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Everyone stepped through the dual-passage door and returned to Teyvat, chatting and laughing.
Although it was evening in Teyvat too, it wasn't as desolate as the MC world.
In Liyue Harbor during the evening, workers had just finished their shifts, making it a perfect time for dinner, gatherings, and entertainment.
This two-day mining trip had truly left Jiang Xuan and the others mentally exhausted.
Ningguang also suggested that they all go to the Jade Chamber for a meal.
Jiang Xuan didn't refuse; after all, as Liyue's foremost architectural marvel, the Jade Chamber was certainly worth seeing.
Perhaps Jiang Xuan would even build a Jade Chamber in the MC world someday.
However, just as everyone agreed to go to the Jade Chamber, Bai Wen suddenly rushed in from outside the door.
Seeing Ningguang, she immediately let out a sigh of relief.
"Lady Ningguang!"
Saying this, Bai Wen secretly glanced at Jiang Xuan. Seeing this, Ningguang frowned slightly, displeased.
"Just speak directly if there's something, why be so secretive?"
Bai Wen pursed her lips and whispered:
"Lady Ningguang, the Fatui have targeted this courtyard. Occasionally, Fatui scouts come from the mountain to gather information."
"Additionally, Mr. Yun also sent word that the Fatui Harbinger, Tartaglia, who recently arrived in Liyue, seems to know that you've been frequenting this small courtyard these past few days..."
"He plans to use a scheme to make Director Hu come here under the pretense of finding Consultant Zhongli to investigate the situation."
Bai Wen reported Tartaglia and the Fatui's movements in exhaustive detail to Ningguang.
She even submitted a very comprehensive written record.
It included when Tartaglia arrived in Liyue and everything he had done since.
Everything was recorded crystal clear.
Perhaps Tartaglia himself didn't realize that he had virtually no privacy in Liyue.
"Heh... stirring up trouble as soon as he arrives in Liyue..."
Ningguang sneered, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.
"It seems he hasn't adjusted his attitude yet... What's the situation with Director Hu?"
Ningguang casually put away the intelligence report, her tone somewhat nonchalant.
She seemed unconcerned about Tartaglia's actions.
But Keqing and Ganyu, who knew her well, understood that Ningguang was about to make a move.
This time, it would probably make the Northland Bank's coffers ache for quite a while.
"Director Hu..."
Bai Wen paused, visibly stifling a laugh.
"Director Hu didn't fall for it. Instead, she tried to sell Tartaglia a funeral service package worth five million Mora..."
"Now she's taken Tartaglia's deposit and gone to post advertisements for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor all over Liyue Harbor..."
Hearing this, even Jiang Xuan couldn't help but chuckle.
Ningguang shook her head, a hint of a smile in her beautiful eyes.
"Director Hu is always full of mischievous ideas; we needn't worry too much about her. Tartaglia has certainly stumbled."
"However, we should still be cautious that he doesn't act out of shame and anger against Director Hu once he learns the truth."
At this, Keqing, who was nearby, pouted.
"Even if Tartaglia is a Harbinger, Director Hu herself is one of Liyue Harbor's top experts, and she's constantly operating at the boundary between life and death..."
"If Tartaglia acts rashly, he won't get off lightly."
"I think the more important matter now is Director Hu's advertising campaign in Liyue Harbor, isn't it?"
"Or rather... it's not just an advertising problem."
Bai Wen froze, her face slightly embarrassed, and she averted her gaze, stammering.
It seemed Keqing was right; Hu Tao had indeed stirred up another big commotion in Liyue...
Ningguang, who hadn't even frowned when the Fatui were scheming and probing, now finally rubbed her temples, looking troubled.
"Tell me, this time, Director Hu is..."
Bai Wen lowered her voice, seemingly wanting to save Hu Tao some face. After all, despite her mischievousness, Hu Tao was quite well-liked.
Everyone loves a cute girl, don't they!
