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

Chen the One-Finger is a standard member of the White Paper Fan gang. His original name is Chen Huaizhang. He is said to have come from the most famous family of advisors in Liyue Harbor in the past, but unfortunately, the family was destroyed more than 20 years ago. He was implicated and had his left thumb cut off.

The seventh brother, Men Leihong, was not good with words, but simply shook his head and said, "The ninth brother is fine."

Ji Ming could only describe his sworn brothers in one sentence—

"When all the wise men gathered, like stars shining brightly, the immortals stood in rows like hemp."

Ji Ming sighed and simply confessed, "I recently became an apprentice. My master is a celestial being from Jueyun Realm, and my senior sister is Gan Yu from Yuehai Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, the other eight leaders of the Nine Gates all gasped in shock. The Nine Gates had grown slowly amidst the turmoil, only to be crushed by the corrupt and heartless government.

Now that Ji Ming, the ninth brother, has taken the Immortal True Lord as his master and has the help of Gan Yu from Yuehai Pavilion, wouldn't the Nine Gates be able to have both the legitimate and illegitimate sides from now on?

"Don't overthink it. Senior Sister Gan Yu doesn't know about the Nine Gates, and I don't want her to be distracted by my affairs, so don't even think about having connections in both the legal and illegal worlds."

Fourth Brother Chen nodded. Since it wasn't the Liyue government, it meant that another force was definitely supporting Ninth Brother. As the White Paper Fan of the Ninth Brother's faction, he keenly sensed this.

"Ninth Brother, if it's not the Liyue government, then who is helping us?"

Fourth Brother is the smartest. Ji Ming took out Tartaglia's mask and explained to everyone in shock, "It's the Fatui. I've reached a cooperation agreement with them. I've become the Fatui's eyes and ears and assistant in Liyue Harbor, while the Fatui have become my financial backer and intelligence station."

For a gang like the Old Nine Gates, it's not surprising that they cooperate with any force. But why would the Fools cooperate with a local power like the Old Nine Gates?

Rolling Knife Liu asked cautiously, "Ninth Brother, do the Fools have something on you?"

"There's no need to worry about that. The cooperation should be between me and the Fools, not between the Old Nine Gates and the Fools. If anything goes wrong, I'll take full responsibility."

"No, the Nine Gates are one entity. Don't try to separate yourself from them unless you don't acknowledge us as your sworn brothers."

Having said that, Ji Ming no longer refused outright, but instead changed the subject, saying, "From today onwards, the Nine Gates will be officially rebuilt. During this period, all sorts of monsters and demons have come up with their own ideas to dominate. The current task is to regain control of Liyue Harbor."

Seventh Brother, Men Leihong: "Ninth Brother is absolutely right."

Chapter 12 Past and Present Lives, Today and Yesterday

"Butler Meng, look at our master, doesn't she look like a resentful wife waiting for her husband to come home from his escapades?"

Miss Yi Guan hid behind the flower bed, peeking out with her bright eyes to observe quietly, not forgetting to tease her master's little expressions.

Butler Meng suppressed a laugh. His master was clearly very concerned, but he insisted on pretending to be indifferent. At this moment, he was angrily observing a line of ants under the eaves.

"Guest Elder Zhongli, I knew the Hall Master had a thing for that kid, didn't I?"

Unexpectedly, Zhongli was also there. The two said they wanted to invite him to see a good show. He thought it was to go to Heyu Teahouse to see Mr. Yun Jin perform, but it turned out to be his own master's show.

Even someone as magnanimous as Zhongli couldn't help but feel a little helpless for a moment. He shook his head slightly and said, "From a generally rational point of view, I think that Master Hu is just angry. He's angry that Mr. Ji Ming rented a house in the Hall of Rebirth without informing him."

"There's nothing wrong with that, is there? Why is the head of the hall angry? She hates Mr. Ji Ming the most, and she said it herself."

Miss Yi, her face full of gossip, covered her mouth and chuckled, "Mr. Zhongli, what do you think is the reason the Hall Master is angry?"

Zhongli, however, did not fall for the trick and said calmly, "Friend, as a friend, it is indeed infuriating that you did not tell me that we were about to become neighbors and tenants."

Butler Meng and Miss Yi exchanged a glance, and the latter said helplessly, "Mr. Zhongli is so young, yet he is so mature and doesn't understand romance. I'm a little worried about whether you will be able to get married in the future."

