(T/N: I'll be use '...' for any thoughts from this point on.)
After all the commotion...
Having handed out her discount coupons to the three adepti, Hu Tao prepared to leave as quickly as possible. She certainly didn't want to get beaten up.
This was outright disrespect to the adepti!
But for the sake of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business performance, she was going all out this time!
The scrolls recorded that most of the Yaksha clan had lost their minds and lives due to Karmic Debt. She was just saying, 'what if...'
What if these three adepti kicked the bucket somewhere unknown? She could help arrange their burials, right?
Previously, Xiao always refused to see people, so Hu Tao had no way of meeting him. Even if she saw him, Xiao would vanish in an instant.
There was simply no chance for a sales pitch!
As for why she didn't stay to enjoy the meal with Zhongli?
The reason was...
Hu Tao wasn't very hungry. So after stopping Zhongli, she didn't plan to linger here any longer.
Sprinting and practically teleporting, Hu Tao, just before dashing out of Wanmin Restaurant, also took the chance to tease Xiangling, much to Xiangling's chagrin.
After Hu Tao left...
"So, Mr. Zhongli, have you decided what dishes to order?"
Patting her cheeks, Xiangling perked up again, regained her composure, and asked with renewed curiosity.
"I'll have all of them..."
One could only say, as expected of Mr. Zhongli. No matter the occasion, it's always 'all of them.'
'History repeats itself.'
After saying this, Zhongli's gaze slowly swept over the three of them, as if asking, 'What do you think?'
Seeing this, Bonanus's mouth twitched slightly.
'My lord! Please, don't order everything again. We won't be able to finish it!'
"Mr. Zhongli, rather than ordering everything, wouldn't it be better to select dishes that suit everyone's tastes? It would also save on ingredients," Bonanus said with a smile.
Seeing her response, Zhongli nodded slightly, indicating for Bonanus to continue.
Having received the Emperor's tacit approval, Bonanus looked at Xiangling, who was still waiting, maintained a polite smile, and spoke.
"Little Chef Xiangling, for the Vigilant Yaksha, a bowl of Almond Tofu will suffice. Of course, if you have new ways of preparing it, you can bring a few more servings."
"As for Big Brother Bosacius, he prefers meat dishes, not vegetables. If your new creations include meat, feel free to go all out."
"Mr. Zhongli dislikes seafood, but he is quite fond of foods filled with 'memories.' Some fine wine would be even better."
...
The Geo Archon, Zhongli, not only enjoys tea but also wine. Of course, it only tastes truly good when shared with old friends.
As for why he dislikes seafood? That leads to a topic that even the Geo Archon finds disgusting and bothersome:
During the Archon War, every corner of Teyvat was engulfed in the flames of war, with no place truly peaceful.
It wasn't just war among the gods; countless monsters and demons from other regions also sought to expand their territories amidst the chaos.
After all, everyone wanted to seize the chance to enlarge their domain and ensure the continuation of their lineage during this war.
Among them was a particularly revolting, slimy creature that greatly irritated the "Geo Archon" Morax, who had not yet become one of The Seven.
For this mighty, steady Archon to feel irritated gives an idea of how troublesome these creatures were.
These monsters came from the deep sea, with soft skin and scales, dexterous tentacles, could survive dismemberment, and spat out sticky, wet, slimy fluid.
The above traits were disgusting enough, but that wasn't even the worst part.
These vile creatures weren't powerful. To Morax, they were very weak beings. The key issue was that they were 'small.'
And they seemed to be 'everywhere'... wardrobes, washrooms, dining rooms, in extremely tiny crevices, even inside teacups, books, and pen holders.
Whenever people reached out, they might touch something cold, sticky, and wet. If you didn't look, it might feel somewhat pleasant, but seeing it changed that completely.
Moreover, that slimy stuff had a truly foul smell, repulsive even to gods, let alone mortals.
These monsters would skitter over the back of one's hand, leaving a glistening trail wherever they went.
Answering the pleas of Liyue's early settlers, Morax agreed to eradicate these creatures.
But for monsters parasitizing human society, Morax could absolutely not act as he did on the battlefield, hurling countless stone spears and shattering the very earth along with them.
