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

Chapter 2 Ji Ming is a good person

Mount Tianheng was once the most important defensive position and mining area in ancient Liyue. As Liyue's mining center moved to the Rocky Abyss, this mountain range, which has witnessed countless histories, eventually became a tourist destination.

History has left Tianheng Mountain with countless defensive fortifications and ancient relics. Many adventurers set up camps here, and many years later it has become the best place for tourists to spend the night.

With a blade of grass he had casually picked dangling from his mouth, Ji Ming lay on a straw mat in the adventurer's camp, marveling at the adventurous spirit of his predecessors, which had given homeless people like him a place to stay.

Hehe, adventurers are a good civilization.

Ji Ming didn't know what "good civilization" meant. He only remembered that when he was very young, perhaps just old enough to remember things, his parents, who were still alive, would often say some strange things.

In short, Ji Ming has kept those strange words in mind until now, which is also his only way to remember his parents. After all, they don't even have a tombstone now, and their ashes were scattered into Yunlaihai according to their will.

"That's why I need to make money quickly so I can build a cenotaph for my parents on Wuwang Slope and pick the best spot for it!"

Mr. Zhongli gave him a good job, so Mr. Zhongli is a good person.

According to Mr. Zhongli, Miss Shenhe will soon enter Liyue Harbor through the pass at the foot of Tianheng Mountain, so Ji Ming plans to wait here.

It was getting late, and Ji Ming estimated that Miss Shen He would likely not arrive at the foot of Tianheng Mountain until tomorrow, so he decided to rest and recuperate for a while.

Ji Ming closed his eyes, chose the best sleeping position, and was just about to drift off to sleep when a clear, cold voice suddenly sounded in his ear: "Are you Ji Ming?"

"Miss, it's not good to disturb someone's peaceful sleep."

Ji Ming slowly opened his eyes, looking at the newcomer with slight dissatisfaction. He found that the newcomer had flowing white hair, was almost as tall as him, and had a proud posture with his head slightly lowered, looking at him coldly.

Mom, I'm in love.

"Are you Ji Ming?"

After quickly observing the woman who resembled an immortal, Ji Ming suddenly recalled Mr. Zhongli's description, so he tentatively asked, "Are you Miss Shen He?"

"Yes, my master sent me to find you, saying you would be my guide in Liyue Harbor."

After confirming that the person in front of her was Ji Ming, Shen He straightened up. Her cold face showed no emotion, nor did it reveal how satisfied she was with Ji Ming.

Ji Ming felt a little embarrassed. It was already so late. Although there was no rule against markets being closed at night in Liyue Harbor, he couldn't possibly take Miss Shen He to visit Liyue Harbor now.

To prevent the atmosphere from becoming too awkward, Ji Ming used a move commonly used by the people of Liyue: "Miss Shen He, have you eaten?"

"I just consumed Qingxin."

"Qingxin? I've eaten a lot of that stuff, but it doesn't fill you up at all, and it's bitter and astringent, so it can't be eaten as a meal."

Shen He was taken aback, then said calmly, "Could it be that you are also a cultivator? Why would you consume bitter herbs like Qingxin?"

So Miss Shenhe is a cultivator. Ji Ming had heard that there were many people seeking immortality in the outskirts of Liyue Harbor, including some "Gengoku" who had gained the favor of the gods. He found it hard to understand this behavior.

It's pointless to live in the middle of nowhere, eating all sorts of bitter herbs, and then claiming to be someone seeking immortality.

Dude, if you call this seeking immortality and enlightenment, then what is Ji Ming doing? Wilderness survival?

Don't underestimate a poor guy like me!

Out of respect for Miss Shen He, Ji Ming did not show any disdain for those who sought immortality, but simply denied it, saying, "No, I was so poor back then that I could only afford to eat Qingxin."

Perhaps Ji Ming was mistaken, for a hint of surprise suddenly appeared on Miss Shen He's face, but it vanished in an instant, and she returned to her usual aloof and serene demeanor.

