["Two People"]
[Alright, alright, not counting the biggest eater as a person huh]
[Be thankful the white flying pet hasn't gotten a new nickna yet]
The three of them entered the private room of Liuli Pavilion.
A strikingly handso man was brewing tea.
His features were sharp and distinct, as if carved from marble.
His deep eyes seed to hold boundless wisdom and dignity.
His movents were graceful—
Even the simple act of sipping tea revealed his refined taste.
——————
Guinaifen gasped when she saw Zhongli.
"Holy—so many hot guys, folks."
"I'm done for. I'm surrounded by handso n."
"Too bad I only love Mu Yang. You can have this one."
[Didn't expect Little Gui to be so loyal]
[Not into mature n? Then I'll take him]
[Is Mihoyo trying to drain my entire paycheck?]
[Every movent oozes elegance]
[Elegance never goes out of style]
[You can tell he's a man of taste]
[Why isn't he showing his waist? If I can't admire his waist, I'll die]
[What kind of fetish is that, previous comnter?]
[So hot so hot so hot]
[Slurp slurp slurp]
"Getting a full close-up like this—I think a key character is about to make his debut."
——————
"Yo."
Childe walked in and greeted them.
Zhongli gestured for them to take their seats with a polite "Please."
"Let introduce you—this friend here is a man of the underworld."
"Consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Mr. Zhongli."
Lumine blinked. "The underworld?"
Childe nodded with a smile and explained.
"Mhm. In Liyue, businesses like the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor inevitably deal with... certain 'underworld' affairs."
"And we Fatui have always enjoyed working with friends who... walk in the shadows."
[Is this the mafia or sothing?]
[Just add a cat, and he'd be the Godfather of Liyue—this aura is spot-on]
[Is the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor so kind of assassin organization?]
Paimon, after hearing Childe's introduction,
Fell into deep thought.
"Walking... in the shadows..."
"Underworld... shadows... sending people to the afterlife..."
"Wah! Could it be that the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is..."
Zhongli nodded. "Just as you've guessed."
Paimon recoiled in shock.
Then, as if rembering sothing, she leaned close to Lumine's ear.
"Could Mu Yang also be part of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Lumine gave her a confused look. "Huh?"
Paimon began analyzing.
"Look, back in Mondstadt, didn't Amber say?"
"That Mu Yang might be part of a rcenary group from Liyue, and the commissions he takes are all..."
Paimon made a throat-slitting motion.
"Snk—settled with a sword."
——————
The mont Mu Yang was ntioned, Guinaifen perked up.
"Okay, but seriously."
"That does sound pretty underworld-ish."
[Top-tier assassin? Is this tying back to the plot?]
[Take the money, end the life—damn]
[Another plot twist?]
[Who's even lying here? I'm lost]
——————
Lumine frowned.
She felt Paimon was jumping to conclusions.
Wasn't Mu Yang an Adeptus?
Why would he need to do shady jobs like that?
If Mu Yang could hear Lumine's thoughts right now,
He'd definitely tell her:
Oh, I absolutely do.
The world corrects itself this way—how else would I make money?
anwhile, Zhongli's expression shifted slightly upon hearing Mu Yang's na.
"You know Mu Yang as well?"
Paimon tugged at Lumine's sleeve.
"See?! They really are assassins!"
Zhongli raised a hand to calm her.
"You've misunderstood, little one. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is a funeral services organization, dedicated to guiding souls peacefully to the afterlife."
Paimon froze. "Huh?"
Childe burst out laughing beside them.
"Hahaha! To mistake Mr. Zhongli for an assassin!"
"While many of our Fatui friends are assassins, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor isn't in that business—at least, not openly."
A dangerous glint flashed in Childe's eyes.
"As for that Mu Yang fellow... I wouldn't be so sure."
Lumine shot back, "You were the one deliberately using vague wording to lead us to think that way, weren't you?"
Childe shrugged. "Was I?"
Paimon patted her chest. "Scared half to death..."
