"Someone's treating, so I came," Feng Yi said with a grin, taking a large bite of a chicken drumstick.
"Lumi? Paimon? You know Feng Yi?" Tartaglia asked, a little surprised at the coincidence.
"Mhm."
"Since you know each other, there's no need for introductions. Please, have a seat," Tartaglia said with a slight smile. "Lumi, allow me to introduce you to this friend..." Tartaglia gestured towards Zhongli, who was sitting opposite them, sipping tea. The earlier interruption was over, and now for the main business. "This is Mr. Zhongli, a respected figure and guest consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
As Tartaglia introduced him, Zhongli nodded slightly in a gesture of politeness.
"A respected figure?!" Lumi remained relatively calm, but Paimon gasped, clearly thinking of something ominous. She also noticed that Feng Yi seemed to know this 'respected' Mr. Zhongli, surprised by Feng Yi's connections in Liyue. If Feng Yi had been this capable earlier, she wouldn't have dragged Lumi out sneaking; they could have just asked Feng Yi to handle it.
Lumi nodded slightly at Zhongli in greeting, then exchanged a silent glance with Feng Yi. Feng Yi gave Lumi a reassuring look, signaling that they'd talk more when they returned that evening.
Tartaglia, having anticipated Paimon's surprise, explained with a smile, "Indeed, in Liyue, businesses like the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor often have to deal with certain... 'underworld' dealings. And we Harbingers have always enjoyed associating with these friends who walk in the shadows."
"Walk in the shadows? Respected figures... shadows... sending people off to their next life... Whoa! Don't tell me the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is a...?" Paimon covered her mouth with her hand, gasping. She felt like she had stumbled upon a terrible secret and was worried about being silenced.
"That's right, Paimon, just as you suspect..." Feng Yi chuckled, enjoying the chance to tease her.
"It's... it's an assassin organization?!" Paimon immediately hid behind Lumi, fearing for her life.
"Ahem... The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is an organization that handles funeral rites, aiming to guide people peacefully to their next life," Zhongli said, nearly choking. Their parlor was a legitimate business, the kind with a business license!
"Hahaha, Paimon mistook Mr. Zhongli for an assassin! While it's true that many of our Harbinger friends are assassins, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor isn't in that line of work... at least not openly," Tartaglia laughed heartily. This was too amusing.
"But back to business. I've brought you to meet Mr. Zhongli because he has a way for you to see the Archon of Geo's divine form!"
"Really?" Paimon had inquired on the way and learned that the Geo Archon's divine form was being secretly kept by the Liyue Qixing, and no outsiders could approach or even know of its whereabouts. Did this Mr. Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor truly possess such power?
"Mhm. Though the Geo Archon is the progenitor of all adepti, he is still an adeptus. Throughout Liyue's millennia of history, the departure of adepti has been an irreversible trend. The era of mortals is gradually becoming a reality... In previous years, each time an adeptus departed, a grand memorial ceremony was held. This is a Liyue tradition, but this time, even the Seven Stars are too preoccupied to observe it... It's quite improper." Zhongli sighed slightly. However, this very situation provided him with an opportunity.
"Yes, and they haven't even caught the real culprit," Paimon agreed wholeheartedly, completely unaware that the mastermind behind the Geo Archon's fall at Jueyun Plaza was sitting right in front of her, acting as if nothing had happened!
"A bizarre case of murdering a god... The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor doesn't concern itself with such matters. What the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor cares about is: the Rite of Descension was grand, but who will attend to the Rite of Farewell?" Zhongli thought: Once his own funeral arrangements are concluded, he can finally live the retirement he desires.
"Traveler, and your companion, would you consider joining me in preparing a ceremony to bid farewell to the Geo Archon?" Zhongli put down his teacup and looked at Lumi. Since she had already fallen into Tartaglia's plan, she would naturally fall into his as well.
Lumi looked at Feng Yi, and seeing his slight nod, she agreed.
"A wise choice. Ningguang, the Tianquan... she's preventing anyone from viewing the Archon's divine form. Therefore, if you wish to investigate the Geo Archon's cause of death and clear your name, this is your only remaining channel," Tartaglia said with a smile. This was the outcome he wanted. Lumi's prompt agreement saved him a lot of trouble. All he had to do now was follow Lumi, find the Geo Archon's divine form, and discreetly take the Gnosis within, not only achieving his goal easily but also deflecting suspicion.
"Very well. Since you've agreed, please follow me. We can discuss the details on the way," Zhongli nodded, finished his tea, and rose from his seat.
"Alright, my task of making the connection is complete. What do you think? A satisfactory outcome, isn't it? Don't mind me if you're leaving. This table of food shouldn't go to waste. And perhaps you can use this opportunity to familiarize yourselves with the use of 'chopsticks'..." The Childe said with a smile. This meal meeting wasn't in vain.
"Hehe, Lumi, there's no need to rush. At least let me finish this chicken leg first... Oh, Lumi, don't walk so fast, wait for me..." Paimon's mouth watered at the sight of the lavish spread. She had been watching for so long; couldn't she at least eat something? But before she could finish speaking, Lumi stood up and left. Paimon quickly followed, not even managing to eat her favorite chicken leg.
"Childe, I'm going to follow them too. We'll meet again another time!" Feng Yi said, a chicken leg in his mouth, and he pulled another one free before bidding farewell to Tartaglia.
"Mhm, mhm. I'll treat you to 'New Moon Restaurant' next door another day. I hear their 'moon cuisine' is quite good..." Tartaglia nodded and waved goodbye to Feng Yi.
"Sure, as long as you're treating, I'll go anywhere!" Feng Yi agreed with a smile. After all the steamed buns he had treated the Childe to, he was finally getting some return. He had tried the moon cuisine at New Moon Restaurant before when he was at the Jade Chamber. It was indeed delicious, the only drawback being its cost!
Paimon, leaving the Golden House with Lumi, looked dejected, her mind filled with the delicious chicken legs on the table. It was such a waste not to eat them... Suddenly, she saw Feng Yi chasing after them with a chicken leg, and her eyes filled with gratitude. Although Feng Yi often teased her, he was quite reliable in crucial moments!
"Thank you, Feng Yi, I..."
"Lumi, are you hungry? Here, have a chicken leg."