"Miss Ningguang, please allow me and Paimon to discuss this for a moment." Lumine took a deep breath and looked directly at Ningguang as she spoke.
"Go ahead."
After Ningguang finished speaking, Lumine quickly pulled Paimon aside. The two of them whispered mysteriously, but Ningguang remained completely unperturbed. Not only was she confident that the two would agree, but even if they didn't, she had other methods. In other words, Lumine and Paimon were not the only options, just the preferred ones.
After some discussion, the two returned to sit across from Ningguang. Paimon scratched her head and hesitantly said, "Miss Ningguang, we accept your commission, but how are we supposed to get in touch with that Fatui Harbinger named Childe?"
Hearing Paimon's question, Ningguang's lips curled into a slight smile. "Actually, it's not that difficult. In fact, it might be quite simple for the two of you." Under the curious gazes of Paimon and Lumine, Ningguang slowly explained.
"The Fatui Harbinger Childe has recently been spending a lot of time with a man from Liyue, almost inseparable. That man is the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Mr. Zhongli. Since you're currently staying at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, you must have a good relationship with Director Hu. Perhaps you can ask her to introduce you to him."
"After getting to know Zhongli and building a good relationship with him, you'll naturally have a way to meet Childe."
Hearing this, Lumine and Paimon nodded. In theory, this method was indeed feasible, but before putting it into action, they needed to know what kind of person this consultant named Zhongli was.
"I've thought about that as well, but Mr. Zhongli is mature, steady, and knowledgeable, with an upright and incorruptible character. It's unlikely that he would collude with the Fatui. So, their relationship is probably just a friendship and doesn't involve any issues between nations. You can rest assured."
"Then there's no problem." Lumine shook hands with Ningguang and left Yujing Terrace with Paimon, heading toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
After Lumine left, the smile on Ningguang's face disappeared, replaced by weariness and worry. Although the Geo Archon had fallen, the Divine Lord still existed. If he intended to hold them accountable, not only the Qixing but the entire Liyue Harbor would be in danger.
Ningguang stood up. She needed to return to the Jade Chamber to prepare. With such a major event having occurred, a meeting of the Qixing was bound to be convened.
...…
"Traveler, is it really okay for us to take on this commission?" Paimon was still worried. Although Ningguang's offer of twenty million Mora and a promise was tempting, Paimon was more concerned about Lumine's safety.
"Don't worry, Paimon," Lumine said with a smile, patting her head to reassure her that everything would be fine.
The two of them walked quickly, and before long, they arrived at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. However, the staff of the funeral parlor were bustling about, far busier than any scene Lumine had seen before.
"Oh, you're back! Come and give me a hand, will you?" Just as the two were standing there in a daze, Hu Tao's slightly anxious voice rang out.
Lumine looked over and saw Hu Tao carrying a stack of seven or eight boxes, wobbling as she walked toward them.
"Careful!" Lumine and Paimon quickly stepped forward to help her with some of the boxes.
Following Hu Tao's lead, the two of them walked while holding the items. Curious, Paimon quietly opened one of the boxes, but she was soon disappointed to find that it contained only ordinary funeral supplies.
"Hu Tao, why are you preparing so many funeral supplies? And what are all the staff so busy with?"
"Hehe," Hu Tao chuckled and waved for them to come closer. The two obediently leaned in, listening intently.
"I just heard that the Geo Archon has passed away. In Liyue's history, whenever an adeptus has passed, Liyue Harbor holds a grand Rite of Parting. But this time, it's the Geo Archon who has fallen, so this Rite of Parting must be unprecedented in its grandeur." As she spoke, a gleam appeared in Hu Tao's eyes.
"This is where our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor comes in! I've sent all the staff to gather supplies for the Rite of Parting. Later, I'll go to Tianquan Ningguang to discuss sponsorship and the details of the Rite of Parting. Do you want to come with me? I can introduce you to her." Hu Tao nudged Lumine with her elbow, wearing a look that said, "You're in for a treat."
"Uh, that won't be necessary," Lumine said with an awkward smile, as they had just returned from Ningguang's place.
"What a shame," Hu Tao said, pretending to be disappointed as she shook her head.
"By the way, Hu Tao, I heard there's a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor named Zhongli who's knowledgeable about everything. Could you introduce us?" Lumine seized the opportunity to ask.
"Huh? That old fossil, Zhongli? What do you want with him?" Hu Tao looked at the two of them in confusion. Zhongli was great and all, but he was a bit too reserved for someone so young, acting like an old man.
"We're just curious," Lumine said without batting an eye.
"Well, sure, but he left early this morning with a guy named Tartaglia. I heard they were going to listen to Mr. Yun's new opera. You can find him at the Heyu Tea House. Just say I sent you."
"Thank you, Hu Tao," Lumine said, grabbing Hu Tao's hand with a look of gratitude, almost as if she were gazing at her affectionately.
"Uh, don't look at me like that. It's kind of gross," Hu Tao said, feeling a chill run down her spine as she quickly pulled her hand away and took a step back. She might be flat-chested, but her sexual orientation was definitely not an issue.
"Ahem, we'll be going now," Lumine said, quickly grabbing Paimon and leaving. She was also quite embarrassed, not knowing why she had acted that way just now.
—————
Meanwhile, near the upper levels of The Chasm…
"Absorb." Yun Fan held the Fenghuang Downs, drawing in a dense stream of karmic energy.
'Whoosh!' A figure suddenly appeared behind Yun Fan, breaking through the air.
"Divine Lord." The newcomer was Xiao, who greeted Yun Fan with a hint of unease and solemnity on his face.
Just moments ago, he had noticed a strange shift in the sky above Liyue Harbor. Remembering that today was the Rite of Descension, he felt a sense of foreboding. After informing Yun Fan, he quickly made his way to Liyue Harbor.
But by the time Xiao arrived, everything was already over. He only heard from passersby that the Geo Archon, Rex Lapis, had fallen.
"Your heart is troubled, Xiao," Yun Fan said without turning around, his back still facing him.
"Divine Lord, is it true that Rex Lapis has fallen?" Xiao asked in a heavy tone, gripping his Primordial Jade Winged-Spear tightly, the veins on his slender arm bulging.