Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

"Have you heard? Hanfeng Ironware has closed down."

"No, it's temporary. There's constant banging and clanging every night, probably because they've taken on a big order and are too busy to keep up."

"A big order? Besides the Qianyan Army, who would buy so many weapons for?"

"Chiiwa Army! Could something terrible have happened to them?"

"Keep your voice down, this is the Rock Tea House."

"Cough cough..."

The traveler coughed twice after taking a sip of tea too quickly.

I was just looking for a quiet place to have a cup of tea and relax during my free time at work, but before I could even finish a cup of tea, I was caught up in my own personal drama.

The reason why Hanfeng Ironware is temporarily closed is because of travelers.

A few days ago, I asked Lao Zhang to make weapons, and he said it would take a year to deliver them. Only after the traveler pleaded and he himself was inspired by his lofty ideals did he change his mind and say that they could be delivered in a week.

Why do I feel a sense of guilt?

Don't overthink it, have one more drink and then go back to work.

Looking through the fence at the people coming and going on the street, a sip of mellow aroma finally calmed my heart.

She forced herself not to overthink things.

It's too much trouble.

*

There were hardly any guests at the Rebirth Hall today.

No customers is a good thing.

"Lu Ren, come with me on a field mission." Hu Tao pulled the traveler, who was looking through documents, out the door.

With the loss of that knowledgeable guest and the headmaster's good helper, Hu Tao's workload has visibly doubled.

Many things must be done personally.

The traveler arrived late and still needs the master's guidance on many things.

"What happened?"

"Alas, a batch of funeral supplies destined for Qingce Village was stolen by a group of Hilichurls."

"Where exactly is it? What did the guy who came back say?"

"It is said that they had just passed Dihuazhou and gone around Wuwangpo."

"That should be in Biyue Plain. It's such a long way, why don't we inform the Qianyan Army?"

"Hey, you don't know, getting involved with the Qianyan Army is such a hassle. And besides, if we wait for them to slowly send the things back, we'll miss the deadline."

“I understand. I know a shortcut.”

"Haha, your way of doing things is starting to sound more and more like a guest advisor." She covered her mouth and chuckled.

"Where? It's just fulfilling my duties."

"Hahaha, you're starting to sound more and more like her." Hu Tao laughed even louder.

"Alright, alright, stop making fun of me."

*

The traveler and Walnut arrive at a teleportation anchor point in Liyue Harbor.

"Where is the shortcut you mentioned?" Hu Tao looked around but couldn't see anything special about the familiar old road.

"This is it." The traveler pointed to the teleportation anchor.

"Isn't this just a strangely shaped statue?"

"Come on, take my hand."

"You suddenly took my hand, it makes me so shy. Lu Ren, you wouldn't happen to have a crush on me, would you? Hehe."

"That's right, otherwise why wouldn't I look for other jobs?"

The two chatted and laughed for a few moments, then held hands.

"..."

The girl's hands were delicate on the back, but her palms were incredibly firm; you could feel the hard work she put into practicing martial arts just by touching them.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Hu Tao reached out and gently flicked the traveler's forehead.

"I suddenly feel a little ashamed..."

Hu Tao is a little younger than me. She has been running the funeral hall at such a young age. She must have suffered a lot.

"Hmm? What are you ashamed of?"

"It's nothing..." If you have time, don't slack off; you might as well practice your marksmanship.

"You always look so gloomy, keeping all your worries inside. Your health will suffer in the long run. If you have any problems, just tell me. I'll protect you and make sure no one dares to bully you."

"Ha ha……"

For no apparent reason, my nose started to sting, and two untimely tears fell down my cheeks.

"Oh dear, why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?" She took out a handkerchief embroidered with plum blossoms from her pocket and wiped away the traveler's tears.

"I suddenly felt very moved."

Suddenly I realized... she wasn't just a game character, but a living person.

Teyvat was a distant place in my reality, and I was a traveler forced to enter a strange and lost place.

What Hu Tao said was very simple.

She really took good care of me; she simply wanted to protect me.

But his protection was different; it contained many things I didn't want to suspect.

When you spend too much time with overly complicated people, and then suddenly encounter someone so simple, your tense nerves relax, and you can't control your emotions.

*

Near the teleportation anchor point on the main road of Biyueyuan, a pillar of light suddenly appeared. After the light dissipated, the traveler and the bewildered Hu Tao appeared there.

"Huh? Hey? What... what happened! How did I suddenly..."

Seeing her shocked expression, the traveler smiled smugly: "Master, how about it? What do you think about my raise this year..."

"Lu Ren, you can also do magic tricks?"

"Impressive, isn't it? This is my unique skill; you won't find a fourth one like it in all of Teyvat."

"How do you do that? I want to learn too," Hu Tao asked, leaning closer.

"Hey, it's a secret."

"Tch, stingy."

In the distance, a group of Hilichurls were searching through a wooden box, with sacrificial paper money scattered all over the ground.

"Master! We've found them!"

"These are the ones, you bastards!"

The two were thrown down the hillside and attacked the Hilichurls.

Red butterflies circled around Walnut, the fragrance of plum blossoms filled the air, and fire elemental particles gathered on the staff of homa.

Walnut deftly dodged the Hilichurl's club, turned around, and swung her spear, knocking the Hilichurl back.

The traveler and Walnut stood back to back, looking out for each other.

Compared to Walnut's superb marksmanship, the Traveler was clearly slightly inferior, but it was enough to deal with these small fry.

A roar shattered the traveler and Kurumi's impending victory.

Three gigantic Hilichurls emerged from the nearby ruins and joined the battle.

Walnut broke free from the Traveler's Rock Shield's range and charged alone towards the Hilichurl Thug.

"Watch out!" The traveler's cry did not stop her.

A sweeping spear followed by a heavy blow sent two Hilichurl thugs sprawling to the ground.

"Don't worry, protect yourself, I'm here..." Before she could finish speaking, she was heavily knocked down by a Hilichurl thug wielding a shield.

Walnut braced herself with one hand, performed a backflip to create distance between herself and the Hillock Thug, knelt on one knee, and slowly rose to her feet. The spear, which had been knocked away by the impact, spun several times in the air before landing back in her hand.

She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with her thumb: "The battle has only just begun..."

The butterfly transformed into a burning flame, even more dazzling than before, and the fragrance of the plum blossoms became even stronger.

"Eat well, drink well, and have a safe journey!" A circle of raging fire erupted around her, and everything the flames touched was reduced to ashes.

"Hall Master is amazing!" The traveler applauded her.

The Hilichurl beside the traveler, barely alive, suddenly charged at him, brandishing a club.

The traveler instinctively tried to defend herself, but the wooden handle of her spear was broken by the Hilichurl. Before she could retaliate, the Hilichurl was struck down with a heavy blow. The attacker was none other than Hu Tao.

"Oh, your weapon is broken."

"It's alright, as long as everyone's safe." The traveler had just bought a long spear when his old one broke.

“Consider it a loss incurred on official business. I’ll buy you a better one later!” Hu Tao patted the traveler on the back.

"No need, it's good that the sect leader is alright." The traveler was indeed startled by her fighting style; it was far too dangerous.

"Hehe, how about it? This hall master can protect you, right?"

"..."

Was she trying to prove she could protect me?

Before the traveler could even make a move, Kurumi had already repelled all the enemies.

"Thank you."

"Huh? The paper money for the sacrifice has all burned! Sigh... What a wasted trip, it's all my fault for being careless." Hu Tao turned around and stuck out her tongue at the traveler.

Returning to the Hall of Rebirth is the right thing to do; it will be the starting point of the journey.