Kun Jun’s Bad Memory

Liyue Harbor, in front of the docks, where the reputation mission is posted...

"Hmm...?"

Kun Jun rested his chin on one hand, staring at Zhongli and Qiu Bai as if deep in thought.

Zhongli looked back at Kun Jun, equally pensive.

"His name is Zhongli. He's a guest advisor at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

"And this is Qiu Bai, also a guest advisor at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

Lumine explained to Old Dai, easing the awkwardness a little.

"Guest advisors Qiu Bai and Mr. Zhongli from the Funeral Parlor..."

"I've heard of you. I heard you're both incredibly knowledgeable and talented. Never thought I'd meet you in person today."

Old Dai smiled as he looked at Qiu Bai and Zhongli.

"I'm more focused on minerals and geology."

"But I'm not as skilled as my old friend Zhongli."

Qiu Bai smiled and explained to Old Dai.

"Haha, my friend is being modest."

"Everyone has their strengths."

Zhongli smiled as he glanced at Qiu Bai.

"Huh? This Mr. Zhongli looks familiar..."

"Did I meet him at the Funeral Parlor? But I've never been there..."

Kun Jun muttered to himself, staring at Zhongli in confusion.

"Dai, why don't you give it a shot?"

"Let's see who the real expert is!"

Paimon crossed her arms and looked at Old Dai, unconvinced.

"So it's a competition on the spot?"

Lumine glanced at Paimon.

"Huh? I... I wouldn't even know how to compare..."

Old Dai frowned, looking puzzled.

Paimon's words completely confused him.

"Then figure it out yourselves."

Paimon put her hands on her hips, grinning at Old Dai.

"If Zhongli wins, he'll help you. And if Zhongli... no, no way he could lose!"

Paimon quickly shook her head, thinking hard. There's no way Zhongli would lose!

"A competition? Sure, sounds fun!"

Kun Jun smiled and nodded.

"This gentleman is quite eager."

Zhongli waved his hand calmly.

"Haha, the moment I saw your face, I knew you must be an expert."

"But whether you're better than me, that's still up for debate."

Kun Jun rubbed his head and laughed, spreading his hands, a competitive spark in his eyes.

"This guy sure talks big!"

Paimon put her hands on her hips, eyeing Kun Jun in dissatisfaction.

"I'm just telling the truth, hahaha."

"Besides, that's all I know."

Kun Jun turned to Paimon with a smile.

"Kun, are you an appraiser?"

Zhongli asked, studying Kun Jun.

"No, actually... I forgot why I even came to Liyue Harbor."

"I was just standing by the road when Old Dai stopped me."

Kun Jun turned to glance at Old Dai.

"He saw me holding a stone and asked me a few questions."

"Then he got all excited and asked me to meet him here."

Kun Jun turned back and explained slowly to Qiu Bai and the others.

"Huh? You forgot something like that?"

Paimon looked at Kun Jun in disbelief.

"Mora, has the seal on Azhdaha loosened?"

Qiu Bai asked Zhongli through a voice transmission.

"No... I haven't sensed anything."

"If the seal had broken, the pillars I left behind would have shattered. I haven't felt anything like that."

Zhongli responded through a voice transmission.

"I see..."

Qiu Bai murmured, stroking his chin.

"On the way to Liyue Harbor, I saw this guy fiddling with some stones by the roadside."

"He was muttering to himself like he really knew his stuff."

Old Dai turned to look at Kun Jun.

"Out of curiosity, I asked him a few questions. Turns out, he knows more than I do—and I'm the head miner!"

"Since he had nothing better to do, I figured he might as well help me."

Old Dai chuckled.

"This guy... his memory's not great, huh?"

Paimon tilted her head at Kun Jun.

"His memory really isn't the best right now."

Qiu Bai smiled quietly to himself as he looked at Kun Jun.

"Well, it's not exactly that his memory's bad... Anyway, when it comes to stones, I can definitely help."

"Mr. Zhongli, what do you think of this one?"

Kun Jun smiled at Paimon, then pulled out a stone and turned to Zhongli.

"Hmm..."

Zhongli examined the stone carefully.

"The outer shell is smooth, and the cracks on the surface were caused by volcanic eruptions."

"If I'm not mistaken, this is a stone embryo from another country."

Zhongli explained to Kun Jun.

"Oh~ oh, sharp eye!"

Kun Jun nodded in amazement after hearing Zhongli's explanation.

"It's not just an ordinary stone embryo."

"The shell is thin, the lines are black... I'd guess it's hiding high-quality crystal ore."

Zhongli continued steadily.

"Exactly. This stone came from near a volcano. I picked it up at a market while wandering around."

"The seller thought it was just scrap, but he didn't realize its value."

Kun Jun smiled at Zhongli.

"Uh..."

"Qiu Bai, can you understand what they're talking about?"

Paimon scratched her head and asked.

"Haha, I understand a little, little Paimon."

Qiu Bai smiled at her.

"Crystal ore isn't rare though, is it?"

"So why is this one so special?"

Lumine asked, puzzled.

"Good color and texture alone don't make a treasure."

"Some rare crystals contain water pockets; others have golden sand trapped inside."

Kun Jun explained slowly to Lumine.

"The crystal hidden beneath this stone's shell encapsulated a droplet of water at the moment of its formation."

"The water rests at the bottom, like a full moon tucked in the mountains, reflecting the sky. It's quite rare."

Kun Jun looked at the stone in his hand and said.

"So detailed... it's almost like he saw it with his own eyes..."

"Are you sure you're not just making it up? You haven't even opened the stone yet!"

Paimon crossed her arms and looked at Kun Jun skeptically. Lumine did the same.

"No, he's telling the truth."

"Most crystals form in high-temperature environments, where running water can't exist. That's why water-filled crystals are so precious."

"This one contains water from a high mountain lake, which makes it even rarer."

Zhongli stroked his chin, studying the stone as he spoke.

"Even Zhongli says so... then it must be true."

Paimon gave a little shrug after hearing Zhongli's explanation.

Qiu Bai's mouth twitched slightly. He hadn't expected Paimon to be so blatantly biased.

"I've never seen anyone with Mr. Zhongli's eye for this kind of thing!"

"How can you tell what's under the stone's shell?"

Kun Jun laughed, clutching his chest, and asked Zhongli.