"Good morning, Director Hu Tao!"
"And Consultant Chen Feng, are the two of you out soliciting business again?"
"You've worked hard, you've worked hard. Come and have an apple, we'll give them to you for free to eat on the way, guaranteed to be sweet!"
"Peeling apples is too much trouble, why not come eat my watermelon instead!"
"I've already cut it for you, you can just take it and eat!"
"Director Hu Tao, my mother picked up some eggs from the chicken coop at home. You must accept them! Otherwise, my mother might not recognize me as her son anymore. You wouldn't want me to sever ties with her, would you?"
"Director Hu Tao, I have some cabbage I grew myself. You must take it!"
On the morning after Qi Shu was brought to justice, Hu Tao and Chen Feng set out together again. However, this time, the passersby treated them completely differently than before.
Hu Tao replied to the enthusiastic passersby with some discomfort; what was happening today had never occurred since she became the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"We appreciate everyone's kindness, but we can't take these. We have business at the Jade Chamber, and carrying all these things would be inconvenient," Hu Tao declined, but she still couldn't resist everyone's enthusiasm.
"Director Hu Tao, that's easy! We'll just send the things directly to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. No trouble for you at all!"
"Yes, yes, Director Hu Tao, you must accept them. This is all our heartfelt token of appreciation!"
Since things had come to this point, Hu Tao couldn't keep refusing. Fortunately, the gifts weren't too expensive, so she accepted them.
Of course, they couldn't really let everyone personally deliver the items to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so they could only go back for a moment to put the things away. They also brought a few Undertakers with them on the way, so they could give the items to them to send back later.
It took nearly twice as much time as usual for Chen Feng and Hu Tao to finally arrive at Yuehai Pavilion.
There was no helping it; the people on the road were truly too enthusiastic.
"Director Hu Tao, Consultant Chen Feng, Lady Ningguang has been waiting for the two of you for a long time."
The one who came out to greet them was Baiwen. There was no blame in her words, but Hu Tao still explained a bit embarrassedly.
"Sorry, we were delayed for some time on the way."
"It's fine, Lady Ningguang had already predicted this situation and had it clarified beforehand."
As Baiwen spoke, she led Chen Feng and Hu Tao toward the Teleport Waypoint.
Their figures flashed, and the next moment they appeared on the Jade Chamber, thousands of meters in the air.
"They're here, the two great heroes have arrived."
Moon Carver cast a kind gaze upon Chen Feng and Hu Tao. Hu Tao had resolved the issue of wrongfully deceased souls lingering in the mortal world, and Chen Feng had addressed the aftermath caused by Qi Shu's final attempt to use souls as a sacrifice. Calling them the heroes of this incident was hardly an exaggeration. Compared to them, even the achievements of the Liyue Qixing and the Adepti seemed a bit dull. Only Xiao, who had heavily wounded Qi Shu, had a slightly more brilliant performance.
Of course, every faction had played a crucial role in the previous battle, and Liyue had once again overcome a crisis through the cooperation between humans and Adepti.
Everyone gathered together today to learn about the casualties... oh no, the deaths, as well as Liyue's future development.
Originally, neither Chen Feng nor Hu Tao were qualified to attend such a meeting, but Ningguang specially invited them this time.
"Moon Carver you flatter us too much, we just did what we were supposed to do."
"Hahaha, there's no need to be so modest at a time like this."
Mountain Shaper spoke with a smile, and then the other Adepti and the Liyue Qixing also cast approving glances at Chen Feng and Hu Tao.
"Alright, since everyone is here, I will now report on the number of casualties from this incident."
Ningguang spoke only after everyone had exchanged a few words.
Upon hearing Ningguang's words, everyone's expressions immediately grew much more serious.
Although they did not know the exact number of deaths, as eyewitnesses to yesterday's incident, they knew this number would definitely not be low.
However, when Ningguang heavily uttered that number, everyone was still shocked.
In the period from when Qi Shu declared his presence until he offered his soul to the Death God yesterday, approximately fifty thousand people had died in Liyue. It must be noted that even when the Overlord of the Vortex Osial attacked Liyue Harbor back then, it failed to cause such a large number of casualties!
