I, the Rock King Emperor with 21 billion in power, have joined the chat group.

Paimon, who knew her personality well, immediately leaned closer and said, "This is a huge success. In the words of Liyue merchants, we've made a fortune this time."

The traveler girl tilted her head, looking at the excited little Paimon with some confusion.

"What's there to doubt?" Paimon said smugly, arms crossed.

"First of all, you heard the divination just now, right? That was the most famous astrologer in Danfeng Kingdom, Mona's mentor. Even if you don't believe her, you should still believe in Mona, right?"

"Although the divination result wasn't good, saying something like 'Your brother is immersed in the abyss of darkness, constantly wandering as a prince,' at least we've found a clue. The other party has almost explicitly stated that your brother is currently in the hands of the Abyss Order."

"Furthermore, the fortune teller also said that your brother is not currently in Mondstadt or Liyue. Doesn't that narrow down the possibilities considerably?"

"Hmm." The traveler nodded slightly, having to admit that Paimon was indeed right.

Seeing that his words had been acknowledged, Paimon proudly raised his head: "As for the contract with Mr. Zhongli, that's even simpler. It's just that we have another companion on our journey. You saw how terrifying Mr. Zhongli was that day. I feel that the gods, magical beasts, and dragons we've encountered so far are nothing more than insects to Mr. Zhongli. With someone like him traveling with us, isn't our safety guaranteed?"

"Hmm..." The traveler nodded slightly again; she did indeed think so too.

"If that's the case, isn't it a case of making a fortune?"

"Hmm." Although the traveler felt something was off, he nodded for the third time.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's quickly think of a way to break through the border blockade of the Inazuma Kingdom, travel as soon as possible, and find your brother as soon as possible." Paimon flew forward happily.

"Don't fall behind, Ying."

......

When Zhongli left the Northern Bank, neither the young master nor the lady tried to stop him.

He strolled leisurely along the streets of Liyue, which had returned to their former bustling state, as if he were a true mortal.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, he finally returned home.

This is a very simple, even somewhat rudimentary, two-story building.

It wasn't surrounded by many ornate carvings or painted beams, nor was it particularly magnificent.

The dilapidated cottage was filled with mottled ivy, adorned with a few windmill oranges from Mondstadt and glass lilies of not particularly luxurious varieties, creating a scene that was both desolate and cozy.

Unlike usual, there were fewer people in the room today, but one more person.

The members of the noisy chat group have left this world.

In this somewhat desolate garden, only a young girl in loose-fitting clothes sat on a lounge chair, gazing at the glass lilies not far away, her eyes slightly narrowed.

The midday sun was just right.

At this time of year, the gentle breeze carries the breath of freedom and the vibrant energy of the ocean.

"Oh! You're back?"

The girl wore loose-fitting clothes, her long, ink-black hair styled into a woman's bun, her fair skin and delicate collarbone faintly visible beneath the loose clothing.

"Hmm..." Zhongli nodded slightly, looking at the Dust Demon God who had been resurrected by burning the memories of the Vortex Demon God, and he didn't know whether to be happy or worried.

The fact that Gui Zhong was resurrected so easily this time, even more so than Qing Li, really puzzled Zhong Li for a long time.

After all, Gui Zhong, who died nearly four thousand years ago, lived even further back in history than Qing Li.

Zhongli pondered for a long time, but still couldn't figure out the reason.

Indeed, his life was far too short in terms of his understanding of time and the world.

If he had another thousand years, perhaps these problems could be solved.

But he ultimately didn't experience that much time.

"How did things go today?"

The girl in the loose-fitting clothes stood up, put her hands behind her back, and quietly approached him.

The delicate fragrance of lilies wafted from the soft body before me.

"The contract has been signed."

Zhongli nodded slightly.

“Demon God Zhong Li!” The girl turned around, her pure white skirt sweeping across Zhong Li’s waist. The fragrance from her clothes clung to Zhong Li all over. “You seem a little different from before. You’ve become a bit boring.”

Gazing at the graceful figure before him, with its delicate and slender nape, Zhongli closed his eyes slightly.

"Time flows on, and even demons cannot reverse it; change is perfectly normal."

"No." The girl suddenly turned around, her eyes, which seemed to be covered in golden sand or twinkling like stars, suddenly coming within centimeters of Zhongli's eyes.

“You can salvage this, because you are the Rock King Emperor Morax, you are also the husband of Qingli, the True Lord of Dividing Heaven and Clear Clouds, and you are also the friend to whom I, the Demon God of Dust, finally find solace.”

"You have pulled me back from my distant slumber."

