Liyue lies in the east of Teyvat, vast in territory and rich in resources.
Liyue Harbor, known as the trade capital, is like a dazzling pearl set amidst Liyue's broad mountains, stone forests, and seas.
Feiyun Slope, the core district of Liyue Harbor, is lined with exquisite buildings and throngs of merchants.
The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor sits northwest of Feiyun Slope, beside a towering mountainside and over a clear moat; if you ignore its special function, the scenery is quite lovely.
"The environment here isn't bad, but it's not prime for a storefront."
Admiring the view, Tartaglia brought Zhongli to the shop next door to Wangsheng.
Built into the mountain, the vermilion pavilions with flying eaves and carved beams stood gracefully. With about 500 square meters of floor space, its interior décor was elegant and refined; beyond the shopfront, a back courtyard ringed with pines and cypresses held a hidden charm.
"The setting is acceptable," Zhongli commented fairly.
Tartaglia smiled helplessly. "Although the environment is nice, as a business it loses money almost every year. Are you sure you want it for commercial use, Mr. Zhongli?"
If not for needing it to collect information across Liyue's circles, the Fatui would have abandoned this shop long ago.
"This one will do."
Zhongli didn't seem picky.
Roughly 200 meters from Wangsheng, with an elegant environment and imposing façade—enough to satisfy Hu Tao's requirements.
Most importantly—
He didn't need to spend money. Free things don't require high standards.
"Rare to see you take a liking to something, Mr. Zhongli. I'll hand over the deed at once. As for the stock and fittings inside, I'll have my people clean it up before leaving."
Tartaglia said generously.
After receiving the shop "for nothing at all," Zhongli's brows eased. The contract with Hu Tao was now settled; he no longer had to be "threatened" by that child.
As for mooching off Tartaglia…
Zhongli felt no embarrassment.
Since the Northland Bank runs a monopoly in Liyue, getting a free shop is perfectly reasonable.
He only hoped that the astute Liyue Qixing would break that monopoly someday.
…
At that time—
Ken had already bought a set of Liyue-style clothes and followed his memory to the doors of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Unlike in the game,
there was dedicated staff on duty at the door even in daytime—a woman in a solemn black long robe stood respectfully at the entrance.
"I'm here to see Director Hu."
Ken was concise.
"Please wait." The ceremonial officer nodded slightly, asked his name, then went to inform Hu Tao.
While waiting, Ken looked over the Parlor's furnishings.
In the game, Wangsheng's interior wasn't shown; players who wanted in had to glitch through.
But the real Parlor was about as he imagined:
ancient elegance and refined simplicity, yet suffused with a heavy, solemn air.
"Mr. Ken!!"
As he observed, a lively figure ran out, her vivid crimson-plum accents and broad hat instantly recognizable.
Her exuberance clearly clashed with the solemn surroundings.
A petite, sprightly girl followed behind her; Ken looked instinctively.
She had a cute, pure round face, blue ear-length hair tied into twin loops at the back.
Ken recognized her at once:
Xiangling from Wanmin Restaurant.
Those fair, bare legs were her biggest trademark.
"How did you end up in Liyue? I was going to head to Blue Star to find you after breakfast!"
After last night, the naturally chummy Hu Tao no longer treated Ken as an outsider; she pulled him toward the inner courtyard behind the shop.
Xiangling trailed alongside, sneaking glances at Ken.
The man's brows and eyes were clean and handsome, his black, clear gaze deep as a pool. In a dark brocade with delicate Glaze Lily motifs in gold thread, he looked noble yet elegant—
an otherworldly air to match his looks.
Xiangling was quietly amazed.
"Mr. Ken, this is my good friend, Wanmin's head chef Xiangling. She just said she wants to work with you."
Once seated under vigorous green pines, Hu Tao hurried to introduce them.
"Hello, Mr. Ken, I'm Xiangling." Her golden eyes sparkled. "I've heard so much about you—didn't expect to meet the real deal here today!"
As rumored, not only handsome, but with a refined, transcendent temperament—very pleasant to be around.
"I've heard of the head chef of Wanmin back in Mondstadt," Ken said. Klee had mentioned Xiangling—she'd once eaten Xiangling's cooking in Springvale.
"Really? What an honor!"
Xiangling was delighted.
She had indeed gone to Mondstadt recently.
Determined to revolutionize Liyue cuisine, she studied not only local dishes but also the essence of other nations; Mondstadt was a frequent destination.
Many high-end ingredients in Liyue were monopolized by the "Li-style" and "Yue-style" schools; only in Mondstadt could she freely experiment with the best produce.
"It's a pity I didn't see the dragon when I was there… I even wanted to try roasted dragon ribs!"
Thinking of her trip to Mondstadt, Xiangling was regretful.
"Ro… roasted dragon ribs?" Hu Tao stared at Xiangling, suddenly a bit tempted.
Director Hu hadn't eaten roasted dragon ribs either!
"Forget roasted dragon ribs. That dragon is one of Mondstadt's Four Winds. It could swallow you whole in one gulp."
Ken chuckled.
This girl really dared to dream when it came to cooking.
Xiangling sighed. "Yeah… it was wishful thinking. I thought with the dragon disaster, everyone would go dragon hunting together, but it was completely different."
She hadn't even seen what the dragon looked like.
A little dejected, she perked up again remembering the instant noodles Hu Tao showed earlier. "Right, Mr. Ken, can I buy ingredients for instant noodles from you?"
"Of course… I'm not trying to steal your business. I just want to use the noodle cakes as a base and cook fresh at Wanmin, not sell prepackaged instant noodles… Um, I'm getting myself tangled…"
Afraid of being misunderstood, Xiangling scratched her head.
