"From the first moment we met, I had a feeling we'd get along well."
"But I think you seem like a strange bar owner?" Paimon said, her small hand touching her face.
"So I plan to give you a free meal... Wait, what did you just say?" Chen Luo suddenly looked at Paimon.
"I, I said I think you seem like a wonderful bar owner." No one can resist the temptation of free stuff, especially a little glutton like Paimon.
Being able to eat 300,000 Mora worth of food in one month is an expense even greater than Sayu's salary.
"So, can I have the most delicious thing in this bar?" Paimon asked cautiously.
"You can, but it doesn't seem like dinnertime yet. How about I give you each an extra-large sundae?" Chen Luo asked.
"This bar has sundaes?" Hearing this name that didn't quite match Teyvat's style, Lumine exclaimed in surprise.
"Only what you can't imagine, nothing this bar can't do. This bar contains delicacies from countless worlds. Whatever you want to eat, it can be made for you." Chen Luo said quite confidently, then looked at Paimon.
In Chen Luo's view, Paimon was a more valuable customer than the Traveler.
What does Chen Luo run? A bar. What does a bar sell? Drinks and food!
And think about who provides the maximum daily consumption in Chen Luo's bar under normal circumstances? It's the glutton Yuyuko. So this little glutton Paimon, in Chen Luo's eyes, is someone no less valuable than Venti.
"..." Hearing Chen Luo say this, Venti glanced at him a few more times.
Based on Venti's understanding of Chen Luo, when Chen Luo says something like this, it means he's about to farm commissions.
"Um, what's a sundae?" Paimon, listening to the exchange between Chen Luo and the others, stomped her little feet impatiently in the air.
Although Paimon didn't know what Chen Luo was talking about, her food radar told her it was something delicious.
"It's a food somewhat similar to ice cream, but tastes richer and has a better texture. My brother and I encountered it in other worlds during our travels." Lumine explained to Paimon.
But when mentioning her brother, Lumine couldn't help but lower her head dejectedly.
"Lumine, don't be sad. You'll definitely find your brother, and I'll always be with you too." Paimon comforted, her small hand patting Lumine's hair.
"Traveler, is your brother missing?" Venti, who had been drinking nearby, suddenly asked.
"Yes, that's right. The Traveler's brother is missing. By the way, Venti, since you're a bard, you must have been to many places, right? Have you seen Lumine's brother? His name is Aether, a young man with golden hair, not much taller than Lumine." Bringing this up, Paimon began dutifully asking about this matter.
"I'm not really sure about that, but I can help you find someone who might be able to help. He's very good at finding people; he can even help people from other worlds find their long-lost niece." Venti said.
"Eh, really? Where is that person?" Paimon quickly asked.
"Please, you must tell me." Lumine also urgently asked.
What is Lumine traveling through Teyvat for? Isn't it to find her brother?
"Far away in the horizons, yet right before your eyes."
"You mean... you?"
"I'm not talking about myself, but him—the bar owner before you. This bar owner, besides mixing drinks absurdly well and cooking food absurdly delicious, also handles commission work on the side. As long as you have sufficient determination, he'll help you achieve it. He's practically the perfect bar owner in the industry."
"And the reason we came to find him was to get his help with the Stormterror incident." Venti looked at Chen Luo.
The key point is that it doesn't cost money.
That's what's important.
The drinks are good, the food is delicious, and most importantly, you can get them for free—who wouldn't love that?
It's just that his opening hours are a bit unearthly, only opening at night. But considering he runs a bar, it doesn't seem too outrageous.
"Bar owner, are you really good at finding people?" Both Paimon and Lumine looked at Chen Luo in surprise.
"Don't listen to Venti's nonsense. I'm actually not good at finding people, just not good at finding ordinary people. But Lumine's brother... I think I can indeed lend a hand with this matter." Chen Luo had been quietly watching Venti promote his services earlier and hadn't spoken.
"Really?"
"Of course it's true." Chen Luo nodded decisively.
"Your brother is named Aether, right? Does he look like this?" Chen Luo transformed Void Archives into a phone, then pulled up internal data from Void Archives.
