"I've already examined him. The deceased died of cardiac arrest, and the time of death was around five o'clock this morning."
When Chen Feng and Hu Tao followed Keqing into the deceased's home, they happened to run into the doctor who was leaving, so they asked him about it.
After hearing the doctor's answer, Chen Feng immediately spoke up loudly.
"That's impossible! I just saw him yesterday. The Deathly Aura on him was very faint. He could have lived for at least another thirty or forty years without any problem!"
Hearing Chen Feng's words, the doctor shook his head.
"Mr., I don't understand fortune telling, but that man has indeed passed away."
"Even the most powerful abilities can make mistakes. Perhaps you just misjudged this time, Mr.?"
"Did the deceased have a history of heart disease?" Keqing asked the doctor.
"It doesn't seem so. It might have been a recent onset," the doctor said slowly after a moment's thought.
"My ability never makes mistakes!" Chen Feng declared firmly.
"As Director, I can testify that Consultant Chen Feng's abilities have never failed before," Hu Tao spoke up in his defense.
"There must be another reason."
"I need to see that man again."
After saying this, Chen Feng tried to enter the room, but he was stopped by the Millelith.
"Please stop, sir. An investigation is underway inside."
Seeing this, Keqing quickly stepped forward to negotiate with the Millelith, and they soon let them through.
When the three entered the room, they immediately saw the deceased lying on a stretcher placed by the Millelith.
The deceased was slightly hunched over, one hand clutching the clothes over his chest, his face contorted in pain.
"Lady Keqing."
"How is the investigation going now?"
Upon hearing Keqing's inquiry, a Millelith soldier began his report:
"So far, there haven't been many findings, and the possibility of homicide has basically been ruled out.
Keqing nodded as the investigation results matched the doctor's diagnosis. Then she turned to Chen Feng, who stood beside her, and noticed the grim expression on his face.
"What's wrong, Chen Feng?" Hu Tao asked with genuine concern.
Chen Feng shook his head slowly before speaking. "I sensed an extremely dense Deathly Aura emanating from him..."
Hu Tao's expression turned serious. "Consultant Chen Feng, could you have been mistaken yesterday?"
"No. While it's possible to misjudge when everyone is gathered, the few we singled out were standing together at the end. If the Deathly Aura was truly that dense, I couldn't have missed it."
"If Consultant Chen Feng didn't make a mistake," Keqing interjected after hearing their exchange, "then it's highly likely the deceased's fate was tampered with."
"There's a legend in Teyvat that everyone's fate is mirrored by the stars in the sky, leaving a traceable path."
"A person's entire life, including their own death, is recorded within the starlight."
"If his fate was altered, it would be normal for Consultant Chen Feng to see two completely different outcomes."
"Changing fate? If fate could be altered so easily, then it wouldn't be called fate anymore."
Chen Feng stated his thoughts, his current mood appearing somewhat agitated.
"Though I don't know why, I always feel that fate wouldn't be so easily manipulated."
"It's as if something is telling me in the unseen that to achieve this, an unimaginable price must be paid."
Keqing did not ignore Chen Feng's words. She knew Chen Feng's identity was unusual and had already committed his behavior and reactions to memory, which she would later discuss with Ningguang.
"In any case, since this incident has already occurred, we must consider how to resolve it."
Keqing looked at Chen Feng and Hu Tao again and spoke.
"Before this, I dispatched a squad of the Millelith to protect the others whose names were written down. I believe we will have an answer soon."
"Afterward, I will also invite several doctors to examine their physical conditions. With this, we will be absolutely safe."
"Lastly, Director Hu, please give me those two notebooks from yesterday."
Hearing Keqing's words, Hu Tao was slightly stunned for a moment, then she began to explain.
"Keqing, there's really nothing wrong with the notebooks. You've already inspected them before, and they're just two ordinary notebooks."
"Director Hu, I know all that, but for the sake of caution, we will conduct a more thorough examination."
"If it's truly confirmed that the notebooks have no issues, we, the Liyue Qixing, will step forward to help the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor clear its name."
Hu Tao sighed, then took the two notebooks out from her person.
Ever since the items were lost for the second time, Hu Tao had kept them on her person at all times.