"But anyway, does Zhongli know Mu Yang too?"
Zhongli gave a quiet "Mhm."
"I t him by chance on the road to Qiaoying Village a few years ago."
"His understanding of tea ceremonies and swordsmanship was profound, so we spoke at length."
——————
Guinaifen pulled up the Teyvat map on her phone.
After scrolling around for a bit, she asked:
"Where's Qiaoying Village?"
[It's in Chenyu Vale.]
"And where's Chenyu Vale?"
[In Liyue.]
[Are you serious right now?]
[I an, technically correct.]
[Probably an unreleased area.]
"Release the new map already—I need to see my husband's hotown!"
——————
The ntion of Mu Yang made Lumine want to learn more about him.
But before she could ask, Childe cut in.
"Mr. Zhongli, let's focus on the matter at hand. The food will get cold."
Lumine noticed a slight edge in Childe's tone.
Is it because of Mu Yang?
Since their host insisted, Zhongli steered the conversation back.
He brought up the Rite of Parting—
Only through this ceremony
Would Lumine have a chance to see the Exuvia.
...
As they discussed the plan inside,
Mu Yang, bored out of his mind,
Lay on the rooftop watching Guinaifen's stream.
With the system masking his presence,
Even Zhongli couldn't detect him nearby.
With Zhongli present, Childe couldn't pull any tricks.
Lumine would have to handle things herself.
But damn, this old man can spin a tale.
"t by chance on the road"?
Why not say I was the guy who sold you sesa oil?
——————
After a long while,
They finally reached an agreent.
Lumine promised Zhongli she'd help prepare the Rite of Parting.
Once out on the streets,
Zhongli asked for Lumine's thoughts on Liyue.
She replied, "Mondstadt is free, but Liyue is better."
[High EQ answer]
[She's studied The Art of Emotional Intelligence]
[She's too good at this]
As they walked and talked,
Discussing the Rite of Parting,
Mu Yang followed silently from the shadows.
Lumine gathered Noctilucous Jades, incense, and the Cleansing Bell.
Honestly, Mu Yang kind of wanted to go see Mada Ping.
But he held back.
No need to reopen old wounds.
They'd et eventually.
Later, Lumine went to prepare kites.
After so friendly exchanges,
Both Lumine and the players gained so insight into the personalities of the Archons.
With everything settled,
"Then, Granny Shan, I'll take these pre-ordered items first. As for the remaining paynt..."
Lumine and Paimon had been through this routine too many tis.
Just hearing those words made them nervous.
[Hahaha Lumine's got PTSD from this]
[Oh no, ti to cough up Mora again]
[Little friend, have you brought any Mora?]
Suddenly, Childe popped up beside them.
"As for the remaining paynt... I'll cover it."
"Ah! It's Childe!"
——————
Now, every ti Guinaifen saw Childe, she couldn't help but laugh.
He'd beco the ultimate cash cow in her eyes.
"Hahaha folks, the walking wallet is back at it again!"
[Your wallet has arrived—please check your notifications.]
[Ah! It's the money!]
[A living wallet—truly, I'm moved.]
[Withdraw!]
[When he's rich, he's really reckless with it.]
[Hey rich guy, can you adopt ? I'll be your dog.]
[Previous comnter, you can't have both the money and the role of a dog—quit hogging all the perks.]
Guinaifen could only say:
"Damn, you guys are next-level unhinged."
——————
Lumine crossed her arms, eyeing Childe's sudden appearance.
"Were you lying in wait for us?"
Childe, of course, denied it.
"Haha, of course not! Just passing by."
Mu Yang smirked.
"Just passing by," my ass.
That Fatui girl—
The second she saw Lumine return to Liyue Harbor, she ran off to report.
You've been tailing them this whole ti.
Not that Mu Yang would interfere with the Fatui's sches.
He wouldn't lift a finger right now.
His next appearance—
Had to be at Bubu Pharmacy.
Had to be in front of Changsheng.
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