ALL NOVEL Chapter 22: He who wears crown
Paimon glanced at Zhongli and instinctively said, "Zhongli doesn't want to become a god..."
It makes sense. Zhongli just faked his death and stepped down from his divine position; how could he possibly want to take it back so soon?
Even if this is another world, the same logic applies.
Here, there are no citizens of Liyue, no people for him to protect, and nothing he treasures...
Saying Zhongli is here to wander the mortal realm isn't wrong at all.
He understands everything but cares about nothing.
How many forces have tried to win Zhongli over with their power?
Zhongli almost accepted everything, but when it came time for him to act, he might not necessarily do so.
Paimon's understanding of Zhongli mostly comes from doing tasks with the Traveler.
She knows a bit herself, not much, but all "core" secrets.
For example, Zhongli likes perfume, and he once played the role of a big sister...
Paimon's voice wasn't loud but not quiet either.
In the quiet private room, only the three of them were present.
"Xue Qinghe" couldn't help but hear.
"Doesn't want to become a god?"
If anyone else had said that, "Xue Qinghe" would have ridiculed them on the spot: with such poor abilities, it's not that they don't want to become a god; they can't become one, right?!
Not wanting to become a god, what a pretentious statement!
But, this wasn't about anyone else; it was about the Morax!
This being who single-handedly subdued several deities doesn't want to become a god?
"Xue Qinghe" was stunned, a bit at a loss, and somewhat bewildered, his mouth slightly open, wanting to speak but stopping.
Becoming a god, shouldn't that be the goal of every strong person?
Her grandfather, and she... that woman, don't they all aim for this?
Why, why would anyone not want to become a god?
Could this also be why Zhongli revealed the true nature of the Vast Sea Veil?
To let her know what it is, so she'd willingly take it back...
Since Zhongli doesn't want to become a god, how did he eventually become one?
"In this world of countless demons and gods, I may have no desire for supremacy, but I know the sufferings of all beings..."
These words suddenly echoed in "Xue Qinghe's" mind, as if she had grasped some key points.
Zhongli indeed had no wish to become a god, but because of the wars between nations and deities, the people suffered immensely.
The strong desire of the people, praying for someone to end this great war...
The converging power of faith made Zhongli, the most likely being to become a god, ascend on the spot!
Becoming a god through faith, just like the former Angel God, is a feasible path.
A person who doesn't want to become a god becomes such a powerful god, while those who do...
With her mind racing, "Xue Qinghe" had to snap back to reality; some things could be pondered slowly later. She couldn't neglect this esteemed guest.
"Little Paimon, regardless of whether Mr. Zhongli wishes to become a god, since the Heart of the Sea God has already been given, it is only proper that it not be taken back."
"Please, Mr. Zhongli, accept it!"
Xue Ye: Qinghe, Qinghe, did you get my permission to say this?
If it were the real Xue Qinghe, he would have taken the Heart of the Sea God back to the palace by now, fearing even a second's delay lest someone else snatch it away.
But, this isn't the real Xue Qinghe.
She doesn't care about the Sea God's legacy because she has her own legacy.
If that dream was of a past life, in this life she would definitely surpass her past self, at least, at least not be defeated by Zhongli in one move...
Zhongli scrutinized "Xue Qinghe" for a moment. For some reason, he felt something odd about "Xue Qinghe," though he couldn't pinpoint it.
The fear in her eyes was genuine, even before he had shown his power, or rather when they first met.
Moreover, he had clearly stated that the Heart of the Sea God was the Sea God's legacy, yet "Xue Qinghe" still resolutely gave it to him?
Why?
By the timeline, "Xue Qinghe" shouldn't know about the Angel God's legacy.
Even if she knew about her ancestor's legacy, wouldn't it be better to bring the Heart of the Sea God back to the Spirit Hall to gain another deity?
Unable to understand why "Xue Qinghe" would act this way, Zhongli eventually accepted the Heart of the Sea God.
The three chatted a while longer before "Xue Qinghe" had to attend to other matters and left.
"Being a crown prince is really not easy, having so much to handle."
Paimon watched "Xue Qinghe's" departing figure and muttered softly.
"It is part of the responsibility. Sitting in that position requires addressing the issues that come with it."
"Once you've chosen to sit there, you must bear these responsibilities."
"Zhongli, you talk so much, my head is spinning. Can't you be more concise?"
Paimon held her head, feeling a bit dizzy.
Zhongli glanced at the little one and smiled helplessly, saying, "To wear the crown, one must bear its weight."
"Oh, I get it now!"
"Zhongli, is this why you stepped down from the divine seat?"
"You didn't want to bear that weight..."
"That's not the reason."
Before Paimon could finish, Zhongli interrupted her, saying, "Under my and the Adepti's protection, Liyue has endured countless years."
"Children eventually grow up."
"Even the toughest rock can sometimes feel weary..."
"Liyue will be Liyue for its people. The me who stepped down from the divine seat..."
"After all this talk, it still boils down to erosion, forcing you to step down, right?"
Zhongli: "..."
"Yes."
What else could he say?
If it weren't for erosion, he wouldn't have gone to the abyss, nor would he have accidentally traveled with Paimon.
"Let's go, Paimon."
"In a few days, I'll take you to the Star Dou Forest, but you have to promise me one thing."
Hearing this, Paimon immediately perked up, her eyes wide open!
Does this mean another journey?
Great!
"What condition? As long as it's not about not eating, Paimon will agree!"
"Talk less."
"???"
"Why? As a guide, if I don't talk, what will you know?"
Paimon instinctively asked.
"Is this Teyvat?"
"Oh right, this is the Douluo Continent, and you seem to know more than me."
"But why should I talk less?"
Zhongli was silent for a while, then said, "You'll know when the time comes."
"Okay."
Paimon felt a bit down. Previously, the Traveler never said such things to her, telling her to talk less!
She was the one who usually talked; some even called her the Godly Mouth.
Pah, what Godly Mouth!
Paimon is just Paimon!
"Um, Mr. Zhongli, about the bill..."
At this moment, the shop owner came over, looking embarrassed.
Yesterday, the three of them had charged their bill to the crown prince's residence, setting a precedent.
Today, could they be planning to charge the bill again?
Actually, they really were.
Zhongli took out Ning Fengzhi's token, handed it to the shop owner, and said, "Send the bill to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
The shop owner glanced at the token, then at Zhongli, twitching at the corner of his eye, feeling a bit numb...