Early summer in Feiyun Slope was bustling with life. Groups of men and women strolled past in twos and threes.
After finishing their meal, Lumine had no mind to admire the scenery. She and Paimon headed straight for the Liyue Specialty Shop.
Even before reaching the entrance, they could already hear a bright, lively voice calling out:
"Are you sure you don't want the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor package? I guarantee you'll rest in comfort when the time comes!"
A girl in a retro-style cross-collar jacket sat beside the shop's door. To anyone passing through, she would hand out a flyer without fail.
Birdsong mingled with the bustling crowd, and the girl's unique voice, paired with the vivid red plum in her hair, easily drew attention.
"That… that's Hu Tao, right? Can funerals really be promoted like this?"
Paimon leaned forward, eyes wide, in disbelief.
Had she and Lumine not reviewed Liyue's characters before coming, she might actually have fallen for such a pitch.
The Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, advertising funeral services like it was a festival? Anyone overhearing might think she was selling wedding packages!
"Looks like Mr. Ken beat us here and already made friends with Hu Tao."
Lumine's gaze fell on Hu Tao's lively figure. A faint tinge of jealousy welled in her chest—but upon noticing Hu Tao's airport, that sourness faded away.
Hehe… so they were all the same.
At least Hu Tao wasn't like Jean or Lisa, who practically carried mountain around with them. That had always weighed heavily on her.
Yes… Hu Tao was better.
"Hello, Director Hu, I'm Paimon and this is Lumine. We're here for Mr. Ken."
Paimon floated up, introducing herself directly and stating their purpose.
She figured that since Hu Tao was friends with Ken, she must also know about the Genshin story—and would recognize them too.
Sure enough, Hu Tao's plum-blossom eyes lit up.
"The Traveler Lumine, and the emergency food—Paimon, right?"
"That's right! Guess we're famous after all…" Paimon puffed her chest proudly—then froze. "Wait!! Paimon is NOT emergency food!"
Hu Tao laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. "Come, come… I'll take you to see Mr. Ken."
After all, these two were the game's protagonists. Of course she recognized them.
She personally led them into the inner courtyard.
Paimon's jaw dropped at the refined luxury. "Whoa, this is even grander than Mr. Ken's place in Mondstadt!"
"He's inside. Go on in yourselves—I'm busy."
After handing out so many flyers, Hu Tao already saw business opportunities waving at her from afar. She had no intention of staying to chat.
"Traveler, Paimon! We were just talking about you. Didn't expect you so soon."
Venti waved with his usual carefree smile.
While Lumine stayed shy and quiet, Paimon piped up boldly: "Eh—Venti's here too? And the Geo Archon? Guess we didn't miss the banquet after all, we can still eat—mmph!"
Before she could finish, Lumine slapped a hand over her mouth.
Her face darkened.
It was bad enough when Paimon yelled "banquet" in public, but blurting it in front of the actual Archon? Too rude!
Lumine nearly kicked her on the spot, but at least she stopped her in time.
Even so, Venti burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Little Paimon isn't wrong—you're not late. The Rite of Descension isn't until tomorrow."
"…Haha…" Lumine forced a laugh, embarrassed, before releasing Paimon. She sat down beside Ken, heart rippling faintly at the familiar calming aura he gave off.
Yes… it was still so reassuring.
Paimon, realizing her blunder, didn't dare speak further and sat obediently at Ken's other side.
At last Zhongli, who had been silent, spoke: "As for the banquet, I can arrange something tomorrow. But today, I must ask a favor of you, Traveler."
The oldest god alive, Morax, was unbound by taboos. Sending himself off with his own funeral was nothing to him—so what was a little feast? Especially when it wasn't his wallet.
But when it came to the Qixing, secrecy was paramount.
He laid out his request.
"You mean… you want us to hide your secret from the Liyue Qixing—and even help with the act?" Lumine was surprised.
When she'd played through the Liyue story, she had wondered how the Geo Archon could stage his own funeral so casually. Now she saw—the real Zhongli was even bolder than in the game.
"Indeed. I hope the Traveler will help. As repayment, I'll grant you one reasonable condition."
"Really?! Then we want lots and lots of Mora! Maybe as much as the Golden House!" Paimon's eyes sparkled like stars.
"Paimon!" Lumine's face flushed red with shame. "That's too much! No need—since you're Mr. Ken's friend, I'll help if needed."
"My thanks," Zhongli said sincerely. But his gaze shifted to Ken.
