The Lost People of Teyvat

Chapter 183 Contract and Courtyard

It has been several days since the sudden demon disaster in Liyue Harbor. The thick and suffocating clouds on that day have long since dissipated, and the bright sunshine is shining on the sea, creating a peaceful and calm scene.

However, the sea surface was not blue under the sun, but slightly grayish and lifeless, with grayish mist lingering on the sea surface. The fish and shrimps in the shallow sea instinctively moved away from this sea area, as if they were avoiding something terrifying.

The Faded Sea, or the Sea of ​​Death.

This is what the Liyue people call this sea area. Unless they have no other choice, no ship dares to enter this sea area. Because this sea area is full of [death], those who have entered this sea area will tell others with lingering fear about the horror they felt after entering: those who enter can clearly feel the passing of their own lives.

It’s as if there’s an invisible and intangible countdown in life. Once the countdown reaches zero, one will irreversibly enter death.

But the countdown is going on very fast.

If all goes well, it will only take three to five days for this young man in his early twenties to finish his short life.

Fortunately, the Faded Sea is dissipating. According to special investigations and calculations, in seven years at most, the Faded Sea will become history and the sea will regain its vitality.

But today, a fleet came to visit the Faded Sea. Or rather, this fleet, which is very famous in Liyue and even in Teyvat, has visited the Faded Sea several times in a row, but has returned empty-handed every time.

"That's it, Captain Beidou."

Zhongli said in a gentle tone, "Just like before, put down the boat and I will go by myself."

"clear."

Captain Beidou, who had long black hair and a red silk covering his left eye, only showing the right red eye, nodded and waved to his crew to lower the boat. He then looked at the gray sea not far away and turned to look at Zhongli: "This is the third time, Mr. Zhongli, are you still not willing to give up?"

"The Wangsheng Hall had a contract with Mr. Chen. I am the witness of that contract, so I should be the one to find him." Zhongli said calmly, "If he is still alive, he needs help right now; if he is... I also promised to take him back to Liyue for burial."

“This sea area is too dangerous.”

"It's okay. The Wangsheng Hall is very familiar with life and death, and I happen to know some of the Wangsheng Hall's secret techniques. As long as I don't stay there for too long, nothing will go wrong."

"I asked Hall Master Hu. Even the secret method of the Rebirth Hall can only allow ordinary people to survive in the Fading Sea for half an hour longer, and the number of times is limited. Mr. Zhongli is not an ordinary person, but he also has his limits. Even so, he still insists on doing so?"

"I promised him."

"..."

Beidou looked at Zhongli's calm expression, and suddenly reached out and patted his arm, smiling generously: "Good! You are worthy of being Mr. Zhongli! I admire you!"

After that, Captain Beidou looked serious and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Zhongli. The Death Star will be patrolling here and ready to pick you up at any time."

"Thank you Captain Beidou."

Zhongli thanked them, boarded the boat, spread the sail, and sailed towards the Fading Sea with the help of the wind.

Beidou stood on the deck, watching the boat go away and finally disappear in the gray mist.

I hope I can find it this time... Beidou looked up at the dazzling sunlight in the sky, lowered his head and sighed, standing there, silent and motionless.

It is said that the atmosphere in Liyue Harbor is very depressing now. First, Tianquan and Yuheng jointly proposed to rebuild the Thousand Rocks Army Formation and promote the normalization of demon-level war weapons, so that Liyue will not be powerless to fight back when the next disaster comes.

Then, for unknown reasons, Tianquan went to trouble the Fatui for various reasons. His attitude was so resolute and his methods so cruel that it seemed as if he was going to go to war with Zhidong. The performance of the Zhidong Fatui executive was even more surprising: he admitted his mistakes and was unambiguous about the compensation. His sincere and good attitude made people wonder if he was a fake executive.

Beidou shook his head and smiled, thinking of Ningguang's helpless expression. Rather than seeing the Fatui sincerely admit their mistakes and generously compensate, the woman would rather see a tough response from Zhidong - especially after communicating with Mond's acting leader.

"He's back! Mr. Zhongli is back!" The crew members who were staring at the fading sea finally saw the returning ship and shouted in surprise: "There are two people on the ship!" Beidou came back to his senses and looked in the direction of the returning boat: "Quick! Help! Bring the people aboard!"

……

Eat Tiger Rock,
At dusk, Ye Lan took the key and returned to the courtyard where she had not yet had time to collect rent from Chen Tianfeng.

Chen Tianfeng was missing—this was what Ningguang told her.

But they all knew that this was just a euphemism for "death without a body." In order to save Liyue and fulfill his promise to the gods, Chen Tianfeng and the damned ancient water snake with five heads died together.

Her husband died just like that.

Ye Lan pursed her lips tightly, took a deep breath, inserted the key, turned it slowly, and unlocked the door.

She reached out and pressed lightly on the door, and suddenly felt that the door was very heavy, as if it was opening into a dead world.

"Squeak-"

The sour sound of door leaves opening and closing was heard, and the setting sun came towards her. Ye Lan stood in the sun, her expression slightly stunned.

The yard was clean and tidy, and had a much more homely feel than when she bought it.

She closed the gate and was a little afraid to go forward.

What will Chen Tianfeng leave for her?
Did he already foresee his own death when he handed the key to Ningguang? Why did this fool choose this? Wasn't he most afraid of death?

She walked along the wall, her fingers brushing over the bricks and stones, picking up the dust.

The kitchen was dimly lit, with all kinds of kitchen utensils and tableware neatly arranged. The iron pot on the stove and the kitchen knife on the chopping board all had the Hanfeng Ironware logo, which he probably bought when he came to Liyue Harbor. Ye Lan opened the cupboard and looked at the carefully preserved tea sets inside. The corners of her lips could not help but curl up, then quickly slid down.

She closed the cupboard, walked out of the kitchen, and looked around the courtyard. The orchids under the courtyard wall were well taken care of, and the plum trees and bamboo forest also had signs of pruning. There were three stone benches under the stone table nearby. Ye Lan observed for a moment and determined that the position that was convenient for observation and escape must be Chen Tianfeng's favorite.

Pushing open the door, there was a wooden bed on one side of the room near the wall, with light blue sheets and pillows of the same color and neatly folded bedding. A simple tall birch cabinet stood beside it, there was a desk by the window sill, and a mahogany box in the corner.

These are all the furniture.

Ye Lan was silent for a long time before she came to the mahogany box and opened it. Inside were two strange-looking black instruments, and a manual next to them.

Chen Tianfeng called the two black machines "submachine guns" and left behind detailed operating instructions and maintenance techniques, as well as a thick stack of drawings filled with parameters.

Ye Lan closed the box and her nose felt inexplicably sour.

She rubbed her eyes, stood up and walked to the birch cabinet, hesitated for a few seconds, then reached out and opened the cabinet door.

Unexpectedly, the birch cabinet was empty, with only four or five sets of clothes, but they were neatly arranged. Most of the clothes were of similar styles, and the colors were all dark. Ye Lan had never thought that Chen Tianfeng's clothes were so "simple". She carefully reached out and sniffed again.

It has a soapberry smell, which probably means it was not rinsed thoroughly and left residue.

Ye Lan sat on the edge of the bed, looking out the window.

What does Chen Tianfeng think about when he lives here alone? He comes from another world. When he is alone, the good things that happened in his hometown must come into his mind, right?
Will he feel lonely?
Will he be afraid?

Ye Lan's eyelashes trembled, her eyes drooped, and she suddenly felt a little pain in her heart.

(End of this chapter)