Death and resurrection.
To speak of such things so casually—was that truly alright?
Zhongli did not think that Taro was simply boasting.
Truth or falsehood, he could tell.
What surprised him was that he had never once considered Taro might have experienced something so unique.
But it seemed Hu Tao had not yet noticed the true significance, her mind fixed solely on funerary matters.
"Troublesome, troublesome~"
Hu Tao pulled off her hat and rubbed her head, face slightly distressed.
"Guest, this situation I've never once encountered before. Without birth date and fortune, I can't compose a proper epitaph. The items for burial, the timing for interment, all sorts of things… sigh~"
If it were just an ordinary cenotaph, then details would not matter so much.
But since the client had ordered the highest standard, she had to take it seriously.
The Wangsheng Parlor's name could not be tarnished.
If she could not deliver, it would reflect poorly on her house.
Thus, she had to make the guest feel the price was worth it.
Only then could they leave with peace of mind.
But now, the whole thing had ground to a halt.
"How about this~"
Taro rubbed his chin and suggested,
"Hu Tao, do you remember when the first day of the Liyue New Calendar is?"
"The New Calendar?"
Hu Tao blinked, then nodded. "Of course I do. Someone in my line of work could never forget that date. Wait—guest, don't tell me you mean…"
"Exactly."
Taro nodded. "The past is already irretrievable. Why not simply count from the first day?"
"What do you think, Hu Tao?"
"That…"
Hu Tao thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Since it's the guest's request, I've no objections."
"Alright then, we'll go with that."
"Let me calculate… two funerals of the highest standard."
"Two orders gets you thirty percent off…"
She ticked on her fingers, eyes lighting up, then opened her hand before him:
"Here, I've done the math. Seeing how generous you are, I'll round it down. Discounted, thirty-five million mora."
"The guest may pay a five or six million deposit first. The remainder, you can settle after the ceremonies are finished."
So without discounts, the cost would be over fifty million?
But then again, a proper Sending Rite for Zhongli himself had a single Wangsheng incense stick priced at three million mora.
Add the other luxuries and trappings, and one or two dozen million was to be expected.
In that light, this wasn't even expensive.
"Here~"
Taro flipped his hand, and a blood-red gem appeared, floating on his palm.
"Let this serve as collateral. Is that acceptable?"
"Oh?"
Hu Tao took the gem, turning it over in her hands, but her eyes slid to Zhongli.
Meeting her gaze, Zhongli gave a calm, objective judgment:
"A rare find. If I were to price it, I'd say about fifty million mora."
"Hah? That much?"
Hu Tao nearly dropped it, hastily clenching her fingers tight.
If she so much as chipped it, she would owe Taro fourteen million after the funerals were done.
As for Zhongli's appraisal—she never doubted her guest consultant's eye.
He might spend mora like water, but his judgment of treasures was never wrong.
She would have to store this gem with utmost care.
Any mishap, and not only would this deal fall through, she might bankrupt herself repaying him.
"Tsk tsk… the guest is truly generous~"
Hu Tao tucked the gem safely away, her gaze fixed entirely on Taro now.
Not for any other reason—this was a supreme client.
He must be treated well.
But then it struck her: he said he'd died twice already, and yet was still alive now.
If he lived, then he could die again.
But if he died, he would just… return?
Her thoughts turned in circles.
Life and death should follow their natural order.
The living should live well.
The dead should rest, not cling to the mortal world.
Yet this man had broken the cycle.
He had reversed life and death.
By his own words, he had already lived through three lives.
"Don't think too hard about it, Hu Tao."
Seeing where her thoughts were headed, Taro explained calmly:
"I only arrived in this world not long ago."
"...?"
Hu Tao froze, puzzled.
What did he mean by "only arrived in this world not long ago"?
Freshly revived?
"Ahem~"
Zhongli's eye twitched, and he gave a quiet cough.
It was a warning—Taro should not say too much.
The truth of descenders was not a matter to be spoken lightly.
"Zhongli…"
Hu Tao immediately turned her gaze on him.
"Explain this for me. What does he mean by 'not long in this world'? I don't quite understand."
"Er…"
Zhongli hesitated.
This whirlpool was too deep, and he would not let Hu Tao sink into it.
Even archons—and himself, a current ruling one—would not escape punishment if they knew what they should not.
Even if the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles was asleep, it was still dangerous.
"Forget it~"
Seeing his reluctance, Hu Tao shook her head, and that familiar mischievous smile returned to her face.
"Whatever else I don't know—today I met a very big client."
"Alright then, I'll start preparing for the funerals."
"Time to get to work."
She clasped her hands behind her back and skipped away toward the main hall.
Just before rounding the corner, Hu Tao popped her head out again, raising a tiny fist at Zhongli:
"And one more thing—this time, don't mess around!"
"The Hall Master may rest assured," Zhongli nodded gravely.
"Humph~"
Satisfied with his answer, Hu Tao finally vanished into the hall.
"..."
Child, you're still too young, Zhongli thought.
He had only said "rest assured"—he had not promised anything.
"The hour grows late. Lady Ping and the others are likely already waiting at Guili Plains."
Finishing the tea in his cup, Taro rose.
"Do you want to tell Hu Tao before we leave?"
"No need."
Zhongli chuckled softly.
"The Hall Master already agreed as she left. Let us depart."
Hmph. The two of them were more in sync than he thought.
"Fine, let's go."
Taro shook his head, raised his hand, and a glowing portal to the appointed place opened before them.
He stepped through without hesitation. Zhongli rose and followed.
The moment they both vanished, the portal shimmered faintly, then dissolved into nothing.
Guili Plains.
Within the ruins of the Dust Archon.
Several figures stood in solemn silence, their eyes fixed on the sealed formation at the center—
On the weathered remnant statue left behind by Guizhong's death two millennia past.
A relic of the Archon of Dust.
As memories weighed heavy, a dark portal opened before them.
"How dare mortals act with such impudence here?!"
Moon Carver's voice thundered, filled with wrath.
The adepti turned as one, gazes sharp and cold.
"Do not be rude."
Madame Ping's voice cut in, firm and low.
"This is Taro's portal."
"..."
The gathered adepti all stiffened, their hearts shaken.
(End of Chapter)
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