Chapter 529: 529: Professional Team!
Tartaglia is only nineteen years old, yet he is connected to a case from twenty years ago, and that guy Neuvillette even said he was guilty.
Tartaglia: " 0.o"
There's something I don't know if I should say or not!
If it weren't for Neuvillette playing dirty, deceiving and ambushing him, a young man under twenty.
He... Tartaglia would never have lost so quickly!
As time passed, everyone became more familiar with each other.
At the wine table, Hu Tao from the children's table was staring intently at Guizhong, her eyes gleaming with golden light, seemingly deep in thought.
"Hu Tao, from the look in your eyes, I feel like you're about to do something."
"Can you tell Paimon?"
Paimon, sitting beside Hu Tao, whispered with a hint of curiosity.
Hu Tao's personality is eccentric, but she's a good... no, a saint!
Klee's assessment can't be wrong.
Sister Lumine is a good person, Sister Hu Tao is a saint.
As for sisters like Ganyu and Shenhe, they're probably like the Great Demon King.
"Paimon, this Sister Guizhong, she should have died three thousand seven hundred years ago, right?"
Hu Tao responded instinctively, her gaze at Guizhong filled with a strange light.
Resurrection... true resurrection!
Not like Qiqi, a "little" zombie.
Such a thing is not good for the cycle of reincarnation.
If everyone could be resurrected, achieving immortality, what would be the point of reincarnation?
The whole world would be thrown into chaos.
"Indeed, Guizhong, the Dust Sovereign, died once three thousand seven hundred years ago, but she used her wisdom to avoid that death."
"Besides, she's an Archon; even in death, she might return someday."
Paimon whispered back to Hu Tao, thinking to herself: Is Hu Tao planning to bury Guizhong?
Surely, surely not, right?
Hearing this, Hu Tao nodded without saying much.
She had never heard of any Archon entering the cycle of reincarnation.
Archons, regardless of their strength, contain primordial laws within them, which explode upon their demise.
Such laws are something humans simply cannot withstand.
When an Archon dies, they merge with the heavens and earth, either benefiting the world or causing chaos.
"Fortunately, the world is mostly made up of ordinary people..."
After a while, Hu Tao sighed.
Her words carried multiple meanings, but they were beyond the understanding of a "little one" like Paimon.
Even if Paimon understood, she wouldn't think Hu Tao, with her eccentric personality, could say such things.
"If everyone were Archons, and there were no conflicts, my Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would probably go out of business."
Paimon: "???"
This girl is still as eccentric as ever...
Hu Tao certainly wouldn't bury Guizhong, as a fully resurrected "person" transcends the cycle of reincarnation.
Guizhong and Qiqi are different; she is fully resurrected.
Qiqi, however, hasn't fully resurrected but exists in a strange state of half-life, half-death.
Or rather, her soul is locked within her body, leaving Qiqi restless!
This is why Hu Tao is so determined to bury Qiqi.
She wants Qiqi to find true peace.
But Qiqi's will is to live; she doesn't want to die.
Thus, their perspectives clash.
Later, after learning about Qiqi's past, Hu Tao gave up on the idea of burying her, simply feeling that Qiqi was pitiful.
Although Hu Tao and Paimon spoke softly, everyone present was a strong individual.
Their conversation, though eccentric, was worth pondering.
If everyone in the world were Archons, possessing immortal status, it would indeed be bad for the world.
But the short lives of ordinary people...
Even a short life can be infinitely vibrant. Even if they are unknown now, even if they endure hardships, the future is unpredictable.
Cheer up, ordinary people!
Zhongli glanced at the two youngsters and smiled, saying, "Director, let's wait until after the New Year to choose an auspicious day to open the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Hearing this, Hu Tao didn't argue. For old customs like moving, opening a business, or weddings.
The Geo Archon knew more than she did!
At first, she thought Zhongli was just a knowledgeable, youthful-looking old-timer.
Never did she expect that when she was three, Zhongli looked like this.
When she was eight, Zhongli still looked the same.
At sixteen, Zhongli's appearance hadn't changed a bit.
Old man, couldn't you at least try to disguise yourself a little more seriously?
