Chapter Text
Liyue Harbor was bustling with its usual energy, filled with the sounds of merchants haggling, children laughing, and the sea gently lapping against the docks. Amidst all this, Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, was concocting a plan. A mischievous glint sparkled in her scarlet eyes as she thought about her latest scheme to annoy Zhongli, the ever-mysterious consultant of the funeral parlor.
Hu Tao had always been curious about Zhongli's vast knowledge of Liyue's history. It seemed almost supernatural how he knew every little detail about the city, its customs, and its legends, especially those involving Morax, the Geo Archon. Lately, Hu Tao had taken notice of how Zhongli became particularly uncomfortable when tales of Morax were discussed. This gave her a deliciously wicked idea: what if she started "revising" some of those stories to see how he'd react?
With a spring in her step and a grin on her face, Hu Tao made her way to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, where she knew Zhongli would be waiting. She found him in the main hall, as expected, meticulously polishing an antique urn, his expression serene and focused. Perfect, she thought.
"Zhongli!" she called out, her voice bright with barely concealed mischief. "I've been reading up on some fascinating stories about Morax, you know!"
Zhongli glanced up from his work, a polite smile gracing his lips. "Good afternoon, Director Hu. I trust you've found something enlightening?"
"Oh, absolutely!" Hu Tao said, flouncing over to him with an exaggerated flourish. "I learned all about how Morax once fought a giant sea cucumber during the Archon War! Isn't that wild?"
Zhongli blinked, his expression remaining calm but with a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. "A sea cucumber, you say?"
"Yes! A giant, terrifying sea cucumber!" Hu Tao continued, waving her arms dramatically. "They say it was as big as a mountain and that Morax had to use his great Geo powers to turn it into a giant stone salad right in the middle of the battlefield! Imagine that, Morax, the mighty god, battling a sea vegetable!"
Zhongli paused, setting down the urn and turning to face Hu Tao fully. He took a deep breath, clearly trying to maintain his composure. "Director Hu, I believe there may be some confusion regarding that particular story. Morax was known for his battles against formidable gods and monsters, not... sea cucumbers."
Hu Tao pouted playfully, putting on an innocent face. "Oh, really? But I thought that's what I read! Maybe I got it mixed up with the time he battled a swarm of angry, flying fish? They say Morax was absolutely terrified of them and had to hide behind a rock until they went away!"
A faint frown creased Zhongli's brow, but his voice remained steady. He felt a tension in his chest that he hadn't felt in a long time. "Hu Tao, I assure you, Morax did not hide from fish, flying or otherwise. His battles were with ancient gods and mythical creatures that threatened Liyue's existence, not with common sea life."
Hu Tao's grin widened, sensing she was getting under his skin. "Oh, come on, Zhongli! You can't tell me you've never heard about the Great Fish Fiasco? Or how about the time Morax tripped over his own tail while trying to impress the God of Dust with his rock-throwing skills?"
Zhongli's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and he took another deep breath. The calm he usually maintained was beginning to crack, his irritation flaring under the surface. "Morax did not engage in such trivial antics, Hu Tao. He was a god of wisdom and war, not a jester."
Hu Tao leaned in closer, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You seem awfully sure about that, Zhongli. Almost like you were there to see it yourself!"
Zhongli stiffened, his expression briefly flickering with what could only be described as annoyance. He could feel the old anger stirring, the frustration of millennia of responsibilities being mocked in such a trivial manner. "As a student of history, I have studied the legends of Morax extensively. It is my duty to ensure that Liyue's history is remembered accurately."
Hu Tao tilted her head, pretending to ponder his words. "Hmm, I guess that makes sense. But you know, it's almost like you're taking this personally. Are you sure you're not hiding something, Zhongli? Maybe a little secret about your true identity?"
Zhongli's eyes darkened slightly, a shadow passing over his usually calm features. He could feel the weight of his past pressing down on him, the urge to reveal the truth bubbling up inside. But he forced it down, maintaining his composure as best he could. "I assure you, Hu Tao, there is nothing I am hiding. I merely wish to preserve the integrity of Liyue's history."
Hu Tao laughed, waving her hand dismissively. "Alright, alright, Mr. History Buff! I won't mess with your precious legends anymore. But you have to admit, the idea of Morax tripping over his own tail is pretty funny, right?"
Zhongli didn't respond immediately. Instead, he looked at Hu Tao with an intensity that made her pause. He could feel the anger boiling inside him, the urge to lash out and set the record straight. But he forced himself to remain calm, to keep his emotions in check. "Hu Tao," he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight that sent a shiver down her spine. "There are things about the past that are not meant to be turned into jokes. Stories hold power, and altering them can have unintended consequences."