Although Void Archives hadn't completely recorded all the information from the entire world in just a few hours, key projects like Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd were naturally documented.
Therefore, having a photo of Aether was quite normal.
"That's right, it's my brother! Where did you get his photo?" Lumine took an excited step forward.
Although something like a phone appearing in Teyvat seemed quite abnormal, it paled in comparison to traces of her brother.
"Don't get excited, don't get excited. I don't know your brother, but I happen to know some insignificant information, and this information happens to be enough for me to know where your brother will appear most recently. So, young lady, do you need me to help you find your brother?" Chen Luo asked after putting away Void Archives.
"But first, let me state clearly: I can only help you meet or find him, but I can't reunite you. Whether you can reunite depends on yourself." Chen Luo emphasized.
Although Chen Luo might farm Venti's commissions without principles for the sake of commissions and Primogems, he wouldn't go so far as to betray others' expectations.
"Of course!" ×2
Lumine and Paimon said simultaneously.
[Ding! You have a new commission!]
[Ding! You have a new commission!]
[Find Big Brother]: Help Lumine find her brother who went missing 500 years ago.
Reward: 1200 Primogems + Random reward.
Difficulty: 4-Stars
[Help Lumine Find Her Brother]: Help Lumine find her missing brother.
Reward: 500 Primogems + Random reward.
Difficulty: 3-Stars
Lumine is a woman who would travel across all of Teyvat just to see her brother, so Chen Luo wasn't surprised by the 1200 Primogem reward.
This shows a deeper determination and desire than Theresa's wish to find Kiana.
But what surprised Chen Luo was that he could actually farm a commission from Paimon too—this truly astonished him.
When will I ever have such a considerate emergency food like that?
Not only can it serve as emergency food, but also as a cup... companion in times of sorrow.
Book of Fuxi isn't bad—similar in size and equally cute—but Book of Fuxi belongs to Fu Hua and the Herrscher of Sentience. Moreover, Book of Fuxi is even more gluttonous and lazy than Paimon; if she could, she wouldn't move a finger.
Thinking carefully, Book of Fuxi and Paimon are really quite similar.
Both can fly, both love delicious food, both are gluttonous and lazy.
Actually, the same goes for Higokumaru; her compatibility with these two is also quite high. Maybe they could form a "gluttonous, lazy, flying emergency food squad" later.
"I accept your commissions."
"Then when will you help me find my brother?" Lumine asked urgently.
A bar owner who clearly seemed extraordinary, plus having a photo of her brother, made Lumine feel the probability of him finding her brother was very high.
And with the probability already this high, Lumine naturally couldn't let go of this hope.
"Calm down, don't rush. Let's help Venti with the Dvalin matter first. After all, you've waited this long; surely waiting a few more days shouldn't matter, right?" Seeing Lumine almost pressing her face against his, Chen Luo raised his hands and took a slight step back.
"This... alright." After thinking for a moment, Lumine nodded too.
"It's all because I interrupted Venti's process of expelling Dvalin's poison, causing Venti to get poisoned. And I promised to help Venti save Dvalin. I can wait a few more days." Lumine said, raising her fist.
Lumine isn't the type of person who only thinks of herself. Moreover, compared to finding her brother, Dvalin seems more like an urgent crisis.
Lumine can distinguish between what's important and what's urgent.
"Poisoned..." After hearing Lumine's words, Chen Luo couldn't help but look at the bard who was drinking heartily.
As the Anemo Archon, it's not impossible for Barbatos to be poisoned, but how could he possibly fall to a state where he needs others' help due to severe poisoning? Chen Luo suspects Venti just wants to find someone to run errands for him.
Let me tell you a joke: the wind got poisoned.
Ahem, can't say that either. After all, it's the poison of the evil dragon Durin; it being somewhat powerful is understandable.
"Coincidentally, I have a simple, quick, and effective method for treating poisoning. Do you want to try it?" Chen Luo looked at Venti.
Putting aside other things, that teleport waypoint made for 100 Primogems is the best method for treating toxins.
And the reason it's called simple, quick, and effective is because it truly is when combined with the War Domain.
