Gacha Hell: Furina Edition

Liyue, Wuwang Hill.

It had been half a month since Hu Tao left the city.

For the first few days, she had been busy with work, but afterward, she spent her time wandering around the area, checking if there were any lingering spirits or lost souls. After all, in Hu Tao's eyes, guiding wandering spirits to the afterlife was part of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's duties.

However, after several days of searching, Hu Tao found nothing.

She decided it was time to return to Liyue Harbor.

But then—

She began questioning her life.

"Wait, you're telling me… in the mere half-month I've been away from Liyue Harbor, the world has already changed?!"

This was even more shocking than an ordinary person seeing a ghost!

Just half a month away—how could things have shifted so drastically?!

"I wonder how many bills Zhongli has sent back to the funeral parlor in my absence…" Hu Tao mused, resting her elbow on one hand and stroking her chin with the other.

After a moment of thought, she shook her head. She'd find out soon enough.

Walking down the mountain path.

Wuwang Hill was a desolate place, shrouded in eerie, oppressive energy.

Most people wouldn't dare come here, but was the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor an ordinary person?

The director might be, but Hu Tao certainly wasn't.

Humming a tune and swinging her arms, Hu Tao's spirits were high.

Before long, she passed by a small Millelith outpost.

A casual glance made her freeze in place.

What was that thing?

Hu Tao was a social butterfly by nature, so if she had questions, she'd just go ask.

A short while later, Hu Tao stood there, deep in thought.

Her eyes widened, her plum-blossom pupils filled with shock.

Anyone who saw her expression would think she had just played a game of chess with some old man on the mountain, lost, and descended in utter disbelief!

"It's real."

The Millelith soldier nodded firmly.

Hu Tao was somewhat famous in Liyue Harbor—this was no joke.

This particular soldier had heard of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's young director.

How to describe her? Well… she was quite the character!

"Director Hu, are you heading back to Liyue Harbor?" the Millelith asked.

"Yeah."

Hu Tao sighed. "I wonder if Liyue Harbor will even recognize me when I get back."

She felt that whether Liyue Harbor recognized her wasn't the issue—it was whether she would recognize Liyue Harbor!

"Don't worry. Though there are plenty of new things in the city now, the people haven't changed much," the Millelith reassured her with a smile. "Director Hu, why don't you ride back with us? Our squad is rotating back to headquarters anyway."

Hu Tao's eyes lit up at the offer. "Great! Thanks, brothers!"

After the shift change, the convoy set off toward Liyue Harbor.

Hu Tao was indeed a unique individual, with a natural talent for socializing.

She could chat with anyone, and her playful, mischievous demeanor endeared her to the older Millelith soldiers.

This girl had a bright future ahead of her!

Lively, witty, and running a funeral parlor—what a contrast!

Knowing Hu Tao had just emerged from the "wilderness" and was out of touch with society, the Millelith soldiers took it upon themselves to introduce her to the new era.

Hu Tao listened intently.

Good heavens!

Someone like Ningguang, who was already wealthy, now wielded power comparable to the Geo Archon thanks to some powerful cards?!

Are you serious?!

Seeing the soldiers' expressions, Hu Tao had no choice but to believe it.

This was downright absurd.

It was like stumbling upon a cultivator in the modern world—utterly mind-blowing!

"How much longer until we reach Liyue Harbor?" Hu Tao asked.

"At this speed, we'll be there soon. Just a little while longer."

Hu Tao checked the time—it was still before noon.

By midday, Hu Tao arrived in Liyue Harbor.

After thanking the Millelith soldiers, she dashed straight for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Ugh.

Why did this new era have to arrive while she was away?!

She might be late to the party, but she hoped the funeral parlor wasn't!

And Zhongli!!!

During the day, the funeral parlor's main entrance was closed, but there were side doors and back entrances.

Hu Tao burst inside.

"Director, you're back?"

No time for small talk!

She swept through like a whirlwind, heading straight for the accounting room.

After rummaging through the ledgers, Hu Tao's jaw dropped.

"Zhongli hasn't sent any bills back?!

My goodness!

Has the sun risen from the west?!"

Hu Tao couldn't help but laugh. "Cards, cars, planes… it must all be fake. Today has been one surreal dream. I must've been hit by some ghost's illusion!"

A new era?

