The so-called "Ascension Ritual" was nothing but a crude scam.
Even the rare cases of so-called "successful ascension" were merely shills planted by Wang Ping'an to deceive his ignorant followers.
"Did the arrest warrant go out yet?" Adrian asked.
Keqing let out a frustrated sigh.
"Not yet. It still needs Ningguang's approval."
Adrian felt his patience evaporate.
"Master Keqing, by the time Ningguang approves it, the corpse will have grown mushrooms."
Keqing stomped her foot, irritated.
"What do you expect me to do? Hold a sword to Lady Tianquan's neck and force her to sign?"
Adrian rubbed his forehead.
"Why not go to the Emperor—ask him to issue a directive? Wouldn't that solve everything instantly?"
Keqing shook her head firmly.
"A minor matter like this shouldn't trouble the Emperor."
Adrian raised a brow.
"Ah, but it should trouble me? Is that what you're saying?"
She said nothing—which meant she agreed.
Even though he felt annoyed, Adrian still began thinking through the problem.
He sat behind his counter, took out a notebook, and started jotting down the entire case structure. Then he began analyzing the key points.
Keqing watched from the side.
He looked different when he was focused—calm, self-assured, sharp.
His presence was… oddly magnetic.
Before she realized it, she was staring.
Over an hour later, Adrian finally stretched and stood up, joints crackling pleasantly.
Keqing immediately stepped forward.
"You've thought of a plan?"
He nodded, lips curving.
"A few ideas. But I'll need to confirm them. Come back tomorrow."
"Alright." Keqing replied crisply, then left.
By nightfall, Liyue Harbor's lights flickered in the dusk, and Li Shui arrived right on time—precisely at dinner, as usual.
More surprisingly, Zhongli arrived with him.
But considering Zhongli was now the ceremonial consultant of their funeral shop, showing up for dinner wasn't unusual at all. At least, that's what Adrian told himself.
He welcomed them warmly. After all, he didn't want a restaurant sending him a bill under Zhongli's name.
Soon enough, Adrian was busy in the kitchen, and a fragrant, hearty dinner soon filled the table.
Three men sat together—eating, drinking, talking about everything from ancient times to mundane gossip.
After several rounds of wine, Adrian looked toward Li Shui.
"Master, can an ordinary mortal—one who has never cultivated—use a talisman?"
Li Shui burst into loud laughter, slapping the table.
"My dear disciple, you asked the right person! I am the world's greatest master of talismans—only slightly inferior to your teacher!"
He was gearing up to boast for an hour.
Adrian hurriedly cut him off.
"Master, please… just answer the question."
Li Shui deflated a little but still explained seriously:
"A talisman is a consumable treasure. It requires spiritual power. No spiritual power means it cannot be activated. That's absolute."
Adrian poured him more wine.
"But I saw someone—clearly a mortal—use a talisman."
"WHAT?!"
Li Shui stared as if Adrian had said the moon had exploded.
"Impossible! A mortal can't activate a talisman! If something like that existed, I'd—"
He slapped his chest.
"I'd recognize you as my dad on the spot!"
Adrian choked on his wine.
Zhongli finally spoke from the side, his voice steady as stone.
"Li Shui, perhaps you should… retract that statement."
Li Shui blinked.
"…Why?"
Zhongli answered calmly,
"Normal talismans do require spiritual power. But copied talismans—ones made through certain foreign techniques—do not. Instead, the cost is… life force."
Li Shui froze.
Zhongli continued:
"The Fatui possess a method that forcibly converts human vitality into energy. Dangerous, but effective."
Li Shui immediately waved his hands.
"I'm drunk! Everything I just said doesn't count!"
Adrian relaxed as well—he wasn't eager to gain a drunken immortal as a father.
"Master, don't worry. I've already forgotten your words. Come, drink."
They clinked cups and continued chatting.
Before long, the moon had climbed high overhead.
Li Shui staggered away humming drunkenly.
But Zhongli stayed.
Adrian cleaned up swiftly, then brewed a fresh pot of tea.
The fragrant steam curled gently in the cool night air.
Zhongli took a sip, then looked at Adrian.
"You encountered something troublesome."
Adrian exhaled slowly, sat across from him, and began recounting everything that had happened during the past two days.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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