While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

She responded crisply, sprang up from the stool, and patted Guoba's head before leaving.

"Guoba, you stay with Hu Tao and the others for me, and don't you dare steal any food."

"Lu~"

Guoba made a sound, as if nodding in agreement, but its eyes never left the dishes on the table.

Xiangling rushed into the kitchen.

Without Xiangling by their side, the atmosphere at the dinner table suddenly became awkward.

Yan Fei stared at Hu Tao warily, her eyes like those of a cat guarding its food.

She was genuinely afraid that this guy would seize the opportunity to start using her "one-stop service for the Rebirth Hall" sales pitch again.

We need to find a topic to talk about quickly.

Yan Fei cleared her throat and turned to Xu Chuan.

"By the way, I heard that Mondstadt is experiencing a dragon scourge, and it's quite a big deal, but Yura didn't mention her at all in her letter. How is she doing now?"

Upon hearing Yura's name, Xu Chuan's lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

"It's great, I sleep very well every day."

His tone carried an indescribable smile, as if he were recalling some amusing scene.

Sleeping...very soundly?

Yan Fei blinked, unable to process the deeper meaning contained in this information for a moment.

"That's good. It's a pity I'm too busy in Liyue, otherwise I really wanted to find some time to go to Mondstadt to see her."

She paused, as if she had remembered something.

"By the way, you haven't found a place to stay in Liyue yet, have you?"

"How about I help you..."

"Thanks, but I've already decided where to stay."

Xu Chuan declined her offer and then explained his own plans.

White Horse Travels Against the Tide

Yan Fei was slightly taken aback.

"White Horse Inn, I've heard that the owner's ancestors saw immortals, so I'm a bit curious."

Xu Chuan picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Grandma Ping said I have a connection to the immortals, so I thought I'd go and see for myself."

Hu Tao's eyes lit up; she had finally found a chance to interject.

With Yan Fei watching her intently from the side, her plan to directly promote the Wangshengtang business to Xu Chuan was doomed.

But if she couldn't do it openly, Hu Tao had other methods.

"The owner of Baiju Inn is Old Man Lu, right?"

“I remember he mentioned it to me when I last visited him.”

Her tone became unusually serious.

"The White Horse Immortal".

"Lu~"

The rice crust, which had been burying its head in its rice, suddenly raised its head and let out a short cry.

A strange light flashed in those round eyes, as if they were particularly interested in the name.

Xu Chuan's eyes flickered slightly as he noticed Guoba's reaction.

Without making a sound, he placed a piece of braised pork on the rice crust and added a few golden shrimp balls.

"Lu~ Lu!"

Guoba cackled happily twice, its attention immediately drawn back to the delicious food, and it buried itself in its work.

But it was noticeably more affectionate toward Xu Chuan, the person who fed it, and its eyes showed more approval.

Xu Chuan put away his chopsticks and played with the rice crust for a while.

This is none other than Maxiuse, the god of the hearth.

Although it exhausted its power for the people of Liyue back then and degenerated into its current harmless form, it still reacts instinctively to beings like "immortals".

"This white horse hermit is somewhat strange in Liyue's history."

Hu Tao rested her chin on her hand, a rare serious expression on her face.

“The immortals of Liyue who have names and surnames can at least be traced.”

"Only this White Horse Immortal is known by name, but never seen in person."

"It seems that apart from the ancestors of Old Master Lu, no one else has ever actually seen it, but the name has been passed down in various stories."

“Speaking of immortals, my guest elder is just like one of those immortals who live in seclusion in the mortal world.”

"His demeanor, speech, and knowledge are not those of an ordinary person. I'll introduce you to him another day."

Yan Fei, unusually, did not refute, but instead nodded.

“Mr. Zhongli, I have consulted him several times. He is indeed not an ordinary person. He is too knowledgeable.”

Xu Chuan felt a surge of joy.

He was wondering what excuse he could use to approach the guest of the Hall of Rebirth.

Hu Tao's words were like a pillow being handed to someone who was about to fall asleep.

"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer."

He raised his teacup and gestured to Hu Tao, "I will definitely pay you a visit another day."

Hu Tao smiled, her eyes narrowing, and nodded with great satisfaction.

“It’s no big deal. Just come to the Rebirth Hall and I’ll introduce you.”

