Original God's Dark Priest

"Okay, we've given away what we should give, now it's time to do that!" Walnut looked around, "Even though we're all acquaintances, we still need to do something ceremonial for a holiday dinner."

Wendy was curious when she heard this: "Eh? Is there any custom?"

"No." Walnut said so firmly that Wendy was completely confused. She continued, "However, in order to have a good start, I made up one!

It is better to choose something by chance than to use the incense burner on the table. "

As she spoke, she looked at the incense table beside her. There was a small incense burner on it, which was hard to find without careful observation: "It has been burning for so long, and the spices inside are almost burned out. Then, let the most distinguished guest here light the incense for everyone.

It means endless life, and I wish you a prosperous new year with every passing day! "

There is nothing wrong with what she said. The task of renewing the incense should indeed be done by the person with the highest status. Not to mention high-end ceremonies, even in many family ceremonies, this job is usually done by the elders of the clan to show solemnity.

Wendy nodded in agreement when she heard this: "I see! What a good idea! You are indeed Master Hu!

Then speaking of the most distinguished guest here...it must be Guest Zhongli."

Wendy, let’s start the group!

Then he gave his reasons: "I am not very familiar with the deeds and rumors of Ke Qing, but after chatting just now, his knowledge and learning really opened my eyes as a bard who has traveled all over the world.

If knowledge is considered power, then Keqing can be said to be extremely powerful."

Zhongli had his back to the crowd, so his expression could not be seen, but he spoke calmly: "In terms of speaking skills, the great poet is indeed better.

I just have a good memory. I admire your eloquence for being able to describe such a mediocre ability so well.

So, everyone can nominate a candidate?"

Wendy raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Yeah."

Zhongli turned around and his eyes fell on Saphir, who immediately interrupted: "I don't think I should be included in the discussion!"

"Rejected!" Hu Tao jumped out, "I wouldn't have thought of this if you hadn't mentioned it, but your status seems to be no lower than that of Xiao Shangxian?

In terms of international status, you are an executive, and the second seat at the top, directly under the Ice God. In terms of social status, you have opened taverns in Liyue, Inazuma, and Xumi. It is no exaggeration to say that your business is all over Teyvat. I really can't let you go!

I vote for Safire!"

Hu Tao expressed her opinion directly, Zhongli nodded in agreement, Wendy also thought it made sense, and the rest of the people also said that it was reasonable.

This matter must be decided immediately.

Saphir frowned. Wouldn't it be meaningless if he made such a hasty decision? And...she hadn't said anything yet.

Raising his hand to suppress the commotion, Saphir looked at Hu Tao and asked, "Since Master Hu said so, I have to ask, you invited me to the party today, right?"

"Of course, I haven't forgotten what just happened." Walnut put his hands on his hips. There was no need to argue about this matter.

Safire asked again: "Do you remember what you said when you invited me?"

"Hmm..." Kurumi was speechless for a moment. She remembered...

Not long ago, Yanshang Teahouse…

"Huh? Invite me to a dinner party? Taoer, what are you thinking? I'm from the Fatui, why would you rush to hang out with me?" Saphir had a look of resistance on his face and was unwilling to go to dinner.

It’s not that she is against having dinner with Hu Tao, but she is against going to Xinyuexuan. That place is full of seafood. As someone who hates seafood so much, what else can she do there except drinking?

The dinner party organized by Walnut will definitely include people of her age. This girl is still a minor, so she naturally cannot drink alcohol. So... just go for tea?

What a joke. Where in the whole Liyue Harbor can the tea be as good as that of Yanshang Tea House?

Safire really didn't want to go, but he didn't want to explain the reason, so he used his identity as a Fatui to prevaricate.

Walnut had expected this and interrupted her directly: "Hey, I only invited you because I consider you a friend, not because of your status as an executive or a boss!

It should be said that if we didn't have this identity, we would be closer. After all, Keqing often comes here. Promise me! Okay?"

"So, this time you're not inviting the executive of the Fatui, nor the owner of the Teahouse on the Rock or the Moonlight Tavern, but me?" Safire confirmed.

Walnut nodded rapidly, "Yes, yes, I just want to treat you to a meal! Even if it's just to express my gratitude to you on behalf of the purified souls of the Layered Abyss, just agree to it."

"You swore to those undead." Saphir insisted.

"I swear!" Walnut obeyed immediately.

Given her good attitude, Safir thought it would be fine to go for a few cups of tea, since she was such a likable girl. So he agreed.

Time goes back to the present. Saphir smiled confidently and said, "So, the one standing here is neither an executive of the Fatui nor a boss with businesses all over Teyvat. It's just me! Your rejection is invalid!"

"Isn't this sophistry?" Little Paimeng muttered to Ying who was standing beside him.

Ying nodded slightly: "Be more confident, little Paimon, this woman is just trying to quibble, but it seems that Hu Tao has been fooled by her."

