Mt. Aozang.
Cloud Retainer was truly on the verge of exploding with rage.
When Gu Chen and his two companions sought out the other adepti, they seemed perfectly normal.
The Demon Conqueror Great Sage was elusive and disliked meeting people, so they had to use unconventional methods to approach her.
But what was this now?
Were they here to seek the adepti to clear their name, or to take an adeptus's life?
[Cloud Retainer]: @[Gu Chen] You won't get off easy if you come to Mt. Aozang! (Nahida · Pointing)
[Gu Chen]: [Exclusive Red Packet for Cloud Retainer] What did you say, True One? I can't hear you! (Confused)
[Cloud Retainer] withdrew a message.
[Cloud Retainer]: This one's meaning is: Welcome to Mt. Aozang as a guest! (Ganyu Smile · Pretty Good)
[Paimon]: Excuse me, what kind of deal is this? (Aether · Alert)
[Lumine]: There's some unspeakable secret! (Hilarious)
[Cloud Retainer]: The young ones are considerate. This one has some minor matters to attend to and will lurk for now!
Mt. Aozang.
Cloud Retainer looked very pleased at the small object before her.
Though it was small, it was exquisitely made, with six faces and a total of twenty-two pieces.
"This thing called a Rubik's Cube is truly ingenious. While it has no great use, it's perfect for passing the time when idle."
"The young ones certainly know how to show respect to an adeptus!"
Cloud Retainer was extremely satisfied.
[Kaeya]: The group chat even has a red packet feature?
[Gu Chen]: Yeah, didn't you know? (Keqing · Questioning)
[Kaeya]: I was too busy watching videos and chatting to notice!
[Sangonomiya Kokomi]: Sorry... I already used it before this, sending some things to Gorou. The cost was just a small handling fee. The more items sent and the higher their value, the higher the fee—but it's worth it in a pinch!
[Gorou]: With this feature, military operations will be much more convenient! (Paimon · No Big Deal)
[Kujou Sara]: Thanks for the reminder!
[Gorou]: ...
[Klee] sent a group red packet.
[Gu Chen] claimed 2 Bounce Bombs.
[Kaeya] claimed 1 Bounce Bomb.
...
[Jean]: Klee!!! What are you doing!!
[Klee]: Uwuwu, Klee just wanted to try it... (Klee · Grievance)
[Kaeya]: Good thing it didn't explode, or the tavern might be gone.
[Diluc]: No problem, you can pay for it.
[Zhongli]: Even bombs can be sent? What about spell attacks, then?
[Venti]: What are you planning?
[Keqing]: Mr. Zhongli, that's a dangerous thought!
[Yanfei]: Mr. Zhongli, if you don't want the death penalty, rein in those dangerous ideas!
[Venti]: Yeah, yeah! Suggesting that makes you look like no good person!
Venti condemned this strongly.
What if this old geezer suddenly sent him a red packet claiming it was Mora, but it turned out to be a Celestial Cataclysm upon opening?
[Zhongli]: Misunderstanding, misunderstanding. Pure curiosity, that's all.
[Gu Chen]: Tried it. Doesn't work.
[Zhongli]: Good, good.
[Kaeya]: You sound kinda disappointed. (Hilarious)
[Ningguang]: Mr. Gu Chen and the others are back in Liyue Harbor. Will the truth behind it all finally surface? (Ningguang · Raising Glass)
[Paimon]: Ningguang doesn't seem nervous at all! (Confused)
[Ningguang]: Can't contact Rex Lapis, don't know his situation. Can only rely on the videos for the truth. No matter what it is, I just hope there's time to respond.
In the video.
Gu Chen's trio had returned to Liyue and found Tartaglia.
"Congratulations, you're still alive." Gu Chen sized up Tartaglia and sneered once he saw his injuries had improved quite a bit.
"Never mind that. How did things go at Jueyun Karst?" Tartaglia waved it off and asked.
After Gu Chen's answer, Tartaglia pondered for a moment before revealing the Qixing's actions.
[Paimon]: Publicly claiming no true culprit was found? And forbidding paying respects to the ancestor's remains? What are the Qixing thinking? Have they seen through that Gu Chen and the Abyss Order are just bait? (Sangonomiya Kokomi · Deep Thought)
[Ningguang]: Now as an outsider, my perspective is much broader. I can't know what my past self was thinking.
[Keqing]: From the video, the Qixing's reaction is indeed intriguing... It even feels like they're eager to seize power...
[Mountain Shaper]: Could it really be... the Qixing who did it?!
[Mountain Shaper]: Impossible! The Qixing lack the ability to assassinate Rex Lapis!
"The Geo Archon is clearly dead, yet they won't allow paying respects to his remains... Heh, quite the stalemate. But luckily, I happen to know someone who can break it!" Tartaglia said.
"Who?" Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Tomorrow, high noon at Liuli Pavilion. I'm arranging a little local custom called a 'banquet meeting.' I'll introduce you!" Tartaglia replied.
Gu Chen and Lumine exchanged a glance.
Making more friends on the journey could bring more gains.
Gu Chen agreed.
[Hu Tao]: Who could break this stalemate? @[Zhongli] Guest Consultant, do you know any such capable person in Liyue Harbor?!
[Zhongli]: ... No idea.
[Tartaglia]: I have a pretty good guess who... But don't ask me. The video's already on the next day anyway—answer incoming!
In the video.
The next day at high noon.
Gu Chen's trio followed Tartaglia into a private room at Liuli Pavilion.
A steady-faced young man was already seated at the table.
[Hu Tao]: ?
"Let me introduce: This friend is from the trade, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's guest consultant, Mr. Zhongli!" Tartaglia introduced.
Gu Chen smiled and asked, "Which line of work is Mr. Zhongli in?"
"You're joking. I'm just a humble guest consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Nothing worth mentioning." Zhongli shook his head with a chuckle.
After some chat, Gu Chen's trio understood what Wangsheng Funeral Parlor did.
"The Rite of Parting is the only way Lumine can see the Geo Archon's body. I agreed." Gu Chen said.
[Furina]: @[Hu Tao] @[Zhongli] How's business at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?
[Hu Tao]: Pretty ordinary, but your Hall Master is working hard to make it thrive!
[Zhongli]: Hall Master, no need for that!
[Furina]: Everyone, I have a theory now!
[Heizou]: Lady Furina has an idea? (Curious)
[Furina]: Friends, what if... Wangsheng Funeral Parlor assassinated the Geo Archon, then took over his funeral to boost their fame and explode their business!
[Neuvillette]: Ridiculous!
[Raiden Ei]: That's explosive! (Munching Melon)
[Nahida]: An angle I hadn't considered...
[Heizou]: That's a clever line of thinking! Combined with Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's current status, it fits perfectly! We're all in the Extraordinary Group with supernatural powers—who knows what could happen!
[Venti]: Right? Mr. Zhongli was just asking if spell attacks could go in red packets—clearly plotting murder! (Hilarious)
[Yanfei]: Assassinating a god? By Liyue law, death penalty!
[Zhongli]: ???
[Hu Tao]: No! What a miscarriage of justice! (Klee · Grievance)
[Furina]: More evidence! Zhongli, death penalty! (Venti · Confetti)
[Zhongli]: Wait, judging this life for past crimes—are you people reasonable?! (Zhongli · Facepalm)
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