The docks of Liyue Harbor were wide and bustling. Countless ships were moored along the piers, while merchants, travelers, and fishermen came and went. From this alone, one could glimpse a fraction of Liyue Harbor's prosperity.
Yet behind this prosperity, Liyue Harbor was now facing an unprecedented crisis.
Anyone who stayed long enough would notice that the city's defenses had been significantly strengthened. Foreign merchants and travelers were subjected to meticulous inspections. All customs documents had to be complete, along with proof of identity and a clear statement of purpose for entering Liyue. Without these, one could neither disembark nor step foot inside the harbor.
Violators would face immediate enforcement by the Millelith, including, though not limited to, arrest, detention, or deportation.
"Mr. Richard, welcome to Liyue Harbor," the clerk said with a smile after making copies of Richard's documents.
"Mhm. Could you tell me how to get to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? Is it still on that old street in Feiyun Slope?" Richard asked directly, aiming for efficiency, swift and decisive.
"Yes, the Wangsheng Parlor hasn't moved in recent years…"
"If it's still there, then it hasn't moved in over a hundred years," Richard replied casually. The clerk blinked in confusion as Richard turned and left the harbor office.
With his destination clear, Richard went straight there. Perhaps because he was well-dressed and didn't look suspicious, the Millelith patrols didn't bother to stop and question him.
Not that Richard cared, he had entered through proper channels and even had a temporary residence permit. Even if questioned, showing his documents would get him through easily.
"…Business is quiet." Richard looked up at the antique building before him.
As it dealt in funeral services, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor naturally had few customers. In truth, this old street already saw little traffic; being at the edge of Feiyun Slope, it couldn't compare with the core commercial districts.
Still, business like Wangsheng's didn't need heavy foot traffic. Clients would come when needed.
"Young man, you look unfamiliar. What brings you to my Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?" a crisp, lively female voice called from behind.
From the tone alone, Richard imagined a mischievous and lively young girl.
Turning, he wasn't wrong. A cheerful girl, wearing a divination hat and a long, patterned Chinese-style dress, looked at him with bright eyes.
Only… in her hand was-
Noticing his gaze, she lifted a flyer and said: "Want to take a look? Wangsheng's new promotion! To thank new and old customers, we're offering half price on the second tombstone!"
"But you look healthy and full of energy, so you probably won't need this discount. Hmm… did someone in your family pass away? If so, just come to Wangsheng, we offer professional, one-stop services, from funeral rites to burial."
"If no relatives have passed, that's fine too. We also provide pre-order services. With just a small deposit, you'll never have to worry about your afterlife arrangements!" she said with infectious enthusiasm. If one ignored what she was actually selling, her pitch alone proved her to be a born salesperson.
"Sorry, I'm an orphan. I have no blood relatives." Richard's single sentence ended the conversation.
"Ah… haha… really? Then, sorry about that." Even someone as familiar with death as her had to apologize for such an awkward pitch.
"No need to mind. May I ask, your name is…?" Richard looked at the lively girl before him, noting her plum-blossom pupils and her divination hat. He already had a guess.
"I'm Hu Tao, 77th Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! And how should I address you, sir?"
"Richard, from Fontaine. I came to visit an old friend," Richard replied.
"Visiting a friend… at Wangsheng? If it's for a grave, those are outside the city, not here. What was your friend's name?" Hu Tao misunderstood, assuming his friend was already her "client."
"His name is Zhongli. Do you know him?" Richard asked.
"Ohhh, him! He's our consultant here. Of course I know him. But right now, he's probably at a teahouse. You could wait inside until he returns."
"Even though we rarely have guests, we do keep good tea for hospitality. Want some snacks too? I just bought candied hawthorns and coconut date cakes for an old friend, but you happened to come at the right time. We can share."
"Then thank you, Director Hu."
"Just call me Hu Tao."
Led inside by Hu Tao, Richard entered the parlor's hall. Funeral-related items filled the space, coffins, paper offerings, candles, but it wasn't eerie. Instead, it carried a solemn dignity.
It was clear Morax had truly thought ahead for his retirement. Even his afterlife was carefully arranged.
"How long has Zhongli been Wangsheng's consultant?" Richard asked.
"Not sure. But he was a friend of my grandfather, the previous director. Ever since I took over, he's been here."
"Then it's been quite a while," Richard nodded.
"What about you? How do you know him? He has many friends, but I've never heard of one from Fontaine."
"Through a bard. That's how we met. It's been some years now…" Richard sipped the tea, frowning slightly. The leaves were good, but the brewing… a complete waste.
Hu Tao, however, drank happily, blissfully unaware of her "unique" tea skills. To her, making tea simply meant tossing leaves in a cup and pouring boiling water, details like water temperature, proportion, or steeping didn't matter. As long as it had flavor, it was tea.
"How many years?" Hu Tao asked curiously, noticing his old-fashioned tone. Her gaze then fell to his unusual ears.
