"The Rite of Parting?" Lumine asked, looking confused. She turned her gaze toward Su Ming, the only local she was truly acquainted with.
Su Ming cleared his throat and began to explain. "To put it simply, it is a funeral ceremony to bid farewell to an adeptus."
"Rex Lapis is the progenitor of all adepti, so he is naturally counted among them. Therefore, the ceremony to see him off is, of course, the Rite of Parting."
"However, Liyue has enjoyed peace for a very long time, and it has been ages since an adeptus has passed away."
"At this point, it is likely that many years have gone by since the last time a Rite of Parting was held."
Zhongli nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Fortunately, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, as a professional funeral organization with a long-standing heritage in Liyue, still possesses the necessary materials and understands the complete process for holding the Rite of Parting."
"It is for this reason that the Liyue Qixing has delegated the task of organizing the Rite of Parting entirely to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, providing all the necessary financial support."
Lumine's mind worked quickly, and she soon grasped Zhongli's meaning. "What exactly do you want me to do?"
Zhongli smiled. "It's simple. I heard of your deeds from Childe. Since you have some prior connection with the Anemo Archon... would you consider helping me prepare for a Rite of Parting?"
Lumine blinked, pointing at herself. "Me? But I don't know the first thing about it!"
Paimon also chimed in, nodding. "Exactly! If the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is handling it, are they really that shorthanded?"
Zhongli shook his head. "They have enough staff, but the preparations for the Rite of Parting require a vast array of items. To get everything ready quickly, an agile and efficient assistant is indispensable."
He looked at Lumine and added, "The Qixing's security over the Exuvia is far stricter than you can imagine. Participating in the preparations for the Rite of Parting is your only channel to actually see the Exuvia."
Lumine didn't particularly want to agree; she felt like she was about to become a tool once again.
Back in Mondstadt, things weren't so bad at least they had given her the title of Honorary Knight (basically 'Ultimate Tool') and she had reached maximum reputation with the people. At the very least, if she needed something, the Knights of Favonius would do their best to satisfy her requests or help her out.
But this time, she was the one asking for a favor.
Setting aside whether they would pay her or not, she was terrified that she'd end up having to pay out of her own pocket.
Fortunately, Tartaglia's next words allowed Lumine to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Come to think of it, the reason Mr. Zhongli agreed to assist us, the Fatui, in the first place was to secure funds to organize the Rite of Parting."
"Now that the Qixing has taken the initiative to organize it themselves, it has actually saved the Northland Bank a huge amount of money."
"However, the first batch of requested funds has already been approved. Let's just consider this money as the reward I'm paying you on Mr. Zhongli's behalf for your employment."
"Oh?" Zhongli sounded a bit surprised, but he quickly followed up. "I suppose you're right. I was so focused on asking for your help that I almost forgot the basic principle of equal exchange."
"Forgive me for not thinking of it sooner; after all, I am currently quite short on funds, and it slipped my mind for a moment."
"But if Childe is willing to be so generous, then that is certainly for the best."
Seeing that Zhongli wasn't being polite at all, Tartaglia sighed helplessly. "You really don't hold back, do you..."
Hearing that there was money involved and that she could achieve her goal, Lumine naturally agreed.
She was truly tight on Mora, and the commissions she picked up from the Adventurers' Guild were nowhere near enough to cover her daily expenses.
Seeing this, Zhongli smiled. "In that case, I look forward to a pleasant cooperation."
"Everyone, now that our business is concluded, let's eat. Let us not waste Childe's good intentions."
"This table of delicacies was certainly not cheap."
Paimon led the charge. "Yay! Time to eat!"
Lumine felt a bit helpless. "Hey, there are outsiders here. Can't you be a little more reserved?"
Tartaglia was currently wrestling with his chopsticks, trying his best to complete the action of eating.
As for Su Ming...
After Zhongli shot him a meaningful look, he quietly left the private room with him and stepped outside.
"My greetings to you, Rex Lapis."
Seeing that no outsiders were present, Su Ming dropped his act.
He had known Zhongli's identity for a long time. This wasn't just because of his memories from before his transmigration, but because he had met the man shortly after arriving in this world.
Once, when Zhongli had visited Mt. Aocang to reminisce about the past, he had happened upon Su Ming, who had just been taken in by his master and was training hard.
With a single glance, Zhongli had perceived Su Ming's uniqueness Su Ming was not of Teyvat.
This piqued Zhongli's interest, and he struck up a conversation.
Su Ming, knowing exactly who stood before him, had directly exposed Zhongli's identity.
After they had shared a tacit understanding and asked a few irrelevant questions, Zhongli had asked him how he viewed Liyue.
Su Ming had answered: "It is very much like my hometown, and my master saved my life."
Zhongli had left after that.
Since then, Su Ming would run into Zhongli every once in a while. Sometimes, Zhongli would even offer him some pointers. Over time, the two had become quite well-acquainted.
"Why have you come as well?" Zhongli asked.
Su Ming smiled. "Just to join the fun. Besides, since you're still here alive and well, it means this whole thing is just..."
Zhongli's face darkened slightly. "It is enough that you know. Until this matter is concluded, do not reveal it to anyone else."
"Hahaha, don't worry, I know how it works."
Zhongli continued, "Back in the private room, Childe seemed quite interested in you. Can you tell me why?"
"Well... I've just reclaimed some of my former power," Su Ming said, indulging in a bit of posturing.
Fortunately, when he had first transmigrated, he'd had a 'System Dream' and told Zhongli a lie, claiming he was only training on the mountain because he had lost his power. Otherwise, he'd have to come up with a new excuse now.
After all, the Rex Lapis standing before him wasn't as easy to fool as his own tsundere master.
"Oh?" Zhongli smiled. "That is good news indeed."
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).