"Brother, what are you talking about? This is Liyue Harbor. With Rex Lapis watching over us from on high, how could I possibly stoop to deceit? Wouldn't that be a stain on his good name?"
In a narrow alley off Feiyun Slope, Ji Ming desperately tried to defend himself. The middle-aged man gripping his collar, however, looked very much unconvinced—and very irritated.
"Don't you dare use the name of Lord Rex Lapis to scare me! I've heard the word on the streets. Ji Ming—famous across Liyue! From the back-alley rabble to the merchants and scholars—everyone knows you. A well-known con artist!"
Dropping the name of Rex Lapis did work, at least a little. No one in Liyue dared disrespect the Geo Archon. The man's grip hesitated, though he still refused to let Ji Ming go.
Ji Ming smiled faintly, picked up the lawbook tossed at his feet, and feigned affront.
"A con artist, you say? Such harsh words. I went through great trouble to procure this tome for you—and yet you call me a swindler?"
The man's face flushed red. He slapped the book from Ji Ming's hands.
"What would I need this for?! I told you already— I wanted something personally owned by Lady Yanfei!"
Seeing the man's sanity beginning to fray, Ji Ming still remained perfectly calm.
"Who said this isn't something she's personally used?"
"Huh? You're saying this counts? It's just a lawbook."
Ji Ming narrowed his eyes, his tone slow and meaningful.
"As a devoted admirer of Lady Yanfei, you should know… she always carries a lawbook with her. Always."
"You… you mean—?!"
The man froze. Then—pure delight bloomed across his face.
Could this be that book? The very tome Yanfei, Liyue's renowned legal adviser, often held in her hands?
No wonder they called Ji Ming the "Flippant Gentleman." He could obtain what others couldn't even dream of touching. Worth. Every. Mora.
The man instantly released him, smoothing out the wrinkles in Ji Ming's collar with both hands.
"Ahaha— misunderstandings, misunderstandings! I didn't know you were so capable—please, forgive me!"
He carefully retrieved the lawbook from the ground. In his eyes, it practically emitted divine radiance.
He blew the dust off reverently, thanked Ji Ming repeatedly, while Ji Ming waved lightly.
"I'm a fair trader—honest to young and old. I won't hold this slight against you."
His left hand, hanging loosely at his side, subtly pinched his fingers together.
The man immediately understood. "Ah, yes, yes—rules are rules."
He dug into his satchel and handed over a full pouch of mora.
"If I ever need help again, I'll come straight to you. Please look after me next time too!"
Dreaming of winning Lady Yanfei's heart, the man practically floated out of the alley—clutching what he now saw as sacred scripture.
Once his customer disappeared around the corner, Ji Ming finally broke.
"Bro—he actually believed it?? That lawbook is sold in Wanwen Bookhouse! And it's the newest edition! AHAHAHAHA—"
"Honest to young and old" means not cheating children or the elderly.
As for greasy, delusional middle-aged men?
Prime customers.
They wanted Yanfei's personal belongings?
He lived off idiots like that.
And what if they reported him? Please.
If you're bold enough to fantasize about owning Lady Yanfei's belongings, you think you'd dare complain to the Liyue Ministry of Civil Affairs?
One word from Yanfei and you'd be lucky if you only got life imprisonment.
Ji Ming might get thrown in jail for a few weeks at most. He was a regular there. The old warden was practically his drinking buddy. Jail was like going home.
…Well, actually, Ji Ming didn't have a home. He slept wherever he could outside the city. Jail at least kept out the wind and rain.
The laughter gradually faded. Ji Ming tucked away his heavy pouch of mora. A good haul.
Maybe today he could finally eat something decent at Wanmin Restaurant. Wonder if Chef Xiangling was on duty.
Passing near Yujing Terrace, he looked toward the luxurious residences—homes only the wealthy could afford. He imagined buying one someday. A warm home. A family.
When he saved enough, he'd retire. No more hustling.
Down in Liyue Harbor's lower district, crowds bustled endlessly. The Adventurers' Guild was located here, so the flow of people was always heavy.
Even though it was early autumn, Ji Ming still wore short sleeves, only loosely covered by an oversized, faded long coat—not nearly enough for the weather, making him appear even more out of place.
