Lin En held the Vision in his hand and turned it over several times. It was flawless, except that the metal around its edge was Snezhnayan in style. Could he be Snezhnayan?
Still, having one was better than nothing. At least the next time Hilichurls surrounded him, he wouldn't have to rely on begging for mercy.
He tried to draw on the Vision's power, and a small Geo crystal formed in his palm. He really could use Geo elemental power.
"You treasure that lousy rock so much?"
Ronava's voice came from beside the bed. Seeing Lin En staring at the Geo Vision, she couldn't understand what was so interesting about a lousy rock.
"Most people can't get a Vision even if they want one. Now that I have this, I can protect you too."
Lin En tucked the Vision into his clothes, stood up, and stretched, putting the pain of his injuries out of his mind.
"Want to go out for a walk? It's the last night of the Moonchase Festival, and there are still activities in the streets."
Ronava turned her head. She said nothing, but she didn't refuse either.
The two left the inn. The streets were no less lively than the night before. In fact, even more people had come for the final day, locals from Liyue and foreigners alike.
Fireworks large and small were going off everywhere. The smell of gunpowder swept over them along with the noise.
Lin En walked half a step to Ronava's side. Her gaze swept quickly over the street stalls, and she occasionally stopped for a closer look. After several days of rest, she no longer needed anyone to support her.
When they reached a main street near the harbor, Lin En suddenly sensed Ronava's steps falter beside him.
He followed her gaze.
Two people were sitting beside a tea stall a short distance ahead.
One was a man with long, dark brown hair, calmly sipping a cup of tea.
Beside him sat a girl in a brown uniform and a hat, her dark brown hair tied in two bunches. She was bent over a sheet of paper, writing and drawing with a pen between her teeth, looking troubled.
It was Zhongli and Hu Tao.
Lin En's mind raced. Zhongli surely knew Ronava, and news of her defeat had long since spread throughout Teyvat. If the two ran into each other...
"No, we have to go!"
Ronava had evidently recognized that aura too. Her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and she headed toward a side street.
But Hu Tao's eyes were quicker than anyone's.
"Hey-two customers!"
The girl sprang up from the tea stall and rushed over to them in a few strides, holding out a flyer with both hands.
Her smile was a little too enthusiastic as her plum-blossom eyes looked Lin En and Ronava up and down.
"Hu Tao, seventy-seventh director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! You two are from out of town, aren't you? Are you enjoying the Moonchase Festival?"
"Quite a bit."
Lin En nodded and took the flyer out of reflex.
"Good, good!"
Hu Tao clapped her hands.
"Even when you're having fun, you should plan ahead. Life is unpredictable; nobody knows whether tomorrow or an accident will come first. Our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor recently launched a special Moonchase Festival package. Book now for ten percent off, and we'll throw in a fine coffin..."
"Director Hu."
Zhongli's unhurried voice came from behind Hu Tao.
"You're frightening them."
"Oh, Zhongli, what do you know? This is called seizing the opportunity!"
Hu Tao turned and waved at him, then turned back and continued talking to Lin En without pause.
"You two look so close. Would you consider a package for two? It's an even better deal!"
Ronava's expression turned cold.
Lin En hurriedly rolled up the flyer and interrupted Hu Tao with an awkward smile.
"Well, we don't need anything like that for now..."
"Don't be so quick to refuse!"
Completely oblivious to Ronava's expression, Hu Tao stepped closer and lowered her voice mysteriously.
"This lady doesn't look so well to me. There's a darkness between her brows. Have you been seriously ill lately? You really should take care of yourself. Besides funeral services, our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor also offers health consultations..."
"Director Hu!"
Zhongli walked over. His gaze passed over Lin En's face, then lingered on Ronava for a moment. Shock flickered in his amber eyes before he gave a slight nod and spoke in a courteous, polite tone.
"We meet again. My apologies, the director has always been enthusiastic. If you two don't need anything, please don't feel obliged. By the way, I still don't know your name."
"Lin En."
"Oh, so it's Lin En. Then this must be your..."
Before he could finish, Lin En reached out and covered his mouth. If Ronava heard him say she was the woman Lin En loved, and Zhongli knew it too, wouldn't she kill him?
Lin En made a shushing gesture, and Zhongli gave him an understanding look.
"Companion, I take it."
"Mm, right. If there's nothing else, Mr. Zhongli, we'll take our leave."
Ronava looked at the two of them in confusion.
After a few breaths, Ronava looked away. She turned and strode off.
"Let's go."
She spoke to Lin En, her tone colder than usual.
Lin En hurriedly nodded apologetically to Hu Tao and Zhongli, then followed her at a brisk pace.
Behind them came Hu Tao's unwilling shout.
"Think it over! Come find me at the parlor anytime! Mention my name for twenty percent off-"
Only after they had walked a block did Ronava slow down.
Lin En caught up to her side and asked cautiously.
"Are you all right?"
"You know him?"
Ronava spoke in a quiet voice.
"Yes. He saved me."
"He saved you?"
A hint of sarcasm entered her voice.
"The Geo Archon personally stepped in to save an outsider picking spider lilies? Do you think that makes sense?"
Lin En scratched his head and answered honestly.
"I thought it was strange too, but he really was the one who drove the Hilichurls away that day. He also had someone tend to my wounds."
"He knew I was in Liyue all along."
"Hm?"
"Morax was only faking his death after all? He's pretending not to know me because he doesn't want to reveal his identity in front of Hu Tao, and also because..."
She stopped.
"Because of what?"
"Because he's waiting."
"Waiting for us to choose a side. Even without the authority of death, I'm still a formidable fighter. If I stay in Liyue, I'll be a major threat."
"So he wants us to make our position clear?"
Lin En asked. They were good people now anyway; choosing a side was no big deal.
"What Morax is waiting for is a contract, a promise spoken by me in person. But right now, my only target is Phanes. I'm not interested in anything else."
Lin En instantly understood what she meant.
"Then shall we go to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor tomorrow?"
"For now, that's all we can do."
Seeing Ronava deep in thought, Lin En chuckled softly.
"What are you laughing at?"
"I was just thinking that the dignified former Ruler of Death actually got pitched a full-service funeral package."
"...Do you want to die?"
"Huh? No, no."
"Then let's go."
The night was deep, and moonlight spilled into the inn. Ronava lay on her side on the bed, looking at the open window before her. The events of the past few days kept replaying in her mind: Lin En, who had suddenly barged into her life, the everyday life she had experienced...
Though she had once possessed supreme power, thousands of years of working had long since left her weary. She seemed to prefer her current life, where she didn't have to scheme against others.