Regarding Hu Tao's behavior, the Traveler also wants to comment a bit, wondering if this is a bit too carefree.
Hu Tao, however, doesn't care much. In her view, it's just that everyone sees death as too terrifying, imagining many forms for death due to regret and pain.
["Hu Tao: 'People are afraid of life and death separations, afraid of pain and regret.'"]
["'To mend the wounds in their hearts, they arbitrarily imagine countless forms for death, like ghosts or vengeful spirits.'"]
["'Over time, it's become an untouchable taboo topic. If I were to shy away from this too, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor wouldn't even be able to operate, right?'"]
At this point, readers don't feel much reading this, but later they'll see the 'manga' Lucian drew for Hu Tao, introducing some of Hu Tao's experiences.
Then they'll realize that initially, this little girl was also afraid of death and full of regret, 'imagining whether ghosts exist.'
Now, Hu Tao is using these words to advise Old Meng, but they wouldn't be out of place if said to her past self.
Hu Tao also tells the Traveler that there's no need to fear ghosts so much because most ghosts can't harm ordinary people.
Indeed, Ghost-type and Normal-type can't deal damage to each other.
["Hu Tao says: 'The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's job is to "maintain the boundary between life and death," keeping those who can't see the "boundary" as far away from it as possible.'"]
["'So for ordinary people, the best state is not knowing about ghosts and spirits or believing they don't exist at all.'"]
This is bad. Because of Lucian's book, all of Teyvat now knows about the existence of ghosts and spirits.
But it's not entirely a bad thing. Fear often stems from the unknown and insufficient firepower. When the unknown becomes known, it's not so scary anymore.
After reading Lucian's prophecy book, most people have actually gotten somewhat used to ghosts and the like.
Some even say that if they encounter 'ghosts' like Shogunate samurai, Millelith soldiers, or Bosacius, it feels pretty good—not only not scary but even gives a full sense of security.
After Hu Tao finishes, Old Meng mentions the name 'Big G,' and readers are curious about this figure's identity. It sounds like someone impressive.
But Hu Tao seems nonchalant, merely telling the Traveler to follow her.
["Hu Tao says: 'To visit an important "potential customer," I'll lead the way.'"]
Upon seeing the words "potential customer," all Liyue residents sit up straight, fully focused. No one wants to see themselves in the next part of the plot.
A "potential customer" of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—isn't that someone about to die!?
["Xiao Wu, seeing Hu Tao and Lumine looking for him, asks: 'Excuse me, who are you?'"]
The real-life Xiao Wu sucks in a sharp breath, suddenly feeling heavy breathing, as if he's caught some serious illness.
It's over! It's all over! Others get happiness knocking at their door; I get the Grim Reaper knocking at mine!
Is it too late to start taking care of my health now? Should I lose weight?
Meanwhile, the other Liyue readers collectively breathe a sigh of relief. Great, Granny Yama didn't mark me for death at midnight.
["Hu Tao to Xiao Wu: 'I wanted to ask how you've been feeling lately. Any discomfort anywhere?'"]
["'Physical discomfort is a serious matter; it could be a sign of a severe illness.'"]
["'When people are healthy, it's hard to imagine how fragile life really is, so they often don't take such signs seriously enough.'"]
The real-life Xiao Wu says: I didn't feel uncomfortable before, but now I'm starting to feel a bit off.
Heavy breathing, cold hands and feet, heart palpitations—am I seriously ill and about to die?
Life is indeed so fragile, TAT.
By the way, shouldn't these words be said by Doctor Baizhu? Since when did Hall Master Hu care so much about living people?
In the story, Xiao Wu doesn't know that Hu Tao has some 'special abilities' and just assumes she's an ordinary 'funeral parlor boss.'
["Xiao Wu: 'I don't understand what you're talking about! I'm healthy, my life is happy, everything is great!'"]
After saying this, Xiao Wu leaves angrily. After all, no one likes having a funeral parlor person care about their health.
["Hu Tao sighs: 'Roar, why did he get mad? I was just sincerely talking about the importance of health.'"]
["Paimon retorts: 'But for the hall master of the "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor" to talk about this, it's pretty weird, right?'"]
Yeah, these words would be perfectly fitting if said by the owner of Bubu Pharmacy.
Baizhu is also reading the book, smiling gently. He doesn't dislike Hu Tao's lively personality.
But unfortunately, his goal is to 'disrupt' the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business.
In the book, Hu Tao continues searching for "potential customers." The second person is named 'Mumu.'
The real-life Mumu, seeing this, doesn't react like Xiao Wu did. Instead, he feels something's off.
He knows Xiao Wu, and he knows Old Meng too. And Big G —he knows him as well. How is it so coincidental that she's targeting them specifically?
Mumu is a merchant with a sharp mind. He's already guessed some reasons. It seems he and the others aren't people about to die; it should have something to do with Big G.
In the story, Mumu politely declines Hu Tao's customer-pulling service.
Hu Tao continues to look for the next person, this time a girl named 'Congzi.'
Now Mumu is even more certain of his guess. Even Xiao Wu and Congzi catch on, collectively breathing a sigh of relief.
Great, it's not 'Granny Yama calling roll.'
In an instant, Xiao Wu feels his waist doesn't ache, his legs don't hurt, and he's full of energy for work. All the ailments he mentioned before are completely gone.
["Hu Tao says: 'As the saying goes, "the old doesn't go, the new doesn't come." A perfect period marks the start of a new journey…'"]
Readers are shocked. Is that how this phrase is interpreted? If the 'old' goes, there won't be anything new. Eyes closed, never to open again—that's it for this lifetime.
Drawing that perfect period really makes it a '.'
You'd better not misuse 'the old doesn't go, the new doesn't come.' Use it when playing cards or something.
As expected, Congzi also rejects Hu Tao's services and says that if she keeps pestering, she'll call the Millelith.
Hu Tao naturally doesn't want to attract the Millelith. She says, 'The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor welcomes you anytime,' and leaves with the Traveler.
["Traveler says: '"Business expansion" is over; it's time to help me find someone.'"]
Lumine means: I've been running around with you, embarrassing myself all this time. Now it's your turn to help me find my brother.
["Hu Tao, shocked: 'Huh? Did you guys just think I was doing "business expansion"?!'"]
Hu Tao explains that she wasn't doing "business expansion" earlier but was helping Old Meng find someone—that ' Big G.'
Those few people earlier were 'suspects.' If this were a ghost movie, they'd be the main actors in it.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice Line · Arataki Itto: About Ghosts
"Lucian said I'm a Fighting-type, ineffective against Ghost-types and restrained by them, so it's normal for me to be afraid of ghosts.
I don't really get it, but I think he makes sense."