Chapter 58: Hu Tao: This Thing is Interesting

Night had fallen.

Everyone, having eaten and drunk to their heart's content, sat on the ground and chatted.

Klee, Diona, and newly graduated third member Hook were fast asleep, curled up on top of Dodoco.

Stelle looked at Venti and Zhongli, suddenly struck by a question.

"Zhongli, you're an archon too, right?"

At these words, everyone turned to look at Zhongli.

The people from Mondstadt, in particular, wore expressions written entirely in astonishment.

Kaeya spread his hands, looking somewhat incredulous.

"Wait, wait, wait, no way? Mr. Zhongli is an archon?"

Jean and Diluc, who already knew Venti's identity as the Anemo Archon, had long since guessed who Zhongli was.

Coming from Liyue, and called "Old Timer" by Venti—who else could it be? It had to be none other than His Majesty, Rex Lapis!

Lisa lowered her head, pondering as she looked at Venti and Zhongli.

She had long suspected Venti's identity. From Lumine, she had learned that Venti was able to interact with Stormterror.

Stormterror was Dvalin, one of the Four Winds. Even back then, she had guessed that Venti was connected to Barbatos, the Anemo Archon.

It seemed her initial guess had been mostly accurate.

Since Venti turned out to be the Anemo Archon, she instantly figured out Zhongli's identity as well.

"So that's how it is. This humble one pays her respects to Your Grace the Anemo Archon and Your Grace the Geo Archon."

Amber, Eula, and Kaeya were completely dumbfounded.

No way! These two were actually archons? Good grief.

Zhongli sighed.

"There is no need for such grand formalities. Nowadays, I am merely an ordinary consultant; you may simply address me as Zhongli."

Venti let out a cheerful "Hehe" and said with a smile.

"Oh come on, I actually prefer you calling me Venti. Being an archon—well, that's a job you only need to do occasionally."

Ye Yun smiled.

"That's right. Everyone present comes from different places, but here, we are all friends, aren't we? Come, let's have a toast together!"

Ye Yun raised his cup.

The people from Mondstadt thought about it and realized he was right.

"To friendship!"

"To friendship!"

After resting for a while longer, the group eventually dispersed.

Stelle, March 7th, Amber, Eula, Lumine, and Paimon grabbed their weapons and set off to hunt down Hilichurl camps the moment the gathering ended.

Diluc, Kaeya, and the others were not idle either, clearing out strongholds of the Abyss Order.

After the failed attempt to corrupt Dvalin, the majority of the Abyss Order's forces had already withdrawn from Mondstadt.

.........

Within Liyue Harbor, despite the late hour, the lights still shone brightly.

Zhongli carried a package of leftover grilled skewers back to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Ye Yun had grilled far too much food earlier; everyone had been unable to finish it, so as they parted ways, each person had taken a little bit home.

Just as Zhongli pushed open the gates of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he saw Hu Tao fast asleep in her rocking chair in the courtyard.

Zhongli walked closer and gave a slight shake of his head.

"Why is she sleeping out here? She isn't even worried about catching a cold at night."

channeling his divine power, Zhongli gently lifted Hu Tao, carried her back to her bedroom, and tucked her in with a blanket.

The moment the blanket was settled, Hu Tao kicked it right off, sprawling out in a giant starfish shape.

It was currently summer, and the weather was sweltering.

Zhongli placed the grilled skewers on the table in Hu Tao's room and returned to his own quarters to rest.

...........

Early the next morning.

Zhongli sat in the courtyard, leisurely sipping tea.

Next to him stood an electric fan.

This electric fan had been purchased from Ye Yun. Today's weather was intensely hot, severely dampening Zhongli's mood for tea.

Therefore, he had gone over to Ye Yun's place to ask if there was any way to cool down.

And thus, the scene before him came to be.

At that moment.

The door to Hu Tao's room was abruptly pushed open.

Hu Tao bounded out of the room, full of energy.

