"Sure! I'm coming, too!"
Of course she would go. Hu Tao got up to join them.
As they left the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, March 7th couldn't help but ask,
"By the way, what does this place sell? The vibe is kind of weird."
March 7th was curiouswhat did the funeral parlor sell?
"Coffins and urns. If you're interested, Hu Tao can give you a discount."
March 7th was startled.
(*.Д)o
"What? You actually sell those things?"
She was shocked. That's what they sold?
"Do you want some? I can give you a discount! Buy two urns, get one free. Coffins too. As for tombstones, the second one's half price. Would you like to buy a discounted funeral set from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
Hu Tao was in her element, enthusiastically pitching the products.
March 7th and Stelle were dumbfounded.
"No way! We don't need any of that!"
March 7th definitely didn't need those thingsway too scary! Did Hu Tao want them to jinx themselves?
"Why not? You never know when you'll need it. Don't be superstitious about life and death! That's not good. It's always best to be prepared!"
Hu Tao chattered on beside March 7th, determined to make a sale.
"No, no! We don't have money in this world. We're not from here, so we have no money!"
March 7th quickly waved her hands. That was her last defense: they didn't have money!
Hearing this, Hu Tao paused.
"No money? What a pity. But it's fineI can just give them to you!"
She was disappointed, but there was nothing to be done. In that case, she'd just gift them as local specialties.
"Thank you, but no need!"
Stelle almost couldn't hold it in and refused flat out.
"Yeah, we really don't need them, but thank you, Hu Tao!"
March 7th also hurriedly declined. The three of them chattered away up ahead. Soon, they reached the street. Takumi and Zhongli walked behind, watching the trio chat away, with Takumi smiling at the scene.
He was live streaming everything to the group. Everyone in the chat was commenting.
Fujiwara Chika: [Good thing I didn't go! Otherwise, Hu Tao would be giving them to me, too!]
Raiden Mei: [She's way too enthusiastic!!]
That kind of enthusiasm was more than she could handle.
Takumi: [I'm plugging Hu Tao's shop here! Second tombstone half price, message if interested!]
Seeing Takumi's message, everyone in the group collectively rolled their eyes. None of them wanted any of that! Instead, they focused on his live streamLiyue was lively as could be.
Chapter 209: Is This What They Call Instant Rapport?
Liyue's Rite of Descension attracted tourists from many countries every year.
Every year, the Geo Archon would issue a divine decree to guide Liyue's direction for the coming year.
Because of this, the Rite of Descension was always Liyue's most bustling time. People from other nations also paid close attention to Liyue's situationafter all, these were the words of the God of Wealth, and no merchant could afford to ignore them. For businesspeople, their prospects for the next year depended on what was said in Liyue.
That's why the Rite of Descension became a time when merchants from all nations gathered in Liyue to discuss cooperation. For Liyue's people, it was also a time to make moneyand a rare chance to see the Archon up close. With so many visitors, someone would always spend money. So this was the best time for business.
That's why Liyue was so lively now. The streets were crowded, the city full of life.
As Takumi and his group walked the streets, they drew a lot of attentionmainly because Takumi, March 7th, and Stelle's outfits were just too out of place. March 7th and Stelle were dressed like characters straight out of a game, and Takumi wore modern clothes. That made people wonder: which country were these folks from? What nation dressed like this? Everyone was extremely curious, but also found it oddly attractive. That was why they drew so many stares.
Many people greeted Zhongli as they passed, and Hu Tao, ever the social butterfly, was constantly exchanging greetings with former clientsthough a lot of people still looked a little uneasy when they saw her.
March 7th and Stelle couldn't help but twitch their mouths at this sight. The group began wandering through Liyue.
"When does the Rite of Descension start?"
Strolling with Zhongli, Takumi couldn't help but ask.
"It begins tomorrow," Zhongli explained. "Today, we can just enjoy ourselves."
Takumi nodded. If it started tomorrow, there was no rush.
"Lumine, I want thatand that! That one looks tasty, so does this. Hurry up and buy them for me!"
At that moment, Takumi heard a distinctive voice in the crowd. He knew Paimon's voice far too well. Turning his head, he saw a blond girl with a floating child at a stallit was Lumine and Paimon!
"What a coincidence," Takumi said with a smile. "Should we go over and say hi?"
Zhongli had seen them too, and looked at Takumi.
"Let's go!" Takumi said. "Of course we should."