Furthermore, this number did not include the victims from the past three months, because the difficulty of statistics during this period was simply too great, so it was not presented as a specific figure to everyone.
This incident was a heavy blow to Liyue. Although some of the victims were unpardonable criminals, such people were actually not very numerous, at most a few thousand. The majority were people who had made mistakes but whose crimes did not deserve death. Besides them, there was also a portion of innocent victims after Qi Shu completely tore off his disguise.
Of course, this was not entirely a bad thing for Liyue. In fact, the Liyue Qixing would also face great resistance when trying new policies. This was because some vested interests did not want their cake to be divided, and some were even extreme enough to hire assassins.
Cutting off someone's financial path is like killing their parents; this is not a joke.
In the past, when the Liyue Qixing wanted to do something, they needed to maneuver around these people. But now they didn't have to, because they had already kicked the bucket, and there was almost no resistance.
Therefore, the Liyue Qixing could now completely and boldly reform Liyue's existing system. After this period of pain, Ningguang believed that Liyue would soon enter a period of rapid development. Just so happen that Ningguang had obtained many good ideas from Chen Feng in this regard, and the next step was to verify them in practice.
Of course, the reform could not be completed in one fell swoop. Ningguang decided to adopt Chen Feng's method by first conducting a pilot program in several areas of Liyue Harbor, and then implementing it further depending on the situation.
"Alas, who would have thought that a mere ordinary person who accidentally obtained a power not his own could cause such great trouble for Liyue."
After hearing Cloud Retainer's words, everyone also sighed in unison.
Just at this moment, Chen Feng stepped forward and spoke to everyone with great guilt.
"I'm sorry. Actually, I lied."
"That day, I actually saw Qi Shu. But when he noticed I was following him and used his ability on me, I remembered some things. My mind was in turmoil at the time, so I let him escape...?"
After hearing Chen Feng's confession, the expressions of everyone present did not show much surprise. After all, judging from Qi Shu's performance, everyone had roughly guessed this point.
"If I had stopped him back then, none of these things would have happened later..."
"Alright, Consultant Chen Feng, you have already done very well!"
Seeing Chen Feng looking so guilty, Hu Tao immediately spoke up to comfort him.
"The one who's wrong is Qi Shu, who misused the power he obtained by chance, not you!"
"Director Hu Tao is right. This matter has little to do with you."
"We are Adepti yet we were helpless against Qi Shu's methods. We should bear more of the responsibility in this matter."
Everyone was quite rational after hearing the news and did not blame Chen Feng harshly.
The fact that Chen Feng was able to step forward in the end was already very good, otherwise who knows how many more people in Liyue would have died.
"What did you remember back then?"
Ningguang asked Chen Feng, and after hearing her, Chen Feng immediately replied:
"I remembered what my ability was, and I realized that I was definitely no ordinary person possessing this power, but I didn't want to bid farewell to my present life, so I hesitated...?"
Right after Chen Feng's explanation, Keqing couldn't help but step forward to ask, but she was stopped by Ningguang's gaze.
Ningguang could naturally tell that Chen Feng did not want to discuss this matter; clearly, he was hiding something.
However, they could not push too hard. As long as they were sure Chen Feng was on Liyue's side, that was enough. As for these matters, they could slowly inquire about them later.
Thinking of this, Ningguang looked at Chen Feng again and spoke slowly.
"Since you have not remembered, then forget it. Whether you can continue to maintain your current life depends not on whether your memory has recovered, but on your own thoughts."
"I hope that when that day arrives, at least we will not become enemies."
After hearing Ningguang's words, Chen Feng nodded.
-
Some time later, Chen Feng and Hu Tao left the Jade Chamber.
But at the very end, Chen Feng was approached secretly by Cloud Retainer.
"Young Chen Feng, could you perhaps cooperate with this Adeptus on some research?"
Cloud Retainer spoke, sounding a bit embarrassed.
"This Adeptus has never heard of such a powerful ability before. This Adeptus has a feeling that if you cooperate with my research, this Adeptus will surely create my magnum opus to date!"
"Uh..."
Chen Feng scratched his head, then continued.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not very interested in this."
