Honkai Star Rail: I Became the World Tree — Chapter 64

Chapter 64: The Director’s Interrogation

After the grand feast concluded and the last plates were cleared, the gathered travelers prepared to go their separate ways.

Zhongli stood by the shimmering edge of a freshly opened teleportation gate, holding a large, grease-stained paper bag filled with perfectly roasted skewers. Escofier had prepared a veritable mountain of barbecue that evening. Following the universal principle of never letting good food go to waste, nearly everyone present had packed a generous portion to take home.

Stelle, March 7th, and Seele grabbed their respective shares and made a beeline straight back to the Star Adventurer Group Station. The moment they crossed the threshold into the first-floor lounge, the three girls immediately kicked off a second round of festivities, booting up their game consoles while happily munching on cold skewers.

In Stelle’s chaotic raccoon logic, how could anyone in the prime of their youth possibly fall asleep before midnight? They wouldn’t even entertain the thought of closing their eyes until at least one or two in the morning. Unless they had spent the entire day fighting for their lives, going to bed early just meant tossing and turning in the dark, staring at the ceiling in utter boredom.

Back at the portal, Zhongli gestured for Venti to step through first, and the two Archons vanished into the swirling light, returning to the world of Teyvat.

The Teyvat group materialized smoothly in the heart of Fontaine. With a brief exchange of nods, Zhongli and Venti tapped into their divine power and departed for their respective nations.

Inside the Palais Mermonia, Furina unceremoniously plopped down onto the plush velvet sofa, letting out a long, satisfied sigh as she gently patted her completely stuffed stomach.

“Ah, I had so much fun tonight…” She kicked her legs in the air, a smug grin spreading across her face. “Speaking of which, Morax is indeed impressive. He reached Level 5 in just a single day! My Justice Adventure Team has gained yet another fierce general! Hehe, it won’t be long at all before my glorious guild upgrades to D-rank!”

Standing nearby, Neuvillette offered a slight, measured nod. He and the Geo Archon had just shared a deeply engaging conversation over dinner. The man possessed deep, centuries-spanning insights into the governance of a nation, and the Iudex felt he had benefited immensely from the exchange.

“It is to be expected. After all, he is a god who actively ruled a nation for millennia. The region of Liyue remains exceptionally prosperous and powerful under the foundation of his leadership.”

Hearing Neuvillette praise another Archon so highly, Furina immediately felt a prickle of indignation. She sat up straight, crossing her arms. Was that an insinuation?

Hey! Neuvillette! Do you even hear what you are saying right now? Am I not impressive too? Do I not possess unique and brilliant insights into justice and governance?

“Neuvillette, need I remind you that there is a god who rules a nation sitting right in front of you?” Furina puffed out her chest, adopting her most theatrical tone. “In the future, if there is anything you fail to understand, you may simply ask me. Why go out of your way to consult the gods of other nations? I, too, possess unmatched wisdom regarding the management of Fontaine!”

Neuvillette looked down at Furina. A long, heavy silence stretched between them.

‘As long as she is happy,’ he thought to himself.

He politely refrained from pointing out that a massive portion of the terrifying mountain of government affairs currently sitting on his desk technically belonged to the very god boasting in front of him.

“The night grows late, Lady Furina. You should retire to your chambers and rest.”

Without waiting for a response, Neuvillette turned on his heel and walked toward the exit. That mountain of paperwork was not going to sign itself.

Seeing him dismiss her so casually, Furina’s dramatic bravado instantly melted into displeasure. She leaned forward, waving her hands.

“Hey? Neuvillette, did you even hear what I just said? Hey!”

The only response she received was the quiet, definitive click of the heavy oak door closing shut.

Furina puffed out her cheeks, crossing her arms tightly as she sank back into the sofa cushions.

“Curse you, Neuvillette!”

Over an hour later, the cool night breeze swept through the quiet streets of Liyue Harbor.

Zhongli stepped through the familiar courtyard of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He glanced around the serene compound. The night was deep, and the parlor’s staff were either fast asleep in their quarters or out in the field, conducting the solemn business of sending off clients.

His footsteps were silent as he approached his personal quarters. He reached out, gently pushing open the wooden door.

The moment he stepped inside, he paused. There was an unexpected presence in his room.

“Consultant, you are finally back. Where exactly have you been hiding these past few days? This Hall Master has an ancient ritual that requires your immediate technical support.”

Zhongli looked toward the source of the voice. Sitting perfectly straight at his tea table was a young woman with vibrant plum blossom pupils and long twin pigtails. She wore her signature dark brown coat and porkpie hat, staring at him with an unblinking, expectant gaze.

“Ah, Hall Master,” Zhongli replied smoothly, his tone entirely unruffled. “I encountered an old friend a few days ago, and he invited me out for a brief journey. I neglected to inform you prior to my departure. You have my apologies.”

As he spoke, he walked over and took the seat opposite Hu Tao, casually placing the grease-stained paper bag of leftover barbecue onto the center of the table.

Hu Tao’s delicate nose immediately twitched. She leaned forward, giving the air a dramatic sniff.