"Tada! The Director has made a full recovery!"

Hu Tao was still holding the grilled skewers Zhongli had left for her the previous night.

Spotting Zhongli, she scurried over in a flash.

"Consultant, good morning~"

Zhongli nodded slightly and poured Hu Tao a cup of clear tea.

Seeing this, Hu Tao took the cup, gulped it down in one go, and slammed it heavily back onto the table.

"Ah~ refreshing! Another cup!"

Zhongli had long since grown accustomed to Hu Tao's barbaric treatment of tea.

When they had first met, Zhongli would try to teach Hu Tao how to appreciate tea and the like.

Hu Tao showed zero interest in that whatsoever. Tea, wasn't it just water anyway? Drinking it in large, hearty gulps was the only way to feel satisfied.

Hu Tao looked at Zhongli.

"Consultant, did you leave these grilled skewers for me?"

Zhongli nodded noncommittally.

"Indeed. I had a small gathering with several friends last night and brought these back. The flavor is quite exquisite; the Director might wish to try some."

Hu Tao raised an eyebrow at his words.

"Friends? Consultant, you actually have friends?"

With that, she ignited her Pyro vision to reheat the skewers.

In no time, the skewers began to sizzle with rendered fat, and Hu Tao picked one up and dug right in.

Hu Tao bit off a large mouthful of meat, stuffing her cheeks completely before she finally started chewing.

From Zhongli's perspective, Hu Tao looked just like a little hamster, her cheeks bulging as she continuously chewed away, looking rather adorable.

As she ate, Hu Tao caught sight of the electric fan nearby and her eyes instantly lit up.

"Con-sultan—what is dis thing?" Hu Tao mumbled around a mouthful of meat, her speech slurred.

Springing up from her small stool, she hurried over to the electric fan, inspecting it left and right.

Hu Tao even leaned in close to observe the fan carefully. This contraption could actually generate wind! How cool!

Zhongli spoke up.

"I acquired this from a friend."

Hu Tao swallowed the meat in her mouth.

"The friend you were eating with yesterday? Well, that friend of yours is quite something else to have such a rare gadget."

Finished speaking, Hu Tao immediately dragged over a small stool and sat directly in front of the fan, enjoying the cooling breeze it provided.

Watching Hu Tao, Zhongli suddenly had a thought.

Should he take the Director to visit Ye Yun's place?

Hu Tao was growing up, too; it was about time to take her out to broaden her horizons.

Besides, there were many outstanding young talents over there. Stelle, March 7th, Dan Heng, and Lumine—though young, they each possessed their own shining qualities.

After a moment of contemplation.

Zhongli made up his mind. He decided to take Hu Tao to Ye Yun's shop.

Many people in Mondstadt had already come into contact with Ye Yun's establishment.

In Zhongli's vision, Liyue should do the same—leveraging the great tree of Ye Yun to allow Liyue to develop rapidly.

Take the Knights of Favonius, for instance; after interacting with Ye Yun, their strength had improved dramatically.

Following screenings by Jean and others, a portion of their ranks had already begun practicing the "Anemo Spirit Manual" and mastered the Anemo element.

Zhongli believed that, given Liyue's scale, its development would surely surpass Mondstadt's.

After all, the pool of talent in his Liyue far exceeded Mondstadt's.

From the adepti above,
to the Qixing, vision wielders, and adeptal disciples in the middle,
down to the Millelith below—
all of them far outstripped Mondstadt.

"Director, do you have any plans today?"

Hu Tao, who had her mouth open to catch the breeze, turned her head.

"Nope, none at all. Why do you ask?"

Zhongli slowly stood up.

"Since you have nothing to do, allow me to take the Director to a certain place."

Hu Tao looked very curious upon hearing this. Oh? Where was the consultant taking her?

Though Hu Tao had no idea where Zhongli was headed, she cheerfully trotted over to his side, intending to tag along.

Anyway, the consultant would certainly never harm her~