Lumine stood up immediately. "Su Ming, you don't have to go this far!"
Su Ming waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. I actually want to see for myself just what level a Fatui Harbinger is at how strong they really are, and if they live up to the rumors."
"Only a qualified opponent can make me understand what realm my current strength has reached."
As he spoke, he looked toward Tartaglia. "I hope you will go all out when the time comes. Otherwise, the match will be far too boring."
Tartaglia burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! I like people like you! I have a feeling we're going to get along quite well."
"However... don't be too confident."
"My seat as a Harbinger wasn't exactly handed to me for free."
Su Ming set down his teacup. "Is that so? I don't think we'll get along all that well."
Tartaglia didn't say much more in response. However, his originally calm expression now held a hint of urgency and anticipation. All he wanted now was to get things over with quickly so he could see exactly how much power this guy in front of him possessed.
"Then let us head out for Liuli Pavilion first. We shouldn't keep my friend waiting too long."
Hearing this, Paimon immediately began to cheer. "Hooray! Liuli Pavilion! Lumine, it looks like we're going to have a massive feast!"
Lumine was a bit confused. Her mind had been filled with so many messy thoughts earlier that she hadn't really been listening to Tartaglia. "Is Liuli Pavilion some kind of special place?"
Paimon immediately took on a serious tone to educate her. "Liuli Pavilion is one of the highest-standard restaurants in Liyue! It's the representative of Liyue's Li Cuisine! This is a rare delicacy!"
"And..." Paimon flew to Lumine's ear and whispered softly, "It's not cheap. Since we have a rare chance to eat and drink for free, we have to really fleece that Harbinger for all he's worth!"
Lumine: "..."
Shenhe, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. "Um... can I not go? I'm not very comfortable in crowded places."
Paimon scratched her head in confusion. "But Shenhe, aren't you in a crowded place right now?"
Su Ming explained with a smile, "That's because she considers you friends. As the saying goes, a friendship can start from a fight. She's much more at ease around people she knows."
"Didn't you notice? Before that Harbinger came in, Shenhe could still chat and laugh a bit with you two. Once he entered, she stopped talking entirely."
"To put it simply, my Senior Sister is shy around strangers."
Su Ming turned to look at Shenhe. "If you're not comfortable, go back and rest. It's not like our place is far from here anyway."
"Okay," Shenhe nodded.
"It is an honor to see "Childe" again. Your presence graces our humble shop!"
"The private room is ready. Mr. Zhongli is waiting for you all."
Under the guidance of the staff, the group was led into the private room Tartaglia had reserved long ago.
Zhongli, who was sitting leisurely in the room sipping tea, offered a kind smile when he saw Tartaglia entering with Lumine and Paimon. However, when he saw Su Ming walking in behind the three of them, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
It made his originally natural smile turn somewhat stiff.
Su Ming looked at Zhongli and returned the smile with a nod. The two of them were actually long-time acquaintances. After all, the old gentleman loved going up the mountain to sit by the lake and have a drink whenever he was free.
If you're going to come, just come, but he never even bothered to change his guise he always showed up with that same face.
Still, the old man had seen his fair share of grand scenes and quickly regained his composure. Once everyone was seated, Tartaglia began the introductions.
"Let me introduce you. This friend is a man of the underworld, a Consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Mr. Zhongli."
Lumine tilted her head curiously. "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor? A man of the underworld?"
Tartaglia nodded and continued, "Yes. In Liyue, an industry like the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor inevitably has to deal with some business from the underworld."
"And we, the Fatui, have always liked dealing with friends who... walk in the shadows."
Paimon started to panic as she listened. "W-walking in the shadows!?"
Zhongli finally spoke, though he glanced at Su Ming before saying anything. "A pleasure to meet you all."
He then looked at Lumine and Paimon. "I have heard of your rumors in Mondstadt."
But Paimon clearly wasn't listening to Zhongli; she was busy imagining the relationship between the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and the "shadows."
"Underworld... shadows... sending people to the afterworld... Wah!"
Paimon suddenly shrieked and hid behind Lumine's head. "Could... could it be that the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is actually..."
"Exactly. It's an assassin organization," Su Ming added bluntly.
A moment later, he heard the scream he had expected.
Zhongli laughed helplessly. "You joke, sir. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is an organization that manages funeral rites, aimed at sending people to the afterworld with peace of mind."
After hearing that, Paimon looked at Zhongli, then at Su Ming, and finally fixed her gaze on Tartaglia.
Tartaglia was amused by the little thing. "You didn't actually believe that, did you? Mr. Zhongli isn't a killer, and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor isn't some assassin organization."
"While the Fatui certainly have many friends who are killers, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor isn't in that line of work... at least not on the surface."
"Eek!" Paimon was frightened again.
Su Ming chuckled. "Alright, stop scaring her. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor isn't as dangerous as you think. You can just think of it as... a professional one-stop funeral service?"
Zhongli smiled upon hearing this. "A very apt description. It summarizes the scope of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business perfectly."
Tartaglia interjected, "Alright, the reason I brought you to meet Mr. Zhongli is because..."
"Because I have a way for you to see the Exuvia of Rex Lapis," Zhongli interrupted Tartaglia, speaking with a serious expression.
"Although the news from "Childe" only just arrived, I can indeed help you with this."
"What!" Paimon's eyes widened.
Zhongli continued, "It's quite simple. The Adepti arrived at Liyue Harbor last night and presented the Liyue Qixing with an offer they couldn't refuse."
"They will hold the Rite of Parting first. Other matters will be discussed afterward."
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