“Hmm? Did you actually bring back something delicious? Let this Hall Master see what sort of good stuff you have hidden in there. It smells incredibly fragrant.”

Without standing on ceremony, Hu Tao reached over and tore open the packaging. Zhongli simply watched, not minding her lack of manners in the slightest. He had watched Hu Tao grow from an eccentric child into the capable director she was today. To him, their relationship was akin to family. With her father and grandfather having passed on, Zhongli naturally filled the role of a protective elder. He had been a fixture at the parlor since she was old enough to form memories, having shared a deep friendship with her late grandfather.

“Wow! It is barbecue! Which shop did you get this from? The spices are amazing.”

Before he could answer, Hu Tao grabbed a thick beef skewer and took a massive bite, her cheeks puffing out as she happily munched away.

Zhongli calmly reached for his teapot, beginning the familiar motions of brewing a fresh cup of tea.

“It was merely a small, unassuming shop by the roadside.”

Hu Tao swallowed her food, her plum blossom eyes narrowing with sudden intense curiosity. She was not going to let a vague answer slide.

“A shop by the roadside? Which one specifically? It is seriously delicious. I am going to go buy another batch right now.”

Zhongli poured the hot water, his expression perfectly neutral.

“That shop has already closed for the night. The Hall Master will have to go another day.”

A sharp flash of craftiness sparked in Hu Tao’s eyes. She stopped chewing, lowering the skewer slightly.

Closed? For a business that specializes in late-night street barbecue? What kind of skewer stall in Liyue Harbor does not stay open until at least two or three in the morning to catch the drunk tavern crowds? How could it possibly close so early?

Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong. Her esteemed consultant was definitely hiding something from her.

She suppressed a mischievous grin. She was going to dig up whatever secret he was burying.

“It is closed? Fine, then you can just take me there tomorrow. You do not have any scheduled consultations tomorrow anyway.”

Zhongli’s hand paused over his teacup. He glanced up, meeting Hu Tao’s sly, triumphant grin, and a rare feeling of genuine dread washed over him.

He was trapped. Where in all of Teyvat was he supposed to find Escofier’s barbecue stand tomorrow morning? He could hardly summon the chef all the way to Liyue just to maintain a facade. Even if he did, what would happen if Hu Tao fell in love with the taste and demanded to eat there every week?

For a man who had lived for over six thousand years, possessing unmatched wisdom and foresight, Zhongli had to admit defeat. He had finally met his match in a stubborn mortician with a craving for grilled meat.

He closed his eyes, letting out a quiet sigh.

Very well. He would simply take her to the Source Continent tomorrow.

He had already intended to gradually introduce the people of Liyue to the LitRPG world so they could level up and grow stronger. It was a miraculous realm that required no Visions or divine favor—only hard work, courage, and a willingness to fight. As their former god, he naturally would not let such an opportunity slip through his fingers.

He had already struck a bargain with Furina. Once her Justice Adventure Team officially reached D-rank, she would allocate three hundred guild slots to him. A D-rank Adventurers Guild could accommodate up to one thousand members, providing plenty of room. Venti had requested one hundred slots for Mondstadt, while Nahida had yet to mention the matter. However, considering how thoroughly Samuel pampered the young Dendro Archon, Zhongli was certain that if Nahida ever wanted access, Samuel would bend over backward to solve the problem for her.

“Very well, Hall Master,” Zhongli said, taking a slow sip of his tea. “I will take you somewhere tomorrow morning.”

Hu Tao’s face immediately lit up with the radiant smile of a prankster who had just successfully sprung a trap.

“Hehe, I knew it! Good. This Hall Master will come dragging you out of bed first thing tomorrow.”

Zhongli gestured toward the remaining skewers on the table.

“You may take the rest of this food, Hall Master. I have already had my dinner.”

Hu Tao gasped, her eyes sparkling with absolute joy.

“Really? That is fantastic. It just so happens This Hall Master skipped dinner tonight while waiting for you.”

Humming a cheerful, off-key tune about burying hilichurls, Hu Tao gathered the greasy paper bag in her arms and practically skipped out of the room, leaving Zhongli to his peace.

Setting his teacup down, Zhongli walked over to the open window, gazing up at the false sky of Teyvat.

Regarding this massive, world-breaking secret of the Source Continent… did the higher-ups truly have no objections? Logically speaking, with multiple Archons leaving the world and gaining foreign power, the Shades of Phanes should have manifested to intervene by now.

What the Geo Archon did not know was that high above, in the silent halls of Celestia, Asmoday, Ronova, Istaroth, and Naberius were already acutely aware of the situation.

In fact, the four Shades were currently locked in a heated, unending debate.

Bound by the ancient orders of the Heavenly Principles, their sole directive was to monitor and maintain the fragile order of Teyvat. Naturally, their divine tethers prevented them from leaving the world themselves.

Asmoday, Istaroth, and Naberius strongly advocated for swallowing their pride, contacting Furina directly, and using her guild as a loophole to travel to the other world.

Ronova, however, remained fiercely opposed, arguing that abandoning their posts was treasonous, and they had to remain behind to guard Teyvat against an inevitable Abyss invasion.