Paimon flew back to Lumine's side and tugged at her sleeve, her small face clearly saying "I don't understand."
"Zhongli still talks in such circles; it makes my head spin."
Lumine gently patted Paimon's little head and explained in a low voice, "Zhongli is likely worried that if the conflict between Fontaine and Inazuma escalates, it will cause a lot of unnecessary trouble for other nations."
"He's going to Inazuma, perhaps hoping to see if he can de-escalate things."
Zhongli stood to the side, his hearing excellent. Hearing this, he nodded slightly, a flash of approval for Lumine appearing in his amber eyes.
"Precisely. Once the fires of war are lit, it is inevitable that the innocent will be affected."
"Inazuma has been isolated for a long time; the people are impoverished, and institutions like the Commission of Retribution are riddled with deep-seated corruption. This course of action is likely not the Raiden Shogun's true intent, but rather a result of subordinates losing their way... or perhaps being too eager for success and taking a wicked path. The people of Inazuma are not inherently evil; they are merely trapped by the current situation, leading to short-sightedness and radical behavior. They need guidance, not just blind punishment."
King had been listening quietly, looking out at the sea. The sea breeze ruffled the hem of his trench coat, his face bearing its usual fierce indifference.
Only after Zhongli finished speaking did he slowly turn his gaze back, his calm eyes landing on Zhongli.
After a few seconds of silence, he spoke, his voice showing no fluctuation, yet it was like a stone dropped into a calm lake:
"Liyue can barely take care of itself; why are you meddling so far afield?"
The question was direct, even somewhat blunt.
Clorinde's eyes narrowed slightly as she stared intently at Zhongli, her hand inconspicuously moving closer to her sword hilt.
Lynette's cat ears twitched slightly, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
Paimon gasped and covered her mouth. "Wow, King is so direct!"
Lumine was also stunned for a moment, looking blankly at Zhongli.
Zhongli, however, did not take offense; a trace of a helpless smile even touched the corners of his mouth.
"Barely take care of itself?"
He repeated the phrase, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.
"What makes you say that, Mr. King?"
"Liyue is currently flourishing in trade, and its people live in peace. Although there are occasional minor troubles, it can be described as a prosperous and stable nation."
King's gaze shifted to the distant horizon where the brilliant lights of Liyue Harbor were faintly visible, then he looked back at Zhongli.
There was no emotion in his eyes as he stated it like a simple fact:
"You say Liyue is wealthy, but why are there still so many people in the streets and alleys who can't eat their fill or wear warm clothes?"
"The porters at the harbor carry loads heavier than themselves, yet they earn barely a few Mora."
"Merchants are dripping with wealth, while workers worry about money for tomorrow's meal."
"Where exactly do the Treasure Hoarders in the Liyue outskirts come from? Are you not aware?"
"Is this not a case of being unable to take care of one's own?"
He paused, his tone still flat, but it made the listeners' hearts sink slightly.
"Zhongli,"
"You say you want to go guide the people of Inazuma; do the people of Liyue not need 'guidance' as well?"
The deck went silent.
There was only the howling of the sea breeze and the sound of the hull cutting through the waves.
Clorinde was stunned, her emotions complex.
A wealthy nation, a poor populace.
Was Fontaine's current situation somewhat similar... Lynette lowered his eyes, his gaze vacant and his mind blank, pretending he hadn't heard a thing.
Paimon's eyes widened. She looked at King, then at Zhongli, and whispered to Lumine, "King seems to have a point. After all, didn't we see things like that in Liyue before..."
Lumine quickly covered Paimon's mouth, signaling her not to speak recklessly, but the look she gave Zhongli also held a hint of complexity.
As a Traveler, Lumine had visited many places in Teyvat.
She had long heard of the filth beneath Liyue's prosperity... The faint smile on Zhongli's face vanished.
He stood there in silence, his amber eyes like deep pools, reflecting the afterglow of the sunset sinking into the sea, as well as King's expressionless face that seemed capable of piercing through all pretenses.
The sea breeze seemed to freeze for a moment.
After a long while, Zhongli let out a soft sigh.
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"