Humans age, get sick, and die.
Your appearance clearly shows you're not an ordinary person!
"Before that, we can confirm the location of the shop."
Choosing a location is not something to be taken lightly.
In this city, every inch of land is worth its weight in gold...
Well, for Zhongli, it's nothing.
"I have no objections. Shall we go check out the shop later?"
"Alright."
Although Zhongli's face showed no expression, many present could sense a hint of doting on the young girl Hu Tao.
Sitting at the children's table, Tartaglia seemed to have thought of something and turned his gaze to Lumine.
"Old friend, it's been a long time since we last fought."
"Let me see how much you've grown over the years!"
Tartaglia's intention was clear; he wanted to fight Lumine.
If one trains hard but doesn't fight, what's the point of training?
"Fighting, awesome!"
"Huh?"
Lumine was slightly taken aback. Tartaglia is still the same Tartaglia.
Even though he's a few years older, he's still a battle maniac.
After all, her current strength is far from what it used to be; she's no longer the girl who only wielded Anemo and Geo elements.
Moreover, with just Anemo and Geo, she had defeated Tartaglia in the past, and now...
"Alright, let's fight outside later."
Lumine waved her hand, not refusing.
Her eyes were also filled with fighting spirit.
Tartaglia is not weak. Before knowing how strong Neuvillette was, he felt embarrassed for being knocked out by him.
But after realizing Neuvillette's strength, he understood just how powerful Tartaglia was to have "wounded" Neuvillette before passing out.
The power scaling is broken.
The power scaling is broken!
This is even more shocking than a soul master defeating a titled Douluo.
After all, that's the Hydro Dragon Sovereign Neuvillette!
"Fighting, yay!"
Before Tartaglia could react, Hu Tao quickly got up and stood between the two.
Her plum blossom eyes sparkled, like a salesperson spotting a business opportunity.
"Honored guests, fighting might lead to injuries. Would you like to pre-order a package from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
"If both of you purchase a package, you can enjoy a friends-sharing discount, all at 20% off, how about that?"
"Also, your packages will be personally handled by me and Zhongli!"
"We are a professional team!"
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Chapter 530: 530: One Passes Through Generations
"I... lost..."
Outside the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.
Tartaglia lay on the ground, murmuring weakly.
He never expected that after just a few years of not seeing each other, his old friend had become this powerful.
Even with the use of the Armament, he was still no match for a single strike.
He had tried so hard, was it still not enough?
"As expected of you, my old friend!"
If he couldn't win, he couldn't win. Tartaglia didn't make excuses; losing was losing.
He just wasn't strong enough.
"I look forward to our next battle. By then, I will be much stronger than I am now."
As a battle maniac, another defeat only fueled Tartaglia's fighting spirit.
Lumine put away her "special weapon" and walked up to Tartaglia, extending her hand.
Seeing this, Tartaglia also reached out and was pulled up by Lumine.
"My previous strength was sealed. Now that the seal is lifted, it's only natural that you're no match for me."
Lumine spoke honestly.
At her peak, she could have fought against that person. Even though she was ultimately defeated and sealed, it was still beyond the capabilities of a young man in his twenties.
Hearing this, Tartaglia was slightly stunned and somewhat bewildered.
But he didn't give up his desire to fight.
"Old friend, wait for me to train hard. Next time, I'll either win or not lose so badly!"
"You..."
Lumine shook her head, not knowing what to think.
She had experienced many worlds and seen many geniuses, and Tartaglia was one of them.
To become an executive of Snezhnaya at such a young age spoke volumes about his strength and talent.
Unfortunately, he was not an immortal.
But his life would surely be extraordinary.
"Then you better work hard. I'm very strong!"
Lumine put her hands on her hips, smirking slightly, the corners of her mouth curling up.
No one witnessed their battle, but the result was known to all.
From the very beginning, Tartaglia had no chance of winning.
If Lumine's seal hadn't been lifted, he might have stood a chance. But with her seal removed, he had no opportunity at all.
"I will work hard!"
As the two walked back towards Heaven Dou City, Zhongli and Hu Tao were selecting a shop.
