Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
This year, little Hu Tao was already thirteen.
Both Gu Chen and Zhongli could clearly see that the old hall master's health was worsening by the day. In earlier years, he had still been vigorous despite his age, but now various ailments of old age had begun to surface.
Having spent years running around managing affairs, his body was still fairly resilient—but age had truly caught up with him.
The old hall master lived frankly and openly. After consulting physicians and learning of his condition, he showed little sorrow and told no one else about it.
He had his own preparations.
He knew Axiu's frail health meant she couldn't shoulder Wangsheng Funeral Parlor alone. After he was laid to rest, the one to inherit the parlor would be that clever, eccentric little girl—Hu Tao.
Because of this, he frequently brought Hu Tao along while handling affairs, letting her observe and accumulate experience.
"I've already thought it through," the old hall master said with a grin. "On the day I'm buried, Xiao Tao will preside."
Gu Chen took a sip of tea and remained silent, deep in thought.
Zhongli closed his ancient tome and said, "The little hall master's theoretical foundation is solid. What she lacks is practical experience. Since that's your decision… so be it."
The old hall master grinned, both expectant and slightly worried. "I just don't know if Xiao Tao can manage it… If my own rites aren't perfect, I wouldn't mind—but if others laugh at her, then…"
"Aren't we still here?" Gu Chen spoke up.
The old hall master paused, then nodded. "Then I'll be counting on the two of you."
Old age made people prone to rambling, and the old hall master was no exception. Gu Chen and Zhongli usually just listened quietly.
[Xingqiu]: Looks like the old hall master really doesn't have much time left. (sigh)
[Xiangling]: I remember… wasn't it when Hu Tao was thirteen that she presided over her first funeral? I think it was the old hall master's.
[Nilou]: So Miss Hu Tao's first funeral she presided over… was her grandfather's?! (Paimon · shocked)
[Hu Tao]: Yep!
[Collei]: Ah… I can't even imagine how that must've felt. If it were me… just thinking about it makes me unbearably sad!
[Tighnari]: Miss Hu Tao isn't ordinary. She grew up under Wangsheng's philosophy—she should be able to come to terms with it.
[Zhongli]: Let's keep watching.
The old hall master didn't usually act like someone nearing the end.
But Hu Tao still noticed.
Clever as she was, she didn't ask her grandfather directly. Instead, she went to the two retainers.
"First Retainer, Second Retainer… Grandpa's health isn't very good, is it?" Hu Tao asked.
Gu Chen and Zhongli exchanged a glance.
After a moment's thought, Zhongli nodded. "Yes."
Hu Tao, who had already suspected it, wasn't surprised. She only asked, "Can it be cured?"
"It's simply his time," Gu Chen shook his head.
Hu Tao fell silent for a moment, then left with her mood clearly dampened.
Watching her go, Gu Chen and Zhongli both sighed.
From that day on, Hu Tao stuck close to the old hall master—whether he went out or stayed home, she was always with him.
The old hall master noticed, but said nothing. He simply spent the final (GI)Chapter of his life happily with his granddaughter.
After some thought, Gu Chen said, "We should still tell Axiu. Otherwise, if that day suddenly comes, I'm afraid…"
Zhongli considered it and agreed. "She should prepare herself mentally."
Axiu wasn't overly surprised when she learned the truth. Just calculating the old hall master's age, she'd known this day would come—she just hadn't expected it to arrive so soon.
Two months passed in a flash.
Then, the old hall master suddenly fell ill.
"Even knowing this day would come… I didn't expect it to strike so suddenly," he joked about himself with a smile.
After checking him over, Gu Chen said helplessly, "His body's grown weak—too much cold wind."
At his age, even minor ailments that wouldn't trouble the young could become serious hurdles.
Axiu and Hu Tao stayed by his bedside, deeply worried.
"You two go out first. I'd like to talk with the hall master," Gu Chen said, waving his hand.
Though unsure what Gu Chen intended to say, the old hall master let Axiu and Hu Tao leave.
Once they were gone, Gu Chen persuaded him quietly:
"Hall Master, your time is short. If you fall gravely ill now, your final days will be spent lying in bed. I know you don't wish to extend your life—but don't you want your last days to be dignified? To see old friends, to say proper farewells?"
The old hall master was moved. At last, he said, "Then I'll trouble you."