Chen Luo had never adjusted the time ratio between the War Domain and the outside world before, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.
Especially after his strength increased for a while, the time ratio Chen Luo can adjust now, although slightly inferior to Yvette's terrifying level where no matter how much time passes inside, only one second passes outside, isn't far off.
Yvette's strength was indeed somewhat terrifying. If Chen Luo hadn't had the "Jashon Dropkick" back then, he might not even have been able to escape, since opening the bar also takes time.
Now though... ah, anyway, Yvette is already dead; comparing combat power with her is meaningless.
So, who asked her to be an angel?
"Pfft... cough cough, the method for treating poisoning—n-no need. Although you say it's simple, quick, and efficient, it still takes time, right? We can't afford to wait now." Upon hearing Chen Luo's question, Venti almost choked on a mouthful of wine.
"..." If Chen Luo had been 50% suspicious that Venti just wanted to find a tool before, now he's 80% suspicious.
"That's right. Although helping Lumine find her brother is important, the most urgent matter now is indeed the Stormterror incident." Paimon nodded beside them.
"Don't be so disappointed. Look on the bright side; perhaps these two commissions can be completed simultaneously?" Chen Luo said, stroking his chin.
Or rather, these two... three commissions are indeed simultaneous.
If Chen Luo weren't somewhat confident, he definitely wouldn't have accepted these commissions, or he would have stated upfront when accepting that it might take a long time to complete them.
Just like with Yae Sakura and Bronya's two commissions.
But this time, Chen Luo didn't mention the timeframe, which means he intends to complete the commissions in the near future.
The reason Chen Luo can be so certain is that he vaguely remembers this Stormterror incident involves the Abyss Order causing trouble.
And if Chen Luo remembers correctly, that Abyss Mage controlling Stormterror seems to report the matter to Lumine's brother after the incident concludes.
In that case... it means these two commissions have overlapping areas.
Although Chen Luo can't verbally persuade that Abyss Mage to take Lumine to see her brother, he can persuade them physically.
"Alright, I've already thought of a specific method to complete the commissions. Now, who can tell me the current commission progress?" Chen Luo looked at Venti, Lumine, and Paimon.
Since Venti brought Lumine and Paimon to his bar, it means this guy plans to drag Chen Luo into doing the commission too.
Of course, it could also simply be to kill time or because he wanted a drink.
After all, it's Venti.
"Venti said we would go to the Favonius Cathedral to get the Holy Lyre der Himmel later. And now... [Since he just recovered a bit from the poison, naturally he should drink heartily]—he used this excuse, then summoned a bar at Windrise." Even now, Paimon still finds this scene incredibly amazing.
"I see, I understand now." After hearing Paimon's account, Chen Luo knew where the plot was.
Perhaps because Chen Luo never discussed Genshin Impact with Venti, he is still following the plot step by step.
"Here are your sundaes." This time, without these two needing to farm commissions or wait for Chen Luo to pique their interest, Chen Luo placed two sundaes in front of them.
After all, having received such a big order, these two sundaes can be considered freebies—they only cost 0.2 Primogems anyway.
As for Venti wanting to take Chen Luo along as a tool, Chen Luo isn't particularly resistant...
This isn't because Chen Luo wants to be a tool; mainly, since he accepted this commission, if he doesn't show up, what if it isn't counted as commission completion?
Although Chen Luo doesn't really want to deal with those Mondstadt overgrown babies, still... Mondstadt isn't without its good points.
For example... alchemy.
Fun fact: The Knights of Favonius' status in the hearts of alchemists is almost equivalent to the Akademiya's status in the hearts of mages.
When it comes to alchemy, it's got to be Mondstadt.
Well, mostly because of Albedo.
Alchemy is incredibly convenient. Chen Luo doesn't demand high proficiency; he just thinks that if he encounters another commission like the one with Medusa, he could use alchemy to solve it instead of stealing from his dad's collection.
Chen Luo still hasn't figured out how to explain it to his dad.
Chapter 149: Branded with Eula's Mark
"Hey, bar owner, why aren't you coming out? Let's go!" Venti, Paimon, and Lumine stood under the tree at Windrise, calling out to Chen Luo who remained inside the bar, mere steps away from the outside world but hadn't taken that final step.
