Luna's chance encounter with Hu Tao turned into a marketing assault of monstrous intensity. Even Luna's best efforts couldn't withstand the barrage of package deals.
In any case, after they had introduced themselves, Luna steered the conversation back on track.
"They're holding a Joyful Funeral up ahead, right?"
"Yep! What brings you here? This village isn't too fond of outsiders. But since I'm the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—a time-honored institution—I'm considered family," Hu Tao said.
Luna countered bluntly, "I doubt they see me as an outsider either."
But she wasn't exactly family either.
Furina, finally regaining her composure, dismounted from Luna and briefly explained their reason for being there.
Hu Tao's eyes lit up with interest. "Ah, I see, I see! You're a descendant of this village? Then you're definitely not an outsider! Come on in!"
Entering the village, they found a crowd gathered in an open square, sitting around munching on sunflower seeds and sipping tea. The incessant clanging of gongs and drums filled the air, though some couldn't help but shed tears as they gazed at the memorial portrait.
Navia muttered, "I've never seen a funeral like this before."
"Ah, every culture has its own customs! Some prefer burial, while others prefer cremation," Hu Tao explained.
Hu Tao stood with her hands on her hips.
Chiori sighed, "If I were to die someday, I certainly wouldn't want a funeral like this."
Hu Tao grinned. "Then what kind would you want? Just tell us, and we promise we can make it happen!"
Chiori chuckled. "It's still too early to think about that."
There's plenty of time to consider it—after Luna and I grow old together, she thought.
Lynette gripped her arm. "Have all the Directors of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor been like you?"
"Not exactly," Hu Tao replied. "I know what you're thinking—that I take death too lightly. But death is a natural part of the world, the most natural thing there is. It's nothing to fear, and there's no need to be afraid of it."
Arlecchino nodded approvingly. "Death treats everyone equally."
Hu Tao grinned. "You get it, Mushroom-Eyes!"
Mushroom-Eyes?
Lynette was secretly astonished; she had never heard anyone call Arlecchino that before! She couldn't help but steal a glance at Arlecchino.
But Arlecchino didn't seem offended, merely smiling faintly.
"It's a pity this isn't a true 'Mushroom-Eyes,' but rather a symbol of a Curse."
"A Curse? Oh dear, should we go pray at Rex Lapis's temple?"
Arlecchino offered a polite smile. "That won't be necessary. A curse can only be broken by oneself."
Hu Tao stroked her chin. "You remind me of Fishy Treasure."
(Spy-Hu Tao's nickname for Qin Yu (MC of Beware Liyue woman)
Fishy Treasure?
Fishy? Furina couldn't grasp her meaning.
"It's not so bad to rely on others sometimes, like your own daughter—right, Lady Furina?"
Furina: "Huh?"
What does this have to do with me?
Hu Tao: "Aren't you her daughter? One with white hair, the other with silver."
Furina was stunned. "How are we alike at all?! The blonde over there is her daughter, I'm just..."
I'm just the son-in-law!
Arlecchino merely smiled. "In a sense, you're not wrong."
After all, she and Luna shared a deeply intimate bond.
"That's true," Luna said with a gentle smile.
Navia suddenly realized: if she married Luna, wouldn't that mean she was marrying into the House of the Hearth? And Arlecchino would become her mother-in-law?
Marrying Luna in? This... could it even work?
From the moment Luna appeared, she had drawn considerable attention.
It wasn't hard to see why—her features immediately reminded people of someone else.
"Could that young lady be Chen Liuxing's child? Those eyes, that nose—they're exactly like his!"
It seemed this was indeed the village where Luna's biological father had once lived.
After some inquiries, they pieced together a fairly complete account of her father's family history. There might have been some embellishments—after all, these were the villagers' versions of events—but the overall picture was likely accurate.
"Your dad always had his own ideas, even as a child. His parents wanted him to take over the Exorcist Family's responsibilities, but he refused. He mastered all their skills, then ran off to become an adventurer as soon as he grew up. He even married a Mondstadt woman in Fontaine."
"Your grandparents weren't thrilled, but they had no choice."
