Genshin Impact, I, a mere mortal, cannot accompany you to the very end.

Qing Nuoyan nodded in deep agreement.

"I just came to have drinks with friends..."

Zhongli gave a slightly helpless, friendly smile, trying to lower Ying's guard. However, the latter immediately raised the kitchen knife in her hand, staring at Zhongli's 'hooligan smile', and said warily:

"Why are you drinking...? Are you trying to lead Qing Nuoyan in a rebellion against the Heavenly Principles?"

It's no wonder Ying is so sensitive; it's just that Mr. Zhongli's previous actions and plans were too shocking: to sever Liyue's past, he broke the seal on the Abyss and drove Qingnuoyan mad...

Even if Zhongli were to lead Qingnuoyan to storm Sky Island and rebel, Ying wouldn't be surprised at all.

Is Zhongli still holding such a bad impression in Ying's heart...? Qing Nuoyan tried to defend his drinking buddy, but to his surprise, the man showed a thoughtful expression and pondered, saying:

"From a general rational point of view, it does make some sense."

...Don't make things worse!

Qing Nuoyan cursed inwardly.

...

In short, after all the commotion, dinner was finally ready.

A bowl of jade-white pearl soup, a plate of grilled sardines, several side dishes... and of course, fine wine.

The osmanthus flowers have been processed and are now ready to be buried in the soil to ferment.

Dusk had already faded away, with only a few last rays of the setting sun still lingering in the dark sky; apart from that, the world was utterly empty.

This small wooden house is not big and cannot hold too many people. However, Qingnuo Rock is not like Fushe. Fushe can hold the souls of 300,000 people. Qingnuo Rock is weak. In this life, Qingnuo Rock can only hold a few people, but a few people are enough.

"Cheers," he said.

"cheers."

"Qiqi also wants to...cheers." Qiqi also wanted to toast, but before she could even touch the glass, Qing Nuoyan poured her a full glass of coconut milk.

“Children are not allowed to toast,” he said. “Children can only drink coconut milk.”

"Woo..." Qiqi made a sound like a little animal, holding a big cup in her two little hands, sitting on the chair, and obediently gulping it down.

She has always been very obedient.

"What about Bubulu..." Qing Nuoyan hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Does Qiqi like it?"

Bubulu is a pharmacy recommended by Mr. Zhongli.

"Mmm." Qiqi licked the milk stains from the corner of her mouth and nodded. "Manager... is very good..."

This time, when we go to Inazuma, we need to leave Qiqi in Liyue first.

There are many reasons...

First, travel is inherently complicated, and Qiqi is simple-minded; she can't travel with a child. Second, Qiqi is a Celestial Zombie, and she has only recently broken free of her seal; her body still contains malevolent energy. She can only feel at ease if she stays in Liyue where she will be looked after by the immortals.

The most important reason is that Qing Nuoyan doesn't want Qi Qi to get hurt.

Whether it's Thunder Blockade or Eye Hunt Order... in short...

Inazuma is not a peaceful place.

In Liyue, with Mr. Zhongli and the Geo Archon protecting him, he felt very at ease.

"Then... Qiqi... will be very good."

Qiqi was very well-behaved. She didn't make a fuss or object to Qing Nuoyan's arrangements. She just held the cup and said softly, "Then... Nuoyan... when... will... he come to see... Qiqi?"

"When the osmanthus wine is fully ripe, I will come to find Qiqi."

Qing Nuoyan ruffled Qi Qi's hair, tousling her short, sky-blue locks. Suddenly, as if realizing something, he shook his head: "No, I'm setting a flag... I'm not looking for Qi Qi anymore!"

Wow.

Visibly, Qiqi shrank her shoulders and let out a whimper like a small animal. She hugged the cup and said aggrievedly, "Why...don't you...want...Qiqi... anymore? Qiqi...is very good."

She was indeed very well-behaved, and didn't cry. She just looked at Qing Nuoyan with such a wronged expression.

Qing Nuoyan scratched his head.

“Well… even though I won’t come looking for Qiqi anymore,” he thought of something, “Qiqi can summon me once she’s learned all the moves of the Summoning Era!”

"But..." Qiqi paused. She wasn't stupid; how could she not understand Qing Nuoyan's words? She wasn't a child who was easily fooled. "Qiqi, you can't be fooled."

The ability to be seen through...?

Qing Nuoyan's expression froze.

She pointed out Qingnuoyan's mistake and said earnestly, "The times are calling. Only the strongest of the times can be summoned."

Qing Nuoyan's expression relaxed.

"That."