In a place like Heaven Dou City, where every inch of land was precious, most shops were owned by the royal family and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Although the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was gone, Ning Fengzhi and others were still alive, so these shops remained their assets.
Of course, there were also some private shops; it wasn't as if the royal family and the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect monopolized all the shops.
For a shop like the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the best location would naturally be in the west, followed by the south.
Sunset in the west, buried in peace...
Regardless of the symbolism, choosing these two directions was good.
Therefore, Hu Tao decided to choose the southwest direction as the location for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Greetings, Lord Geo Archon..."
"Good afternoon, Lord Geo Archon!"
Passersby always greeted Zhongli with smiles, something he had long grown accustomed to, responding to each one.
"Mr. Zhongli, even in another world, people still respect you so much."
Hu Tao, seeing this, turned her head and spoke to Zhongli.
Times had changed, and Hu Tao was now in her twenties, her voice transitioning from a girl's to a woman's.
Of course, her flat chest remained unchanged.
"Every world is almost the same, valuing strength and character."
"When I possess the same strength as them, knowledge and experience often become mere topics of conversation."
"When my strength surpasses theirs by a lot, my knowledge and experience are just the tip of the iceberg of their admiration."
Zhongli spoke without changing his expression. Thousands of years of "life" had taught him much more than others.
Whether strong or "weak," he had experienced it all.
Hearing Zhongli's words, Hu Tao was somewhat confused, her plum blossom eyes flickering with thought.
She knew that Zhongli, this "old man," was probably not wrong, but the meaning behind his words was worth pondering.
The Staff of Homa wasn't the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's "heirloom"; Zhongli was.
One Li passes through generations, people leave but Li remains.
Time seemed to have overlooked him, or perhaps forgotten him...
With such a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, it would never fall.
"I don't understand, but I'm greatly impressed..."
Hu Tao shook her head, withdrawing her gaze from Zhongli.
She skipped down the street, wanting to take a good look at the shops.
Although she had only been in this world for a short time, she had seen many conflicts, and where there were conflicts, there would be deaths.
Therefore, the establishment of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was very necessary.
She couldn't stop people from fighting, but she could let the deceased rest in peace...
Zhongli followed behind Hu Tao, like an old father watching his lively daughter.
Though his face showed no expression, his eyes were exceptionally gentle.
Hu Tao, this girl, he had watched grow up.
Her grandfather, that kid, was a pity...
Although the relationship was a bit strange, for Zhongli, it wasn't anything unusual.
Hu Tao's grandfather, too, had been watched grow up by Zhongli, as had her great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather...
Up to eighteen generations of ancestors, all watched grow up by Zhongli.
"The Douluo Continent is getting livelier. I hope those few can arrive soon."
Zhongli looked up at the sky, thinking to himself.
At that moment, a figure appeared before Zhongli and Hu Tao. "He" looked at Zhongli and Hu Tao with a puzzled expression.
This "old" man and young girl, though their clothes were of different genders, looked very similar, like a uniform.
The more he looked, the more something felt off.
"Mr. Zhongli, who is this?"
The person was "Xue Qinghe." She really wanted to ask if this girl was Zhongli's daughter but ultimately didn't.
Zhongli, such a "person," even with beauties around, never caused any rumors, treating them with respect and as friends.
That's why Qian Renxue didn't confirm her guess.
Even though the two really looked like father and daughter.
"Your Majesty Qinghe."
Zhongli cupped his hands towards "Xue Qinghe" and said, "This is Hu Tao, the Hall Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Hu Tao was stunned, stopping in her tracks to look at "Xue Qinghe."
She felt something strange about this young man but couldn't put her finger on it.
Wait, this person called Zhongli a consultant?
How did "he" know Zhongli was their consultant?
"Hello, I'm Hu Tao, the 77th Hall Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
Hu Tao patted her chest, speaking with confidence.
Then she grabbed Zhongli's hand and said to "Xue Qinghe," "Don't think Zhongli is just a consultant now. After I'm gone, Zhongli will be the 78th Hall Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
She believed there wouldn't be a 79th Hall Master.
Who could outlive Zhongli?