Time turned back to one day earlier.
The Geo Archon, Morax, as usual, had changed into human attire and gone to the teahouse to sip tea and listen to stories. It was most enjoyable. On stage, the storyteller was recounting Morax's own feats of subduing the gods.
But today was different. Before him, not only the finest tea, but also a thrush cage sat on the table. He took a sip of tea and reached out to play with the bird.
Just then, other patrons at a nearby table began to murmur among themselves.
"Did you hear? Old Hu of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has passed away. What a pity."
"I was going to have Old Hu host my funeral."
"Now the director is that little girl Hu Tao. A child of barely ten—what does she know about funerals?"
"I heard she left the parlor two days ago. Someone saw her enter Wuwang Hill, and she hasn't come out in three days. She might be trapped there."
"She's the only heir Old Hu left behind. If she dies, there'll be no one to carry on the parlor."
"That girl's clever enough—even ghosts are afraid of her. She might not be in too much danger."
"Who knows?"
"Her father disappeared the same way, didn't he?"
Speaking of Hu Tao's father, the old patrons sighed. Few knew the truth, and even they only knew rumors they couldn't verify. But thirteen years ago, someone had indeed seen Hu Tao's father enter Wuwang Hill and never return.
As they talked, Morax's indifferent expression shifted. His brow furrowed slightly. A moment later, he rose without hesitation, picked up his thrush cage, and walked out.
The moment he left the teahouse, the owner came over and saw the empty table. He stomped in frustration.
"Such a young man, and he's already learned to skip out on the bill? Fine, I'll put it on his tab. He won't get away next time."
He pulled out a notebook and wrote down the name "Zhongli," along with the Mora he owed.
Meanwhile, on the other side of Liyue, Morax found an elderly woman. The moment she saw him, she smiled warmly.
"Finally out for a walk. Walking might help reduce your erosion."
Clearly, she knew him. Morax's expression remained flat as he said, "That girl has gone to the end of Wuwang Hill. Go help her."
The girl he meant, of course, was little Hu Tao. By accepting her grandfather's thrush, he had, in a sense, entered a contract. As the God of Contracts, he could not break that promise. He could not let Hu Tao die in Wuwang Hill or be trapped there forever.
The old woman smiled. "Very well. Since you won't go yourself, I'll go to Wuwang Hill and convince the little girl to come back."
With that, she turned toward the direction of Wuwang Hill, took a step, and vanished.
Morax showed no surprise. He turned back toward the teahouse to continue his tea and storytelling. Hearing those tales of his own deeds, even he felt a little lighter. Perhaps the old woman was right—a walk might ease his erosion.
…
Time returned to the present. Deep in Wuwang Hill, Hu Tao's eyes widened in astonishment as she stared at the old woman before her.
"Ah! Are you human or ghost?"
Her grandfather had told her that no one except those from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor could enter the depths of Wuwang Hill. Yet here was an elderly woman standing before her.
The old woman smiled. "Human, of course! Do I look like a ghost?"
Strictly speaking, she was an adeptus. She held out the spicy meat bun to Hu Tao.
"Little girl, you must be starving. Here, eat."
Hu Tao looked at the bun hesitantly. Ever since she was little, her grandfather had taught her never to accept food from strangers. But the smell of the bun, the growling of her empty stomach—she couldn't help swallowing her saliva, her eyes full of longing.
The old woman saw her hesitation and chuckled. "Silly girl, would I harm you? I'm an old friend of your grandfather's. Go ahead and eat."
Hu Tao no longer hesitated. "Thank you, Granny!"
She took the bun and devoured it hungrily. How delicious it was. After three days without a proper meal, this was the first time she had eaten her fill.
Amazingly, the moment she took a bite, a warmth spread through her body, easing her exhaustion. What a miraculous bun.
Seeing her eat so eagerly, the old woman smiled. "Little girl, it's time to go back."
Hu Tao swallowed and said firmly, "I'm waiting for Grandfather."
The old woman smiled. "You won't find him here."
Hu Tao looked confused. "Why not? Do you know about Grandfather? He'll come here. He wants to see me too."
Thinking of her grandfather, she believed he thought of her too. That was why she was so determined.
But hearing her words, the old woman chuckled. "Truly Old Hu's granddaughter. Your stubbornness reminds me of him when he was young. But your grandfather has already moved on."
Hu Tao refused to believe it. "Impossible. Grandfather must want to see me too."
The old woman said seriously, "You should know that your family has always lived plainly and departed plainly, without regrets. Your grandfather was no different. Though he misses you, that longing is not a regret. It won't hold him back. So go back to where you belong. Your grandfather has already moved on—without regrets."