Knock, knock, knock!
"Hey, hey, hey! Zhongli, are you in?"
Finding no one guarding the entrance to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Taro had no choice but to rap on the door himself.
As for using skills to peek inside?
Better not—felt a bit too rude.
Moments later, a strange rustling echoed from within, followed by hurried footsteps.
Creak—
The door cracked open halfway, and a head popped out.
"Well, well, what a new face. You here for Zhongli?"
Hu Tao tilted her head, her plum blossom eyes half-squinting as she looked Taro up and down.
"Hu Tao?"
Taro blinked at the girl sticking her head out.
"Yesterday I made an appointment with Zhongli. He is here, right?"
The Rite of Descension was only two days away.
Yesterday they agreed—today they'd head to Guili Plains to bring Guizhong back.
No way Zhongli would flake on him, right?
"That's me, the Hall Master herself!"
"You here for that spendthrift Zhongli?"
Hu Tao sighed. "Forget it. Come on in."
Clearly, this man wasn't here to discuss funeral business.
And truth be told, she was too annoyed to bother with salesmanship right now.
Spendthrift?
Oh-ho.
So Zhongli's little stunt of using Funeral Parlor money to buy Taro a house… got busted already?
Had he even bothered with an excuse? Or had Hu Tao seen straight through him?
Either way, Taro had to see this with his own eyes—
The Bitter-Faced Zhongli.jpg!
He hurried after Hu Tao, shutting the door behind him.
They passed the coffin-lined hall and emerged into the courtyard.
But there, beneath the pavilion, no bitter-faced Zhongli awaited them.
Instead, the man was calmly savoring his tea.
"Oi, Zhongli, someone's here for you."
Hu Tao strode into the pavilion and helped herself to a teacup, gulping it down in one shot.
"Pearls before swine…"
Zhongli almost sighed, but remembering his Hall Master's sour mood, he held his tongue.
"Taro, come~"
Zhongli raised his teacup in greeting.
"Tea from a thousand-year-old tree. Please, try it."
A thousand-year-old tree?
Figures. Nothing was lacking in Wangsheng Parlor.
With Zhongli's age, anything planted casually millennia ago would by now be a priceless relic.
What others might value by the ounce, he probably measured by acreage.
"You've still got the mood to drink tea, huh?"
Taro dropped into the seat beside him without ceremony, taking a cup himself.
"Didn't we agree yesterday we'd head to Guili Plains by dusk?
And where's Madame Ping?"
No way those two would slack on Guizhong's revival.
But the vibe here was… off.
"Madame Ping returned to Jueyun Karst last night," Zhongli explained gently.
"She'll meet us ahead at Guili Plains."
Ah. Makes sense.
Such a huge matter—of course she'd notify the Adepti first.
"Brother Taro, how much do you think this endeavor will demand?"
Zhongli set the teapot down, a trace of worry on his face.
Reviving Havria had been an experiment.
But Guizhong's revival was a clear-cut transaction.
What price must be paid was still unknown.
And Madame Ping's fortune wasn't exactly deep.
Even he had no idea what miracle might cost.
And that uncertainty weighed heavily.
"Hm? Hm???"
Hu Tao's suspicious gaze swiveled over.
"Zhongli… are you hiding something from me?
Secret backroom dealings?
Yesterday's fifty-five million mora—you still haven't explained that!
And now this? What are you plotting behind this Hall Master's back?"
The Funeral Parlor's books were already in the red this month!
And this guy kept spending like water.
Yesterday was even worse—more than fifty-five million gone without a word!
Her heart still hurt from it!
At this rate she'd be eating instant noodles for life!
"Cough—"
Zhongli cleared his throat, keeping calm.
"Hall Master, there's no need to fret.
This venture won't require the Parlor's funds.
And yesterday's fifty-five million can be reimbursed through the Liyue Qixing.
If this succeeds, the Parlor itself will profit."
He honestly had no better excuse.
That sum was massive, even for Wangsheng.
He couldn't cover it himself.
Maybe one night he'd just have to "visit" Ganyu in a dream and ask for help.
But for now? First priority—placate the Hall Master.
"Really?"
Hu Tao narrowed her eyes. "Fifty-five million, working for the Qixing…
Oh no!"
She slapped her pale thigh with a smack, eyes going wide.
"Don't tell me they're poaching you from me?!"
"..."
Zhongli nearly choked on his tea.
What in Rex Lapis' name…
Hall Master's imagination truly was too much for him.
"Zhongli…"
Hu Tao leaned closer, eyes glinting mischievously.
"Hall Master, your fears are baseless."
Zhongli kept his composure.
"I was entrusted by the former Hall Master to serve as guest consultant. I will see it through.
And besides—the contract lies in your hands. How could I betray it?"
"Hmph!"
At that, Hu Tao huffed.
"That's the Liyue Qixing we're talking about! If they wanted a contract, what power would I have to refuse?
But fine, fine. Zhongli, you're reliable.
Forget the fifty-five million. So what if the Funeral Parlor loses a little?"
"..."
Zhongli pressed a hand to his forehead.
Interesting.
He'd lived to see this scene for real.
Shame he hadn't brought a Kamera—this deserved a snapshot.
Taro sipped his tea with a satisfied grin.
Entertainment, served hot.
"This guest," Hu Tao finally turned her eyes on him, "I don't know your name.
You're not one of the Qixing's lobbyists, are you?"
"Hardly." Taro waved his hand. "They can't afford me.
I'm here to discuss a big deal with Zhongli.
One that's got nothing to do with the Qixing."
A big deal?
Hu Tao's eyes sparkled.
"Perfect! Wangsheng loves big clients like you.
Come on then, tell Hall Master all about it!"
...Was this really something he should be saying?
Taro turned to Zhongli, smirking.
I'm really gonna spill it, you know.
"..."
(End of Chapter)
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