"Let me prepare myself." Chen Luo took a deep breath and said.
"Ah, this might be A'Luo's first time coming to Teyvat, so let's be patient. For you, this is a common occurrence, but for a visitor from another world, it's different." After a moment's thought, Venti suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm, I understand that feeling. When my brother and I traveled to other worlds before, we always felt this mix of novelty, curiosity, and a trace of fear before setting out. Later, it faded—you just get used to it." As a fellow interdimensional traveler, Lumine could relate to Chen Luo's feelings.
"Eh? The bar owner has never been to Teyvat before? Then why does he have a Vision? And an Anemo one at that?" Paimon asked puzzled, pointing at the Vision hanging around Chen Luo's neck.
"Ah, this..." Venti suddenly didn't know how to answer.
Venti couldn't very well say that Chen Luo's Vision was originally a blank Vision, and then he drank a glass of wine, thought this bar owner was quite good, acknowledged him, and so he obtained an Anemo Vision, right?
"You might not believe it, but this Vision was actually found." Chen Luo said while mustering his courage to take a step forward.
As he took this step, Chen Luo kept his eyes fixed on his talent panel.
If triggering a 7-day event happened during his first visit to the Honkai Impact 3rd world, there was no reason it shouldn't work in Teyvat.
And 7-day events were like blessings from heaven for Chen Luo. Even if he couldn't complete certain major commissions or achievements within the event, just scraping together the minor rewards would be enough for Chen Luo to use for a long time.
Then, under Chen Luo's expectant gaze, on the talent panel... nothing happened.
"...Alright then." Chen Luo sighed, standing under the great tree at Windrise.
This outcome could be said to be both expected and reasonable.
Not to mention that the Honkai Impact 3rd world and Teyvat are actually under the same universe.
The reason Chen Luo triggered a 7-day mission as soon as he arrived in the Honkai Impact 3rd world was mainly because the 3rd Honkai Eruption occurred at that same time, not because Chen Luo went to that world. This cause-and-effect needs to be clarified.
Otherwise, if Chen Luo started a 7-day event every time he went to a new world, why would he bother completing commissions every day? He might as well just travel to different worlds all the time.
"What's wrong? You seem suddenly disappointed?" Venti looked at Chen Luo confused.
"Nothing, don't worry about it." Chen Luo waved his hand, then looked at the Vision on his chest that had started floating.
Chen Luo's talent panel had no reaction, but his Vision was reacting strongly.
Without Chen Luo lifting a finger, gentle breezes lifted his Vision, as if celebrating the return of their king.
Hmm, a king, not a god. The god is watching from the side.
"Wow, Chen Luo, you seem really liked by Anemo power. Maybe you have the potential to become an Allogene." Venti said with "stunned" amazement beside him.
Visions are external magical organs possessed by very few people in the world. They use Visions to channel elemental power.
In fact, every Vision holder is someone qualified to become a god, hence they are called [Allogenes], possessing the qualification to ascend to Celestia.
"Then tell me, if I beat up the Anemo Archon Barbatos and steal his Gnosis, could I possibly become the Anemo Archon?" Chen Luo asked, glancing at Venti.
"Uh... don't say such scary things." Venti scratched his head.
After glancing at Venti, Chen Luo ignored him and released the Dominion Key's restraint on the Vision.
Once freed from the necklace, the Vision actually rode the wind and flew into the sky, roaming freely like a true breeze.
Chen Luo gently raised his hand, and countless breezes began gathering in his palm.
Seeing this, Venti's expression also became serious.
If Venti initially just wanted to tease Chen Luo, he now genuinely thought Chen Luo had the potential to become an [Allogene].
Chen Luo was far too compatible with Anemo power.
This level of Anemo favor far exceeded that of a normal Anemo Vision holder.
Chen Luo gazed thoughtfully at the Vision, which had flown a circle in the sky before returning to his chest and being restrained by the necklace once more.
Only Chen Luo himself knew that the reason he received such favor from the gentle wind was primarily because of his Vision, not himself.
