At the same time, Hu Tao's battle with Maguu Kenki was also nearing its end.
Maguu Kenki itself had already been depleted of most of its energy by Yoimiya and Klee, and the appearance of its doppelganger meant that it had entered a berserk mode, falling into its final frenzy, where either the opponent died, or it lost its functionality.
It was a pity, however, that it encountered Hu Tao, and a Hu Tao who was also protected by Zhongli's shield. With high attack, high defense, and resistance to interruption, Maguu Kenki could only take a beating. Its attacks landed on Hu Tao without any effect. In such a battle, how could Maguu Kenki not lose?
Seeing that the time was right, a blazing soul appeared from Hu Tao's sleeve. She grabbed the soul and fiercely swung it towards Maguu Kenki.
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's Soul-Soothing Art: Eat well, drink well, and have a good journey!"
The terrifying flames directly incinerated everything in front of them, and Maguu Kenki, in the terrifying high temperature, became like a puppet with broken strings, losing all its mobility, its parts scattered across the ground.
Hu Tao twirled her spear, retracting the Staff of Homa behind her, clapped her small hands, and returned to Zhongli's side.
The first thing Hu Tao did when she reached Zhongli's side was to complain to him: "consultant, why does your shield automatically heal me? My Sanguine Rouge art was almost ruined by you. No matter what, next time you put a shield on me, don't heal me! I don't need it!"
Upon hearing this, Yoimiya was very puzzled. The shield cast by this Mr. Zhongli could heal, tank, and resist interruption. What a great ability! If she had had a shield protecting her before, she wouldn't have had to waste extra stamina on positioning.
Why did this Miss Hu Tao dislike it instead? She truly didn't know how good she had it.
Zhongli merely smiled helplessly and said, "Alright, alright, I will certainly remember what the Director said."
With the crisis resolved, Klee's social terrorist tendencies also emerged. She boldly said to Hu Tao, "Wow! Big Sister Hu Tao, you're so amazing! Klee wants to be as amazing as you, so I can protect Big Sister Yoimiya."
Hu Tao looked down at Klee: "Oh? This little sister is so cute. How do you know my name?"
Klee pointed to Zhongli nearby and said, "Uncle Zhongli told me."
Unexpectedly, Hu Tao burst into laughter upon hearing the address "Uncle Zhongli": "consultant, I told you long ago not to be so old-fashioned and rigid. Look, you're still so young, and people are already calling you 'uncle.'"
Zhongli: "From a universal rational perspective, little Klee's address is not wrong. I am friends with her mother, Ms. Alice, so it is reasonable and proper for her daughter to call me 'uncle.'"
Upon hearing Zhongli's words, Hu Tao, Yoimiya, and Klee were all startled. Yoimiya subconsciously looked at Klee, but found that Klee also had a puzzled expression looking at Zhongli, probably not recognizing her either.
However, since Mr. Zhongli could immediately say Klee's mother's name, and had just saved her and Klee, what he said should be true.
Klee asked curiously, "Uncle Zhongli, do you know my mom?"
Zhongli nodded and said, "When Ms. Alice was traveling through Liyue, I accompanied her for a period of time."
Hearing Zhongli's words, Klee seemed to remember something and quickly took off her backpack to rummage through it. After a while, she pulled out a copy of "Teyvat Travel Guide" from her backpack.
Klee said excitedly, "I remember now, Brother Kaeya once read me a book my mom wrote, and it seemed to mention Uncle Zhongli."
Due to Klee's limited literacy, and the fact that many place names in Teyvat, let alone Klee, even many college students in later generations couldn't read them, many readings were read to Klee by Acting Grand Master Jean or Kaeya.
Zhongli looked at the "Teyvat Travel Guide" in Klee's hand, an indescribable expression appearing on his face. Although it was called accompanying, it was actually surveillance, and he really didn't want to recall what happened during that journey, fearing that his years of cultivation would be broken.
However, the thought that Liyue was not the only victim brought a sense of comfort to Zhongli's heart.
Yoimiya and Hu Tao curiously took the "Teyvat Travel Guide" from Klee's hand, turned to the Liyue chapter, and sure enough, found Zhongli's name in the description.
Now the name matched! This also made Yoimiya no longer doubt Zhongli's identity.
Hu Tao was deeply surprised by this and said, "Oh? Klee really is your friend's daughter? I thought you only helped them as an excuse."
Zhongli said somewhat helplessly, "Am I, in the Director's eyes, just a dandy who only sips tea and listens to music, and does nothing proper?"
Hu Tao retorted, "Isn't that true? Do you want me to find all the bills you've sent to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor over the years?"
Zhongli: "That won't be necessary."
Yoimiya and Klee couldn't help but smile as they watched Hu Tao and Zhongli bicker. The seemingly mature and steady Zhongli was actually a bit off-kilter, while the quirky Damselette Hu Tao was like an old mother nagging. This contrast actually made Yoimiya feel a bit more relaxed.
After relaxing, a feeling of exhaustion surged through her, and her face turned pale, causing Yoimiya to involuntarily soften at the knees and sit down next to Klee, startling Klee.
Klee, in fright, held Big Sister Yoimiya and shouted loudly, "Big Sister Yoimiya! What's wrong?"
Yoimiya tried her best to gather her spirits and comforted Klee: "Klee, Big Sister Yoimiya is fine, Big Sister is just a little tired."
Zhongli and Hu Tao also stopped bickering when they saw this. After a careful examination, Zhongli said, "Hmm... this friend seems to have an anemic reaction due to excessive blood loss, and she probably hasn't rested well these past few days. After this battle, her body is a bit unable to cope.
I have already stopped the bleeding from her wounds. Next, she just needs a few days of rest, supplemented with blood-replenishing medicine, and she will recover quickly."
Yoimiya listened to Zhongli's diagnosis and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. During the time she had been taking care of Klee, she really hadn't rested well. During the day, she had to take care of Klee, and at night, she had to help her family's fireworks shop with fireworks orders. Her sleep duration and quality were severely insufficient.
Upon hearing Zhongli's words, Hu Tao breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she felt a trace of regret for some reason, perhaps because she had lost another client.
Hu Tao: "Since that's the case, let's do a good deed to the end and escort them both back to Inazuma City."
Just then, Hu Tao seemed to sense something. She suddenly turned around and looked at the scattered Maguu Kenki wreckage she had defeated, her expression becoming serious.
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