"The Authority of Death?"
Hu Tao froze for a moment.
Her memories had only just awakened—she'd been so busy thinking about Gu Chen that she hadn't spared this authority a second glance.
Judging by its name, it seemed to be related to death?
Seeing the confusion on Hu Tao's face, Venti immediately realized she probably didn't understand the weight of an authority. He explained at once:
"Only demon gods—or even higher existences—can wield an authority. Although the Hall Master still has a human body, possessing this authority makes things very different… Mm, looks like the Tai Xuan Sect is about to gain another Celestial Venerable."
"What nonsense. She's clearly the Cult Leader's wife," Azhdaha shook his head.
Venti scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly.
"So how do I use this authority?" Hu Tao asked.
"You can't fully wield it yet," Gu Chen said, "but you can use it in a very basic way—for example, to see the death qi on people."
After the Tai Xuan Cult Leader arc, everyone had come to understand that humans possessed many kinds of qi—
fortune qi, vitality qi, death qi, and so on. They all existed, just manifested in different forms.
"Death qi is one manifestation of human life. When it accumulates to a certain degree, it means that person isn't far from death."
"To put it another way," Gu Chen concluded,
"Hall Master, you can now see when a person is going to die."
After hearing this explanation, Hu Tao's eyes went wide.
Once she understood this rudimentary use of the Authority of Death, her face immediately lit up with joy.
"Today really is double happiness!"
"Congratulations, Hall Master," Zhongli said at once, cupping his hands.
Azhdaha laughed. "Looks like finding business will be much easier now. One glance and you'll know whether someone needs Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services…"
Venti stroked his chin and imagined it. "I can already picture the Hall Master getting chased away from people's doors in the future."
"All small matters!"
Hu Tao waved it off, then declared,
"From now on, all of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's work is handed over to the three of you!"
Zhongli froze for a moment, then laughed helplessly.
"So the Hall Master plans to become a hands-off boss?"
"Well, she's off to live a happy life with the Cult Leader," Azhdaha nodded in understanding.
"That kind of workload can only fall to us. Makes sense. But shouldn't our pay go up a bit?"
"Exactly!"
Venti's eyes lit up.
"This Hall Master is entrusting you with a heavy responsibility because I have high expectations of you. Don't disappoint me," Hu Tao said solemnly.
"Alright, alright—she's learned the Cult Leader's whole 'painting big pies' routine," Venti sighed.
Gu Chen laughed. "What do you mean painting big pies? Just tell me—can you eat the pie or not?"
"It's all yours now!"
"This Hall Master is going out to have fun with the Second Consultant!"
As she spoke, Hu Tao hugged Gu Chen's arm and started pulling him away.
"Farewell, three hardworking employees," Gu Chen said with a beaming smile, waving his hand.
"The Cult Leader really isn't human," Azhdaha sighed.
"You have strength, Venti has eloquence, and I have knowledge," Zhongli pondered for a moment.
"Running Wangsheng Funeral Parlor won't be a problem."
"Fine, fine—bigger, stronger, and more glorious than ever. No matter what, the Cult Leader has to reward me with some shares," Venti rubbed his hands together, suddenly brimming with motivation.
Leaving through the back door of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Hu Tao walked beside Gu Chen with her hands clasped behind her back.
Gu Chen glanced at her. "Where do you want to go?"
"Where we go isn't important~" Hu Tao shook her head.
"What matters is going together with you~"
"You've grown up—now you can say things like that," Gu Chen laughed.
"This Hall Master was reciting books upside down at three years old. A natural talent! Words like that come easily, nothing worth mentioning," Hu Tao waved her hand.
Gu Chen couldn't help but laugh.
Suddenly, Hu Tao leaned closer, staring at Gu Chen with wide eyes.
"This life… I won't grow old anymore, right?"
"Hm?"
Gu Chen froze, looking at her.
The lively, charming girl had a trace of worry between her brows.
She seemed afraid of growing old and becoming unattractive.
"How could you grow old?" Gu Chen shook his head.
"With this Cult Leader around, I'll make sure Little Hu Tao lives eternally!"
"Heehee!"
Hu Tao took a light step and jumped onto Gu Chen's back, hanging there. Gu Chen naturally reached out to support her.
"Second Consultant, lead the way—wherever we end up is fine~"
"Then let's walk to the end of time."
"Tsk—does the Second Consultant flirt with other girls like that too?"
"In my memories, I've never said that. I've only said it to the Hall Master."
"That's good~"
A hundred years of memories hadn't changed Hu Tao's personality at all.
She was still herself—still clever and mischievous.
Gu Chen really liked this Hu Tao.
Lively and playful, yet knowing her limits—how could anyone not like a girl like that?
"Oh no," Gu Chen smacked his lips.
"What's wrong?" Hu Tao asked, puzzled.
"If we weren't already close, I'd be afraid the Hall Master would hook me into becoming a devoted sucker," Gu Chen laughed.
"Huh? Is this Hall Master that charming?" Hu Tao froze.
"Of course," Gu Chen nodded.
Hu Tao patted Gu Chen on the shoulder.
"Then you have to treasure this Hall Master properly. Don't go losing such a cute wife."
