The moment he saw Sam Li, Arataki Itto froze in confusion.
That's Sam Li?
No… isn't he Zhongli, the guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, in charge of assisting with their funeral services? When did he end up in Natlan?
Don't tell me…
Has Wangsheng Funeral Parlor expanded its business to Natlan?
Seeing Arataki Itto standing there dazed, Billy nudged him. "What's wrong, Brother Arataki? Come on, let's go check out what treasures are in that chest with Sam Li."
Arataki Itto asked, baffled, "Sam Li? Isn't his name Zhongli?"
Billy looked equally puzzled. "Zhongli?"
There it was again—that name.
The last time in the C75 Hollow, when they ran into that pigtail-wearing bard, he also referred to Sam Li as Zhongli. Could Zhongli be Sam Li's old name?
Could Arataki Itto be from Sam Li's hometown?
Billy blinked. "Wait, Brother Arataki, you know Sam Li?"
Arataki Itto beamed confidently. "Of course I do! Last time I visited Liyue, I bumped into him several times on the street…"
It had only been half a year since they'd seen each other.
Why would Zhongli suddenly show up in Natlan?
Hearing him go on about Natlan, Liyue, Zhongli… Billy became convinced—Arataki Itto really did know Sam Li.
He smiled. "Let's head over."
But Arataki Itto was still utterly confused. "?????"
...
A short while later, Nicole, Anby, Soldier 11, Billy, and Arataki Itto finally approached Sam Li.
Sam Li looked at Arataki Itto and was just as surprised.
In his view, the leyline connection between Zenless Zone Zero and Teyvat had only just been opened. The bond was still unstable, so only archons and adepti should be able to travel between worlds.
Like Azhdaha…
Or Barbatos…
He had expected perhaps an adeptus from Liyue or a archon from another nation—but never imagined it would be Arataki Itto.
Did this guy really muscle his way through the teleportation using a Statue of The Seven?
Before Sam Li could speak, Arataki Itto jumped in. "Zhongli! It really is you? What are you doing in Natlan too?"
Sam Li frowned slightly. "Natlan? Itto, how did you get here?"
Arataki Itto replied, "Of course I teleported using the Statue of The Seven! I was bored out of my mind in Inazuma. Shinobu was busy, Yoimiya was busy, so I came to Natlan to look for the Traveler and Paimon… Turns out it was a great decision! This place is full of battles—I ran into monsters the moment I arrived, and now I've run into you guys. It's been ages since I had such a good fight!"
He still wasn't done.
Then he eagerly asked, "Oh right! Have you seen the Traveler and Paimon? Judging by the time, they should've reached Natlan by now. I wonder if they're in trouble. Maybe they need my help…"
After listening, Sam Li finally pieced it together.
This guy must've been broke again and used the Statue to teleport just to save on travel expenses—then accidentally landed in Zenless Zone Zero and mistook it for Natlan.
Sam Li was speechless. Only Arataki Itto could pull off something like this.
Thankfully, he didn't get lost in the unstable leyline between the two worlds.
Seeing the hopeful look on Itto's face, Sam Li slowly shook his head. "This isn't Natlan. You've ended up in the wrong place."
Arataki Itto blinked in confusion. "This isn't Natlan? Then where am I?"
Billy laughed. "You're in New Eridu City, of course. Welcome to New Eridu, Brother Arataki. Once we're out of the Hollow, I'll treat you to dinner at the Starlight Knights Restaurant…"
With a free meal in the mix, Arataki Itto was instantly pleased.
But…
Why was this place called New Eridu?
What kind of place was New Eridu? Why had he never heard of it?
He was supposed to be in Natlan. How did he end up in some place called New Eridu?
At this moment, Arataki Itto had a hundred questions swirling in his mind.
He glanced at Billy, then at Sam Li, and seemed to reach a conclusion.
New Eridu…
Liyue…
He got it.
This New Eridu place must be a city somewhere in Liyue.
He'd been to Liyue before—but only to Liyue Harbor and nearby areas. He didn't know much about the rest. A place that big having several cities made perfect sense.
Thinking that, he scratched his head awkwardly. "Looks like I really came to the wrong place…"
Sam Li: "…"
Billy, however, was cheerful. "You didn't come to the wrong place. With your skills, you'll definitely make a name for yourself here in New Eridu. Just get the Arataki Gang established in the city!"
Arataki Itto lit up. "You're right! Meeting Brother Billy means I didn't come to the wrong place after all. Who would've thought that even in the faraway land of Liyue, I'd meet someone so much like myself. This trip wasn't a waste! Brother Billy, wanna join the Arataki Gang?"
Join the Arataki Gang?
Trying to poach him?
Billy glanced at Arataki Itto, then at Nicole, who was now frowning, and quickly shook his head. "Uh… I already have a job."
"A job?" Arataki Itto scoffed. "The Arataki Gang never works and still lives large!"
Billy: "…"
Nicole frowned. "Of course gangs from the outer ring don't work."
Seriously?
First it was the Public Security Bureau, then the Defense Army, then Victoria Housekeeping Co.—everyone trying to poach Sam Li.
And now even Arataki Itto was trying to recruit Billy…
At that moment, Arataki Itto turned to Sam Li. "Guest Zhongli, I heard you fought two monsters by yourself just now? You actually beat two huge ones?"
To him, Zhongli had always just been a regular consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Maybe he had a Vision, maybe not.
But even with a Vision's power, taking on two of those monsters alone? No way, right?
Since arriving here, Itto had already fought Ethereals twice.
Once in Hollow Zero—he had the upper hand.
Once here—he couldn't handle it alone and needed help from Billy, Nicole, and the others to win.
Just one was already tough.
So how could Sam Li fight two?
Seeing the doubt on Itto's face, Billy answered seriously, "You've never seen Sam Li fight alongside Azhdaha Bangboo, so it's normal not to believe it. But trust me—Sam Li is insanely strong. A whole group of Ethereals like that? He can take them all on solo."
Nicole smiled and nodded. "That's right. Sam Li is our ace employee at the Hare's House."
Arataki Itto looked even more puzzled. "Zhongli, did you quit Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"