"How dare you! Which woman?" Saphir accidentally said Xianyun's catchphrase, and then he coughed lightly, "Well, anyway, you guys pick someone else!

Um...Xiao Zhong! Please nominate someone else."

"Cough cough..." Xiao almost choked on his own saliva. It was probably the first time that the Emperor was called like this in all his thousands of years of life.

Zhongli pretended to be hesitant. In fact, he had expected Saphir to shirk his responsibilities. He soon looked at Hu Tao and said, "In that case, I recommend Master Hu to renew the incense."

Everyone's eyes were focused on Kurumi, wanting to see what she would say.

Hu Tao waved her hands repeatedly: "Hey, no, you are just a subordinate trying to flatter his boss.

I've already said that we should invite distinguished guests, so how can I, as the host, be included?

Since we have a good meal, it would be better to let Xiangling, the only chef here, cook. "

Hu Tao kicked the ball to Xiang Ling.

Xiangling was confused. She felt something was wrong: "Hey? Is that how it's calculated? But I didn't cook this meal!"

"It's just a small problem!" Hu Tao didn't care. She thought it was okay, but she still gave a reason, "Look, Xiang Ling, the immortal's direct disciple, the companion of the stove demon god, and the champion of the Moon Festival Chef Competition."

Wendy, Chongyun, Xingqiu and Saphir all applauded, showing great respect.

"The only heir to the famous Wanmin Hall restaurant and one of the hall owner's old friends, isn't that qualified enough?" Hu Tao listed a lot of titles one after another, mixed with some weird things, which made Xiangling feel embarrassed.

Little Paimon couldn't help but complain: "Uh...why does it feel like the name is going down the drain the more I talk about it?"

The clapping quartet didn't care about that and just kept clapping to create a great atmosphere.

Xiangling was getting anxious and tried to stop him: "Stop! You're making me feel embarrassed!"

As she spoke, she turned her gaze towards Xingqiu: "Then... if that's the case, then isn't the second young master of Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest chambers of commerce in Liyue Harbor, noble?"

Xingqiu became the target of everyone's criticism, and the other three applauding people, except him, immediately appeared beside him and began to applaud and cheer for him.

Xingqiu looked humiliated and covered his chest: "Uh... don't take me with you suddenly!"

Hu Tao pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Oh, that's not bad. With the Chamber of Commerce's young master lighting the incense, everyone will surely make a fortune in the coming year."

"That doesn't make sense!" Xingqiu immediately argued, "Besides, I'm just the young master of the Chamber of Commerce. Miss Su... ahem, Miss Safir is a multinational businessman. With her around, why shouldn't I light incense?

Besides, although getting rich is good, it is not as important as being healthy, safe and happy. Speaking of this, I still think Miss Saphir has better healing ability. Of course, since she is unwilling, let Master Chongyun, who is good at exorcising evil spirits and protecting everyone's homes, come."

As he spoke, he started to applaud with the other clapping duo except Chongyun, showing great respect.

Chongyun was confused: "Ah? What about my business?" He immediately evaded the question, "With the Demon-Subduing Great Sage here, it's not my turn, right?

In terms of seniority, there is only one immortal here, Xiao Shangxian, so it must be..."

Hutao, Xiangling, Saphir, Ying, and Paimon all put their hands on their hips and looked at Xiao.

Hu Tao nodded: "Sure enough, the most honorable one has to be Xiao Shangxian!"

"That's right! Xiao Zhong, go and kowtow to the Immortal Xiao!" Saphir was watching the fun and making a lot of noise.

Zhongli almost laughed out of anger. Hutao said that because she didn't understand, and Saphir said that just to stir up trouble. Not to mention whether Zhongli could humble himself and kowtow to Xiao, even if he really did it.

Will Xiao accept it?

Xiao proved his idea with his actions. He crossed his arms and said, "I refuse. I am definitely not the most distinguished person here."

He couldn't even come in second place. He added silently in his heart, and then added: He couldn't even come in third place.

Ying's eyes rolled around, and he felt that Xiao might recommend Zhongli again.

Xiao continued: "With your abilities, you will be able to tell. There is someone here who is familiar with everyone..."

Yes, when Saphir said the words "Knock to the ground for Immortal Xiao", Xiao almost knelt down for a moment. Is it possible to say such words?

I have really never been beaten by the Emperor!

But seeing Zhongli's attitude of doting on Saphir, Xiao felt it was reasonable. After all, those who are favored are always fearless.

He decided to push Ying out directly. Saphir had Zhongli Guan, and Ying also had Saphir Guan, so it was completely reasonable to say that she was noble.

Ying was stunned. She was about to explain, but she saw Wendy, Xiangling, Hutao and Saphir all looking at her with their arms folded. Chongyun, as the last member of the clapping group to realize it, also looked at her in the same posture a beat later.

Behind the five people, Zhongli was also looking in this direction, obviously agreeing with Xiao's proposal.

