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nThere is a discord server in the making if anyone is interested.

nHttps:

/

/pa treon.com

/StickSwinger

n***

nThe Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

nThe name Hu Tao brought fear to many.

nFuneral ceremonies allowed mortals to leave this world with dignity.

nAnd Liyue’s Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was said to be painting the last strokes on the scrolls of people’s lives in the most respectful way.

nTraditional funerals included multiple steps such as holding a wake, burial, putting up a memorial plaque… All of which were subjected to strict rules.

nRegardless of their social standing and level of wealth, all who departed deserved a ceremony that would do them honor. This was the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor’s client service philosophy.

nOne would think that such a reputable organization ought to be led only by an individual of utmost learning and sagacity.

nYet the heavy mantle of the 77th Director has fallen on the shoulders of a young lady like Hu Tao.

nShe has got quite a reputation in Liyue. She was mostly infamous though.

nWhenever someone mentioned Hu Tao, their neighbors found it extremely hard to navigate the conversation. Whenever someone mentioned her name, something bad happened.

nCitizens of Liyue had decided to stop saying her name out loud altogether, and instead referred to her as ‘You Know Who.’

nAlthough she was widely praised for her wit and shrewdness, her eccentric and inconsiderate notions were not as welcome, as she often let her imagination run wild, doing whatever she wanted without a care in the world.

nHu Tao was always special.

nAs a three-year-old, she would read through volumes of classic texts while doing handstands.

nAt six, she would cut classes and fall asleep in the coffins.

nWhen she was eight, she started living in the parlor and learning the etiquette of funeral ceremonies…

nOne would never use the word “measured” to describe her behavior. She was simply crazy. Simply too different. Simply not of this world.

nDuring her teenage years, Hu Tao was tasked with conducting a funeral ceremony for the first time.

nThe parlor’s undertakers and consultants were anticipating her debut with their stomachs in knots as if they were suspended over the peaks of Jueyun Karst.

nBut unlike they expected, everything was going smoothly.

nUntil that incident happened…

n***

nAs the trio of Kaeya, Hu Tao, and Yomite were walking towards the Domain, a silent atmosphere was ruling.

nKaeya was busy looking through a map and didn’t pay attention to anything else, and Yomite disagreed with the behavior that Hu Tao was showing, not wanting to talk to her right now.

nHu Tao on the other hand was humming a tune, peacefully without a care in the world.

nJust then, Kaeya suddenly stopped and raised his hand, indicating his teammates to stop.

n“We are near a Hillichurian settlements. The question is, do we want to avoid them and potentially lose time by going all around the cliff, or should we intercept them?” Kaeya inquired while gazing at the duo behind him.

nHe knew there was some heat between the two of them as his little brother Yomite was looking into the ground while Hu Tao was avoiding his gaze at any moment she could. It felt like an old married couple fighting.

nKaeya chuckled and continued, “Alright guys, then I shall take your silence as a yes. I dislike avoiding fun either way. Let’s fight then~!”

nBoth of them sharpened their gaze at his words. Yomite and his group was about to face a group of unknown enemies, and if it weren’t for the dragon that attacked the city not too long ago, he would be quite nervous about his first monster encounter.

nHe silently observed the weird humanoid monsters from within their hiding spot and he had to agree with himself on this one. These were definitely some alternatives for goblins.

nThe only difference from goblins would probably be the color of their skin and the traditional masks they wore.

n“I will count to ten and we will ambush them, got it?” Kaeya glanced at them and they immediately nodded. Preparation and strategy were the key to every battle.

n“One…two…ten!” Kaeya dashed forward, leaving behind a dumfounded Hu Tao and Yomite.

n“Hold on a minute!? Where the hell did you leave the other numbers!?”

n“Hahaha! Little bro! What’s the point of ambushing such lowly creatures!? Enjoy your life!” Kaeya shouted and laughed, Hilichurls immediately noticing his presence, but they were far too slow on the uptake as he effortlessly started cutting them down one by one, staining his sword with fresh blood.

nHilichurls started panicking and went into their tents to grab some weapons. Despite being monsters, Hilichurls were smart enough to use weapons and in some cases, even magic.

nUp to this day, no one has ever found out how they could use elemental magic or magic reactions without a Vision. They were simply mystery.

n“Ah! He is having fun all by himself! No can do!~” Hu Tao pulled out her polearm seemingly out of nowhere and ran in to help.

n“Tch! Those stupid battle junkies!” Yomite clicked his tongue. He pulled out his claymore from his scabbard and rushed in as well.

nMost Hilichurls had already encircled Hu Tao and Kaeya, but there was one lone Hilichurl that noticed Yomite’s presence.

nIt’s two red eyes behind the ornament mask met Yomite’s gaze.

n“We…hate…you…Die!”

nYomite bathed in the monster’s overwhelming enmity as he mumbled,

n“What the…”

nSurprisingly, the monster could actually talk, which caught Yomite off guard.

nThe Hilichurl grabbed a nearby wooden club and lunged at him.

nWhile watching the strike, Yomite dodged the attack completely. He was confident that he could avoid the attack from the get go as he could see the movements of his opponent, just as the trajectory of its club swing.

n“So slow…This monster truly is weak.” He reminded himself, boosting his confidence a bit, but still staying on guard.

nThese were truly tutorial monsters.

nPredictable and weak, nothing like a dragon.

nBut even weak monsters like goblins were dangerous in packs.

nHilichurls were similar to goblins to some extend. That’s why he was still cautious.

nYomite knew that his new body was much stronger than his old one, and he could feel the strength flowing through his veins.

n‘It feels as if I got some kind of physical strengthening ability from the goddess. I can swing this claymore without any trouble.’

nAs the Hilichurl missed its strike, Yomite was about to slay him with his claymore when out of the corner of his eye, he saw another Hilichurl, that was hiding up till now, preparing for a sneak attack.

n‘I knew it. Damn goblins.’

nHe parried the incoming attack with the claymore and poured strength into his left arm, tightening the muscles and sending a punch at him as a payback—

nAnd as he did that.

n—The head of the humanoid monster before his eyes exploded like an overripe melon.

n‘Huh?’ Yomite stared wide-eyed at the falling parts of meat and brain matter.

nBludgeoned to death at point-blank range, its still fresh blood showered Yomite’s face. The Hilichurl’s headless body sailed forward and crashed into him, dropping the club in its hands onto the ground with a loud *thump*.

n“Wh-What just…happened?”

n