Night Encounter with Hu Tao – Her Shock and Excitement
"It… kind of does make sense."
Lumine thought for a moment.
"In Mondstadt, we saw Albedo doing alchemy experiments—he tossed a few Mora into the cauldron as auxiliary material."
"Using Mora as an alchemical catalyst is already a thing, so using them to strengthen a weapon doesn't sound completely impossible. Just… a bit weird."
"Ah, that's right!"
Paimon clapped her hands, finally recalling that scene.
"See?"
The first scholar chuckled, looking quite pleased with himself.
"If you want to know more, you'll have to buy my book when it's published. For now, I'll just reveal a tiny fragment: whoever obtains this blade becomes supreme in Liyue, and whoever draws this sword will be crowned king!"
"So in the end you were just trying to sell books…"
Paimon's face went blank.
He spun all that just to hawk a manuscript?
"I can't agree," Zhongli said, shaking his head.
"Leaving aside whether your theory about sword and spear has any basis in fact… Mora—money itself—was originally created simply as a convenient token for forming contracts."
"Guiding humanity to use Mora as a medium of trade… that was the Archon's true intention."
"As for the very first Mora… I imagine the Archon simply spent it, like any other coin."
"Hrmm."
Another scholar, the bespectacled one, frowned.
"I find Master Hanxue's hypothesis far more convincing. And you, Mister Zhongli, dismiss the Geo Lord's far-sighted designs with no evidence whatsoever?"
"No…" Zhongli shook his head calmly.
"I mean no praise or criticism by it. I am merely stating a fact."
"Enough, enough." Hanxue snorted softly.
"So tell me—" He pushed his glasses up his nose and gave Zhongli a look.
"Is it you who understands Rex Lapis, or me?"
Zhongli: "…"
Paimon: "…"
Lumine: "…"
"Are you serious right now?"
Paimon stared at Hanxue like she'd just watched someone run full-speed into a wall.
She had a sudden, powerful urge to grab him by the shoulders, shove him right in front of Zhongli, and make Zhongli introduce himself properly.
Zhongli only smiled faintly and let the jab pass.
"When it comes to history, I know only a little. I wouldn't claim otherwise," he said mildly.
"But if there were no disagreements in perspective, there would be nothing to discuss."
"…Then let me ask you this."
Hanxue hesitated for a moment, then pressed on.
"Centuries ago, when Liyue Harbor was undergoing massive construction, Rex Lapis bestowed building techniques upon the people. The demonstration models he created—those were cast entirely from Mora, were they not?"
"There is such a record," Zhongli acknowledged with a nod.
"Good."
Hanxue leaned forward, seizing on the point.
"If he did not value the divine properties of Mora, then why would he do something so extravagantly wasteful?"
"That is easily explained."
Zhongli's tone was gentle.
"To the Archon, Mora was the most readily available, lowest-cost material."
"Uu…"
Hanxue froze for a second.
When put that way… it did sound surprisingly reasonable.
Lumine couldn't help commenting under her breath,
"He talks about it like it all happened to someone else."
"Because it is the story of Rex Lapis," Zhongli replied with a low laugh.
"Mm. Let us set this topic aside for now."
After a moment's silence, Hanxue cleared his throat.
"In a few days, I'll invite a like-minded colleague to join us—someone from the 'Eight Gates' under the Qixing. I'm sure she will know better than either of us."
"That sounds interesting."
A nearby scholar's eyes lit up instantly.
He hadn't expected Hanxue to have that sort of connection.
"That's fine by me," Zhongli said with a small nod.
"Splash… splash…"
Outside, the sound of water gently lapping against the hull drifted in.
The Pearl Galley was already sailing out into the night.
Under the glow of the lanterns, the flower boat looked like a celestial pavilion drifting across the surface of the sea—
a floating palace of carved beams and painted rafters, gliding over the dark waters of Liyue Harbor.
On the deck, zithers and flutes wove a soft, lingering melody.
Glazed lanterns hung from intricate woodwork, casting pools of warm light.
Trays of delicate desserts were carried from table to table, accompanied by the subtle fragrance of fine tea.
In porcelain cups, the pale tea reflected the lanterns overhead, and the rims of the cups shimmered with tiny ripples of light.
The night's feast aboard the Pearl Galley had truly begun.
Gracefully dressed attendants drifted between the seats, offering pastries and refilling cups.
Zhongli lifted his cup with his usual poise, fingers brushing lightly along the porcelain.
He took a slow sip.
"As good as ever," he murmured.
Clear aroma, gentle bitterness, lingering sweetness—
Exactly the flavor he preferred.
"In Liyue's tea culture, sharing tea is a way of making friends," he said.
"Light tea with a deep aftertaste, pastries that are fragrant without being cloying—if combined well, they make for an excellent experience."
"You should try them."
On the table, pine-nut crisps, osmanthus cakes, and walnut pastries had been neatly arranged on green porcelain plates.
