After parting ways with Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, Idris and Nahida stepped onto the streets of Liyue Harbor together.
Red lanterns hung everywhere, casting a warm glow over the bustling avenues as the two wandered leisurely through the festive crowd.
Surprisingly, Idris wasn't disturbed much at all.
Most people merely glanced at him out of curiosity before moving on.
In a world where information spread slowly, this was actually an advantage—
for most people, Idris was a name they'd heard, not a face they recognized.
Thus, even when he openly walked the streets of another nation, very few connected the dots.
If anyone stared a little longer, it was only because the small girl following behind him—Nahida—was unusually eye-catching.
Just as Idris was thinking this, a youthful voice suddenly called out.
"Grand Sage Idris, hello! May I interview you?"
A refined young man stepped forward, his appearance delicate—almost prettier than many girls.
Idris recognized him instantly.
"You're… Xingqiu, second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild."
"Yes, yes! I'm honored that the Grand Sage knows my name!"
Xingqiu smiled brightly, clearly delighted.
After all, being remembered by someone of Idris's stature was no small honor.
Idris chuckled.
"So, Xingqiu—what brings you to me?"
Xingqiu nodded earnestly.
"Well, a friend of mine is a novelist. Recently, he's been struggling to find a suitable protagonist."
"After hearing about your deeds, he wondered if you'd be willing to serve as the inspiration for his story."
"He was too embarrassed to ask himself… so he asked me to do it."
Before Idris could reply, Nahida giggled softly.
"Young man… are you sure that 'friend' isn't actually you?"
"Th-that's impossible!"
Xingqiu waved his hands frantically.
"I definitely don't mean myself! Look—he's right over there!"
He pointed toward a boy standing nearby—
Chongyun, who looked completely unaware, calmly eating a popsicle as if he were just passing by.
Clearly, he had been sold out without realizing it.
Nahida laughed cheerfully.
"Then don't worry. I'm sure the Grand Sage won't mind at all."
"If the novel turns out well, remember to send us a copy. I'd love to read it."
Hearing Idris's tacit approval, Xingqiu bowed gratefully.
"Thank you, Grand Sage! And thank you as well, Lady—ah—Little… Lyre Princess!"
"I won't disturb you any further!"
With that, he hurried off—dragging a thoroughly confused Chongyun along with him.
After they left, Idris reached out and lightly flicked Nahida's hair.
"You were awfully quick to respond just now. I hadn't even said a word."
Nahida smiled innocently.
"That's a secretary's job, isn't it? Handling social interactions and fending off enthusiastic fans."
"No need for the Grand Sage to worry about such things."
Fair enough.
Idris didn't bother arguing and continued strolling through the familiar yet ever-charming streets of Liyue.
Before long, however, they encountered another familiar voice.
"Come take a look! Come take a look!"
"Wangsheng Parlor's New Year special services—guaranteed value, guaranteed satisfaction!"
"Hey, hey, don't walk away! How about learning more about our holiday bundle deals?"
"Tsk… why won't anyone ask about our services?"
"And of course—right at this moment—Consultant Zhongli is nowhere to be found!"
The girl shouting promotions stood with hands on her hips, clearly dissatisfied.
Then her eyes landed on Idris.
A mischievous gleam flashed across her plum-colored pupils.
"Well, well—if it isn't Grand Sage Idris!"
"Care to learn about Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services?"
"Cross-border business might be tricky, but our quality is top-tier!"
"How about signing up for a membership in advance?"
Idris laughed.
Though Hu Tao was a few years younger than him, his lifespan was now so long that funerary services were… hardly urgent.
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Miss Hu Tao, if you're trying to advertise to me, you've picked the wrong client."
"Maybe."
Hu Tao grinned and lowered her signboard.
"Still—since you're here for the Lantern Rite, where are you heading next?"
Idris thought for a moment.
"Just wandering. If possible, I'll stop by Bubu Pharmacy to check on business there."
That cooperation dated back to when Idris first began forming the Alchemy Faction.
Even earlier, he had purchased massive quantities of medicinal herbs there.
After introducing plant-grafting techniques, cross-national herb trade only increased.
Bubu Pharmacy supplied raw materials; Sumeru refined them into pills; the medicines then flowed back to Liyue at affordable prices.
They had been long-term partners.
But the moment Hu Tao heard he was planning to "support Bubu Pharmacy's business"—
She exploded.
Her own promotions were failing miserably, yet her business rival was thriving?
That hurt.
She rushed forward and grabbed Idris's arm.
"G-Grand Sage! Wait! Don't go just yet!"
"I—I actually have something very important to ask you!"
"Oh?" Idris raised an eyebrow, amused.
"And what would that be?"
Hu Tao's mind went into overdrive.
She didn't actually have a real question—she just needed to stop him.
But inspiration struck quickly.
She leaned in, eyes sparkling.
"I want to know how I can drastically improve Wangsheng Parlor's revenue—legally."
"You can't tell me you don't know!"
"You're the man who boosted Sumeru's economy by an entire level!"
Idris considered it briefly… then spoke.
"Easy."
"Start with real estate."
"Sell burial plots in advance—feng shui-approved locations."
"Shift the marketing away from death itself and toward land ownership."
"When selling, tell people the land will belong to them forever."
"Then raise the prices."
"People are far more receptive to land investment than constant talk of life and death."
"The backlash will be much smaller."
"And the results far better than your usual approach."
Hu Tao froze.
Then—
Her eyes lit up.
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