"What does he look like? Do you have a portrait of him?"
"He's very tall. Most of his clothes are gray and black. He wears a very cool cloak, dark blue on the inside with a starry sky pattern. His hair is blonde, his eyes are blue, and he wears a dark blue mask over his right eye. He's got a strong presence—you'd recognize him from afar."
Hu Tao listened intently, her clever little brain calculating rapidly.
"Then we'll need to make a longer coffin... When does he plan to die? Try to be precise, otherwise it'll take a lot more effort."
"Uh... well... if the border of life and death can lift his curse, then he can die once we return. If not... it's uncertain."
"Tch! Then let's talk about you—when do you plan to die?"
"Ahem, when I said my funeral might be a little tricky, I wasn't lying. Do we have to pick a fixed date? Can't we make it flexible?"
"What do you mean by flexible?"
"If I die, it's most likely to be in Snezhnaya, second would be Natlan. Before I die, I'll come back and report the time and place. You'll have to retrieve the body across nations. If I'm lucky, there might not even be a body left. In that case, just make a memorial grave."
Hu Tao frowned, pouted, clearly displeased. "You guys are... the most unwelcome 'Wood' level clients."
"'Wood' level?"
"It's how we categorize clients: Death, Ash, Wither, and Wood. You don't have a set time or place of death. Obviously, that makes you the worst—'Wood' level." Hu Tao spread her right hand as she explained.
"I can pay in full right now—for both me and my friend. I can even add a cross-nation retrieval fee and some extra for your trouble."
"Hmm... that could raise you to 'Bamboo' level."
"And where did this 'Bamboo' level come from?"
"I just came up with it. Death, Ash, Wither, and Wood sound ugly. So, I changed the ranks to Hu, Tao, Bamboo, and Wood."
"Director Hu, you're truly a character."
Hu Tao snuffed out the eerie candle. The room instantly became pitch black, but she soon opened the only door.
"It's too late today. Come back at 5 AM tomorrow. Once we sign the contracts for you and your friend, I'll take you to the 'border.'"
"Alright. See you tomorrow."
It really was getting late. As Victor Wang stepped out, he ran into the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's night shift ferryman.
"Quick, quick! Draft two client service contracts!" Hu Tao said to a staff member after shutting the door.
"Two?"
"That's right! With my silver tongue, I've secured another client!"
"Whoa! The Director truly has the Geo Archon's blessing! Geo Archon's bless—Geo Archon... sigh..."
"Why the sighs? Think about it. The Archon's death reminds everyone that anyone can die. Doesn't that make us cherish life even more?"
"Director..."
"People always avoid imagining the day they'll be burned to ashes. But life, aging, sickness, and death are all natural. Even the Archon couldn't escape them. So, all we can do is live well—and accept death with peace of mind."
"But without the Archon, how far can Liyue still go?"
"That's for the big shots on Yujing Terrace to worry about. If the Archon's birth was in response to an era, then maybe now... he's simply returning to nature."
Zhongli entered just in time to hear that last line. He nodded. "Wise words, Director."
"Zhongli! I got two new clients today!"
"The Director hasn't told her 'I secured a new client' story in at least... ten minutes..." a staff member muttered.
"Oh? By common reasoning, it is difficult for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to actively secure clients."
"Right, right!"
"Director, what are the names of the clients for these two contracts?" the employee preparing the contracts asked.
"One is Victor Wang, the other is Dainsleif."
"Victor Wang...?" Zhongli appeared pensive.
...
Twilight still lingered in the sky, and a thousand lights had already lit up Liyue Harbor. After a day of exhaustion, hunger and the warm lights finally allowed the grieving people to regain a flicker of other emotions.
Victor Wang debated whether or not to return to Wangshu Inn. He hadn't checked out of his room and had already paid for several days.
Since teleportation was available, he could always pop over to Dihua Marsh for some sword practice. Yanxiao's cooking really wasn't bad either.
But... the nausea and vomiting from teleporting, and the sheer terror of Paimon, made him reluctant.
He walked down the central avenue. When he passed by Third-Round Knockout, every table was full. Normally, people would enjoy a small drink with dinner. But tonight, no one was planning to leave. They were lifting their sea bowls, drinking hard, hoping to drown their sorrows early.
Iron Tongue Tian still stood, back to a simple folding screen, no stage beneath his feet, telling the Archon's story in a voice that had grown hoarse. With vivid expressions and tone, he portrayed the Archon's grandeur and care for the world. After each line, the crowd cheered. It was livelier than before.
