Late at night, a sneaky figure emerged from the Serenitea Pot and quietly slipped into Feng Yi's bed.
"Hu Tao, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Feng Yi asked groggily, looking at Hu Tao who had snuggled into his arms. He had already fallen asleep, but Hu Tao's arrival had woken him up.
"I can't sleep without you!"
Hu Tao chuckled, shed her clothes in the covers, and held Feng Yi tightly. She had been looking forward to this moment for a long time.
"Then let's sleep quickly. We have to wake up early tomorrow!"
Feng Yi kissed Hu Tao in his arms. Too tired to stay awake, he fell asleep again within a minute of speaking.
Hu Tao had thought she would fall asleep faster holding Feng Yi, but the feeling of reunion kept her awake.
As a result, when Hu Tao woke up early the next morning, she had dark circles under her eyes and gave Feng Yi a silly smile.
After breakfast, Feng Yi, Hu Tao, and Zhongli found Master Lu to recommend a suitable location for establishing a branch of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Considering the unique nature of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's profession, Master Lu recommended a location on the outskirts of the city.
The place was sparsely populated and cheap.
Zhongli, glancing at his wallet, readily agreed.
Once the location was confirmed, Zhongli and Hu Tao busied themselves with the renovation of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Feng Yi, unable to help much, returned to the tavern.
Shortly after, Venti, who had stolen a set of clothes from somewhere, arrived at the tavern. He was wearing three layers of clothes today, enough to trade for an endless supply of wine!
"I'm sorry, the promotion for trading clothes for wine ended yesterday. Please come back next time!"
Feng Yi refused Venti's trade request. If they continued, Venti would drink the tavern dry.
"How... how could this be?"
Venti knelt on the ground, looking utterly dejected. If he had known he couldn't trade clothes for wine today, he would have drunk his fill yesterday.
"Then, then are there any other activities today?"
Venti didn't want to leave just like that and asked persistently.
"Today? I don't think so... However, as a bard, if you can perform an excellent piece of poetry, I can make an exception and treat you to a drink!"
Feng Yi decided to give Venti a chance to have a drink, but limited to one per day.
"You said it! It's a deal!"
"Esteemed patrons, the greatest bard of Teyvat will now strum his lyre..."
Venti immediately got up from the ground, stood in the center of the tavern, took out his lyre, and said to the patrons drinking inside.
"It is said that in the ancient era of Archons, Old Mondstadt was ruled by 'The King of the Doves,' Decarabian, the god of storms..."
A tried and true method.
Venti was still singing the story he was most familiar with.
The legend of Mondstadt's founding.
Venti's singing was indeed captivating, and accompanied by the melodious lyre music, it was easy for people to get lost in the fantastical tapestry of the legendary tale.
"The Archon era... that was truly a long time ago..."
Feng Yi was so immersed in Venti's story that he didn't even notice when Zhongli sat beside him.
"Zhongli, weren't you and Hu Tao preparing for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor renovations? Why are you here alone? Where is Hu Tao?"
Feng Yi asked Zhongli beside him.
"The Director has her own ideas about the renovation. To foster her ability to handle things independently, all matters concerning the establishment of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's branch in Mondstadt have been entrusted to her alone,"
Zhongli explained, holding a cup of hot tea that had appeared in his hand at some point.
He had asked Master Lu to keep an eye on things, so there shouldn't be any major issues.
He finally had time to enjoy his tea and relax.
"I see!"
Feng Yi nodded, realizing that Hu Tao had truly grown up.
"Feng Yi, that bard looks familiar. What is he doing?"
Zhongli asked Feng Yi, sipping his tea and watching Venti perform.
"Him? He's out of money for drinks, so I agreed to let him exchange performances for wine..."
Feng Yi: Look, that guy is a total pauper!
Zhongli: Thank you, I've been subtly insulted!
"Hi, Morax, long time no see! Are you here for a drink too?"
Venti, having finished his performance, was eagerly waiting for Feng Yi to give him his reward, when he unexpectedly saw the long-unseen Morax sitting there.
"Barbatos, long time no see, how have you been? As always, for me, drinks are far less appealing than tea..."
Compared to Venti's free-spirited personality, Zhongli appeared much more reserved.
This might be related to the elements they represented.
Venti represented the free and unrestrained wind, while Zhongli represented the steady and profound rock.
"Haha, Morax, after all these years, your old-fashioned personality hasn't changed one bit!"
Venti took the drink from Feng Yi and said with a sigh.
Among the original Seven Archons, only he and Zhongli remained.
During gatherings of the Seven Archons, Ei, who once stood behind her true self, had now become the capable Raiden Shogun.
Time was truly cruel!
Feng Yi made an excuse and left, giving the two who hadn't seen each other for a long time... no, the two gods, some private time.
...................
In the underground palace of Wolvendom, an Abyss Herald, Azure, awoke from his slumber. He glanced in the direction of Mondstadt City, then opened an Abyss portal and teleported before the [Prince].
"Your Highness, as you predicted, the Princess has been rescued and is now living in Mondstadt City..."
The Abyss Herald knelt on one knee, respectfully looking at the Prince, whose imposing presence felt like the sky was about to shatter, and reported truthfully.
The Prince was truly prescient, as if possessing eyes that could see into the future. He had known a year ago that the Princess would be taken away by someone else and had instructed them not to interfere.
"A star from another world has disrupted the future that was supposed to happen, but the disrupted future is beneficial to us... The horns of the Abyss have sounded, and everything is proceeding according to plan. The day of reckoning is not far off!"
Aether looked up at the starry sky with a confident smile.
"Your command is my will, Your Highness. I will dedicate my life to your great cause, even at the cost of my own life!"
Upon hearing this, the Abyss Herald's eyes flashed with terrifying fanaticism. He had waited for this day for hundreds of years!
After returning to the underground palace of Wolvendom, the Abyss Herald excitedly announced the commencement of the plan to the Abyss Mages.
Shortly thereafter, an Abyss Mage stealthily made their way to the ruins of the Stormterror's Lair, where the Anemo Dragon Venti resided.