The scent was mouthwatering.
Set alongside steaming tea, everything felt refined, elegant, perfectly matched.
Paimon didn't need to be told twice. She had already grabbed a pastry and stuffed it into her mouth.
Lumine and Kairo followed more leisurely, each taking a piece and a sip of tea.
At the center of the ship, a performance had started on the main stage.
Silken skirts spun in the lantern light as dancers stepped out, their long sleeves swirling.
Their dresses were embroidered with gold-thread cloud patterns; each step was light and precise, like fairies dancing among the clouds.
Accompanied by the music of zithers, flutes, and guqin, the singers' voices rose and fell, clear and melodious, telling old stories from Liyue's past.
It was a cultural feast that belonged entirely to this land.
Paimon's eyes shone as she stared at the stage, completely enthralled.
"This is so pretty! Liyue's flower boat even has shows like this?!"
She didn't blink as she watched the dancers, clutching an osmanthus cake in both hands.
One bite released a soft, sweet fragrance across her tongue, and her whole face lit up.
"Mm—this cake is amazing!"
Lumine chuckled softly, took another sip of tea, and for the first time in a while felt her shoulders truly relax.
Liyue really was a city full of charm.
Zhongli inclined his head slightly as he took in the scenes before him.
In this elegant night banquet, he remained the most calm, most composed presence—
as though he'd watched similar scenes unfold a thousand times before.
"Liyue's refined banquets pursue one thing."
"Grace."
"People not too loud, tea not too strong, music not too harsh, dance not too wild."
Time flowed on while the ship drifted under the night sky.
Music softened, then faded.
Tea cooled in the cups.
The night deepened, and a gentle sea breeze brushed past the railings.
Lantern-light shimmered on the water, casting a carpet of golden ripples.
"That will be enough for tonight," Zhongli said at last, setting his cup down.
He looked toward the distant lights of the harbor, amber eyes thoughtful.
Lumine nodded lightly.
Paimon cast one last longing look at the stage, cheeks bulging with the final bite of pastry.
"That was amazing…" she mumbled around her mouthful.
"Liyue's flower boat is way too fancy."
She patted her small stomach with satisfaction.
"Feels good, doesn't it?"
Kairo narrowed his eyes contentedly.
You'd never get something like this in Mondstadt.
Only in Liyue could you enjoy this sort of experience.
He also knew perfectly well that the Pearl Galley wasn't just about entertainment.
It was one of the Qixing's information hubs.
A place worth visiting often.
He filed that thought away as they rose from their seats and followed Zhongli back toward the deck.
Under the night sky, they walked down from the Pearl Galley and back onto the dock, letting the sea breeze wash over them.
Zhongli's stride was as steady as ever, long sleeves stirring softly in the wind.
"If time permits…" he said evenly, "let us meet again tomorrow."
Kairo inclined his head.
Paimon bobbed eagerly in the air.
"Definitely! Tomorrow we're eating more good stuff!"
Zhongli smiled faintly.
His silhouette grew dimmer as he turned away, his figure soon swallowed by the night—
serene, unhurried, composed as always.
"Bed, bed, bed…"
Watching him go, Paimon yawned so hard her eyes watered.
She floated a little lower than usual, her flight path wobbling.
"Today was way too tiring… Liyue is huge… I wonder where Zhongli's going to take us tomorrow…"
Lumine stretched, shoulders loosening, and smiled.
"Let's head back to the inn first. We can think about tomorrow after some sleep."
She had just turned to go when she noticed Kairo had stopped walking.
"…What is it?"
She blinked and looked back at him.
He stood there on the dock, gazing out toward the harbor with a faintly thoughtful expression.
"What's wrong?"
"Just taking something out," he said casually.
He turned his hand over.
Between his fingers, a small stone figurine appeared.
Under the gentle moonlight, the sculpture looked exquisitely detailed.
It was shaped like a lion, its stone surface etched with ancient, dignified patterns.
The lines were clean and powerful—
it had the same style as the guardian stone lions in front of some grand Yujing Terrace hall, only on a much smaller scale.
"Kairo? What did you pull out this time?"
Despite her sleepiness, Paimon's curiosity snapped back to full strength.
Lumine also tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixing on the tiny statue.
Kairo smiled and flicked his wrist.
The little lion arced out of his hand.
"Whoosh—"
The stone figure spun once in the air—
and suddenly expanded.
In the space of a heartbeat, a flash of pale light burst out.
The tiny figurine had become a full-sized stone lion, landing heavily on the ground in front of them.
Paimon instinctively drifted back a step, eyes going round.
"Eh?! It can get bigger?!"
But what truly stole her breath came an instant later.
"Hmmm…"
The "stone" surface began to crack.
Fine glowing patterns crawled over the lion's body like living lines of light, as though some hidden seal were breaking.
A breeze rolled softly over the dock.
The stone husk flaked away like old dust.
