Chongyun has also long admired the great name of the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons. After all, exorcist Taoists and demon-conquering sages are essentially in the same line of work.
Yaksha and Taoists—old partners. Everyone will know soon enough, heh heh heh.
[Chongyun respectfully says: "I never expected to have the honor, with the Hall Master's help, of seeing the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons with my own eyes today... Greetings."]
[Xiao nods in response: "No need for formalities."]
This isn't that Xiao doesn't want to engage with Chongyun; he's just a bit 'shy.'
[Xingqiu tears him down: "I remember you saying that you must make the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons aware of the importance of exorcist Taoists..."]
[Chongyun: "Cough, cough cough!"]
Chongyun is clearly choked by Xingqiu's words. Can you say that to the person involved? Having a friend like you is truly my blessing!
[Xiangling hurriedly changes the subject: "Ah, um, we know each other too."]
See, same childhood friend, but look how sensible Xiangling is.
As for Xiangling saying they know each other, it naturally refers to the time during the Moonchase Festival when they asked Xiao to taste-test dishes.
Though it was only a hasty meeting, it's not too much to say they know each other, right?
[Xingqiu also raises his hand in salute: "Seeing is believing over hearing a hundred times. I am Xiangling and Chongyun's friend, Xingqiu. Greetings."]
When Xingqiu introduces himself, he says he's Xiangling and Chongyun's friend, not the second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. Perhaps in his heart, his childhood sweethearts bring him more joy.
Paimon sees everyone being so respectful and becomes a bit restrained herself, reflecting on whether her attitude toward Xiao has been too casual.
[Paimon: "Uh, Lord Xiao... Immortal of Demons... Great Sage! Paimon salutes you too. Wishing you a happy Lantern Rite in advance!"]
The illustration gives a close-up of Xiao. Those amber eyes are written with 'speechless.'
It's one thing for others who aren't close to be more respectful, but you too? Doesn't that make me even more awkward?
[Xiao: "Everyone... no need for excessive courtesy."]
In the illustration, everyone's gaze is focused on Xiao because, on the surface, his status is the highest.
In the bottom left corner of the image, an old geezer is also silently watching Xiao.
But Xiao isn't good with words—how can he say more polite pleasantries? For a moment, he's a bit stuck.
Suddenly, a charming smile breaks the awkwardness. Hu Tao can't hold it in anymore and laughs out loud.
After laughing, she appropriately steps forward to liven up the atmosphere.
["The Great Sage is right. We're all acquaintances just having a meal together. If you keep paying respects like this, it'll make him nervous instead."]
["Being so cautious around you all isn't this Hall Master's intention in inviting everyone for this gathering."]
The Xiao in reality looks at the tea-drinking Zhongli with some confusion. My Lord, there's nothing wrong with this Hu Hall Master's temperament, right?
Zhongli doesn't speak. Hu Tao's temperament is naturally not bad; what leaves him at a loss is that Hu Tao is just too bouncy. An 'old person' can't keep up.
One second he's reading a book, the next he might want to go catch fish, and the second after that, she drags Zhongli to accompany her in performing opera.
Only Lucian can keep up with her rhythm, which is why the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor hired him at a high price back then.
In his previous life, Lucian was an orphan with no friends, usually passively staying home. Even if he wanted to go out and play, he'd give up because of boredom.
Back then, Lucian was the type to say in one sentence, 'I have very few friends.'
So when he became friends with Hu Tao, he got a bit 'retaliatory liveliness.' During that time, he played with Hu Tao every day.
But as Lucian stayed longer in Teyvat and made more friends, his mindset gradually stabilized, becoming who he is now: play when it's time to play, stay home when it's time to stay home.
The Hu Tao in the story straightens her chest a bit, tilts her head up slightly, and says with some smugness about the purpose of this gathering:
["Inviting relatives and friends for a small gathering, to share fine teas from our cups together, to admire the myriad lanterns in the sky together—this is to bid farewell to the old year and joyfully welcome the new."]
Everyone is shocked. Is this still the Hu Tao we know?
["The above—that's what the consultant would say. I suggest everyone applaud."]
Everyone breathes a sigh of relief. This is still the Hu Tao we know.
The illustration gives close-ups of a few people: the three little ones and Paimon are all clapping, quite supportive.
Zhongli surprisingly doesn't applaud his own subordinate—truly lacking manners.
[Zhongli nods: "Indeed, the Hall Master has learned it quite well."]
Zhongli awards Hu Tao 'official certification.'
In fact, the reason Hu Tao invited everyone for the meal is quite simple: she just wanted some liveliness.
After all, everyone has worked hard this year: traveling, cooking, doing business, exorcising, demon-conquering... and one consultant who occasionally lends a hand. Ah, all quite tiring.
[Hu Tao: "Everyone is amazing."]
Indeed. Though in this statement, it's not clear what hardship that occasionally helpful consultant has, but amazing they are.
However, the readers are a bit curious too: What does the Lord usually help with at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? He can't just be a procurement errand boy, right?
Given the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business, is the Lord carrying coffins or playing the suona?
[Hu Tao puts her hands on her hips, squints her eyes, and says smugly: "And the this Hall Master who can gather everyone together is the most amazing person of all!"]
Everyone has a realization. So after going in a big circle, it's just self-praise!?
This level of self-praise—even Furina would have to say, 'This child is like me!'
Arataki Ittou, the one and only in all the world, and the greatest astrologer Mona really should come study under Hu Tao. Your self-praise is too straightforward.
But self-praise aside, the readers don't deny that Hu Tao is an amazing person.
Look at who she's invited: Liyue's famous chef, the second young miss of Feiyun Commerce Guild—I mean, second young master.
The direct-line exorcist Taoist from an exorcist family, the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons, the legendary Traveler, and the legendary Paimon.
And the most heavyweight: Liyue's Lord, Geo Archon, God of War, God of Precious Metal, God of Contracts.
See, putting it like this, doesn't it feel like she's invited a lot of people? Even feels like she's invited several gods.
The Paimon in the story is a bit curious. That 'pile' of gods aside—you're the boss, you call the shots—but how did you invite the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons?
The Traveler and Paimon know Xiao well. Xiao isn't one for socializing. How did you two get to know each other?
Hu Tao explains to everyone. In the book, there's another comic segment as a recollection, still from Xiao's main perspective.
First, special thanks to Teacher Albedo who has to work overtime during the Lantern Rite—no, Albedo is from Mondstadt, but Lantern Rite, no thanks then.
Next, in the recollection, Hu Tao runs to Wangshu Inn and inquires with the boss about intelligence on Xiao.
Then, an illustration: In the illustration, Hu Tao stands on the balcony of Wangshu Inn and shouts loudly:
["Great Sage Who Conquers Demons—Immortal Xiao—!!!"]
With this way of shouting, those who don't know might think something major has happened.
The last time someone shouted like this was to save the world: 'Re-spond—to—me—, Great—Sage—Who—Con-quers—De-mons—!'
But can you really become friends with the Great Sage Who Conquers Demons just like that? The readers say we can shout too!
Wang Ping'an: 'Immortal Xiao, I dub thee!'
'My brain, sweat my heart, every organ on my body is saying, I dub thee!'
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Line · Xiao: About Hu Tao
"Uh... The Lord is right. The Lord's words indeed carry his profound meaning."