Just as Adrian's thoughts began drifting and drowsiness washed over him like a rising tide, someone stepped into the sunlight that warmed his face.
He lazily opened one eye—
—and instantly shot upright from his reclining chair.
"…Lord Zhongli! What brings you here?" Adrian asked with a wide, flattering grin.
Zhongli's lips curled into a cold smile. "Do you understand the consequences of slandering the Geo Archon?"
Adrian threw up his hands helplessly. "Lord Zhongli, I had no choice. You want me to help restore the people's belief in Copper Sparrow, but you won't pay a single Mora. Even a miracle worker needs funds, right?"
Zhongli's stern expression softened ever so slightly.
"Even so, you should not have written… that. I did not share such feelings with Copper Sparrow. Besides, I prefer women."
Adrian's eyes lit up immediately.
"Oh? Then does Lord Zhongli like Guizhong?"
That name made a faint sorrow flash across Zhongli's gaze—too quick for most to catch, but Adrian saw it.
Zhongli quickly regained composure. "No."
Adrian leaned in. "Not Guizhong? Then… do you like Azhdaha?"
For a moment, Zhongli genuinely considered summoning an actual stone pillar to smash this brat.
Teeth clenched, he replied, "…No."
Seeing the Geo Lord's face darken, Adrian wisely dropped the teasing and returned to business.
"Anyway, I had reasons for writing it that way. Copper Sparrow's shrine fell into ruin because—let's be honest—his persona was too ordinary. No distinct image means no lasting impression."
Zhongli narrowed his eyes. "So you invented all that?"
"Exactly. A poetic, elegant, gentle adeptus? That kind of character will be adored instantly."
"And you still defamed the Geo Archon."
Adrian sighed. "Then what do you want?"
Zhongli answered firmly: "From now on, my bills go to the Immortal Rites Funeral House."
Adrian countered without missing a beat: "Then you'll serve as guest consultant for my funeral house."
Zhongli paused… then nodded. "Very well."
And just like that, the storm quietly passed.
Later, the next day
Keqing finally managed to drag Adrian out toward Tianheng Mountain to choose land for a cemetery.
Midway up the mountain, she suddenly asked, baffled,
"Adrian, why are you so determined to build a cemetery?"
Adrian replied simply,
"I provide full-service funerals—from body preparation to burial. If the families don't need to worry about anything, they'll pay extra for peace of mind."
Keqing quickly understood.
As society grew busier, fewer people had the time to handle funerals personally.
A fully integrated funeral business meant controlling the entire burial industry's downstream.
"If you went into business seriously, you might even surpass Ningguang." she murmured in disbelief.
Adrian laughed. "No way. She's the Tianquan, personally trusted by the Geo Archon."
Keqing's keen ears caught something subtle.
"You sound like you have an opinion about her."
"A little," Adrian said bluntly. "As Tianquan, she should shoulder more responsibility. Liyue prospers every day, but the common folk still struggle just like before."
Keqing's expression hardened.
"As the Yuheng, I bear responsibility too."
Adrian waved a hand lazily. "Yeah, yeah. You're also responsible."
Keqing immediately puffed her cheeks, furious.
She took care of the common people more than any other Qixing, and this was the thanks she got?
Without another word, she stomped ahead angrily.
Adrian stared after her, confused.
What's wrong with her now? Mood swings? Is it that time of the month?
They walked for half an hour when Keqing suddenly froze.
Her expression darkened.
In the clearing ahead, dozens of people sat in a giant circle.
At the center stood a masked man, dancing wildly and chanting incoherently—performing some bizarre ritual.
Adrian took one glance and burst out laughing.
So much drama, and it was just a scammer pretending to be divine.
But Keqing's eyes sharpened like lightning.
She summoned her sword, Lion's Roar, directly from her Vision's space—purple electricity crackling around her—and marched forward murderously.
Adrian couldn't help but admire her.
Owning a Vision meant not only elemental power but also the ability to store one's weapon inside it. Very convenient.
The masked man noticed her approach.
His body stiffened.
Without hesitation, he pulled out a talisman.
A puff of white smoke exploded—
Poof!
He vanished instantly.
The spectators gasped.
Then, as if witnessing a miracle, they erupted in worshipful shouting:
"Stellar Celestial Lord has descended!"
"Stellar Celestial Lord has shown his power!"
Their cries echoed across the clearing.
Keqing tried to explain he was just a fraud.
Even after revealing she was a Qixing member, the crowd refused to believe her—they thought she was trying to steal their "divine blessing."
Adrian sighed and stepped forward.
His expression turned stern as he shouted:
"Silence! I am the third disciple of Cloud Retainer—Adeptus Sword-Wave True Lord!"
He formed rapid hand seals, slapped a talisman, and—
With a roar, a blazing fire dragon exploded into the sky, swirling majestically before dissipating.
The crowd froze in terror.
Adrian lowered the talisman, voice low and chilling.
"That man was a dark cultivator. He wanted to devour you as blood food. Leave now, unless you want to be eaten."
Panic spread instantly.
The people fled in all directions, tripping over each other in their haste.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
patreon.com/soulrequiem