Gu Chen immediately acted. A gentle force flowed into the old hall master's body, like a crumbling house suddenly gaining firm support.
Color returned to the old man's face.
He hopped out of bed and bounced once. "Hey—this really works!"
Seeing this, Gu Chen couldn't help laughing. Then he said, "About one month left. No more than a month and a half."
The old hall master's smile faded slightly. He said solemnly, "This old man will cherish that time."
"Mm," Gu Chen nodded.
They walked out together.
Axiu and Hu Tao were astonished by what they saw, though the worry in their hearts hadn't disappeared.
"Xiao Tao, come—go out and play with Grandpa," the old hall master said cheerfully.
"Coming!" Hu Tao nodded.
The grandfather and granddaughter went out. Axiu asked anxiously, "Mr. Gu Chen… Father, he…"
"About a month. Let him leave with dignity," Gu Chen said softly.
Axiu fell silent, then nodded. "I understand."
Though deeply saddened, she restrained herself—this was the old hall master's final time.
He took Hu Tao visiting friends everywhere, even openly announcing that his end was near.
"Uncle Hu, don't joke like that!" Chef Mao said solemnly.
"Why would this old man joke about that?" the hall master laughed. "When the time comes, I'll still need you to cook."
Chef Mao sighed. "Alright. I'll be there."
...
One month passed quickly.
For the old hall master, it was ample time.
For Hu Tao and Axiu, it was warm—and unbearably sad.
Knowing he was about to leave, yet unable to show sorrow.
The old hall master understood everything.
One day, he said earnestly, "Xiao Tao, Grandpa's funeral will be entrusted to you."
Hu Tao nodded gloomily.
"That way, this old man can leave at ease," he chuckled. "Come on—let's go drink tea with the two retainers."
The old hall master drank tea with Gu Chen and Zhongli, reminiscing about the past.
Time passed.
At dusk—the moment day and night met—the old hall master gazed at the blood-red sunset, as if sensing his own twilight.
He wasn't sad. He only said, "When one gets old, it's best to sleep early."
Gu Chen and Zhongli glanced at him, both silent.
Hu Tao sensed something. She opened her mouth, but said nothing.
The old hall master clasped his hands behind his back and returned to his room.
Gu Chen and Zhongli remained seated in the courtyard, waiting quietly.
The next morning.
"The hall master has passed," Gu Chen said.
Zhongli looked at the already-cold tea on the table. "His life was complete."
The news spread quickly.
Axiu, mentally prepared, was heartbroken but didn't collapse in grief. She knew that if she fell, Hu Tao would be left with no one.
Hu Tao, experiencing her first true separation by death, cried until her voice was hoarse.
From that day on, the girl who had been spoiled by her grandfather lost him forever.
According to the old hall master's will, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor held a grand funeral for its seventy-fifth hall master—entirely presided over by Hu Tao.
Only thirteen years old, she handled every detail alone, executing each rite with precision and earning the approval of the attendants.
Gu Chen and Zhongli watched as their worries faded, replaced by quiet relief.
The old hall master had been widely respected. Many old friends came to pay their respects.
Seeing a thirteen-year-old girl presiding, many arrived with concern.
Could someone so young really support such a great institution?
Hu Tao answered with her actions.
Yet the thought lingered—her very first funeral was for her own grandfather.
After the rites ended, Gu Chen and Zhongli stood in a corner of the courtyard.
Inside, Hu Tao packed supplies—dried rations, water, lighting tools.
With her pack ready, she slipped out alone.
She didn't know everything had been seen by the two retainers.
"She still hasn't fully let go," Zhongli sighed.
"She's only thirteen," Gu Chen said.
Yes—only thirteen. No matter how brilliant, how could she calmly accept her grandfather's death?
"This journey carries many risks. We should follow," Zhongli said.
Gu Chen nodded. "Wangsheng has only this one heir. She can't be allowed to come to harm."
They followed quietly.
Hu Tao's destination was a legendary, mysterious realm.
Beyond Wuwang Hill lay the Boundary—the line between life and death, a secret place managed by Wangsheng Funeral Parlor through generations. It was said that one might see departed loved ones or lingering spirits there.
Hu Tao went, hoping to see her grandfather one last time before he fully departed.
After two days without rest, she arrived—but never found him.
Countless spirits passed by—some hurried, some resentful. None resembled the old hall master.
High above, Gu Chen and Zhongli watched as Hu Tao waited among the converging spirits.