"Quite some years. I haven't returned to Liyue in a long time."
"So you lived here before?"
"For a while. Met many interesting people… though most of them are gone now." Richard glanced around with a faint smile. "Who knows, maybe they became Wangsheng's old customers."
"You're a long-lived one?" Hu Tao guessed.
"Elves naturally live longer than humans," Richard said, neither denying nor explaining further.
"Ohhh… then…" Hu Tao's eyes flicked again to his ears.
"Only my ears and lifespan differ from humans. In other ways, we're the same," Richard explained with a smile.
While they chatted, the person they awaited returned.
Zhongli entered the hall, only to see Hu Tao waving. "Consultant Zhongli, your friend is here!"
"?" Zhongli turned his gaze toward Richard.
Their eyes met. Richard waved lightly and said: "Mr. Zhongli, long time no see."
"Indeed. Today is a fine day. An old friend visits, cause enough to celebrate. I happen to have a table reserved at Liuli Pavilion. Director…" Zhongli looked at Hu Tao.
Hu Tao's expression grew complicated. Her hand instinctively went to her purse. She knew this feeling too well, the feeling that her wallet was in danger.
"Liuli Pavilion? That's an expensive place…" Richard said politely. But he knew for Zhongli, it shouldn't be much.
What he didn't know was that Zhongli was now just a mortal. His wallet was emptier than Hu Tao's purse. Any expense would either come from Wangsheng's accounts… or Richard's. Zhongli himself certainly had nothing.
That was why Hu Tao instinctively checked her purse.
Zhongli noticed and clarified: "The Young Master is hosting. Director Hu, you needn't worry about the cost."
"You should've said so earlier! Whew, I was ready to pay myself. Can't have guests footing the bill, right? But since it's the Young Master's treat… shall we go?" Hu Tao still considered opening another table separately, she could afford it.
"It's fine. The Young Master is generous and eager to make friends. He has long wanted to meet you, Director Hu. As for Mr. Richard, the Young Master has admired him for quite some time," Zhongli explained.
"Oh? So Mr. Richard is famous?" Hu Tao looked at Richard curiously.
Richard waved it off. "I just hold a minor office in Fontaine. Nothing worth mentioning. If the Young Master wants to see me, it must be about the Northland Bank's Fontaine branch. But I came only to visit a friend, not for business."
"I see. Then perhaps we should open our own table? To celebrate a new friend?" Hu Tao offered generously.
"Thank you, but no need. Meeting the Young Master is fine." Richard declined.
"Besides, Liuli Pavilion reservations are made days in advance. It's too late to book another table now," Zhongli added.
"Alright, I'll go along with you then." Hu Tao didn't argue further. Truthfully, she was also curious about the so-called "Young Master" who had saved Wangsheng so much money since meeting Zhongli.
For indeed, ever since Zhongli met him, Wangsheng's daily expenses had dropped by half.
With time to spare before the meal, Hu Tao took her snacks and went off to "fish for zombies," leaving the two to talk privately.
After she left, Zhongli poured himself tea. One sip, and like Richard, he frowned. Looking at the wasted leaves, he sighed, dumped the cup, and brewed anew.
This time, the method could be summed up in two words: refined care.
Richard also received a cup. After a light sip, he sighed. "To taste tea brewed by the Geo Archon himself, this trip to Liyue is already worth it."
Zhongli didn't even blink. "I heard Venti gave you his Gnosis. You came here for the same?"
"No. I only wish to ask for a contract, while you still have your Gnosis."
"A contract?" Zhongli hadn't expected that.
"Yes. One with binding force. Didn't you get my letter?" Richard asked.
"No," Zhongli shook his head.
"Then it hasn't arrived yet. Anyway, that's why I came. I won't stay long. Don't worry, I won't interfere with your plans."
It didn't bother Richard. International mail always took time. With Liyue's current troubles, delays were inevitable.
If not for his worry that the letter would arrive after Zhongli gave away his Gnosis, and Furina's constant urging, he wouldn't have come personally.
"What kind of binding force do you mean?" Zhongli asked calmly.
"One strong enough to restrain gods," Richard replied.
"And the content?"
"A confidentiality contract, to build trust."
"You know that trust usually comes first, then a contract. Not the other way around," Zhongli reminded.
"Trust is already there. The contract is just security." Richard thought of Furina's conflicted face that day. She had already given him trust, something she had never given anyone else, tied to her five-hundred-year struggle. That was why she hesitated.
He knew this contract wasn't about trust itself, but about giving her a way to voice it, a step she could take.
Ultimately, her trust was the foundation.
Seeing this, Zhongli said no more. With a wave, he summoned an ancient parchment contract, its text still blank, waiting for Richard to fill in. But its power was real.
Once signed, any violation would bring harsh backlash. This was a rule-level contract, even Zhongli himself couldn't override it.
In short: a contract under the rules of the world. And even the Seven Archons were bound by those rules.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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