Victor Wang made his way easily through the now tenfold-expanded city and found a familiar building.
"Ad astra abyssosque! Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild." It was the ever-working, shadow-cloning machine girl, Katheryne.
"Hello, I'm an adventurer from Mondstadt. Please update my Adventurer Certificate."
"Certainly. Please wait a moment."
While waiting, Victor Wang glanced at the nearby commission board. All the critical encrypted commissions had been synchronized to Wangshu Inn. Nothing else seemed noteworthy.
Still, everyone's encrypted commission carried the same fake title: 'Investigate price fluctuations in the Inazuma market.' Seemed like Rein had started a trend?
"Ad astra abyssosque. Welcome to Liyue. A grand new adventure awaits you!"
"Ah, yes!"
I just wanted to update my map, Victor Wang grumbled internally.
Next, he paid a visit to Wanmin Restaurant. Coincidentally, Xiangling was there—but unfortunately, so were Xingqiu and Chongyun, talking about their tailing of a mysterious cloaked figure.
"The more I hear, the more familiar it sounds. Did that cloak have a cute emblem on the hood and another on the back?"
"How do you know?!"
Since when did someone the both of them know but don't recognize show up in Liyue? Xingqiu and Chongyun exchanged a glance, even more curious about the mysterious cloaked man.
"Why don't you turn around and check?"
"Uh?"
"No way..."
When the two turned stiffly, they found the mysterious figure standing right behind them. With so many people coming and going at Wanmin Restaurant, they'd completely let their guard down.
Victor Wang greeted them with a smile. "Friends, and Xiangling—fancy seeing you again!"
"I heard from Lumine that you'd be coming to Liyue. Finally, you're here! Sit down and try the food at Wanmin!"
"Sure. I heard Black-Back Perch Stew is the signature dish here?"
"If we're talking signature dishes, I think many are great! But if I had to pick one, then yes—my improved version of Black-Back Perch Stew is better than anywhere else!"
"That's true. I knew you were talented the first time I tasted your grilled meat."
"Hehe! I'll go cook then. You all chat."
As Xiangling left, the atmosphere turned... awkward.
Not only had they been caught tailing and spying, but now they were sitting at the same table with the guy. What was this?!
Chongyun bowed his head slightly, turning outward, scratching his face and hair. His pure-yang constitution made his whole body cold with embarrassment—more intense than eating mint snow cream.
Even the more outgoing Xingqiu was struggling. It was so awkward.
"Friends, meeting is fate. For us to meet twice in one day must mean destiny, right?"
"Yes, yes!"
"There aren't many seats left. I hope you don't mind me joining you? If it's inconvenient, I can switch tables."
"No, not at all!"
"We're all Xiangling's friends. Please, sit!"
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Victor Wang, an adventurer and writer. Though I'm also from Liyue, I moved away long ago. Didn't expect that as soon as I came back, the Archon would..."
"My name is Chongyun. I'm an exorcist. My family's lived in Liyue for generations, dedicated to purging evil spirits. If you run into anything strange, feel free to ask for help!"
"I am Xingqiu, merely a humble lover of books. Though unworthy, I offer what little aid I can!" He finally cupped his hands and said, "About this afternoon—I apologize. It was my cursed curiosity. Chongyun only came along because I convinced him. Don't blame him."
"Ah?" Chongyun scratched his head. "It was partly my fault..."
Victor Wang spread his hands. "This afternoon? Weren't you guys helping answer my questions and solving my problems?"
Chongyun gritted his teeth. "No, we saw your outfit—"
"Oh, this cloak? Don't mind it. I know dressing like this draws attention."
Victor Wang interrupted him, pulling back his hood.
"I'm sensitive to bright light. It gives me rashes and itching. My face is slightly better, but the same happens where my mask covers.
"I've been meaning to ask—do you think wearing a hood draws more attention, or does the mask?"
"I think..." Xingqiu rested his smooth chin on his hand. "Wearing a hood makes someone look suspicious. A mask mostly just sparks curiosity."
"Really?"
Chongyun nodded. "I think the same."
Wearing a hood filters out 99% of ordinary people—but the remaining 1% will be deeply suspicious. Wearing just a mask makes everyone curious, but it's not quite the same as suspicion.
Originally, Victor Wang thought that once he got his Geo element cleansed, he could show his face again. But now he'd been followed...
"Then I won't wear a hood anymore."