Chapter 137

Under the orange glow of the setting sun, a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves of the trees, creating a rustling sound that seemed to echo softly.

Coming back to his senses, Zhongli looked at Hiroshi, who was standing beside him, and smiled, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No problem, no problem," Hiroshi said, looking up at the Geo Archon statue in front of them. "When an old man reminisces, how could I be so inconsiderate as to interrupt?"

"Here's the incense ointment I made," Hiroshi continued, handing over a set of different ointments. "See which one you prefer."

"This one," Zhongli pointed to the one marked as 'Big Sister's Favorite' in the middle.

Zhongli then looked at Hiroshi and said, "Next, I need your help to retrieve an instrument called 'Dust Bell' from an old friend. I cannot go myself for some reason."

Taking the incense ointment from Hiroshi, Zhongli turned to see Klee and Qiqi squatting nearby, staring at a little bird on the ground. Hiroshi called out to them, "Alright, it's time to go. We need to gather the next ceremonial item."

"Understood!" Qiqi carefully stretched out her small hands, cupping the little bird on the ground and running to Hiroshi.

"Brother Hiroshi... Here." She handed the bird to him. Hiroshi took the small bird and put it in his pocket dimension, glancing at Zhongli, who had again become lost in thought in front of the statue. Scratching his head, Hiroshi took Klee and Qiqi, and they disappeared in a flash of light.

At Yujing Terrace, Madam Ping smiled when she saw Hiroshi and his group descend from the sky. "Is little Klee here to see Grandma?"

"Hello, Grandma," Klee greeted happily, running to hold Madam Ping's outstretched hand. "Grandma, this time we're here to borrow an item called the Dust Bell. Uncle Zhongli said we needed it."

"Zhongli?"

Madam Ping's cloudy eyes suddenly lit up. She chuckled, "I see now. Since it's Zhongli who needs it and it's little Klee who asked, how could this old lady refuse?"

Picking up the teapot on the table, Madam Ping tossed it lightly in the air above everyone's heads. In an instant, space distorted with the teapot at its center.

"Do not resist," Madam Ping said softly. "Otherwise, this old lady's little teapot may not be able to bear it."

Hearing Madam Ping's voice in his ear, Hiroshi shrugged, holding the curious Qiqi, and allowed the teapot to draw him inside.

Looking around at the new world they had entered, Hiroshi smiled faintly. Turning to Madam Ping, who stood beside him, Hiroshi asked, "Madam Ping, is this Liyue's 'One of the Three Great Divine Arts'? The creation of the outer realm?"

"Indeed." Regulating her own breath, Madam Ping studied Hiroshi for a moment and shook her head. "I'm old, really old. This teapot was created by me through the divine method of creating an outer realm."

Pointing to the sigils barely visible in the sky, Madam Ping explained, "The outer realm represents refining illusion into reality, the power of creating from nothing. These sigils represent the rules of the world. I used both to create this teapot paradise."

"But it is nothing compared to your pocket world," she added. "Mine is like a small leaf hanging on a branch of the world tree."

Holding Klee's hand, Madam Ping led them deeper into the teapot world. As some slimes and spiders hopped towards them, she waved her hand, clearing them with ease. "It's been so long since I've been here; pests have taken over."

She gestured towards a table in the distance. "The Dust Bell is over there. When Zhongli has finished his matters, please convey a message from me, Hiroshi. Tell him that since he's retired, he should come visit his old friends and have some tea."

Hiroshi picked up the Dust Bell and gave a slight bow. "I will be sure to tell him."

Madam Ping smiled in relief and then bent down to stroke Klee's head. "Klee, could you help Grandma tidy this dusty home? You see, I'm old now, and my hands and feet have grown slow."

"Of course!" Klee nodded energetically. "Grandma, Klee is here to help!"

Klee waved to Hiroshi, smiling, and declared, "Leave it to Klee, Grandma, I'm really strong!"

"Hehe, then Grandma will rely on you." Madam Ping beamed.

"We'll be going then," Hiroshi said, glancing at Klee, who had pulled out her Bomb Bombs from her backpack. He added in caution, "Klee, just remember not to blow anything up, alright?"

"Brother Hiroshi, no problem!" Klee flashed a big smile at Hiroshi before darting off with her bombs.

Seeing Madam Ping's peaceful smile, Hiroshi decided it was best to slip away quickly.

