To outsiders, Yun Jin of Yun-Han Opera Troupe has always been poised, elegant, gentle, and modest—a rare, dignified beauty.
But few people know Yun Jin has a little secret hobby.
Rock 'n' roll.
Yun Jin greatly appreciates the immense power contained in rock music.
Unfortunately, in the eyes of Yun-Han's veteran actors, anything outside their beloved opera is a heterodox path—rock included.
They don't support Yun Jin listening to rock, thinking it will taint the purity of her operatic art.
So, each time, Yun Jin sneaks out to listen to rock shows.
Of course.
Every time she returns from a concert, she gets an earful from her elders. But being able to hear the music she loves, Yun Jin doesn't mind the nagging.
After all, there's a generation gap. The old may not grasp new trends, but their intentions are good; one shouldn't lightly disappoint them.
Today she originally came to find Ken to compose a new opera piece. She didn't expect to stumble upon a rock performance as well—even if it was being held at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, which didn't bother Yun Jin.
Art should embrace all rivers.
But when Yun Jin arrived at Wangsheng, she was taken aback by the setup inside.
In the spacious courtyard, a massive stage had been erected, festooned with white funeral wreaths. Around the yard stood several tables of exquisite banquet dishes, the food and wine abundant.
"Please, Miss Yun Jin—today Xinyan's our lead vocalist. If you're hungry, help yourself," Hu Tao said, blazing with warmth.
She'd been rehearsing with the staff and Xinyan for so long—of course the more audience the better. Feedback would be nice, too.
If even Yun Jin gave it high marks, Hu Tao planned to launch a "funeral hall rock" service at Wangsheng in the future—limited to joyous funerals, naturally.
Under Hu Tao's enthusiastic hospitality, Yun Jin sat down with a smile.
Ken glanced at the green-clad figure glugging wine nearby. "You made it right on time."
"I paid a lot to get in on this banquet. No way I'd miss it," Venti said with a grin.
To dine at the Geo Archon's table—what a delight.
And Zhongli personally organizing his own funeral—the meaning was something else entirely.
"By the way, where are the Traveler and little Paimon?"
Venti looked around but didn't spot them.
When it comes to free feasts, aside from him, those two would be the most excited.
"Something came up. They couldn't make it."
Ken knew Lumine and Paimon had wanted to come, but after what happened last night had shaken the girl's mood, they had to miss out.
"What a shame. Once you miss this village, there's no inn down the road," Venti sighed, then glanced at the calm Zhongli beside him. "When does the rock show start? I hear you handpicked the lead singer."
Unmoving as a mountain, Zhongli said serenely, "This rocker's style is unconventional yet uniquely charming. By general theory, it will feel refreshing to you all."
Ken: "…"
Looks like Zhongli doesn't actually know what Hu Tao and Xinyan's program is; otherwise he wouldn't be this composed.
Dooong—
As Zhongli's words fell, Hu Tao struck a gong on the wreath-ringed stage, and the crowd fell silent.
The impish girl beamed.
"To honor the Geo Archon, our Wangsheng staff have specially rehearsed a show. On this Rite of Parting day, we wish to offer the Archon a unique tribute."
"This is also Wangsheng's newest funeral service. People come into this world crying; let them leave smiling. It's designed specifically for joyous send-offs."
"Next, please welcome the rock musicians and our actors to the stage—to perform the Dancing Pallbearers!"
To the old Hu Tao, funerals were deadly serious. Mischievous as she was in daily life, she never took funerals lightly—always solemn.
But after learning about Blue Star, Hu Tao had some new ideas.
Funerals are indeed solemn.
But they come in different forms—like joyous funerals.
In Liyue, a joyous funeral is a kind of celebration. Treating it with the same rigid process feels cold; better to fuse cultures and pioneer a new trend.
Of course.
She didn't know if people would accept this new model.
She implemented it today only because she knew Zhongli's identity. Strictly speaking, today wasn't a real funeral—just Zhongli booking himself a little funeral-hall rock, so no need for austerity.
After her rousing speech, Hu Tao stepped down with her gong.
Xinyan strode onto the stage hugging her guitar, ablaze with energy. The dynamic beat rolled out, and the upright Yun Jin instantly broke into a smile, applauding despite herself.
Xinyan's performances are always so full of vigor, as if packed with limitless power, making people sway with the rhythm.
"How is it?" Zhongli lifted his tea cup, asking leisurely.
As a god long in the world, he can understand many new cultures, even occasionally support them in his own way—that's why he invited Xinyan for this funeral-hall rock.
Chewing on banquet fare, Venti's expression twitched. "It's… certainly unconventional."
"Heh…" Zhongli sipped elegantly, with a teasing tone. "The Anemo Archon from the land of freedom can't grasp this new music? You call yourself the world's finest bard, yet your appreciation…"
He stopped mid-sentence.
His hand holding the tea trembled slightly.
Because along with Xinyan's blazing rock, five more people walked onto the stage.
They were Wangsheng employees. Wearing Blue Star suits, they hoisted a coffin and danced intricate, peculiar steps, twisting in perfect rhythm.
Leading them was Meng.
Meng flashed white teeth at the audience, whipped out a trumpet, and blasted a passionate tune that fused perfectly with Xinyan's overflowing rock.
The four pallbearers carrying the coffin moved in ever stranger, more outlandish steps.
Occasionally they barked out a "Ha!"
What left Zhongli most speechless was that the coffin was carved with his true form—half qilin, half dragon—strikingly obvious.
Zhongli's mouth twitched. No wonder Venti spoke like that… Why is this funeral-hall rock completely different from what I imagined?