Because these were the people under his protection, his own children. He would not commit such folly.
However, Morax was, after all, the future "God of Contracts." When it came to contracts, he would always honor them.
The pleas he agreed to, he would fulfill no matter what. Driven by a sense of duty, he manipulated rock prisons that could shrink or enlarge, extracting these monsters from countless houses one by one.
By the time all these monsters were eliminated, Morax came to understand the meaning of "as if relieved of a heavy burden" for the first time.
The extremely troublesome aquatic monsters and their nauseatingly odorous mucus left an extremely deep impression on him. That fishy, briny scent was something he would never forget.
The mortal incarnation Zhongli, even living in a port city, keeps all living, wriggling seafood at a respectful distance.
Because it is a rather unpleasant memory...
This is why he is so averse to seafood. But there are exceptions.
Seafood tofu or dried fried fish are acceptable, as they aren't slimy...
And the texture is quite good. Even though it's seafood, it doesn't hinder much, is barely palatable, and sometimes serves as a decent accompaniment to wine.
....
Back to the topic...
"As for me... just some vegetarian dishes will do. No Slime Condensate, please."
As Bonanus said this, she sighed softly. 'Really, not a single reliable one among them.'
'Zhongli always wants everything. Xiao and Bosacius revere Zhongli, so they won't say much. In crucial moments, it still falls to me to step up!'
"Alrighty! Esteemed guests, please wait a moment!" Xiangling was thrilled. It seemed she could really go all out with the dishes for this private room!
After all, this female adeptus said she could work freely! For an innovative chef like her, this was simply the best request possible!
"Guoba! Let's go!" Xiangling hopped and skipped out of the private room, heading straight for the kitchen.
Guoba nodded slightly. He turned around, looked at Zhongli, and made a 'gurgle-gurgle' sound. Judging by his smiling expression, he was probably quite happy.
To this expression, Zhongli merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"Hmm, that farce is finally over."
Zhongli shook his head. Perhaps because he was the Geo Archon Morax, who created Mora, he didn't fully grasp how ordinary people viewed Mora as something precious.
After the last one, Guoba, closed the door and left, the two seemingly silent Yakshas finally spoke up.
"That girl's attire looks quite familiar. I feel like I've seen it somewhere before?"
Bosacius searched his memory frantically. It felt familiar, but he just couldn't recall it at that moment.
"Of course you've seen it. During the Archon War, Liyue Harbor was under the protection of the Geo Archon. The people, warriors, and adepti lived long with death as a companion."
"The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was established during the calamity at The Chasm 500 years ago. At that time, Liyue was also invaded by plague, and Wangsheng was still just a clinic."
"You hadn't yet succumbed to madness and left. You and I once took a young Yaksha to Wangsheng, trying to save her. But if even the adepti were powerless, what chance did mortals have?"
As Xiao said this, he couldn't help but frown. 'He would never forget the expression of that Yaksha, on the brink of death, crying for help.'
'But alas... he was powerless too...'
'These unpleasant memories always "invaded" his mind, showing him terrible hallucinations.'
"Hmm, let the past remain in the past," Zhongli said softly.
"I have a premonition that something unexpected may happen before long."
As Zhongli said this, his eyes occasionally glanced towards Bonanus. 'He was exceedingly curious about this Yaksha's abilities.'
'That deity from the "other world" truly piqued Morax's curiosity.'
"Mr. Zhongli, those words sound quite profound..." Xiao looked over with some curiosity. 'In his view, what Mr. Zhongli said often came to pass.'
"Hmm, whether it is or not, we shall know when it happens."
Just as he finished speaking, the private room door opened. A young female server, looking rather nervous, entered.
Her pale face revealed she was both fearful and reverent towards the adepti.
The server carried fine wine. She quickly and gently placed the wine on the tables before the group and then hurriedly left.
Such unknowns made her tense.
Zhongli and the other three looked at each other, no one speaking, but a sense of resignation could be read in their shared silence.
And right at that moment, an ill-timed voice suddenly rang out.
"Oh! I remember now! That bear is the 'God of the Stove,' Marchosius!"
The one who spoke was Bosacius...
"Your memory and reaction time are truly concerning, old friend..."