"According to the messages from Mona and Amber, it looks like we might not need to go down the mountain after all."
Albedo showed everyone the conversation on the device. When Eula read that the new adventurers were insisting on going up the mountain to prove themselves despite warnings, she was dumbfounded. Were adventurers these days really this brave? Did they actually want to prove that the mountain was dangerous?
Albedo was equally speechless. Though he was an artificial human who lived on the mountain year-round, he wasn't ignorant of worldly matters. As Su Bai put it, this was like knowing there were tigers in the mountains yet still heading in. They were just asking for trouble.
"What do we do? We can't just let these adventurers walk into danger, can we?"
Albedo looked at Su Bai, who also felt these adventurers had little regard for their own lives. It was just the spirit of the land of freedom, even at times like this.
"Can't Mona and Amber stop them?"
"They're trying to talk them out of it, but it doesn't look like it's working. You have to understand, Mondstadters value their freedom. Few adventurers there take advice from others."
Since Albedo wasn't from Mondstadt, everyone turned to look at Eula, who was sipping tea and nibbling on snacks. She blushed.
"W-Why are you all staring at me? Talking bad about Mondstadt in front of a Mondstadter? I'll remember this grudge."
"Your director can tell, Eula. You're just being stubborn."
"HUTAO!!!"
"Hehe, just kidding, just kidding. After hearing what Albedo said, I finally understand why there are so many casualties on Dragonspine."
Hu Tao deftly dodged Eula's playful attack. As the director of Wangsheng, she had thought Wuwang Hill had enough ghosts. But after visiting Dragonspine, she realized it wasn't any better here.
"By the way, Eula, who handles funeral services in Mondstadt? I've never heard of anything like Wangsheng there."
"Funeral services in Mondstadt? If I remember right, the Favonius Cathedral offers that. As for the nobles, they usually handle their own. I'm not too sure about the details."
"Wait, Hu Tao, what are you planning? You're not thinking of competing with the Cathedral, are you?"
"Hehe, didn't expect you to figure it out, Eula. Since your region isn't very developed in that area, it's our duty to help you improve. Don't worry, we'll give the Lawrence clan a discount."
Hu Tao's unique plum blossom eyes sparkled with excitement. She had wanted to open a Wangsheng branch in Mondstadt for a long time. Various reasons had prevented it—mostly Zhongli spending too much of her reserve funds. Now that Wangsheng had some spare Mora, she was revisiting the idea.
"Hu Tao, that's a dangerous idea. If you steal business from the Cathedral, those nuns won't take it lightly."
Eula was troubled by Hu Tao's plan. After spending time together, she had grown quite fond of her and felt she should warn her. Hu Tao, however, didn't seem too concerned.
"Is it illegal for your director to open a shop?"
"No."
"Is it illegal for me to promote Wangsheng in Mondstadt?"
"No."
"Then is it illegal for me to open a branch and promote it in Mondstadt?"
"It doesn't seem illegal..."
"Then why should I be afraid of those nuns? Are they going to fight me?"
Hu Tao summoned her Staff of Homa. The intense Pyro energy made Albedo take notice. He hadn't expected someone so young to be so powerful. As Su Bai's boss, she certainly had her own strengths.
Eula was left speechless. But thinking about the nuns' recent strange behavior, she still felt uneasy about Hu Tao opening a branch in Mondstadt. Seeing Hu Tao's confidence, she dropped the matter.
"Mondstadt is just the first step in Wangsheng's expansion. One day, your director will have branches in all seven nations, even the Dark Sea. Then I'll take the Staff of Homa, get Zhongli a good weapon, and lead our employees to conquer the Dark Sea. Wangsheng will grow bigger, stronger, and rise to new heights!"
Listening to Hu Tao's grand ambitions, Su Bai was impressed. But it wasn't entirely impossible. Wangsheng's current combat strength was already formidable. If they recruited more experts, they might actually be able to pull it off.
If Hu Tao really opened a branch in the Dark Sea, business might be decent. Many people entered or were forced into the Dark Sea each year, but only a handful ever came out. The rest were probably dead.
But did those dead people have enough Mora to pay for boxes? Su Bai decided to leave that problem for Hu Tao to figure out. Still, he thought he should offer some advice.
"Hu Tao, if you open a branch in Mondstadt, you should recruit a bard named Venti."
"Oh? What's so special about this Venti?"
"Don't let Su Bai fool you. As far as I know, Venti's only connection to Su Bai is that he's a good-for-nothing drunk who slacks off all day. If you let him join Wangsheng, you'll only see him on payday."
Eula had strong opinions about Venti. That idle bard did nothing but drink. Jean had once organized a program to help the unemployed find work. Venti hadn't even lasted a day, and at the end of the month, he still showed up asking for pay. Unbelievable.
"Cough, it's not like that. Venti is actually a very skilled bard. His stories are wonderful."
"Right, right! He writes great poetry. Hu Tao, you won't regret having him join Wangsheng."
Knowing Venti's true identity, Paimon chimed in after receiving a look from Su Bai. Hearing both of them recommend him, Hu Tao grew curious. Few people earned Su Bai's praise.
"Then after the Moonchase Festival, I'll go check him out. If he's to my liking, I don't mind keeping a freeloader. We already have plenty at Wangsheng anyway."
"Cough, let's get back to discussing the monsters."
As one of Wangsheng's freeloaders, Su Bai wisely changed the subject. He hadn't yet reached Zhongli's level of composure, where no matter what Hu Tao said, he could keep a straight face. He still felt awkward sometimes.