"Ms. Furina, welcome," Navia said, greeting Furina naturally.
"Uh... hmm, it's nice to meet you, Navia."
Navia was so natural that Furina was a bit taken aback.
I'm in Liyue, right? If you didn't say anything, I'd think I was at your Spina di Rosula.
"Oh, little Furina, we meet again!" Hu Tao popped her head out from behind Navia.
"Do you want to buy Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services this time? You've read the latest prophecy book, right? Our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor can even handle a god's funeral so well~."
Alright, there's someone even more natural than Navia here.
"Hall Master, I, recently thought of a great package. If you buy it, I'll have Zhongli and Qiu Qiu personally send you off."
"Tempted? If you're tempted, then act!"
"..." Furina didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Too enthusiastic, truly too enthusiastic. Should I buy one? I feel like I'd be letting her enthusiasm down if I didn't.
History always repeats itself. Lin Qiu gave Hu Tao another flick on the forehead, stopping her 'enthusiasm'.
"I'm not in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor anymore! Don't include me in your packages!"
"Is that what you're concerned about?" Furina was helpless.
I thought you were concerned about her constantly selling funerals, but you're concerned about working for free?
"Exactly, exactly. Lin is now one of the Spina di Rosula's people," Navia affirmed.
"He's my junior brother, that's what," Shenhe said calmly.
History was still repeating itself. Shenhe, like Navia last time, had no idea what was happening.
She was simply stating a fact: Lin Qiu was indeed her junior brother, and that was Lin Qiu's identity.
"Even though he's not physically here, Qiu Qiu lives in our hearts, so you're still a person of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," Hu Tao said, rubbing her head.
"At worst, Hall Master, I'll pay you a consultant's salary."
Lin Qiu fell silent upon hearing this. Although he wasn't short on money anymore, he still had to give face to the big boss.
Anyway, those chaotic packages Hu Tao thought up would never sell; in the end, it would still be a traditional funeral.
The group headed to the Rite of Descension venue, chatting and laughing along the way. Lin Qiu also took the opportunity to introduce Furina and Shenhe to each other.
They left very early; at this time, the sky was just barely dawning.
However, when they arrived at Yujing Terrace, they found that there were already many people there.
Normally, Liyue people weren't particularly keen on attending the Rite of Descension.
But this time was different. The prophecy book said that Rex Lapis would die, so everyone had to come and see.
Walking into the crowd, Lin Qiu could still hear the prayers of the people around him.
They seemed to be begging the gods for protection, hoping that no accidents would happen and that the Geo Archon would be fine.
This was just like the nuns in Mondstadt. Who prays to Rex Lapis for Rex Lapis to protect himself?
You might as well pray to this little Furina beside me; it won't work anyway.
Apart from Furina, none of the group were ordinary people, so they easily pushed through the crowd.
Further ahead were circles of Millelith, so there was no need to get any closer.
The Liyue Qixing had considered not allowing citizens to witness this Rite of Descension.
But with such a major event this time, it was impossible to stop; forcibly blocking them would surely result in casualties.
In desperation, they could only have the Millelith cordon off the front rows to prevent citizens from getting too close.
At this moment, Lin Qiu noticed Lumine standing on a building not far away. Beside her stood Ningguang, Ganyu, Keqing, Beidou, and the other Liyue Qixing.
Although he didn't see Yelan, Lin Qiu guessed that Yelan was probably hiding somewhere as well.
In addition, Lin Qiu also saw Xiao on the rooftop.
Although he wasn't tall, he stood high up, and there was a deer and a bird standing beside him, making him very conspicuous.
Xiao seemed very calm, just silently observing the scene with his arms crossed.
Actually, Zhongli was worried about Xiao, so he had given him a heads-up beforehand.
Otherwise, given Xiao's devotion to the Geo Archon, knowing about the Geo Archon's passing would likely trigger his karma.
Xiao was calm, but the other Adepti beside him were clearly not as composed.
Lishui Stacks True Monarch's gaze was fixed on the Liyue Qixing and others, while Xiaoyue Casting True Monarch focused on the onlookers.
"Alas, that Gecheng fellow, she's right there, why isn't she with us?" Lishui said.
He had gone to find Streetward Rambler earlier. She was already at the scene, so why wouldn't she protect the Rite of Descension with them?
However, Gecheng mercilessly refused, stating that she was just an ordinary old woman now and didn't have the ability to protect the Rite of Descension.
This was ridiculous. You can clearly transform back into your youthful appearance; fooling mortals is fine, but don't fool yourself!
No, fooling yourself is fine, but don't fool your brothers!
Gecheng was unwilling, and Lishui couldn't force her, so in the end, there were only three of them left to guard.
He should have called Cloud Retainer earlier.
At this moment, Cloud Retainer was actually hiding in the shadows, secretly watching. She had specifically put aside her inventions to come here and watch the excitement.
"Hmph, serves you right for not bringing this Adeptus," Cloud Retainer muttered to herself, looking at the three Adepti standing foolishly on the rooftop.
She thought those three didn't know the truth, but in reality, Xiao was the first to know.
"Aping, why don't you tell them the truth?" Cloud Retainer asked Streetward Rambler beside her.
"Truth? What truth? This old woman only knows how to brew tea and tend to flowers," Granny Ping (Streetward Rambler) handed the teacup in her hand to Cloud Retainer.
Cloud Retainer, in human form, took the teacup. "Is this Liyue Harbor... really that good?"
"You and the Geo Archon stayed here one after another."
Granny Ping smiled. She understood Cloud Retainer; when Cloud Retainer asked this question, it meant she was already interested in this place.
"Whether it's good or not, why not stay and see? Then you can often come and have tea with this old woman."
Cloud Retainer took a sip of tea and remained silent, setting the teacup down.
She looked at the distant harbor, then at the Liyue people crowded on Yujing Terrace, and she only found it noisy.
Ganyu and Aping had long since stayed in Liyue Harbor.
Now, the Geo Archon and Shenhe had also decided to stay in this city of humans.
She really wanted to see what charm this city held that made them all stay.
But if I stay just because they persuade me, won't it seem like I'm really looking forward to it?
Let's wait a bit longer...
On Lin Qiu's side, the group was chatting and laughing, completely out of sync with the surrounding atmosphere.
If anything, it was like a funeral scene from Gintama.
One of them knew the truth, one was emotionally detached, two were foreigners, and one had his own views on life and death. Five people, each with unique skills.
"Oh? To meet you all here, what a coincidence!" A casual voice drifted over.
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Character Voice Line · Lin Qiu: About Venti
"You mean him? He's quite comfortable to be around. Oh, provided he doesn't ply me with alcohol."