Zhongli was speechless and choked with emotion, simply standing there silently watching Hu Tao, who was observing the ants.

Ji Ming's voice could be faintly heard outside the courtyard. Miss Yi Guan and Butler Meng immediately grabbed Zhong Li's sleeve and led him behind the flower bed to hide.

Hu Tao also heard the sound, so she stood up angrily, turned around and glared at the door, ready to give them a good scolding, but when she saw the figure clearly, she was instantly surprised.

Ji Ming's face was flushed, clearly indicating he was drunk, and he stumbled home, grumbling, "Hehehe...Hu Tao?"

Ignoring Ji Ming's strange laughter, Hu Tao frowned her beautiful eyebrows, quickly walked over to help him up, and then asked softly, "Where have you been? Why do you smell like alcohol?"

Behind the flowerbed, Miss Yi Guan was already getting excited, elbowing Zhong Li frantically: "Look, look! These aren't friends at all! They're clearly a resentful wife waiting for her drunk husband, so concerned that she even forgot to complain! I want to push this young couple to the limit!!"

Zhongli, a guest of the Hall of Rebirth, has a 100% injury tolerance rate.

Zhongli, who was elbowed, dodged to the side. He naturally knew about Ji Ming's life from childhood to adulthood, but as the Geo God worshipped by the entire Liyue, he did not want to interfere with people's original destiny.

From wandering the streets to venturing into the martial world, from forming a sworn brotherhood with nine people to being all alone, to finally forging many bonds, Zhong Li has never stopped paying attention to Ji Ming over the past ten years.

These experiences are indelible marks on Ji Ming, but also treasures he needs to remember for a lifetime.

It's a pity that my dear friends won't be able to see their children grow up... No, if they were still alive, they certainly wouldn't want their children to experience these hardships.

I long to buy osmanthus blossoms and share wine... but alas, when will I see my old friend again?

Zhongli once again reminisced about the past, while Miss Yiguan and Butler Meng continued to monitor the situation in the central courtyard.

At this moment, Hu Tao was helping Ji Ming slowly walk towards the main room. The living room contained furniture that she had specially brought for the boy, so she couldn't let him sleep on the floor, could she?

Ji Ming's body was limp, and his tone was soft: "I... my friend came back, so I drank a little more."

"How much did you drink?"

"Eight jars..."

Walnut slightly opened her mouth, revealing her cute little tiger teeth: "Eight jars?! Hmph, do you think you can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk?"

Ji Ming struggled to his feet, and before Hu Tao could steady him, he broke free. He then began to sway and perform drunken boxing, looking quite like a martial arts master.

Seeing that the guy was alright, Hu Tao didn't bother to help him up. She stood in front of the door, rested her chin on her hand, and began to examine him. She chuckled and said, "Oh my, turn around, turn around, you're quite the sight."

"Of course, I'm the most powerful martial arts master in Liyue Harbor, hiccup..."

"Alright, alright, you're just bragging. Men like to brag after drinking."

Hu Tao curled her lips, clearly disliking Ji Ming's drunken state. She helped Ji Ming to sit on a stool, then sat on the edge of the bed, observing the boy's eyes.

Those eyes seemed to hold countless stories. Hu Tao thought of that sunny day eight years ago when she went to visit Xiang Ling with her grandfather. That was the first time she met Ji Ming.

That year, Hu Tao and Xiang Ling were eight years old, while Ji Ming was already ten. He had just reunited with Xiang Ling, but that day he only glanced at her from afar and did not join Xiang Ling in playing with Hu Tao.

The Ji Ming of eight years ago was different from the Ji Ming of today. Back then, his eyes were cold, and Hu Tao could never forget that look. She always thought that Ji Ming hated her because she was a descendant of the Hall of Rebirth, an ominous symbol.

Today, Hu Tao is eager to find out the truth: did Ji Ming really hate her back then? If he still hates her now, why did he lie to her before and why did he go to rent a house in the Hall of Rebirth?

As the saying goes, people speak the truth when they're drunk. Hu Tao pursed her red lips and tentatively asked, "Ji Ming, why didn't you play with Xiang Ling and me back then?"

"Why should I play with you? You...you're a lady from a respectable family, would you need another playmate like me?"

