Futsu Mitama and Aila returned to the inn without paying the lurking Fatui any mind. Yet in contrast, the Fatui stationed in Liyue reacted to Futsu Mitama's arrival as though facing a calamity. After confirming the inn he lodged in, the agents shadowing him quietly retreated to the Northland Bank in haste.
Inside the Bank, a young man with fiery-orange hair lounged in his seat—his expression caught somewhere between irritation and excitement.
"Lord Childe."
The group who previously confronted Futsu Mitama hurried inside, kneeling before him.
"You're back?" Childe leaned forward slightly, eyes alight. "Is it him?"
The agents exchanged uneasy glances. They had not expected Lord Childe to show such enthusiasm; inwardly, they prayed he wouldn't become too eager and immediately charge off to duel the man to death.
"Yes, Lord Childe." A Debt Collector bowed his head. "The Inazuman who disembarked from The Crux alongside a maid was indeed Futsu Mitama, accompanied by his maid Aila. The ninja with them is the former shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine—Kuki Shinobu. We still do not know why they left Inazuma for Liyue, but we must remain vigilant."
Even the Liyue branch of the Fatui was well aware that two Harbingers had indirectly injured due to Futsu Mitama's involvement. One Harbinger falling could be brushed aside as misfortune. But two—felled by the same individual—was unprecedented.
The Fatui's strength, its ability to operate unchecked across the Seven Nations, stemmed entirely from the Harbingers. That both the Lady and Scaramouche had been forced into ruin by the same man left the Liyue Fatui deeply wary.
"Indeed, we must be wary." Childe nodded, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "But unlike them—I think he may be someone worth befriending."
"????" The agents looked up, stunned.
'My lord, he is an enemy of the Fatui! Someone who ruined our operations in Inazuma, crippled the Balladeer, and left the Lady gravely injured—why would you want to befriend him?!'
"Is it so strange?" Tartaglia chuckled. "The Lady is the Lady. Scaramouche is Scaramouche. I am not them. From the intelligence we gathered, Futsu Mitama was originally a very quiet man. Had the Lady and Scaramouche not been so arrogant as to force his hand, events would not have escalated into tragedy. It was the Raiden Shogun who struck down the Lady and Scaramouche—not Futsu Mitama. So becoming friendly with him is hardly incomprehensible."
Tartaglia's intel was thorough. He had come to Liyue for the Geo Archon's Gnosis. His original plan was simple: wait for the Rite of Descension, catch Morax unprepared, seize the Gnosis, and retreat. Ideally, he would even enjoy a proper battle with Morax. But the Harbingers halted his plan, and the Cryo Archon herself declared that the time had not yet come. Thus, Tartaglia had been confined to the Bank, left to watch over Dottore's affairs.
Now, hearing that the notorious Futsu Mitama had arrived in Liyue, the restless warrior in him stirred—he wanted a duel, then camaraderie.
"However—" Tartaglia stretched lazily. "On another matter: have you found anyone in Liyue capable of assisting us?"
A female Fatui member stepped forward. "According to your criteria, we have located someone suitable. It is said that Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is handsome, erudite, and unwavering in his respect for contracts. Our investigation shows he has never betrayed a collaborator."
"Zhongli?" Tartaglia raised a brow. "This won't be another scholar with empty talk, will it?"
When he first arrived in Liyue, Tartaglia sought out learned individuals to help him understand this ancient land. Yet each time he asked about old tales, adeptal lore, the talisman of Azhdaha, or the Archon's history, those self-proclaimed experts faltered. He spent mora freely—Pentalone provided endless funds—but the results were disappointing.
"No," another intelligence officer answered firmly. "Though Mr. Zhongli is mysterious, every acquaintance praises his knowledge. It is said he understands matters of ancient Liyue better than any mortal alive. If even he cannot satisfy your requirements, then perhaps only the Adeptus and Morax himself could."
Tartaglia sighed in defeat. "Very well. Where is Mr. Zhongli? I'll meet him after I see Futsu Mitama."
"Mr. Zhongli is a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," the woman replied. "As for where he frequently appears—"
She faltered. Tartaglia tilted his head.
"He frequents quite a variety of places," another agent offered diplomatically.
