After learning that Zhongli had been imprisoned for impersonating the Geo Archon,
Hu Tao actually thought it was only natural.
Even though it happened in Inazuma, such a crime in Liyue would never have ended with a mere prison sentence.
Not only would the people of Liyue Harbor never forgive him, but even fellow prisoners might not.
So being locked up in Inazuma… was, in a way, a blessing.
There were far fewer Liyue folk there.
"Thank you for telling me. By the way, I don't even know your names yet!"
They had been talking for so long.
She had introduced herself from the very beginning, yet she still didn't know who these two were.
The woman looked like someone from Inazuma.
The man, though—he looked Liyuean.
"I am the Fatui Harbinger ranked second.
My title: The Genius.
My true name: Su Ran."
Hu Tao's smile stiffened.
Hearing his name and title, she felt like she had just run into serious trouble.
But still—the Fatui.
That was no good affiliation, much less one of their Harbingers.
"And this is my little tagalong, named Raiden Ei.
She shares a surname with Inazuma's Archon.
Who knows—maybe they're even relatives?"
Su Ran casually introduced Ei as well.
Whether this "mushroom spore" and "rice cooker lady" would spark chemistry, he didn't know.
But judging by the look of things—probably not.
"Hey, hey, hey. The Raiden Shogun's real name is Baal.
Where's the shared surname in that?"
Hu Tao crossed her arms in protest.
The Raiden Shogun was a god, after all.
And no one had ever heard of her having a partner, let alone relatives or descendants.
That kind of talk might fool a child, but not someone as clever and sharp as her!
"Not so, not so. Isn't the Raiden Shogun's surname Raiden, and given name Shogun?
See? Same surname as my little Ei."
Su Ran wagged his finger.
"I am, after all, a Fatui Harbinger.
With this status, this rank—would I lie to you?"
"Then swear it! If you're lying to me, you're a puppy!"
Even if he flaunted the Harbinger identity, Hu Tao wasn't buying it.
After all, who could prove he really was who he said he was?
Sure, she had heard there was a new Harbinger called The Genius.
But what were the chances of her just randomly bumping into him on the street?
"Fine! If I'm lying, I'm a puppy.
But if I'm not lying… what will you do then?"
The Shogun was Ei's creation—her "daughter."
So technically, calling them relatives wasn't wrong.
And the Shogun's actual name really was Shogun.
So yes, "Raiden Shogun."
Though really, Ei's naming sense was terrible.
To name your own child something like "General Cannonball"… ridiculous!
The people of Inazuma only knew "Raiden Shogun" as a title, not as her literal name.
Pitiful, really.
Perhaps he should give the Shogun another name later?
Maybe… Raiden Inazuma Mei?
That sounded about right.
Su Ran looked at Hu Tao, waiting for her reply.
"Then… do as you please!"
Rather than believe such nonsense, Hu Tao would sooner believe that he really was a Fatui Harbinger.
"Excellent. A contract has been made.
He who breaks it shall suffer the punishment of stone!"
Su Ran borrowed Zhongli's words of contract to seal their wager.
The power of the Geo Archon descended, binding their agreement.
Hu Tao's eyes flew wide.
She stared at him in disbelief.
Just like that—he invoked the Archon's attention?
Could what he said… actually be true?
Otherwise, how could a contract form so easily?
She froze.
Remembering how he had introduced himself as a Harbinger, a chilling thought struck her—
Had he just dug a pit and tricked me into jumping in?
"Wait, wait, wait! What is going on?
Why would the Archon's attention be drawn here?"
Morax was the God of Contracts.
But why would a silly little wager like theirs draw his notice?
Hu Tao couldn't understand.
But one thing she knew— she had stepped into a trap.
The contract was already forged.
There was no going back.
And this was happening at the entrance of Liuli Pavilion, a place always bustling with people.
Words like "Archon," "contract," spread quickly, catching the attention of nearby spies.
The Fatui recognized him as one of their leaders, so to them it was just gossip.
But other factions' spies?
Not so.
"Hall Master Hu, never mind why the Archon noticed.
Just uphold the contract.
Surely you wouldn't go back on your word?"
Su Ran's smile was bright and warm.
But in Hu Tao's eyes, it was devilishly sinister.
"You… what are you plotting?!"
She was already regretting ever approaching him.
What terrible luck!
She had thought, from his distinguished appearance and noble aura, that he must be a good person.
But no—he was a villain!
"Plotting? Nothing of the sort.
You just didn't believe me, so I had to make a wager with a little extra at stake.
And to prevent cheating, I simply invoked the Archon's contract.
How does that make me a villain?"
Su Ran looked completely at ease.
But poor Hu Tao— she had unknowingly sold herself away.
"But you haven't even said what the forfeit is if I lose!"
The unknown was the scariest part.
What if he forced her to do something against her conscience?
"Don't worry, Hall Master Hu.
I won't ask you to do anything evil.
I just want you… to bear me a few healthy sons."
"…Huh?!"
Both Hu Tao and Ei were stunned.
What? With me right here, Ei thought, this guy is eyeing some scrappy little funeral girl instead?
You really must be starving!
Compare Ei and Hu Tao— the difference was clear.
And yet, in this situation, Su Ran's "target" was Hu Tao.
Even Hu Tao herself couldn't understand.
She knew very well she was far inferior to the woman standing beside him— whether in looks, or in figure.
What could he possibly want from her?
Surely not… Wangsheng Funeral Parlor itself?
No way.
Who would covet the business of the dead?
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