Chapter 24. The Ghostly March 2.0
All of this was the Archon's arrangement.
After realizing that, both Lumine and Futsu Mitama instinctively turned their gazes toward Zhongli. However, Zhongli remained completely composed, calmly sipping his tea as if none of it had anything to do with him.
Paimon's eyes widened once again. "Geo Archon?! Wait! Futsu Mitama, you're Rex Lapis's successor?"
Her tone was filled with disbelief. "But didn't you say you only inherited his legacy?"
To Paimon, the distinction was crucial. Inheriting a legacy and becoming a successor were two entirely different matters.
"No, no, no." Futsu Mitama shook his head and looked at her seriously. "You mustn't say things like that so casually. I haven't become Rex Lapis's successor."
He paused slightly before continuing. "Rex Lapis himself only said that I inherited his legacy."
Indeed, Rex Lapis had never personally declared Futsu Mitama as his successor. The dream had only conveyed to Ningguang that it was permissible to reveal that he had inherited the Archon's legacy.
However, in the eyes of the crowd below, the distinction was almost meaningless.
If he had inherited the Archon's legacy, then wasn't he effectively the successor?
After all, if he weren't, how could he possibly receive such a legacy?
As for the matter of the next Electro Archon—well, that was even simpler in their minds. Futsu Mitama had not yet officially ascended to that position. Since he wasn't the Electro Archon yet, what prevented him from becoming the next Geo Archon?
The atmosphere at the venue was already explosive, but at the same time, the Chat Group was in complete uproar.
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "It's quite lively over here."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "I didn't expect Liyue to make that announcement."]
[Raiden Makoto: "What announcement?"]
[Raiden Ei: "Weren't they attending a culinary event? Why does it sound like something happened?"]
[Paimon: "It's not really an accident. It's just that Futsu Mitama inheriting Rex Lapis's legacy has been made public."]
The Chat Group instantly fell into chaos.
Azhdaha was the first to react.
[Azhdaha: "Who did it?! Well done!!!"]
From Guyun Stone Forest, Guizhong's reply came just as quickly.
[Guizhong: "Eh? So sudden? I'm still fixing the Azhdaha Mech here! Why now of all times?!"]
Even Maha Rukkhadevata joined in, clearly intrigued.
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "So the news has been released? What exactly is happening?"]
Zhongli's calm voice appeared among the messages.
[Zhongli: "Perhaps Rex Lapis feels a sense of crisis."]
That single line instantly triggered Venti.
[Venti: "A sense of crisis? What crisis? Isn't that old man going to live forever? How shameless—snatching someone else's successor!"]
He didn't stop there.
[Venti: "Futsu Mitama is the next Anemo Archon! Once I'm free, I'll immediately—on behalf of the Anemo Archon—!"]
Before he could finish, Raiden Ei cut in coldly.
[Raiden Ei: "@Venti, I will strike you down. Do not attempt to take Inazuma's eternity."]
Venti instantly changed his tone.
[Venti: "Hmm… actually, there's no need to fight. Why don't we all sit down and talk this out? After Futsu Mitama travels through the Seven Nations, let him decide for himself. I am a god of freedom—I wouldn't interfere with someone's will."]
Then, with deliberate provocation:
[Venti: "You wouldn't interfere either… right?"]
Raiden Ei's response was immediate.
[Raiden Ei: "I would."]
[Venti: "Then there's nothing to discuss~"]
Meanwhile, the conversation shifted.
[Keqing: "So Ningguang released the news? I heard Rex Lapis entrusted her in a dream."]
[Raiden Makoto: "A dream—how interesting."]
Then she turned directly to Futsu Mitama.
[Raiden Makoto: "@Futsu Mitama, could you start a live stream? I'd like to see how lively Liyue is."]
Futsu Mitama immediately refused.
[Futsu Mitama: "A live stream? Let's not. There's nothing worth seeing. It's just a food event. Quite boring."]
Yae Miko wasn't convinced.
[Yae Miko: "Oh? I'm quite interested in Liyue's cuisine. Why not start one?"]
Aila chimed in.
[Aila: "Senior sister and I are in special training, but we'll definitely watch if there's a stream."]
[Shenhe: "Yes."]
Albedo added calmly:
[Albedo: "Klee is still in solitary confinement. She cannot watch."]
