Cloud Retainer—now in her human form, Lady Windveil—awkwardly scratched her head when Adrian called her out, forcing a dry laugh.
"Ah… Adrian, my dear disciple-nephew, I was just making a little joke earlier."
Adrian didn't bother responding. He walked straight past her and stopped in front of Zhongli.
"Consultant Zhongli, it's getting late. Why don't you come to my place for dinner? Whatever you want to talk about, we can discuss it while we eat."
Zhongli nodded. "Very well. I'll trouble you, then."
The three of them entered the funeral parlor. Adrian gave them a brief greeting before carrying the groceries he'd bought earlier into the kitchen.
Zhongli took a seat at the old wooden table, calm and composed.
At that moment, Shenhe stepped out of her room. She dipped gracefully into a slight bow toward Zhongli—cold, elegant, with a beauty that felt distant as snow.
Zhongli returned the gesture with a small nod.
Shenhe, satisfied with the acknowledgement, turned silently and went back into her room, closing the door behind her.
Zhongli was perfectly accustomed to her aloof nature.
But Cloud Retainer couldn't resist talking.
"The girl's soul is bound with the red cord, making her temperament extremely cold. If not for Adrian keeping her company, she'd barely retain any trace of human sentiment at all.
It's just a pity… my disciple has the worst cultivation aptitude I've ever seen. At this rate, he might not live past a hundred."
Zhongli instantly understood—Cloud Retainer was fishing for help.
He sighed. "He is not fated with the adepti path. Forcing it would only harm him.
…but I can help him live to a hundred."
Cloud Retainer's expression dimmed with disappointment.
"A hundred years is a blessing most mortals never receive. I suppose that's good enough."
Not long after, Adrian emerged from the kitchen carrying three dishes and a soup—braised spring bamboo, triple-shredded pork, rice nests, and egg-and-greens soup.
Each dish was fragrant and beautifully prepared.
He then retrieved two jars of strong liquor from the cellar, pouring drinks expertly for Zhongli and Cloud Retainer.
Zhongli lifted the cup, taking a small sip. The spicy warmth and fragrance spread across his tongue and down his throat, filling him with a comfortable heat.
The dishes suited his taste perfectly.
Three rounds of drinks later, Zhongli lowered his chopsticks and fixed Adrian with a steady gaze.
"Shopkeeper Song, was it you who told Lady Keqing to come to me?"
Adrian answered without a hint of hesitation. "Correct. I sent her. This matter can only be resolved by you."
Zhongli frowned slightly.
"Liyue is transitioning from the rule of gods to the rule of humans. I should not involve myself further in mortal affairs."
Adrian shrugged. "Since you trust the Qixing so much, let them handle it, then.
Lily was just an insignificant, low-born illegitimate daughter, after all. Your heart holds all of Liyue."
"Insolence!"
Cloud Retainer slammed the table and rose, furious.
"How dare you speak so disrespectfully of the Lord of Geo!"
But Adrian didn't back down. His voice grew firm and sharp.
"From the day Northland Bank entered Liyue Harbor, for ten whole years, how many people were ruined?
How many families are torn apart?
How many citizens suffered?"
A flicker of guilt passed through Zhongli's eyes. "…That was my failure."
Adrian shook his head.
"No, the ones at fault are the Qixing.
Brilliant business minds, yes—but businessmen nonetheless. And businessmen bend. They compromise.
Faced with a powerful nation such as Snezhnaya, they chose retreat to protect their profits."
Zhongli contemplated his words deeply, then suddenly asked:
"Shopkeeper Song… what if you became one of the Qixing?"
Adrian rejected the idea instantly.
"No thanks. I want to run my funeral business, mind my own life, and occasionally scold the Qixing when they annoy me."
Cloud Retainer nearly choked.
"Adrian! You are an adeptus disciple!
And all you do is cook and run funerals!
You're embarrassing your master!"
The room fell dead silent.
Cloud Retainer slapped her forehead—realizing too late that Zhongli was still technically a guest adviser of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
She quickly waved her hand.
"Drink, drink! Let's not ruin the mood."
The atmosphere never fully recovered, and the dinner ended shortly after.
Cloud Retainer left in frustration.
Zhongli and Adrian stepped out of the shop together, walking side by side through the moonlit streets.
"Lord of Geo… I spoke too harshly earlier. I lost my composure." Adrian said quietly.
Zhongli shook his head. "It's fine. I can feel the sincerity in your words.
Tell me… how can such tragedies be prevented in the future?"
Adrian countered, "Do you want a temporary fix? Or the real cure?"
Zhongli thought for a moment.
"…A temporary fix."
Adrian sighed but answered clearly:
"First, create strict laws to limit predatory lending. No violent debt collection.
Second, educate the public about the dangers of high-interest loans.
Third, establish an official Liyue bank—one that puts the people first."
Zhongli's eyes shone with approval.
If these three measures were carried out fully, tragedies like Lily's would almost disappear.
"Shopkeeper Song, your insight is remarkable."
Adrian waved it off. "Anyone in Qixing could think of this."
He paused, his expression turning solemn.
"Lord of Geo… I hope you can force Northland Bank to hand over the one who killed Lily."
Zhongli nodded without hesitation.
"…Very well."
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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