Ji Ming, still half-asleep, stared at Hu Tao's plum-blossom eyes. He felt a little thirsty, so he swallowed hard. "What if... what if you don't let me play with you? Wouldn't I become the clown?"

Hu Tao was stunned for a moment, then pointed at herself and said in astonishment, "Did you really think that way back then? In your eyes, I was always the image of a well-bred lady?"

"Hu Tao, have you gone idiot? No wonder I tricked you. I should have tricked you out of more Mora..."

Hearing this, Hu Tao gritted her teeth, threw a pillow at Ji Ming's face, and complained in a coquettish voice, "Do you think I would really be fooled by you? I just want to find a chance to get back to you. Don't think you're so smart!"

"Zzz..."

"Stinky Jiming? Bad Jiming?"

Hu Tao bit her lower lip, stepped forward to help Ji Ming up, walked to the bedside and threw him down. Anyway, she had bought a thick mattress, so Ji Ming wouldn't get stupid from the fall.

Hu Tao placed the thrown pillow under Ji Ming's head, then covered him with a blanket. She walked out of the main room, closed the door, and prepared to come back to talk to this guy again tomorrow.

Hu Tao wanted to ask why Ji Ming, who was only fifteen years old, stepped forward to secretly teach those rude people a lesson when his grandfather passed away three years ago, even though he had no connection with the Hall of Rebirth.

Turning to leave, Hu Tao paused, her face slightly flushed, and looked at the two in the courtyard. She withdrew her foot and complained, "What are you two doing?"

Zhongli had already left, but Heyu Teahouse was still open. If you were quick, you could even see Mr. Yunjin performing.

Miss Yi rushed forward, her eyes sparkling: "Master, Master, what were you and Mr. Ji Ming doing inside just now?!"

"Just chatting. Ji Ming is drunk. If you're worried, go in and help him clean up."

"Really? Then I'll go in. Thank you for the gift, Master!"

Hu Tao was shocked: "Hey, hey, hey, you really dare to go in? Be careful, or I'll dock your pay!"

Miss Yi chuckled: "Just teasing the hall master. Let Butler Meng go in."

That's more like it. Hu Tao looked at Butler Meng and instructed, "Old Meng, I'm leaving this place to you."

Butler Meng remained silent, only managing a slight smile. They were enemies in a past life, lovers in this one; he wholeheartedly approved of the marriage. However, since Master Hu was only sixteen, it would be best to postpone it for a couple more years.

Chapter 13 Disrespect for Martial Uncle

The hangover was unpleasant, especially when Ji Ming woke up the next day, feeling like his head was about to explode.

"I have been ruined by alcohol and women, and I have become so haggard. From this day forward, I will abstain from alcohol!"

Rubbing his temples, Ji Ming made a dazed decision to quit drinking. He didn't like drinking anyway, and last night he had only drunk a few... jars because he was so happy to reunite with his sworn brother!

Damn it, those bastards were heartless! They knew he couldn't hold his liquor but kept urging him to drink, and in the end, no one even helped him back.

Wait a minute, Ji Ming only remembers returning to the courtyard house while drunk, but why is he on the bed now? And he's only wearing a white nightgown, so it looks like someone is taking care of him.

Could it be that she's some insignificant young lady from the Hall of Rebirth?

"Don't overthink it. I asked Lao Meng to take care of you. Last night, I saw that you were so pitiful and had no one to escort you, so I helped you walk a bit."

Following the sound, they saw Hu Tao sitting at the desk by the window, holding a copy of "Chen Qiu's Sword Record" in her hand. She was still wearing the familiar attire of the Wangsheng Hall and an ancestral Qiankun Tai Gua hat.

The girl yawned repeatedly, seemingly uninterested in the book in her hand, but more interested in Ji Ming. She immediately looked over when she saw him wake up.

Ji Ming raised his hand to rub his eyes, propped himself up to sit on the edge of the bed, and said with a smile, "Then I really have to thank Master Hu for helping a commoner like me. It's really an honor for your precious body."

"Tch... Don't flatter me. Come over and drink this hangover soup when you wake up. It's not too cold yet."

Hu Tao originally wanted to make a hangover soup herself, but Lao Meng and her maid kept stopping her. Even the usually calm Zhong Li started to dissuade her, which made Hu Tao a little depressed. Was her cooking skill really that bad?