For a moment, the playful grin slipped from Hu Tao's face, replaced by a rare look of seriousness. She had been trying to tease Zhongli, to coax out a reaction, but she hadn't expected this, an almost ominous warning that seemed to echo with an ancient authority.
"I... I didn't mean any harm," she said softly, feeling a pang of guilt. "I was just having a bit of fun."
Zhongli's expression softened slightly, the shadow in his eyes fading. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax, to let go of the anger that had been building inside him. "I understand, Hu Tao. But remember, history is more than just stories. It is the foundation upon which we build our present and future. To distort it, even in jest, is to risk misunderstanding the lessons it holds."
Hu Tao nodded slowly, her usual playful demeanor tempered by Zhongli's words. "You're right, Zhongli. I'll be more careful next time. Promise."
Zhongli nodded, his usual calm demeanor returning. "Thank you, Hu Tao. I appreciate your understanding."
Hu Tao offered a small smile, a hint of her usual mischief returning. "But you have to admit, the idea of Morax fighting a giant sea cucumber is pretty hilarious. Maybe I'll write a poem about it instead!"
Zhongli couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. "As long as it stays within the realm of fiction, I suppose there is no harm in that."
With a wink, Hu Tao turned and skipped out of the parlor, already humming a tune about a heroic god and a ridiculous sea cucumber. As she disappeared into the bustling streets of Liyue, Zhongli watched her go, a thoughtful expression on his face.
He knew Hu Tao's playful nature well and understood her need to explore boundaries. But her antics had reminded him of something important: the weight of his past and the responsibility he still carried as Morax, even in his chosen guise as Zhongli. And as he returned to his work, he couldn't help but wonder what other challenges Hu Tao might bring his way, challenges that would force him to confront the very history he sought to protect.
And in a way, he welcomed it. After all, even gods needed a reminder now and then of the world they had shaped and the mortals who kept it alive with their laughter, their stories, and their endless curiosity.
Epilogue: A Poetic Masterpiece
A few days later, Zhongli was seated in his usual spot at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, sipping a cup of tea and enjoying the peaceful afternoon. The gentle murmur of Liyue Harbor’s bustle drifted through the open windows, creating a serene atmosphere.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Hu Tao bounded in, her face lit up with excitement. Clutched in her hand was a rolled-up scroll. “Zhongli! I have a surprise for you!” she exclaimed, waving the scroll in front of him.
Zhongli set down his teacup, his expression already weary with anticipation. “Good afternoon, Hu Tao. What have you brought this time?”
Hu Tao unrolled the scroll with a flourish, revealing her latest creation. “Ta-da! I present to you: ‘The Ballad of Morax and the Sea Cucumber’! A poetic masterpiece if I do say so myself!”
Zhongli glanced at the scroll, where Hu Tao had illustrated a very exaggerated depiction of Morax, the mighty Geo Archon, wrestling with an enormous, grumpy-looking sea cucumber. She had even added sparkly stars around the sea cucumber for dramatic effect.
Clearing his throat, Hu Tao began to recite with great enthusiasm:
“In the depths of Liyue, where the waves do dance,
The mighty Morax took a daring stance.
Against a foe most fearsome, squishy, and green,
A sea cucumber, the likes never seen!”
Zhongli’s eyes widened slightly as she continued:
“With a mighty roar and a thunderous crash,
Morax tripped over his tail in a flash!
He stumbled and tumbled, causing a quake,
While the cucumber giggled, making the earth shake!”
As Hu Tao finished the stanza, she looked up, grinning from ear to ear. “So, what do you think, Zhongli? Pretty great, huh?”
Zhongli took a long, deep breath, his expression blank. For a moment, it seemed like he might say something. But instead, he simply stood up, nodded politely, and walked straight past her toward the door.
“Zhongli? Where are you going?” Hu Tao called after him, bewildered.
Without looking back, Zhongli raised a hand in a silent wave, his voice calm but laced with an uncharacteristic edge of exasperation. “I think I need some fresh air, Hu Tao.”
As he left, Hu Tao stared after him, her mouth forming a small “o” of surprise. Then, slowly, a chuckle bubbled up from her throat, turning into a full-blown laugh.
“Well, at least I finally got a reaction out of him!” she giggled to herself, rolling up her poem. “Maybe next time, I’ll write about Morax’s epic battle with the flying fish! Now, that’s a story worth telling!”