"Although Zhongli is not a man of many words, he is never stingy with his advice to interesting people."

Yan Fei opened her mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back.

It seems that, without warning, Hu Tao has succeeded again.

Never mind, it's just an introduction to Mr. Zhongli anyway.

She knew that gentleman; he had an extraordinary demeanor, was upright, and seemed very reliable.

They probably won't be like Hu Tao, spouting nonsense.

After the meal, Xiangling came out to clear the table, and Xu Chuan, Hu Tao, and Yan Fei walked out of Wanmintang together.

Night has fallen, and Liyue Harbor is ablaze with lights.

The lanterns on both sides of the street cast a warm red glow on the stone pavement, while in the distance, fishing lights dotted the sea, reflecting the stars in the sky.

Hu Tao waved and hummed a little tune as she walked in another direction.

Her silhouette stretched long in the lamplight, the plum blossom hairpin swaying gently in her hair.

Yan Fei watched her walk away before letting out a sigh of relief. She then turned to Xu Chuan, her tone becoming serious.

"Xu Chuan, I need to make this clear to you. Don't let Hu Tao fool you. Although Wang Sheng Tang's business is legitimate, that guy's sales tactics..."

She carefully considered her words.

"Extremely radical."

"Don't worry, I have a measure."

Xu Chuan smiled but didn't say anything more.

Seeing that he seemed to understand, Yan Fei stopped trying to persuade him.

"You're new to Liyue and don't know anyone here. If you encounter any trouble, remember to come to me immediately. Don't be shy."

Xu Chuan nodded seriously.

"Fine, I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Hearing this, Yan Fei finally left with peace of mind.

After seeing Yan Fei off, Xu Chuan continued towards the port with the cannon.

The location of Baiju Inn is easy to find.

Near the Liyue Harbor docks, there is a two-story old-fashioned wooden building with upturned eaves and an old plaque hanging above the door.

The words "White Horse Travels Against the Tide" are written on it.

The handwriting is somewhat faded, but the strokes are vigorous, clearly the work of a master.

Strangely, despite its prime location, few pedestrians glance in this direction.

Occasionally someone would pass by, but they would only glance at them briefly before walking away.

Chapter 82 Two Little Ones in Trouble

Xu Chuan pushed open the door and entered.

The lobby is small, but simply furnished and clean.

Behind the wooden counter sat an elderly man with gray hair, flipping through account books.

Hearing the door open, he looked up, revealing a wrinkled but energetic face.

"A hotel?"

"Yes."

The old man spoke crisply and directly, without any unnecessary formalities.

Xu Chuan paid the room fee but didn't rush upstairs.

He walked to the counter and looked at a painting hanging on the wall.

A white horse gallops through the clouds, the brushstrokes freehand, capturing its ethereal and otherworldly charm with just a few strokes.

"Old man, is that the White Horse Immortal in this painting?"

Lu Weng shifted his gaze from the ledger to Xu Chuan, giving him a second look.

"A stranger like you, do you also know about the White Horse Immortal?"

"I heard a friend mention it, and I'm a little curious."

Lu Weng closed the ledger and slowly opened his mouth.

"My ancestors were fortunate enough to have seen the White Horse Immortal once..."

Xu Chuan listened quietly, and it was pretty much what he had expected.

Silent all night.

The next morning, Xu Chuan opened the window and a gust of moist air rushed in.

It's raining.

Fine rain, like silk threads, slanted down, enveloping the entire Liyue Harbor in a hazy mist.

The distant sea was a hazy gray, blending into the horizon.

The buildings with blue tiles and white walls, washed by the rain, have become even more deep in color, exuding a sense of weight and depth that comes with the passage of time.

Dapao held up an umbrella, and Xu Chuan walked under it. The two strolled through the streets and alleys of Liyue.

Raindrops pattered on the oil-paper umbrella, making a soft, rustling sound, like some ancient rhythm.

There weren't many pedestrians on the street. Occasionally, a few vendors wrapped in raincoats would hurry by, while others would take shelter from the rain under the eaves and chat idly in twos and threes.

Xu Chuan walked very slowly.

He watched the rain drip down the eaves, splashing tiny water droplets on the bluestone slabs.

Watching the steam rising from the teahouse, mingling with the rain and mist, and seeing the thousands of sails standing tall on the dock, their masts swaying gently in the wind.