Chapter 195: Obsequies Performed, A Long Road Ahead 『 Part Two 』
「 "Everyone… on behalf of the entire Sky-Faring Commission, I would like to thank the Astral Express Crew for saving the Luofu during the Stellaron disaster…"
Inside the Sky-Faring Commission, Yukong solemnly expressed her gratitude to the Express Crew once more. However, before she could finish her sentence, the tail end of her voice began to tremble slightly, and her gaze unconsciously drifted toward a certain empty spot within the Palace of Astrum.
Seeing Yukong in such a state, everyone felt a pang of sympathy, but what needed to be conveyed had to be conveyed. Welt sighed, "Madam Yukong must have already heard the news. Miss Tingyun…"
"I know. Seeing four of you depart and only three return, I understood that the battle report sent by Fu Xuan was true."
"This is what Miss Tingyun left behind…" Stelle handed the damaged folding fan to Yukong.
Gazing at Tingyun's folding fan, a few points of fragmented light hovered precariously on Yukong's trembling eyelashes, on the verge of falling. "I still find it hard to believe. Is that battle report truly not just a clumsy joke?"
"The Antimatter Legion appeared on the Xianzhou? Tingyun she… she was a disguise for some Lord Ravager? I don't believe it…"
"That Tingyun, who worked alongside me for over thirty years, who once managed the affairs of the Sky-Faring Commission with me—how could she be the disguise of some monster? Where is the real her right now?" 」
「 .....」
〜Runeterra World〜
Caitlyn was sitting on a bench in a Piltover park, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the pull-tab of a canned coffee. In the light screen, Yukong's sorrowful and melancholic expression appeared particularly blinding under the bright sunlight.
"She clearly knows the facts better than anyone, yet she still chooses to deceive herself?"
"Cupcake, you can't apply your own way of thinking to Miss Yukong. In her hundreds of years of life, she has lost far too many important people."
Beside her, Vi scratched her head, seemingly searching for the right words.
"Not seeing Tingyun's body… this matter is like a life-saving straw for her, so she'll hold onto it tightly no matter what, right?"
"This kind of pain isn't something one can endure just by 'facing reality.' Perhaps, she just needs a little time to… lie to herself."
"Oh? I didn't realize you were so eloquent?"
It was the first time Caitlyn had seen Vi look so serious. Her interest was piqued, and she suddenly asked,
"If one day… I mean, if I disappeared like Tingyun, what would you do?"
Vi was stunned for a moment, then smiled helplessly.
"Cupcake, what kind of question is that? That sort of thing is impossible…"
"Answer me."
Caitlyn's voice carried a rare trace of stubbornness.
"Alright…"
Vi knew she couldn't win against this young miss, so she put away her smile and thought seriously for a while.
"I'd probably… be like Yukong, I guess?"
Vi looked up at the pained and lost expression on Yukong's face.
"Even knowing it was impossible, I would run all over the Undercity and Topside, searching every place you could exist. Until…"
"Until what?"
"Until the day I could accept reality."
Caitlyn fell silent for a moment, then suddenly tossed the coffee can in her hand at her.
"What a… lousy answer."
She stood up and walked toward the direction where the park crowd was denser, though her voice was gentler than before.
"But… at least it was honest."
—
「 "Thank you for bringing Tingyun's belongings back to the Palace of Astrum. In this Stellaron disaster, we have lost many compatriots, brothers, sisters, children…"
Yukong took a deep breath, and after calming her emotions slightly, she spoke slowly, "I would like to invite you all to witness this battle by participating in the 'Soul-Soothing Ceremony' held by the Sky-Faring Commission for the fallen. What do you say?"
"Soul-Soothing Ceremony?"
"In the words of short-life species, it is a funeral," Yukong explained. "It is just that for long-life species, matters of the afterlife have always been a distant and thin concept."
"Ordinarily, before the signs of the Mara-Struck appear, guides from the Ten-Lords Commission would take the Xianzhou native into the Hall of Karma, where they would leave behind their life's history before returning to nothingness. People are accustomed to replacing elaborate burial rituals with brief farewells."
The lifespan of the Foxian people is far inferior to the long-life species of the Xianzhou, so they place great importance on funeral rituals. Additionally, there were too many Cloud Knights who died in the line of duty this time; the Hall of Karma simply could not accommodate them all in time. Thus, Yukong intended to give those who had passed away a final resting place.
Using the Sky-Faring Commission's way, a Foxian ceremony. Placing the relics of the deceased onto a starskiff, sending it out of the Xianzhou, sailing it into the star, to shine alongside it.
"I also hope to bid farewell to Tingyun through this ceremony. This is my selfishness—although she did not die as a Cloud Knight on the battlefield, she was still a member of my Sky-Faring Commission, and a victim of this disaster."
"Although I am still unwilling to believe it. I will definitely uncover Tingyun's whereabouts in my own way. But for now, I, I…"
Yukong slowly closed her eyes. "This is the only thing I can do for her." 」
「 .....」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
Teyvat, Liyue—
Inside Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, candlelight flickered, and the aroma of tea filled the air.
Hu Tao lay on the table, swinging her legs, staring intently as Yukong explained the Soul-SoothingCeremony. For once, she wasn't joking around; her plum-blossom pupils reflected the sad and lost expressions of the crowd.
"I originally thought… these long-life species on the Xianzhou didn't care much about afterlife affairs. I didn't expect them to take it so seriously."
"Putting relics into a starskiff and sending them into a star to burn… romantic yet solemn. It really is a good method."
Zhongli took a light sip of tea, his gilded eyes shifting slightly.
"Using a star as a furnace, and a starskiff as a guide… it indeed possesses a unique Xianzhou character."
Hu Tao sat up and leaned in close to Zhongli.
"The Guest Consultant thinks it's a good method too, right? How about we introduce this at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Her eyes sparkled.
"Like modifying coffins into small boats, and then lighting a fire—"
"Director."
Zhongli set down his teacup, his tone gentle.
"Liyue tradition emphasizes 'burial in the earth for peace.' Rashly changing it would likely be inappropriate."
"Hmph."
Hu Tao pouted in dissatisfaction.
"Since when did you become so rigid, Consultant? Look at how creative Xianzhou's method is! This Director is… following the best examples and adopting them! If Wangsheng Funeral Parlor held this kind of ceremony, it would definitely attract more customers!"
"…Heh, Director, why not listen to me first?"
Zhongli smiled faintly and spoke unhurriedly,
"While this may not work in Liyue, it might not be impossible in nations outside of Liyue. Didn't the Director recently wish to expand Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's brand to Fontaine? Fontaine is surrounded by the sea on three sides; it would be perfect for the Director's style of funeral."
"Oh, right!"
Hu Tao's eyes lit up, and she pleasantly hooked her arm around Zhongli's neck.
"The Consultant always has the best ideas! When the day comes that you pass on, Consultant, this Director will definitely arrange the same style of deluxe ceremony for you!"
"…"
Zhongli's hand holding the cup paused slightly, and he sighed softly.
"Then I shall thank the Director in advance."
—