Genshin Impact's Sweet and Hard Free People

"Is this request too much? Or..." Before Xinhui could finish speaking, Hu Tao interrupted him.

"Logically speaking, your request is legitimate, legal, and reasonable. However, it is absolutely forbidden for any successor of the Hall of Rebirth to make such a request."

It turns out that each generation of the head of the Rebirth Hall has its own responsibilities. Not only do they have to take care of the daily affairs of the Rebirth Hall, but they also have to fulfill the mission passed down through generations—to protect that rare and mysterious place in the world.

This mysterious realm refers to the "boundary." It is the dividing line between life and death, the place where souls return. The Hall of Rebirth is where the masters of this place have managed it for generations. Each generation of the Hall of Rebirth master must guard the "boundary" and not allow outsiders to enter; otherwise, it would be a dereliction of duty for the master.

"Now you understand? I have my responsibilities. I cannot take you to the 'border.' Otherwise, the power of life and death will infect you, and that power will make you lose yourself in it, never able to reach the end that you crave in your confusion."

"Before, Bai Shu begged me to take him to the 'border,' and I only agreed to take him in because the Eye of God could resist external forces. I guess this fruit was picked around that time, right?"

Hu Tao's implication was that Xin Hui, without the Eye of God, was an ordinary person who could not resist the life-and-death power of the 'Boundary'.

"I can manipulate elemental forces, isn't that enough?" Xin Hui raised his right hand, and ice and rock elemental forces flowed in his hand. White and yellow light intertwined, causing the surrounding air to condense into frost, while the rock element was about to take shape into rock crystals in his hand.

Hu Tao was slightly surprised to see this. She leaned closer and, after seeing it clearly, nodded thoughtfully.

"I see, so this is your reliance... I must say, it's similar to that traveler's situation, but..."

But? Does Hu Tao mean that even being able to drive elemental force doesn't allow one to enter the "boundary"?

As Xin Hui was puzzled, he heard Hu Tao continue speaking.

"However, the power of life and death is different from elemental power; it is an extremely special law. Elemental power cannot resist this power of life and death unless it is an artifact with an automatic protection function like the Eye of God. Otherwise, living beings entering the 'boundary' will only end up getting lost."

"Then, is there no other way?" Xinhui asked, somewhat frustrated.

"You really want to go?"

"It's not about thinking, it's about wanting to go."

"..."

Hu Tao gently stroked her chin, pondering briefly. After a while, as if she had thought of something, her eyes lit up.

"Since you're so eager to go, then I, the master of this hall, will grant your wish," Hu Tao said with a grin, extending her slender right hand toward Xin Hui.

It has a strong implication of "Give me your hand".

Just as Xin Hui was still wondering what was going on, Hu Tao seemed to think he was too slow and took his hand.

Hmm... Walnut's little hands are especially soft and petite, and because of the power of the Eye of Vulcan, they feel especially warm.

Before Xinhui could speak, Hu Tao's face twitched slightly as she explained to him, "The black crystal ring on my right hand has been passed down through generations of the Hall of Rebirth. It can withstand the power of life and death. In other words, as long as you hold my hand and enter the 'boundary,' nothing will happen."

Do you want to hold hands the whole time?

Xin Hui was surprised. Although he didn't care, did Hu Tao, a girl, really agree?

However, Hu Tao's actions seemed to have already given him a very clear answer, and without further ado, she grabbed Xin Hui and started to walk forward.

As they walked, several shimmering yellow-green butterflies flew in from nowhere and followed them. Hu Tao's profile was hidden behind those butterflies; although her fair face still showed signs of youth, the girl's efficient manner was truly reassuring.

Legend has it that if you keep walking straight ahead from Wuwang Slope, you will reach the 'border'. So, where is this borderland, guarded by the generations of masters of the Hall of Rebirth?

We might not know for sure until Xinhui and the others arrive. Right now, Xinhui and Hutao need to rest.

According to Hu Tao, the journey to the 'border' is long, so there's no need to rush. Eat and drink as you please, and don't let things bother you.

"I need to remind you, you can't let go of my hand, not even when you're sleeping, you can't..." When Hu Tao said this, she had a rare shy look on her face.

I don't know if the slight blush on her face was due to shyness or the reflection of the fire, but she seemed like a delicate and beautiful flower, with an inexplicable attraction.

"Also, if you encounter wandering spirits at night, don't greet them. You might get haunted. If you are, just ignore them and tell me, and I'll make them go away." Hu Tao resumed her light and cheerful tone.

However, greeting a wandering ghost? Xin Hui believed that no normal person would want to do that, but given Hu Tao's personality, perhaps it was actually possible.

After the fire was lit, Xinhui and Hutao ate some of the dry rations they had brought with them and drank some water. They both leaned against the tree trunk, unsure what to talk about.

A tranquil, secluded forest, a bluish-green night sky. If a frank person could consider this place their dreamland, perhaps this environment would be deeply cherished.

Walnut curled up, while Plum Blossom's eyes seemed slightly lost in thought. She took off her Qiankun Tai Gua hat and placed it aside, probably afraid of getting it dirty by leaning against the tree trunk.

