"Mr. Ban has returned!"
"Mr. Ban!"
"Mr. Ban!"
A group of workers and guards surrounded Ren Kai, cheering excitedly.
"Ahem! Everyone, don't disturb Mr. Ban."
"He has just gone through a fierce battle and needs to rest properly."
Uncle Fu shouted loudly.
Looking at the jubilant crowd, he muttered inwardly, You're all happy, but can't you see Mr. Ban's awkward expression?
Hearing this, everyone quickly understood.
After spending several days together, they already knew Mr. Ban preferred peace and quiet.
With cheerful smiles, they gradually dispersed.
"This time, it was all thanks to Mr. Ban."
After the crowd left, Mingyun stepped forward and expressed his gratitude sincerely.
"Young Master Mingyun, there's no need to be so polite with me."
Ren Kai gave an awkward yet courteous smile.
What he feared most right now was people thanking him.
Protecting Liyue personally was every traveler's dream.
But having an entire group surround you with gratitude was still difficult to get used to.
"Mr. Ban… you're a good man."
Mingyun suddenly handed Ren Kai the ultimate compliment.
Ren Kai was caught completely off guard.
"Of course!"
"Mr. Ban is the strongest, the greatest, and the gentlest person in the world!"
The pink fox spoke proudly from Ren Kai's arms.
"Immortal Yae is absolutely right."
"When we reach Liyue, I'll treat you to delicious food."
"You can eat all the fried tofu and skewers you want."
Mingyun laughed and said enthusiastically.
"Wow! Lord Ban, can I really eat as much as I want?"
The fox instantly entered full foodie mode.
But remembering Ren Kai was still there, she quickly looked up at him with a sincere expression.
"Just for today."
"No exceptions afterward."
Ren Kai turned his gaze toward Liyue Harbor.
People there were still celebrating their victory.
Today, he would let Yae share in their joy.
"Hehe!"
The fox's face lit up with pride.
She jumped onto Ren Kai's shoulder and began performing a silly "fox dance."
At that moment, Ren Kai noticed someone standing on the dock—
Guizhong.
His head immediately began to ache.
I'm just an ordinary wandering warrior trying to blend into Liyue…
Among all the people in Teyvat, the ones transmigrators feared most were intelligent women.
In Inazuma—Kitsune Saiguu.
In Liyue—Guizhong.
In Mondstadt—Alice.
In Sumeru—the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
They represented the intellectual peak of their nations.
Speaking with them meant risking exposure within minutes.
For all he knew, he might already be exposed.
The Feiyun Commerce Guild's ship was about to dock.
Yet Ren Kai still hadn't figured out a solution.
Should I just run away again?
This was getting difficult.
"That's Lady Guizhong."
"She must be waiting for you, Mr. Ban."
Mingyun looked in the same direction and spoke with surprise.
"Sigh… If it's fate, it can't be avoided."
Ren Kai sighed helplessly.
"…?"
Mingyun looked confused.
Saving Liyue was a good thing, wasn't it?
As the ship docked, the workers began unloading cargo.
Not far away, Guizhong stood smiling at Ren Kai from the pier.
"Young Master Mingyun, I'll go greet Lady Guizhong."
"It seems she truly is waiting for me."
Ren Kai spoke calmly, appearing completely confident.
"Of course."
"If you can't find the Feiyun Commerce Guild later, simply ask anyone."
"And please give my greetings to Lady Guizhong."
Mingyun looked at Guizhong with admiration.
For the people of Liyue, the two most revered figures were their gods.
"Alright."
Ren Kai nodded.
Then he jumped from the ship, landing beside Guizhong with the pink fox.
"Hehe, you finally came."
"Honored warrior—and you, little fox from Inazuma."
Guizhong wore the expression of an adorable girl.
Anyone unfamiliar with her might mistake her for a cheerful neighbor's daughter.
"You know me?"
The fox asked blankly.
She didn't recognize Guizhong.
"Of course I don't know you personally."
"But I do know about you."
Guizhong replied playfully.
Ren Kai couldn't help noticing—
Her personality felt oddly similar to Hu Tao's.
Thankfully she wasn't pyro.
"Then I know you too!"
"You're the queen of Liyue."
"Will you treat me to tasty food?"
The fox spoke smugly.
Even Liyue's god knows me now.
"Of course."
"Let's go."
Guizhong walked ahead cheerfully.
Ren Kai followed behind, still confused.
His attention shifted to the bustling harbor.
Liyue Harbor here was far larger and more crowded than in the game.
"How many people live in Liyue Harbor and Guili Plains?"
Ren Kai asked.
"Together? Around 1.23 million."
"That includes the surrounding villages."
Guizhong answered casually.
"…!"
Ren Kai was stunned.
In the game, Liyue Harbor only had a handful of visible residents.
And Guili Plains was nothing but ruins.
The difference here was enormous.
Following Guizhong's lively steps, the trio soon entered the bustling market district.
"Lady Guizhong! Try our food!"
"Lady Guizhong! Ours is delicious too!"
"Lady Guizhong!"
The vendors greeted her warmly.
There was none of the distant reverence people usually had toward gods.
Guizhong happily bought three sticks of candied hawthorn.
She handed two to Ren Kai.
"Wow, so sweet!"
"Ugh, so sour!"
The fox bit into one immediately.
The flavor shocked her.
"Still want more?"
Both Ren Kai and Guizhong laughed at her reaction.
"Yes!"
"More!"
Even though they were laughing, the fox still took another bite.
Guizhong led Ren Kai through the streets, stopping frequently to try various snacks.
Eventually, they left the busy market.
"Don't you have anything you want to ask me?"
Ren Kai looked at her curiously.
"Since you're still as gentle as ever, big brother…"
"I have nothing to worry about."
"So of course I wouldn't doubt you."
Guizhong replied proudly.
"…?"
"I'm called Uchiha Madara."
Ren Kai sighed.
He knew this peaceful stroll had been an investigation all along.
Even eating snacks had been part of her observation.
Still, he told her the name he used.
"Oh, Mr. Ban."
"You don't need to worry too much about the heavens."
"They only target people whose threat level is extremely high."
"But recently… Khaenri'ah has been rather unstable."
Guizhong spoke lightly, revealing a shocking piece of information.
"…!"
Hearing this, Ren Kai felt slightly relieved.
But when he thought about Khaenri'ah, unease returned.
If he continued fully role-playing Uchiha Madara—
His threat level would inevitably become as high as Rexas, the War God.
But if he didn't strive for power—
He would lose Raiden Makoto.
And many tragic events would still occur.
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