Gu Chen nodded deeply. "Absolutely!"
Without realizing it, the two arrived at Mt. Tianheng.
The spot where they'd once gone on an outing in the video looked almost unchanged.
It was afternoon. Though it was winter in Liyue, the sun still hung high, radiating gentle warmth.
Sitting on the grass, Hu Tao burrowed into Gu Chen's arms, found a comfortable position, and sighed contentedly.
"It's been so long since I've felt this relaxed."
In her memories, this place had once been filled with regret—lamenting Gu Chen's agelessness and her own limited lifespan.
Now, those worries were gone.
Hu Tao felt both mentally and physically at ease.
The one she loved was beside her, the weather was perfect—there was no reason not to be happy.
In high spirits, Liyue's alleyway poet began composing one earth-shaking, ghost-crying masterpiece after another.
Gu Chen commented from time to time.
Though some poems sounded like catchy jingles, they were indeed easy on the ears.
"As expected of you," Gu Chen laughed.
"Come on!"
Hu Tao rested her chin on Gu Chen's shoulder.
"Take some photos and throw them into the group."
[Transcendent Group Chat]
[Hu Tao]: (Hu Tao · mischievous grin)
(Photos: Hu Tao resting her chin on Gu Chen's shoulder; Gu Chen smiling.
Gu Chen and Hu Tao lying on the grass enjoying the breeze.
A white blazing soul suddenly popping out—Gu Chen pretending to be startled, then actually getting scared by Hu Tao making a ghost face.)
[Paimon]: Guys, no need for dinner—I'm full! (Nahida · happy)
[Nilou]: Yay yay yay! Mr. Gu Chen and Miss Hu Tao really ended up together—so happy! (Klee · yay)
[Collei]: Watching the video had me in tears, but after it ended I haven't stopped smiling. I'm eating this dog food willingly!! (Collei · longing)
[Kirara]: Blessings to you both! (Kirara · please rate meow)
[Lumine]: I was just thinking about what to eat tonight… well, problem solved. (facepalm)
[Osial]: Only people with wives know how happy this is. (grin)
[Kaeya]: Who allowed you to speak here? (angry)
[Venti]: What's wrong with being single?! (angry)
[Shikanoin Heizou]: It's time to criticize Osial! Attack it mercilessly! (angry)
[Yae Miko]: Offended the masses, huh? (bad smile)
[Furina]: I accuse it! (slams table)
[Lyney]: Suggest execution.
[Albedo]: Suggest execution +1.
[Osial]: Keep being jealous. (Zhongli · dragon smirk)
[Zhongli]: Well said. I'll go to the kitchen and get you something tasty. (smile)
[Venti]: @[Osial] Bro, prepare to be chopped by a kitchen knife! (grin)
Night fell, and the city lights came on.
After having dinner at Wanmin Restaurant, Gu Chen and Hu Tao strolled through the streets.
The dim yellow streetlights stretched their shadows long across the ground.
They wandered aimlessly until late at night before slowly returning to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
That night, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was unusually quiet—only two undertakers guarded the entrance.
One of them said, "Mr. Zhongli and the others said Mr. Venti dragged them out drinking. They won't be back until at least tomorrow."
Gu Chen immediately understood.
Hu Tao hurried into Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. In the dim light, her cheeks were flushed, making her look especially adorable.
Standing in the courtyard, Gu Chen teased,
"Old married couple already—Hall Master getting shy?"
Hu Tao puffed up her cheeks.
Gu Chen wasn't wrong—they really were an old married couple.
She spoke softly,
"I did die of old age, after all… Those memories are a bit distant. I don't really remember how it felt…"
"Oh~"
Gu Chen put on an enlightened expression, smiling.
"If you don't remember clearly, should I help the Hall Master recall it?"
Since the Second Consultant said that, the Hall Master naturally couldn't lose momentum.
Hu Tao walked to the bedroom and pushed the door open.
"Then let's recall it."
Gu Chen entered with a smile. The bedroom door closed, and the lights went out.
Gu Manor.
"I won!"
Guizhong said with a bright smile.
"Hurry up and pay. I told you Ah Chen wouldn't be coming back tonight! Hmph, I was right!"
"With a new love, he forgets the old," Raiden Ei pouted, but honored the bet and handed over the Mora.
"You're still young," Raiden Makoto said with a gentle smile.
"You'll get used to it—we've all lived like this."
Ei scratched her head. Thinking about it, that really was true.
"Hehe, let me count… as the winner, that's several hundred thousand Mora!" Guizhong beamed.
"You're just bullying Ei, that dummy," Paimon shrugged.
Aside from Ei, who'd been tricked by Guizhong, no one else had fallen for it or even participated.
"I won't fall into the same pit twice!" Ei said angrily.
Guizhong smiled, then said expectantly,
"When will that Hall Master Hu move in? I feel like we'd get along really well!"
"Oh dear, Guizhong alone is already lively enough. If Little Hu Tao joins, won't it be even more chaotic?" Makoto laughed.
Buer said calmly,
"It's fine. We have the main wife to hold the line."
"I can't hold it," Lumine raised her hand in surrender.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Paimon glanced at the time.
"It's late. Let's get some rest."
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