So Takumi walked over.
"Hey, fellow countrywoman!" Takumi called out cheerfully to Lumine.
Lumine froze, turning to look at Takumi. When she saw his modern outfit, she was completely confusedsuch modern clothes?
Wait a minute.
"You're from another world?"
Did Takumi just call her 'fellow countrywoman'?
"That's right! I could tell at a glance you're not from here, just like me. Two wanderers meet and tears fill our eyes!"
"I'm Takumi. What's your name?"
Takumi happily stepped forward and grabbed both of Lumine's hands.
Lumine was stunned for a second by his words.
"Sky King covers the Earth Tiger?" she blurted instinctively.
"Captain Levi is one fifty!" Takumi replied immediately, without thinking.
"Emm... So you really are a fellow traveler."
"How did you get here?"
Lumine held Takumi's hand, her heart genuinely happy. Her usually calm face broke into a bright smile. To meet a kindred spirit in a foreign landLumine, who still hadn't found her brother, suddenly felt a rare sense of kinship in this unfamiliar world. Maybe she and Takumi weren't from the same world, but at least neither of them was native to Teyvat.
"I just zipped over here. Want to grab some tea together?"
Takumi invited Lumine with a grin.
Lumine noddedshe didn't refuse at all. It sounded good.
"Eh?"
Paimon was shocked. How did Lumine suddenly hit it off with such a handsome guy?
Lumine explained, "He's from another world, like me. This is Paimon, my travel companion."
Paimon stared curiously at Takumi, then glanced at Lumine's happy smile. Could Lumine have taken a liking to this guy?
"Hi there!" Takumi greeted. "This is Zhongli, a native of this worldand also an immortal."
When Paimon heard Takumi say Zhongli was an immortal, her eyes lit up.
"An immortal? Wow! A Liyue immortal?"
Paimon couldn't help exclaiming. The surrounding people turned to look at them, but in the next moment, it was as if nothing had happenedthey all went back to their own business.
"Don't shout so loud," Takumi chuckled. "It wouldn't be good to attract attention."
"Ah, sorry. But what did you just do?"
Paimon had sharp senses. Something was offwhy did the crowd suddenly act as if they hadn't heard anything?
Lumine was also puzzled. Though her powers were sealed, she could still sense a faint energy from Takumi that made people ignore them.
"It's nothing," Takumi replied with a smile. "Just altered their perception a bit. Please don't shout about Zhongli being an immortal."
He gestured for Lumine to follow, and she nodded without another word. An immortal, huh? She'd have to ask more later.
So Lumine and Paimon followed Takumi and Zhongli. Up ahead, March 7th and the others doubled back. Seeing the new faces, March 7th was surprised.
Stelle and Lumine locked eyes, and in that moment, it was as if they had discovered something remarkable.
"Hello!" they said in unison.
"I'm Stelle!"
"I'm Lumine!"
The two introduced themselves at the same time, then immediately shook hands.
"I feel a strange sense of familiarity from you."
"That's odd."
Stelle looked at Lumine curiously.
Lumine nodded in agreement. "Me too!"
How strange. This Stelle felt like an old friend.
Is this what they call instant rapport?
Chapter 210: Come, Come, Let Me Restore Your MemoriesI'm Super Helpful!
Takumi looked at Stelle and Lumine, grinning with delight.
Wow, did they just become sisters at first sight?
"Ah~! You two look so much alike."
"I'm March 7th, nice to meet you!"
After observing for a moment, March 7th cheerfully greeted Lumine.
Lumine nodded back. "Hello!"
"I'm Paimon! Nice to meet you, Miss March 7th~!"
Not to be outdone, Paimon immediately scooted up to introduce herself.
"Yo, more new friends?"
"I'm Hu Tao, 77th director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Buy a tombstone from mehalf price!"
Hu Tao joined in, introducing herself to Lumine. Having just arrived in Liyue, Lumine didn't recognize Hu Tao.
"Hello!"
Lumine's mouth twitched a little at the word "tombstone." Was it really what she thought?
"What's a tombstone? A wooden cup?"
Paimon was curious. Something at half pricewas it something she could buy?
"Paimon, don't say another word!"
Lumine shot her a look, already sensing this wasn't good.
"Ahem! Of course it's not a cupit's a gravestone, the kind you bury people under after they die! Little Paimon, do you need one? I'll give you half off, and buy one get one free."
