"This generation's Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is quite lively." Jun Bai sighed as he watched Hu Tao's retreating figure.
"Director Hu is exceptionally talented. She took charge of the parlor at a young age, handles funerals, and has mastered all of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's secret arts. I am very reassured leaving Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in her hands." Zhongli introduced Hu Tao to Jun Bai.
"The person you have chosen, I am naturally reassured about as well." Jun Bai looked at Zhongli with a half-smile. "However, the tone you used just now sounded quite a lot like a mortal introducing his own daughter to an acquaintance."
"Does it?" The corners of Zhongli's mouth lifted as he asked.
"It does." Jun Bai nodded sincerely.
Then the two of them laughed at the same time.
"Now that there is no one else around, it is the perfect time to talk about serious matters." Jun Bai restrained his smile and said seriously, "Zhongli, regarding the Rite of Descension, have your thoughts still not changed?"
Zhongli's expression remained calm. He nodded and said: "Correct."
"It is time to bid farewell to Rex Lapis and Liyue."
[? Isn't this plot progression a bit too sudden? Did I miss a segment?]
[This twist came so unexpectedly. This conversation basically sounds like Jun Bai and Zhongli are working together to make a move against the Geo Archon during the Rite of Descension.]
[I remember there was a part in "Footprints" where the Geo Archon was assassinated. Could it be Jun Bai and Zhongli?]
[That seems unlikely, right? Didn't Jun Bai say he has a good personal relationship with the Geo Archon?]
Silver Wolf in front of the screen was also shocked speechless by this plot segment. The previous guess was almost overturned by Zhongli's single sentence.
"Everyone calm down. Don't start wildly guessing the rest of the plot just because of one conversation. Be careful not to get slapped in the face later."
Silver Wolf controlled her emotions and continued the dialogue.
Jun Bai nodded and said: "Indeed. Then tomorrow I will cooperate with you as much as possible."
[Alright, the moment Brother Bai said that, it's basically confirmed that Zhongli is going to assassinate the Geo Archon and Brother Bai will support him.]
[Even though I know we shouldn't guess randomly, it really gives off that vibe.]
[Could it be that what Brother Bai said earlier about having a good personal relationship with the Geo Archon was fake? He even fooled Venti?]
Did I really guess wrong? Silver Wolf frowned.
At this moment the screen darkened and text appeared:
"After discussing some matters that only the two of them knew about with Zhongli, Hu Tao came running back."
"After completing a series of procedures, Jun Bai was promoted to a future Peach-tier client of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. A satisfied Hu Tao took Zhongli and left grandly."
Jun Bai returned to Lumine and Paimon's side and said: "Sorry, I ran into an old friend and chatted a bit too long."
Lumine waved her hand: "It's fine. We didn't actually wait that long."
Jun Bai led Lumine and Paimon to an inn in Liyue Harbor and booked a room for the two of them.
As night fell, holding the thought that she would finally meet the Geo Archon tomorrow, Lumine lay on the bed and gradually fell asleep.
Jun Bai, on the other hand, sat cross-legged on the bed in another guest room and began thinking about the next step of his plan.
The conversation with Zhongli had elements of catching up, but it was also part of Jun Bai's temporary plan.
Liyue's storyline would not fully conclude until the Version 1.1 major update "A New Star Approaches." Before the version update, there would be a long dry period.
During the dry period, when players didn't even have 20 stamina, the main thing they did was discuss the plot.
When a character's stance in the story was extremely clear-cut, that character would rarely be mentioned when there was no new plot.
Because the stance was clear, there was no controversy and no points to discuss. Players would subconsciously avoid that character when talking about the plot.
Jun Bai still remembered that at launch in his previous life, everyone was guessing about the Geo Archon's assassination and whether it was related to the Fatui or the Liyue Qixing—extremely controversial plot points.
But everyone avoided discussing the Knights of Favonius and the Millelith, the two organizations with very clear stances.
A similar example was Scaramouche. Whenever any plot involving Scaramouche appeared, it was destined to stir up a storm outside the game.
Because Scaramouche had too many controversial aspects.
And where there was controversy, there was discussion. Discussion generated popularity, which in turn created Scaramouche's massive fanbase. (After all, black-red is still red.)
Jun Bai only came up with this plan after meeting Zhongli. After all, back in Mondstadt he had already taken a very clear stance in support of Rex Lapis.
Therefore, it was actually very difficult for Jun Bai to generate controversy.
But after seeing Hu Tao and Zhongli, Jun Bai had a sudden flash of inspiration and came up with this plan.
The conversation with Zhongli was deliberately misleading the players, steering them toward thinking that he was going to assassinate the Geo Archon.
In this way, controversy would naturally arise. Even during the dry period, Jun Bai would still be able to gain popularity points because of it.
However, because it was a temporary plan, Jun Bai had not yet figured out the follow-up arrangements.
Only when the sky began to brighten did Jun Bai finally finish planning the rest.
At the same time, Lumine, who had a good biological clock, opened her eyes on the bed.
Seeing that Paimon was still sound asleep, Lumine quietly put on her boots and walked out of the room.
She planned to buy breakfast for this low-emotional-intelligence guide who had never provided any useful information.
Two doors opened at the same time. Jun Bai and Lumine stood in the corridor staring at each other.
Lumine gently closed the door, placed her index finger on her lips, and glanced toward the room: "Paimon is still sleeping."
Jun Bai nodded in understanding, gently closed his own door as well, and whispered with a smile: "When Guizhong said you and Paimon have a good relationship, didn't you deny it quite quickly?"
"After all, she's been traveling with me. I can't let her go hungry, can I?" Lumine said in a tsundere tone.
"Breakfast is served in the lobby on the first floor. You can just take a portion upstairs. There's no need to go out and buy it specially." Jun Bai reminded her.
"Thank you." Lumine nodded.
"By the way, since we ran into each other here, there's something I need to tell you."
"Today during the Rite of Descension, I will take you to Yujing Terrace, but I have some sudden matters to handle and may not be able to accompany you and Paimon for the entire event."
Jun Bai said with a troubled expression.
— Side Note
After looking at the comments, it seems most people want to see Guizhong as a gacha character. Then we'll happily settle on that.
My current idea for Guizhong is a 5-star Catalyst Geo character, positioned more as a support with some sub-DPS capabilities. There are elements of Zhongli, Albedo, and Hu Tao's post-sale support in there.
Also, there's another matter—Scaramouche.
Right now I have two ways to handle Scaramouche: one is to intercept him before the Doctor does and raise him into a polite young man like the White Scaramouche version (Hat Guy).
The other is simpler—just let him die in the Sumeru God War.
Which plan do you prefer? Vote in the comment section.
Of course, if you have even better ideas for Scaramouche, feel free to suggest them in the comments.