Hearing Chen Feng's reply, Cloud Retainer refused to give up and kept trying to persuade him.
"Is it money you want?"
"If you want money, Ganyu can give it to you."
"If you want a person, Ganyu can give herself to you too."
"This Adeptus is Ganyu's teacher, I can make the decisions!"
Ganyu: "???"
At this moment, Ganyu, who had come out of curiosity to see what Cloud Retainer was doing, happened to hear these words. Instantly, she was completely stunned.
It seemed she had been sold off by Cloud Retainer, wrapped up like a package, without her even knowing?!
Fortunately, Chen Feng ultimately refused Cloud Retainer's offer, and Ganyu breathed a small sigh of relief.
Cloud Retainer felt a bit disappointed but didn't insist, simply leaving a message for Chen Feng to find her if he changed his mind before she left.
Next, Chen Feng and Hu Tao went to Bubu Pharmacy and met Baizhu and Changsheng.
At this moment, Changsheng was still a little afraid of Chen Feng, coiling around Baizhu's neck like an accessory.
"Ahem, ahem, ahem... You two have arrived."
"Please, come in and take a seat."
Baizhu, coughing while covering his mouth, invited Chen Feng and Hu Tao to visit Bubu Pharmacy. This time, he had specially invited them both over to completely solve the problem with Qiqi's body.
Now that Chen Feng knew how to use his ability, Baizhu explained the situation to him directly, and Chen Feng readily agreed.
The moment Qiqi saw Hu Tao enter Bubu Pharmacy, she immediately tried to run away on her short legs, reacting with a speed that made her seem not like a stiff-bodied zombie at all.
"Qiqi, Director Hu Tao won't do anything to you this time."
Baizhu spoke up promptly, causing Qiqi to stop in her tracks, then looked at Hu Tao with a smile.
"Director Hu Tao, am I right?"
"Of course!"
Hu Tao replied, feeling somewhat helpless.
"Qiqi, come here."
Baizhu gestured for Qiqi to come over. Although Qiqi hesitated upon seeing Hu Tao, she eventually walked over slowly.
"Ahem... Mr. Chen Feng, I am entrusting Qiqi to you."
Baizhu stroked Qiqi's head, then looked at Chen Feng with an expectant gaze.
"I will do my best."
Chen Feng replied, then placed his hand on Qiqi's head and slowly closed his eyes.
Not long after, Changsheng could no longer continue pretending to be an accessory.
In Changsheng's perception, a living aura was gradually emanating from Qiqi's body. This was simply incredible!
Although Baizhu's perception was not as strong, he could also feel that Qiqi's condition was steadily improving.
After a few more minutes, Chen Feng took a deep breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead and said.
"Alright. In the short term, Qiqi's body will be no different from an ordinary person's. As for a longer period of time, I cannot guarantee."
Hearing Chen Feng's words, Baizhu hurriedly spoke.
"That is already enough, ahem, cough, cough... Thank you, Mr. Chen Feng."
At this moment, Qiqi moved her body a little and, finding it wasn't as stiff as before, immediately started running, getting faster and faster.
The muscles on her face twitched, and she finally managed to form a smile. Qiqi's tone was slightly more lighthearted.
"Mr. Baizhu!"
Seeing this scene, Baizhu's face showed uncontainable joy, and his gaze toward Chen Feng became even more grateful.
Finally, Baizhu and Qiqi, who looked significantly more spirited than before, thanked Chen Feng once again. At this moment, Changsheng had also figured it out. The reason a living aura was emanating from Qiqi's body was because the thing that had previously suppressed the life force left by the Adeptus was gone.
Although she didn't know how Chen Feng had done it, seeing Qiqi so full of vitality for the first time, Changsheng also felt a little relieved.
However, after seeing Baizhu send Chen Feng and Hu Tao away just like that, Changsheng couldn't help but speak up again.
"Baizhu, aren't you going to ask Chen Feng for the method of longevity?"
Baizhu shook his head, then gazed at the departing figures of Chen Feng and Hu Tao in the distance.
"Ahem... The immortality that Mr. Chen Feng achieved is not what I seek. I think I will continue searching for other methods to achieve longevity."
