Genshin Impact: I'm The Envoy of Snezhnaya

Genshin Impact: I’m The Envoy of Snezhnaya

Chapter 451: That Man Has Returned to Liyue

What does a harbor represent?

Prosperity, abundance, wealth, and the flow of commerce.

As the largest harbor in the world, Liyue was undoubtedly one of the busiest and most prosperous places imaginable.

Not only could merchants from neighboring nations be found here, but even people from Inazuma could occasionally be seen.

Considering that Inazuma remained under a strict isolation policy, the mere sight of Inazuman ronin wandering Liyue’s streets was enough to demonstrate the city’s irresistible appeal.

Beyond the harbor itself, the city was equally lively.

There were jewelers, general stores, and even members of unusual races with animal-like features.

People live for food.

When speaking of Liyue Harbor, aside from its commercial importance, the thing most worthy of praise was its culinary culture.

It was the birthplace of both the Liyue Cuisine and Yue Cuisine schools, as well as the uniquely beloved Wanmin Restaurant.

Among Wanmin Restaurant’s chefs, besides Chef Mao himself, the most famous was his daughter, Xiangling.

Although many of her dishes used rather unusual ingredients, the finished meals she served to customers had never disappointed anyone.

"Xiangling, you’re back?"

"Xiangling! I just picked some Jueyun Chilis. Want me to give you some?"

"Big Sister Xiangling! Want to come play at the docks with us?"

Everyone Xiangling met greeted her warmly.

This kind-hearted young girl was extraordinarily popular throughout Liyue.

Some people were even willing to give her fresh ingredients free of charge.

Compared to Liyue’s two prestigious culinary schools, Wanmin Restaurant cared less about Mora and business than about people.

They could turn the most ordinary ingredients into world-class dishes that rivaled the finest Liyue or Yue Cuisine.

Even more admirable was that, if someone couldn’t afford to pay, they would simply smile and say,

"As long as you can eat your fill, that’s enough. Isn’t living all about having a full stomach?"

Perhaps that was one of the reasons Wanmin Restaurant had managed to survive despite being caught between the two dominant culinary traditions.

"Hey there, little guy. Long time no see."

After greeting the townsfolk, Xiangling walked to the bridge and took a bone out of her pack.

"Woof! Woof!"

A native village dog came running over, wagging its tail enthusiastically before affectionately rubbing against Xiangling’s hand.

She had rescued it from the river some time ago.

She wasn’t sure whether it had been a stray, but it was remarkably intelligent.

There had actually been a cat rescued alongside it.

Unlike the dog, however, the cat was extremely wary of humans. Even though Xiangling had saved its life, it only watched from a distance and never dared approach her.

There was one thing Xiangling had always found puzzling.

She could understand how a cat might drown.

But how could a village dog—something that naturally knew how to dog-paddle—end up drowning as well?

Sniff... sniff...

The dog’s tail had been wagging like a tiny motorized fan.

But the moment it caught a certain familiar scent, unmistakable terror appeared on its face.

Drip... drip...

That deeply ingrained smell struck straight at its soul.

Its lower jaw began trembling uncontrollably, and saliva started pouring from its mouth.

"Awooooo!"

He’s back... that man has come back!

With a mournful howl toward the sky, the village dog pushed off with its hind legs and leapt straight into the river.

Accompanied by pitiful cries, it was immediately carried downstream by the current.

It wasn’t just the dog.

Even the cat perched on the railing, calmly grooming itself, suddenly froze.

That man...?

Could it be...

"Meeeeow—!"

Letting out a scream even more horrifying than the cries of a cat in heat, it also jumped into the river after the dog.

Xiangling could only stare in complete bewilderment.

What is wrong with these two?

Why are they acting just like Guoba—jumping at every little thing?

Speaking of Guoba...

Ever since they got back, Guoba had gone straight to Master Mao.

...Is that really going to be okay?

Filled with questions, Xiangling fished the two little animals out of the river before heading back to Wanmin Restaurant.

. . .

"Dad, I’m back!"

Although her clothes had been soaked by the river water, Xiangling didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.

However, the moment she stepped inside the restaurant, she saw someone she hadn’t expected at all—

Zhongli.

"Ah, Xiangling, you’re back. What perfect timing. Mr. Zhongli was just saying how much he missed your cooking."

From the kitchen, Chef Mao called out after hearing his daughter’s voice, unable to hide his delight.

Even if what Zhongli had said moments earlier had been rather hurtful.

However, since the one being praised was his daughter, it made everything worthwhile.

"It must be the Geo Lord’s blessing that has brought me such good fortune."

Taking a sip of the tea before him, Zhongli smiled.

Compared to before, Zhongli carried himself with an even greater sense of composure.

After gradually letting go of the authority in his hands, he had finally begun living the life he had always desired.

Every day, he could enjoy a cup of tea, listen to opera, make an appearance during the Qixing’s Rite of Descension ceremony, and only step in to resolve problems the Qixing couldn’t handle before calling it a day.

To him, there was no life more wonderful than this.

Now, he was only waiting for one final opportunity.

An opportunity to truly entrust Liyue to its people.

But before that day came, there was still one matter he had yet to resolve.

Once that was settled, he could finally become, in every sense of the word, an ordinary man named Zhongli.

"Perfect timing. During my trip to Mondstadt, I developed a brand-new dish. Mr. Zhongli, would you mind tasting it for me?"

"That would be my pleasure."

"I’ll go change into some dry clothes first. Please wait just a moment, Mr. Zhongli."

Watching Xiangling hurry away, Zhongli already had a good idea of what her new dish would be, even though she hadn’t said a word about it.

The scent of Whopperflower clinging to her clothes was simply too strong.

If his guess was correct, the new dish would undoubtedly revolve around sweetness.

And judging from his knowledge of Whopperflowers, if Xiangling had extracted nectar from one of them, then the sweetness wouldn’t merely be ordinary.

It would be a sweetness that lingered deep in the heart.

. . .

After changing into clean clothes, Xiangling returned to the kitchen.

"Need a hand?" Chef Mao tactfully stepped aside and offered.

"Don’t worry. I can handle this myself."

Taking out the wild boar meat she had brought back from Springvale, Xiangling also retrieved the Sunsettia.

Compared to when Bai Luo had first given it to her, its fragrance had faded somewhat.

Even so, it was still far sweeter and more aromatic than an ordinary Sunsettia.

"This fruit is definitely sweeter than usual, but it’s still just a Sunsettia. It shouldn’t be a problem."

Normally, before using an unfamiliar ingredient, Xiangling would always taste it herself first.

She would never serve a dish that might be harmful to her customers.

But, as mentioned before, the Sunsettia was one of the most common fruits on the continent of Teyvat.

No one ever regarded it with suspicion.

When Guoba had nearly been overwhelmed by that Sunsettia before, nobody had considered that there might be something wrong with the fruit itself.

Instead, they suspected that the red-clad wandering swordsman who had left it behind had somehow tampered with it.

In any case, after washing the Sunsettia thoroughly, Xiangling began preparing her newest creation.

Honey-Glazed Roast Boar.