Aside from the Jade Chamber, Yujing Terrace was the highest part of Liyue Harbor.
Ji Ming walked down the long steps of polished bluestone, passing man-made streams that fell in soft cascades—not loud, but gentle and constant.
The further one descended, the more the rarefied air of Yujing Terrace faded.
In its place came the heartbeat of the city.
Porters at the docks worked bare-chested even in the chill of late season, sweat pouring despite the cold.
Laborers and cart drivers hurried tirelessly for a few silver coins.
Street vendors without proper licenses were being chased by Millelith officers—if caught, they'd pay fines they couldn't afford.
Liyue had two faces.
Yujing Terrace and the main city were two different worlds.
Unless your ancestors were blessed with the gods' favor, you might never glimpse the world above.
Ji Ming paused, looking back once at the Terrace, and then up toward the Jade Chamber, hanging like a floating palace in the sky, casting its shadow over the entire harbor.
High above.
Distant.
Suffocating.
He exhaled and continued.
He didn't intend to use the mora Ganyu had given him.
The pile he "requisitioned" from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was more than enough.
Renting a place wouldn't be difficult.
He already knew where Eldest Brother and Third Brother were imprisoned.
The others were still unknown.
But with money, he could at least bribe for lenient conditions.
Make their lives inside a little less miserable.
Housing in Liyue Harbor was painfully expensive.
He would have to take on side jobs again soon.
But—Liyue Harbor had one place where housing was cheap:
Near Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
The "yin-houses."
Liyue people were deeply superstitious.
Homes near the Funeral Parlor were said to be infused with death energy.
Property value dropped so low even the owners didn't want to stay—most ended up sold to the Parlor for storing coffins.
But Ji Ming?
He didn't care about ghosts.
And besides—he was technically the disciple of Cloud Retainer.
Even if it was in name only.
What ghost would dare?
He pushed open the doors of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Inside, only one attendant was present.
A girl everyone called "Miss Not-Worth-Mentioning"—because she always introduced herself that way.
"Yo—Miss Not-Worth-Mentioning."
She looked up and gasped, covering her mouth:
"Ji Ming?! Did you escape from prison?!"
Ji Ming almost laughed.
"With what nerve? If I escaped, I'd already be halfway to Snezhnaya."
"No, really—how did you get out? The Hall Master just went to find Xiangling! You definitely broke out!"
Panicking, she rushed out from behind the counter and grabbed his sleeve, trying to drag him under the counter as if hiding contraband.
Ji Ming, amused, let himself be shoved around.
"If I were a fugitive, you'd be aiding and abetting."
"For the Hall Master's future happiness, I'd risk prison without hesitation!"
"…Wait. What do you mean 'the Hall Master's future happiness'?"
She froze—eyes shifting away in guilt.
Ji Ming narrowed his eyes and slowly stood.
She immediately threw herself in front of the door.
"F-fine! I'll tell you! Steward Meng said that one day the Hall Master will need to take a husband, and you are on the candidate list, because you're not afraid of funerary work!"
Ji Ming: ...…
Meng, you old traitor.
How dare you sell me out like this?
He, Ji Ming—upright, dignified, unbending—
Would NEVER become a live-in husband of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Even putting aside preference—
If he really agreed, Hu Tao would bury him in Wuwang Hill by sunrise just for fun.
Ji Ming switched topics instantly:
"I'm looking to rent a house in Feiyun Slope. Any recommendations?"
She blinked.
"Renting? Well, you can speak to the landlords there. Most free houses in Feiyun Slope are—"
"Too expensive.
I want to rent one of the Parlor's unused houses."
Silence.
Then—
Miss Not-Worth-Mentioning clasped her hands, eyes sparkling:
"So… you're willing to do this much for the Hall Master? I'm moved!"
Ji Ming: I am two seconds from walking out.
He sighed.
"If you want to rent to me, then rent. If not, I leave."
"Don't go! Rent, sell—whatever you want! We'll even give you a discount!"
Ji Ming sat back down.
Negotiation mode: ON.
"How much of a discount?"
She raised one finger dramatically.
"If you are renting purely for living: 10% off.
If you are renting for the Hall Master: we will directly gift you a three-courtyard estate."
Ji Ming: I choose life.
"…I'll take the ten percent."
She pouted.
"Are you really sure?"
"I'm planning to live there long-term. Can you lower it more?"
Her expression went dead flat.
"No."
"A storage house. Fifty thousand mora per month. Thank you for your patronage."
"…What happened to the discount?! A storage house is the size of a coffin closet!"
"That discount is for the future son-in-law of the Parlor.
You are not the future son-in-law.
Therefore, no discount. Have a nice day."
Her professional smile was now a razor.
Ji Ming pinched his brow.
"…Let's stop joking. Give me the real number."
At last, she folded her hands and spoke sincerely:
"A three-courtyard residence.
Twenty thousand mora per month."
"Done. Here's first month's rent."
Ji Ming took the key and walked out cheerfully.
Twenty thousand a month was nothing.
The money he "borrowed" from the Parlor could cover years.
He could live there forever.
As soon as he disappeared down the street—
Miss Not-Worth-Mentioning sprinted to find Steward Meng.
"SUCCESS!!
We got him!
All it took was a three-courtyard house!
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has secured a future husband candidate!!"
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
patreon.com/lucarioTL