In the blink of an eye, another two years passed.
Hu Tao had long since reached the age considered suitable for marriage.
As she grew older and more mature, when she was quiet, she truly was—as Zhongli once said—like a gentle, refined young lady of a noble household.
Of course, when she became lively, that was a different story altogether.
Over the years, despite Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's line of work being seen by outsiders as somewhat inauspicious, there was still no shortage of people coming to propose marriage.
Without exception, Hu Tao rejected them all.
Axiu was endlessly troubled by this yet had no solution—she herself didn't understand what her daughter was really thinking.
One day.
Gu Chen and Zhongli walked through the bustling streets, watching the flow of people.
After years of work by the Liyue Qixing, Liyue had grown even more prosperous.
As they walked, Gu Chen said,
"If this continues, it's not a solution. We can't let things go on just because of me—"
Before he could finish, Zhongli interrupted,
"She's just as stubborn as the old Hall Master. Even if you were to disappear from the mortal world, it would be useless. If you don't want her thinking about you every day, the worst thing you could do is disappear."
Gu Chen fell silent for a moment, then sighed.
"Immortality is a poison…"
Zhongli slowed his steps and looked at Gu Chen, examining him carefully.
"Do you suffer from erosion?"
"Erosion?"
Gu Chen was puzzled. "You mean…?"
"Exactly what you're thinking." Zhongli nodded.
Gu Chen laughed softly.
"I don't feel erosion like yours… but living so long, watching friends and family pass away—my heart will eventually become riddled with holes, filled with sorrow."
Everyone he knew would slowly die in the flow of time, while only he remained unmoving within it.
If one's mind were not strong enough, sooner or later they would become a living corpse.
Gu Chen had long anticipated this, yet had no way to guard against it.
Zhongli looked up at the sky. After a long pause, he said,
"If one day I lose all my memories to erosion, my soul becoming tainted… then I leave Liyue to you."
Gu Chen froze, staring at Zhongli.
After a long silence, he sighed.
"You're giving me another shackle."
"Think of it as an anchor," Zhongli said quietly.
"With this anchor, you can hold fast to yourself through endless immortality."
"…Is that so?" Gu Chen smiled. "Let's hope you're not just trying to slack off."
"Come. There's still work to be done today."
[Nilou]: What does Mr. Zhongli mean by that? Is he handing Liyue over to Mr. Gu Chen? (confused)
[Nahida]: Gods can't live forever, but Mr. Gu Chen can. Mr. Zhongli is likely thinking that when he's eroded and forgets everything, Gu Chen can help watch over Liyue. In Teyvat's environment, pure human governance isn't enough—there are too many beings that break the rules. (pondering)
[Keqing]: I agree. I used to be too shallow. Now I understand better. Also, even retired, Mr. Zhongli still worries about Liyue. If only there were a way to prevent erosion…
[Collei]: Erosion… such a terrifying word. (trembling)
[Cloud Retainer]: Once eroded to the point of forgetting, you become like Azhdaha—completely unhinged.
[Azhdaha]: …
[Kirara]: It really feels like Mr. Gu Chen is the one carrying and enduring the most in this episode! Hu Tao is growing up and will slowly age. When she passes—about a hundred years from now—Xingqiu and the others will also be gone. Count the years, and Tianquan Ningguang will go before them… and finally, when Mr. Zhongli also passes, everyone Gu Chen first knew will be nothing but bones in graves. Will these memories leave traces in Gu Chen's endless time? Will he still remember them? (Amber · nooo)
[Zhongli]: Indeed. Whether mortals, Vision holders, or gods, they are all but fleeting passersby in this (GI)Chapter of the Cult Leader's life. Heaven and earth are his prison—he can never leave, only watch familiar faces depart one by one. If he wishes to avoid such pain, he can only hide away in solitude, yet endless loneliness will drive one mad… For this (GI)Chapter's Cult Leader, is this not suffering? All of it is a curse bestowed by the heavens.
[Sustainer of Heavenly Principles]: First of all, it has nothing to do with me. That's the me in the video—I don't know her. Don't cyberbully me. (Keqing · refusal)
[Azhdaha]: I was just about to curse you and you preemptively armored up. Boring. (pout)
[Venti]: Careful, or Lady Sustainer will give you trouble! (grin)
[Kaeya]: You're all still joking around—only I truly feel for the Cult Leader~ (heartache)
[Osial]: Feeling for the Cult Leader~ (Baizhu · concern)
[Gu Chen]: What life lacks is not regret; it's that people endure it without crying out. (sigh)
[Paimon]: This soup hit me right in the feels. I'm emo now. (Gorou · crying)
[Lumine]: What, did it remind you of something you regret?