"You will also inevitably awaken Qingli, the True Monarch of the Dividing Heaven and Clear Clouds, from her slumber."

"Just like the fairy tales of another world that you and I have talked about."

"The sleeping princess, covered in thorns, was awakened by a deep kiss from the prince."

"I think Qingli must be sleeping with the same expectation. She's sleeping with the expectation that she'll see you the moment she wakes up."

"Then, the three of us will be together. The gentle and talkative Dust Demon, the mischievous and frivolous Farming True Lord, and the dignified and majestic Rock Dragon, and together we'll discuss who Qing Li should marry among those glass lilies."

The black-haired girl smiled gently: "Of course, I think you should definitely marry me, not you, you mischievous and frivolous farming master."

Zhongli nodded slightly and then slowly shook his head.

"...Hmm...I'm looking forward to it. But give up, Qingli and I have been husband and wife for two thousand years since you died."

The dark-haired girl in her flowing robes frowned, standing helplessly among the flowers in the small courtyard that had been blooming with glass lilies for who knows how long.

With a delicate fragrance in the wind.

He read it aloud in a low voice.

"Oh dear! It's difficult in every way imaginable."

"On a spring outing, apricot blossoms fill my hair."

Whose young man on the road is so dashing and charming?

"I intend to marry him and spend my life with him."

Even if cruelly abandoned, I will not be ashamed.

"Oh dear! Where is my prince?!"

Volume 4: A Real Man

Chapter One: Wanting to Buy Osmanthus Flowers and Share Wine

"Want some drinks?"

In the light mist and drizzle.

A young demon girl in flowing robes sat on the veranda of the courtyard, warming fragrant wine.

She was sitting on the ground, with a cushion beneath her.

Beside her was a small stove, brewing osmanthus wine.

Several plates of snacks were placed on the low desk.

One plate contained freshly bought Liuli Pavilion lily cakes, and the other plate contained translucent green dumplings made by the young demon goddess Gui Zhong.

There was also a plate of plums that Zhongli had pickled himself.

"Want some drinks?"

A faint fragrance wafted over as a few green plums were added to the wine, which was infused with the aroma of osmanthus.

The girl's voice was gentle and lovely, reaching Zhongli's ears.

"Hmm..." Zhongli nodded slightly and accepted the drinks from his friend: "Thank you."

"You're too kind." Gui Zhong smoothed his long, ink-black hair and smiled slightly. "In the past few days, I've learned quite a bit about the many stories between you and Qing Li after my demise."

"I never imagined that someone as frivolous as you back then could achieve something like this."

"It really impressed me."

Zhongli shook his head slightly and drank the wine in the white jade cup in his hand in one gulp: "It's just the passage of time and the changes of the world. My personality is different now than before, it's just because I've experienced more."

"Hmm..." Gui Zhong poured Zhong Li another glass of wine at the right moment and said earnestly, "You've really worked hard, Zhong Li. Originally, even after I was gone, you could still watch over and help Qing Li, but later, Qing Li was gone too... These past two thousand years must have been very lonely for you, right?"

"Fortunately."

Zhongli answered softly, "I'm used to it."

"Just like the oil seller in the north of the city who can always pour oil without spilling it, there's no other reason than that he's used to it."

"I'm used to doing things alone, and I'm used to thinking alone."

"After all... it's been two thousand years."

“Slightly…” The young demon goddess paused for a moment, then approached Zhong Li with a hint of sadness. Looking at his downcast brows, she forced a smile and said, “At least now that I’m with you, things should be much better than before.”

Zhongli nodded slightly: "Hmm... Thank you, Guizhong."

Then the young demon goddess quickly changed the subject: "So, have you thought about how you plan to begin the second resurrection?"

Zhongli shook his head slightly: "The time is not right. After all, your resurrection was also due to an accident. I should have told you that the conditions required for resurrection are extremely demanding, and I have had few opportunities to try. This time, I made quite a few mistakes. Otherwise, Qingli should have returned as well."

Gui nodded, his gaze passing over Zhongli, looking at the courtyard in the light mist and the glass lilies swaying in the wind.

An idea suddenly popped into my head.

She glanced at Zhongli's furrowed brow and smiled.

"Zhong Li??"

"Hmm??" Zhongli turned around at the call: "What is it??"

"Do you still remember the mortal lock I gave you... no, the one I gave you and Qingli?" Gui Zhong smiled gently.

"Hmm...of course I remember." Zhongli also showed a nostalgic expression: "You even said back then that thing contained all the wisdom of your life, as long as you could open it..."

"So did you open it?" the girl pressed closer, asking.