Chapter 201

""Everyone… I, on behalf of the Sky-Freight Service, thank the Astral Express crew for saving Luofu in the Stellaron Disaster…""

"Within the Sky-Freight Service, Yukong solemnly expressed her gratitude to the Astral Express crew again, but before she could finish speaking, her voice began to tremble slightly, and her gaze unconsciously flicked to an empty spot somewhere in the Minister's Palace."

"Looking at Yukong's state, everyone felt somewhat reluctant, but what needed to be conveyed still had to be conveyed; Walter sighed and said, "Lady Yukong must have already heard, Miss Xingyun…""

""I know. Seeing four leave and three return, I understood that the battle report sent by Fu Xuan was true.""

""This is what Miss Xingyun left behind…" the Star General handed the damaged folding fan to Yukong."

"Looking at Xingyun's folding fan, on Yukong's trembling eyelashes hung several specks of light about to fall but not yet: "I still can't believe it. Could that battle report really not be a clumsy joke?""

""The Antimatter Legion has appeared on the Astral Express? Is Xingyun… she a disguise of some Abyssal Flayer? I don't believe it…""

""How could Xingyun, who's worked with me for over thirty years and once jointly managed the Sky-Freight Service's affairs, be a disguise of some monster? Where is the real her now?""

"——"

"War of the Twin Cities."

"Caitlin was sitting on a bench in Piiertewofu Park, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the pull-tab of a canned coffee. In the hologram, Yukong's sorrowful, gloomy expression stood out especially sharply under the bright sunlight."

""Even though you know the facts better than anyone, are you still going to deceive yourself?""

""Little Cake, you can't impose your own ideas on Miss Yukong; over these past few centuries, she's lost far too many important people.""

"Wei beside her scratched her head, seeming to search for the right words: "Not seeing Xingyun's corpse…… to her, this is like a lifeline, so she'll surely cling to it no matter what.""

""This kind of pain cannot be endured simply by 'facing reality.' Perhaps she just needs a little time to… deceive herself.""

""Oh? I didn't expect you to be so articulate," Catherine said, still seeing Wei so serious for the first time, and she suddenly became interested, asking: "If one day… I'm saying if, I disappeared like Xingyun, what would you do?""

"Wei froze for a moment, then gave a helpless laugh: "Little Cake, what kind of question is this? This kind of thing is simply impossible…""

""Answer me.""

"Catherine's voice rarely carried a hint of stubbornness."

""Well…" Wei knew there was no dealing with this young lady, so she wiped off her smile and thought seriously for a moment."

""Probably… like Yukong?" Wei lifted her head to look at Yukong's pained and lost expression, "Even knowing it's impossible, I'd run all over the Upper and Lower Cities, searching every place you might be, until…""

""Until what?""

""Until the day I can accept reality.""

"Catherine fell silent for a moment, then suddenly threw the coffee can in her hand at her."

""What… a poor answer." She stood up and walked toward the more crowded part of the park, her voice softer than before, "But… it's honest enough.""

"——"

""Thank you for bringing Xingyun's belongings back to the Minister's Palace. In this Stellaron Disaster, we have lost many comrades, brothers, sisters, and children…""

"Yukong took a deep breath, calmed her emotions slightly, and then spoke slowly: "I would like to invite you all as witnesses of this battle to participate in the Sky-Freight Service's 【Memorial Rite】 for the fallen. I wonder what you all think?""

"""Memorial Rite?"""

"""In mortal terms, it's just a funeral." Yukong explained, "But for immortal beings, afterlife affairs have always been a distant and vague concept.""

"""Normally, before the signs of demonic corruption appear, emissaries from the Ten Kings Office would bring Astral Express passengers into the Hall of Causality to record their life experiences, after which they would return to oblivion. People are accustomed to a brief farewell instead of the elaborate burial rites.""

"The lifespans of foxfolk are far shorter than those of the Astral Express's immortals, so they place great importance on afterlife rites. Moreover, with too many fallen Cloud Knights this time, the Hall of Causality simply cannot accommodate them all, so Yukong intends to give those who have passed a resting place."

"Using the Sky-Freight Service's method and the foxfolk's rite, we place the deceased's belongings on a star barge, send it out of the Astral Express, sail into a star, and shine together with it."

"""I also hope to bid farewell to Xingyun through this rite. This is my personal wish—although she did not die on the battlefield as a Cloud Knight, she remains a member of my Sky-Freight Service and a victim of this disaster.""

"""Although I still can't bring myself to believe it. I will certainly uncover Xingyun's whereabouts in my own way. But for now, I—I…""

"Yukong gently closed her eyes: "This is the only thing I can do for her.""

"——"

"Teyvat, Liyue."

"Inside the Hall of the Departed, candlelight flickered and tea fragrance permeated the air."

"Hu Tao leaned on the table, swinging her legs, staring intently at Yukong as she explained this memorial rite. Unusually, she wasn't laughing; her plum-blossom eyes reflected everyone's sorrowful, lost expressions."

""I originally thought… that none of the immortals on the Astral Express cared much about afterlife matters, but I didn't expect them to actually place some importance on it.""

""Placing the belongings in a star barge, then sending it into a star to burn…… it's romantic yet not lacking in solemnity—indeed a good method.""

"Zhongli took a gentle sip of tea, his amber eyes flickering slightly: "Using a star as a furnace and a star barge as a guide…… it indeed has a distinct Astral Express flavor.""

"Hu Tao sat up abruptly and leaned over to Zhongli: "Sir, don't you think this method is nice? Why not introduce it to our Hall of the Departed?" Her eyes sparkled: "For example, we could remodel coffins into little boats and light a fire——"

""Master." Zhongli set down his teacup, speaking gently: "Liyue's tradition emphasizes 'burial brings peace'; hastily changing it would be inappropriate.""

""Hmph." Hu Tao pouted dissatisfiedly: "When did you become so rigid, Sir? Look at how creative the Astral Express's method is! As the Hall Master, I'm…… taking inspiration from the highest and choosing the good to follow! If our Hall of the Departed held such a rite, it would surely attract more customers!""

""…Hehe, Master, perhaps hear me out first.""

"Zhongli smiled faintly, speaking unhurriedly: "While this approach wouldn't work in Liyue, it's not impossible elsewhere. Master, aren't you hoping to spread the Hall of the Departed's signboard to Fontaine? Fontaine, surrounded by water on three sides, is perfectly suited to your burial method.""

""Exactly!" Hu Tao's eyes lit up, and she gleefully grabbed Zhongli's neck: "It's still your idea, Sir! When you eventually pass away, I'll definitely arrange for you the most luxurious rite of the same kind!""

""……""

"Zhongli's hand holding the cup paused slightly, and he let out a soft sigh: "Then thank you first, Master.""