The Next Morning
After a simple breakfast, Futsu Mitama, Aila, and Kuki Shinobu headed to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. If they wanted to purchase a house quickly, the Ministry was the most reliable route. Upon explaining his needs and providing his identification, the receptionist consulted a record before smiling politely. She directed him to a seller in urgent need of moving his property and offered to have the Millelith contact the man.
Two hours later, the Millelith returned with a middle-aged gentleman. Upon hearing Futsu Mitama's offer, the man immediately produced the deed. The transaction concluded swiftly—two million mora, signatures, and a finalized contract. The receptionist beamed, delighted with her commission.
"Making mora, making mora~"
Leaving the Ministry, Futsu Mitama could not hide his excitement.
Kuki Shinobu looked at him skeptically. "Why are you so happy? Didn't that uncle say the reason he sold the house cheaply was because the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is next door? Most people avoid such places."
She had been prepared for tricks—cheap houses always came with hidden problems. Futsu Mitama, however, looked positively radiant.
"I bought a house next to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
She hadn't noticed the implication at all. In truth, he had been prepared to spend ten million mora for such a property. Because next year, Morax would retire his Archon mantle and become Zhongli, Consultant of the Funeral Parlor—living there himself.
Purchasing the neighboring home essentially meant becoming Morax's future neighbor. For Futsu Mitama, this was a supreme stroke of good fortune.
Shinobu and Aila exchanged helpless looks, choosing not to question his enthusiasm. After retrieving their belongings from the inn, the three immediately set off to inspect their new home.
Meanwhile…
Tartaglia felt nothing but frustration. He had just learned Futsu Mitama was at the Ministry of Civil Affairs—but upon arriving, he was told the group had already left. He rushed to the inn next. Again, he was too late.
"Tch—he's slippery." Childe clicked his tongue. Being thwarted twice in a row left him wondering if Futsu Mitama was deliberately avoiding him.
But unlike the Lady or the Balladeer, Tartaglia had no schemes—he simply wanted a worthy fight.
"Lord Childe," a Fatui member approached, voice peculiar. "Futsu Mitama and his companions have gone to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Oh?" Tartaglia blinked, amused. "What a coincidence. Futsu Mitama and Zhongli—the two people I want to meet—both in the same place."
He stood, stretching with enthusiasm. "Let's go. To Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
The area around Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was as lively as any part of Liyue Harbor… yet strangely, the immediate surroundings were quiet, as if footsteps and conversation naturally drifted away from its doors. People passed by, but few were willing to approach.
Futsu Mitama knocked politely at the entrance. "Hello, is anyone here?"
Birth, old age, sickness, and death were part of the natural order. Even as a transmigrator, he wasn't exempt. He only hoped that, when his time came, it would be after Aila's—if only to prevent his maid from doing anything unreasonable or self-destructive.
A sudden, energetic voice burst from within.
"Yo~! We have guests!"
With a resounding bang, the door swung open, revealing a bright-eyed girl who peeked out with unabashed cheer. Her gaze sparkled the moment she spotted the three visitors.
She bounded forward, seized Futsu Mitama's hand, and beamed. "Welcome, welcome! Here for business, right? I'm Hu Tao, the 77th Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! Tell me what you need!"
She leaned in with a grin. "Since the Plume of Portent is coming up, I'll give you a discount! Buy one, get two free—you won't lose out!"
"…"
Kuki Shinobu and Aila exchanged looks—complicated, subtle, and touched with dread. In that instant, they finally understood why the middle-aged owner had sold the neighboring house so cheaply. Shinobu, who had once believed Arataki Itto was the pinnacle of overwhelming enthusiasm, now realized there was always someone more intense. Aila simply felt her composure being steadily worn down by Hu Tao's unrestrained warmth.
Even Futsu Mitama's lips twitched. Promoting funeral services this eagerly…?
He quickly lifted a hand. "We're not here for business. We just bought the house next door and came to greet our new neighbor. Here—this is our housewarming gift."
Aila stepped forward and presented the Osmanthus Wine they had prepared.
"Oh? A gift for me? You shouldn't have! But thank you~" Hu Tao accepted it without a trace of disappointment, her smile as bright as ever.
