Douluo; Zhongli Adventures in Mortal World with Paimon

Zhongli Mansion

The Zhongli Mansion, which had been unoccupied for some time, remained impeccably clean.

This was all thanks to "Xue Qinghe," who sent people to clean it every day.

Attention to detail determines success, and she was a person who paid great attention to detail.

Occasionally, she made mistakes, but that was usually because of being in love.

As long as she wasn't in love, her mind was perfectly sharp.

"Zhongli, all of this was cleaned by people Qinghe sent!"

Paimon wasn't surprised because, during this period, she and "Xue Qinghe" were inseparable. Even if the latter were scheming something, Paimon was fully aware of it.

"Hmm, she's been thoughtful," Zhongli nodded slightly, his expression unchanged.

"Ah—"

As if something had just occurred to her, Paimon exclaimed in surprise, "Zhongli, shouldn't we thank Qinghe for this?"

"Like, inviting her to a meal or something."

"Didn't we just treat her to a meal?"

Hearing this, Paimon blinked her big eyes, looking somewhat confused.

What's done is done; can that meal still count now?

"But…"

"But she paid for that meal herself!"

After all these years, Zhongli was still the same old freeloader, loving to enjoy things without spending a single Mora. He hadn't changed one bit.

Back then, he scammed the Traveler in the same way!

The Traveler had painstakingly saved up a small amount of Mora, only for it all to be drained by Zhongli!

As the god responsible for the creation of Mora, he shockingly had none himself!

"We can treat her next time," Zhongli said.

"Using Qinghe's money again?"

Zhongli: "…"

Glancing at Paimon, Zhongli felt that something about her had changed, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

After stroking his chin for a moment, Zhongli replied with a straight face, "From a financial perspective, by helping Qinghe spend her coins, we're facilitating their circulation within the Douluo Continent. This benefits commercial development."

"Considering the current economic landscape, the coins we spend will ultimately return to her pocket, forming a closed loop."

"Breaking this closed loop is the only way to truly make Douluo's economy thrive."

Paimon scratched her head and muttered, "What are you even talking about?"

"You don't actually expect me to understand, right?"

Zhongli sighed softly. Indeed, he didn't expect Paimon to comprehend.

On this continent, 80–90% of the currency was concentrated in the hands of major powers, especially the two great empires and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

When money accumulated to a certain extent, it created a closed loop. No matter how much was spent, it would ultimately return to the same pockets.

What was consumed were merely existing resources.

Only by ensuring the true flow of money could ordinary people have enough to eat.

"Zhongli, since we're freeloading, let's skip the big speeches about economics, development, and closed loops…"

"This has nothing to do with us, right?" Paimon whispered cautiously, as if worried someone else might overhear.

Zhongli's eye twitched slightly. He opened his mouth but stopped himself from speaking further.

"Hu—"

Exhaling deeply, Zhongli nodded and said, "Paimon, you're right."

"Eh…"

Paimon widened her eyes in disbelief. "Really?"

It was the first time she'd ever heard Zhongli say something like that!

"Yes," Zhongli said earnestly.

At the moment, he indeed didn't have any money to spend.

Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, Zhongli's eyes lit up.

With a wave of his hand, a radiant head soul bone, more dazzling than any gemstone, appeared on the table.

This soul bone was the jewel-like headpiece that had dropped when Shi Nian was defeated. Wang Chen had gifted it to Zhongli for safekeeping.

"Zhongli, don't tell me we're so broke that we're selling soul bones to survive?"

Paimon exclaimed in disbelief. She had been in the Douluo Continent long enough to understand how precious soul bones were to soul masters.

Even a thousand-year soul bone was something soul masters would fight to the death over.

Hearing this, Zhongli decisively shook his head.

"No, it hasn't come to that. I wouldn't sell my collection, no matter how dire things got."

"I just remembered that this soul bone would be perfect for a certain sect disciple," Zhongli said, gesturing dismissively. "Let's go. We can enjoy the moonlight along the way."

Paimon frowned as she glanced outside and muttered, "Seriously? It's the middle of the night. Don't people need to sleep?"

"If you're not sleeping, why would they?"

"I feel like that's not a compliment!"

Paimon stomped her foot in mock anger, crossing her arms as she pouted. "Paimon's mad now! She's going to ignore you for one whole minute!"

"…"

"Ten seconds!"

"Ten, nine… three, two, one!"

"Okay, Zhongli, we're friends again!"

Zhongli looked at Paimon, and for once, a rare smile graced his face. "Alright."

Under the moonlight, the two of them left Zhongli Mansion.

The mansion had originally belonged to Dugu Bo, who had gifted it to Zhongli as a token of gratitude.

Everyone knew Dugu Bo's eccentric personality, so the surrounding area had always been sparsely populated.

However, ever since it became Zhongli Mansion, the area had grown livelier—though only during the day.

At night, the locals remained eerily quiet, lest they disturb the Martial God Douluo.

The previously unsellable houses nearby had become hot commodities, each one selling for exorbitant prices.

In all of Douluo Continent, where was the safest place?

Next door to the Martial God Douluo, of course!

Even if conflicts arose, no one dared to stir up trouble in this vicinity. Such was the deterrence of the Martial God Douluo.

The houses closest to Zhongli Mansion had long since been snapped up by major powers. Those still available were far away from it.

Major powers didn't lack money, as Zhongli had pointed out earlier. The money they spent always found its way back to them.

What they lacked were opportunities—inside information, talented individuals, and the like.

After a short walk, Zhongli and Paimon arrived at a tavern.

When the tavern owner saw them, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

"Martial God… Martial God Douluo!"

Hiss—

He had already felt proud to host the Holy Maiden of the Body Sect, believing he'd have a story to tell for years. But now, even the Martial God Douluo had graced his humble establishment.

The tavern owner drew a sharp breath before hurriedly bowing to Zhongli.

"Greetings, Martial God Douluo!"

His voice was loud, as if he wanted everyone to hear.

The people inside, including Poison Four Seasons, froze before turning to look at the door.

"…"

They quickly set down their food and drinks, rushing over to Zhongli.

"Greetings, Sect Master (Master)!"

The habit of addressing Zhongli as "Master" was something Xiao Feilian still couldn't shake.

"Ha ha ha… No need for such formality," Zhongli said.

"Zhongli is here to deliver a gift to this disciple," Paimon said with a grin, pointing at a disciple whose martial spirit was a brain.

Her words stunned everyone.

The disciple, in particular, trembled slightly.

A… a gift?

The Sect Master wanted to personally give him a gift?

This…

Swallowing hard, he was at a loss for words.

Zhongli sighed helplessly. Was he just "sold out" by Paimon?

Oh well, let her have her way.

"Zhi Qing, I do have something for you, but I'd like to hear your opinion first," Zhongli said, not forgetting the grand prize from the finals.