[Klee: "Klee is tempted!"]
Lumine offered a compromise.
[Lumine: "If there's good food, I'll take pictures and upload them."]
Azhdaha, however, had already shifted focus.
[Azhdaha: "I'm not interested in food—but Morax appearing in a dream means he's interested in Futsu Mitama, doesn't it?"]
[Azhdaha: "That's a good thing. If this continues and Inazuma put him in position quickly, I might have to break free from the seal!"]
Maha Rukkhadevata followed up immediately.
[Maha Rukkhadevata: "I'm not interested in food either. When will you come to Sumeru and accept my inheritance. Lately, I've felt uneasy—as if something has happened."]
Futsu Mitama could only respond helplessly.
[Futsu Mitama: "I'll go, I'll go— just let me finish things here first"]
As he said this, he subconsciously wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead.
The pressure was immense. This was clearly a matter involving Rex Lapis—so why had everything suddenly shifted onto him?
The real reason he refused to start a live stream was simple.
He glanced sideways at Zhongli.
Zhongli returned the look with a faint smile.
No words were needed.
Futsu Mitama was covering for him. If a group livestream were opened, Azhdaha would very likely become furious.
After all, even now, Azhdaha still hadn't fully accepted that Zhongli was Morax. He was still thinking about dragging Morax into the Chat Group during the next Rite of Descension.
As for Zhongli, he no longer seemed particularly interested in hiding his identity. When Cloud Retainer had appeared earlier, he hadn't distanced himself from Guizhong at all.
Still, that might not be a bad thing.
At the very least, six months later, during the Rite of Descension, Ningguang probably wouldn't witness Rex Lapis suddenly "fall" from the sky again—
Back at the A Bite of Liyue event, the atmosphere had already reached its peak.
The reason was simple—Futsu Mitama's identity.
He carried the legacy of Rex Lapis. And Rex Lapis had once stated that even if he retired, a successor would take his place.
Now, that successor stood before them—in human form—recognized by both the Electro Archon and the Geo Archon.
In Liyue's current era, where humans and Adeptus coexisted, the idea of a "human" becoming a god might sound radical.
But if Rex Lapis approved, then it was unquestionable. In Liyue Harbor, almost no one doubted Rex Lapis.
Thus, in many people's minds:
Futsu Mitama = the future Lord of Geo.
With that realization, the chefs' enthusiasm surged. They had originally come for a rare ingredient. Now, they had the opportunity to cook for a future Archon.
This was no longer just a competition—it was an honor that could be boasted about for a lifetime.
"Now, all contestants, please enter the arena."
With the atmosphere at its peak, Ningguang's secretary officially announced the start.
A Bite of Liyue had begun.
On the sidelines, Sangonomiya Kokomi and Kuki Shinobu found a good vantage point to watch. Meanwhile, chefs from other regions could only sigh in regret. If they had known earlier, they would have seized the chance to participate.
If this information had spread beforehand, the number of participants wouldn't have been in the hundreds—but in the thousands.
Soon, the first dish was presented.
It was Rock Harbor Triple Fresh, a classic Liyue dish.
Lumine and Paimon tasted it first.
"Wow! It's delicious!!!!"
Paimon's eyes sparkled.
Lumine nodded. "It tastes very good."
The chef relaxed slightly—but only for a moment.
Zhongli took a bite and spoke calmly. "The flavor is acceptable, but the heat control was rushed. The texture is somewhat oily."
Ningguang nodded. "I share Mr. Zhongli's opinion. Please continue to refine your skills."
Futsu Mitama added a similar evaluation.
In the end:
Lumine & Paimon: 8 —Zhongli: 6 — Ningguang: 4 — Futsu Mitama: 5
A mediocre score.
The chefs immediately realized—Zhongli, Ningguang, and Futsu Mitama were the true gatekeepers.
The second dish was Sakura Tempura.
Futsu Mitama raised an eyebrow.
The chef looked confident, clearly hoping to impress with something unconventional.
But unfortunately, his opponents were far too experienced.
Lumine & Paimon: 9 — Zhongli: 6 (improper oil temperature) — Ningguang: 5 (insufficient sakura marination) — Futsu Mitama: 5
From that point onward, dish after dish followed.
While Lumine and Paimon gave generous scores, the other three remained extremely strict.
Zhongli had tasted countless delicacies over millennia.