The silent statue shed its shell and, before their eyes, turned into a living creature.
A massive snow-white lion.
"Rooo…"
The snow lion gave its body a powerful shake.
Soft white fur rippled in the night air, and its eyes—deep gold, edged with red—gleamed with a gentle authority.
It was even larger than an ordinary lion, its coat immaculate and gleaming, like the king of some far-off snowfield.
But there was nothing savage in its gaze—
only a calm, intelligent warmth.
It padded forward on heavy yet silent paws, closing the distance with Kairo.
Then it lowered its head, rubbing its muzzle lightly against his arm—
like a companion reunited with its master.
"Wha—?!"
Paimon's jaw dropped so fast it nearly hit the dock.
"W–Wait, wait, wait! The statue turned into a real lion?!"
Lumine's pupils contracted slightly.
She hadn't expected the unremarkable stone figure in his hand to hide something like this.
"…Another trick up your sleeve?"
She couldn't help asking, half speechless.
Kairo raised a hand and gently patted the snow lion's forehead.
The great beast half-closed its eyes and leaned into the touch with obvious enjoyment.
"Snow-Lion Mimi," he said.
"You can think of it as a special kind of creature."
"It can turn into a statue or into a real lion—and switch between the two whenever it likes."
He'd been wanting to test out this particular reward since he'd gotten it.
Showing it in front of Lumine and Paimon didn't bother him at all.
After the star skiff, a shape-shifting lion hardly counted as shocking.
Paimon's eyes were shining like twin lanterns.
"T-This is amazing! Liyue really has stuff like this?!"
The snow lion tilted its head, seemingly understanding her excitement.
It glanced at her with those gentle gold eyes, then sank down onto its belly, tail swishing lazily from side to side.
Lumine drew in a quiet breath as she ran her fingers along the lion's head.
The warmth of its fur beneath her fingertips sent a flicker of awe through her.
Kairo's "equipment" never failed to surprise her.
"This one might make a pretty good partner," Kairo murmured, studying the snow lion thoughtfully.
It was far from ordinary—
given time, it would be worth seeing what it could do in a real fight.
The night breeze skimmed across the harbor, carrying the distant sounds of Liyue's nightlife.
Lights dotted the shoreline like fallen stars.
And there, in the quiet at the edge of the dock, a guardian from another world had awakened to stand by Kairo's side.
Paimon was now sprawled across Snow-Lion Mimi's back, both hands buried in its fur.
She patted here, squeezed there, face flushed with excitement.
"Waaah—its fur is so soft! There's no way this was just a statue!"
The lion lay there contentedly, tail flicking.
It didn't seem to mind being used as a living plush toy; if anything, it leaned into her touch and squinted happily.
Kairo watched her turn his new partner into an "extra-luxury pillow" and decided he could let it slide—for now.
Lumine stroked the lion's mane once more, then drew back slightly, still marveling.
Just then—
"Huh?"
A bright, curious voice rang out from up the street.
It was lively, clear, and carried a cheerful lilt, like the ringing of a bell.
All three of them paused.
Before they could turn, they heard light footsteps pattering toward them under the moonlight.
A girl came bouncing down the street.
She wore a deep red and black robe, its wide sleeves fluttering with every step.
On her head sat a tall hat with a unique talisman-like emblem on the front, and a red plum blossom pinned to one side finished the look with a playful flourish.
Her eyes—crimson irises with plum-blossom patterns—sparkled with surprise and intense curiosity as they locked onto the snow lion.
Her mouth hung slightly open in sheer disbelief.
"Hey, hey, heeey—"
She waved energetically as she skipped the last few steps and landed in front of them, grinning from ear to ear.
"How'd your statue turn into something real?"
Her tone was full of astonishment and delight, with not a small amount of mischief.
Those plum-blossom eyes darted back and forth between the snow lion and Kairo.
"Hey—heeeey—"
She leaned in toward Kairo, peering up at him with unabashed curiosity.
"Don't tell me you've got some special trick for bringing statues to life?"
"Hehe, now that's something new."
She dropped into a crouch without waiting for an answer and poked Snow-Lion Mimi's paw with one finger.
Then she patted its head, eyes going wide with joy.
"Whoa, it really is flesh and blood!"
Snow-Lion Mimi tilted its head and flicked an ear, apparently just as intrigued by the energetic intruder.
Paimon had nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden appearance.
She shot off Mimi's back and hovered warily in the air.
"W–Who are you?!"
At that, the girl sprang to her feet with a flourish.
She planted her hands on her hips, chest puffed out, and flashed them a cheeky smile.
"Me? I'm the seventy-seventh director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—Hu Tao!"
"You can call me Director Hu!"
She thumped her chest once in proud emphasis.
Kairo's brows lifted slightly.
His gaze lingered on Hu Tao for a heartbeat longer than usual.
He hadn't expected to run into this particular bundle of chaos and incense smoke in the middle of Liyue's quiet night.
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