In the real world, Hiroshi emerged from the teapot, holding Qiqi's hand.

Setting the teapot back in place, Hiroshi walked briskly towards the Liyue Pavilion.

"Zhongli." He called out to Zhongli, who was standing by the stone table, and placed the Dust Bell on it. "Madam Ping asked me to tell you that, since you're retired now, you should go have tea with her when you can."

"When the time is right, I'll visit her with some fine tea," Zhongli replied. He smiled, looking towards Madam Ping's direction. "I've recently acquired some excellent tea, after all."

He turned towards Hiroshi, "There are still two things left to gather. Let's go get the kites I've ordered first."

"Kites... Qiqi likes kites," Qiqi said softly.

"Alright, then we'll get a kite for you too, Qiqi." Hiroshi smiled and patted her head, then lifted Qiqi onto his shoulders and followed Zhongli.

Across from Jie Cui Hang at Chihu Rock, Hiroshi and the group halted.

"Oh, you're here, customers?" Granny Shan, now white-haired, squinted at Zhongli and smiled, "The seven kites you ordered are ready. Are you here to pick them up?"

"Yes," Zhongli nodded. Accepting the kites from Granny Shan, he said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Granny Shan gave a kind smile, "These days, fewer people want this kind of kite. In the past, only certain types of people would ask for such things."

After carefully inspecting each kite, Zhongli nodded approvingly. "The seven kites to be used in the Rite of Parting symbolize the seven Archons: the freedom of the Anemo Archon, the contract of the Geo Archon, the eternity of the Electro Archon, the justice of the Hydro Archon, the wisdom of the Dendro Archon, the war of the Pyro Archon, and the compassion of the Cryo Archon. Each kite is perfect."

"I'm glad you think so," Granny Shan replied warmly. "Although kites are just toys, they hold significance in Liyue, having been passed down for thousands of years. Behind this craftsmanship lies great meaning."

"Can I buy one more kite?" Hiroshi asked, glancing at Qiqi, who had been staring at the kites. "Which design do you want, Qiqi?"

"Coconut... Goat," Qiqi said, gripping Hiroshi's hand and looking expectantly at Granny Shan.

"Coconut goat?" Granny Shan looked confused, shaking her head. "I've been making kites for over forty years, but I've never heard of a 'coconut goat' kite in Liyue."

"I see..." Qiqi lowered her head, murmuring softly, "No coconut goat..."

"Would this one do?" Granny Shan asked, holding up a blue-and-white kite. Seeing Qiqi's brightening eyes, she added, "This is a qilin, one of the Adepti of Liyue. According to legend, my ancestors witnessed this creature following the Geo Archon in battle, emerging from a defeated god's body and vanquishing a formidable foe. They drew this scene, passing it down through generations. When I received this order for seven kites, I decided to make this one as well. Little one, do you like it?"

"Coconut goat!" Qiqi said excitedly, pointing at the qilin's round head. "Brother Hiroshi... it's the coconut goat."

"Let's get it then," Hiroshi said, smiling as he patted Qiqi's head. He handed Granny Shan ten thousand Mora.

"This is too much!" Granny Shan protested, shaking her head. "Only four hundred Mora is enough."

"Take it, Granny." Watching Qiqi happily cradle the kite, Hiroshi smiled. "My little sister loves your kite, and that's worth it. Besides, your craftsmanship deserves this price. Please make me another one, too. My other sister also loves kites like this."

Granny Shan gave a soft smile, taking out eight hundred Mora and handing the rest back to Hiroshi. She then began making another kite.

Hiroshi looked at the returned Mora and smiled, pocketing it.

A soft glow of energy appeared in his hands, and Hiroshi looked at Granny Shan, releasing a bit of his magic over her. "I guess I'll repay you this way instead."

A round of applause suddenly broke the atmosphere. Clapping enthusiastically, Tartaglia's eyes shone with excitement. "Your elemental mastery exceeds my expectations! Even if I don't sense any battle intent from you, I'd still like to spar with you. Would you consider accepting my challenge?"

"Oh, Tartaglia, you're here," Hiroshi replied, completely ignoring the request for a duel. He pulled Tartaglia over, pointing at the seven kites Zhongli held. "Good timing, pay up now so Granny Shan doesn't need to run to the Northland Bank for reimbursement."

"Seven thousand Mora."