Chapter 527: 527: Tartaglia and Hu Tao
"The Son of Heaven guards the nation's gates, the monarch dies for the empire!"
The Star Luo Emperor will not flee; he was the last emperor before the fall of the Star Luo Empire.
If he fled, he would have no face to meet his ancestors!
He will live and die with the Star Luo Empire.
The moment he perished, it would also mark the end of the Star Luo Empire.
"Take the things from the treasure and leave."
"Rather than letting others benefit from those things, it's better to leave them for future generations."
With a wave of his hand, the Star Luo Emperor sent a token flying towards Dai Mubai. This token represents the emperor's decree, capable of mobilizing all the resources of the Star Luo Empire.
"Yes, Father Emperor!"
Dai Mubai bowed to the Star Luo Emperor. At this moment, he had grown much more.
If the price of growth required such nourishment, he would rather not have it, but he had no choice.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun headed towards the treasury. Only then did the Star Luo Emperor stand up, slowly turned around, and looked at the supreme throne.
At this moment, it seemed as if his ancestors were watching him.
"Ancestors above, your unfilial descendants cannot continue the empire's legacy..."
After bowing three times to the throne, the Star Luo Emperor stood up again.
"Summon the guards, I shall lead the expedition myself!!"
It must be said, apart from Dai Mubai, who was a bit of a coward in the early days, the Star Luo royal family was nothing if not unyielding!
Knowing it was death, what did it matter? As the Star Luo Emperor, he will accompany the Star Luo Empire to its final journey.
"Your Majesty!"
"Empress?"
When the empress appeared, a trace of tenderness flashed in the Star Luo Emperor's eyes. Only with mutual understanding could they unleash their martial soul fusion skill.
How could he not know what was in the empress's heart?
"With both of us together, who could stand against us?"
"Let those trash from the Heaven Dou Empire see that the emperor and empress of Star Luo are far superior to their useless swans!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Few knew that the Star Luo Emperor was a Title Douluo-level powerhouse.
This empress was also no ordinary figure, being a peak Soul Douluo-level powerhouse.
If the two unleashed their martial soul fusion skill, no one below level 97 could withstand it!
Yes, level 97, even a level 96 super Douluo cannot stop them.
As the Star Luo Emperor took the last of Star Luo's essence to the Star Dou Plain, a sigh echoed in the wind.
"War is cruel. After this war, I hope humanity learns its lessons."
Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City.
Unlike its former prosperity, the streets saw a reduction of over ninety percent in foot traffic.
Two figures entered Heaven Dou City from the north gate, their eyes filled with curiosity towards this ancient city.
"Tartaglia, why don't you go to colder places to look for your Ice God, instead of following me to find Zhongli?"
The girl had almond-shaped eyes, dressed in black attire, white stockings... her eyes brimming with curiosity.
She had known this Tartaglia for a few years.
He was no simple man, being one of the Fatui Harbingers from Snezhnaya.
Their meeting was rather bizarre, as they landed in the same place.
Even though they were supposed to arrive at different locations, they ended up together.
Perhaps they had something in common?
Zhongli: Wallet!
Before Tartaglia could say anything, the girl touched her chin and murmured, "That Zhongli guy is really something, using the name of the Geo Archon to swindle people in this other world."
"That's so disrespectful to the Geo Archon..."
Tartaglia: "..."
Is it possible that the Zhongli you're talking about is the Geo Archon?
Speaking of which, Tartaglia's expression turned strange; he had been thoroughly fooled by Zhongli before.
Not only did he spend money and effort, but in the end, he was left with nothing.
Fortunately, the money spent wasn't his but the Fatui's.
"Hu Tao, in this unfamiliar world, meeting is fate..."
"Besides, I was once a business partner of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Coming to find my former partner isn't strange, right?"
Tartaglia said, being the best toy salesman, he had some eloquence.
After saying this, he gave Hu Tao a strange look. Zhongli's true identity wasn't much of a secret in Liyue.
Yet this Hu Tao seemed unaware.
Did she really not know, or was she pretending not to?
Hu Tao knew Zhongli was somewhat extraordinary, guessing he might be an adeptus, but she never thought of him as the Geo Archon.
After coming to this other world, she heard about the Geo Archon. Investigating further, she was stunned.