"Well? Dancing Pallbearers' funeral-hall rock—pretty fitting for you, right?"
Hu Tao swaggered over, proud as could be at the unflappable Zhongli.
Zhongli: "…"
"Very good. I didn't expect everyone to be so naturally gifted at performance." Ken had already taken out his phone to record.
"Dancing Pallbearers send off the Archon"—that title alone would draw in countless players.
And the scene was just too hilariously bizarre—especially with Zhongli's half qilin, half dragon carved on the coffin—enough to make anyone crack up.
"As expected of the oldest living god—your acceptance of new art is remarkable."
Venti's face was earnest, tone solemn.
But his constantly shaking shoulders betrayed his true feelings.
"Director… how did you come up with this program?"
Zhongli's voice was calm, but storms churned in his eyes.
He did invite a funeral-hall rock to send himself off.
He just didn't expect Hu Tao to innovate a powered-up version.
It did look good… It was lively… The vibe was close to what he wanted—but these Dancing Pallbearers? That's a bit too avant-garde, no?
However you look at it, this mode of expression is odd… Even a timeless rock like him felt speechless.
"Of course I got the idea from Ken. Touched, right? But no need to thank me. Knowing you like funeral-hall rock, I worked hard to rehearse it for you. Just enjoy."
Hu Tao patted Zhongli's shoulder, all magnanimous "no need to thank me."
Zhongli: "...…"
He thought Dancing Pallbearers were enough, but then they carried the coffin and danced cha-cha, making him rub his forehead again and again.
Today's program would be burned into memory.
In all his years, he'd never encountered a scene that left him this silent.
Today his native tongue was "speechless."
Ken and Venti, on the other hand, were having a blast—eating and recording, happy as clams.
Even Yun Jin was thoroughly amused.
Zhongli felt… in today's funeral-hall rock, only he got hurt.
Especially at the end, when the pallbearers danced, wiped tears, and recited a eulogy, Zhongli even felt an urge to hurl a few Planet Befall to vent.
Still, this was his own doing.
If he hadn't asked for funeral-hall rock, Hu Tao wouldn't have gone this far.
This offbeat performance ended perfectly—in a world where only Zhongli suffered.
Ken and Venti ate to their hearts' content and laughed themselves silly.
…
After wining and dining—
"How was it?"
Ken smiled at the gracefully approaching Yun Jin.
Yun Jin couldn't help it, laughing: "A very interesting number. I really didn't expect Xinyan to have such a show. I should thank Director Hu for the hospitality."
The elegant diva in everyone's eyes now covered her face and laughed like swaying blossoms.
Like a gorgeous painting suddenly bursting to life with that smile.
The idol of countless opera fans is, after all, just a girl.
"No need to thank me. The idea was Zhongli's." Hu Tao explained, "Zhongli wanted to see the Geo Archon off with joy."
At the mention of the Geo Archon, Yun Jin suppressed her smile and grew solemn: "Indeed. The Rex Lapis has protected Liyue for millennia. Now that He has passed, I hope—as you said—He appreciates this mode of farewell."
At first, when Yun Jin saw the Geo Archon's emblem, she felt it a bit inappropriate.
But then let it go.
As Hu Tao said, people come crying into the world; to leave with a smile is good too.
More importantly, it was Zhongli's idea.
Yun Jin hadn't interacted much with Zhongli, but she knew he was well-versed in Liyue's ancient customs. Perhaps this was some old Liyue rite, just forgotten by people now.
"Ahem… The Geo Archon will like it, I think?" Ken glanced at Zhongli.
Expressionless, Zhongli said, "Mm… The Geo Archon will like it."
Venti had been holding back laughter. Hearing that, he lost it, stumbling off to the side to laugh it out.
Zhongli: "…"
Fortunately, Yun Jin didn't probe. After bidding farewell to Ken and the others, she left.
She had to hurry to finish her new script.
Because storytellers in Liyue Harbor were watching this play too. To win a full house, she needed both speed and quality.
"Today's show was a great success. I'll go talk with Xinyan about follow-up collaboration."
Hu Tao's heart and eyes were full of Wangsheng's business, and off she bustled.
Zhongli turned to the cackling Venti. Calmly: "Barbatos, is it that funny?"
Venti: "Suddenly remembered urgent business at home. Farewell."
And with that—
Taking advantage of no one watching, Venti turned into a gust of wind and vanished from Wangsheng.
Remembering how he'd been trapped by Zhongli at Yujing Terrace last time, Venti didn't want a repeat.
Besides—
He'd eaten Morax's banquet. A perfect day!
"Off to Jueyun Karst?"
Zhongli looked at Ken, eyes tinged with grievance. If he remembered right, Ken had laughed quite unrestrainedly just now—and even recorded it.
For this new dear friend, Zhongli ground his teeth.
"Sure."
Ken reined in his smile, trying to look serious. He also wanted to taste Jueyun's immortal brew.
But thinking of his brief encounter with Shenhe—if she saw him now, she'd probably be surprised, right?
…
Mt. Aocang.
A towering range north of Qingyun Peak, steep and sky-piercing. From afar, wreathed in cloud and wind; ordinary mortals could hardly set foot there.
By the honey-like lake, green grass and blooming flowers surrounded a simple stone table. The Adepti of Jueyun had gathered, for once not in true forms but in human guise.
In layered emerald raiment like drifting clouds, Cloud Retainer looked at the stooped Madame Ping and smiled: "Ah Ping, must you maintain that old form even among us?"
Madame Ping gazed at the breathtaking vista of Qingyun, sighing: "I'm just thinking—though Guizhong left us long ago, I never imagined even the sturdiest rock would be worn down by years."
…