With his long years of wisdom, he instantly saw Lumine's different feelings toward Ken. And if he wasn't mistaken, even Hu Tao seemed fond of him.
Zhongli suddenly felt worried. With Hu Tao's carefree nature, could she really compete against Ken's many admirers?
…
Feiyun Slope, one of Liyue Harbor's most popular shopping districts, welcomed countless visitors each day.
Yet today, the most eye-catching sight was a graceful young woman.
She wore a short blue-and-white dress, its layered hem swaying above slender legs wrapped in black stockings. Purple high heels clicked against the stone street, but nothing slowed her lively stride.
Her long lavender hair flowed smoothly, tied into cat-ear-like buns before falling into twin tails that brushed her hips.
It was none other than Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing.
Her clear violet eyes lifted toward the ornate storefront.
"Wasn't this a Fatui property? Since when did it become the Liyue Specialty Shop… owned by Mr. Ken, the prophet from another world?"
She frowned faintly as she caught the crowd's chatter.
Because Ningguang was organizing this year's Rite of Descension, Keqing had free time and came here to shop. By chance, she discovered the new store.
Although born to a noble house, Keqing was no pampered young lady—she was a true workaholic. Handling matters personally, she knew Liyue Harbor inside and out.
If memory served, this building had belonged to the Fatui.
"The Fatui wouldn't abandon such a property."
Even if business was poor, their shop here had intelligence value. Could it be that Ken had ties with them?
Her thoughts racing, Keqing stepped gracefully toward the shop. She couldn't ignore this—especially since Mondstadt's Specialty Shop had already become well-known. She wanted to see what was sold here.
"Hu Tao?"
At the entrance, she was surprised to see the girl in a grand chair handing out flyers.
They had met before, when Keqing had disguised herself to experience labor at the docks. She found Hu Tao's quirk incomprehensible, and their relationship never went beyond acquaintance.
"Master Neko…?"
Hu Tao was just as startled. She usually saw Keqing hidden under some disguise, busy with endless work. She hadn't expected the diligent Yuheng Qixing to be here.
Noticing Keqing's modest dress, Hu Tao quickly caught on that she wanted her identity hidden. So instead of her real name, Hu Tao used a playful "nickname"—something she had seen in Ken's computer files.
"Hmm?" Keqing frowned slightly.
Hu Tao giggled. "Nothing~ Looking to buy something? Everything here's from Blue Star."
"You know the owner?" Keqing's gaze sharpened.
"Of course. I helped him find this shop. Want me to personally show you around?" Hu Tao said smugly.
Something about Keqing's ever-serious demeanor made her want to tease. But she also knew one wrong word might earn a knock from that sword at Keqing's waist.
"You found this shop? My knowledge says it belonged to the Fatui." Keqing narrowed her eyes.
"Really? Our guest consultant Zhongli got it. Said someone gifted it to him for free."
"…Consultant Zhongli?" Keqing mused.
She knew of him well—learned, wise, a man admired across Liyue. She had even considered recruiting him once, but his thinking mirrored the Archon's too much. He lacked independence.
She had assumed the Fatui gave the store to Ken. But if it was a gift to Zhongli, that changed things. Still—why would the Fatui offer favors to him?
She decided she must discuss this with her colleagues. The Fatui's movements lately were far too frequent.
"I'd like to meet the owner. Is he here?"
Naturally—if someone with prophecy had come to Liyue, she, as one of the Qixing, had to make contact.
"You want to see Mr. Ken? Sure—come with me."
Hu Tao led her into the guest area, then went to fetch Ken.
Left alone, Keqing scanned the lavish interior. Only four products were for sale.
"Different from Mondstadt's Specialty Shop," she noted.
She had purchased from Mondstadt's branch before. Why did each store sell unique goods? Such a business model puzzled her. Perhaps only her profit-obsessed colleague could understand.
"Miss Keqing?"
As she pondered, Ken appeared.
Seeing Keqing in real life—far more stunning than her game model—his heart lifted.
Beautiful indeed.
Her innate nobility couldn't be hidden, even under modest clothing.
Keqing, too, appraised him. Dressed in dark silk robes, tall and composed, his clear features radiated the elegance of moonlight and breeze. Extraordinary.
Even she couldn't help but look twice.
"So you are Mr. Ken?" After a pause, Keqing extended her hand. "I am Keqing. A pleasure to meet you—the great prophet from another world."