"Are you telling me that the two of you ate over five million Mora? Do you really think This Master has never been to the Liuli Pavilion?"
Yun Xu followed Zhongli into the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, but from a distance, he saw Hu Tao pinching the little girl's soft, round cheeks with both hands, kneading and pulling them while speaking in an exasperated tone.
In the time it took for Yun Xu to be carried back to Mt. Aocang by Lumine, and then to rush back to Liyue Harbor from Mt. Aocang, Zhongli had already brought Azhdaha back to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue Harbor and had already met Hu Tao.
Later, at mealtime, he invited Azhdaha to dine at the Liuli Pavilion, which led to the current situation.
"Mora... help..."
The little girl, whose cheeks were being pinched, frantically waved her hands, seeking help from Zhongli.
Zhongli had already made an agreement with her, including a prohibition against harming any humans.
Although her eroded memories could not return, with her anger absorbed, she would not revert to a frenzied state for a short period. Instead, she would be as calm as the other side of Kun Jun, though she might become forgetful.
"Five million Mora, is dining there that expensive?"
Yun Xu was surprised to hear Hu Tao's words.
"That's not it. It's just that although she has taken human form, her essence is still that of a mountain-like Geo Dragon, so her appetite is quite large."
Zhongli heard this and explained in a low voice.
Hu Tao did not know his true identity, and naturally did not know that this little girl was Azhdaha, so she could not hear this.
"I see..."
"Director Hu, please calm your anger."
Yun Xu nodded slightly, then stepped forward to mediate.
"Yun Xu, why are you here...?"
Hearing Yun Xu's voice, Hu Tao finally shifted her attention from the little girl and turned to look at him.
"Ahem, allow me to explain."
"Mr. Zhongli's expenses were excessive this time because I unexpectedly visited and freeloaded a meal. I didn't realize my appetite was a bit too large."
Yun Xu lightly coughed, explaining to Hu Tao.
Since taking the Qilin Pill, his appetite had become very large, which was no secret.
"Oh, you should have said so earlier! Yun Xu, you are a disciple of an Adeptus; it's only right to treat you to a meal."
Hu Tao finally released the little girl's cheeks, put her hands on her hips, and nodded with satisfaction.
"Hmph, a snobbish little brat... Thankfully, her grip wasn't too strong..."
The little girl mumbled and rubbed her cheeks, which had been pinched for a while, with dissatisfaction.
"Hehe, but in that case, the meal This Master owes you is now settled!"
Then Hu Tao leaned closer to Yun Xu, raised her hand, patted his shoulder, and said.
"When did Director Hu owe me a meal?"
Yun Xu looked at her in confusion, instinctively twitching his ear.
"Oh, it's those two times I invited you to eat, but you never got to, right? So it doesn't count, naturally."
Seeing that Yun Xu didn't understand, Hu Tao reminded him.
Both times, Yun Xu was defeated by the youyou great march, though the second time he took it to go.
"I see, but Director Hu's culinary skills are exquisite. If you don't mind, you can find me for taste-testing next time."
Yun Xu finally nodded knowingly and suggested to Hu Tao.
After thinking about using the youyou great march for alchemy, he was no longer so afraid of Hu Tao's cooking.
Just as he had explained to Hu Tao before, he was afraid of ghosts but not zombies, because he regarded zombies as alchemy materials.
"Really? Then you have to pinky promise This Master!"
Hu Tao's eyes lit up upon hearing this. She was just worried about not having a stable taste-tester.
If Yun Xu hadn't brought it up, she might have had to post a commission at the Adventurers Guild.
"Uh..."
Looking at Hu Tao's outstretched pinky finger, Yun Xu scratched his head. There was no need for a pinky promise for something like this, was there? He wasn't a child anymore... But despite thinking this, Yun Xu could only cooperate by extending his finger.
Hu Tao, seeing this, actively hooked Yun Xu's finger, a mischievous smile appearing on her face.
"Pinky promise, pinky swear, with the Ethereal Butterfly as a witness, the little imp who breaks their word will have to eat three bowls of Jueyun Chili Noodles~"
Hu Tao hooked Yun Xu's pinky finger and wiggled it up and down.
"Hehe, if you break the agreement, This Master will personally prepare the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor package for you, don't worry, it's half price."
After completing the pinky promise, Hu Tao finally put her hands on her hips and continued speaking.
For her, this was a completely win-win agreement; either taste-testing or becoming a business opportunity.
"Wow, Director Hu, you don't need to be so threatening..."
"Oh, what are you talking about? When has This Master ever threatened anyone? You can't just accuse people out of thin air."
Thus, Yun Xu made the agreement to taste-test for Hu Tao.
While the two were talking, Zhongli took the little girl, Azhdaha, to a resting room inside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Remember, from now on, your alias in Liyue Harbor will be Ruo Li. Don't let it slip."
Zhongli cautioned Azhdaha.
There was a reason why he risked exposing his identity to bring Azhdaha to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Yun Xu's method was a temporary solution, not a permanent cure; erosion was still harming Azhdaha.
Although it would likely take three or four years for her to become angry and frenzied again, Zhongli still needed to pay close attention, especially to Azhdaha's anger.
After all, only anger would drive her to a frenzy where she would want to tear down mountains and destroy Liyue Harbor.
Otherwise, even if she lost her memory, she wouldn't easily attack Liyue Harbor. The erosion making people crazy and irritable, coupled with the misunderstanding of amnesia, was the main reason.
As soon as Zhongli noticed signs of Azhdaha's anger getting out of control, he would immediately call Yun Xu for her regular treatment.
Although it was a temporary solution, it was currently the only method.
Moreover, maintaining emotional stability and calmness was the best secret to combating further erosion; he himself did it this way.
"What kind of name did you give me? It sounds so effeminate."
The little girl named Ruo Li said with dissatisfaction, her arms crossed over her chest.
"I think it's quite suitable."
Glancing at Ruo Li, who didn't even reach his chest, Zhongli chuckled softly.
"And why can't I call you Morax anymore? I'm not used to other titles."
Ruo Li looked down at her body, then simply ignored the name issue and brought up another matter she cared about.
The title Morax was ingrained in her instincts, even with her memory lost. Being suddenly asked to use a different title, she was a bit reluctant.
"Since you are in Liyue Harbor, you should naturally conduct yourself as a mortal. Besides, there is no such thing as Morax in this world anymore."
Zhongli explained.
Although Ruo Li was reluctant, she still nodded.
On the other side, after Yun Xu and Hu Tao reached an agreement for taste-testing, Yun Xu, guided by Hu Tao, found the room where Zhongli and Ruo Li were.
Knock, knock-knock!
Yun Xu gently knocked on the door.
"Who is it? Come in."
Ruo Li's voice came from inside the room.
Yun Xu then cautiously pushed open the door and peeked inside.
He then saw Zhongli making the bed for Ruo Li by the bedside.
It was clear that from now on, Ruo Li would also be living here, as Zhongli needed to watch over her daily.
"Oh, my dear grand-disciple, come in quickly."
Seeing Yun Xu approach, and that Hu Tao was not with him, Ruo Li's eyes lit up, and she stepped forward to welcome him...