Hu Tao looked at Paimon with anticipation. But when Paimon realized what Hu Tao was selling, she was completely stunned.
"No, no, no! I don't want one! Who'd want something like that?! No way!!"
Paimon waved her hands frantically. She definitely didn't want anything like that! She never expected Hu Tao to be selling these kinds of things.
Takumi and Zhongli stood to the side, watching the whole scene unfold, smiling. Clearly, they were both enjoying it. The others in the group chat were too. Seeing this, everyone was entertained. But thanks to Hu Tao's interruption, everyone got properly introduced. The group continued on their way.
Soon, they found a teahouse and sat down, starting to chat and share stories. Lumine learned that March 7th and Stelle had also come from other worlds, which shocked her. Was traveling between worlds really that easy now?
"You guys didn't meet a god blocking your path when you came here?"
Lumine looked at Takumi, March 7th, and the others, truly puzzled. How had they all arrived in this world without being stopped?
"Nope! We were put inside a bracelet and delivered to Takumi. And we're not even from the same world as Takumi."
March 7th explained their situation simply. In truth, there wasn't much to itthey were just put into a spatial bracelet and then transported over. They hardly felt a thing, just that they were put in and then let out.
"Hm?"
Lumine raised her eyebrows. So none of them were from the same world? And this was how people were being transported? Then how did they stay in contact?
Lumine was full of questionswho was going to explain all this to her?
Seeing her confusion, Takumi spoke up:
"There's a lot involved, so I won't get into all the details. The main thing is, none of us were stopped by a god on the way here. But the god you mentionedI do know who that is."
Takumi grinned as he said this. Suddenly, he had a great idea.
Lumine's eyes widened. "You know?"
She was excited! Paimon was also surprised, looking at Takumi.
Zhongli glanced at Takumi but didn't say anything. He had no idea what Takumi was up to, but it didn't matterlet him play it how he wanted.
"Of course! Lumine, you have issues with your memory, right?"
Takumi looked at Lumine with interest.
Hearing this, Lumine was stunned, then nodded.
"Yeah... I feel like I've forgotten a lot. It's all sealed away!"
She frowned. That mysterious god hadn't just sealed her memories, but her powers too.
"I'm pretty good with memories. Do you want my help? I can help you recall the things you've forgotten."
If Lumine restored her strength and memory, and learned her brother was happily hanging out in the Abyss while she camped out robbing Hilichurls every day... Takumi was truly curious how she'd react. Would Aether get stabbed?
Takumi was ready to try.
"Can you really do that?"
Lumine was thrilled. If it was really possible, of course she'd want her memories back!
"Absolutely. If you trust me, give me your hand. It'll only take a momentmaybe you'll remember even more."
Takumi extended his hand.
Paimon watched in surprise. Lumine didn't hesitate and reached out her hand.
"I'll leave it to you!"
If she could get her memories back, why hesitate? She didn't believe Takumi would do anything bad.
Takumi smiled, then activated the Herrscher of Knowledge's power and took Lumine's hand.
In the next instant, the seal the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles had placed in Lumine's mind was broken. Her sealed memories started returning.
Lumine frowned, feeling a bit unaccustomed to the rush of memories. At the same time, Takumi also removed the seals on her strengthan overwhelming aura radiated from Lumine, but Takumi quickly suppressed it. Golden wings appeared on Lumine's back.
Seeing the spectacular wings, Paimon's eyes went wide.
"Eh, eh, eh?!"
She had no idea Lumine had this up her sleeve!
"A fine power," Zhongli remarked, quietly surprised. No wonder those siblings could battle the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles back then. That power was truly impressivedivine, even.
Lumine's memories fell into place as her powers returned.
"Thank you! I understand now!"
The truth of Khaenri'ah, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principleseverything made sense to Lumine now.
"You're welcome! Just a small favor. Now that you remember, what will you do?"
Takumi was curious. Now that Lumine had regained her memories, would she still travel across the seven nations as Aether wanted?
"No big plans! First, I need to find my brother."
Lumine shook her head. Her strength was back, but she wasn't about to give up looking for her brother. Whatever she wanted to do would have to wait until she found him.
Chapter 211: Hello, Emergency Food
Takumi heard Lumine's words, and a trace of amusement flashed in his eyes.
He then spoke up:
"Your twin brother?"
"The blonde kid who looks just like you, right?"
Hearing this, Lumine was immediately stunned.
Her eyes widened involuntarily.
"You know my brother?!"