At this moment, Hu Tao's heart felt cold. She had thought she could use this opportunity to completely dispel the recent rumors about the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, but she never expected things to escalate to this point.
Now, let alone dispelling the rumors, she feared that from today on, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would truly become a place that everyone dreaded to even mention.
Even though Keqing promised the Liyue Qixing would help explain, Hu Tao didn't hold much hope for it.
After taking the notebooks, Keqing nodded to Hu Tao, then turned her gaze to see Chen Feng's deeply worried expression and spoke again to comfort them.
"Director Hu, Consultant Chen Feng, please don't be anxious yet."
"I believe this matter has nothing to do with you two. Once I have thoroughly investigated, I will inform you of the results!"
-
On the way back to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Chen Feng and Hu Tao were both exceptionally silent.
Along the way, many passersby who saw the two walking toward them suddenly changed expression and resolutely turned around and fled, but the two now had no energy to mind it.
After another while, Chen Feng took the initiative to speak to Hu Tao.
"Director Hu, the responsibility for this matter lies entirely with me, I'm sorry."
Hearing these words, Hu Tao took a deep breath, then forced a relaxed smile, patted Chen Feng's shoulder, and said:
"It's fine, perhaps this time was just an accident. As long as other people are still doing well, things haven't gone to the worst possible state.
"Although it's probably impossible to dispel the recent rumors this time, there isn't just this one opportunity, right? We still have a chance!"
"During this time, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will temporarily focus on handling its current business. Consultant Chen Feng, this Director will take you to other places to look around!"
"Looking at the scenery in other places, maybe your memories can be recovered."
Hu Tao said feigning ease.
"Okay, Director Hu, you're really good to me."
Seeing that Hu Tao didn't blame him, Chen Feng said somewhat gratefully.
"Director Hu is truly the best person in the world!"
"Hmph, even if you flatter this Director, the bonus I gave you earlier still has to be returned!"
"Ah, this..."
"This Director was just joking, look at your face, you look like you can't bear to part with it."
Hu Tao said playfully with a smile.
"This method was also approved by this Director. If you really want to talk about it, this Director also bears some responsibility, so how could I blame you too much?"
"Director Hu, you're really too good to me!"
Chen Feng grabbed Hu Tao's hand with an excited expression, his eyes seemingly glistening with tears.
Feeling Chen Feng's affectionate gaze, Hu Tao was first stunned for a moment, then waved her hand with some disdain.
"Alright, alright, this Director won't fall for your tricks!"
Although she said this, Hu Tao's side face was clearly a bit redder than before.
"Let's go, Consultant Chen Feng, this Director will treat you to a good meal today. Don't let a temporary setback affect our mindset!"
"To make the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor grow bigger and stronger, it still requires the joint efforts of Consultant Chen Feng and this Director!"
"Wait a minute, what are you doing going to Liuli Pavilion?!"
"Hurry back, the place we're going to is Wanmin Restaurant!"
It's not that we can't afford Liuli Pavilion, but Wanmin Restaurant has better value for money!
After Chen Feng and Hu Tao enjoyed a hearty lunch at Wanmin Restaurant, Hu Tao finally arrived outside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor under Chen Feng's resentful gaze all the way. To her surprise, the area outside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was now completely surrounded by people.
"Director Hu is back!"
Someone shouted, and the crowd paused for a moment before swarming over like a hive of bees.
"What do you all want?"
"If you're going to get violent, this Director is no pushover!"
Hu Tao spoke nervously, then after some inquiry, she learned that these people were all those who had shown up yesterday, including some who were willing to have their names recorded and their relatives.
The events of this morning had spread like wildfire throughout all of Liyue in no time. Originally, they thought that with Hu Tao looking so confident, nothing would go wrong!
However, they were wrong. Debunking the rumors was a fake, and developing new customers was the real deal. So this was Director Hu's true purpose all along!
Really, they were too foolish, actually selling their bodies and even their souls for ten thousand Mora!
But now they had finally woken up, so they rushed to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to find Hu Tao, wanting to have their names crossed off the book.
As for the others, they didn't even feel secure about the one thousand Mora attendance fee. To prevent themselves from being targeted by Hu Tao, they immediately came to pay their debts.
