After dinner.
Ken and Eula sparred under the moon.
Although Ken was fast and always had the upper hand through sheer speed, Eula only got braver the more she was set back. They practiced for a full two hours before stopping.
Such perseverance made the freeloader Ken admire her.
No wonder Eula could bathe in an ice lake—her willpower was formidable. If she'd been challenging someone else, she'd probably have won by pure grit already.
But she happened to challenge Mondstadt's other grind king. That was good for both of them—it drove mutual improvement.
After their practice, Ken made a trip to Liyue Harbor.
As Hu Tao said, a hundred and fifty Treasure Weasels, each with a little satchel, were lined up neatly in the room waiting for him.
"Good work. Go eat and rest."
The house was big. In the neglected back courtyard, Ken set aside a spacious room with soft blankets and the Treasure Weasels' favorite food and water.
Hearing his command, the weasels set down their pouches and filed neatly toward the back.
"Efficient as ever."
Seeing the bags full of sparkling Mora, Ken stored them in the system.
He'd thought about depositing them in the Northland Bank to earn interest, but that felt too heartless—unworthy of his wallet bros—so he didn't.
After finishing up, Ken returned to Blue Star.
…
It was already ten at night.
After washing up, Ken lay in bed and added Hu Tao to a Messenger group.
Within a minute, the group name was changed to "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Business Expansion Group."
Ken: "…"
Worthy of Director Hu—when it comes to promoting Wangsheng, she's serious.
But Ken didn't mind her marketing. She was mischievous only in small things; when it came to serious matters, she wasn't like that. Given Hu Tao's rough childhood, staying so cheerful was no small feat.
Though she was the 77th Director of Wangsheng, her life wasn't smooth—her childhood could be called tragic.
Her parents passed when she was very young, and she was raised by her grandfather.
Without her parents, she was often mocked and beaten by other kids. She was small and thin; that was her childhood.
Her only warmth came from her grandfather—the one who raised her. Sadly, he passed when she was thirteen.
At just thirteen, Hu Tao had to shoulder the Wangsheng banner and become its 77th Director. The first funeral she presided over was her grandfather's. The pressure and grief were beyond outsiders' understanding.
Even so, under all that pressure, the young Hu Tao led Wangsheng to where it is today—bitterness known to none.
People only knew the girl was quirky, like a shooting star in the night. They didn't know how rough her past was.
Butterfly guides life and death, cuts the dusty dream; spear parts yin and yang to shepherd the passing.
To have grown into who she is now was already Hu Tao striving to bloom.
So Ken only chuckled at her little antics—never annoyed.
After all,
Hu Tao, though seemingly careless, spoke and acted with good measure—she wasn't the brat outsiders thought.
With just three people, the group suddenly felt livelier because of Hu Tao.
Ken bantered with her for a bit and put down his phone to rest.
At Lumine's pace, things should wrap up tomorrow. Then they'd go to Wangshu Inn together—he was very interested in that place, set on the mountainside with graceful scenery.
…
Meanwhile.
On the mid-slope of Mt. Hulao in Jueyun Karst, Lumine and Paimon set up a simple camp, lit a fire, took meat and seasonings from their packs, cleaned them, and started roasting.
Though it was early summer, Jueyun Karst was high in elevation. Even halfway up the mountain, nights were chilly.
Sitting by the campfire, listening to the wind, Paimon asked curiously, "So why aren't we going to Blue Star again? Don't you want to see your lover?"
Paimon felt she understood Lumine less and less.
After visiting Mountain Shaper, it was already dusk.
And yet Lumine didn't go to Blue Star. Instead, she camped halfway up Mt. Hulao, planning to visit Cloud Retainer in the morning. She'd rather sit in the cold than go see her lover at night.
Do young people always date like this?
Paimon didn't get it.
"I just don't want to rely on him too much." Lumine glared at Paimon, lecturing her, "He's helped us a lot. Without him, we'd still be roughing it, looking for my brother. I'm already very grateful."
She wanted to be tempered by hardship and to grow stronger.
Because of that, she couldn't rely on Ken for everything, nor indulge in comfort.
"Hmph, and what does that have to do with us sitting here in the cold?"
Paimon put hands on hips, pouting.
Lumine rubbed her forehead, feeling communication with Paimon was pointless, and focused on roasting. She'd seen Ken cook and learned a bit of technique; combined with her own understanding, it should taste great.
"@+%#$!"
Just as the meat reached crispy-outside, tender-inside perfection, sprinkled with chili and cumin, a garbled voice sounded behind them. Two Abyss Mages floated over, holding their staves.
"Hmm? Do you need something?"
Paimon instantly guarded her roast, eyeing the Abyss Mages warily.
Ever since Lumine and the Prince recognized each other, Abyss Mages occasionally came to deliver messages. If they arrived during meals, they'd often thick-skin a free bite.