Ningguang had dined on the finest cuisine across nations.
Futsu Mitama, surrounded by top-tier cooks daily, had developed a refined palate as well.
Only truly exceptional dishes could impress them.
Then—
"Hehehe!!! The dish is here!!!"
A lively voice cut through the venue.
Hu Tao made her grand entrance.
The moment Futsu Mitama and Zhongli saw the dish in her hands, their expressions subtly stiffened.
Their heartbeats…quickened.
"Oh! Hu Tao!" Paimon waved excitedly. "You're here! What did you make?"
She looked at the dish—surprisingly refined. For a moment, she felt relieved.
Maybe Futsu Mitama had exaggerated after all.
"This~" Hu Tao placed the dish down proudly, hands on her hips. "My improved, exclusive creation!"
She grinned brightly.
"It's called—Ghostly March 2.0!"
The moment they heard the name—
Ghostly March 2.0—both Futsu Mitama and Zhongli felt their hearts skip another beat.
That "2.0"—was it truly an improvement? Or an "improvement" in the worst possible direction?Had the toxicity been reduced…or enhanced?
As someone who had personally tasted Hu Tao's cooking—and someone who had witnessed others suffer through it—both of them fell into the same silent dilemma.
If they didn't eat it, they couldn't give a score.
But if they did—
Neither of them spoke.
Ningguang, seated beside them, opened her fan and covered half her face, remaining equally silent. Within Liyue's borders, very little escaped her notice. While she hadn't personally witnessed incidents like Yae Miko fainting from Hu Tao's cooking and dreaming of her ancestors waving at her, she knew one undeniable fact—
Hu Tao's dishes could "dispel evil spirits."
It sounded absurd, but it was true.
There had even been resentful spirits in Qingce Village who lodged complaints with the Millelith. Their grievance was simple: Hu Tao had forced them to eat her cooking.
At first, they hadn't minded. As spirits, they couldn't normally consume food meant for the living, so the offer seemed harmless.
The result?
They nearly had their souls scattered.
RESENTFUL SPIRITS—STILL HAD RIGHTS.
And so, they complained—begging the authorities to stop Hu Tao from entering kitchens altogether.
Because of that, even Ningguang now hesitated. If something that could nearly destroy a spirit was consumed by a human—she had no intention of testing that outcome herself.
For a brief moment, she even considered whether future culinary events should include special rules:
"Prohibited ingredients."
"Hu Tao not allowed to participate."
It sounded excessive—but perhaps necessary.
"It smells amazing!"
Meanwhile, completely unaware of the looming disaster, Paimon leaned forward and inhaled deeply. The aroma alone convinced her—this was top-tier cuisine.
As a self-proclaimed gourmet, she was already ready to give it a nine out of ten just based on smell.
For a moment, she forgot every warning she had received.
"Hmph hmph! You've got good taste, Paimon!"
Hu Tao beamed with pride. Finally—someone acknowledged her cooking!
Despite her busy schedule at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, she had devoted a cumulative two and a half months over the past half-year to refining her culinary skills.
And this—
Ghostly March 2.0—was the result.
Originally, she had planned to share it with friends first, but upon hearing about A Bite of Liyue, she decided to unveil it here instead.
A grand opening. No holding back.
"That's only natural!" Paimon puffed out her chest proudly.
Lumine, however, hesitated. She could feel it—something was wrong.
The three judges who had remained calm through every previous dish were now—tense.
Out of caution, Lumine quickly tagged Paimon in the Chat Group.
[Lumine: "@Paimon, something's off. Don't eat yet. Let Mitama or Zhongli try first."]
[Zhongli: "…"]
[Futsu Mitama: "?"]
The Chat Group exploded again.
[Guizhong: "Wait—Hu Tao's dish?!"]
[Yae Miko: "What?! That girl's cooking?!"]
[Albedo: "I've heard of it."]
[Keqing: "How did she pass the selection?!"]
The answer came quickly.
No tasting during entry review. Just appearance.
Which meant—a perfect loophole.
[Futsu Mitama: "One-stop service."]
[Lumine: "One-stop?"]
[Futsu Mitama: "Eat now. Burial tonight."]
[Zhongli: "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—30% discount."]
Even then—
Paimon didn't stop.