[Paimon]: Yeah! That day I dropped a piece of braised meat! Thinking about it hurts so much! (crying)
[Zhongli]: …
[Gu Chen]: No comment.
Spring passed into autumn.
Liyue's development had long since stabilized.
The rapid growth was gone; the current Qixing merely worked to maintain the hard-won prosperity.
Day after day passed. Hu Tao was now twenty-eight.
In recent days, Axiu had fallen ill.
Her already frail body could no longer endure.
From marrying A-Sen and surviving pregnancy, to losing A-Sen in an accident, to giving birth to Hu Tao, to the old Hall Master's death—Axiu had weathered one hardship after another.
Looking back, her life had been both brilliant and filled with sorrow.
As the old Hall Master's daughter-in-law, she had inherited Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's traditions.
When Gu Chen said she could still be saved, Axiu refused.
Her words mirrored the old Hall Master's exactly:
"Father and A-Sen have been down there for a long time. It's time I went to see them."
Gu Chen and Zhongli remained silent.
"Gentlemen, please step outside. I want to say a few private words to Xiao Tao," Axiu said.
"Alright."
They left the room.
Only then did Axiu turn to Hu Tao.
Hu Tao sat by the bed, holding her mother's hand, plum-blossom eyes shimmering with tears.
"Xiao Tao… tell me the truth. Do you like Mr. Gu Chen?" Axiu asked softly.
Hu Tao froze, then finally nodded.
"…Yes."
Axiu's long-held doubts were resolved. She sighed sadly.
"Xiao Tao… you've fallen for someone you shouldn't have…"
Nearly thirty years had passed, yet Gu Chen's appearance hadn't changed at all.
He was still young, still mysterious—time left no trace on him.
Mr. Zhongli was the same, yet his eyes carried the weight of ages. Gu Chen did not.
Axiu suspected Zhongli was an adeptus—perhaps even the fallen Geo Archon.
As for Gu Chen… she couldn't describe him, couldn't fathom him.
To love such a person was to seek one's own suffering, to be trapped for life.
Axiu sighed.
Hu Tao lowered her head in silence.
"I know how stubborn you are," Axiu said gently. "Prepare yourself."
She knew Hu Tao understood.
And Hu Tao truly did.
No matter the outcome, she would not regret it.
Two days later, Axiu passed away.
Hu Tao lost her last living relative.
Despite her grief, she personally oversaw her mother's funeral, flawless in every detail.
After burying Axiu beside A-Sen so the couple could be reunited, Hu Tao became withdrawn and quiet.
Even someone accustomed to death grieved deeply when it was family.
"I wonder if she can get through this," Gu Chen said worriedly.
Zhongli folded his arms.
"The Hall Master's mind is already mature. She'll figure it out—but this time can be accelerated."
"…Hm?" Gu Chen raised an eyebrow.
"Go comfort her," Zhongli said.
Gu Chen thought for a moment.
"Alright."
Zhongli returned to his room to rest.
Gu Chen entered the courtyard.
Hu Tao sat there, face cupped in her hands, staring blankly at the moon.
Gu Chen placed a jug of wine on the table.
"Hall Master, if it hurts too much, it's okay to cry. Let it out—it helps."
Hu Tao said nothing, pouring herself a drink.
She normally never drank, except on celebratory occasions.
After several cups, memories of when Axiu was still alive overwhelmed her, and she threw herself into Gu Chen's arms, sobbing.
Gu Chen sighed softly and patted her back.
Axiu's death meant Hu Tao now truly had no family left.
She had shouldered responsibility since childhood—but her mother had always been there. Now she wasn't.
Even the strongest girl would feel fragile in the quiet of night.
"Second Consultant…"
"I'm here."
"…Will you leave me someday?" Hu Tao looked up, tear-filled eyes fixed on him.
Gu Chen paused.
Had she sensed his thoughts of leaving?
The moment she asked, he knew he couldn't go.
"No," he said softly, wiping her tears.
"Never."
The answer comforted Hu Tao—and yet quietly wounded her.
Gradually, she fell asleep in his arms.
As before, Gu Chen carried her back to her room.
Without lingering, he closed the door and returned to rest.
