“When that time comes, make sure you’re still alive to meet me! I’m really looking forward to it!” Childe said with a faintly excited glimmer in his eyes.
Seeing that expression, Lumine and Paimon couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of déjà vu, as if they were looking at another Jia Changjiang…
“Well, for now, stay here at the Northland Bank,” Childe continued. “Once I’ve found the right person, a Fatui agent will come to inform you.”
“If you need anything, just tell the staff. With my orders, they’ll fulfill most of your requests.”
“Then I’d like access to the bank’s vault,” Lumine quipped without hesitation.
“Haha… that’s a no-go,” Childe replied, laughing. “But basic food and accommodations? Absolutely.”
He added with a smile, “After all, we’re happy collaborators, aren’t we? If you ever feel like joining the Fatui, you’d be more than welcome. Strong individuals like you two would fit right in.”
“I refuse!” Lumine declared firmly. “I’ll never join the Fatui—now or in the future! Never ever!”
“Haha, such spirited resolve. Very well, I won’t push the matter,” Childe said, stepping aside to let them pass. “Take it easy. Rest assured, I’m genuinely helping you.”
He waved casually and walked away, leaving the group to be escorted inside the Northland Bank by Fatui agents.
—
The lavish interior of the bank left Lumine and Paimon wide-eyed.
“Wow… the Fatui are this rich?” Lumine murmured, scanning the opulent decor. “All this must be worth enough to buy entire neighborhoods…”
“They’re insanely rich!” Paimon exclaimed. “We’ve heard they’re involved in trade all over Teyvat, but this… Paimon didn’t realize they were this loaded!”
“This way, please,” said a female Fatui receptionist, guiding them into a luxurious suite. “This is the room Lord Childe has arranged for you. There’s another one nearby that’s equally comfortable. Who will stay here?”
After assigning rooms, the Fatui staff departed without a hint of hostility, leaving Jia Changjiang and Lumine to settle in.
No sooner had Jia Changjiang sat down to rest than there came a rapid knock at his door.
Lumine and Paimon burst in, both looking concerned.
“Jax, do you think the Fatui are plotting something?” Lumine asked, her fists clenched. “Should we stop them now? I mean, isn’t this what we learned from Xingqiu—something about upholding justice? Or was it… what’s that phrase again?”
“Robbing the rich to help the poor!” Paimon chimed in enthusiastically.
“Yes! That’s it! Robbing the rich to help the poor!” Lumine nodded eagerly.
“Even if they’re up to no good, it’s not our job to act now. Don’t forget, we’re still wanted fugitives in Liyue,” Jia Changjiang reminded them. “For now, let’s stay put and wait for Childe’s signal. Rest up—if something major happens, we’ll need to be ready to face it.”
Reluctantly, Lumine accepted Jia Changjiang’s reasoning. They decided to remain at the bank, waiting for further news.
—
Though their movements were limited due to the Millelith’s pursuit, news soon reached them that most of the Millelith had been reassigned to handle other pressing matters.
The adepti had apparently arrived outside Liyue Harbor, drawing the Millelith’s attention. With fewer soldiers on their trail, the group could breathe a little easier.
After two days of waiting, a message from Childe finally arrived.
“Lord Childe says your arrangements are complete,” a polite Fatui agent informed them. “He requests that you meet him at Liuli Pavilion.”
“Liuli Pavilion?” Lumine repeated curiously.
“I know that place!” Paimon exclaimed. “It’s one of Liyue’s most famous restaurants, specializing in mountain delicacies. It represents one of the two major culinary traditions here.”
“Better than Wanmin Restaurant?” Lumine asked, immediately defensive on behalf of her friend Xiangling.
Paimon hesitated, considering her answer. “Well… with Xiangling cooking, Liuli Pavilion might not necessarily taste better, but it’s definitely way more expensive…”
“Expensive?” Lumine’s eyes lit up. “Where is it? Let’s go right now!”
With her twin loves—food and luxury—fueling her enthusiasm, Lumine quickly led the group to Liuli Pavilion in Feiyun Slope, where Childe was waiting for them at the entrance.
“Ah, you’re here,” Childe greeted them with a smile. “I’ve kept my promise. I’ve arranged a meeting in what this country calls a ‘banquet.’”
“A banquet?” Lumine asked suspiciously. “How much food did you order?”
“You’ll see when you go inside,” Childe replied cryptically. “Let’s just say inviting this particular guest required considerable effort on my part.”
He gestured for them to follow, leading them into a private room he had reserved.
Inside, seated at the head of the table, was a man with black hair. A single long lock was tied back and hung loosely behind him. His calm demeanor and scholarly air made him seem like an elderly academic, but his youthful appearance defied that impression.
Zhongli.
The moment Jia Changjiang saw him, memories from fragments of the story surfaced. The man sitting before them wasn’t just an idle consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
He was the former Geo Archon.
Just like Barbatos in Mondstadt.
“Allow me to introduce you,” Childe said smoothly. “This is Zhongli, a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and a well-versed figure in matters of our world.”
He motioned for everyone to take their seats. Even Paimon received a small stool to boost her up to table height.
“A consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?” Paimon muttered, her mind racing with possibilities. “Wait… Wangsheng Funeral Parlor… doesn’t that mean…”
“Yes, exactly as you’re thinking,” Zhongli confirmed with a small nod.
“Eek!” Paimon jumped, startled. But Zhongli continued in his composed tone, “Wangsheng oversees all funerary rites, ensuring the dead are laid to rest with dignity.”
Paimon hovered anxiously, her voice rising. “So you’re saying Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is a… a death organization?”
“Indeed,” Zhongli said, completely unfazed.
“Wha—!” Paimon gasped. But before her imagination could run too wild, Zhongli clarified, “We oversee the passage of souls to ensure a peaceful journey to the afterlife. It’s a solemn and necessary service.”
—
This is a fan translation of 武器大师在原神绝不死于徒手 by 徐人双 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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