She glanced toward the adjacent courtyard house. "So the uncle finally sold it, huh? What a pity. I lived next to him for nearly a year, but he never let me arrange his affairs."
A sigh slipped from her lips—genuine regret. Death was natural. Preparing for it early was simply responsible. Yet every time she tried to persuade her elderly neighbor, he fled as if chased by a specter.
Futsu Mitama's expression stiffened. A year…?
Suddenly, the uncle's desperate eagerness to sell made perfect sense. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was legitimate; even if the Millelith received complaints, they could only warn Hu Tao to "lower her frequency." They couldn't actually punish her. And with Hu Tao's friendly nature, avoiding her was impossible.
No wonder the uncle had escaped by selling the house outright. Futsu Mitama sighed silently.
Sister Hu Tao truly is a saint… no wonder that meme survived generations.
"Oh, right! Do you need anything else?" Hu Tao asked cheerfully. "You three don't look like locals. Inazuma? Mondstadt? Need a tour guide? I know every hidden corner of Liyue!"
Futsu Mitama shook his head. "We actually came to visit Mr. Zhongli. Is he here today?"
Aside from greeting Hu Tao, meeting Zhongli was the real objective. Establishing rapport first, then inviting him to dine—surely he wouldn't ignore someone he'd shared a table with.
"Looking for him again?" Hu Tao puffed out her cheeks. "I swear, this parlor is becoming Zhongli's personal guest room. Everyone's looking for him."
She folded her arms. "I don't know where he wandered off to. Maybe eating, listening to music, admiring antiques, or teasing birds. Even though he's still young, he lives like he's already retired"
Futsu Mitama chuckled awkwardly. 'Should he tell her that Zhongli truly was an old man?
And that his retirement plan was very much—advanced?'
"Oh? Mr. Zhongli isn't here? That's unfortunate."
A hearty voice drifted from behind them. Kuki Shinobu and Aila instantly turned, hands instinctively moving toward their weapons.
An orange-haired young man stood a short distance away, smiling pleasantly—though neither of them had sensed his approach.
When did he appear?!
Aila's heartbeat quickened. Why were powerful people popping up at every corner of Liyue Harbor?
A street vendor with suspiciously competent movements. A funeral parlor director with frightening vigor. And now this man—who masked strength under a deceptively relaxed aura. Liyue's powerhouses were nothing like Inazuma's. It was as if strength here was commonplace.
Unaware of Aila's thoughts, Futsu Mitama simply observed the newcomer. Of all places to meet someone like him—
Hu Tao sighed dramatically. "Seriously? Another Zhongli-seeker? He's not here. Come back in a day or two—he should stop by soon."
The orange-haired young man nodded politely. "Thank you, Director Hu Tao."
Then he looked straight at Futsu Mitama's group and smiled.
"But I'm not here for Zhongli. I came to see the three of you."
He placed a hand over his chest. "Tartaglia, Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers, codename Childe. Pleased to meet you."
Aila's gaze sharpened instantly, danger flickering in her eyes. Her Hydro Vision shimmered faintly as she touched the hilt of her sword. Before sparks could ignite, Kuki Shinobu subtly stepped forward.
"This isn't Inazuma. If you start a fight, neither of us can cover for you. Calm down."
In Liyue, law ruled far more strictly than Inazuma. The Fatui were unpopular in Inazuma—but in Liyue, they were allies. A fight here could only end poorly.
Futsu Mitama gently rested a hand on Aila's shoulder. "Easy. Let's hear what he has to say first."
Reluctantly, Aila lowered her sword—but not her guard.
Tartaglia, sensing her hostility, only seemed amused.
"Sharp instincts. Good aura." A warrior's appreciation glinted in his eyes. "In truth, I came here simply to make friends."
He raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Unlike Scaramouche or the Lady, I'm a reasonable man. You may be enemies with them—but that doesn't mean we can't be allies."
Shinobu and Aila exchanged wary glances.
Tartaglia smiled wider. "If you don't believe me—why don't we have a spar? It's the quickest way to understand someone."
His eyes shone—not with malice, but with unmistakable excitement. A warrior's yearning for combat.