"At that time in Liyue, great demons troubled the seas, and evil serpents entrenched themselves in the mountains.
The Geo Archon summoned the Adepti to restore peace to the world.
Legend has it that, before he marched to war, the Archon once said...
'In this world where gods and demons rise together, though I do not seek to contest dominion, I understand the sufferings of the people. I only wish to cleanse the land and safeguard a corner of the mortal realm.'"
"Wonderful! Marvelous!"
"Archon... sob sob sob sob sob..."
"Tell it again, tell it again..."
"You all love to hear it! And I love to tell it! Today, nothing else—just stories of the Archon!"
Iron Tongue Tian gathered his spirit and once again began telling the story of the Archon.
This is the first tale every storyteller in Liyue must master. Yet today, before the tale could reach its end, the one in the story had already left.
At this moment, not only here, not only Iron Tongue Tian—whether it be the storyteller on the street corner with just a couple of listeners, or the storyteller at the ever-crowded Heyu Tea House—every storyteller in Liyue Harbor was repeating this tale...
Victor Wang knew none of this. However, among Iron Tongue Tian's audience, he spotted Zhongli.
Seeing that there was still an empty seat near Zhongli, he sat down openly, prompting Zhongli to glance at him.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Zhongli?"
"You came looking for me?"
"That's right. I have a letter from Mondstadt for you."
"Hmm?"
Victor Wang explained briefly: "My main reason for coming to Liyue was to meet the Geo Archon. But Liyue... is like this now. The sender is an old friend of yours. He said that if I gave the letter to you, perhaps you could help me meet the Archon. Regardless of everything... the letter still needs to be delivered."
"Hmm... From Mondstadt, is it? Two of them, even... Let me take a look first."
"Of course." Victor Wang took out the letter, sealed with a wind barrier, and handed it to Zhongli.
Then, an unexpected change occurred. As soon as the letter touched Zhongli, it began to dissipate into the wind, threads unraveling like silk. In just two breaths, it vanished entirely—even the envelope wasn't opened.
Still, Zhongli seemed to have received the message. He gave Victor Wang a glance, took a small sip of tea, and then slowly said, "Please remain in Liyue for a few more days. Once I finish some affairs at hand, I will find a way to let you meet the Geo Archon."
"Really? Thank you so much!"
"Use this time to properly experience Liyue."
Are you going to ask me for my impressions of the land of the gods too? Victor Wang wondered, just about to reply—
"Zhongli!" Tartaglia made a flashy entrance and sat directly across from Victor Wang. With his usual familiarity, he asked, "Yo, who's this?"
"I'm Victor Wang, an adventurer from Mondstadt. I'll leave you to chat—I still have some things to take care of." Victor Wang took his leave tactfully.
Zhongli nodded. "Take care."
"I'm Tartaglia." Tartaglia waved a bit too enthusiastically. After Victor Wang had left, he turned to Zhongli and asked, "Who was that?"
"A friend of a friend. No need to mind him. What brings you here?"
"I'm wondering about the Rite of Parting qualifications?"
"The Director has already submitted the application. As agreed, the Fatui will cover all expenses in full."
"Fair enough, fair enough."
...
"Today, through my own effort, I successfully secured a client!"
"Director, it's only been 50 seconds since you last told that story..."
"So what? This is the first client to ever request our services since I became Director!"
"But he hasn't actually made a reservation yet, has he?"
"...Hmph, if he dares ghost me, I'll make sure to send him off next time we meet."
"Director, please be mindful of your words. That's an illegal threat."
Thump, thump, thump!
"He's back! He must be back!"
Hu Tao joyfully opened the door, and sure enough, it was that special client.
"Um, how should I address you?"
"Hu Tao! Hu like the nut, Tao like the peach. I'm Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! And how should I address you, guest?"
"I'm Victor Wang. As I mentioned before, my funeral might be a little complicated."
"Our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is an old establishment. The number of clients we've served is far beyond your imagination. Just a little hint: you know the Archon who passed away yesterday? We handled that funeral too!
"So, no matter what your needs are, feel free to share them."
"Could we speak somewhere more private?"
"People rarely come here."
"I'm still uneasy."
Hu Tao narrowed her eyes. "You want to enter the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? You're sure?"