"It's not just the advertisements. Director Hu went to the Adventurers' Guild and said she wanted to establish a new collaboration with Ms. Lan, something about..."
"Long-distance care... In short, for those adventurers who meet with an accident, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will take care of it..."
Ningguang raised her hand, indicating Bai Wen to stop with an embarrassed look.
"I understand... I will write a letter to Ms. Lan shortly."
"As for those advertisements, have the General Affairs Department handle them, and then..."
Ningguang paused.
Although she didn't mind the Fatui's presence, after all, if they could be played for a fool by Hu Tao and even spend five million Mora for nothing.
They probably weren't as astute as the rich.
In that case, there was no need to pay much attention.
But even so, he was still a Harbinger.
To some extent, some gesture still had to be made.
Besides, if she didn't take advantage of the leverage the opponent had handed her, Ningguang would feel like she was losing money!
Turning her gaze to Jiang Xuan, Ningguang didn't know how to speak.
The latter, however, smiled and waved his hand.
"Don't mind me. You go handle your own affairs first."
Hearing this, Ningguang breathed a sigh of relief and said apologetically:
"Sorry, Jiang Xuan. We'll send someone to invite you up as soon as we've taken care of things."
With that, Ningguang and Keqing hurried out of the courtyard.
In a flash, only Jiang Xuan and Zhongli remained.
The remaining few were all well aware of Zhongli's true identity, so there was no need to conceal it.
It was only after Ningguang and Ganyu left Xiao's observation range.
Cloud Retainer showed no change, but Xiao's attitude did a complete 180-degree turn.
He stood respectfully a step behind Zhongli.
Sensing this subtle change, Zhongli couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Xiao was the most respectful of all the Adepti towards him.
Perhaps it was because of Zhongli's past salvation, or perhaps it was these thousands of years of shared trials.
All in all, Zhongli's hope of chatting casually with Xiao as an old friend was likely doomed.
"It's still early."
Zhongli leisurely watched the red sun slowly setting in the sky, then spoke to Jiang Xuan.
"How about you accompany me to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for a small visit? It can be your first stop in Liyue Harbor."
Hearing this, Jiang Xuan raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhongli, somewhat annoyed.
"Do you think I don't know what the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is? The dignified Geo Archon invites me as a guest, and the first stop is a funeral home?"
Even Zhongli suddenly felt a trace of awkwardness.
He cleared his throat, a hint of helplessness in his tone.
"I would have liked to show you other places first, but... I haven't returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in three days."
"Currently, my identity is that of a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so I must fulfill my duties."
Jiang Xuan didn't respond. Zhongli's words sounded nice.
Something about fulfilling duties, it sounded grand.
But if there was any place Zhongli had to check in daily...
It was the Yunhan Opera Troupe and Tian Tiezhui's storytelling stall.
Every day, he'd go for a stroll, do some shopping, and then send the bills back to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Out of twenty-four hours a day, how many did Zhongli spend at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
Jiang Xuan guessed that this guy was worried that if he didn't show his face soon, Hu Tao might think he had switched jobs.
Whether he switched jobs or not was irrelevant, but if Hu Tao didn't pay those bills, Zhongli would be in a bind.
He hadn't even connected with Tartaglia yet; his personal wallet wasn't activated.
Teasing Zhongli inwardly, Jiang Xuan nodded slightly and said softly:
"I don't have anything to do anyway. Since you've invited me, I'll go with you and take a look."
Zhongli nodded, then looked at Cloud Retainer and Xiao, stumped again.
If those two followed him to Liyue Harbor, within ten minutes, the entire Liyue high command would know his identity.
Fortunately, though Cloud Retainer didn't speak, she was quite perceptive.
"The Archon and Jiang Xuan may go as you please. This Adeptus has always disliked the hustle and bustle of the mortal world."
Saying this, Cloud Retainer looked at Jiang Xuan.
"May this Adeptus temporarily reside here for a while?"
