As for her salary... Obviously, she could take that up with Celestia's treasurer, Morax.

Even Su Yun was dumbstruck. What did she mean, Hu Tao was the Shade of Death?

So she wasn't even going to keep up the act? She was just openly dumping the blame on someone else????

Zhongli fell silent for a moment. His golden eyes rested on Ronava, still as an ancient well, as though she had just killed the conversation stone dead.

Ronava had yet to realize what a mess she had made. She tilted her head. "Did I say something wrong? You said yourself just now that she's your boss."

"..." Zhongli slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Hu Tao asked blankly, "What's the Shade of Death? Is she powerful? How does she compare to Rex Lapis?"

Su Yun thought for a moment before explaining, "The Shade of Death is the god who governs death across all Teyvat. She keeps the ley lines flowing and guides souls onward. It's not that different from what you do..."

Hu Tao blinked her plum-blossom eyes and pointed innocently at herself. "Me? The Shade of Death? I can't even balance the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's books, and you want me in charge of life and death?"

[Paimon: Oh no. If Hu Tao's the Shade of Death, doesn't that make the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor a transfer station for the cycle of life and death? Buy one, get one free—half off your second headstone?]

[Keqing: ...I still haven't come to terms with Zhongli being the Emperor, and now you're telling me Hu Tao is the Shade of Death? How many more things is Liyue hiding from me???]

[Ningguang: Keqing, let me explain...]

[Keqing: I'm not listening, I'm not listening, I'm not listening, I'm not listening!!!]

[Ganyu: ...Actually, I didn't know either.]

[Keqing: Ganyu?!]

[Ganyu: ...I'm sorry.]

[Keqing: ...]

Liyue Harbor,