Chapter 151: Hu Tao to the Rescue
Venti, who was in the middle of a grand, dramatic performance, couldn't help but notice the young man beside him. The newcomer's aura was deep, his presence carrying an immense weight that was impossible to ignore.
The bard's exaggerated expression softened slightly as he sized up Daiyuan with keen curiosity. Although the man's current demeanor was a world away from the Ruotuo Dragon King he remembered—a being tormented by erosion and driven to madness—the potent energy of the Ley Lines, emanating from the very core of his being, was unmistakable.
A friendly, almost mischievous smile immediately blossomed on Venti's face. "Well now, this young man of extraordinary bearing," he greeted, his voice lilting. "You must be the legendary Ruotuo Dragon King, yes? I've heard so much about you! I'm Venti, a humble bard from Mondstadt. A pleasure to meet you!"
Daiyuan, finally snapping out of his initial shock, quickly returned the greeting. "Ah, hello, hello! And you must be Barbatos, the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, aren't you? Why have you also changed your name, just like Morax?"
He found the entire concept of gods adopting aliases to wander the mortal realm rather novel.
Venti just smiled and waved a dismissive hand. "Ehe~ Being a god was just a past duty," he explained breezily. "Now, I'm just an ordinary bard who loves poetry and fine wine. It's just like Mr. Zhongli here, who is now merely a knowledgeable consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Daiyuan listened, considered the logic, and found it quite reasonable. He nodded in understanding before formally reintroducing himself. "I see. In that case, allow me to introduce myself again. My name is Daiyuan, and I am currently a… well… a temporary worker at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, diligently working to pay off my debts."
He said it so naturally, as if working to repay a debt was the most ordinary thing in the world.
Watching from the side, Zhongli felt a strange and unexpected sense of relief wash over him. Although Daiyuan had been pestering him all day about finding "new and interesting things," his presence now at least served to divert some of Venti's relentless attention. With the bard's focus split, Zhongli wasn't the sole target of his antics. The situation wasn't entirely out of his control… yet.
However, that sense of relief lasted less than three seconds.
Upon hearing Daiyuan's remark about "working to pay off debts," Venti merely offered a knowing smile, choosing not to press the matter. Instead, he smoothly redirected his focus back to Zhongli, his tone once again laced with a theatrical sense of grievance.
"Zhongli, oh, Zhongli," he lamented, "to think you had access to such a fun 'chat group' that can connect countless worlds and even let you draw all sorts of marvelous items… and you only thought of playing by yourself? Did you not spare a single thought for your best poet friend? Has our friendship truly come to an end?"
What made Zhongli's burgeoning headache even worse was that the moment Daiyuan heard the phrases "connecting countless worlds" and "marvelous items," his eyes lit up with a brilliant spark. He instantly forgot that he and Zhongli were supposed to be on the same side.
He eagerly leaned forward, his voice full of excitement. "That's right! And me! And me! Zhongli, why didn't you tell me about something so wonderful!"
A dull throb began to pulse at Zhongli's temples. How could he have forgotten? The current Daiyuan was also an 'unstable element'—a being brimming with curiosity for the new and a love for watching a good show unfold.
He had no choice but to first pacify the more reasonable of the two. Turning to Daiyuan, he explained in a calm, measured tone, "Daiyuan, you and I are both currently guests of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Our daily food, clothing, and expenses are all covered by the Director."
"Both logically and emotionally," he continued, cleverly bringing Hu Tao into the conversation, "if such an opportunity were to truly arise, it should naturally be offered to the Director first. This is simply the proper way of things."
Daiyuan considered this and felt it made perfect sense. Director Hu Tao was indeed very good to him and Zhongli, providing them with food, lodging, and even a job (albeit one to pay off his debts). For something so incredibly fun, it was only right to think of the Director first.
He immediately nodded, ceasing his pestering of Zhongli. Instead, he fell into deep thought, pondering how he might improve his relationship with the Director. Perhaps, he mused, he too could benefit from her good fortune in the future.
Having dealt with Daiyuan, Zhongli then turned to the far more troublesome Venti, attempting to reason with him. "Since you were able to find this place, you must have already learned the details from the Traveler, Lumine."
His tone shifted. "And since she told you, she certainly wouldn't mind inviting an interesting old friend like you into the group. However…"
He paused, letting the word hang in the air. "There is always the matter of first-come, first-served. I have already promised the Director the first opportunity. You simply need to wait for the next spot after she joins. I do not believe you will have to wait long, so I ask for your patience."
Venti, however, was in no mood to listen to such "official rhetoric." He immediately shook his head, striking a pose that screamed, 'I'm not listening, I'm not listening!'
He even leaned back dramatically, looking as if he was about to lie down on the ground and throw a full-blown tantrum at any second. "Wait, wait, wait! How long do I have to wait?! I am—"
Just as the hem of Venti's cape was about to brush against the floor—
Knock, knock, knock.
A crisp rapping sound echoed from the door, followed by the distinctive, energetic voice of Hu Tao, the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Consultant~ Why is it so lively in your room? It's the middle of the night! Are you having some secret tea party? It's so noisy, I, the Director, can barely stand it!"
Upon hearing that voice, Zhongli felt as if he were hearing heavenly music. A savior, sent from above! He quickly responded, "Director, please come in."
Venti, who had been on the verge of a theatrical meltdown, froze solid. Then, with a speed that defied belief, he shot up with a soft whoosh.
He very naturally straightened his clothes and hat, a standard, elegant bard's smile snapping back onto his face as he sat down properly in a nearby chair. The speed of his transformation was truly astonishing.
The door was pushed open, and Hu Tao walked in with light, bouncing steps.
Her gaze immediately fell upon the familiar green figure in the room. Her plum blossom pupils blinked in surprise. "Oh my?! Isn't this Venti? When did you come to Liyue?"
"And to think, you came all the way to my Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, but you only looked for my consultant and didn't even greet me, your fellow poet? That's not very nice!" Of course, she remembered Venti. They had dined together and co-hosted the poetry convention during the Lantern Rite. He was one of her rare poet friends.
Venti immediately stood and offered a flawless bow, his smile impeccable. "Good evening, Director Hu Tao. It was a rather sudden matter. I came to discuss some urgent business with Mr. Zhongli. I was planning to visit you after our main business was concluded to further discuss poetry and song. I didn't expect to disturb your rest; I sincerely apologize."
Hu Tao waved her hand magnanimously. "Alright, alright, since it's an urgent matter, it's understandable. However—"
Her tone shifted as she placed her hands on her hips, adopting the authoritative posture of a Director. "It's nighttime now, so please be mindful of the impact! Keep your voices down. My Wangsheng Funeral Parlor deals in 'peaceful' business, and our neighbors are all honest folk."
"I don't want to be called down to the Ministry of Civil Affairs first thing tomorrow morning because someone reported the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for disturbing the peace late at night. Don't you agree, Daiyuan?"
Suddenly being called out, Daiyuan gave a start. He immediately stood up straight, like an employee being inspected by a superior, nodding his head repeatedly in assurance.
"The Director is right! Director, rest assured! I'll definitely keep an eye on them later and make sure they don't get too noisy! There will be absolutely no disturbance to the neighbors' rest!"
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