"If it's inconvenient, we can go elsewhere. But this conversation is best heard by you and me alone."
"I've got no objection." Seeing that Victor Wang was rooted in place at the door, Hu Tao moved aside. "Then come in."
Just before stepping in, Victor Wang glanced at the roof with a faint smile.
"What do we do? I think we've been discovered."
"You're the one who got us this close! Ugh... Either way, tailing people like this is kind of wrong..."
Inside, the parlor wasn't much different from other buildings in Liyue Harbor—except for the many candles, all white. Besides that, many of the tools and ornaments were old but well-kept, brimming with antique charm.
A few staff members dressed in somber brown and black robes were working in the main hall. When they saw a living person walk in, they couldn't help but look up. Did the sun rise in the west today? The Director actually brought in a client—and he dared enter the funeral parlor?
"Please, right this way. Our reception room hasn't seen a proper guest in ages!"
Hu Tao led Victor Wang to a side room. Aside from the door, there wasn't a single vent or window, making it especially dark. She casually conjured a small flame and lit a candle. As the dim light flickered on, she quietly shut the door behind them.
"Have a seat, have a seat. Mind the clutter."
The "clutter" she referred to was stacks of nameless spirit tablets, sorted by material and size. Even the altar-like table held a few recently made but unfinished tablets. The room had clearly become a storage space.
"Can we talk now?"
"Did you know there are people in this world who cannot die?"
"Zombies?"
"No. I mean people from Khaenri'ah.
Five hundred years ago, during the cataclysm that destroyed Khaenri'ah, all the survivors were cursed. Those with pure Khaenri'ah blood, burdened by sin, were stripped of the right to die.
For five centuries, they've wandered Teyvat, burdened by the sorrow of their fallen homeland. Their only salvation is for their souls to slowly erode with time."
"Hmm... That's honestly... pretty awful." Hu Tao shifted between propping up her chin with one hand and switching hands while she gave Victor Wang a suspicious look.
"Hahaha, you don't have to look at me like that. I'm not one of them. But I have a friend from Khaenri'ah—he told me all this."
"Is this 'friend' actually you?"
"Absolutely not."
"Then why are you telling me this?"
"Because this friend asked me to do something. He wants me to go to the border of life and death and see if there's any way to lift the curse. So, I thought I should explain."
There are three absolute must-dos in Liyue: 1.) Have Zhongli cleanse elemental energy; 2.) Ask Madame Ping for a Serenitea Pot; 3.) Visit the border of life and death.
The first is like a main quest, the other two, important side quests—Victor Wang had planned all of them early on.
Later, a new mission was added: search for Khaenri'ahn relics. But he still had no clue where to start on that one.
Hu Tao tried to play dumb. "Oh dear, I don't know what you're talking about."
"Head straight from Wuwang Hill and you'll reach the 'border'—the dividing line between life and death. A confidential place managed by generations of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Hu Tao slammed her hands on the table and shot to her feet. Her tone turned sharp. "So, you were never here to do business at all?"
Victor Wang quickly clarified:
"I am here to do business.
But I also have a promise to fulfill. My friend was long meant to die and has yearned for death—but he's imprisoned in this world by an undying curse. He is a true sufferer!
Director Hu, as a professional, surely you understand his pain better than I do. I ask for your help!"
The tense air made the candlelight flicker wildly. Hu Tao's shadow danced with the flames. When everything calmed again, she let out a sigh.
"Does anyone else know about the border of life and death?"
"Just me and my friend."
"I almost used the Great Memory Erasure Technique on you just now." Hu Tao sat back down. "But thinking it over, that won't be necessary. However, you two must agree to two conditions."
Victor Wang nodded. "As long as they're within reason."
"Don't worry, they're simple! First, you're not allowed to tell anyone else about the border. Second, your friend must also conduct business with us—and no buy-one-get-one-free deals."
"That's all acceptable. But in return, you must also keep the Khaenri'ah secret to yourself."
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor never pries into our clients' affairs, and we never leak their secrets."
"Good! I can sign a contract on behalf of this secret about the border. As for the business, my friend isn't in Liyue yet. Can I handle it in his stead?"
"Of course. What's your friend's name?"
"Dainsleif."