[Nilou]: It feels like Hu Tao is even sadder now… (thinking)
[Collei]: I know! Mr. Gu Chen will never leave Hu Tao—but Hu Tao is destined to leave him! Her lifespan is limited! (sad)
[Kirara]: Did you HAVE to say it out loud?! (Gorou · crying)
[Collei]: GG? Sorry sorry! (crying mushroom)
[Venti]: Will pay heavily for a pair of eyes that haven't watched this episode!
[Dvalin]: Just dig your brain out—amnesia will do.
[Neuvillette]: I find Hu Tao's thinking difficult to understand. Knowing the future holds regret, yet still persisting… Is this human emotion?
[Kaeya]: Buddy, are you not human?
[Diluc]: Those pupils aren't human. Are you blind or just ignorant?
[Gu Chen]: Well roasted! (grin)
[Neuvillette]: Apologies. I am indeed not human. As for what I am… I cannot say.
[Azhdaha]: Hiding things from brothers now? (pointing)
[Furina]: You can't hide it, Neuvillette! (grin)
[Neuvillette]: Very well… I am the new-generation Hydro Dragon King.
[Gu Chen]: Can you spray water? (grin)
[Venti]: Which kind of spraying?! (grin)
[Neuvillette]: This conversation is becoming too complicated…
[Wriothesley]: Hah—interesting.
[Heizou]: Even as a human, I can't fully resonate with Hu Tao's choice. Human emotions are complex—like a thousand Raiden Shoguns in a thousand eyes. Different people see differently, yet we all feel the weight and sorrow in this emotion.
[Neuvillette]: Indeed. I feel it as well.
[Wriothesley]: No wonder there was sudden rain under the sea. A legend says when the Hydro Dragon King cries, Fontaine rains. @Neuvillette Were you crying because the video was too sad? (grin)
[Navia]: Huh?! Is that so?! It rained the day my father… (Paimon · shocked)
[Furina]: Water Dragon, don't cry~ (grin)
[Neuvillette]: I truly struggle to fit into this group… (Qiqi · faint)
[Venti]: Hey, question—if the Water Dragon King's emotions cause rain, what happens when the Grass Dragon Apep's emotions fluctuate?
[Nahida]: Curious!
[Dehya]: Things grow grass?
[Alhaitham]: If the desert could grow grass… Apep, you might need to work harder.
[Apep]: Get lost! Are you all insane?! (angry)
[Azhdaha]: One broken. (grin)
[Dvalin]: I admit I'm only an elemental dragon, not a Dragon King—but @Azhdaha, what happens when YOUR emotions fluctuate?
[Azhdaha]: I want to pin the old man down and beat him to death. (grin)
[Zhongli]: …
[Venti]: (Video: Zhongli and Azhdaha fighting while Venti and Hu Tao watch, 10s)
[Paimon]: After Aunt Axiu left, time feels like it's passing faster. (shocked)
[Xingqiu]: Wait—Hu Tao's about to make her move!
[Nilou]: Front row!
[Collei]: It's happening!
[Kirara]: You can do it!
After Axiu's passing, Hu Tao understood one thing:
Ordinary mortals would inevitably die.
Even Vision holders, though special, had only legends of ascension a thousand years ago.
Ascension was hope—but far too distant, almost impossible.
Hu Tao saw clearly now.
She decided it was better to be more proactive.
Even if there were regrets, at least there would be more beautiful memories.
While Gu Chen was playing chess with Zhongli, his shoulder was suddenly tapped.
"Second Consultant!"
Hu Tao leaned in.
"What is it?" Gu Chen turned to her.
Standing face to face with him, Hu Tao suddenly felt nervous.
Zhongli, staring at the board, said meaningfully,
"Some words, once left unspoken, become a lifetime's regret."
Hu Tao snapped back, stared seriously at Gu Chen, and asked,
"Second Consultant… you actually like me too, don't you?"
Gu Chen froze, his expression complicated.
The moment he nodded, Hu Tao lifted his chin with her hand.
Before he could react, her closed eyes drew nearer—
She kissed him.
Zhongli lifted his teacup, slurped, and smacked his lips.
"Mm… excellent."
As their lips parted, Hu Tao's cheeks flushed red. Hands on her hips, she said,
"Rather than moving forward forever as two parallel lines that never meet, why not take a turn? Second Consultant—do you want this Hall Master or not?!"
Gu Chen laughed softly.
"I treasure you as something priceless."
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