Since Chen Luo hadn't encountered an ordinary blank Vision before, he didn't know the price of a Vision.
But Chen Luo knew that a blank Vision being a 4-star item was undoubtedly somewhat abnormal.
Chen Luo didn't know the price of a Vision, but he knew the price of a Gnosis.
Venti's Gnosis was priced at 10,000 Primogems. Of course, this doesn't represent Venti's strength, only the price of the Gnosis itself.
Chen Luo's Vision was already a 4-star top-tier item, just one step away from being a 5-star item.
Hmm, is it possible that when Chen Luo's Vision upgrades to a 5-star item, it might be even more expensive than a Gnosis?
Or is there another possibility: that Chen Luo's Vision is more suited to being the Anemo Archon than Venti is?
After all, both are slacking off. You don't do your job properly, and Chen Luo's Vision doesn't do its job properly either. It's six of one and half a dozen of the other.
"Ahem, alright, let's go. To the Favonius Cathedrall." Chen Luo said while looking at Venti.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Venti felt a bit uncomfortable under Chen Luo's gaze.
"I'm thinking if I kill the Anemo Archon, could I really become the Anemo Archon?"
"O-Of course not! Could you not use your imagination on things like that?" Venti said displeased.
Come on, even if you're just half-serious, you shouldn't talk about deicide in front of me, the Anemo Archon.
"By the way, what is this [Allogene] you mentioned?" Paimon asked after they set off.
"That's not important. What's important is, do you think we'll encounter any Hilichurls on the way to Mondstadt?" Chen Luo felt Void Archives in his hand were already growing restless.
Killing Honkai beasts in the Honkai Impact 3rd world gave Primogems. If killing Hilichurls in the Genshin Impact world gave Primogems, Chen Luo felt he could exterminate all the Hilichurls in Teyvat.
Actually, after learning the true nature of Hilichurls, Chen Luo didn't really want to eliminate them either. But those Hilichurls always charge at people on sight, so Chen Luo would just be acting in self-defense.
"How could that be? This is the road from Windrise, a sacred place in Mondstadt. The Knights of Favonius pay great attention to this area. And even if Hilichurls do appear, there is no need to fear. Lumine is the Honorary Knight of Mondstadt; just leave it to her. Lumine is very strong." Paimon said somewhat proudly.
"Sigh..." Chen Luo suddenly felt disappointed.
No Primogems to earn; I'm going to die.
* * *
"Wait, do we need identification documents or something like that to enter Mondstadt?" When Chen Luo reached the gates of Mondstadt and saw the queue and guards, he suddenly remembered this issue.
"Identification documents? Oh right, bar owner, you're a visitor from another world, so you don't have any. But don't worry, normally you'd need identification to come to Mondstadt. However, due to the Stormterror incident recently causing some disorder, and many people coming to Mondstadt seeking refuge, the entry requirements aren't very strict. You don't need identification documents, but you do need someone to vouch for you."
"And in that regard, I have something to say! I'm the hero who saved half of Mondstadt together with Lumine!" Paimon, who always served as the cheerleader, said thusly.
"Actually, it doesn't need to be that troublesome. If possible, I can go back to the bar now and wait for you to summon me. Of course, even without using this method, I have other ways to sneak in." Chen Luo said full of confidence.
To be honest, Mondstadt's defenses right now are as loose as a sieve.
"That's true too... Speaking of which, Venti, why didn't you summon that bar inside the city? Why summon it at Windrise?"
"Eh hehe, wasn't that because I wanted a drink? A-Anyway, as long as there's a way to get in, it's fine." Venti said, rubbing his head.
"So these aren't problems. Let me show you what a stealth master is... Huh? Eula!" Just as Chen Luo was about to use his long-unused Stealth Master skill that he'd drawn but barely used, he suddenly saw a familiar person.
"Hmm, who's calling... Chen Luo? What are you doing here?" Eula, who was alone and about to enter Mondstadt from outside, turned around upon hearing the familiar voice calling her name, then looked astonished.
What was she seeing?
After confirming it wasn't an illusion, and seeing Venti beside Chen Luo, Eula suddenly understood why she could see Chen Luo in Mondstadt.