Hu Tao believed it.

But Zhongli not sending bills?

No way! That was impossible!

Even with this new era, did Zhongli stop eating?

Knowing him, if he dined out twice out of ten meals, that was already a miracle!

Others might not know, but she knew him too well!

And the funds in the ledger were still intact.

This didn't add up!

"Has Zhongli reformed?"

Hu Tao muttered, finding it hard to believe.

Just then, footsteps echoed from the hallway.

"Director, I heard you were back?"

If he ate out, he had to spend money. How much Mora could Zhongli possibly have in his pockets?

She knew her consultant all too well.

His pockets were perpetually empty. If he encountered any expenses, he'd just send the bill back to the funeral parlor!

But now? Not a single receipt!

She eyed Zhongli suspiciously.

Zhongli was taken aback by her gaze. What was that look for?

As if she suspected he'd been possessed or something.

Noticing the ledger in her hands, he quickly pieced it together.

"Director, isn't that expression a bit hurtful?"

Hu Tao's smile widened.

He had the nerve to say that?

Rolling her eyes, she demanded, "Out with it. What's going on?"

"What did you learn on your way back?" Zhongli asked.

Hu Tao recounted everything she'd heard.

Zhongli nodded. "It's exactly as you've heard. Everything is true. I haven't touched a single Mora from the parlor's funds. Lately, I've been… well, freeloading off others."

"At least you admit it…"

For Zhongli to say such a thing outright was unusual.

Realizing he couldn't hide it forever, he reluctantly confessed.

But to Hu Tao, those words carried a different meaning.

"Is the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor not good enough for you?"

She pouted, knowing he'd changed. Now he was trying to save her money.

After scolding him, she softened and stepped closer, patting his shoulder. "Zhongli, you've grown up."

Zhongli: "…"

The audacity!

If Venti were here, he'd be rolling on the floor laughing.

Zhongli sighed helplessly. "Director, why don't you gather some Mora, and we'll head to the card shop? I've already arranged with Mr. Lu to let you skip the line."

"Oh?"

Hu Tao's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "You've made friends with this Mr. Lu?"

"Mr. Lu is amiable and approachable. It's my honor to call him a friend." Zhongli nodded slightly.

Hu Tao grinned, counting out Mora as she replied, "Since you're close, should I tone it down around someone like him?"

Zhongli's expression brightened. "Director, you've matured."

Hu Tao didn't react with surprise or any particular emotion. She just blinked at him.

Yeah.

This kid was hard to handle.

After a moment's hesitation, Zhongli added, "Just be yourself. He's quite fond of you."

"Why?" Hu Tao tilted her head.

"Now that you're aware of the 'Genshin' concept, you know you're one of its characters."

Zhongli chose his words carefully. "It's something like… admiring a character's skillset in a game?"

"That's a bit abstract."

Hu Tao shook her head, summarizing, "So, he knows my personality, and acting fake would be pointless?"

"Precisely." Zhongli nodded.

Hu Tao playing the refined lady… Zhongli was admittedly curious, but after some thought, he decided against it.

At most, she'd last a minute before her true colors showed.

There was no helping it—this kid was just too lively.

"Alright, Mora's ready. Let's go! Time for this director to experience the new era!"

Zhongli led the way.

Liyue Branch Shop.

"No luck? That's a shame."

Lu Heng sighed, then asked, "Have you tried channeling elemental energy like spiritual power?"

Chongyun replied, "I have. Some of it works, but it's hard to replicate spiritual power's effects."

It wasn't without benefits, though—it did help refine his control over elemental energy.

Vision wielders didn't have a strict hierarchy for their abilities.

Beginner, adept, expert, master—roughly four levels, but these weren't the same as cultivation realms.

In short, it could be seen as mastery over one's Vision!

The more one practiced, the stronger they became.

"Can you control your Pure Yang Spirit now?" Lu Heng asked with a smile.

Chongyun and Xingqiu had come to queue up, but Lu Heng spotted them and called them over.

"Yes!"

Even days later, Chongyun was still excited.

A problem that had plagued him for years was finally solved!

"Yesterday morning, we even encountered an evil spirit. I vanquished it!" Chongyun beamed.

Xingqiu, meanwhile, looked regretful.

Now that Chongyun could control his Pure Yang Spirit, spicy food wouldn't make him lose control anymore.