Instead, she confidently declared:
[Paimon: "You're all underestimating her! People improve!"]
Lumine fell silent.
She suddenly remembered countless "improvements" guided by Paimon that had led them straight into danger.
At that moment, she made a decision.
She would not stop her.
Some lessons—had to be learned firsthand.
"Alright, enough talking. Eat."
Hu Tao urged them with a bright smile.
Without hesitation—Paimon picked up her chopsticks.
Grabbed a piece. And ate it.
Everyone watched.
Futsu Mitama. Zhongli. Ningguang. Lumine.
All silently observing.
'A brave soul.' Even Futsu Mitama felt a trace of admiration.
Zhongli, meanwhile, simply thought: Some fates cannot be avoided.
Then—
"Ugh—!"
Paimon's expression twisted instantly. Her eyes rolled back. She collapsed onto the table—foam at the mouth.
"…delicious!!!!"
Even in that state, she managed to say it.
The surrounding chefs froze in horror. What kind of cuisine could cause this reaction?!
Hu Tao blinked, completely confused.
"Eh? What's wrong? I ate it myself and I'm fine."
To prove it—She picked up another piece.
And ate it > chewed > swallowed.
"The taste is fine though?"
Futsu Mitama and Zhongli said nothing.
For Hu Tao, it was normal.
For everyone else…It was catastrophic.
"Millelith!"
Ningguang acted immediately. "Escort Miss Hu Tao away, and summon Mr. Baizhu at once to examine the situation."
There was no way she would risk tasting it herself. With Paimon as a living example—barely "living," in fact—continuing the evaluation was out of the question.
If this was food poisoning, Hu Tao would be disqualified on the spot.
If it wasn't…
"…delicious…"
Paimon lay there with her eyes rolled back, still muttering the same word as if possessed.
Ningguang's lips twitched slightly.
At that moment, she made two decisions.
First—Hu Tao was disqualified.
Second—she might consider offering her a high-paying position—as a master of poisons.
After all, who would ever suspect that a dish so perfect in color, aroma, and presentation concealed such terrifying killing intent?
In the past, Hu Tao's dishes had at least looked suspicious.
Now?
If not for her prior record, Ningguang herself might have taken a bite.
And ended up exactly like Paimon.
Just like that, a somewhat dejected Hu Tao was escorted away by the Millelith.
Meanwhile, Paimon remained sprawled on the table, eyes still rolled back, endlessly repeating, "delicious…"
Lumine glanced at her, then silently activated the Chat Group's recording function, preserving this historic moment.
On the other side, Futsu Mitama casually packed up his portion of Ghostly March 2.0 and sent it to Venti.
Zhongli, equally decisive, pushed his untouched portion toward Raiden Ei.
If she wanted to try it—he would oblige.
Ningguang, too, carefully stored her portion. As one of the Liyue Qixing, she had already realized the strategic potential of this dish.
Regardless of the chaos, everyone had gained something.
"Phew—who would have thought a simple culinary event would become so eventful?"
Ningguang let out a soft sigh, then turned to Lumine. "Doctor Baizhu will arrive shortly. There's no need to worry about Paimon's safety."
She spoke with measured reassurance. After all, she knew of Lumine's status as the Honorary Knight of Mondstadt, and her connection to Futsu Mitama was unusually close.
It was only proper to offer comfort.
"Mmm." Lumine nodded calmly. "Don't worry. She's very resilient. She'll be fine."
Ningguang paused.
A question mark almost seemed to appear above her head.
She glanced at Paimon—still convulsing lightly, still chanting "delicious"—then back at Lumine's completely composed expression.
For a brief moment, she genuinely wondered—were these two really companions?
—
Despite the incident, the competition continued.
Dish after dish was presented, and the judges resumed their evaluations.
Yet while Futsu Mitama's body remained present, his attention had already shifted elsewhere—to the Chat Group.
The reason was simple.
He had sent Ghostly March 2.0 to Venti.
If even an Archon was affected by this dish—then Hu Tao, in a certain sense, might truly earn the title of "Archon Slayer."
Zhongli's earlier reaction alone suggested that even version 1.0 had been formidable.
So what about this "improved" version?
Paimon, the current test subject, had already become a white-eyed recorder of the word "delicious."
Now—it was Venti's turn.
Time passed.
One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes.
The ever-talkative Venti—went completely silent.
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