And after confirming it really was Chen Luo, Eula without hesitation abandoned her original route and walked towards Chen Luo and the others.
Well, mainly towards Chen Luo.
"Long time no see. Also, how did you get here? Did that drunkard bard bring you? You didn't even mention it beforehand. Do you look down on me as your host? Vengeance will be mine."
There it is, it's the familiar formula.
Chen Luo noticed that recently, whenever Eula spoke with him, one out of every three sentences contained a mention of vengeance.
Is this what you call a woman with a built-in favorability points system?
"What do you mean 'drunkard bard'? I just enjoy drinking, and you drank even more than me yesterday. And after getting drunk, you even—"
"Venti, if you don't want to be found as a green bard's corpse outside the city tomorrow, you'd better shut up." Before Venti could finish, Chen Luo's hand landed on his shoulder.
Chen Luo was genuinely afraid that Venti might get himself killed someday.
Although Eula couldn't possibly defeat Venti, judging by Eula's murderous gaze right now, one could imagine that Chen Luo's bar might not be peaceful tonight.
"Alright, Traveler, let's go. A'Luo, remember to meet at the front of Favonius Cathedral later. Don't forget to come." After saying this, Venti prepared to leave with Lumine and Paimon.
"Eh, wait, are we just leaving like that?"
"Otherwise? Stay here and be third wheels? Let's go, let's go."
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming to Mondstadt?" After Venti and the others left, Eula asked.
"I knew I might come to Mondstadt—after all, that guy Venti gave me a commission yesterday—but I didn't expect it to be so soon. Just now, Venti came to the bar using that business card I gave him and called me over." Chen Luo explained.
"What business card? Why don't I have one? So in your eyes, Venti is more important than me? Vengeance will be mine."
"Hey hey hey, don't make it sound so ambiguous, okay? That business card is just something to notify me; it's single-use. Using that card allows someone who hasn't been to the bar to summon it themselves, or it notifies me after they enter the bar." As he spoke, Chen Luo handed a palm-sized card to Eula.
This thing was homemade by Chen Luo.
"Ahem... Well, since it's your heartfelt gift, I'll accept it." After reacting, Eula also recalled the impropriety in her earlier words, then remembered the scene of her drunken antics yesterday.
If not for using Cryo power to forcibly calm herself down, Eula's face would already be red by now.
"..." Chen Luo silently moved half a step away from Eula.
Because it was a bit cold near Eula.
"That golden-haired girl earlier... the not-very-old golden-haired girl with a flying mascot beside her. Could that be the new Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius?"
"...That's right." Although Eula's method of changing the subject was clumsy, Chen Luo wisely played along.
"To become Mondstadt's Honorary Knight in such a short time after just arriving in Mondstadt. Sigh..." For some reason, Eula sighed.
"Alright, no more sighing. After all, you're still a Captain, aren't you? Speaking of which, can you do me a favor?"
"What favor?" Eula tilted her head.
"You might not believe this, but as someone with no identification, I apparently can't enter Mondstadt's gates. That idiot Venti didn't think to summon me after entering Mondstadt either." Chen Luo said displeased.
"Hahaha, to ask for my help with something like this. Don't you know that being associated with me from the start will make it very hard for you to get by in Mondstadt later? Honestly, you should have had that Honorary Knight take you in earlier." After laughing at Chen Luo's unwise decision twice, Eula sincerely advised.
"What does it matter? We're friends, aren't we? You know how unreliable Venti is. So as my only friend in Mondstadt, shouldn't you show me around Mondstadt?" Chen Luo sincerely requested of Eula.
"...Of course, as long as you don't mind the strange looks from other Mondstadt citizens when you're with me." After a moment of silence, Eula nodded.
"So you agree. Let's go."
"Sigh, walking together with a sinner's descendant... I hope you can get used to it later. Because your first impression in Mondstadt will be walking with me, after this, you might be branded with my mark." Eula sighed.
How could Eula not know that Chen Luo had other ways to enter Mondstadt?
This Chen Luo...
"The honor is mine." Chen Luo said without any concern.