Approaching Wanmin Restaurant, the aroma of food hit him like a wave.
"Xiangling! I'm starving! I need food!"
"Coming, coming! Don't rush. I already made something for you."
Xiangling emerged balancing a plate of Three-Flavored Skewer Platter on her head, a bowl of Mountain Delicacy Hot Noodles in her hands, and Guoba tottering behind her with a bowl of tea.
Good meal today.
Ji Ming scanned the restaurant—it was packed. He'd have to share a table.
He spotted an elegant young man, and approached politely.
"Sir, would you mind if I share your table?"
The well-dressed man lifted his gaze, set down his tea, and gestured gracefully.
"Please. I do not object."
Xiangling, placing the dishes, suddenly noticed him properly—and froze.
"Oh—Mr. Zhongli? Sorry! I was in the kitchen and didn't realize you were dining!"
"No need to worry," Zhongli replied calmly. "I am merely a regular guest today."
Ji Ming's eyes widened.
So this is Zhongli.
He'd heard rumors—Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's esteemed consultant. Knowledgeable, refined, and strikingly handsome.
The handsome part was… debatable. Ji Ming considered himself a solid match. Maybe a 50-50 split.
"Ah Ming, don't stare, it's rude," Xiangling scolded, tapping his forehead before rushing back to the kitchen.
Left alone with Zhongli… Ji Ming ate quickly—until he felt a gaze.
Zhongli sipped tea, nodding politely.
"Greetings."
"Uh… hello."
Something about Zhongli's expression seemed… complicated. But Ji Ming had no proof.
Surely not that. No way Zhongli had taken a liking to him. Even broke as he was, Ji Ming wasn't about to sell himself.
"You are Ji Ming, yes? I have heard of you."
"Being known by Mr. Zhongli is flattering. But… heard of me how, exactly?"
"My employer, the Parlor Master, once purchased from you. You sold her a diary… claiming it to be the 'Book of Life and Death.'"
Ji Ming nearly spat his tea.
Ah. So he was here to settle that score.
It had been a freezing night outside Liyue Harbor. Ji Ming had been about to burn his last notebook for warmth—when Hu Tao appeared. One thing led to another, and well—salesmanship happened.
Barefoot men feared no shoe-wearers.
"Yes, well… if the Parlor Master is angry, I… happen to have earned a bit today. I'll return it."
He awkwardly pushed half his mora across the table.
Zhongli shook his head.
"She was angry. She also said she now despises you. And that after you die, she plans to sell you the most expensive coffin to earn her money back."
"…Haha… that's unfortunate. I definitely can't afford the most expensive. Those things are Golden Phoebe wood, yes?"
Zhongli changed the topic smoothly.
"You know Xiangling well?"
"We grew up together. Good relationship."
"Ah. I see—childhood companions. Since she and my Parlor Master are also close, I assumed you knew her as well."
"No, no. Lady Hu Tao's family was well-off. I just happened to see her around while tagging along behind Xiangling."
The two fell into an easy silence.
Ji Ming ate.
Zhongli drank tea.
Passersby might have mistaken them for old friends reunited.
Then Zhongli leaned forward.
"Ji Ming. Are you troubled by livelihood?"
"…Yeah. Not that I'm ashamed of it."
"I have a job for you," Zhongli said. "Good pay. If you are willing, I will entrust it to you."
Ji Ming raised a brow.
"Oh? Something shady?"
"If it is about con work… I'm your man."
"Nothing of the sort. I have an old acquaintance. Her student will soon visit Liyue. The child is… naïve. Unfamiliar with the world."
"So you want me to…?"
"I would like you to act as a guide. Show her Liyue. Let her learn how the world works here. Your… experience will suffice."
Ah. Zhongli's "old friend" wanted someone to play the villain, so her student wouldn't stay.
Ji Ming's tone instantly turned transactional.
"Act the bad guy? Then the mora… should reflect that."
Zhongli smiled.
"100,000 mora. Enough for a month's living expenses. All travel costs covered by Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Including medical fees."
Not sure why he emphasized that part.
But 100,000 mora for playing a jerk for a day or two?
Easy.
"No problem at all. I'm always honest to young and old."
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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