Mt. Tianheng—once the most important defensive line and mining region of ancient Liyue. After the center of mining shifted to the Chasm, this mountain range, which had witnessed countless chapters of history, gradually transformed into a scenic destination.
The passage of time left behind innumerable fortifications and ancient ruins. Over the years, many adventurers established camps here, which eventually became the best overnight stops for travelers passing through.
With a blade of wild grass plucked at random between his teeth, Ji Ming lay sprawled on a woven mat at an adventurer camp, sighing at how daring the people of old had been—leaving behind places like this for a drifter like him to shelter in.
Heh. Adventurers really were good civilization.
Ji Ming didn't actually know what "good civilization" meant. He only remembered that when he was very young—barely old enough to form memories—his parents, who were still alive back then, used to say strange things like that all the time.
In any case, he'd carried those strange words with him ever since. It was the only way he had left to remember them. After all, they didn't even have gravestones—their ashes had been scattered into the Guyun Stone Forest, just as their will had requested.
"So I've gotta make money—fast—and build a cenotaph for them at Wuwang Hill, pick the best spot!"
Mr. Zhongli had given him a good job.
Which meant Mr. Zhongli was also good civilization.
According to Zhongli, Miss Shenhe would soon enter Liyue Harbor through the mountain pass at the foot of Tianheng. So Ji Ming decided to wait here.
It was already late. He figured Shenhe would most likely arrive the next day, so he chose to rest and recover for now.
Just as Ji Ming closed his eyes and found the perfect sleeping position, a cool, distant voice suddenly reached his ears.
"Are you Ji Ming?"
"Miss, disturbing someone's sleep isn't very polite."
Ji Ming opened his eyes slowly, irritation creeping in—only to see a woman with flowing white hair like spun silk. She stood nearly as tall as he did, her upright posture bending slightly as she looked down at him, her gaze cold and detached.
Mom. I'm in love.
"Are you Ji Ming?"
After a quick glance at the woman who looked like she'd stepped straight out of the realm of immortals, Ji Ming recalled Zhongli's description and tested the waters.
"…May I ask—are you Miss Shenhe?"
"Yes. My master sent me to find you. She said you would act as my guide in Liyue Harbor."
Once she confirmed his identity, Shenhe straightened up. Her expression remained indifferent, betraying neither approval nor displeasure toward Ji Ming.
Ji Ming felt a bit awkward. It was already nightfall. Though Liyue had no curfew, there was no way he could take her sightseeing now.
To avoid the silence growing heavier, he pulled out a classic Liyue conversational opener.
"Miss Shenhe… have you eaten?"
"I consumed some Qingxin earlier."
"Qingxin?" Ji Ming grimaced. "I've eaten loads of that before. Doesn't fill you up at all—and it's bitter as hell. That stuff can't count as a meal."
Shenhe paused, then said calmly, "Are you also a cultivator? Why else would you consume such bitter medicinal herbs?"
So she was a cultivator.
Ji Ming had heard plenty about those who sought immortality in the wilderness around Liyue—some even blessed by the gods as Vision bearers. He couldn't quite understand that way of life.
Living in the wild, eating unbearably bitter herbs, and calling it cultivation…
Brother, if that was seeking the Dao, then what was Ji Ming doing—survival training?
Don't look down on poor folks, alright?
Out of respect for Shenhe, Ji Ming didn't voice his disdain. He simply shook his head.
"No. I was just so poor back then that Qingxin was all I could afford to eat."
For a split second, shock flickered across Shenhe's face—so subtle it might've been imagined. In the next breath, she returned to her usual calm detachment.
"If you're still hungry," Ji Ming offered, "I can treat you to a meal in Liyue Harbor. Wanmin Restaurant should still be open."
With Xiangling not traveling for ingredients lately, Wanmin had become the go-to spot for most locals.
Shenhe shook her head.
"Those who cultivate should not indulge in food. Qingxin may be bitter, but it tempers the mind. It is enough for me."
Ji Ming didn't understand—but he was deeply shaken.
Was this girl… raised wrong by her master?