She waited a full day, exhausted, and fell asleep.
When she awoke, night was deep and dew was heavy. A few wandering spirits laughed at her.
"Silly girl. Old Hu wouldn't be here. What a foolish dream, coming here to look for family."
Hu Tao refused to give up.
She waited again and again, day after day.
Her food dwindled. Her water nearly ran dry.
Still, her grandfather never appeared.
Her pale face was etched with exhaustion.
Even hungry, she refused to leave.
"This can't continue. She'll never meet him," Zhongli frowned.
"It's time to guide her," Gu Chen nodded.
At last, someone came.
An elderly man Hu Tao had never met—kind-faced, gentle, yet oddly familiar.
Seeing her exhaustion, he sighed and patted her head.
"You silly girl… you're just as stubborn as Old Hu. You won't find him here. None of Wangsheng's hall masters linger at the Boundary. They live openly—and leave openly."
"Go back. Return to where you belong."
With that, the old man bade her farewell and crossed deeper beyond the Boundary.
Hu Tao watched his figure vanish.
"Second Retainer…"
Looking up at the moon, clarity dawned.
She finally believed—her grandfather had already crossed over, gone where he should be.
He'd lived upright, without regret. Why should his departure be treated as one?
"Second Retainer… it's so good to have you…"
Hu Tao smiled in release and began her return.
High above, Zhongli folded his arms and glanced sideways at Gu Chen. His expression was complicated.
"Second Retainer… it's so good to have you."
Gu Chen laughed quietly.
[Venti]: I get it now. The old man's thinking—I was there too! Why does Hu Tao only say 'Second Retainer'? Am I not worthy of a name?! (slippery grin)
[Kaeya]: Zhongli: Heartbroken. I was clearly there too—she only praised Gu Chen. This is jealousy, absolute jealousy. (slippery grin)
[Azhdaha]: Zhongli: We treated you the same! Why only praise Gu Chen?! (slippery grin)
[Nilou]: Second Retainer, it's so good to have you~ (heehee)
[Zhongli]: …
[Collei]: How did Hu Tao realize that old man was Mr. Gu Chen's incarnation? (confused)
[Xingqiu]: I didn't quite get it either. Does Hall Master Hu have some special ability?
[Zhongli]: When you're close for long enough, even disguises are seen through. Or perhaps… because she used to pee all over the Second Retainer as a baby, she feels an inexplicable familiarity. (certain)
[Hu Tao]: ???
[Gu Chen]: That's a wild take…
[Azhdaha]: See? He is jealous—attacking from this angle! (slippery grin)
[Osial]: Understandable. Raising a girl together only for her to praise one of you—of course the First Retainer feels wronged. (slippery grin)
[Furina]: This is hilarious!!
[Zhongli]: I'm not. Really. That's not it.
[Yae Miko]: "An Old Father's Jealousy" / "An Old Father's Stubborn Denial" (Yae Miko · wicked smile)
Moonlight guided her there; morning light accompanied her home.
As Hu Tao walked, she recalled her grandfather's words:
Born at life's hour, gone at death's time.
Follow one's heart; do all that can be done.
At noon, she arrived home, climbed over the wall, and returned to her room to unpack.
Her food and water were gone. Yet in her now-empty pack lay a radiant Vision.
As one of the rare living beings who dared linger at the Boundary, Hu Tao may have moved an unspoken god—and received a gift from the heavens.
Holding the Vision and feeling its power, she rushed out and soon found the two retainers calmly playing chess, as if they had never left.
"First Retainer! Second Retainer! Look what I got!"
Gu Chen and Zhongli turned.
"Congratulations, Hall Master," Zhongli said with a gentle smile.
Gu Chen whistled softly. "Our little hall master's grown even stronger."
Hu Tao leapt onto Gu Chen's back, hanging onto him, and whispered by his ear,
"I knew you were both there."
Zhongli's hand paused mid-move. He laughed softly.
[Hu Tao]: (Photo: Zhongli smiling fondly at a video)
[Azhdaha]: "Jealous Old Father's Acceptance" (slippery grin)
[Kaeya]: Zhongli: She knew I was there?! Yes! (Zhongli · dragon-king smirk)
[Venti]: He looks calm, but inside he's overjoyed—absolutely thrilled! (slippery grin)
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus (GI)Chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus (GI)Chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 (GI)Chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage