[Across the long years, he has met countless people, and will meet countless more.]
After opening Zhongli's dossier, Hu Tao saw this line on the very first page.
This weighty description made Hu Tao pause for a moment.
Is this… describing Zhongli?
While Zhongli certainly handles affairs with steady reliability and in daily life seems like an old scholar, he's still young—this doesn't quite match the description, does it?
Hu Tao hurriedly flipped further. As she read on and on, that palm-sized fair face of hers shifted through many expressions before settling into silence.
Hu Tao stared at the computer screen for a long time, plum-blossom pupils rippling slightly, her small mouth parted in disbelief.
"Is this prophecy authentic?"
After a while, Hu Tao raised her head to look at Ken, who stood behind her. Her pretty, cute face was filled with surprise.
Zhongli…
The consultant of her Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli, turned out to be the Geo Archon of Liyue.
The Geo Archon who governs Liyue, the God of Contracts who used divine power to set Liyue's laws, the God of Commerce who minted the first Mora with his own hands and founded Liyue upon trade.
The God of History, the oldest among the Seven, who has lived through long and weighty ages; the God of the Forge who taught the forebears how to survive thousands of years ago.
Turned out to be the consultant of her Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Although Zhongli's conduct is always meticulous, and he can rattle off Liyue's heritage at will, Hu Tao had never imagined he was the Geo Archon.
"Not only genuine, it's a familiar face too." Ken was a bit amused.
Barbatos's mask-off incident back then had been just as abrupt.
"This guy who eats my food and drinks my drink—with those thick brows and bright eyes—turns out to be the Archon?" Thinking of Zhongli's hefty Mora reimbursements, Hu Tao felt a faint twinge in her heart.
But precisely because she now knew Zhongli was the Archon, many things started to make sense.
No wonder Zhongli knew those ancient Liyue rites and traditions so clearly.
Previously, everyone guessed Zhongli knew so much because he was well-read.
But now that she thought about it—what books could make the kind of steadiness tempered by ages, the cloudlike detachment and worldly clarity that Zhongli has?
Seeing Hu Tao's mood gradually settle, Ken asked curiously, "How does you plan to face him?"
"How to face him? With my face." Hu Tao pouted, put her hands on her hips, and said, "Once you're in my Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, you're staff of the Parlor. I do respect the Archon, but the one in my Parlor is Zhongli."
Thinking of the large Mora she'd paid on Zhongli's behalf, Hu Tao's teeth ached a bit.
The Geo Archon who created Mora, yet he himself has no Mora.
Having no Mora is one thing, but he also spends lavishly—he even has to hire the most popular songstress to perform, and when he keeps birds, it has to be the most precious hwamei.
Hu Tao felt Zhongli should do more work.
Even though his true identity is the Geo Archon, business is business: respect in the heart is one thing, but the work still needs doing, and accounts must be kept separately.
"As expected of you."
Ken silently gave Hu Tao a thumbs-up.
Worthy of the free-spirited, broad-minded Hu Tao.
If it were someone else, after learning Zhongli was the Geo Archon, they would definitely not speak so casually and calmly.
But precisely because Hu Tao is straightforward and unencumbered, so different from ordinary girls, this might be one of the reasons Zhongli stayed on as the Parlor's consultant.
"I'll increase his workload when we get back."
Hu Tao wrinkled her delicate nose, a foxlike slyness flashing in her eyes.
Zhongli, you wouldn't want your identity as the Archon exposed, would you?
If Liyue's Yuheng, Keqing, learned who Zhongli really is, she'd be shocked, wouldn't she?
And since Zhongli handles so many of the Parlor's tasks so beautifully, why not hand even more to him? That way, she'd have more time to study on Blue Star.
…
At this moment—
On Liyue's prosperous long street, a finely dressed gentleman strolled at leisure with birdcage in hand. As he walked, his brows suddenly knit; he actually felt a mortal urge to sneeze.
"Hm?"
The man's brows furrowed slightly, as if a foreboding had welled up in his heart.
…
Liyue, the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang, in a cheongsam, stood at the Jade Chamber's railing, pipe in hand, gazing at the windswept sea of clouds.
Even though it was night, the Jade Chamber was brightly lit; Ningguang's confidants were all busy at their tasks.
Behind Ningguang, Baishi was reporting the latest intelligence.
"Hm? Even the Fatui Harbinger La Signora was beaten into such a sorry state?"
Ever since receiving Jean's letter, Ningguang had been paying attention to Mondstadt while making money. That letter had left her somewhat unsettled.
Baishi's expression was grave: "Yes. Many in Mondstadt know about the duel between La Signora and Mr. Ken. After the duel, someone saw La Signora return to Mondstadt covered in wounds."
"And during the duel, there was an upheaval out by Starsnatch Cliff outside Mondstadt. The commotion was so great it affected the entire city… It's suspected to have been Mr. Ken's doing as well."
"These reports have been confirmed by many Mondstadters. Even the Spark Knight of the Knights of Favonius said it was her father's powerful elemental force."
News about Ken had reached Liyue days ago via merchant caravans.
But for Ningguang, one of the Liyue Qixing, she cared more about verifying its authenticity. Though Jean mentioned it in her letter, because it was so fantastical, Ningguang needed confirmation.
"Could it be… that Liyue's future will see some upheaval?"
Listening to Baishi's detailed account, Ningguang frowned.
All this news silently pointed to Ken possessing the power of grand prophecy.
If so, were Jean's ambiguous words in her letter a subtle warning?
Thinking of the upcoming Rite of Descension, the always-composed Ningguang suddenly had a faint sense of foreboding.
