The long-awaited Rite of Descension had finally arrived.
Liyue Harbor brimmed with life — banners fluttered overhead, the aroma of food filled every street, and vendors shouted over one another with practiced enthusiasm.
"Central Plains delicacies! Fresh and delicious!"
"Handmade ornaments! Blessings from Liyue!"
"Try our sweet tofu pudding! No bitterness guaranteed!"
Into this bustling festival stepped Paimon and Lumine.
"Wowww! Liyue Harbor is huge! And it smells soooo gooood everywhere!"
Paimon's eyes sparkled, her floating form bouncing with excitement.
Compared to Mondstadt — which had spent the past half-year struggling after Dvalin's rampage — Liyue Harbor felt like a different world entirely.
Prosperous. Peaceful. Vibrant.
"So this is Liyue…" Lumine murmured. "It really is more lively than Mondstadt."
They wandered a bit, absorbing the scenery, until Paimon frowned cutely.
"By the way, this 'Rite of Descension'—where is it actually held?"
"Let's ask someone," Lumine said.
Her attention drifted toward a vendor selling beef offal skewers.
But this particular vendor…
had black hair slicked back with just a hint of blue gel, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a silver-white martial outfit with cloud embroidery.
It was—
Bai Hao, the shameless poser himself, in full "I'm totally local" cosplay.
He watched as the Traveler approached him.
Emergency Food was as round-cheeked and biteable as ever.
And Lumine…
White-blue dress, golden hair, golden eyes, the Geo sigil glowing faintly on her chest, her expression serene but slightly clueless…
A natural beauty — and as Bai Hao privately noted—
Definitely rocking that "immortal blonde auntie" energy.
He had already noticed them minutes ago.
He simply hadn't decided how to make his entrance.
Who'd have thought they'd walk straight up to him?
He cleared his throat importantly.
"You've come to the right person."
He puffed his chest with confidence.
"I'm a Liyue local. Born and raised."
(Reality: He had arrived… five days ago.)
"With eight generations of ancestors living here," he added solemnly.
(Reality: He had spent those five days eating everything in sight.)
From Mt. Tianheng to Chihu Rock, from Third-Round Knockout to Wanmin Restaurant — there was not a single food stall he hadn't sampled.
"You've heard of Lady Yuheng, Keqing, right?" he continued proudly. "We're close acquaintances. I was at Yujing Terrace yesterday."
(Reality: He delivered her takeout yesterday.)
Paimon gasped.
"Really?! Then you must know all the best food in the city!"
Bai Hao nodded wisely.
"Of course. Want a few skewers?"
He grabbed several and handed them over.
"Eheheh~ don't mind if I do!"
Paimon chomped down instantly.
"SO GOOD!!"
Lumine massaged her temples.
This flying child was far too easy to buy off…
She regained composure.
"Um… could you tell us how to get to Yujing Terrace?"
Bai Hao nodded, chewing casually.
"You're here for the Rite, right? I'm headed there too. Just follow me."
Lumine hesitated briefly, then nodded.
"…We'd appreciate that."
"Great!" Bai Hao turned to the vendor. "Boss! Fifty more skewers to go!"
"Right away!" the vendor shouted happily.
Paimon's little eyes sparkled with respect.
"Liyue people are so generous… I love it here already!"
And so, with snacks in hand, the three made their way toward Yujing Terrace.
To Lumine's surprise, Bai Hao's explanations were thorough — customs, traditions, festival slang, even street gossip.
In truth, he had spent days wandering and eavesdropping, absorbing the culture like a sponge.
By the time they neared the upper terrace, Paimon's admiration had reached worship-level.
But at the entrance of Yujing Terrace—
A commotion erupted.
A group of Millelith soldiers were forcibly escorting several individuals out.
"Hey—hey! Don't push! I'm here to promote Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's new VIP package!"
A familiar voice rang out.
"You again?!"
"Who advertises funerals during the Rite of Descension?!"
"Do you want to be arrested for blasphemy?!"
"If you keep causing trouble, we WILL haul you to the Ministry of Civil Affairs!"
With synchronized shoves, they pushed her group down the stairs.
"Waaaaah—!!"
Hu Tao stumbled, narrowly avoiding a roll down the steps.
Her assistants looked equally battered.
Paimon and Lumine exchanged knowing looks.
"That's definitely Hu Tao…"
"Yeah. No mistaking it."
She had been spamming every livestream chat with funeral deals for days.
Recognition was inevitable.
Bai Hao sweatdropped inwardly.
Promoting funerals on the day of the Geo Archon's public appearance?
Had she foreseen Zhongli "ascending" later?
But even after getting kicked out, Hu Tao dusted herself off cheerfully.
If she couldn't advertise inside, then she'd just do it outside.
Her crimson eyes scanned the crowd—
—and locked onto Lumine.
A wide grin spread across her face.
"Well, weeeell~ look who we have here!" she chirped, skipping over with her entourage.
"You're that Traveler from the livestream, right?"
"The one who got chased around by the Raiden Shogun?"
Lumine's eye twitched violently.
Bai Hao nearly choked.
And Paimon whispered:
"…Oh no."
Hu Tao leaned in with a mischievous smirk—
"Need funeral insurance? The Raiden Shogun seems very interested in you~"
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