotion, though he had no proof.

Surely it's not that Mr. Zhongli has homosexual tendencies and is attracted to his handsome appearance, is it? Sorry, even if Ji Ming is as poor as he is, he has no intention of selling hooks.

"You must be Mr. Ji Ming, right? I've heard so much about you, I've heard about you for a long time."

"I am flattered to have heard so much about you, Mr. Zhongli. However, I have heard about my affairs before..." Ji Ming looked around before leaning closer to ask, "Are you referring to my affairs in the martial arts world?"

Zhongli nodded calmly: "My master has patronized your business before. You once sold her an old-fashioned diary, claiming it was a lost Book of Life and Death."

Upon hearing this, Ji Ming nearly spat out the tea he had just drunk. He wondered why Mr. Zhongli had suddenly greeted him; it turned out he was here to settle scores for Hu Tao.

Speaking of the Book of Life and Death, it was a pitch-black night when Ji Ming, who was sleeping on the outskirts of Liyue Harbor, was woken up by the cold because his blankets were too short. He sighed that this was how his life was going to be, and took out his last diary to light a fire to warm himself.

Just then, Hu Tao, who had failed to catch up with Qi Qi, returned to her loyal Liyue Harbor. Seeing Ji Ming sneakily taking out his diary, she couldn't help but become curious.

As a native of Liyue, Ji Ming naturally knew Hu Tao's identity. So, after some persuasion, he turned the diary into the Book of Life and Death that had been lost and extorted a large sum from Hu Tao.

Those who have nothing to lose are not afraid of those who have something to lose. So what if Hu Tao has divine eyes? He can't just stab Ji Ming in the back and put him in a coffin, can he?

"Ahem... Mr. Zhongli, Master Hu Tao must be furious, right? I just made some money here, I'll just return it to her."

Ji Ming felt a little embarrassed, took out half of Mora from his money bag, put it on the table, and pushed it over.

Zhongli shook his head slightly: "The sect leader is indeed angry. She even said that she hates you the most and will sell you the most expensive coffin after you pass away to make up for the money."

"Haha... Well, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint Master Hu Tao. I can't afford the most expensive coffin; it's made of Phoebe zhennan wood..."

"Let's not talk about that. Mr. Ji Ming, do you know Miss Xiangling?"

"We've known each other since we were little, and we have a pretty good relationship."

Zhong Li realized: "So they are childhood sweethearts. Miss Xiangling has a close relationship with my master. I thought Mr. Ji Ming also knew my master."

Ji Ming shrugged: "How could that be? Master Hu Tao comes from a well-off family. I only met him once when I was a child because of Xiang Ling, and I've seen him many times since then, but we've never spoken directly..."

The two fell silent. Ji Ming ate his noodles quietly, and Zhong Li drank his tea quietly. For a moment, the atmosphere became harmonious.

If it weren't for the stark difference in their clothing, passersby would have almost mistaken them for long-lost friends.

"Is Mr. Ji Ming worried about making a living?"

"Yes, there's nothing to be embarrassed about."

The quiet atmosphere was broken by Zhong Li, an elegant guest who leaned forward slightly and said in a loud voice, "I have a job here with a fairly good salary. If Mr. Ji Ming is willing, I can transfer it to you."

"Oh? Mr. Zhongli, tell me, do you perhaps want me to do some things in the martial arts world?"

Ji Ming patted his chest and whispered his agreement: "Speaking of this, I'm wide awake now. Known as the 'Flirtatious Guy,' I've been to all walks of life. Whatever you want, I can just trick it into your hands."

"This is not a matter of the martial arts world. I have an old friend whose student recently wanted to visit his senior sister in Liyue Harbor. However, my old friend's student is too naive and does not understand the social customs of Liyue Harbor."

"so?"

"Therefore, I hope Mr. Ji Ming can act as a guide and lead my old friend's student around Liyue for a day or two, so that she can understand the warmth and coldness of human relationships in Liyue Harbor. Mr. Ji Ming is very good at this kind of thing."

I understand. Mr. Zhongli's old friend doesn't want his student to come to Liyue Harbor, so he just wants to find someone to play the bad guy.

With business coming his way, Ji Ming naturally revealed his mercenary side: "If you want me to play the bad guy, Mora should prepare more in this regard."

"One hundred thousand Mora is enough for Mr. Ji Ming's living expenses for a month. All expenses during his time as a guide will also be covered by... Wang Sheng Tang, including medical expenses."

It was unclear why Mr. Zhongli paused for a moment, but Ji Ming readily accepted the job. Serving as a guide for a day or two and playing the villain was a piece of cake.

"Leave it to me. I'm an honest and trustworthy person."