"Your dad was such a spirited, fearless man—he feared nothing except your mom! When it came to fighting, she was probably even fiercer than him."
"After all, she's a descendant of those... Knights of Favonius, right? That ancestral sword of hers is razor-sharp!"
In summary:
Just, passionate, spirited, and a devoted husband... with striking looks, while his wife was a valiant and dashing figure. A handsome couple and an inseparable team—truly an enviable pair.
However, the neighbors also mentioned that their acquaintance and eventual romance hadn't been without its share of drama.
"According to your dad's letters, it took them a long time for sparks to finally fly."
"Your mom's as stubborn as a mule. Even if the sky fell, she'd probably be the last one standing—that's your dad's exact words, not just our gossip!"
Stubborn... Luna couldn't help but glance at Furina and Chiori.
Furina asked in surprise, "Why are you looking at me?"
Chiori huffed softly. She didn't consider herself stubborn at all; it was simply that Luna had been too casual in the past.
Following the villagers' directions, Luna stepped into her biological father's house.
The overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity silenced her. Naturally, there was no trace of her here—only evidence of the old man and her father's existence.
Beneath the peeling paint on the wall were black lines marking heights, a kettle that looked ancient, a creaking wooden door, and a "Good Fortune" character sticker with a corner torn off...
Luna gently stroked the portrait.
"This feeling... it's so strange," she murmured.
Suddenly, she felt a tangible connection to her biological father.
Lynette's ears drooped. "Lulu..."
Navia suggested, "Hey, why don't we clean this place up?"
"Lulu may not have grew up here, but cleaning should be fine. We won't move anything; we'll just sweep away the dust."
Navia understood the pain of losing a loved one.
Though Luna's situation was different, the lingering sense of loss was the same—something that needed to be swept away completely.
Furina smiled. "What a splendid idea!"
Chiori nodded. "I'll lend a hand too."
Luna snapped out of her reverie, looked at Navia, and smiled faintly. "Thank you all."
"Oh, come on, we're partners!" Navia puffed out her chest.
Furina glanced around the house.
Death, huh... she thought casually.
The day after the Joyful Funeral concluded, Luna and the others put in considerable effort to clean the house. Arlecchino helped as well, since she was now Luna's "Father."
Their goal in Liyue was now complete.
After the Joyful Funeral concluded, Hu Tao returned to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, saying, "If you ever need our services, I'll give you a 30% discount!"
With preparations for the stage on the Jade Chamber for Luna and Furina's performance still underway, the group decided to remain in Liyue until the show was complete before setting out for Mondstadt.
That night, Luna sat on the rooftop, gazing at the night view of Liyue Harbor. The Adeptus statue erected during last year's Lantern Rite still stood there, its gentle glow illuminating the bustling streets below.
"Your dad was a righteous man!"
"He couldn't stand thieves."
"Phantom Thief? Ah, I read about that in the newspapers—it's from Fontaine, right? He... he definitely wouldn't approve!"
Clutching her pure white Phantom Thief Mask, Luna fell silent for a long moment.
"Luna!"
The call snapped her out of her thoughts. Looking down, she saw Furina gazing up at her.
After bringing Furina up to the rooftop, Furina sighed.
"Why are you sitting so high up?"
"Because I like high places. Looking down from here, everyone seems as small and insignificant as ants."
Luna chuckled.
Furina narrowed her eyes. "Oh."
Who would believe that?!
But her fondness for heights might actually be true. After all, cats adore high places, finding them safer and more comfortable.
"Aren't you going to sleep, Furina?" Luna asked.
"How can I sleep without you here?"
That's true, Furina thought.
Furina had become someone who couldn't sleep without Luna—meaning, she literally couldn't sleep without her. Even if she had nightmares, Luna would steal away all the sadness and sorrow from them.
But mostly, she was worried about Luna.
Navia, Chiori, and Lynette clearly felt the same way. Arlecchino seemed her usual self, yet even she had participated in the dice roll to decide who would go find Luna.
Of course, I, Furina, won!
Tonight, I'll take extra good care of Luna! Furina thought.
This will definitely make Luna love me even more.