(TL/N: Title may be misleading but it's Madame Ping, or Streetward Rambler Adeptus.)
Even the foremost wealthy lady of Liyue had been moved, let alone everyone else. At this moment, all comic fans across Liyue were immersed in the passing of the Going Merry.
"Robin was saved, but Merry, why did you leave!!!"
"I always thought spirits did not exist, but after seeing Merry's story, I realized that spirits can be so simple and sincere."
"Yeah, even though Boss Su played a joke on us in the previous chapter and let everyone witness the horror of the mermaid, Merry's story really made me cry my eyes out."
"Who could have imagined that this ship had its own soul?"
"This cup is to the Going Merry."
"Let us raise our glasses together, to the Merry."
Inside Wanmin Restaurant, all the fans raised their glasses high, jointly seeing the Merry off on her final journey. In truth, many people had experienced something similar. They once believed that something would always accompany them, but after growing up, they realized that some things could no longer walk the same path with them.
Chef Mao had just stolen a bit of time to read the comic and felt deeply emotional. He once had a kitchen knife that had followed him for many years, but unfortunately, when his culinary skills improved, it could no longer keep up. Even now, thinking about it still brought a sense of regret.
In fact, it was not just him. Many people who had grown older felt the same way.
From this, it was clear that the latest arc of Adventurer King had succeeded once again. Through the comic, Su Han told everyone that even after achieving fame and success, one should not forget the companions that had accompanied them for a long time. Perhaps they, too, possessed a soul of their own.
Meanwhile, inside the comic shop, Su Han suddenly heard a strand of melodious zither music drifting over from next door.
"This is. Granny Ping?"
He stepped outside, and the sound of the zither grew clearer, even giving the feeling of being amidst mountains. Bamboo groves whispered, pools flowed gently. Such wondrous music could only be composed by an immortal like Granny Ping.
Inside the laboratory, Cloud Retainer, who was researching snails, was also awakened by the music. She looked outside in surprise and said in confusion, "Did that A-Ping not seal away her zither? Why is she playing today? From the sound of it, is she reminiscing about that one?"
Cloud Retainer stepped outside, only to see that within the bamboo grove sat a stunning beauty with jet-black hair. She gently played the zither, and the lingering music continued to drift outward.
Though she did not understand why, she felt extremely happy. Since that one passed away, she had never seen A-Ping look so young. In several hundred years, this was the first time.
Cloud Retainer was not the only one who felt this way. Far away at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli was also affected by the zither music. He set down his wine cup, looked toward Yujing Terrace, and murmured, "Were your memories stirred by Su Han's comic as well?"
Gradually, the sound of the zither spread and even affected the entirety of Liyue Harbor. The Wanderer, who had just finished reading the comic in a teahouse, was also influenced by the music, and many past memories involuntarily surfaced in his heart.
"No, this is the power of an immortal. Do not think of manipulating me."
The Wanderer let out a low shout and forcibly broke free from the interference of the music. After regaining clarity, he finally understood why The Jester had said that Liyue was the most dangerous place. He had not expected to encounter such a thing the moment he arrived, truly unlucky.
He did not dare linger. After paying the bill, he left.
Within the small courtyard, Granny Ping. No, it should be said the Song of Dust and City Adeptus, was still immersed in memories of the past. Only after the piece ended did she awaken.
"Without her, it is still not perfect."
The immortal murmured softly, her heart full of regret. If only she could play another piece together with Guizhong, how wonderful that would be.
At this moment, Yaoyao's voice sounded beside her.
"Grandma, why did you suddenly become so young? You are really beautiful, even more beautiful than Mother."
Hearing this, the Song of Dust and City Adeptus smiled and said, "You little one, since when did your mouth become so sweet?"
Yaoyao shook her head and said, "Not at all. Big Brother said that beautiful means beautiful. Grandma, you are the most beautiful immortal in Liyue. If you do not believe me, ask Big Brother Su Han."
Just as the little one was unsure how to describe it, she suddenly saw Su Han walking in from outside. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately ran over.
Yaoyao grabbed Su Han's hand, pointed at her youthful master, and said, "Big Brother, do you think Grandma is the most beautiful immortal in Liyue?"
Su Han followed her finger and looked over, instantly freezing in place. The other party wore a light blue long dress, her smooth long hair even trailing onto the grass. Seeing the true appearance of the Song of Dust and City Adeptus in reality for the first time, he did not know how to describe it.
Ningguang and Shen He were already peaks among mortals, but the one before him was a true immortal. Just the otherworldly aura she exuded was something they could not compare to.
This was not merely beauty. It was beauty that shook the soul.
"Big Brother? Big Brother, say something. Grandma, look, Big Brother has been so captivated by you that he cannot even speak."
Yaoyao's words immediately made the Song of Dust and City Adeptus laugh. She had never expected her appearance to captivate Su Han to such a degree. It seemed her looks were indeed quite exceptional.
Inside the laboratory room, Cloud Retainer saw this scene and immediately snorted coldly. "Then what about me, Yaoyao? How do I look?"
Seeing A-Ping being praised so much and even captivating Su Han made this ever-competitive immortal unable to hold back. She immediately transformed into human form and walked out.
Hearing this, Yaoyao quickly turned her head and saw a tall woman walk out of the room. She wore dark green clothing and had red-framed glasses on her face, fully embodying an intellectual beauty.
"You are. Master Cloud Retainer?"
"Correct. Compared to A-Ping, how do you think I fare?"
Cloud Retainer deliberately stopped in front of Su Han. Her black-stockinged fingers gently pushed up her glasses. Unbeknownst to her, this posture made Su Han recall his old days of watching films, that kind of teacherly allure was overwhelming.
Yaoyao looked left and right, then shook her head and said, "Yaoyao does not understand, but I feel that you are both really beautiful."
"Hmph, you are still too young to understand a woman's charm. Then what about you, Su Han? Come and evaluate, between me and A-Ping, who is more beautiful?"
"Uh, this." (TL/N: Choose wisely...)
Hearing the other party's cold laugh, Su Han instantly snapped back to his senses. Asking him to judge was a deadly question, like choosing whom to save first if a wife and mother-in-law fell into water together. No matter how magnanimous the Song of Dust and City Adeptus was, she would still feel something about this.
So Su Han thought carefully, looked carefully, and finally took a deep breath before giving his evaluation.
"In terms of natural beauty, the Song of Dust and City Adeptus naturally comes first. Her attire, hair color, and gentle temperament completely overwhelm women dressed in this style. It could even be said that no one in the entire world can compare."
Hearing this, Cloud Retainer's expression turned iron-blue, and her black-stockinged fingers clenched tightly.
Just as the immortal was about to flare up, Su Han suddenly changed his tone and hurriedly said, "But if we speak of intellectual beauty, then naturally it is you, Adeptus, who surpasses. The aura of a teacher and elder that you exude is something countless men dream of. Looking across all of Teyvat, no one can rival you."
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