'Are there Mystic Eyes of Death Perception in Teyvat too? I never expected a four-star weapon produced by forging in the game to have such a story behind it.'
Shiki knew relatively little about the background stories of weapons…
Well, actually, it was because he had bad luck and couldn't get Polearm prototypes, so he never forged the Crescent Pike, and naturally, he hadn't read its background story.
However, it sounded like the user and creator of the Crescent Pike had awakened Mystic Eyes of Death Perception similar to Shiki Tohno's.
That is, they were not connected to the Root, and all the deaths they could see were those they understood themselves.
Otherwise, Morax wouldn't have said he didn't feel threatened.
As for why he felt the threat of death from her, that was naturally…
Shiki gazed at the few death lines on Morax, no thicker than yarn, then the rainbow-blue intertwined light in his eyes dissipated, returning to their original appearance.
Seeing the girl's eyes return to their original dark brown, Morax also relaxed his tensed body.
No one can regard death as nothing, unless that person simply isn't afraid of death.
It's not about not fearing death; having fear of death is something innately etched into our DNA.
Not being afraid of death means dying too many times and getting used to it.
For example, the Undead in the Souls series, especially Sekiro, are either already dead or on the way to resurrection, teaching players worldwide how to write the character "death."
Although Shiki hadn't played it, he had heard about Hidetaka Miyazaki's schemes.
"I think I can kill far more things than that girl you mentioned from several hundred years ago."
"Oh? Such as?"
"electro archon's residue."
Morax's movements paused at the mention of electro archon's residue. Even someone as powerful as him couldn't completely eliminate it, only seal it.
Otherwise, the Yakshas wouldn't have fought it for thousands of years, dying one after another, until only Xiao remained, plagued by karma.
Being able to kill electro archon's residue—such a method was beyond his imagination.
"Ei once used Musou no Hitotachi to strike down the Violet Lightning Kite on Seirai Island a thousand years ago. Four hundred years ago, the great barrier sealing the electro archon's residue was destroyed."
"The thunderous storm formed by the electro archon's residue raged across the entire island until a few days ago, when I personally struck down the Thunderbird's electro archon's residue."
Shiki slowly said.
"In my eyes, the world is fragmented; nothing is whole, no matter what."
"I've almost forgotten what the world originally looked like, but precisely because of this, there's nothing in this world that I cannot kill."
"..."
Morax fell silent. He hadn't seen such a sight, just as a blind person doesn't know the colors of the world. He naturally didn't know what the world looked like through the girl's eyes.
But he knew it must be vastly different from the scenery he saw.
"Then… can you kill the electro archon's residue attached to a human body?" Morax asked.
'Here it comes.'
Shiki thought to himself. Without a doubt, Morax was asking this for Xiao.
Xiao had been tormented by karma for thousands of years. Now that there was a method to exorcise the karma from him, Morax would certainly be interested.
However, words alone were not enough; some evidence was needed.
"Of course." Shiki nodded slightly, then said, "electro archon's residue is called Tatarigami in Inazuma. Even the shrine maidens of Grand Narukami Shrine have no way once Tatarigami infest the body."
"But for me, it's just a matter of striking it down."
"A little over a month ago, the Fatui destroyed the warding stone on Yashiori Island that sealed Orobas's electro archon's residue. I used this method to treat dozens of villagers infected by Tatarigami."
"Except for the village chief who had already been assimilated by Tatarigami into a monster; he couldn't be saved, so I had no choice but to strike him down."
Shiki conveyed two pieces of information to Morax: first, he could kill electro archon's residue attached to a person, and there were already successful cases.
Second, those who had been assimilated by electro archon's residue and mutated into monsters could not be saved even if killed; their lives could only be ended.
"I see…" Morax pondered for a moment, "Then, little friend Ryougi, do you happen to be free the day after tomorrow? I have a friend who needs your help."
"I have quite a lot of free time recently, so the day after tomorrow is no problem."
