Shimen.
At a roadside tea pavilion, a young couple sat close together — yet a closer look revealed clear tension and anxiety etched across their faces.
This pair was none other than Lord Dean's "dutiful daughter" Flora and the man she had eloped with, Jace.
"Jace… I'm regretting this. We could've just escaped quietly, but instead we went out of our way to create this mess. Now I can't even go home."
Flora's tone carried deep frustration.
Jace gently took her soft hand, comforting her tenderly.
"Don't worry too much. As long as we hide here for a few years, people will eventually forget. Then we can return."
But Flora pulled her hand away, staring at him with clear resentment.
"You once swore you'd give me happiness. And now? Your so-called happiness is coarse food every day and endless housework?"
Jace answered sincerely.
"My love, isn't this life good? We're far from the noisy world, free from worldly troubles, and with the person we love."
But his sweet words poured fuel onto Flora's long-held frustration.
Her voice rose sharply.
"I want romance! Sweet love! A life full of passion and surprises — not this dull, suffocating misery!"
She raised her hands, once pampered and delicate but now roughened.
"Do you know? At home, I never did a single chore in my life. And now look at me…"
Jace remained gentle.
"Flora, love requires both of us to give from the heart."
Flora rolled her eyes, irritation flaring.
"Enough! I don't want to hear your lectures. I don't want to 'give' anymore. I'm sick of this poor, boring life.
A rich young lady's life — comfort, luxury, no worries — that's what suits me!"
At this, Jace's face chilled.
"Miss Flora… have you forgotten that destroying a corpse is a severe crime?"
The threat in his voice was obvious.
In that moment, Flora finally understood why he pressured her back then — why he insisted she go through with the switch.
She trembled with fury.
"Jace — you despicable, shameless rat!"
Jace shot back instantly:
"And you are a venom-hearted viper!"
They were seconds from launching into a full shouting match when Keqing arrived with two officers from the Ministry of Justice.
"Enough. Both of you — come with me."
A few days later, warm sunlight bathed the land.
Adrian lounged comfortably in the chair outside his shop, basking in the gentle rays.
Just two days earlier, he had finished another funeral — just a normal household's affair.
The job was unremarkable, and even the system had only rewarded him[ five cultivation points.]
He checked his current cultivation:
Qi Refining Stage, Mid Phase (130/200).
At this pace, he estimated he'd break through to Foundation Establishment in half a year.
Then he could learn the lightning-redirecting Water-Guiding Thunder Arts and become a true Lord of Lightning.
As he was enjoying this beautiful fantasy, Keqing strode toward him in a hurry.
"I need your help with something—"
Before she could finish, Adrian cut her off.
"No. I handle funerals, not criminal investigations. Go ask the Ministry of Justice."
Keqing's brows knitted in irritation.
"If they could solve it, would I be here? Lily is only eighteen — alone, helpless.
If we don't uncover the truth, she'll die with injustice!"
Adrian waved her off lazily.
"Not my job. Instead of wasting time here, go find Ningguang — she's the Ministry's supervisor."
Keqing snorted.
If Ningguang were an option, she would've gone long ago.
The Tianquan's responsibilities were power and law — but she was also Liyue's busiest business magnate.
She had no time for criminal cases. Even if Keqing found her, she'd only get polite brush-offs.
"Adrian, what will it take for you to help investigate Lily's death?"
Adrian rubbed his hands awkwardly.
"Master Keqing… it's about that plot of land I mentioned… several times…"
Keqing nearly erupted, but she forced herself to stay calm.
"Fine. If Lily's death is fully clarified, I'll secure a plot on Mt. Tianheng for you to build a cemetery."
The moment he heard it, Adrian's face lit up.
"Thank you, Master Keqing! Then let's get to work immediately!"
He jumped up and stretched enthusiastically.
Keqing spoke swiftly as always.
"First, we head to Grant's estate. Lily's body has been returned there.
You'll communicate with her spirit."
Adrian stared at her blankly.
"Master Keqing… you don't actually believe I can talk to spirits, do you?"
Keqing blinked, confused.
"Didn't you say you could? You're an adeptus disciple — this shouldn't be difficult."
Adrian sighed.
"First of all, the only person in Liyue capable of speaking with spirits is Hu Tao, the Director of Wangsheng.
Second, after death, a soul dissipates within seven days.
All that remains is emotion and memory imprinted into the leylines.
Lily's been dead far longer than that. Where exactly am I supposed to 'communicate' with her?"
Keqing frowned.
"Then all the funeral rites you perform — are they fake?"
Adrian shrugged.
"If the soul is already gone, what is there to communicate with?
Funeral rites exist for the living — a way to show respect and remembrance."