Little Paimon also thought Xiao's meaning made sense: "Oh, that's right! Although you always insult me, you do have a good relationship with people and know everyone!"

Although Ying knows most of the characters in the plot, Saphir also knows them, but in terms of good relationships, Ying has a better relationship with those people. Saphir's closest friends are generally those at higher levels, while Ying makes more friends with those at the lower levels.

For example, if Inazuma wants to find Lei Dianying and Raiden Zhen to do something, it would be more efficient and reliable to go through Saphir.

But if you want to find Jiuqi Shinobu or go to Xumi to find Dishiya and the others, it would be a better choice to get to know them through Ying.

Similarly, in this room, the only truly high-level Liyue officials are Zhongli and Xiao. The others are familiar with Saphir, but they are definitely not particularly close. They can be considered friends, but the relationship is not that close.

It's a relationship where you can talk to each other, but there's still some distance between them.

Ying is different. She has a very close relationship with Xiangling and others, and can even be called close friends.

When little Paimeng said this, Ying's eyes suddenly lit up and she said with a smile, "If that's the case, then there are more than one person like me."

"Ah? Saphir has already said that she doesn't count." Little Paimon reminded.

Saphir laughed: "Little Paimon, why did you exclude yourself? You have been traveling with Ying all the time, and you are the one who talks most of the time. Ying communicates with others much less than you do. If we talk about good relationships, you have a better relationship with everyone."

"Eh?...Eh!" Little Paimeng suddenly came to his senses, "You mean...I am the most distinguished guest here?

This is really sudden... hehehe..." The little guy was flattered and started to smile foolishly.

Wendy came over at the right time and said, "Well, I agree. This person is a good choice. Without a companion who insists on accompanying you, the long journey will become an endless lonely journey.

Once you have friends to joke with, everything becomes more colorful.”

Wendy is absolutely qualified to say this, because he also had a journey of struggle and redemption, but in that journey, the role he played was not a traveler, but the traveler's companion.

He was once someone else's little Paimon.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so useless, I couldn't protect you..."

"It's okay, little one. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to hold on until now. What's more unbearable than hardship is endless loneliness.

With you, my journey will become wonderful. Your existence makes my experience during this period shine brightly in my memory..."

The young man looked up at the blue sky. The storm had dissipated and there were no clouds in the sky. The boundless sky reflected the light of hope. People could finally embrace a new world and life.

But this young man no longer exists in this world.

He fell in the darkness before dawn, but he opened up dawn for people.

The dying boy moved his bloody lips and sang the last song of his life. The song was light, like a feather, but it struck the wind elf's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Fly, fly, like a bird...

See the world for me... fly to the sky for me..."

Memories filled her mind, and for a moment, Wendy seemed to have returned to the end of their journey, a perfect yet imperfect end.

What is perfect is the end of the tyrant and the collapse of the old order.

What is imperfect is that from that day on, the world lost two gentle children, one returned to heaven, and the other was transformed.

There is no longer the boy who could sing poems to inspire people to revolt and his wind elf companion in this world. Instead, there is a boy who calls himself Wendy. He wanders through the long river of time, leaving behind one moving song and poem after another.

"Well... Travelers traveled around the world and left behind many wonderful stories. But without Paimon, these stories would be much more monotonous." Zhongli also recognized Paimon's role and noble status. "Your journey was safe and smooth, and Paimon played an indispensable role."

Seeing that the two old guys said so, Saphir put away his playful thoughts and said seriously: "Traveling alone will make you lonely and crazy. It's better to have a companion by your side.

Accompany you to laugh when you are happy, listen to you when you are sad, and encourage you when you are lost. This is a rare help and your greatest wealth.

Ying, when you have nothing to do, have you thanked Paimeng properly? She has been with you for three whole years without any regrets. "

"Wow, I'm not used to being praised like this all of a sudden..." Little Paimeng was moved. It was the first time she was recognized like this. The little girl was a little uncomfortable. She confirmed again, "Well, everyone is sincere, right..."

The little guy looked at the people around him nervously.

Ying showed a sincere smile and gently touched Paimon's little head: "Of course, Paimon, the best friend!"

"Thank you!" Little Paimon was almost crying with joy. It's true that other people's praise is important, but the most important thing is Ying's recognition.

Because Ying was everything to her, ever since she was fished out of the water, the two of them had been closely connected and inseparable. Paimeng never dared to think about what would happen to her if Ying left her one day.

Now, with Ying's serious affirmation, she felt that everything was worth it.

Xiangling looked at this scene with some emotion: "So Paimon is as important to the Traveler as Guoba is to me!"

"Yeah, it seems like everyone has no objection to choosing Pai Meng?" Hu Tao spoke up to confirm everyone's opinions.

Xiao nodded first: "I agree with Ying's choice." The others had no objection either.

Kurumi made the final decision: "It's settled then! Next, Paimon, the best partner, guide, and best friend of the most powerful Ying in the world, will relight the incense for everyone!"