"Forgive the question, but your master—ah, never mind. That's beyond my duties. Please excuse my rudeness."
Shenhe nodded, unbothered. She simply remained standing there, her gaze never leaving Ji Ming.
The silence returned.
Ji Ming felt a headache coming on. Despite his nickname, "the Frivolous Wanderer," he had very little experience talking to girls in normal circumstances.
Xiangling didn't count—she had a Vision, sure, but she was just a warm, approachable girl next door who'd always looked after him.
Wait.
Wasn't his job to play the villain? To show Shenhe the warmth and coldness of Liyue's human world—so she'd leave after visiting her senior sister and return to cultivation?
Gritting his teeth, Ji Ming turned his back on her and muttered sulkily,
"Miss Shenhe, you interrupted my sleep earlier. I need to rest now. Do as you please."
He'd deceived countless people—but for some reason, he didn't want to lie to someone as pure and uninvolved with the streets as Shenhe.
Hu Tao was the exception. She wasn't a bad person—just overly enthusiastic about selling coffins. Ji Ming had been targeted more than once, so he'd taken a little revenge.
How annoying.
Living by deception, yet insisting on acting righteous?
Fine. If he was going to be a villain, he'd be a proper one. Ji Ming resolved to let Shenhe experience Liyue's purest malice—the kind even locals couldn't tolerate.
Ji Ming: "..."
Shenhe: "..."
…This wasn't right.
Why wasn't she asking anything? She could endure this kind of cold treatment?
What kind of tolerance was this?!
"Miss Shenhe," Ji Ming finally blurted out, "aren't you bored?"
"Why do you ask?"
Rubbing his temples, Ji Ming sat up and lit a small campfire. The sun had dipped below the horizon—night was falling fast.
"If no one talks to you, will you just… stay silent like this?"
Shenhe stared into the fire, sparks reflecting in her pale eyes.
"I rarely speak. Only my master converses with me outside of cultivation."
…Yeah. Definitely withdrawn.
"So if I ignore you," Ji Ming pressed, "you wouldn't be upset?"
"Why would I be?" she replied calmly. "It is natural for ordinary people to rest. I can simply wait quietly at your side."
Ji Ming's face twisted.
Shenhe didn't understand why his emotions fluctuated so violently.
Did I say something wrong again…?
I'm sorry, Master. I really am bad at interacting with people. After visiting Senior Sister, I should return and focus on cultivation…
Ever since her master had rescued her from Jueyun Karst, Shenhe had remained curious about the mortal world. Though her father's abandonment had driven her away from worldly attachments, she still wished to understand it—just a little—through this visit.
"…Seriously," Ji Ming muttered, "if you say things like that, how am I supposed to—"
How was he supposed to play the bad guy?!
Mr. Zhongli, you've really put me in a tough spot…
With a sigh, Ji Ming doused the fire using collected rainwater, stamped out the embers, and waved.
"Alright, alright. I'll take you to Liyue Harbor and get you the best inn. Even cultivators need proper rest. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's footing the bill anyway."
After walking a short distance, Ji Ming noticed there was no one behind him. He turned back to see Shenhe still standing there, momentarily stunned.
"Aren't you coming?" he asked. "Miss Shenhe?"
"…Did I say something wrong?" she asked quietly. "Are you angry?"
Ji Ming was baffled.
"Why would I be? Aside from sounding a little cold, you didn't do anything wrong."
Shenhe said nothing—she simply followed him.
It was her first real conversation with a mortal since beginning her cultivation… and it hadn't been nearly as difficult as she'd imagined.
Ji Ming is a good person.
Completely unaware he'd just received a "good person card," Ji Ming silently cursed Zhongli for assigning him the role of villain—already plotting how to fleece Wangsheng out of a hefty sum of mora.
Somewhere they could not see, a white crane landed lightly on a branch, its intelligent gaze fixed on Ji Ming's retreating figure.
"…That silhouette feels strangely familiar. So that is why the Lord of Geo appeared in a dream and named him as the guide. The Archon never acts without purpose."
In the next moment, the crane spread its wings and soared into the sky.