For the work of a Harbinger

III. Mysterious man

    “Hm… I never saw you before… You are not from Liyue. You look Snezhnayan.” Zhongli laughed a little bit. “Wait- what? How did you know?” Childe said, totally confused. ”I hope you'll enjoy your stay here.” he continued, “If you'll excuse me, I will take my leave now.” Zhongli said, already walking away.

“W-wha..t-” he was standing there for a few minutes when someone approached him. “First day in Liyue, may be a little bit weird, don't you think?” Childe twitched, coming back from a world lost in thoughts to a normal one. “Y-yeah..” He turned around. “Miss, can I ask you…”

    The lady nodded so Childe asked, “How do I look?” The old lady answered: “Like a normal person.” “No.. I mean- what nationality.” Childe said, a little bit annoyed. “Oh.. I see, I see.. Looking at your clothes, you're probably from a country like Liyue… Maybe Monstander.” Childe was lost in thoughts again, thinking of the words he had now heard.

   “Monstadt?.. Oh, okay. I just.. How did he know I am from Snezhnaya?” He said it loudly by accident. “Who? You mean Mr. Zhongli?” Old lady spoke up again. “Y-yea, Zhongli. I said it all out loud, didn't I?”

    She just smiled widely at Childe: “Mr. Zhongli is a very intelligent and great man. His knowledge extends to the beginning of this world. No one knows why or how he knows, but his advice, his help while solving problems and words are at the same price as gold.” Childe realized what the lady just said. “Where does he work? I need to ask him something.”

    The lady shook her head, speaking slowly: “No one knows where. I heard rumors about almost every job. But I think he's some kind of diplomat for Liyue. Still, I am not sure if it is true. ” Childe nodded, “Right, thanks. I- uh will go now. Bye!” he turned around and ran away. “At the price of gold… what does that mean.” he was thinking quietly while walking near the marketplace.

    The one toyseller reminded him of how he's presenting to his brother. He stopped near one of them, looking at the toys. Some words were going through his mind, “I think Teucer would like to have one of them.” Childe smiled, but his smile faded away really quickly. “Hometown… My family, siblings. Tonia, Teucer, Anthon.. What a shame you're not here with me…” He was thinking about them for a while, then he saw someone, “This guy can maybe help me.”

    “Excuse me.. I would like to ask something.” “Sure!” said the food vendor. “Do you know where… Can I find Zhongli?”

“Zhongli… You mean Zhongli from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Their consultant? I can't say for sure that he's going to be there right now, but he probably will. If not, you'll maybe find him sitting there in the evening but I am not sure. He hasn't been there in a long time ” the food vendor pointed at one chair near the storyteller.

“Thank you so much! A-also.. I am not from Liyue, where's Wangsheng Funeral Parlor or whatever it is.” the food vendor smiled.

    “I understand. You see that red bridge” Childe nodded, the vendor continued, “And that billboard near that building? That building is Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.” Childe was looking at that direction for a while. “Thanks again.” He said and walked off.