Hu Tao

In Jueyun Karst, a large crane stood before Qiu Bai's abode, staring at its broken seal.

"Where is the Immortal Lord?!"

"Where did an Immortal Lord that big go? Could someone with ulterior motives have stolen him away?"

This large crane was none other than Cloud Retainer. She stood there, staring blankly at the abode with its broken seal.

"Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper!"

"You two old fellows, get out here at once! Someone has stolen the Immortal Lord!"

Hearing her telepathic call, Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver hurried over from their abodes.

"Who did this?!"

"Outrageous! How dare they steal the Immortal Lord away while he was asleep!"

Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver spoke in fury.

"What happened, Master? And why are all of you so alarmed, Illuminated Lords?"

A woman's voice sounded from behind them.

The newcomer wore a tight-fitting black outfit. Her pure white hair fluttered gently, and a Glaze Lily-shaped ornament adorned her head. At first glance, she was a stunning beauty with a cool, aloof air.

It was Shenhe, who asked in some confusion.

"Shenhe, go to the mortal world. Head to Liyue Harbor and find the Tianquan of the current Liyue Qixing."

"Tell them the Immortal Lord has inexplicably vanished and have them send people to search for him!"

Cloud Retainer addressed Shenhe furiously.

"Yes, Master."

With that, Shenhe headed down the mountain.

Liyue Harbor, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

"Why isn't that Zhongli back yet? Oh, forget it. I'll go eat by myself."

Grumbling, Hu Tao went out and headed to Wanmin Restaurant.

"You're planning to fake your death the day after tomorrow, then see how the Liyue Qixing react?"

Qiu Bai looked at Zhongli as he asked.

"Precisely. I hear a Traveler from another land is on their way here from Mondstadt."

"They may become an indispensable part of this Rite of Descension."

Zhongli held nothing back from Qiu Bai. After all, this was the only old friend he could talk to now, and the friend he trusted most.

"Morax, whatever you decide to do, I'll support you."

"After all, it's time Liyue grew up. What will its people do once they've lost their god?"

Naturally, Qiu Bai knew how the story would unfold, but he still wanted to see for himself what the Liyue Qixing would do.

After all, he had governed Liyue alongside Zhongli for decades.

The people here had affectionately called him the Immortal Lord, too. By now, he had grown attached to them. With its resemblance to ancient China, Liyue had also been his favorite nation in the game.

"However, now that you've awakened, my plan will become rather difficult if the people of Liyue find out."

"As an Immortal Lord whose renown rivals that of Rex Lapis, you present a problem I'll need to think through carefully."

Zhongli suddenly felt a headache coming on.

"Morax, no one saw me when I left my abode."

"Besides, I've already changed my attire. I doubt many people in Liyue still remember what I look like."

Qiu Bai smiled as he explained to Zhongli.

"Haha, is that so?"

"Still, Cloud Retainer and the others will probably be anxious when they find you missing."

Zhongli spoke with a smile, then led Qiu Bai to Wanmin Restaurant.

"Zhongli, where did you go?"

"I only asked you to bring back a meal. What took you so long?"

Hu Tao was grumbling at Zhongli when she suddenly noticed another handsome man standing beside him. His looks were every bit as striking as Zhongli's, if not more so.

"Oh, Zhongli, this must be that old friend of yours."

"Have you eaten yet? Xiangling's on duty today. Why don't you sit down and join me?"

Hu Tao gazed at Qiu Bai enthusiastically with her plum-blossom eyes.

Faced with Hu Tao's enthusiasm, Qiu Bai could hardly refuse, so he sat down. He hadn't eaten anything in a thousand years.

"Old friend, I forgot to explain. I'm now a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

"And this is its director, Hu Tao."

Zhongli explained to Qiu Bai, then sat down as well.

"Hello, Director Hu. My name is Qiu Bai."

Qiu Bai smiled at Hu Tao. Who didn't know Teyvat's number-one Pyro DPS?

Seeing this quirky young woman up close, Qiu Bai could only say she was even prettier than she was in the game.

"Director Hu, this friend of mine has no fixed residence. Could he stay at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for a while?"

"His knowledge rivals mine, if not surpasses it. I'm sure he could be of considerable help to you."

Zhongli introduced Qiu Bai to Hu Tao, and what he said was indeed true.

Qiu Bai had once shared tea with him and descended alongside him at the Rite of Descension. When advising on Liyue's future planning and development, he had always offered his own unique insights.

"Is that so? I never imagined you had a friend like this, Zhongli."

"Then Qiu Bai can join the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor as a consultant too."

Resting her chin on her hand, Hu Tao watched Qiu Bai. Even the way he ate was refined.

Every word and gesture reminded her of Zhongli. Although he looked younger, he gave her the same impression Zhongli did.

Still, having two handsome men around to admire every day would be a treat for the eyes, wouldn't it?

"Thank you, Director Hu. As it happens, I have some abilities that allow me to understand yin and yang."

"I should be able to help you quite a bit."

Qiu Bai set down his chopsticks and smiled at Hu Tao as he spoke.

"Huh?"

"Understand yin and yang? You mean that literally?!"

Hu Tao straightened in shock, then walked over to Qiu Bai and leaned down to look at him, bringing her face so close it nearly touched his.

"Yes, literally."

"I know a thing or two about the ways of yin and yang."

Come on, did she think the title Adeptus of Yin-Yang and the Two Principles was just for show? Qiu Bai felt rather pleased with himself.

He had spent so much time with Morax that he had even begun to speak like him. The passage of time had worn away at him; he was no longer the Qiu Bai he had once been.

"You're being modest again, old friend."

Zhongli set down his chopsticks as well. This old friend of his was the Yin-and-Yang Archon. His understanding of yin and yang had been at its pinnacle from the moment he was born.

"Oh, Zhongli, you really have found me an incredible helper."

"Qiu Bai, you're coming to Wuwang Hill with me tonight."

Hu Tao patted Qiu Bai's shoulder and yawned.

"Your director is full now. I need to head back for an afternoon nap. I'll come find you tonight, Qiu Bai."

"All right, Director."

After speaking to Qiu Bai, Hu Tao headed toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Zhongli and Qiu Bai watched her leave.

"What an enthusiastic girl."

Qiu Bai raised his tea and took a sip.

"I can't handle that child."

Zhongli took a sip of tea as well, smiling as he looked at the bustling street around them.

"Oh? There's actually someone even you can't handle?"

Qiu Bai teased him.

Just then, a girl emerged from Wanmin Restaurant.

Carrying a plate, with an unusual creature following at her feet, she walked toward Zhongli. Indeed, she was Xiangling, the true six-star deity.

"Mr. Zhongli! Your Jueyun Guoba is ready."

Xiangling placed the dish on the table and looked at Qiu Bai beside him, a little puzzled. Is he a friend of Mr. Zhongli's? I've never seen him before.

"Guoba, let's go!"

Xiangling turned to head back inside, only to discover that Guoba wasn't moving.

Guoba was staring blankly at Qiu Bai and Zhongli, his eyes wide.

"Lu lu lu (ΩДΩ)."