Time passed in a blur of busyness. The next day, Hu Tao slipped into Chen Feng's room again.
"Consultant Chen Feng, time to get up! The moon is already baking your backside!"
"Wait, Director Hu, I'm not wearing any clothes this time!"
Ten seconds later, Hu Tao, who had been kicked out of the room, still had a slightly flushed face. She hadn't expected such an extra bonus this time.
Two minutes later, Chen Feng walked out of his room with a look of helplessness.
"Director Hu, it seems I really do need to put a lock on my door!"
"Consultant Chen Feng, you can rest assured about this. This Director was already prepared."
With that, Hu Tao pulled a lock from who knows where, locked the door, and handed one of the two keys she had made to Chen Feng.
"Now, besides you and this Director, no one can enter your room. You can finally put your mind at ease, right?"
"Not at ease in the slightest!"
Chen Feng was at a loss for words. Just look at who the lock was meant to keep out.
"Director Hu, why did you wake me up so early today?"
Chen Feng glanced at the sky, where the moon still shone brightly, and spoke again in a resigned tone.
"Today, this Director is taking you to a wonderful place!"
"Hurry, hurry! If we don't leave now, the sun will be up soon!"
"Don't tell me we're going to be walking for another day and night?!"
Hearing Hu Tao's words, Chen Feng's face instantly turned as bitter as a melon.
"If that's the case, Director Hu, please spare me. My legs are still aching!"
"Don't worry, don't worry, it's very close this time!"
Hu Tao grabbed Chen Feng's arm and dragged him outside.
"Let's go! Just trust this Director. When has this Director ever lied to you?!"
Hu Tao hurriedly pulled Chen Feng away. Just after they left, Zhongli pushed open the door and slowly walked out.
After taking about ten steps from the room, his figure gradually vanished. At the same time, the door behind him closed automatically.
Chen Feng never imagined that the "very close" place Hu Tao mentioned would be Mt. Tianheng.
The horizontal distance was indeed very short, but the vertical distance...
By the time Chen Feng reached the summit of Mt. Tianheng, he was half dead from exhaustion. If not for Hu Tao's support, he wouldn't have been able to stand up at all.
"Consultant Chen Feng, you really need to get some exercise."
Seeing Chen Feng's state, Hu Tao remarked before speaking again.
"But good thing, we made it in time."
"Made it in time for what?"
At first, Chen Feng didn't understand what Hu Tao meant. But soon, as he saw a red sun gradually peeking from the horizon, painting the clouds in a magnificent orange-red hue, Chen Feng finally remembered that he seemed to have mentioned wanting to watch the sunrise on Mt. Tianheng before.
The two immediately fell silent, finding a protruding rock to sit on and quietly admire this scene of nature's beauty.
Only after the sun fully appeared and the world regained its light did Hu Tao gaze at the distant scenery and ask with a slightly dreamy look.
"Consultant Chen Feng, you said before that you wanted to come to Mt. Tianheng to watch the sunrise. Surely you haven't forgotten?"
"I just said it in passing back then, I didn't expect Director Hu to keep it in mind all this time."
Chen Feng spoke with emotion.
"Of course. This Director carefully listens to and remembers every word Consultant Chen Feng says, because Consultant Chen Feng is a very special person to this Director."
Hu Tao turned her head and met Chen Feng's gaze, her eyes filled with immeasurably complex emotions.
Chen Feng froze for a moment, then silently looked away, speaking to himself.
"Director Hu, I'm a bit hungry. How about we head back for breakfast now..."
Chen Feng trailed off halfway through his sentence because Hu Tao was cupping his face with both hands, forcing him to look her in the eye.
"Chen Feng, let's date."
Upon hearing these words, a thunderclap seemed to strike through Chen Feng's mind, but he quickly calmed down, and the expression in his eyes gradually changed, turning distant and cold.
This was the gaze Hu Tao dreaded most. Her heart tightened instantly, and her grip tightened slightly as she spoke again in a nearly pleading tone.
"Chen Feng."
"For my sake, will you stop here?"
To Hu Tao's despair, Chen Feng's gaze didn't waver in the slightest...