"You personally keep an eye on the Rite of Descension. Not a single mistake can be allowed," Ningguang instructed.
"I understand. And what about those Blue Star specialties?" Baishi asked.
Recently, merchants from Mondstadt had brought Blue Star specialties—not only long-shelf-life compressed biscuits and purified water, but even canned meat.
As soon as the goods arrived in Liyue, they were snapped up by major merchants and adventurers alike.
Though Liyue often trades abroad, this was the first time they'd encountered products with such impact.
"Foreign trade is something Liyue has always engaged in. As long as those merchants don't violate Liyue's contracts, it's fine. But with the Rite of Descension ahead, keep an eye on the Northland Bank as well to prevent the Fatui from scheming during the ceremony."
Ningguang took a draw from her pipe. As the smoke curled, her jade-like features gradually calmed.
Although she didn't want to miss the business opportunity of Blue Star specialties, the Rite of Descension was paramount now.
Last year's ceremony was presided over by Keqing, but she openly questioned the Archon on the spot, causing quite a stir.
That was one of the reasons she had to treat this year's Rite with utmost seriousness.
Not only to show respect for the Geo Archon, but also to dispel the public's doubts about the Qixing sparked by Keqing's inappropriate remarks last year.
These doubts might not affect the big picture for now, but they could impact commerce—and cost Ningguang some Mora.
In short, with the Rite of Descension imminent, other matters would wait until after.
After Baishi withdrew, Ningguang slowly set down her pipe, mulling over the rumors about Ken.
"If we really can invite people from another world, then taking a look at their commercial models… doesn't sound bad."
"But for now, I just hope the Rite of Descension proceeds smoothly, that Liyue receives new divine guidance, and moves toward a better future."
Light flowed in Ningguang's eyes—she already felt a touch of anticipation.
…
As time slipped by, Hu Tao rubbed her wrists.
From what she'd learned about Blue Star, she found it to be a marvelous place—able to connect everyone and see all kinds of news through a computer.
Even the game Genshin Impact is very popular on Blue Star. Hu Tao took an interested look at the Mondstadt arc.
"Who would've thought… that the Anemo Archon Barbatos of Mondstadt is actually a wine-loving drunkard."
Hu Tao looked at the dossier, then at the video of Mondstadt's citizens praying to the Anemo Archon, and couldn't help but laugh.
If the bard's identity were known to the people of Mondstadt, many would probably feel their faith collapse, huh?
"Yeah—and your Liyue's god is a street prowler."
Ken chimed right in.
Hu Tao, who had just been laughing, instantly darkened.
"…"
Although both the Geo Archon and the Anemo Archon have poured great effort and power into their nations, their behavior does differ from the idealized image.
"This is probably the difference between ideals and reality," Hu Tao said, pretending to be profound.
Ken was about to say something when he sensed a slight tremor from the system in his mind.
"Looks like someone's here," Ken said, standing up.
Hu Tao blinked. "How come I didn't hear a knock?"
As her words fell, she saw, in the air above the luxurious study, the familiar vortex door appear again.
"Are you going to forcefully invite a guest again?" Hu Tao asked helplessly, remembering her own experience.
"Not this time. Once someone becomes my friend, they can freely come to Blue Star—no invitation needed," Ken explained.
Hu Tao rubbed her chin. "So… as long as we become friends, this Director can come to Blue Star anytime?"
"That's one way to put it," Ken said.
"While that is something to be happy about," Hu Tao said regretfully, "if I hadn't been forcibly invited, I would have laid my good friend to rest by now."
Tonight's journey to another world had been delightful.
But she'd finally had Qiqi within her grasp and lost the chance. It would be hard to find such a good opportunity again.
Seeing Hu Tao's distress, Ken reminded her, "About Qiqi… you can look at her dossier. You might change your mind about her."
Hu Tao does care about the Parlor's performance, but she's not an unreasonable girl.
Right now, her fixation on laying Qiqi to rest is purely due to their communication issues—she mistakenly thinks Qiqi's continued presence in the mortal world means she's imprisoned in her body and suffering.
Once she understands Qiqi's background and experiences, kindhearted Hu Tao naturally won't cling to the idea of burying her as before.
"Mhm."
Hu Tao responded, eyes fixed curiously on the shimmering vortex door, wondering who it would be this time.
Before long, a little head peeked out from the door.
A figure like a little sun pattered out and looked at Hu Tao with curiosity.
"Daddy, who is this big sister?"
The moment Klee landed, her gaze fell on Hu Tao.
A pretty big sister she didn't know!
But as a fellow Pyro Vision holder, Klee could feel the fire elemental aura from Hu Tao and knew she was from Teyvat.
"This is Hu Tao, a big sister from Liyue," Ken introduced. "And this is Mondstadt's Spark Knight, Klee—my daughter."
"That's right! I'm Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The Hu in Hu Tao is the 'hu' from 'huchi haiche' (to gobble and gulp), but the Tao in Hu Tao is not the 'tao' from 'naughty'!" Hu Tao said with a grin.
Klee blinked and giggled. "Hu Tao big sister's self-introduction is so fun."
"Right? I think so too." Pleased with Klee's approval, Hu Tao beamed and bent down with open arms. "Want a hug from big sis?"
"Yes! Klee loves pretty big sisters the most!" Little Klee spread her arms and dove into Hu Tao's embrace.
Only…
As she felt Hu Tao's hug, Klee sensed something a little off.
Lisa… and Acting Grand Master Jean's hugs are soft and warm. Hu Tao big sister's hug… is a bit firm!
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