In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar

“Ha, then for you, this is not worth the price.” Zhong Li chuckled. “In my opinion, what is worth the price is that you believe the price you paid and what you gained are at least equivalent in your eyes.”

“Since you think this pot of tea isn’t worth that many mora, then it’s worthless to you.”

Wang Yan frowned slightly.

Why are you suddenly talking to me about whether it's worth it? Is this some kind of metaphor?

Wang Yan pondered for a moment, but still spoke up: "But in reality, not everything is determined by the mind. Tea has its own market price. I think it's not worth this much money, but that doesn't affect the fact that it is worth this much money."

It's just a matter of leveraging; you don't even need to think, you can just blurt it out.

“Indeed, from a general rational perspective, everything has a price, and this price is generally objective. Whether we feel it is worth it or not is subjective.” Zhong Li still had a gentle smile. “I don’t think the two are in conflict.”

"For example, if the price of a force is a responsibility, then for someone who desperately needs the force, a responsibility is not a very high price."

"But if this power falls on someone who doesn't need it, the responsibility that comes with it will become a problem."

His voice grew softer, and his gaze remained fixed on Wang Yan's face: "Scholar Wang Yan, do you think... this power is worth it for you?"

Chung Li's identity is practically an open secret.

If Wang Yan still couldn't understand this, he might as well buy a block of tofu and smash his head against it to die.

'Therefore… the blessing of the goddess of flowers comes at a price, and that price is likely a responsibility.'

Wang Yan pondered for a moment, looked at Zhong Li, and gave his answer: "I will do what I can."

Although we don't know what responsibilities come with the blessing of the Flower Goddess, given her complex status, it certainly won't be an easy task.

Having accepted this power, it would be contrary to Wang Yan's values ​​to say that he has no desire to take any responsibility whatsoever.

My uncle has a saying: "With great power comes great responsibility."

In Chinese, we usually call it: "With great power comes great responsibility."

This statement had a significant impact in the world before the time travel, and even formed part of many people's values.

However, Wang Yan actually didn't like this statement.

In Wang Yan's view, ability and responsibility are not linked; what is truly linked to responsibility is power, that is, power and interests.

With great power comes great responsibility.

At this moment, he was already enjoying the rights brought by the blessing of the goddess of flowers.

The control over elemental forces, the perception of lunar distance forces, and the ever-improving physical qualities are all rights that Wang Yan enjoys.

Although blessings are passively received, once enjoyed, they are enjoyed, Wang Yan acknowledged.

Therefore, he will take on the responsibility that comes with the blessing within his own capabilities.

However, if the responsibility outweighs the rights that come with the blessing, then Wang Yan will not risk his life.

You can't just say, "I accept your blessing from the Flower Goddess, and you want me to kill the Dharma King." Even if I could do it, Wang Yan wouldn't go.

With great power comes great responsibility, but similarly, responsibility cannot exceed the rights I enjoy.

"Within my power..." Zhong Li pondered, then nodded slightly, his expression unreadable.

Wang Yan didn't interrupt his thoughts, but quietly poured himself another cup of Chenyu Immortal Tea.

Buying it yourself is definitely not an option, but you can piggyback on Zhong Li's (a famous Chinese photographer) work.

After Wang Yan finished two cups of Chenyu Immortal Tea, Zhong Li came back to his senses. His gaze swept over the teapot, but he didn't seem to care: "Taking on responsibility within your capabilities is already very good."

'You thought about it for so long and this is all you came up with?'

After muttering something to himself, Wang Yan stopped beating around the bush and asked directly, "Does Mr. Zhongli know what I have on me?"

“The blessing of angels…” Zhong Li said softly, “Before Liyue Harbor existed, angels walked the ancient land, guiding mankind forward.”

"Humans who have received the blessings of angels often need to take on the responsibility of assisting the angels and guiding humanity."

What Zhongli said was similar to what Naxida had told Wang Yan before, except that Zhongli clarified the responsibilities that came with the blessing.

The angels assist and guide humanity.

Wang Yan subconsciously recalled the words left by the last priest of the Flower Goddess. Even after the Flower Goddess perished, this priest continued to protect the tribal civilization left behind by the Flower Goddess.

When the turmoil in the desert worsened and the priest grew too old to protect the tribe, he finally dispersed them to a safer place, while he himself, along with the temple, sank into the ground.

