A moment later—
"So… all of that happened while I was asleep?"
Guizhong lowered her head, lost in thought.
"At least… we're all still here," Cael quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
To be honest, after what he'd experienced the night before, Cael couldn't stand gloomy atmospheres anymore.
They were mentally exhausting.
Ping'er nodded, smiling as she picked up her zither.
"I composed my finest piece just for you back then. When there's time, let's listen to it together."
"Mm!"
As kindred spirits reunited after centuries, their joy was unmistakable.
But at the same time, a new problem surfaced.
"Now that Guizhong has lost most of her power," Moon Carver said,
"we must consider where she will live from now on."
Ping'er dearly wanted Guizhong to stay with her—but she had already returned to mortal life as Granny Ping.
Given Guizhong's nature, that arrangement wouldn't be suitable.
Cloud Retainer, however, was more than enthusiastic.
"Why not stay in my abode? I have all kinds of mechanisms there. After all these centuries, I refuse to believe any of them are inferior to yours. And besides—I have two disciples. With you there, it'll finally be lively!"
Cael, hearing this, was unconvinced in every possible way.
She's just lonely, he thought.
Look at her disciples—one's expressionless, taciturn, rigid to a fault; the other's away working year-round and comes home once every few years.
Guizhong, however, shook her head at Cloud Retainer's offer.
"I don't want to live in the mountains anymore. I want to see Liyue Harbor. Since so many centuries have passed, I want to see what Liyue has become."
At that point, the answer was obvious.
Among those present who lived in Liyue Harbor, there were only Cael, Ping'er, and Zhongli.
Everyone, with their own thoughts, turned their gaze to Zhongli.
Zhongli realized it as well and spoke calmly,
"In that case, why not come to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor with me? I believe our Director would suit your temperament quite well."
Instantly, Cael and the others gave him approving looks.
Guizhong brightened immediately and nodded without hesitation.
"Alright!"
"However," a voice that had been silent until now finally spoke.
Xiao crossed his arms.
"One more issue remains. Under what identity will Guizhong enter Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
The question caused everyone to pause and think.
"Little sister?" Bosacius suggested.
"No!" ×N
The proposal was rejected unanimously.
Guizhong looked at Zhongli expectantly, hoping he might come up with something.
Unfortunately—
After a long silence, Zhongli still hadn't thought of an answer.
"This sort of thing isn't my forte," Zhongli said frankly, pushing Cael forward.
"I'll leave it to you, old friend."
"..."
Cael stared at him, speechless, before letting out a sigh.
Zhongli… I'm disappointed in you.
Without hesitation, Cael delivered the line he'd clearly prepared long ago.
"Guizhong—how about entering Wangsheng Funeral Parlor as Morax's fiancée?"
Everyone: !!!
Pervases and Indarias's eyes lit up instantly.
"God-tier assist! As expected of the Archon's best friend!"
Guizhong had imagined many possibilities—but never this one.
Her mind went completely blank.
"E–Eh?!"
Even Zhongli himself was stunned, eyes widened.
Cael coughed lightly and explained,
"Our Director runs a tight ship. If you came in as Zhongli's sister or friend, she'd almost certainly reject it unless you played the pity card. But Morax's fiancée? That's perfectly reasonable, isn't it?"
Everyone immediately nodded in agreement.
"Exactly! Perfectly reasonable! As expected of Lord Agarest!"
Zhongli finally understood and nodded.
Then, turning to Guizhong, he said solemnly,
"Guizhong. Be my fiancée—as Zhongli, consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Guizhong: !!!
"Hey—hey! Stop it already! I'll do it!"
Her face flushed bright red. "Aren't you even embarrassed saying something like that?!"
Zhongli shook his head calmly.
"As stone, I naturally do not understand what embarrassment is."
Seeing this, Guizhong recognized the same old flaw of his and decided not to dwell on it.
"Since everything's settled, we should be going," Xiao said, arms crossed.
"There are still remnants of evil to deal with."
With a flash, he vanished.
Bosacius glanced at the empty space and muttered,
"More like the almond tofu on the table wasn't finished…"
Pervases stepped forward and gave Cael a warm hug before leaving with a smile.
Cael accepted it without complaint.
Being hugged by Pervases… is genuinely comfortable.
Nearby, Azhdaha, the small girl beside Cloud Retainer, yawned sleepily.
She'd been dragged out of her nap for this.
I thought something huge happened, she thought.
So Guizhong woke up—big deal. Not as shocking as when Agarest stole a kiss from me back then.
As she thought that, the loose sleeve of her sleepwear slipped down, revealing a soft, pink shoulder.
"Agarest," Azhdaha said lazily to Cael,
"next time, remember to come pick me up from this big bird's place. It's way too boring there."
With that, she turned and left.
Bosacius and the others nodded to Cael and Zhongli before disappearing one after another.
Mountain Shaper paused and inclined his head.
"Lord Agarest. This is our first meeting in five hundred years. It is good to see you again."
Cael simply waved him off.
Ganyu, having work to attend to, also took her leave after chatting with Cael for a short while.
At last, only Cael, Zhongli, and Guizhong remained.
"Come," Zhongli said to Guizhong.
"Follow us."
Guizhong raised her sleeves cheerfully.
"Okay~"
...
...
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"This is it," Zhongli said as they stopped at the entrance.
"Wow…"
Guizhong stared at the building.
"This place is really… underworld-themed. The location and the architecture."
Truly fitting for a business that handled funerals.
Zhongli smiled.
"Come. I'll introduce you to our Director."
Cael added,
"Our Director is very interesting."
Hearing that, Guizhong's curiosity was piqued.
"Let's go in!"
...
Hu Tao saw the doors open and immediately ran over with a grin.
"Cael! Where did you run off to? You took forever to come back, and you—"
Then she saw Guizhong standing behind Cael and Zhongli.
Slender figure.
Lovely face.
Exquisitely refined features.
A fairy among fairies.
Hu Tao's eyes widened instantly.
"Cael! I told you—don't bring women back without my permission!"
"Even if she's pretty, she still has to line up behind me!"
She grabbed her Staff of Homa, ready to swing.
Cael hurriedly backed away, laughing.
"Hey, Hu Tao—this wasn't me. Zhongli brought her."
The moment those words left his mouth, Hu Tao froze.
"…Huh?"
She looked at Zhongli.
"…Huh?!"
Then at Guizhong—who smiled and nodded.
Hu Tao slowly turned back to Zhongli, staring at him in disbelief.
"Rock… you bloomed?!"