When Keqing and the Traveler began discussing holding a memorial service for the Archon, Paimon was utterly speechless and let out a long sigh.

Keqing asked in confusion,

"Paimon, what's wrong?"

Paimon sighed again.

"I was just thinking... if we hold such a grand memorial for the Archon, he must be very happy."

Of course, a dead person couldn't possibly be happy.

But it was obvious that the Geo Archon was still alive.

Paimon couldn't help but imagine what Sam Li's face would look like if he found out they were planning a lavish memorial for him—only to make him the host of it.

Thinking of this, Paimon glanced at Keqing. She assumed Keqing still didn't know that the Geo Archon's death had been faked and that he was now living as a guest scholar at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Meanwhile, Keqing also glanced at Paimon. She thought Paimon was unaware that the Archon still lived, and so she remained extra cautious, afraid she might slip up.

Both were harboring their own thoughts.

After exchanging a quick look, they turned away at the same time.

A brief silence fell before Keqing said seriously,

"I'll head back first. I need to make preparations for tomorrow's journey to the Jueyun Karst."

Paimon nodded earnestly.

"Alright, you go ahead. The Traveler and I will take a walk down to the pier and see if Beidou has returned yet."

With that, Keqing turned toward Yujing Terrace to continue her work, while the Traveler and Paimon made their way to Liyue Harbor.

...

An hour later, after strolling around the city, Paimon and the Traveler returned to the guest room at the back of Yujing Terrace, where they found Sam Li, Nicole, Arataki Itto, and Tsukishiro Yanagi.

As soon as they arrived, Arataki Itto asked in confusion,

"Paimon, Traveler, didn't you say you were just going out to buy some candied hawthorn? Why'd it take so long?"

Paimon explained,

"We ran into Keqing on the street, so the Traveler and I stopped by the pier for a while and chatted with a few acquaintances..."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuan nodded.

"I know. I ran into Keqing in another courtyard just now. She said you two are familiar with Aozang Mountain, where the Adeptus live, so tomorrow she's counting on you to help lead the way."

Paimon puffed out his chest confidently.

"Leave it to us."

He patted his chest and promised that he would definitely take them to find Cloud Retainer and Mountain Shaper.

Then something else came to mind.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. Didn't Keqing tell you?"

Tsukishiro Yanagi tilted his head in confusion.

"What thing?"

Paimon explained,

"Of course, it's about the Archon's memorial. In a few days, it'll be the anniversary of the death of the Divine Lord of Liyue, the Geo Archon. According to Liyue's customs, a memorial is held every year. Keqing wants to invite you to join, and only after the ceremony do we return to New Eridu."

As he spoke, Paimon glanced sideways at Sam Li and noticed his brows furrow slightly.

But Paimon continued with a smile,

"Keqing also said Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will handle the entire event—and that Sam Li will be the host."

Sam Li fell silent: "..."

This was definitely intentional.

Beside him, Nicole, Billy, and Nekomata lit up when they heard Sam Li would be the host.

Nicole covered her face with a laugh.

"I never expected Sam Li to get a new commission so quickly here. Truly worthy of being the ace of our Hare's House."

Billy chimed in cheerfully,

"Once we finish this job, we'll head back to New Eridu."

Nekomata meowed with excitement.

"Does that mean there'll be Liyue's perch at the memorial too?"

Clearly, the three of them weren't paying much attention to the Archon's memorial at all. Their minds were on commissions, money, and food...

Meanwhile, Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Tsukishiro Yanagi weren't focused on the memorial either. All they cared about was finding the Liyue Adeptus as soon as possible and bringing them back to New Eridu to suppress the Zero Hollows.

...

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the next day.

Early that morning, Keqing left home. Instead of going straight to Yujing Terrace, she stopped first at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to entrust some arrangements for the memorial to Hu Tao.

Then she arrived at Yujing Terrace, where she met Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Sam Li, Nicole, the Traveler, Arataki Itto, and others.

In theory, this expedition to the Jueyun Karst only required Keqing, the Traveler, and Tsukishiro Yanagi.

But such a journey was rare, and even Arataki Itto and Nicole were eager to see the dwelling place of the Adeptus. Naturally, they decided to come along.

After a few simple preparations, the group was ready to set out.

Nekomata tilted her head curiously.

"You've packed so much food. Is it really that far?"

Paimon nodded.

"Of course. Even at full speed, it'll take at least half a day."

Nekomata blinked.

"That far? Then we'll take a carriage, right?"

Liyue didn't have cars like those in New Eridu. But even a carriage was better than walking, wasn't it?

Keqing answered calmly,

"Tianheng Mountain is treacherous. Carriages would be slower than walking. We'll have to cross the mountain on foot, and only once we reach the town at its base can we hire a carriage to Aozang Mountain."

With that, she led the group forward.

Last time, Zhu Yuan and Tsukishiro Yanagi had taken nearly two hours to climb Tianheng Mountain. But with Keqing and the Traveler leading, the group made it over smoothly in just over an hour, reaching the town on the far side.

There, they rented a carriage and set off for Aozang Mountain.

The ride was rough, and Billy grumbled as the carriage jolted along.

"We should've brought the off-road vehicle. It'd be so much more comfortable than this."

Paimon replied earnestly,

"New Eridu is already part of Liyue now. I'm sure your technology will be introduced here sooner or later."

As they chatted and laughed, the group gradually left Tianheng Mountain behind.

On the way, they passed through canyons, along lakes, and across forests. Everywhere they looked was lush, vibrant, and full of life—a stark contrast to the bleak, post-apocalyptic scenery of New Eridu.

At one point, Nekomata even leapt from the carriage to catch a brilliantly colored butterfly by the roadside. It was beautiful, but the moment she let go, it fluttered away.

Finally, after traveling all morning, the group reached the foot of Aozang Mountain around noon.

Billy lifted his head to stare at the towering peaks.

He was astonished to find that Aozang Mountain rose higher than the clouds themselves. Standing at its base felt just like standing before the Zero Hollows—stretching endlessly into the sky, with no end in sight.