Qiu Bai and Zhongli exchanged a glance, immediately understanding each other's thoughts.
"What?! Lady Ningguang actually invited both Mister Qiu Bai and Mister Zhongli to the Jade Chamber?!"
The nearby citizens of Liyue were utterly shocked.
After all, the Jade Chamber was the pinnacle of Liyue's intelligence network. Even the smallest scrap of paper that fell from it could fetch an astronomical price among Liyue's merchants.
Yet now, two guest consultants from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor were personally invited by Lady Ningguang herself.
This alone spoke volumes about their value and influence.
Zhongli, with his usual calm demeanor, glanced at Keqing and responded in an even tone,
"Lady Yuheng, I am accustomed to a leisurely lifestyle."
"I prefer to admire flowers and listen to the birds rather than take up any official positions."
"Perhaps, you should ask my old friend here instead?"
His explanation was casual yet firm, making it clear that he had no intention of working under Ningguang.
If he agreed, wouldn't that mean working in a field that perfectly suited his expertise?
Then how would he ever enjoy his peaceful retirement?
Keqing, on the other hand, kept her expression neutral, though internally, she felt a mix of disapproval and determination.
"This Zhongli… He looks young and is undoubtedly knowledgeable."
"Yet, he wastes his time idly, unlike Rex Lapis and the adepti, who dedicated thousands of years to Liyue's prosperity."
"No matter what, I will follow in the footsteps of the Geo Archon and the adepti."
Even as she thought this, Keqing maintained a polite smile and responded lightly,
"Mister Zhongli certainly enjoys a carefree life."
At her words, Zhongli's expression remained composed, but Qiu Bai, standing beside him, chuckled softly clearly amused.
Zhongli twitched slightly at the corners of his mouth but remained silent.
"Heh… I've grown accustomed to leisure, but I do appreciate Lady Tianquan's invitation."
Keqing then turned to Qiu Bai and asked in a gentle yet professional tone,
"What about you, Mister Qiu Bai?"
Qiu Bai smiled and replied,
"Once we've finished our current business, I will naturally pay a visit to the Jade Chamber."
Hearing this, Keqing expression softened.
Compared to Zhongli's nonchalance, Qiu Bai at least seemed to take matters seriously.
She nodded slightly and said,
"Whenever you decide to come, you may visit the Yu Jing Terrace and ask for Baishi or Baiwen."
"They will guide you to the Jade Chamber."
With that, Keqing stepped aside and gave a polite farewell,
"I won't take up any more of your time. Farewell, gentlemen."
She then turned and walked briskly toward another street, there was still much work to be done in Liyue's city planning.
As soon as Keqing left, the surrounding merchants immediately took an interest in Qiu Bai.
If someone valued by Lady Ningguang and the Yuheng Star could be won over, it would surely bring great benefits.
However, Qiu Bai saw through their intentions in an instant.
Without giving them a chance, he and Zhongli swiftly continued toward Liuli Pavilion.
Just as they reached the entrance, two employees stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Qiu Bai and Zhongli, then said,
"Gentlemen, Lord Childe has been expecting you. Please, come in."
With a polite smile, they pushed open the doors, allowing Qiu Bai and Zhongli to step inside.
As soon as Qiu Bai entered, he lifted his gaze and saw a man seated at the table.
The man had an empty, almost hollow gaze, but his posture and attire resembled that of a noble heir.
Yet, despite his seemingly detached demeanor, a subtle smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he looked at Qiu Bai and Zhongli.
"Oh? Isn't this Dada-Duck himself?"
Qiu Bai chuckled internally. Among the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, the only one who gave him a favorable impression was the one sitting before him—Childe, Tartaglia.
Childe stood up and greeted them with a warm smile.
"Mister Qiu Bai, Mister Zhongli, please have a seat."
Though he had invited Zhongli, he was genuinely surprised that Qiu Bai had also come along.
Even the Fatui's intelligence network had little information on this mysterious guest consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Did he suddenly appear one day?"
"And he's actually good friends with Zhongli? Interesting… I'd love to spar with him someday!"
Childe mused to himself, intrigued by Qiu Bai presence.
Qiu Bai and Zhongli, not ones for excessive formalities, took their seats without hesitation.
Childe, however, held up a hand.
"Please wait a moment, there's still one more guest who hasn't arrived."
"I'll go fetch her now."
With that, he turned and left the room.
Qiu Bai and Zhongli, in no rush, simply poured themselves some tea and waited.
After all, in Liyue, there was a saying 'starting a meal before all guests have arrived is disrespectful'.
Not long after, Childe returned with a blonde-haired girl dressed in exotic yet elegant attire.
Floating beside her was a small, round, and rather adorable companion.
It was none other than Lumine and Paimon.
The moment they entered, Paimon eyes widened in shock.
"Qiu Bai?! What are you doing here?!"
She immediately flew up to him, her expression full of surprise.
Lumine, too, seemed taken aback but quickly smiled.
"Qiu Bai, I didn't expect to see you here."
Qiu Bai waved casually and grinned.
"Oh? If it isn't the Traveler and Paimon! Long time no see!"
Childe raised an eyebrow at the exchange, a smirk playing on his lips.
"So, Mister Qiu Bai and the Traveler know each other? That makes things even better."
"After all, it's always easier to do business among friends."
Then, he turned toward Zhongli and gestured toward the group.
"Let me introduce you all properly, this is Mr. Zhongli, a guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, just like Mr. Qiu Bai. Both are people of the underworld."
"People of the underworld?"
Hearing this, Lumine hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you mean the kind of underworld I'm thinking of?"
"Yes, exactly the kind you're thinking of," Qiu Bai replied, barely holding back his laughter.
Hearing his confirmation, both Lumine and Paimon were startled they never expected Qiu Bai to be involved in that kind of business!
Childe, noticing their reactions, smiled and explained,
"In Liyue, industries like the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor inevitably have to deal with certain underworld affairs."
Then, glancing at Lumine who was now sitting stiffly, he continued,
"As for us Fatui… well," he paused for a moment before chuckling, "we have always enjoyed working with… friends who walk in the shadows."
Paimon shuddered upon hearing that. "W-Walking in the shadows…?" she stammered.
At this point, Zhongli finally spoke, his tone calm yet authoritative.
"A pleasure to meet you both. I have heard of your deeds in Mondstadt."
Hearing Childe mention "underworld," "shadows," and "sending people to the afterlife" in the same conversation, Lumine and Paimon felt a chill run down their spines.
"Wait a second… does that mean the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is actually…?"
They had never asked Qiu Bai about the nature of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business before, but now that they understood, their hair practically stood on end.
"Indeed, just as you suspect," Zhongli responded matter-of-factly.
"AHHH!"
Paimon quickly covered her mouth, clearly spooked.
Zhongli, however, remained composed as he continued,
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is an organization that oversees funerals and ensures the peaceful passage of souls to the afterlife."
Qiu Bai, who had been struggling to hold it in, finally burst out laughing.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Oh, this is killing me!"
Lumine and Paimon turned to glare at him, clearly annoyed.
"You were messing with us on purpose, weren't you?" Lumine pouted, while Paimon crossed her arms and huffed.
Qiu Bai waved his hand dismissively, still chuckling.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. My bad."
Paimon reaction had simply been too funny for him to resist.
Childe, amused by the situation, also chuckled.
"Hah, did you mistake Mr. Zhongli and Mr. Qiu Bai for assassins?"
Then, with a knowing smirk, he added,
"The Fatui certainly have plenty of assassins among our ranks, but the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor isn't in that line of business—at least, not on the surface."
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