At first, Wang Yan thought that the priest was so steadfast in his faith in the Flower Goddess.

In retrospect, it seems that this priest was also fulfilling his responsibilities in addition to his faith.

After a moment's thought, Wang Yan asked again, "If the blessing of an angel carries the responsibility of assisting the angel in guiding humanity, then if the angel itself has fallen and the humanity it guided has dispersed, does this responsibility still exist?"

He needs to figure out whether it's limited liability or unlimited liability.

If it is limited, now that the Flower Goddess has fallen, most of the tribes that worshipped her have also perished, and Tanit has been slaughtered by Jade, then this responsibility seems heavy, but in reality it is nothing. Wang Yan only needs to take care of the very few people in the desert who worship the Flower Goddess.

Moreover, with the Little Auspicious Grass King in power, the lives of the desert people were already improving, so even if Wang Yan did nothing, he could still fulfill his responsibilities.

But if this is an unlimited responsibility, then there's trouble, because it means the responsibility doesn't originate from the Flower Goddess, but from an entity above her.

So, who gave angels the responsibility of guiding humanity?

The answer is simple: it's Faenes.

Angels are Phanes' apostles, guiding civilization and managing humanity in his stead. All of the angels' responsibilities and powers originate from Phanes.

However, Zhong Li did not answer Wang Yan's question.

He simply smiled and changed the subject, saying, "Since Mr. Wang Yan is a scholar of the epistemological school, he must be very knowledgeable about classical Chinese, right?"

Zhongli's irrelevant answer made Wang Yan frown slightly, but he knew that the other party had no obligation to answer him, so he nodded in line with the topic: "Of course, as I said before, classical Chinese is the core research direction of the school."

"In that case... it's fate that Mr. Wang Yan and I are sharing a table today. There's an antique appreciation event at the Zhutian Pavilion tonight. Would Mr. Wang Yan have time to come with me to take a look? There are quite a few antiques and paintings at the event, and perhaps Mr. Wang Yan can appreciate them."

"Ok?"

Antique appreciation event?

Wang Yan was taken aback, but quickly realized that it must be the jade artifact from the Langya Antique Appraisal Fair, which contained one of the Three Corpse Gods of Zibai.

So, instead of directly answering his own question, Zhong Li tried to guide him to engage with Zibai?

Why did he do that? Did he think he could help with Zibe's resurrection?

“I happen to have nothing to do, so I’d like to go with Mr. Zhongli.”

Several thoughts flashed through his mind, but after a brief consideration, Wang Yan agreed.

"That's wonderful. Come, have some tea and watch the play."

Chapter 116 First Encounter with the Traveler

After listening to the opera for an hour, the tea on the table was finished.

Wang Yan and Zhong Li got up and left the Heyu Teahouse with the help of their servants.

"This antique exhibition was organized by Xiguju. I was invited to serve as a consultant to help guests appraise antiques. Mr. Wang Yan accompanied me. Just say you are my friend."

On the way, Zhongli said to Wang Yan.

Wang Yan nodded slightly: "I understand. Does Mr. Zhongli often participate in these kinds of activities?"

“Because I have a slight reputation in the Liyue antiques world, I’m usually invited to these kinds of events,” Zhong Li replied.

Wang Yan smiled and said, "It seems that Mr. Zhongli is indeed very learned and talented."

“Liyue has a history of over 3,700 years, and its foundation is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. I only have a slight understanding of it.” Zhong Li shook his head slightly. “Not to mention that before the Emperor established Liyue, there were already early inhabitants on this land. Faced with such a profound history, who can claim to be knowledgeable?”

Liyue has been established for over 3,700 years, but that's still not as old as you.

Wang Yan secretly grumbled to himself.

Zhongli is an old character that has been around for a long time. In other games, he would be relegated to the bottom of the warehouse.

In Genshin Impact, they give you something new every year.

Wang Yan couldn't help but recall the jokes about Zhongli Chef that he had heard before he transmigrated.

-----------------

Who are you a fan of?

"It's Zhong Li."

"Oh, how old is he?"

"…have no idea."

"Then what is his true nature?"

"...It might be Tianxing, but I don't know the specifics."

"You must know his real name, right?"

"...I don't know, maybe his name is Mr. Mo."

