18 Zhongli's wallet has arrived

Igarashi is currently walking down the road leading to Chihu Rock from Feiyun Slope. It is also one of the two main roads connecting the two areas, so naturally, it is bustling with people despite being nighttime.

Street lanterns giving off red and orange light are present to illuminate the area were present and on the sides, some street vendors are still open for business. Of course, unsurprisingly, it was much longer than the one in-game.

Passing a bridge, Igarashi heard some screaming at one of the shops that were nearby. He looked around and saw that everyone else that was walking noticed it and turned their heads to where the scream originated.

Igarashi looked everywhere until he finally saw something. He was quite familiar with it, actually.

In the game, a tea house called Yanshang Teahouse was quite infamous around the fandom. The reason is the way it looks and treats the players. In the game, the front of the door is guarded by two NPC that was rude to the player, no scratch that, all the NPC of the teahouse were rude to the player.

Not many people know that this teahouse is secretly a casino and it is naturally why the NPC of this place is rude to the player that looks, well, poor.

Back to the topic. In contrast to the game, no one was guarding the main door at all. Even the rude hostess isn't around. 'Something's not right...'

The doors were also open but it was dark inside and everyone outside dared not to go in. Though, some of them went to call some milleliths.

Igarashi approached the door and tried to peak in but was intercepted by an arm.

"It's better for you to not stick your nose in everywhere, kid." Assertively said the man that stopped Igarashi

The man then stepped out revealing a hooded figure with a mask on. It was a Fatui agent.

Igarashi was startled and backed away, he turned his head to the side and looked at Sasori who was watching the whole thing, and nodded his head as if giving a warning. Sasori also nodded and disappeared from his view.

'Good job. Looks like he remembers...' Igarashi thought. It was one of the signs he gave to Sasori in case he faces an enemy he can't handle or needs support. 'He should be doing 'that' now...'

Just then, another voice was heard coming from inside the tea house. "Now, now, Javert, don't be rude to everyone and let the poor kid go."

The man that spoke also stepped out revealing a familiar figure that scared Igarashi. 'What the FU—"

The person that showed himself is a tall young man with short, choppy orange hair, and dull blue eyes. He wears a red Fatui mask pulled off to one side of his head. He also wears a beaded earring with a red crystal on his left ear. A few lighter blonde streaks can be seen in his hair, with one prominent one on the left side of his bangs.

He wears a grey jacket that is left unbuttoned at the end to reveal a belt, to which his Hydro Vision is attached.

The person walked to Igarashi and showed a 'kind' smile. "I apologize for my colleague's action." He then looked at the person named Javert and said, "Now then, let's go."

The man was none other than the 11th Fatui Harbinger, nicknamed "Childe"

'It's Childe... Why is he here so fast?! He's definitely here for Zhongli...' Igarashi started thinking.

He then calmly left the premise and started running stealthily to his shop when he was far away enough by going to deserted places of Chihu Rock. Sasori dropped down from one of the roofs and ran with him. "What's happening?" He asked

"A lot of things will happen. We need to sell our manga quickly and grow stronger." Igarashi gave a short summary.

He needs to sell more of his manga to gain more points and unlock more of the system shop to get stronger. If not, he'll get swept away by the world's grand schemes like the Tsaritsa's scheme and the Abyss Order's plans.

Sasori didn't respond and just nodded with an "Umu"

Both of them ran sneakily, trying to not get as much attention drawn to them as possible.

However, in the distance, with the moon's moonlight shining down on her figure, a tall woman in dark blue hair was watching Igarashi and Sasori. She then looked at Yanshang Teahouse and at Igarashi again. She then took out a notepad and drew his physical features.

'He's certainly interesting...' She thought.

And with that, she vanished in the silent night.

* * *

After running for more than 5 minutes, Igarashi and Sasori finally saw their familiar shop with two guests waiting at the door.

Zhongli and Xiangling were talking about something until they noticed Igarashi coming toward them.

"Ah, Boss Yunru! You came at the right moment! Mr. Zhongli was just telling me that he needs to talk to you." Xiangling said as she waved at him

Igarashi stopped running and stopped before them. He then grasped some air from the constant running, though, with his increase of stamina, it did not tire him that much.

