Night at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"I failed them. If only I had arrived a little sooner back then."
A trace of guilt finally appeared on Zhongli's usually unchanging face. After thousands of years,
there were very few things left that could change his expression.
Qiu Bai noticed the change in Zhongli's expression, too.
Looking at Zhongli before him, he gently reassured him, "Morax, don't blame yourself."
"You did everything you could back then."
Qiu Bai was right. At the time, Morax had been in Khaenri'ah and simply could not leave.
"Thank you, my friend."
Zhongli answered with a smile.
Naturally, Zhongli could hear the reassurance in Qiu Bai's words.
"Relax, Morax. I'm going to repair your Erosion."
Qiu Bai spoke softly.
This was his second time clearing Zhongli's Erosion. He estimated that it would only take a few more sessions to repair Morax's Erosion completely.
Zhongli said slowly, "Understood. Begin, old friend."
With a wave of his hand, Qiu Bai created a barrier that concealed them from view, then infused the power of Yang into Zhongli's body.
Warm white divine power flowed into Zhongli's body.
Just as before, Zhongli saw everything from his past flash before him like fragments.
Now, he felt as though he were standing atop a mountain in Jueyun Karst, with a gentle breeze brushing his face.
Half an hour passed. As Qiu Bai withdrew his hand, Zhongli slowly opened his eyes.
The cracks in the stone had finally healed a little more.
"Thank you for your efforts, old friend. Get some rest."
Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai before him and spoke with a smile.
After all, as far as Zhongli understood, repairing Erosion could not be an easy task.
This was the first time he had even learned that Erosion could be repaired.
"It's getting late. You should get some rest too, Morax."
Qiu Bai smiled as he spoke to Zhongli.
"By the way, tomorrow, that Harbinger from Snezhnaya"
"will be having a meal with me at Liuli Pavilion. Would you like to come along?"
Zhongli spoke calmly to Qiu Bai, who was just about to rise.
"A Fatui Harbinger? Are you planning to use him to test this generation of the Liyue Qixing?"
Qiu Bai asked curiously.
Having played through the story, he naturally knew.
Zhongli intended to make use of Tartaglia, that generous wallet, and have him release Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, who was sealed in the depths of the sea.
The main reason the Liyue Qixing had hidden the Exuvia was the Fatui Harbinger, Childe.
Ningguang had already heard that La Signora had taken the Gnosis from Mondstadt's Anemo Archon.
Although the Liyue Qixing had not anticipated their god's death, everything they had done so far had satisfied Zhongli.
There was still one final thing he wanted to test: how would Liyue face a powerful enemy without him, its god?
Once the Liyue Qixing, the people of Liyue, and the adepti delivered a satisfactory answer together, even if it came down to a final battle against a god, his old friend would still be there as a safeguard.
"Indeed. That is precisely my intention."
"What do you think, old friend? The Traveler will be there as well."
Zhongli took a sip of tea and smiled at Qiu Bai.
For some reason, this old friend of his could easily blend into modern Liyue, unlike Cloud Retainer and the others, who remained detached from worldly affairs.
"As for the Traveler, when I went to Jueyun Karst and visited Xiao earlier,"
"I traveled with them for a while. You could say we're friends."
"I'll come along with you tomorrow."
After a moment of thought, Qiu Bai smiled at Zhongli before him.
"One who journeys across the heavens and traverses the sea of stars."
"Perhaps I should get to know this Traveler as well."
Zhongli seemed to have thought of something, then spoke to Qiu Bai.
"It's getting late. Get some rest."
With that, Qiu Bai headed upstairs to his room.
Looking at the spotless room, he could not help feeling impressed. He had not expected Hu Tao to have cleaned it so thoroughly.
"It's getting late. I should get some rest, too."
"Life like this doesn't seem so bad, now that I've crossed into this world."
A faint smile settled on Qiu Bai's lips as he pondered. He lay down, recalling everything that had happened since his arrival.
Before long, Qiu Bai fell asleep.
Early the next morning, a ray of sunlight fell across Qiu Bai's face.
Qiu Bai rose. With a flash of spiritual light, he removed the dust from his body and restored his slightly tousled hair to its usual state, then left his room.
By then, Zhongli was already downstairs, drinking tea and reading.
"You're awake, old friend. Are you ready?"
"If you are, let us set out."
Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai and spoke calmly.
"I'm ready, but why haven't I seen Director Hu?"
Qiu Bai asked, a little surprised.
"It's still early morning. The director may still be tired from waiting for you."
Zhongli explained to Qiu Bai.
At those words, Qiu Bai felt warmth flow through him, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"What a silly girl."
"Then let's set out, old friend."
He then pushed open the door of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and headed toward Liuli Pavilion.
The street vendors and shops had already begun setting up for a busy day. Birdsong mingled with the shopkeepers' calls in the early morning air of Liyue Harbor.
However, because of the incident at the Rite of Descension, large numbers of Millelith were still patrolling the streets.
Zhongli and Qiu Bai walked side by side, naturally drawing plenty of admirers of their good looks.
"Look, look! It's Consultant Qiu Bai and Consultant Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! They're actually walking together!"
"I ship them!"
"I heard both consultants have extensive knowledge of everything from ancient times to the present, and they're so modest and composed."
Women on both sides of the street began chattering, captivated by Qiu Bai's and Zhongli's looks.
Qiu Bai wore a faint smile, casting the occasional glance at Zhongli beside him.
Zhongli's expression remained as composed as ever, like a stone.
Ah, Ping'er said she was old, but compared with this fellow...
Tsk, tsk. I really don't know why Morax doesn't take the form of an old man. That would suit him much better.
That was what Qiu Bai thought to himself.
Then a young woman approached them from ahead. She was the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing.
"May I have a moment of your time, gentlemen?"
Keqing looked rather small standing before Qiu Bai and Zhongli, but her voice was still clear and firm.
"What can we do for you, Lady Yuheng?"
Qiu Bai, standing beside Zhongli, spoke with a faint smile.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, Mr. Zhongli, Ningguang said that, with your insight and knowledge, if you were to join her and assist her,"
"you would be contributing to Liyue Harbor as well. She would certainly compensate you generously. If you're interested, you may seek her out at the Jade Chamber."
"What do you think, gentlemen?"
Standing before the two handsome men, Keqing still felt a little awkward. Her cheeks faintly flushed as she smiled at Qiu Bai and Zhongli.
Before you continue