"How come you don't know anything about cooking? Is this even considered cooking?"

"Waaaaah~!"

-----------------

The two chatted about the antique appreciation event as they slowly walked down the stone steps of Scarlet Cloud Slope toward the pier.

Zhongli introduced Wang Yan to several important exhibitions held by the Xigu Bureau in recent years, and also talked about the changing trend of antique collecting in Liyue. His words revealed his familiarity with the historical context behind the artifacts.

Wang Yan, from the perspective of the epistemological school, added some insights into the relationship between ancient runes and decorative patterns on artifacts, and the two got along quite well.

Before long, we arrived at the pier.

As dusk fell in Liyue Harbor, ships returning to port gradually docked, their shouts of unloading mingling with the cries of seagulls.

Beside a relatively quiet berth, a boatman was already waiting. Upon seeing Zhong Li, he quickly raised his hand and greeted him, "Mr. Zhong Li, you've finally arrived! The boat is ready."

Zhong Li nodded slightly to the boatman and turned to Wang Yan, saying, "This is Ping Hai, who often travels between the port and the Pearl River Escort Boat."

He then introduced him to Pinghai: "This is Mr. Wang Yan, a friend I met at the teahouse. He is quite knowledgeable about antiques. Today, he will come with me to the boat to take a look."

Pinghai is a strong and muscular man with skin tanned dark by the sea breeze, but his smile is simple and warm.

He glanced at Wang Yan's academy attire, and although he was a little curious, he didn't ask any questions. He just nodded repeatedly and said, "Alright! Gentlemen, please board the boat and sit tight. This stretch of water isn't far; we'll be there in a bit."

The boat was a small covered sampan, kept clean and tidy.

These small boats are best suited for traveling between barges and docks.

Wang Yan followed Zhong Li aboard. The small boat rocked gently, and Ping Haixian skillfully rowed it, the boat steadily leaving the shore and gliding towards the sea, which was dyed golden red by the sunset.

The bow cut through the waves with a soft gurgling sound, and the hustle and bustle of Liyue Harbor gradually faded behind. Not far ahead, the Pearl Pavilion, with its lights just coming on, slowly came into view like a dazzling pearl inlaid in Liyue Bay.

Unlike the merchant ships commonly seen in Liyue, the Pearl Pavilion is closer to the cruise ship that Wang Yan understands. It is usually moored on the sea outside Liyue Harbor, and occasionally holds events to receive dignitaries, wealthy merchants and politicians from Liyue or other places.

If an ordinary person comes here, it wouldn't be out of place for them to sing a line like "I have mistakenly entered the Heavenly Palace".

Before long, the Pearl-shaped Boat was in sight.

It was a huge, luxurious pleasure boat, with layers of pavilions and flying eaves. The glass lanterns hanging under the eaves were lit one by one, making the boat shimmer and reflect on the dark sea, breaking into a shimmering golden speckle.

The sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments and the laughter of guests could be faintly heard from the boat, creating a lively atmosphere.

Pinghai skillfully maneuvered the small boat toward the small platform on the side of the painted boat, which was used for docking.

A young man dressed in a proper servant's uniform was already waiting by the platform. Upon seeing Zhongli board the ship, he immediately bowed and greeted him: "Mr. Zhongli, you've arrived. Most of the guests have already arrived. Sister Luoxia specifically instructed me to wait for you here."

His gaze swept over Wang Yan, with a questioning look in his eyes.

Zhongli calmly stepped onto the platform and said to his attendant, "This Mr. Wang Yan is my friend, and we have come together to appreciate the antiquities."

The attendant immediately understood, stepped aside to make way, and said respectfully, "Gentlemen, please follow me. The appreciation event will be held on the second floor."

Wang Yan followed Zhong Li onto the painted boat.

The so-called second floor is actually the deck, but the deck of a pleasure boat is different from that of a merchant ship. It does not need to store cargo, so the deck area is larger and can accommodate more people.

When the two entered, there were already quite a few well-dressed people there.

Artifacts and paintings exuding an ancient aura are displayed on counters, surrounded by people appreciating them.

"Did Xiguju bring all of these out?" Wang Yan asked, somewhat surprised.

Zhong Li shook his head slightly: "Although Xiguju took the lead in organizing it, many of the collections came from private collectors."