He then looked at the person that was with Xiangling and was once again shocked. 'Damn it, it's the grandpa— wait no, it's Zhongli.'

Igarashi was focusing all of his attention on Zhongli and calmed himself down. He straightened his posture and cleared his throat. "*Ahem* And who might this be, Xiangling?"

"This is Mr. Zhongli! The consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor." Xiangling gave a brief introduction.

Zhongli nodded and crossed his arms and spoke. "Good evening. As Miss Xiangling here said, my name is Zhongli. I work for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and I happen to obtain one of your works."

He then showed Igarashi the manga he had. Igarashi nodded and asked, "Are you perhaps here to ask anything regarding my work?"

Although Igarashi sounded calm, he was TRYING to stay calm. The man in front of him is the oldest and strongest archon as of now. He's not the Zhongli he knows from the game that gave away his Gnosis, no, this man still has his gnosis and is powerful by millions of leagues. 'Still, before even obtaining his gnosis, Morax is still known as the prime and strongest Adeptus, so even without it, he's strong as heck...'

Zhongli calmly nodded before speaking again. "Though, I prefer to talk in private."

Igarashi also nodded and went to his shop's door and opened it. He lit up his candles and welcomed Zhongli in as naturally as he could. "Well then, come on in."

Zhongli entered and Xiangling didn't as she needs to get back to their restaurant to help her dad.

Igarashi closed the door and looked at Zhongli who was surveying the room. He then walked to the couches and spoke, "Please sit down, and let us discuss what you want to talk about."

Zhongli was looking at the climbing Sasori and seemed to find him familiar. Though, he turned his attention away from him in the next moment.

He nodded and sat down. Igarashi put on his calm and composed look and smiled before speaking. "Well then, Mr. Zhongli, what would you like to ask?"

Zhongli didn't speak for a moment and just looked at Igarashi as if judging him, which made the latter awkward. Zhongli then spoke, "I would like to discuss some... Contents of your book." He said as he raised the manga

"What seems to be the problem?" Igarashi asked

"Yes, but before I get into that, have you ever heard of an Adeptus?" Zhongli asked

"Haha, I believe that everyone in Liyue harbor must have heard of the mighty illuminated beasts, no?" Igarashi calmly answered.

Zhongli hummed in agreement and pondered something in his mind. He then sighed as if he disregarded something and spoke again. "I would very much like to know more of what will happen next of this work of yours."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhongli, but I am not planning on making another serialization sooner."

Zhongli once again hummed and continued asking some questions regarding the technologies and inventions in Igarashi's manga which the latter answered. "I am interested in knowing how you came up with these inventions."

"Haha, they're merely a product of my over-productive imagination. Though, I myself do not know if such technologies existed." Igarashi lied through his teeth

"Hmm..." Zhongli hummed. "Well then, would like to explain why the contents of your book are vanishing?"

"E-Excuse me?" Igarashi lost his composure for a moment before regaining it. "I-If you're referring to that then... No comment."

Zhongli nodded and closed his eyes. He was pondering something in his mind while tapping his finger on the couch armrest.

He then stood up and told Igarashi. "Well then, Sir Yunru, I am looking forward to your future works. Consider me a supporter of your work from now on and a potential regular."

"Alright..." That was all Igarashi could and we're. Though, it was enough.

Zhongli bid farewell to Igarashi and left. Leaving the tired Igarashi sitting on his couch.

[New achievement unlocked]

['Favored by an Archon' has been achieved]

['Favored by a Warrior God' has been achieved]

[Certain conditions have been met]

[+2 Upgrade Point]

[+20 System Credits]

[New section of the system store has been unlocked: 'Weapon Section']

"..." Igarashi was speechless by the barrage of notifications sent by the system. 'Just how many more certain conditions do I have to do to unlock more of your function...' He thought tiredly

(A/N: In the next chapter, we'll finally see Igarashi's manga spread all over Liyue Harbor due to a certain funeral parlor director and a certain blue-haired femboi)