Zhongli equals the Geo Archon?
Haha, the world played a big joke on her!
That scoundrel, being the Geo Archon, made her, a young and beautiful girl, work off her debts!
"Customer, since we've cooperated once, how about cooperating again?"
"Second tombstone half price!"
As the head of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, this level of professionalism was essential.
"???"
Tartaglia was stunned, his mind filled with marks.
"Forget it, forget it, who would want to cooperate with you for no reason…"
"What's wrong with it? Life and death are inevitable."
"No one knows who will go next, better to prepare early and have someone come directly..."
"Forget it, besides, this world doesn't use Mora."
"Right!"
Hu Tao seemed to have thought of something, clasping her hands, her eyes lighting up.
"Grandpa, I've made it. I'm going to expand the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business to this other world!"
Tartaglia: "..."
Is there anyone normal from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
The head is unusual, the consultant is even less normal.
"Hu Tao, let's go, find your consultant first."
Tartaglia was too tired to complain, saying.
He didn't know why he was transported to this other world, nor why he landed at the same time as this Wangsheng Funeral Parlor head.
But since he was here, he wouldn't waste this "adventure"!
Of course, he also needed to find his way back.
His family in Teyvat needed him.
"Let's go then. After meeting Zhongli, we'll rebuild the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and expand our business..."
"Such a business shouldn't have any competitors, hehehe..."
Tartaglia's eyes twitched, his right hand slightly trembling, but he didn't say anything else.
Does this head only think about burying people?
Speaking of burying people, it's actually not a bad skill.
If it weren't for Hu Tao knowing how to bury people, they wouldn't have had enough for the city entrance fee.
It was Hu Tao who buried a "noble," and seeing her professionalism, he gave her some of this world's currency, allowing them to enter Heaven Dou City smoothly.
Once in Heaven Dou City, finding Zhongli's residence was too easy.
After some wandering, they soon arrived at Zhongli's mansion.
Before they could knock, the door opened, surprising them.
Wait, something seemed off.
They looked down...
"Huh... Adeptus Xiao?"
"Hu Tao?"
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Chapter 528: 528: Hu Tao: "Did this old man drop some gold coins?"
Tartaglia and Xiao weren't that familiar, but he knew that this slightly "short" guy was an adeptus from Liyue, with incredibly formidable strength.
As for why he was so "short," no one knew.
If he could fight with this Xiao, he would probably gain a deeper understanding of this Liyue adeptus.
As everyone knew, Tartaglia was a battle maniac, either "seeking death" or on the way to "seeking death."
His combat talent was extremely high, and he had accomplished many impossible feats.
For example, those who fell into the Abyss almost all died, but Tartaglia, relying on his combat awareness and tenacious will, walked out of the Abyss.
Fearless of challenges, fearless of difficulties, he charged forward relentlessly.
After all, he was just a young man, full of passion and unwavering determination.
Compared to other Harbingers, Childe—Tartaglia was very pure, a pure battle "lunatic."
From Tartaglia's eyes, Xiao seemed to sense something, his eye twitching slightly as he muttered, "Disrespectful to the adeptus!"
They stared at each other, speechless for a moment.
From the young man's eyes, he saw some undesirable thoughts, no need to guess, it was probably related to his height.
After all, someone like Tartaglia couldn't hide what was on his mind, and the eyes are the windows to the soul.
Apart from these undesirable thoughts, there was more of a fighting spirit, a spirit that seemed to fear nothing.
If it were any other time, accepting his challenge wouldn't be a problem, but these days aren't suitable for a fight...
It was almost the New Year, known as the Lantern Rite in Liyue and New Year's Eve in the Douluo Continent.
This was a traditional festival, even if the Tian Dou and Xing Luo were at war, they chose to cease fire these few days, resuming their decisive battle after the New Year.
After a while, Xiao finally said, "Follow me."
After saying this, Xiao seemed to have made some decision, turned around, and walked towards the hall without looking back.
If it were after the New Year, sparring with this young man to stretch his limbs wouldn't be a problem.
"Uh..."
Tartaglia and Hu Tao exchanged a glance, feeling a bit awkward, and he scratched his nose but didn't say anything.
Hu Tao, being carefree, didn't feel anything was off and followed Xiao over.