Qing Nuoyan gazed intently at Qi Qi, his eyes reflecting the little girl's face. "Then I will become the strongest in this era. Qi Qi will learn the divine skill, and I will become the strongest. Shall we make a promise like this?"

"An agreement...?"

“Yes.” Qing Nuoyan nodded. “It’s an agreement.”

"When you miss me, summon me and call my name, and the strongest version of me will appear!"

He smiled.

This time, he wasn't fooling the kids... on the contrary, he was serious.

Qingnuoyan is determined to become the strongest of this era.

He did not aspire to be a Grand Marshal like Fu She, nor a Pillar of State like Qing Ye Lei Ming.

Even marshals can be consumed by karma, and pillars of state will grow old; they too have eternal regrets.

Only by being the best can you protect what you want to protect; only by being the best can you truly live a carefree and happy life—to reach the end of that long staircase!

This is Qing Nuoyan's new goal, and he is ready to embark on that path.

Purifying yourself of the remaining filth is the first step to becoming the strongest.

"A...a promise," Qiqi repeated softly, extending her tiny little finger. "Pinky promise..."

"Pinky promise".

The final rays of the solar corona were magnificent and dazzling.

Zhongli also gazed at Qingnuo Rock. He poured himself another cup of wine and laughed heartily, "Alright, if we're going to do it, let's do it to the top and drink a big toast. Miss Ying, have a drink too, let's toast together."

"What is the toast?" Qing Nuoyan asked.

"Of course it's the strongest!" Paimon excitedly raised his hands.

"Then let's pay tribute to the [strongest]?" Ying frowned slightly. "That feels weird."

"And there's also osmanthus wine to toast next year," Qing Nuoyan said earnestly. "It's very delicious."

“Then—” Mr. Zhongli raised his wine glass, “to the strongest Osmanthus Wine of next year, my friend, with my blessings, I wish you a safe journey.”

"For the strongest osmanthus wine and for next year's..."

"cheers."

"cheers!"

On a spring night, in this little cabin, glasses clink together as the Nan Shi Journey sets sail the next day—this is the story of Liyue.

-

P.S.: Oh no, I'm going to die! I have so many classes on Tuesday, I'm going to die!

This month's first leave of absence and lottery results

null

Chapter 116 "Goodnight, Qingye Leiming"

Konta is a harbor town on Kamisakura Island that is adjacent to the sea.

Although it is already summer, the late-blooming cherry blossoms are blooming even more vibrantly.

The early sun intoxicated the cherry blossoms, and the clouds staggered along.

Crimson clouds, accompanied by a sea of ​​burning cherry blossoms, piled up at the end of the mountain, their colors rich and gentle. At the foot of the mountain, the waves surged, gently lapping against the shore. The sound of the waves was ambiguous and soothing in the twilight, like a lyrical poem, its rhythm as slow as an afternoon breeze.

After Rai left, Inazuma Castle was shrouded in gloom, but the wind that blew through Konta Village was somewhat gentle.

Not long ago, 'Seino Tofu Shop' reopened.

This is very, very good news.

For the people of Konta Village, especially the older generation, this old and unremarkable little shop holds a very special place—it was run by the Pillar of the State before he rose to prominence as a young man.

—The flavor of Zhuguo Tofu has permeated the taste buds of the villagers, becoming an irreplaceable part of their hometown flavor.

The Kiyono Tofu Shop is still open for business today.

"Blanch the tofu you prepared yesterday, and make sure the udon noodles are ready too... Don't be lazy, and don't sneak any food."

Kiyono Raimei kept talking. He was old and had a light sleep, so he got up very early. He opened the window and the clear and clean sunlight poured in. He was wearing a light-colored old-fashioned kimono and stood in the morning light, his body seemingly melting into the light.

He took out a piece of cigarette, carefully wrapped it in cigarette paper, lit it with a tinderbox, took a puff, and the sparks became bright.

"No smoking..." Yae no Miko said lazily, "Smoking is prohibited, it will shorten your lifespan."

“You should get up, Shinko,” Kiyono Raimei said to her. “The guests are coming soon.”

"Hmm." Miss Fox yawned slightly, her fox ears drooping on either side of her cheeks. She barely opened her eyes, turning her face away to avoid the slightly glaring sunlight. "Good morning, you old hag."

"Good morning," said Kiyono Raimei. "You stupid fox."

Time to get up.

Rinse the prepared tofu with water, wipe the stools and chairs, and carefully make the udon noodles—an essential ingredient for fox udon. Then, open the wooden door and hang the red lanterns symbolizing business opening in front of the door. Today, we begin.

Although it was only dawn, more than a dozen customers were already waiting in front of the tofu shop.

Most of them are elderly people in the village.