**Chapter 11: Cloud Retainer Brings Hu Tao to the Door**
Early the next morning, Hu Tao brought Cloud Retainer to Northland Bank.
Hu Tao knew this bank was the Fatui's base of operations in Liyue. Jingchen and Columbina were likely here too. Even if they weren't, she could at least gather some information about them.
The two guards, Vlad and Nadia, panicked when they saw Hu Tao approaching again.
"Hall Master Hu! What brings you here again?! We made it perfectly clear last time: we have no need for Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services. As members of the Snezhnayan Fatui, even if we die far from home, we only require a shroud of horsehide to return our souls to our homeland."
Hu Tao pouted. Before she could even speak, these gatekeeping lackeys were already lecturing her based on their first impressions.
*Damn it, what rotten luck! I really want to use Butterfly's Embrace and give them a good smackdown to boost Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's sales. Then I'd send them off to reincarnation properly!* But Hu Tao restrained herself, remembering the Immortal's presence.
"I'm not here to pitch Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's special offers today. I'm just looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?! Sorry, we have no reason to share any information we might possess."
"You—!"
Hu Tao drew Homa. *Uncle can endure, but Hu Tao cannot!*
Just as she was preparing to boost Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's sales,
The two guards stood as if facing a formidable enemy, well aware of Hu Tao's terrifying reputation.
During the incident at Wuwang Hill, the Hydro Fatui had nearly been roasted into a "vaporized Fatui" by her flames, solidifying her status as Teyvat's top Pyro DPS.
Her name still resonated powerfully within the Fatui ranks.
They couldn't help but swallow nervously. The moment Hu Tao activated Butterfly's Embrace, they would immediately kneel and confess everything they knew.
However, Cloud Retainer intervened, stopping Hu Tao.
Hu Tao looked at Cloud Retainer with a puzzled expression.
"Immortal, what's wrong? These Fatui will spill the truth after a good beating. Just wait here while I pry their mouths open."
Cloud Retainer shook her head slightly.
"Hu Tao, I know where Jingchen and Columbina are."
"Ah?! As expected of an Immortal! Where are they?!"
Cloud Retainer pointed to the Serenitea Pot she had gifted Jingchen a few days prior.
"The Serenitea Pot—a Blessed Realm, an Abode of Immortals. Jingchen and Columbina should be inside."
Hu Tao approached the Serenitea Pot, her plum blossom eyes brimming with curiosity.
This was her first time seeing the legendary Serenitea Pot. Like an inquisitive child, she peered at it from every angle, tapping it gently and pressing her ear against its surface.
"Huh? Immortal, can people really live inside this Serenitea Pot?"
Cloud Retainer nodded faintly and waved her hand, teleporting the two into the Serenitea Pot.
Inside lay a Liyue-style mansion surrounded by grassy fields where Snow Crystal Butterflies danced. Pine, elm, and peach trees dotted the landscape, encircling the mansion. Peach blossoms drifted on the gentle breeze, brushing against Hu Tao's cheek.
Mist swirled around them, and ethereal clouds drifted through the air.
Even after having ascended Qingyun Peak and visited Luhua Pool, Hu Tao was left speechless by the breathtaking scenery of this Abode.
Seeing the shock on Hu Tao's face, Cloud Retainer smiled knowingly. After all, every blade of grass and every tree in this Serenitea Pot—except for the butterflies—had been meticulously designed by her.
"Ahem, Hu Tao, what do you think of this Abode?"
"Wow, Immortal, it's vast and boundless, like a sea of clouds. Yet the drifting peach blossoms retain the essence of spring. The designer truly has an eye for beauty!"
Cloud Retainer beamed at Hu Tao's praise and continued explaining the Abode's layout.
Meanwhile, Jingchen, who had been sound asleep, was gently awakened by Columbina.
Rubbing his sleepy eyes and yawning, Jingchen asked, "What's wrong, Aya?"
"Someone's entered."
"What?! The Serenitea Pot can let others in?!"
"It's your Master, Cloud Retainer, and Hall Master Hu Tao from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Ah?!"
Jingchen hurriedly donned his white robes, having planned to visit Hu Tao at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor that afternoon to resolve her inner conflict, fulfill his contract with Zhongli, obtain the Geo Archon's Heart, and then set sail for Inazuma.
But now his true self had brought his master to "raid his home" and demand answers?!
Columbina, standing beside him, gently smoothed the wrinkles from his robes, sighing softly.
"I hope we can settle these Liyue matters quickly and head to Inazuma soon."
"Don't worry, Aya. It won't be long. Once we have the Geo Archon's Heart, we'll leave for Inazuma immediately."
The pair pushed open the door and walked toward Hu Tao and Cloud Retainer.
When Hu Tao saw Jingchen and Columbina were indeed there, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.
Columbina remained pressed close to Jingchen's side, staking her claim on her master.
"Master, Hu Tao! What are you doing here?!"
"Ah?! Master?! Hu Tao?! You're here today to...?"
Hu Tao stared at Cloud Retainer, her face a mask of astonishment and suspicion. Her large, plum blossom-shaped eyes were wide with disbelief.
*This Immortal who helped me is Jingchen's Master?! Did she intentionally conceal our identities?*
Cloud Retainer cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Jingchen, don't make Hu Tao cry alone anymore. You and Columbina should have a proper talk with her."
"Hu Tao, this Immortal will ensure justice for you. I will not favor my own disciple."
Hu Tao bit her lip and stepped forward slightly. Columbina remained pressed tightly against Jingchen's side.
"Jingchen! Do you remember the night ten years ago, after the Yuheng Star rejected your confession?"
Jingchen sighed softly. *Wasn't that the night I shared drinks and stories with Old Hu?*
"Hu Tao... *sigh* I only remember drinking a little wine with Old Hu, eating some peanuts, and bragging a bit after the wine."
"The rest... well, my alcohol tolerance is rather poor, so I can't quite recall."
"Still trying to weasel your way out of this?!"
"I... *sigh*, Master, why don't you just use Hu Tao's memories and mine to recreate the scene from that day?"
Cloud Retainer nodded and waved her hand, conjuring a vivid replay based on their memories.
The scene opened with Jingchen and Old Hu teasing each other. Old Hu was comforting Jingchen after his confession had been rejected, and they were discussing the possibility of Jingchen becoming a live-in son-in-law at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Then, Jingchen abruptly fell into a deep sleep.
Left alone, Jingchen continued drinking, drifting between tipsiness and unconsciousness as he lay sprawled across the stone table.
His mind was growing increasingly hazy when Hu Tao suddenly spoke up.
"Brother Jingchen, can you wait for me?"
"When my hair reaches my waist... would you, would you give me a chance then?!"
Jingchen, already muddled by alcohol and accustomed to Hu Tao's whimsical nature, didn't take her words seriously and drifted off to sleep.
Hu Tao, watching from the side, assumed his silence meant tacit agreement.
............
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(End of Chapter)