"I get it. But I think there's a type of noodle that fits your idea better."
Ken understood.
Wanmin's noodles and broths were meticulously made; Xiangling wanted to create a 'fast noodle' line—
skip the time of noodle-making, but pair with Wanmin's unique broths for great flavor, suitable for common folk.
Compared to instant noodles, dried noodles—like straight-cut or wide-cut—from Blue Star would fit better and taste superior.
"There are… more kinds of noodles?"
Xiangling's eyes were full of wonder.
"Of course. Want to visit Blue Star? They sell all kinds of noodles there. Not as good as fresh, but the taste is decent and they keep for a long time."
Hearing they could go, Xiangling got excited. "Really? Should I prepare anything? Can I bring Guoba?"
"You can, but don't let him appear outside. Blue Star's culture differs from here—showing up suddenly would cause trouble," Ken explained.
"No problem, no problem!"
Xiangling, already cheerful by nature, was thrilled to find Ken so easy to get along with.
Under their eager gazes, Ken summoned a vortex gate and took them back to the villa in Magic City.
…
"So this is Blue Star…"
Seeing the lush plants and the villa in a Mondstadt-esque style, Xiangling was full of praise.
Blue Star's cuisine must be special too, right?
"Let's change clothes first."
Ken handed them two new outfits.
Hu Tao's clothes, while a bit unusual on Blue Star, were retro enough.
Xiangling's were less workable—
especially the bare arms and legs, which drew too much attention.
"New clothes to wear again? Hehehe… The Director approves. Xiangling, do you know how to put these on? If not, I'll teach you!"
Hugging her clothes, Hu Tao hopped into a room.
Xiangling, eyeing the unfamiliar styles, hesitated, then went to change as well.
Ken also changed.
…
Before long,
Ken pulled the car around and saw the adorable Xiangling and Hu Tao step out.
In a crisp white dress, Xiangling looked like a pure lily—cute and elegant…
Hu Tao wore a Lolita-style long dress this time.
Though a bit fussy, many girls on Blue Star loved the Lolita style; it wouldn't stand out on the street.
"Mr. Ken, Hu Tao says your cooking is amazing too?"
Coached by Hu Tao, Xiangling leaned forward from the back seat between the front chairs.
Why did she suddenly want to spar with Ken in the kitchen?
She was itching to try.
"I manage."
Ken answered casually while driving.
"Then let's discuss cooking sometime? I want to learn Blue Star cuisine—preferably spicy."
"Sure." Ken didn't refuse.
Her passion for food bordered on obsession.
She could invent all kinds of unusual dishes—
even Stir-Fried Slime Concentrate with Qingxin, Hu Tao's nemesis.
"When are you two sparring? The Director will graciously serve as judge. No refusing!"
Hu Tao jumped in to stir the pot.
"When my friends arrive in Liyue," Ken mused.
He'd invite Lumine and Paimon to taste as well, and have Xiangling and Hu Tao play tour guides so Lumine could get to know Liyue.
"Friends? You have friends coming to Liyue?" Hu Tao asked.
Ken nodded. "Mm. The Honorary Knight who saved Mondstadt. By my count, she should arrive tomorrow."
"I've heard of her. They said she helped the Knights of Favonius resolve the dragon crisis. I've always wanted to meet her," Xiangling said, curious what a dragon-slaying person looked like.
Hu Tao grinned. "Hehe… I'll handle the reception tomorrow. Our Wangsheng is the most hospitable!"
Ken: "..."
In a sense, precisely because Hu Tao is too hospitable, many people avoid her.
Like modern folks—who would go to a funeral home to book a package for fun?
…
Stone Gate.
At the border between Mondstadt and Liyue.
Following the trade road west of Dawn Winery, Lumine and Paimon trekked over mountains and rivers to the border.
Thankfully, the Wind Glider from Mondstadt saved most of the time.
With snowmelt from Dragonspine flowing into rivers that meet Liyue's Bishui plain, Lumine took the waterways when flying got too tiring.
At last, they set foot in Liyue this morning.
As the edge of Mondstadt territory, the area was desolate—more hilichurls and Treasure Hoarders than people. Lumine cut her way through.
"Good thing for the Flute-Sword 1.0 that Mr. Ken gave me."
Looking at the landscape, so different from Mondstadt, Lumine smiled sweetly.
"Traveler doesn't even say Mr. Ken's name anymore—just 'big brother' now!"
Paimon hugged a can of meat and couldn't help teasing.
Hmph—she says she doesn't like him, but she clearly does. Such a tsundere.
"Wait... Calling him big brother doesn't fit. By normal seniority… he could call you 'old auntie!'"
Paimon counted on her fingers.
Lumine's face went dark. "Paimon, zip it!!"
Old auntie…
She might be older, but they're not from the same world, and age is counted differently.
At her age… she's clearly in her youth!
Annoying Paimon—Lumine was gritting her teeth.
"Okay, okay… Traveler's a young girl. So when can we reach Liyue Harbor? How about we rest on Blue Star? I'm tired of flying."
Paimon sighed.
No idea what got into Lumine.
Lumine shook her head. "No. I'll find Mr. Ken after we reach Liyue Harbor. Resting at every step… too pampered."
"Fine…" Paimon looked at the sky, patting her round tummy. "We stayed in Mondstadt so long—can we still catch the Geo Archon's banquet? The bard said he'd go too—he might be there already."
Lumine: "... If you say that in Liyue, watch your head—you'll get pounded like a sandbag."
…