"Miss Shen He, if you're still hungry, I can treat you to something to eat at Liyue Harbor. Wanmin Restaurant is probably still open at this hour."

Xiangling hasn't been out looking for ingredients lately, so Wanmin Restaurant has become the preferred place for most Liyue residents to eat out.

Shen He shook his head and said, "Those who cultivate should not eat too much. Although purifying the mind is bitter, it can cultivate one's character, which is enough for me."

Ji Ming didn't understand, but he was deeply shocked. Could this girl have been led astray by her master?

"If I may ask, your master... never mind, that's not within my scope of responsibility, please forgive my impertinence."

Shen He nodded, not minding Ji Ming's presumptuous question. She simply continued to stand upright in place, her eyes never leaving Ji Ming for a moment.

The atmosphere fell silent once again. Ji Ming was somewhat troubled. Although he was known as a "frivolous knight" in the martial arts world, he had little experience in communicating normally with girls in his daily life.

Aside from Xiangling, this girl does have divine eyes, but she is also an approachable girl next door who often takes care of Ji Ming, her childhood playmate.

By the way, wasn't his mission to play the villain? To let Miss Shenhe see through the coldness of human relationships in Liyue Harbor, and then leave to cultivate in peace after visiting her senior sister.

Thinking of this, Ji Ming gritted his teeth, turned over under Shen He's calm gaze, and said in a muffled voice, "Miss Shen He, you disturbed my sleep just now. I need to continue resting now. Do as you please."

For some reason, despite having deceived many people, Ji Ming was unwilling to deceive Miss Shen He, who was completely unrelated to the martial arts world and had a pure and kind nature.

Hu Tao was an exception. This girl wasn't bad by nature, but she just liked to sell coffins. Ji Ming had been sold to coffins a few times, so he retaliated in a small way.

How annoying! They make a living by deceiving others, yet they insist on putting on a sanctimonious act.

A villain should be villainous to the end. Ji Ming was determined to make Miss Shen He feel the purest malice in Liyue Harbor, a malice that even the people of Liyue could not tolerate.

Ji Ming: "…………"

Shen He: "…………"

This isn't right. Why isn't Ms. Shen He asking her any questions? Can she really tolerate such passive-aggressive behavior? What incredible tolerance she has!

"Miss Shen He, aren't you bored?"

"Why do you ask that?"

Ji Ming rubbed his temples as he got up and used the embers to light the pile of firewood. Only a sliver of the sun remained in the distance, and darkness was fast approaching.

"If nobody pays attention to you, will you just stay silent like this?"

Shen He stared at the fire that occasionally sputtered sparks, his pupils reflecting the raging flames, and said calmly, "I rarely speak; only my master chats with me when he's not cultivating."

I can tell, Ms. Shen He is a reclusive person.

Ji Ming pressed on, "If I ignore you, won't Miss Shen He blame me?"

"Why should I blame you? It's perfectly normal for ordinary people to want to rest. I'll just wait quietly by your side."

The boy in front of him suddenly turned pale. Shen He couldn't understand why his emotions were changing so drastically. Had he said something wrong again?

I'm sorry, Master, I'm really not good at interpersonal communication. After visiting my senior sister, I'll focus on my cultivation with you...

Since being rescued by her master and brought back to Jueyun, Shen He has maintained her curiosity about worldly life. Although her biological father's abandonment made her determined to stay away from worldly emotions, she still wanted to take this opportunity to visit her senior sister to learn about the world.

"Really, how could Miss Shenhe say such a thing? How can I possibly..."

How am I supposed to play the villain now? Mr. Zhongli has really put me through a lot!

Ji Ming sighed, used the rainwater stored in the camp to extinguish the fire, then kicked it a few more times to prevent the sparks from lingering, and finally waved and said, "Alright, alright, I'll take you to the best hotel in Liyue Harbor. Cultivators need to rest well too. Anyway, the Hall of Rebirth will cover the expenses."