"Excellent. Then let's meet for lunch the day after tomorrow at Wangshu Inn. My treat."
"Okay."
As soon as Shiki heard Wangshu Inn, he knew it must be a certain short adeptus, no doubt.
He just wondered if Morax would bring money this time?
Hmm… he probably would, right?
"Then I'll be going now. I still want to continue exploring Liyue Harbor and enjoy the night scenery here, so I won't stay long."
"I'll see you out."
Morax got up and went to the entrance of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with Shiki. Just then, a lively girl with plum blossom-like eyes bounced back.
"Yo! It's really rare today; Wangsheng Funeral Parlor actually has guests, and an Inazuman at that!"
"Speaking of which, madam, would you like to order our funeral services? This Head of the Parlor can give you a 30% discount!"
Hu Tao said, walking around Shiki, while clicking his tongue in wonder. How long had it been since he last saw an Inazuman?
"Ahem… Let me introduce you. This is the Hall Master Hu Tao of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, my superior."
Although he had already understood Hu Tao's personality from the game, being sent off on the first meeting… was still a bit speechless.
Shiki's eye twitched almost imperceptibly, then he extended his right hand.
"Pleased to meet you, my name is Shiki."
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Shiki. Are you really not considering our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services?"
"Uh… I think I'll pass. I'm only nineteen this year; death is too far away from me."
"Ah, alright, alright, everyone says that."
Hu Tao pouted gloomily. Everyone dies sooner or later, so why couldn't they buy their funeral services a little earlier?
When it came to funerals, their Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was professional, offering a one-stop service guaranteed to satisfy both your body and soul.
However, he didn't know that the girl in front of him had a lifespan long enough to see him off for several lifetimes.
Oh no, the client is me!?
"Hall Master Hu, as a consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I think it's necessary for you to change your sales approach."
"Not everyone can view death as a commonplace matter, like you."
Morax reminded him from the side. Honestly, he really couldn't handle this child.
Hu Taowants to expand his business
"Oh, I'm just helping them face reality, aren't I? Death is an unavoidable experience for everyone, so why not prepare for it early?"
"Especially those Adventurers, what if something suddenly happens to them one day? Wouldn't they not even have a chance to be buried in peace?"
Hu Tao put his hands on his hips, stating his opinion.
"Preparing early… At first glance, it doesn't seem like much, but from a universally rational perspective, preparing for one's funeral means one is about to die soon. No one wants to face their end so quickly." Morax slowly said.
Listening to your words is like listening to nothing. What's the difference between saying this and saying nothing?
"I, however, think that Hall Master Hu doesn't need to try so hard to promote his funeral services."
"As the only funeral business in Liyue, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor can be said to have monopolized this industry in Liyue."
"Even if you do nothing, as long as there's a death in the family, they will still come to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to purchase services."
"Hall Master Hu's continuous promotion will only annoy people. It would be better to let it go and maintain a sense of mystery for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; people will naturally come out of curiosity."
Don't underestimate Hu Tao; being able to handle the bills Morax keeps sending means he's also a wealthy young lady in Liyue.
No matter where people are from, they are very superstitious about funerals, but who made Wangsheng Funeral Parlor monopolize all funeral services in Liyue?
People always have to face reality. Although they are usually very superstitious, if a death really occurs in the family, they still have to come.
However, Hu Tao's constant promotion of his business might be due to Morax's continuous billing.
"What you said makes sense, but the problem still lies with the solitary Adventurers."
"It's not me being unlucky; it's that they often travel to dangerous areas and might just die out there someday."
"In the wilderness, who knows where they died?!"
"No one wants to be left exposed in the wilderness; that way, they can't reincarnate."
Hu Tao shook his head. Of course, not being able to reincarnate was something he made up. As long as it wasn't in an area with special Ley Lines, after a person dies, they would be pulled to the boundary between Yin and Yang within a short time.
The idea of being exposed in the wilderness and unable to reincarnate was just a long-standing rumor, not true at all.
