Chapter 45: What Do You Mean "Divine Mouth"? She's Paimon!

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West of Heaven Dou City, a small breakfast stall.

Zhongli sat leisurely sipping tea, but Paimon was nowhere to be seen.

This situation had to be traced back to ten minutes ago, after the two had finished breakfast.

"Paimon, did you bring any money?"

"Zhongli… don't tell me you forgot again?"

The two stared at each other in awkward silence.

It wasn't that they were actually short on money—it was just that last night, while taking stock of their "antiques," they had emptied out everything they were carrying…

"It seems carrying an Inner Realm would be more convenient."

Zhongli had stored all their more valuable "collectibles" inside his Inner Realm—a space similar to the Serenitea Pot.

Notably, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was also inside…

Ever since the incident at the Seven Treasures Hotel, where the owner had comped their bill without them even showing a token, Zhongli had stopped carrying the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's token altogether.

The only things left in their storage were gold soul coins and some ordinary jewelry—even if a thief targeted them, the loss wouldn't be significant.

Paimon's situation was different. She had simply taken everything out of her pockets and forgotten to put it back…

For Paimon, this was completely normal.

And so, after finishing breakfast, they found themselves unable to pay.

Small stalls like this didn't do tabs.

Having the bill sent to the Crown Prince's residence or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wasn't realistic either—the owner probably wouldn't dare to collect.

Thus, Paimon was voluntold to go home and fetch the money…

A short while later, Paimon returned—with the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, "Xue Qinghe," in tow.

The prince's expression was unreadable as she glanced between Zhongli and Paimon.

Good grief. She had even given them a storage-type spirit tool, and these two still managed to forget money?!

What was the point of a storage spirit tool if not to keep things like this handy?

Were they not even carrying that around?!

"Consultant Zhongli…"

"Qinghe…"

Zhongli and "Xue Qinghe" exchanged glances. Though Zhongli's face remained impassive, he could see the subtle twitch in the prince's eyelid.

Paimon facepalmed, then pulled out a gold soul coin to settle the bill with the stall owner.

On her way back with the money, she had run into "Xue Qinghe," who had decided to tag along.

The prince had been shocked to see Paimon out alone—it was the first time she'd witnessed the little guide flying solo. Naturally, she had asked what Paimon was up to.

And of course the answer was: Zhongli couldn't pay for breakfast, so Paimon had to go home and get money.

Truly impressive, dear Consultant.

Originally, "Xue Qinghe" had planned to finish her official duties before visiting Zhongli for a chat, but she couldn't resist coming early after this revelation.

And on the way to Zhongli's residence, she had coincidentally run into Paimon.

After paying, Paimon shot Zhongli a dead-eyed stare.

"Zhongli, what kind of tea did you even order that cost ten gold soul coins?!"

The breakfast had been comped, but this one pot of tea was worth a small fortune!

If only they'd known the owner would waive the meal, they could've skipped the tea altogether!

"As for what kind of tea this is… I can't quite say. The owner bought it from the shop across the street."

"But it has a light, refreshing aroma with a sweet aftertaste—"

"I wasn't asking about the flavor!"

Paimon groaned. At least she had brought enough coins—otherwise, she'd have had to make another trip.

Soon after, the three left the stall under the owner's enthusiastic farewells.

"Zhongli, from the way that guy was grinning, I bet he made at least five gold coins off us!"

Zhongli gave Paimon a surprised look. Since when was she this sharp?

Admittedly, the owner had profited—though not by five coins. More like… 1.89 coins (if breakfast hadn't been free).

The tea had cost eight coins wholesale, and he'd sold it for ten—a neat two-coin profit.

At least he'd had the decency to waive the meal.

"The tea was good. It was worth ten coins."

Zhongli stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"By the way, Qinghe, was there something you needed?"

Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Zhongli smoothly shifted the conversation.

As the Crown Prince, "Xue Qinghe" was extremely busy—she wouldn't have time to idle around with him all day.

Her visit had to be for a reason.

"Huh?"

Paimon blinked. Zhongli's seamless subject change caught her off guard.

Wait, wasn't she supposed to be the one handling conversations? The "Divine Mouth"—

No!

What "Divine Mouth"? She was Paimon!

The best travel guide!

Even in another world, she was still the best guide!

She had to do her job well—otherwise, she'd just look like a floating mascot!

"Yeah, Qinghe! Earlier, you mentioned looking for Zhongli—was there something important?"

Paimon quickly picked up the thread, addressing "Xue Qinghe" eagerly.

She had to protect her job at all costs!

Ah, how she missed the Traveler—always silent, leaving all the talking to her…

"???"

"Nothing urgent. I came specifically to thank you, sir. Had it not been for your help, I might not have survived that ordeal."

"Xue Qinghe" spoke with deep sincerity. Beyond gratitude, she had another purpose for visiting.

She just wanted to see Zhongli.

Somehow, being near him made her feel at ease—as if even if the sky fell, he could hold it up.

This sense of security was beyond words.

Hearing this, Paimon's expression shifted from gloom to delight.

Rubbing her hands together, she grinned up at "Xue Qinghe" with an almost sycophantic glee.

"Qinghe, hehe… about that 'thanks'…"

Help shouldn't be free, right?

Back in Teyvat, the Traveler helped people all the time—and they always got Mora (or those weird "Primogems") as rewards.

Mora made sense, but what even were Primogems for?

Well, regardless—payment was payment!

"Xue Qinghe" stared at Paimon blankly, unfamiliar with this… gesture.

After a moment, it clicked.

Ah. She wanted a reward.

But how could mere objects repay a life-saving favor?

Her life—no, Qian Renxue's life—was priceless!

…Wait, that sounded wrong.

Her life couldn't be measured in money!

Lost in thought, "Xue Qinghe" hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Finally, an idea struck.

"A life-saving grace is beyond repayment."

"No material gift could ever convey my gratitude to Consultant Zhongli."

"However… today, the Heaven Dou Grand Auction House…"

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 90 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 20 power stones I will publish the next chapter.