"Crunch, crunch—"
Fearing her food would be snatched, Paimon took a big bite.
The crispy, tender, spicy, numbing flavor bloomed in her mouth. Paimon blinked smugly at them, quite pleased with herself.
The Abyss Mages exchanged a look, then glanced back at Paimon with disdain.
This foolish flying creature was begging for a beating.
Seeing this, Lumine rubbed her brow. Every time Abyss Mages came, they and Paimon were at odds; it gave her a headache.
"Lumine, is everything going well?"
Just then, a familiar voice reached her ear.
In the pale moonlight, Aether appeared, hovering in midair with the forest and bright moon behind him.
"Brother, you've come to Liyue too?"
Seeing Aether, Lumine stood immediately, eyes bright with joy.
No wonder the Abyss Mages dared to appear in Jueyun Karst—her brother was here.
Aether smiled. "I only just arrived. I heard you're dealing with the aftermath of the Rite of Descension, so I stopped by to say that if you need anything, you can send word through the Abyss Mages. When necessary, I'll help, within reason."
"Tch, then I'd rather find Ken," Lumine muttered with a pout.
She knew her brother wanted to temper her, but hearing it still felt uncomfortable.
Aether raised a brow, smiling. "Eh? Seems you're getting along well with my future brother-in-law. Tell your brother, any progress?"
Lumine folded her arms, blushing, refusing to answer.
Paimon shouted instead, "No progress! Lumine's still in unrequited love! She doesn't dare say anything to Ken—only to me!"
"Paimon!" Lumine cried.
Paimon pouted and stuffed her mouth with roasted meat.
Aether shook his head. "If you really like him, this won't do. He has plenty of beauties around him."
After he came around and accepted Ken as his future brother-in-law, Aether occasionally followed Ken's news.
In Mondstadt, he was surrounded by beauties—that was one thing.
But after two days in Liyue, there were more.
If Lumine kept dithering, the daylilies would be cold long before her turn came.
Aether wasn't trying to rush Lumine into marriage—he just didn't want his only sister to regret it. Matters of the heart can't be dragged out.
"Lumine, where did your courage go?" Aether didn't understand. By his reckoning, his sister wouldn't back down from difficulties.
Lumine scratched her head. "Ahh! This isn't like other things!"
Feelings required courage too, but how could they be compared?
She already felt a sense of crisis. Hearing her brother made it worse—she wanted to dash to Blue Star right now and claim Ken.
Sadly, reason restrained her. At least until Liyue's business was finished, she couldn't act rashly.
Aether said meaningfully, "Alright… as long as you know what you're doing. If you need help, I have a curse… The target falls asleep for a short time with no harm to body or mind. If you…"
"No need!" Lumine cut him off decisively.
Seriously.
Was her brother that afraid she wouldn't get married? Offering a method like that—was she supposed to curse Ken unconscious and then have her way with him? She's a girl, she has dignity.
Seeing Lumine about to blow, Aether said, "Alright, alright… I'll go."
If he didn't leave, his sister might actually draw her sword in embarrassment. Aether turned and left.
The two Abyss Mages, though, stared at Paimon's roast, drooling.
As Abyss envoys, they often traveled to Hilichurl camps. Daily meals were either boiled greens or roasted meat… but Hilichurl roasts were nothing like Lumine's.
So every time they came to deliver messages, they wanted to mooch a feast.
With the Prince present today, their plan was foiled.
"What are you looking at?"
Noticing their gaze, Paimon barked, "What do you want?"
The Abyss Mages babbled in their obscure tongue, "@$%#..."
"You want the recipe?" Lumine asked. She'd gotten dictionaries for Abyss and Hilichurl speech from Aether, and could roughly understand.
The Abyss Mages nodded rapidly, gesturing their desire.
Lumine explained, "These are seasonings Ken gave me. I don't have much left. If you want them, I can think of a way."
The Abyss Mages widened their eyes, expectant.
"If you can help Ken record some footage, he'll definitely give you lots of spices." Lumine smiled, remembering something Ken had mentioned.
She didn't fully understand Blue Star's model or why Ken wanted Abyss Mage footage, but if it was something he wanted, she'd help.
The Abyss Mages exchanged a confused look, then nodded.
"Alright. We might go to Wangshu Inn tomorrow. If Ken agrees, I'll contact you," Lumine said happily.
"Wangshu Inn"… Memorizing the location, the two Abyss Mages left with excited gestures.
When things were finally quiet, Paimon muttered, "Didn't expect Abyss Mages to be gluttons too—they love to eat."
"You've got some nerve saying that. Look at yourself," Lumine said, eyeing Paimon's grease-smeared mouth.
Paimon scratched her head sheepishly. "Hehe… it's just that Traveler's cooking is too good."
Lumine didn't reply. She picked up her roast and ate slowly.
The delicious meat sharpened the appetite, but Lumine found it a little tasteless.
Her brother's words really piled on the pressure.
…