"Boss Han, what exactly does this Grim Reaper Physique mean?
Does it somehow affect people around him—make them lose control and commit murder?"
Keqing furrowed her brows in confusion.
The phrase 'wherever he goes, people die' sounded way too superstitious.
Everyone turned to look at Han Feng, hoping for an explanation— especially Old Meng, who was desperate to understand what kind of nightmare he had just drawn.
If it truly caused people nearby to kill each other, then for Liyue's safety, the Qianyan Army might very well forbid him from ever leaving his home again.
After a brief silence, Han Feng explained:
"You can think of it as a kind of… Grim Reaper's magnetism.
For example, Liyue has deaths and accidents happening every day— but after Old Meng acquired this physique, those incidents will, by sheer coincidence, tend to occur near him."
"That's why people say, 'wherever he goes, someone dies.'"
In the world of Detective Conan, many murders were crimes of passion, but just as many were premeditated—and by pure chance, Conan always happened to be there.
So Han Feng believed it wasn't that the Grim Reaper Physique caused people to lose control, but that it simply drew existing death events closer to the person.
After all, from a storytelling point of view— if the protagonist never encountered crimes, what would there be to investigate?
"Ah, so that's how it works. That's a relief."
Keqing exhaled slowly.
If it had truly manipulated people into killing each other, she would've had to restrict Old Meng's movements immediately for public safety.
Even so, she made a mental note to have the Qianyan Army quietly keep an eye on him.
If death was destined to follow him around, at least they could minimize collateral damage.
Old Meng also looked visibly relieved.
"Phew… at least it doesn't make me cause crimes."
That was the best thing he'd heard all day.
"Then there's no problem!"
Hu Tao clapped her hands together, looking oddly pleased.
Originally, she had wanted a reward that could detect nearby deaths— it would've been great for finding new clients for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
But now, thanks to Old Meng's "gift," deaths would automatically happen around him.
In other words… business would come straight to her door.
She honestly didn't know whether to feel delighted or creeped out.
"Alright, since we've got our rewards, let's head back to the Funeral Parlor!"
Hu Tao said cheerfully, waving for her staff to follow.
But as they stepped out of the shop and reached the mouth of the alley, they, too—just like Zhongli earlier—were stopped by a squad of Qianyan soldiers.
"Hall Master Hu Tao," the captain said formally, "by Lady Ningguang's order, anyone who enters this Solace Book Store must report the reward they obtained.
False information will not be tolerated. We ask for your cooperation."
The Qianyan captain recognized them, of course— they often worked with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
And, truth be told, he was secretly curious about what kind of bizarre prizes these people might have drawn.
"Show them!"
Hu Tao said casually.
Her staff displayed their items one by one.
The captain inspected them, then nodded.
"All ordinary items. Seems that man from before just got lucky."
He muttered to himself, referring to Zhongli's mysterious rune.
"And what about him?"
He turned toward Old Meng, who hadn't moved.
"You're not going to show yours?"
"You probably won't believe me…"
Old Meng said awkwardly.
"Doesn't matter. Tell us anyway. Lady Ningguang will review it personally."
"Alright…"
Old Meng sighed in defeat.
"My reward is called the Grim Reaper Physique.
It means wherever I go… someone dies."
The Qianyan captain: (⊙_⊙)
What kind of twisted "reward" was that?!
"Are you serious? That's actually what you got?"
He stared at Old Meng in disbelief.
This was even stranger than that guy's "loan rune" or the umbrella that made it rain.
If that power was real, then this man was basically a walking public hazard.
He shouldn't be outside at all!
"I—"
Old Meng started to reply, but suddenly, a shrill scream echoed from the street outside the alley.
"Help! MURDER! Someone's been attacked! Call the Qianyan Army!"
The captain's face turned cold.
"You two, go check it out!"
"Yes, sir!"
Two soldiers sprinted away.
Moments later, one of them returned, panting.
"Report! It was a dispute between neighbors over unpaid debt.
One of them accidentally stabbed the other.
The victim's been taken to the infirmary."
The captain's expression stiffened.
Slowly, he turned his gaze back to Old Meng.
"…I believe you now."
Old Meng: "…"
Hu Tao rubbed her nose awkwardly.
Even she hadn't expected the effect to be this immediate.
He hadn't even finished explaining it— and already someone nearby had gotten stabbed.
"Well, can we go now?"
Hu Tao asked, half-grinning.
"Of course."
The captain nodded quickly.
But as they walked away, he couldn't help murmuring under his breath:
"For the safety of Liyue's citizens…
Hall Master, please try not to let that man out too often."
Old Meng: "…"
Back inside Solace Book Store —
"I should be going. There's still plenty of work waiting for me,"
Keqing said as she stood up.
She had only come to accompany Ganyu today, and now that they both had their rewards, it was time to return to her duties.
The Liyue surveys weren't going to finish themselves.
"Same here," Ganyu smiled.
"There's still so much paperwork waiting at Yuehai Pavilion."
She'd already delayed her schedule enough with this manga reading.
Keqing nodded, but then remembered something.
"By the way, Cloud Retainer is here too. Want to go say hi?"
"My master? She's here?!"
Ganyu's eyes widened in surprise.
Her master, that aloof and reclusive immortal, was actually here… reading manga?
Scanning the shop, Ganyu quickly spotted her— perched gracefully beside Madame Ping and Yanfei, appearing completely absorbed and, frankly, delighted.
Ganyu's expression twitched.
"If she's here too… then I'll wait a bit longer.
I'm curious to see what kind of reward she'll get."
—------------------------------
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