Jiang Xuan shrugged and nodded:
"Just find a room for yourself. Xiao, you..."
Before Jiang Xuan could finish, Xiao said in a deep voice:
"Mr. Jiang Xuan needn't worry about me. My karma has temporarily subsided, and I haven't been demon-slaying these past few days, so I should go resolve some demonic miasma."
"I will return before we leave for that world tomorrow."
With that, without waiting for Zhongli or Jiang Xuan to say anything, Xiao respectfully nodded to Zhongli.
A black, fierce wind whistled from nowhere, and then Xiao vanished without a trace.
"Tsk... What a workaholic. Now that's someone who genuinely fulfills their work duties."
Jiang Xuan shook his head, muttering meaningfully.
Zhongli, however, didn't seem to think Jiang Xuan was referring to him at all.
With his hands behind his back, like an old cadre, he leisurely walked out the door.
Jiang Xuan, after asking Cloud Retainer to help find a room along the way, also left to follow Zhongli.
This was Jiang Xuan's first official step into Liyue Harbor.
After all, he had only been here for three or four days in total.
These past few days, Jiang Xuan had been very busy, building in the MC world with Keqing and the others during the day.
At night, he still had to go back to complete tasks or supplement his base plans.
Today was truly his first free day, and there wasn't anything in the MC world that needed to be rushed.
With a relaxed mindset, Jiang Xuan followed Zhongli.
It was at times like these that Zhongli's longevity proved advantageous.
Every aspect of Liyue Harbor, from the grandest buildings to the smallest bluestones on the street.
Zhongli could speak about them eloquently.
People they met on the street would give Zhongli a thumbs-up, praising him as Liyue Harbor's top scholar.
But Jiang Xuan understood that Zhongli had come to understand Liyue Harbor by measuring it step by step, stopping year after year.
He had gazed upon this city for three thousand seven hundred years.
From a dilapidated, simple village to now Teyvat's wealthiest nation, its most developed port.
All of this was deeply etched into his bones.
The people of Liyue said Zhongli was learned in ancient and modern times, knowledgeable beyond compare.
But in Jiang Xuan's view, it wasn't quite so...
He was simply, in the long expanse of time, repeatedly doing the same thing—loving this city, loving his people.
A fatherly Geo Archon...
No wonder when Liyue citizens spoke of their Archon, their eyes were full of pride and admiration.
Not because their Archon was the strongest, but because they were the people among the Seven Nations who most directly felt their deity's care.
Looking at the Geo Archon clay figurines sold everywhere on the streets, the antique redwood architecture.
The luxurious yet restrained elegance of Liyue.
It made Jiang Xuan understand even more the soul of this city, this nation.
All in all...
Cooperating with Liyue was the most suitable and correct choice.
Jiang Xuan was a perfect listener, hearing Zhongli proudly introduce his child, Liyue Harbor.
Before long, the two crossed an arched bridge.
Here, it suddenly seemed to become two different worlds from other places.
In the bustling Liyue Harbor, this area was especially quiet.
With black wood as its main body, the building before them appeared quite solemn.
Except for...
The strange coffin advertisements on the signboard directly opposite the door.
"Oh my, isn't this Consultant Zhongli? You finally decided to come back?"
Suddenly, Hu Tao's slightly teasing voice came from the doorway.
However, before Zhongli could reply, and before Jiang Xuan could clearly see her.
A refreshing breeze flashed by, golden butterflies fluttering.
Hu Tao, with her bright, pretty eyes, stood before Jiang Xuan, staring intently at him.
Jiang Xuan recognized the excitement in her eyes, as if she had caught a fat sheep.
"Little brother I haven't seen before, you look so dashing, you must be a young noble, right?"
"Let me tell you, for wealthy people like you, it's even more important to pay attention to your reputation in life and after death."
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor grand special offer: an all-inclusive funeral and soul-sending service, I'll give you a rock-bottom price! One million Mora!"
"How about it, how about it!"
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