After walking for a while, Ji Ming realized that there was no one behind him, so he turned around and saw Shen He standing there without reacting. He asked in confusion, "Aren't you coming with me, Miss Shen He?"

"I said something wrong, aren't you angry?"

Ji Ming looked completely bewildered: "Why would I be angry? Apart from her somewhat cold tone, Miss Shen He doesn't seem to have any problems, does she?"

Shen He didn't speak, but silently followed. This was the first time she had spoken with a mortal since she began her cultivation, and it wasn't as difficult as she had imagined.

Ji Ming is a good person.

Ji Ming, who had been given the "good guy" card, was completely unaware of this. He was secretly grumbling about Mr. Zhong Li, who had made him play the villain, and plotting to fleece Wang Sheng Tang.

Just out of their sight, a crane slowly landed on a branch that stretched outwards, its lively eyes fixed on Ji Ming's back.

"That figure looks so familiar... Could it be... No wonder the Emperor sent a dream to designate a guide. The Emperor must have a deeper meaning in doing things."

The next moment, the crane spread its wings and took flight.

Chapter 3 Turns out to be the son of an old friend

“Miss Shen He, this is the best inn in Liyue Harbor. You can rest here for the night, and I will take you on a tour of Liyue Harbor tomorrow.”

Standing at the hotel counter paying for the Mora, Ji Ming looked pained, but the thought that the Mora would be reimbursed by the Rebirth Hall filled him with secret joy.

There was only one room left in the inn, and Ji Ming had no intention of shamelessly sharing a room with Miss Shen He. He decided to make do under the stone arch bridge in Liyue Harbor for the night and then ask the Temple of Rebirth for reimbursement for the cost of two rooms after the mission was completed.

It's worth noting that this inn is on par with the Wangshu Inn outside Liyue Harbor, and there are rumors in the martial arts world that both belong to Lord Tianquanxing.

The top-tier room was quite expensive, costing about half a month's living expenses. Ji Ming felt he was one step closer to Yujingtai.

Shen He was quietly looking at the relief sculpture when he heard Ji Ming's voice. He turned around, nodded, and said, "I'll listen to you. Where do you want to rest?"

"Don't worry about me, Miss Shenhe, just get some rest. Wait for me at the store entrance tomorrow, I'll come find you."

"Well, see you tomorrow."

After watching Shen He enter the guest room, Ji Ming turned and left the inn. It was already completely dark. Although Liyue also had a lively night market, most Liyue people were used to going to bed early.

Ji Ming was clearly used to a frugal life. Even with Zhong Li's promise, he was unwilling to stay in an inn. In his opinion, such places were completely unnecessary. As long as he had a straw mat and a blanket, he could sleep anywhere in Liyue Harbor.

Of course, doing so would most likely result in being persuaded to leave by the Qianyan Army on the grounds that it would affect the city's appearance.

Therefore, the stone arch bridge, which had few shops and residents nearby, became Ji Ming's first choice for accommodation in Liyue Harbor. There were few Thousand Rock Army patrols here, and only people who liked secluded places would come here to stroll around.

In earlier years, the stone arch bridge was not exclusive to Ji Ming. Many people who roamed the Liyue Harbor would linger here, including street thugs with gang backgrounds who occupied the stone arch bridge and secretly collected fees.

Who is Ji Ming? He was barely able to support himself back then, so how could he possibly pay the fees for these physically strong thugs?

In order to fight against those messy gangs, the largest gang organization in Liyue was established on a rainy night many years ago. Nine people, including Ji Ming, became sworn brothers and swore an oath before the statue of the Geo Archon. They were known in the martial arts world as the "Old Nine Gates".

Ji Ming is the youngest, so he is ranked ninth. He has no objection to this, as long as he is not the eighth.

What? You're asking why the Nine Gates have been so quiet these past few years? Unfortunately, after regaining the toll collection rights for the Stone Arch Bridge, all eight gates except Ji Ming were imprisoned in Liyue Prison for various reasons.

The Nine Gates have become the Nine Prison Gates; life is truly unpredictable.