"Jiang Mu, aren't you going to explain? What is your relationship with that hall master named Hu Tao?"

Ying looked at Jiang Mu with a kind smile on her face.

"Exactly, exactly." Paimon, who was standing to the side, seemed to be stirring up trouble as well, adding fuel to the fire.

"I've already been with the traveler... mmm...!!!"

Just as Paimon was about to utter something earth-shattering, his mouth was immediately covered by Ying...

"Seriously, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Ying said with dissatisfaction, but the smile that quietly welled up on her face was impossible to hide...

"What have you misunderstood..."

Jiang Mu sighed helplessly. That little girl, Hu Tao, really... isn't she afraid people will misunderstand?

(Peach: Of course I'm not afraid. If it's misunderstood, that would be a wonderful thing, oh~~~)

Immediately afterwards, Jiang Mu recounted the general course of events to the two of them.

Of course, Jiang Mu didn't reveal anything he shouldn't have, such as the existence of the system.

"As expected of you..."

Upon hearing Jiang Mu's words, Ying and Paimon rolled their eyes.

"What a wonderful story of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress, and the young girl falling in love with him..."

It has a tangy, acidic taste.

"Sniff..."

Paimon sniffed it with his little nose and exclaimed in surprise.

"Huh? Why does the air smell sour?"

"Paimon, shut up, or you won't get any dinner tonight!"

Upon hearing this, Ying's face flushed red instantly. She looked at Paimon, feigning anger, and then stormed off...

"Huh? Why...?"

Paimon scratched his head on the spot, then looked at Jiang Mu pitifully.

"Jiang Mu, Jiang Mu, if Ying doesn't give Paimon food, can you treat Paimon to a meal?"

"OK."

Jiang Mu suppressed a laugh and nodded.

………………

Upon seeing the three of them emerge, Zhongli, having finished his activities, nodded and said.

"In that case, let's set off."

"Huh? Where's that young master?"

Paimon looked at Zhongli alone and asked in confusion.

“Young master? Oh, you mean Mr. Tadalia, right?”

Upon hearing this, Zhongli smiled and said softly.

"He had some things to attend to, so his men carried him away... no, cough cough... they took him away."

"I see..."

Upon hearing this, Ying nodded, then asked in confusion.

"Datalia, is that your real name, young master?"

Upon hearing this, Zhongli was taken aback for a moment, but Jiang Mu took over the conversation and said...

"I don't know if it's true or not, but that's what his acquaintances call him in the Winter Solstice Kingdom."

As he spoke, Jiang Mu smiled and said.

"However, until this matter is resolved, it would be better if you addressed him as 'Young Master' for now."

Upon hearing this, Ying nodded, then looked at Zhongli and said.

“Mr. Zhongli, you said we are going to prepare a ceremony to send off immortals for Mora… cough cough, I mean, for the Rock King Emperor. So, what do we need to prepare now?”

Hearing that they were finally talking about how to send him away... cough cough, no, I mean, they were talking about serious business, Zhongli nodded and said.

"Now that you're ready, let's set off to find the first offering we need... Hmm... let me think... the first thing we need is... the finest Noctiluca Stone, of a quality worthy of the gods."

"Ye Bo Shi?"

Upon hearing this, Ying and Paimon were also taken aback.

"I remember, when we were searching for treasure chests in the wild... cough cough, no, I mean when we were exploring, we encountered so many Noctiluca Stones, but unfortunately, we didn't need them, so..."

Paimon said with a face full of regret.

"Hehe... No, no..."

Upon hearing this, Zhongli chuckled and shook his head, saying...

"Most of the night-blooming stones you find in the wild are exposed on the ground and can be seen everywhere, right?"

"Yes, yes, that's right."

Paimon nodded.

"At first, Ying always thought these were useless things, so she..."

"Hehe, that makes some sense."

Zhongli smiled and explained.

"Most of the night-blooming jasmine stones encountered in the wild are exposed on the ground, subjected to wind and sun year-round. Even the hardest rocks will gradually be worn down..."

At this point, Jiang Mu keenly sensed that Zhong Li's expression had dimmed slightly...

"Therefore, those Night-Mooring Stones encountered in the wild." But in that instant, Zhongli concealed his emotions well and continued.

"Most of them are useless varieties; even if they are mined, they are of little use. The finest Night-Stabilizing Stones, freshly mined from the mines, must be carefully selected before they can be offered to the immortals. How much more so the Night-Stabilizing Stones that are to be presented as tribute to the Rock King Emperor..."

“So that’s how it is…” Paimon exclaimed in surprise. “Mr. Zhongli, you are truly learned. No wonder Tartaglia… no, I mean, the young master wanted to recommend you to us…”

Ying, who was standing to the side, also nodded.

"Hehe, it's just that I've lived a little longer, nothing to mention."

Zhongli waved his hand and continued.

"So, next, we're going to try our luck at a famous jade gambling shop in Liyue."

"Um."

Ying and Paimon both nodded, and then the three of them followed Zhongli toward their destination.

As they walked, the three listened to Zhongli's introduction to the local customs and culture of Liyue, as well as its beautiful scenery and unique products. Their understanding of Liyue deepened step by step.

"Truly worthy of you, the true master of strolling and walking birds in the streets."

Jiang Mu silently gave Zhong Li a thumbs up.

………………

"The shop we're going to is called Jie Cui Xing, a stone-cutting shop that has been in business for over a century."

Zhongli continued her introduction.

Wow, a tradition that's been around for a century!

Paimon exclaimed in surprise.

"The owner of this shop has Shi as his surname. The current owner's name is even simpler, just Shitou (Stone)."

"Wow, what a concise name!"

Paimon exclaimed.

"hehe……"

Zhongli simply smiled and led the group forward.

………………

Soon, the group arrived at the location of Tiger-Eating Rock.

"They're actually eating Tiger Rock!"

Paimon exclaimed in surprise, then looked at Ying and said excitedly.

"Ying, after we finish this, shall we go find Xiangling?"

"We should focus on the important matters first."

Ying said helplessly.

She knew exactly what Paimon was up to. He was just craving Xiangling's food; his mouth was watering...

As they approached the communal synthesis station, they soon spotted the somewhat worried, chubby boss.

"Oh, esteemed guests, welcome to Jie Cui Xing."

Seeing several people walking towards him, Stone perked up and said with a smile.

"How about we open a couple of rough stones today and try our luck?"

(My new book has been successfully signed, please support it!)