MTLNOVEL Chapter 322: Osial is coming
The person who had arrived was none other than Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe.
As she looked at Zhongli and Paimon, her eyes were filled with confusion.
What exactly were they discussing in such a public setting?
Why were these young men and women blushing?
Could it be…?
As if she had suddenly realized something, a glimmer of light flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes, a light of hope!
Had Zhongli finally come around? And this "coming around" had a profound meaning, like, for example, understanding how to unclog a drain or something similar.
"Qinghe, I was just discussing fashion and outfit coordination with Paimon," Zhongli said calmly, his expression unchanged.
"I got a little carried away and spoke a bit too much."
Zhongli truly didn't think he had said anything inappropriate.
It was just these young people misunderstanding things on their own.
He didn't even understand why they were blushing.
Even an old-timer like him, who had lived for thousands of years, had no issue discussing these topics.
Why were these young people acting so shy?
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue frowned slightly.
Had she misunderstood again?
She glanced at the people around her. The men seemed fine, but the women… their outfits were something else.
Short skirts that barely covered anything, black stockings wrapped around their legs, and thin garments draped over their shoulders.
How should she put it?
It felt a bit… inappropriate. Even immoral.
It wasn't that Qian Renxue was particularly old-fashioned, it was just that she wasn't used to such attire yet.
She had just returned, and while she had seen plenty of similarly dressed women on her way here, she hadn't paid close attention.
After all, as a "prince," it wouldn't be appropriate to keep staring at women dressed like that.
"This is the fashion you're talking about, Guest Elder?"
Zhongli's eyelid twitched slightly.
He had only glanced at them with an appreciative, or perhaps "critical", eye, nothing more.
After all, it was his own industry that had produced such clothing.
Seeing Zhongli's hesitant expression, Qian Renxue suddenly seemed to have another realization.
Once again, her eyes shone brightly, like the most dazzling star in the night sky.
"Guest Elder, I have something to take care of, so I'll be leaving first."
"Oh, by the way, the Seven Treasures Hotel recently introduced some new dishes. You and Paimon should go try them out."
After saying this, Qian Renxue hurriedly left, just as hastily as she had arrived.
"Eh…?"
"We barely even talked, and Qinghe just left like that?"
Paimon scratched her head in confusion.
This was the first time she had seen "Xue Qinghe" so flustered, it really looked like she had something urgent to attend to.
But when she arrived, she was perfectly fine…
"Zhongli! Qinghe said the Seven Treasures Hotel has new dishes!"
"Should we go try them out?"
Paimon's big, round eyes sparkled with anticipation, and a bit of drool glistened at the corner of her mouth.
When it came to food, Paimon was utterly devoted, especially when it came to delicious cuisine.
Back when she traveled with the Traveler, her monthly food expenses were nearly 300,000 Mora, not an amount to be taken lightly.
Many of the locals wouldn't even save up that much in their entire lifetime.
Zhongli, while not one to carry money himself, was now far from broke.
He watched Qian Renxue's disappearing figure and felt like she had said that last part on purpose, specifically to get him to go to the Seven Treasures Hotel.
As for why? He wasn't sure yet.
"Alright, let's go check out the new dishes Qinghe recommended."
Though there was one thing he left unsaid, he also wanted to see what exactly Qian Renxue was plotting.
If she had deliberately directed them to the Seven Treasures Hotel, then she must have had a reason.
"Yay!"
Paimon's face instantly lit up with excitement, her emotions were all written on her face.
"More delicious food!"
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, Paimon's expression fell, and she leaned in closer to Zhongli, whispering:
"Zhongli, did you… bring any money this time?"
Zhongli: "…"
Since when did he ever pay at the Seven Treasures Hotel?
"We'll put it on the Seven Treasures Glazed…"
He paused mid-sentence.
He recalled making a deal with Ning Fengzhi, which had allowed him to break the curse on the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda and evolve it into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
As part of this deal, he had cleared the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect's favor debt.
Going forward, they would have nothing to do with each other.
If he continued to put his expenses on their tab, it would create another favor debt.
"Let's just put it on the Prince tab instead."
After all, it was the "Prince" who had invited them, putting it on their bill made perfect sense.
Paimon nodded knowingly.
This was exactly why she had asked if Zhongli brought money, she knew how these things worked.
People often thought Paimon was clueless, but at times, she was quite sharp, especially when it came to social etiquette.
Of course, those moments of clarity were rare.
"…Paimon, why do I feel like you've grown a little bigger?"
On their way to the Seven Treasures Hotel, Zhongli casually remarked, as if making idle conversation.
Paimon froze for a moment, her cheerful expression stiffening like a machine glitching.
But in the next second, she quickly returned to normal.
"Haha… is that so?"
"Zhongli, you must be mistaken!"
"Paimon has always been this size!"
She crossed her arms in a not-so-confident stance, her voice lacking conviction.
Her reaction made Zhongli fall silent.
Was this intentional, or an accident?
She seemed… nervous.
If it was intentional, then what was she hiding?
If not, then there must be a reason for her anxiety.
Had she begun to recover from an injury?
Zhongli glanced at Paimon briefly, then looked away.
"I must have seen something wrong, then."
Zhongli's vision was as precise as a measuring ruler, he wouldn't make a mistake.
So, he definitely saw correctly.
"Just what kind of power does 'Big Paimon' have?"
The unknown is the most terrifying thing.
Once the truth was revealed, things would be much easier to handle.
Seeing that Zhongli had "believed" her, Paimon let out a small sigh of relief.
She leisurely floated beside him, her expression shifting subtly.
"Zhongli, what do you think would happen… if someone from Teyvat, whether human or Archon, were to descend in the Douluo Continent?"
Paimon asked in a seemingly casual manner.
"That depends on who descends."
If certain radical Archons arrived in the Douluo Continent, it could spell disaster.
Not all Archons were as gentle toward their people.
And here, Zhongli wasn't referring to the Seven.
"For example… Osial?"
[Osial: An Ancient God and Sea Monster defeated by Zhongli]
Zhongli: "…"
An entity like Osial was already incredibly powerful and terrifying.
It had been sealed away by Liyue's forces twice.
"It would likely result in a horrifying slaughter… and the land would probably turn into an ocean."
Not a battle, just a one-sided massacre.
Osial was essentially a sea god, a force of unimaginable destruction.
But of course, it had lost to an even greater power…
Hearing this, Paimon's expression darkened, a mix of hesitation and reluctance.
But then, as if resolving herself, she clenched her tiny fists.
"Teyvat doesn't have much time left."
"Zhongli, you are one of the oldest and most powerful Archons… I believe you can fix this."
Paimon had indeed grown a little.
And she had begun to regain some of her lost memories.