Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Chapter 110 Zhongli and Xuanqing's Casual Conversation

After Xuan Qing woke up, Xuan Yue pulled him back to Li Yue without saying a word, insisting that he recuperate to a certain extent before allowing him to set off for Daoqi.

Now, in Jueyun Pavilion, only Zhongli comes up to chat with Xuanqing when he has free time, just like now.

"Haha, my old friend has been scolded by Xuan Yue again." Zhong Li placed a piece in the middle of the chessboard and teased with a light smile.

Xuan Qing: "Aren't you asking a question you already know the answer to, Morax? My current divine power is the same as when we first met; it simply can't handle frequent use. I didn't expect Xuan Yue's reaction to be so strong..."

“It’s only natural that Xuan Yue would care about you.” Zhong Li took one of Xuan Qing’s black stones and filled the gap: “Ever since he brought you out of the Layered Rock Abyss last time, he has always looked worried and preoccupied.”

Xuanqing surrounded Zhongli's white pieces in the 3 position, and after eating three pieces in a row, he spoke: "It seems you have also noticed that Xuanyue's mind has been in turmoil lately, and even I can't see anything." After Xuanqing finished speaking, he looked up and asked Zhongli: "Is there any other news from Daoqi?"

"Inazuma's whereabouts are blocked, so I'm not entirely sure either. But that traveler should have already clashed with Balzebu. Given her obsession with 'eternity,' she certainly won't let this variable go, so she's probably wanted by the authorities right now." Zhongli said as he surrounded and attacked Xuanqing's pieces, capturing another one.

“‘Eternity’—it seems she hasn’t grasped the true meaning of that word.” Xuan Qing’s expression remained unchanged, but his thoughts drifted away. “However, it’s understandable. That great war swept across Teyvat, and one by one, those close to her departed. Now she’s all alone; she’s probably heartbroken…”

"Old friend..."

"I'm fine. Although the knot in my heart has been untied, I still can't help but miss the past." Xuan Qing just sighed and continued to pick up the black pieces, blocking Zhongli Bai's path.

"Yes... indeed, generally speaking, after 'divinity' and 'humanity' are re-integrated, the fluctuations in emotions will be more pronounced. Over time, one will inevitably miss the past, and if not adjusted properly, it can easily lead to inner conflicts, which is not conducive to future cultivation. My old friend's situation is quite normal."

"It would have been better if you hadn't brought this up, but now that you've mentioned it, I want to spar with you again." Xuan Qing hadn't forgotten the outrageous things that the "Rock King Emperor" in front of him had done back then.

For the sake of Liyue's future development, using himself as bait and dragging Xuan Yue into the scheme as an accomplice was one thing. But later, it caused turmoil in "order". If he had recovered any later, Liyue would not have fallen, but there would have been casualties. Otherwise, Xuan Yue would probably have fought Oser to the death or used his body as a shield.

"Ahem, it's all in the past, old friend, no need to dwell on it." Zhongli covered his embarrassment with a cough and quickly changed the subject: "This time, as you're preparing to go to Inazuma, I suggest you don't use the identity of a 'merchant'."

“Hmm… I’ve heard that too. Those who identify as ‘merchants’ are basically trapped on Inazuma Island, and a ‘merchant’ can’t even see Raijin, and will be exploited by the so-called Shogunate. So my idea is—to just attack.” But Xuanqing quickly sighed and said, “Unfortunately, Xuanyue rejected this idea outright.”

“I can understand Xuan Yue’s thoughts to some extent.” Zhong Li analyzed after eating two black stones from Xuan Qing: “Your power has not fully recovered yet, and because you have only been awake for a short time, your current strength is only one or two tenths of what it was before. You cannot sustain a prolonged battle. You are outsiders at Dao Qi’s place and will not receive much help.”

"Therefore, my advice is not to go through the formal channels."

“Continue.” Xuanqing put down the chess piece and listened to Zhongli’s explanation: “Xuanyue’s current form is a golden crow. He has a strong physique and can travel a thousand miles a day. You can have him take you to fly over the island.”

"But…"

“I think this is a good idea.” Xuan Yue interrupted their conversation at this moment: “I’ve been to Inazuma before, so I won’t get lost.”

Xuan Qing looked worried: "Inazuma is currently on a lockdown, and the danger lies in the thunderstorms nearby. I'm afraid that once Balzeb senses our presence, the thunderstorms will become even more dangerous."

"Then what do you want to do—" Xuan Yue suddenly lowered her body and looked directly into Xuan Qing's eyes: "Do you—want to teleport there directly and sleep for a few more days—?"

Xuan Qing felt completely exposed and immediately transmitted his voice to Zhong Li: (Morax!)

Zhongli sighed and could only act as a peacemaker: "Xiao Xuanyue, there's no need to be so angry. Xuanqing is just worried about you."

Xuan Yue seemed to have taken Zhong Li's words to heart, then turned and left: "I'll go get the tea and snacks, you two continue chatting."

Xuan Qing let out a long breath, which Zhong Li noticed: "Feeling guilty?"

Xuan Qing did not answer. He looked at the chessboard on the stone table and said, "This game is over. I won by a narrow margin."

On the chessboard, Xuanqing's black piece in a corner cut off Zhongli's white piece. Because it was in a corner, no one noticed it, but it was the key to turning the tide of the battle.

Zhongli:……

Xuan Qing: "In the war, like you, I used my own 'death' as ​​bait to deceive the entire world and 'hide' myself. Then, using the world as a chessboard, I placed another piece in a corner of the game of 'Heavenly Principle'—a game within a game."

"My victories have never been based on luck, and Xuan Yue's resurrection was no accident. It was the only answer I found among countless paths, at the cost of my own soul's destruction. Morax, I cherish Xuan Yue more than anyone else..."

Xuanqing didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear to anyone who understood.

Zhongli smiled faintly and said, "Haha, my old friend is right. So, given the current state of affairs in this 'world,' how do you plan to make your move?"

Xuanqing chuckled and placed Zhongli's white piece on the two-tenths position. The white piece instantly turned the tide of the battle, winning by a narrow quarter of a point.

“I said—let nature take its course. At worst,” Xuan Qing stared at the chessboard and sneered, “what’s another life?”