At this moment, Zhongli and others were already waiting in the hall. As Xiao and the two entered, the atmosphere instantly became lively.
"Zhongli, you rascal, you sneaked off to another world without a word, leaving me to work for three years to pay off the debts!"
As soon as she entered the hall, Hu Tao's sharp gaze locked onto Zhongli, who was sitting at the head, with one hand on her hip, complaining.
Morax had no Mora, yet he loved to "spend money recklessly." Hu Tao, at such a young age, bore pressures she shouldn't have at her age!
Three years…?
First gravestone 20% off, second gravestone half price, I don't know how many marketing tactics I used to fill the financial gap of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!
Does Hu Tao not know Zhongli's identity now?
No, she knows!
But so what?
He is the Geo Archon, the Lord of Geo, the protector of Liyue, but he is also Zhongli, the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!
Regardless of whether she knows Zhongli's true identity, no matter how Zhongli spends, Hu Tao has no intention of kicking Zhongli out of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Besides, Hu Tao has always had an idea: when she dies, Zhongli can inherit the position of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's director.
Yes, when she dies, that's straightforward.
As the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, she has long been... numb to life and death.
Upon hearing this, Zhongli's usually expressionless face finally showed a hint of embarrassment.
The items he purchased were all valuable, with historical significance and authenticity.
If sold, not only would there be no loss, but a huge profit could be made.
But Hu Tao wouldn't understand these things.
"Director... um..."
How to put it, this child... This child is a bit hard to deal with.
Before Zhongli could finish, Hu Tao placed both hands on her hips, slightly raised her head, and said on her own, "Zhongli, let's get this straight, I plan to expand the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business to another world!"
"At the beginning, there won't be money for you to buy those antiques and such, but once our business grows and strengthens..."
Everyone: Grows and strengthens???
Natives: Don't come over!!!
"It's okay, I'll invest."
Zhongli waved his hand, not refusing, but there was no need to say more.
Over the years, he had seen all that this child had done, and she had endured a lot of hardships.
Having crossed into another world, to let this child "suffer and endure," wouldn't the legendary handsome "readers" tear the Geo Archon apart?
This absolutely cannot happen!
"Sigh~"
Hu Tao was stunned, looking at Zhongli with a blank expression, her plum blossom eyes full of question marks.
"Did this old man drop some gold coins?"
"Is he sick?"
"Consultant, let me take a look, see if you're sick!"
Zhongli's mouth opened slightly, wanting to say something but stopping.
Everyone: "..."
The girl in the large sleeves covered her face and laughed, looking at Zhongli, then at Hu Tao.
Is this girl the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor...
"Oh my, Hu Tao, it's really you!"
"And Tartaglia, you're here too!"
Paimon flew excitedly towards the two, flustered, "Surprise!"
"Hu Tao, I missed you so much!"
Xiangling also ran to Hu Tao, hugging her tightly.
The two had been childhood friends, along with Xingqiu and Chongyun, they were known as the Liyue Four.
"Eh, Paimon, Xiangling, and Guoba, you're here too!"
Hu Tao looked at the two with surprise, then glanced at the others in the hall.
"Lumine, you're here too!"
"Hu Tao!"
With the appearance of Lumine, Xiangling, Guoba, Paimon, and others, Hu Tao didn't forcibly give Zhongli a health check.
An old man who drops gold coins, she felt something was off.
"Old friend, you can't just focus on Director Hu, I've been standing here for a long time."
Tartaglia crossed his arms, tilted his head, and said quietly.
He and Lumine had fought together as partners, yet Lumine only had eyes for Hu Tao.
It's a bit disheartening!
Fortunately, Paimon still remembered him as a former partner, otherwise, it would have been quite depressing.
Hearing a familiar voice, Lumine instinctively looked at Tartaglia.
"Childe, I didn't expect you to come to this world too."
Childe was Tartaglia's code name, just as La Signora was Rosalyne's code name.
Looking at the "young man" before her, Lumine said meaningfully, "Long time no see."
This Childe had basically disappeared after being taken away by his master, and it was unknown if he had become stronger.
"Yes, old friend, long time no see!"
After saying this, Tartaglia also fell into memories.
The last time they met was in Fontaine, which held some unpleasant memories.