hunt. (on hold)

4. Change

[ currently no beta, will probably contain misspellings and grammar mistakes ]
[ possible ooc characters ahead ]

<><><>•⸙•<><><>

This person was not Zhongli.

HU TAO GASPED for air as she watches the man with horns search for something in his room with his eyes, his tail hugging her neck tighter by the second.

She was worried Mister Zhongli hasn't responded to her letters about his leave, and knocked on his front door. What she didn't expect was a half-dragon smirking at her, like he was waiting, then pulled her inside the house and started restricting her needs of air. Black dots started forming in her vision as she tried to fight back against the dragon. The Staff of Homa suddenly appeared in Hu Tao's hand and she immediately set it on fire and attacked Morax.

The god, now in the mortal's clothes after changing easily dodged the lady's attack and watched her stumble as she catches her breath. Keeping focus, Hu Tao's glad she sometimes sparred with Mister Zhongli, so when the man dashed towards her with spears forming a line while doing so, she swiftly moved to the side and stabbed the dragon in the stomach.

Morax growled and slowly turned around just to find Hu Tao gone. He knows that little lady hadn't left his abode since he hasn't heard the door unlock, so his eyes wander around the room, trying to find the pyro user. His senses went crazy as he tried to follow Hu Tao's afterimage as she ran and dodged him and his spears. Morax suddenly sensed danger from behind, immediately turning around and feeling a fist land in his face.

He unfortunately caught Hu Tao's wrist, which caused her to panic and think of new ways to escape. Luckily, she had nylon threads that had wrapped around the man's figure as she dodged around him earlier. Hu Tao smirks as she catches him off guard and yanks her wrist away.

<><><>•⸙•<><><>

KEQING SIGHED as she glanced at the letters and unfinished paperworks that the Qixing has to comply. The Yuheng signed another deal about trading Qingxins and Glaze Lilies to pharmacists and botanists who likes to study said flowers. She took another one and read its contents.

A direct meeting with Lady Ningguang?

Keqing reads the contents once more, and the letter came from Mister Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Come to think of it, she and the rest of the Liyue Qixing are grateful for his help at the Rite of Parting, so she stood up and went to find the Tianquan. Keqing knocks on the Lady's door before entering.

"Lady Ningguang, may I know when you are ready to receive someone? I think the time has come for us to thank Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and Mister Zhongli." For the rite of parting dedicated to Rex Lapis was left unsaid but heard. The lady with white hair nodded before looking at her timetable.

"The closest is the day after tomorrow, and the latest is next week." Keqing nodded before bowing and turning to leave. She starts to think of gifts to give as gratitude when she hears the Tianquan speak once more.

"Keep a close watch on Zhongli. I... do not have a good feeling." Keqing's eyes widened out of surprise before nodding once more, leaving the office and closing the door behind her.

To be honest, it also bugged her. The Rite of Parting needs an important thing that only the adeptis know where to get. She doesn't realize Ganyu staring at her before the latter holds her hand and squeezing it, waking Keqing up from her thoughts.

She then cleared her throat and asked Ganyu, in which her eyes also widened the longer Keqing talked. "The Rite of Parting hadn't been done in centuries, for no god have been reportedly passed away in Liyue. And if they die, we will need three certain offerings to lay down to let the deceased god be in peace. So Ganyu... how did the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's worker know where to get the Cleansing Bell that only the adeptis know where to get?"

Keqing walks away and goes back to her office, sitting down and writing the date the Tianquan stated.  They will meet Mister Zhongli the day after tomorrow. She signed the letter and gave it to one of the guards, telling them to deliver it to his doorstep. She can't help but think if she did the right choice.

The Yuheng asks for information about Zhongli, and was left scratching her head at the results. He started working for the funeral parlor and often went to libraries to learn the history of Liyue. He was also often spotted in story tellings, so maybe that's why he knows a lot. But to be a guide to the Salt God's resting place, and also know where the Cleansing Bell is...

Is this man also an adepti?