"Director Hu Tao, please show us mercy! We have eighty-year-old fathers to support and three-month-old infants to feed! Please, raise your noble hand and spare us, cross our names off the Book of Life and Death!"
"We were momentarily confused, possessed by demons! We actually tried to take advantage of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor! Won't you let us pay you back double?!"
"Director Hu Tao, what about us? We've come to return yesterday's attendance fee!"
"On second thought, helping each other is a virtue we Liyue people should possess. Director Hu Tao was in trouble yesterday, so how could we accept payment so casually?"
"We were truly too ignorant yesterday, but today we have seen the light!"
Some people even knelt directly before Hu Tao, shouting that they wouldn't get up unless she agreed. The scene became extremely chaotic for a moment.
Looking at the crowd around her, Hu Tao scratched her hair in frustration.
"This Director already told you, there is no 'Book of Life and Death'! Those are just ordinary notebooks!"
"As for what happened this morning, it was definitely a coincidence!"
"Director Hu Tao, even if it's just an ordinary notebook, it's the same! As long as you cross our names off, we will return the money to you double!"
Since the other party had said so, Hu Tao couldn't continue to persuade them and had to speak.
"But the item is no longer in this Director's hands. This Director has already given it to Keqing."
"Lady Yuheng?"
Upon hearing this name, everyone was stunned for a moment before immediately springing into action.
"Go, go, go! Let's quickly go to Yuehai Pavilion to find Lady Yuheng!"
"Wait for me, we'll go together!"
Watching the crowd's receding backs, Hu Tao and Chen Feng looked at the mess on the ground, then exchanged a glance and sighed deeply.
Hu Tao looked at the Mora before her, and for the first time, she felt that having money wasn't necessarily a good thing.
Not only had all the money spent yesterday returned, but it had even multiplied several times over!
Some people, with the idea of spending money to ward off disaster, had even returned extra.
"Consultant Chen Feng..."
Just as Hu Tao was about to say something to Chen Feng, she saw his pupils suddenly contract, followed by an expression of utter disbelief, as if he had seen something incredible.
"Consultant Chen Feng?"
Hu Tao's question brought Chen Feng back to his senses, but he didn't immediately reply. Instead, he sprinted at full speed to chase after the crowd that had just left.
Seeing this, although Hu Tao didn't know what had happened, she quickly reacted and followed closely behind Chen Feng, chasing after the distant figures.
"Consultant Chen Feng, what exactly is going on?"
Hu Tao asked Chen Feng as she ran beside him.
"I saw the Deathly Aura on those people thicken a hundredfold in the blink of an eye!"
After a moment of hesitation, Chen Feng spoke with extreme gravity.
Upon hearing Chen Feng's words, Hu Tao was instantly stunned.
Just then, seeing that they were close enough, Chen Feng hurriedly shouted to the crowd ahead.
"People up ahead, stop!"
Hearing this shout, everyone ahead turned back in confusion, only to see Hu Tao and Chen Feng chasing after them together. Everyone immediately panicked.
It wasn't scary if Chen Feng chased them, and it wasn't scary if Hu Tao chased them, but for these two to chase them together with such solemn expressions, it clearly didn't look like anything good was about to happen!
Having realized this, everyone instantly started running as if their lives depended on it.
Seeing that the distance was not closing, but even widening, Chen Feng grew anxious and immediately shouted at the group ahead.
"Stop running! We just need to talk to you!"
Hearing Chen Feng's words, the group instantly ran even faster.
Before, it was just speculation; now, Chen Feng's words had confirmed it.
Chen Feng's physical fitness was mediocre, so how could he outrun people running for their lives? Soon, the distance between them widened again.
As the crowd was about to disappear from sight, Chen Feng took a deep breath and roared at the distance.
"Someone among you is about to die!"
The moment these words were spoken, the people in front looked like they'd seen a ghost. Some of them froze in shock and tripped, causing more people to stumble and fall one after another.
Seeing this, both Chen Feng and Hu Tao felt an ill omen. And sure enough, after everyone got back to their feet, Chen Feng and Hu Tao stood before the still-warm bodies in utter silence...