"What? Trying to hit on me?"
Hearing Lin Ze's words, Yelan's eyes curved into crescents as she playfully teased him.
"Well, as the saying goes, judge the actions, not the intent. Just thinking about it, you know."
Lin Ze wasn't afraid of Yelan. No matter how capable she was, she couldn't just arrest him without any evidence, could she?
He was just flirting a little.
"Judge the actions, not the intent? Sounds like you didn't finish that saying, did you?"
Raising an eyebrow, Yelan felt there was more to Lin Ze's words, that he hadn't fully expressed himself.
"The full saying is, lust is the root of all evil. Judge the actions, not the intent. If you judge the intent, there are no perfect people in the world."
"What was the previous sentence?"
That was an interesting way of putting it, but Yelan felt like he hadn't finished speaking.
However, Yelan did understand the meaning behind Lin Ze's words.
He knew she could see the contents of the diary, so he was making excuses for himself.
After all, Lin Ze had only said he was going to write, but hadn't actually written anything.
But Yelan's words did surprise Lin Ze, because there was indeed a sentence before that.
"Beautiful sister is amazing; you even know there's a previous sentence.
Of all virtues, filial piety comes first. Judge the intention, not the action; judge the action, and the poor have no filial children."
As he answered, Lin Ze gave Yelan a thumbs up.
He had to admit, she was worthy of her reputation as an information gatherer; and also worthy of being Yelan. From something she'd never heard before, she was able to deduce the context and meaning behind the words.
"Of all virtues, filial piety comes first, judging the heart, not the deed, for if we judge by deeds, there are no filial sons in poor families; of all vices, lust is the worst, judging the deed, not the heart, for if we judge by the heart, there are few perfect people in the world.
In terms of general theory, that's indeed the case."
Lin Ze's voice had barely faded when a voice that shocked him echoed from the corner, a voice he'd almost forgotten about because he was focusing on Yelan.
Familiar, too familiar!
That "in terms of general theory" was just too good!
It's you, Geo Archon! Old Man Zhongli!
Lin Ze instinctively glanced over, astonishment filling his eyes.
He'd just arrived in Liyue, hadn't done anything yet, just set up shop to sell clothes, and he'd already run into Zhongli?!
Along with his surprise, a strange thought popped into Lin Ze's mind.
If...
That voice! It's you! Zhongli!
This appearance, it's definitely Zhongli! Hooray, it's the Geo Archon, Wandering the Mortal Realm!
I bet Zhongli can't see the diary panel!
I'll just see what happens when I rip off Morax's Wandering the Mortal Realm disguise, and then the Rite of Descension.
"How will Zhongli fake his death and relinquish power? I wonder if I'll even get to hear, 'The Geo Archon has been assassinated! Seal off the area!' Haha!"
In the diary, Lin Ze was directly stripping Zhongli of his disguise, but his peripheral vision remained fixed on Yelan.
As expected, Yelan's pupils shrank the moment the words appeared in the diary.
Zhongli was actually the Geo Archon?!
She had investigated this mysterious consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, ultimately concluding he was a hidden immortal, which wasn't uncommon in Liyue.
For example, she knew Ping was actually an adeptus.
But Yelan truly hadn't imagined that Zhongli was the Geo Archon in the guise of Wandering the Mortal Realm!
This reaction confirmed for Lin Ze that Yelan could indeed see the diary entries.
But Zhongli didn't react much, still looking calmly at Lin Ze. He held a set of clothing he had already chosen, a men's set.
"The quality of the clothing here is top-notch, and you speak with such insight.
Judging by your appearance, you resemble someone from Liyue. May I ask where you are from, shopkeeper?"
He had originally just discovered a Descender, and the small stall had some decent clothes. The styles were also to his liking. He was preparing to buy a set for himself and the Director to add to their wardrobes. He wanted to observe discreetly, but he hadn't expected Lin Ze to speak so philosophically.
Zhongli was now very interested in Lin Ze.
To be able to say such things, his upbringing and the country he belonged to must be outstanding, right?
He also wondered how this young shopkeeper viewed Liyue.
"I am a Descender."
"As for my hometown, it's quite similar to Liyue. Or rather, Liyue is very similar to my hometown in ancient times."
Yelan had already confirmed her identity. She wasn't the only one who could see the diary副本.
His identity would be known to Zhongli sooner or later. Lin Ze decided to stop pretending. "I'm not acting anymore. I'm coming clean!
I am a Descender!"
"Oh? Finally dropping the act?"
Yelan, having just recovered from the shock of Zhongli being the Geo Archon, instinctively replied. Her expression then became serious.
She hadn't seen the diary副本 in front of Zhongli, and she didn't know if Zhongli knew about the diary副本. But she knew one thing.
Zhongli was an alias of the Geo Archon. While Wandering the Mortal Realm, he certainly wouldn't want his identity exposed.
So, Yelan chose to calmly nod at Zhongli, greeting him, and then spoke to Lin Ze again.
"Mr. Lin Ze, the Tianquan Star Ningguang requests your presence.
She invites you to the Jade Chamber."
Since Lin Ze had already revealed his hand, she didn't need to continue probing him.
She needed to complete her mission, find Lin Ze, and bring him to the Jade Chamber to meet with Ningguang.
"The Tianquan Star Ningguang, huh...
Let me finish selling these clothes first.
Every mora counts."
Saying this, Lin Ze waved to Yelan, then turned to Zhongli beside him with a smile.
"Sir, have you finished choosing?
I have a few more outfits here that are very suitable for you. Let me recommend them."
Seeing that Ningguang wasn't in a hurry, Lin Ze first wanted to know why Zhongli had come over, and what his reaction would be after knowing his identity as a Descender.
It was possible that they might even end up fighting later. After all, Zhongli really didn't seem to have a diary, and Lin Ze didn't know his background.
Although, even those with diaries didn't know his background either.
"Well, the boss has a good eye. These clothes are indeed beautiful and of excellent quality.
This is our director. Could you trouble the boss to help her choose a few sets as well?"
Zhongli nodded slightly, controlling his Geo element to condense a flat portrait of Hu Tao.
He knew Lin Ze was a Descender, but he didn't say much.
Yelan was present, so it wasn't convenient to discuss it.
But it was fine. He would "coincidentally" meet Lin Ze again after he left the Jade Chamber.
So, elemental energy can be used like this? If the condensation time is long enough, it could be a business... wait, Teyvat has cameras.
Never mind then. I'll pick a good one, and I guarantee the Director will love it!