However, many Liyue people still fell for this, after all, 'fallen leaves return to their roots.' Not being able to return home made them very uncomfortable, let alone dying outside?
"I can't help with that."
Shiki expressed helplessness. Promoting funeral services to people, what's the difference from just telling them when they're going to die?
"Oh, it's fine, it's fine. Anyway, this Head of the Parlor is already used to it."
Hu Tao waved his hand indifferently. He had been warned by the Thousand Rock Army more than once, but what could that do?
This business is about mutual willingness; he didn't force anyone to buy Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services, so all the Thousand Rock Army could do was warn him.
What is this called? This is called the confidence of a monopoly!
Hehe, arrest me, go ahead and arrest me. Let's see who can preside over funeral services after you arrest me.
Every day in this world, new babies are born, and of course, people die every day. If bodies were to pile up there…
Hey! The plague is coming!
"Speaking of which, what are the funeral services like in Inazuma? With such a big-spending consultant, this Head of the Parlor thinks it's necessary to expand Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business scope."
Hu Tao asked curiously. He hadn't been to Inazuma yet, only traveled around Liyue.
Morax: "Indeed."
Ignoring the words of a certain societal deadbeat, Shiki thought for a moment and said, "Actually..."
"Inazuma's funeral customs are quite similar to Liyue's. Both involve carrying a coffin, the deceased needs to be prepared and made presentable before being interred, and those attending the funeral wear pure black kimonos."
"If the deceased is male, their hair and beard are tidied up. If female, she is given her usual makeup."
"A banquet is also held after the funeral. As for other detailed arrangements, I'm not clear on those."
Upon hearing this, Hu Tao nodded in satisfaction: "Mm~ That's wonderful~"
"It's decided! The first branch of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will open in Inazuma!"
"Hehe, I didn't expect Inazuma's funeral customs to be so similar to Liyue's. That saves me the trouble of studying."
"Miss Ryougi, you must help me when the time comes!"
"Well..." Shiki hesitated for a moment before saying, "Let's talk about it after the Sakoku Decree ends. I snuck out."
She was starting to get into character!
"Snuck out?" Hu Tao was stunned: "Like the girl named Zhuzi at the dock? Did you smuggle yourself out?"
"Uh... something like that."
"But your attire doesn't match! The conditions at sea are so—bad. I've seen the faces of those sailors, they look different from people on land!"
"But you... you look like a privileged Young Miss who appeared out of nowhere, not at all like someone who has rough it out at sea!"
Hu Tao said this while sizing up the girl, who was half a head taller than herself, dressed in a traditional Inazuman kimono that looked easily soiled and difficult to move in.
She held an Inazuman katana. While it wasn't impossible that she was skilled with it, her kimono and katana looked more like props for a performance.
'A family of high standing!' Hu Tao thought to herself.
'She probably received all sorts of professional etiquette training since childhood, just like those long-established families in Liyue Harbor.'
"That is true. To be honest, Director Hu, the Traveler teleported me to Liyue Harbor using a Ley Line Anchor Point, so naturally, I don't have the marks of roughing it out."
"As for my attire... Heh heh, when meeting a friend, one must dress appropriately, right?"
Shiki chuckled softly. The word 'graceful' seemed tailor-made for her; a simple smile was enough to make everything around her dim in comparison.
Morax: "Indeed."
"Oh, I see! If it was the famous Traveler, then that makes sense!" Hu Tao suddenly understood.
"The Traveler's ability is so convenient! No matter how far away they are, as long as there's a Ley Line Anchor Point, they can zoom right back!"
"I wonder how she manages it. If I, the Director, had that ability, my work efficiency would double!"
"Ah, wait, double is too little!"
Morax: "Indeed."
"Who knows?" Shiki shook her head. "In any case, thanks to her, I was able to come over from Inazuma so leisurely. I'll go back after dealing with a few matters."
What? Activating Anchor Points? How would I know something like that? I'm just a Young Miss who wants to study business knowledge (chuckle).
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