As a mischievous friend, Xingqiu needed to come up with new pranks—otherwise, life would be too dull.

"That's good."

Lu Heng smiled. "How much Mora did you bring?"

"Not much, just two million." Chongyun shook his head.

His family, though part of an exorcist lineage, wasn't as wealthy as Xingqiu's merchant clan.

Two million Mora was no small sum for someone like Chongyun.

"Good luck, then."

Lu Heng nodded.

Chongyun began drawing cards. Two million Mora translated to two thousand pulls.

His luck was decent—he got three four-star purple cards.

One suited Xingqiu, another suited himself, and the last was… questionable. Useful, but not groundbreaking.

Chongyun didn't hesitate to gift Xingqiu the card meant for him.

Xingqiu had let him study the Pure Yang techniques freely, so giving him a four-star card in return was only fair.

Friendship couldn't be one-sided—always one person treating the other would wear it thin.

Reciprocity was key to lasting bonds.

"No five-star gold cards this time. We'll try again later," Xingqiu consoled him.

"It's fine. I'm already satisfied."

Chongyun wasn't disappointed. He bowed to Lu Heng. "Mr. Lu, we'll take our leave now."

"Come back often," Lu Heng said warmly.

"We will!"

The two headed toward the Feiyun Commerce Guild across the street.

Just as Lu Heng was about to look away, he caught sight of two figures at the end of the road.

Zhongli was nothing new—everyone knew him.

But the girl beside him?

The legendary Hu Tao!

Soon, Zhongli brought Hu Tao into the shop.

Her eyes brimmed with curiosity as she took in her surroundings.

Living by others' expectations was exhausting—being oneself was true freedom.

Having heard about Lu Heng's personality, Hu Tao didn't hold back.

She greeted him cheerfully, "Hello, Boss Lu!"

"Hello to you too, Director."

The moment he saw her smile, memories of leveling her up flooded back.

Getting a good artifact and rushing to Yaoguang Shoal to test her vaporize damage—those were the days.

Now, looking back, Lu Heng felt a wave of nostalgia.

This girl was his youth!

His gaze softened with sentiment.

"An old friend meeting for the first time—hello, hello!" Hu Tao extended her hand.

"I feel like I've known you forever. Pleasure to meet you!" Lu Heng shook her hand with a grin.

Their eyes met, and both silently acknowledged:

This person's interesting!

Since they got along, formalities were unnecessary.

And frankly, Lu Heng was tired of formalities anyway.

"Have a seat."

Lu Heng gestured, then poured tea for both of them.

"Director, you've been briefed, right?"

"Yep, Zhongli filled me in." Hu Tao nodded, then joked, "Old Lu, with your life-extending gear, is my funeral parlor going out of business?"

Old Lu?

Zhongli's eyelid twitched.

Sure, Lu Heng was easygoing, but was she really going to let loose like this?

Lu Heng didn't mind the nickname and chuckled. "I hadn't considered that angle! With average lifespans increasing, the funeral business might take a hit."

"Hehe, do you think I'd care?" Hu Tao leaned in, her plum-blossom eyes fixed on him.

After a moment's thought, Lu Heng shook his head. "This doesn't disrupt the cycle of life and death. I doubt you'd mind."

"Exactly!"

Hu Tao clapped her hands. "Old Lu, you really get me!"

"As a general rule, yes." Lu Heng nodded.

Hu Tao had even plastered promotional flyers around town.

But that didn't mean she wanted people to die.

Hoping for business and wishing for death were two entirely different things.

Hu Tao sought clients—not casualties.

As for longer lifespans hurting business? That was overthinking it.

At most, there'd be a rough patch, but things would stabilize.

After all, living longer wasn't the same as immortality!

If Liyue's people could enjoy more years, Hu Tao saw that as a good thing.

Life was a mix of flavors—sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, salty. A few extra years to savor them wasn't bad.

Hu Tao giggled. "Nah, Old Lu, you don't sound as convincing as Zhongli when you say that!"

"Oh?"

Lu Heng smirked. "Want to hear it in his tone?"

The social menace cleared her throat and deepened her voice dramatically:

"As a general rule… indeed."

--------

T/N:

You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!

Access 50 chapters in advance on my Patreon : [email protected]/furinaimpact