At Wangshu Inn, on stage, Li Mo had finished telling the story of his fifth life—the true story behind the Divine Damsel of Devastation.
When it was over, he could not help but lift his head slightly, using his bamboo hat as cover, to look at Shenhe, the adeptus's disciple, below.
As it happened, Shenhe was also looking at him with a strange expression.
For an instant, their eyes met. It was a little awkward.
Li Mo quickly turned away.
Below, the audience, having just heard this new version of the Divine Damsel of Devastation, sighed deeply.
By now, many had realized that this storyteller was not telling stories. He was stealing their tears.
Liyue had so many happy tales, so many stories of Rex Lapis's invincibility, but he chose to tell only tragic ones.
"Damn storyteller."
"Promise me—in the next life, let that reincarnated boy live happily, just once."
"But don't you think these tragedies are sweet?"
"You're mad. Completely mad. Please contact Baizhu for treatment immediately."
...
Below, the audience, still watching the frozen projections above the inn, continued to discuss. Some even began speculating about where the boy would be reincarnated in his next life.
Liyue? Mondstadt? Inazuma?
Wherever it was, they were sure it would be another tragic story.
Now, in a corner of the inn, Keqing, Hu Tao, and Qiqi were all looking at Shenhe, wanting to say something, to offer some comfort. But seeing her silently crying, they were afraid of upsetting her further.
It was difficult. But such a small problem was nothing for Hu Tao, the seventy-seventh director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
She glanced at the projections, then at the weeping Shenhe, and said seriously, "Shenhe, don't cry. Don't you think we should do something?"
Shenhe blinked. "???"
Keqing looked confused. "???"
Even Qiqi, who disliked Hu Tao, could not help asking, "What important thing?"
They had all listened to the entire story. What had they missed? Had Hu Tao noticed something important?
Seeing their puzzled looks, Hu Tao cleared her throat and said seriously, "In the story the storyteller just told, you should have noticed the stone grave at the foot of Mount Aocang was little Li Mo's grave. Logically, Cloud Retainer buried him there."
Keqing nodded. "That's right. And?"
Hu Tao continued, "A grave made of piled stones. A nameless tombstone. Do you think that is fitting for his status? Does it comply with Liyue's customs?"
"Cloud Retainer is an adeptus, yet she treated his burial so carelessly."
"So I suggest we entrust this funeral to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and hold a proper burial for that little boy."
Hu Tao spoke seriously. These were her true feelings.
That crude grave at the mountain's foot did not conform to Liyue's customs. Making money was a secondary concern—it was just painful to look at. Could such a simple grave truly let the deceased rest in peace?
Keqing was speechless. "That was over a decade ago. I don't think a new funeral is necessary."
Qiqi said slowly, "Hu Tao is bad. She wants to dig up the dead brother."
Shenhe's expression was serious. "I won't allow that."
Hu Tao sighed. "Fine."
After Hu Tao's words, Shenhe had stopped crying. Her expression had returned to normal.
Hu Tao thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, no new funeral. But when the storytelling ends, let's go together to Mount Aocang and visit him, shall we?"
Keqing hesitated. "That could work."
Shenhe nodded. "Thank you for coming with me."
Before, she had been a disciple of the adeptus, untouched by the mortal world. But now, she felt others' concern and accepted it. The adeptus who had severed ties with the mortal world had re-entered it.
Then, they looked outside. The sun had set. The sky was growing dark. The storytelling would stop soon.
So they rose from their seats and headed toward Mount Aocang, to visit the one Shenhe had been waiting for.
...
Meanwhile, in another corner of Wangshu Inn, Barbatos, the Raiden Shogun, Ei, Makoto, and Zhongli sat quietly.
After hearing this story, the three Electro sisters were moved, but not enough to visit a lonely grave.
Zhongli said indifferently, "Today's storytelling is ending. I'm leaving."
He picked up his birdcage and was about to go when Ei blocked him.
"In the story just now, you appeared twice. You were woven throughout the tale. Before the storyteller said anything, did you already know everything?"
This was Liyue Harbor. As the God of Liyue, Morax knew many things.
Zhongli said slowly, "What does it matter if I knew? What does it matter if I didn't? Thinking about such meaningless things only accelerates erosion."
Ei was furious. "You—taste my blade!"
When dealing with others, if things did not go her way, she could always draw Musou Isshin. Her Musou no Hitotachi could cut through anything. But facing Morax, she was repeatedly frustrated.
Seeing her anger, Makoto quickly intervened. "It's all in the past. As long as he didn't enter the underworld, he will enter the cycle of reincarnation again. We will see our brother again."
She sheathed the blade. "Let's listen a little longer."
Unless absolutely necessary, she did not want to fight Morax.
Zhongli watched this exchange. "If you're not going to strike, then I'm leaving."
After hearing so many stories, his expression remained unchanged, neither happy nor sad.
Ei watched his retreating figure and murmured, "Does this man truly have no emotions?"
(T/N: I wonder if Li Mo will reincarnate as Guizhong. It would be funny to watch Morax's reaction. Azdhaha would work as well I guess.)