Then, Hu Tao spoke first, saying, "I've heard that Yi Yu Ge's clothes are quite nice. Do you think I need to change my usual attire? It's not good to always wear such a black work uniform."

“Of course, after all, Master Hu Tao is so cute, she’ll be even more popular if she wears other clothes.” Xin Hui chimed in, “If needed, you can come to Yi Yu Pavilion and find me directly. I’ll take on any order Master Hu Tao has.”

Xinhui agreed without hesitation, because he figured that a set of clothes could offset some of Hu Tao's favor, since it was time-consuming and laborious for her to accompany him to the "border".

However, Hu Tao was just a young girl after all. After hearing Xin Hui's praise, she first showed joy, but then her expression darkened, and she revealed the truth about why she had the idea of ​​"changing clothes".

Chapter Forty-Three: Getting Closer

The reason why Hu Tao wanted to change her clothes can be traced back to her work at the Rebirth Hall.

When Hu Tao was thirteen, her grandfather passed away. From then on, she became the head of the Rebirth Hall, shouldering the responsibility for the entire hall. Becoming an excellent head of the Rebirth Hall naturally became Hu Tao's wish.

However, funeral work is not limited by time or place. There may be free time, but most of the time you are running around. Sometimes you are so busy that you don't even have lunch.

Therefore, Hu Tao basically had no chance to take off her patterned black Chinese-style dress. Because you never know when the next customer would arrive at the shrine, Hu Tao felt it was best to keep wearing it.

One clear day, as usual, Hu Tao went to sing Qiuqiu Nursery Rhymes to a group of children. One of the little boys said, "Sister Hu Tao, do you only have clothes like this? I've never seen you change into any other clothes."

At that moment, Hu Tao felt a pang of emotion. To be honest, she also wanted to spend her free time wearing pretty clothes like any other young woman, but she was afraid it would be disrespectful to the guests at the Rebirth Hall…

In fact, not only the children, but even the ritual officiants in the ancestral hall had advised Hu Tao that it would be nice for her to dress up as a young girl occasionally. However, she didn't take any of these suggestions to heart.

One slightly tipsy midday, while eating boiled fish and shrimp dumplings from her lunchbox, Hu Tao asked Zhong Li this question, because she knew that Zhong Li was omniscient and could give a good answer.

"Hmm... the Hall Master's beauty is undeniable throughout Liyue Harbor, even without any effort to dress up..."

Zhongli's vague answer truly troubled her, but given her frank personality, she probably assumed she didn't need to change her clothes. So she simply stuck to her usual style, always carrying her black Chinese-style clothing.

However, this uniform made it difficult to blend in with the crowd, as most people would keep their distance from those from the Hall of Rebirth. Over time, Hu Tao also realized the disadvantages of this uniform and began to consider whether she should get some regular clothes from somewhere.

Just then, Xinhui's arrival gave her a companion to confide in, and she wanted to know Xinhui's opinion.

"I think the work of the Hall of Rebirth shouldn't be left entirely to the Hall Master. If he has time to rest occasionally, it would be a good thing for him to change into his everyday clothes and go for a walk."

Xinhui's answer was very pertinent. Regarding this matter, Xinhui simply wanted Hu Tao to make her own choice. If she let others influence her decision, it wouldn't be a good choice.

After hearing this, Hu Tao murmured softly.

"I see."

She neither agreed nor refused, but Xin Hui felt that her slightly affirmative tone meant he didn't need to worry anymore.

However, Xinhui still faces a serious problem.

What would it feel like to sleep next to an absolutely stunning girl, holding hands with her?!

Xin Hui found it hard to bear this feeling. It wasn't that they couldn't sleep because they were leaning against the tree trunk, but rather that they just couldn't feel comfortable no matter how they tried to sleep.

Hu Tao's long eyelashes framed her plum blossom-shaped eyes, which seemed to possess a certain magic that deeply attracted him. Then there was her complete updo, revealed after she removed her hat. Her hair was a dark red color, with some bright red at the ends, like the color of plum blossoms.

Her double ponytails, tied with black ribbons and plum blossom decorations, are also very pretty. Furthermore, her thin red lips, delicate nose, and white canine teeth... every detail contributes to her charm.

Xinhui wanted to take another look, what a coincidence.

He had just shifted his gaze when Hu Tao's big eyes were looking at him!

Hu Tao also had trouble sleeping, and would stare blankly at the fire from time to time.

"Come closer," Hu Tao whispered. "I have a fire-attribute divine eye, which can maintain my body temperature. The nights on Wuwang Slope are very cold. You're dressed so lightly; you probably won't feel comfortable."

It was so thoughtful that Xin Hui couldn't refuse. At this moment, he was somewhat reluctant to tell her that after regaining the power of the Frostfire Nail, he could be fearless of the cold as long as he wanted to activate its power.

He can do that.

But right now, Xinhui just wants the air to be colder, much colder...

……

At the crack of dawn the next day, Xinhui and his companion, under the dim light, prepared to set off.

The extinguished fire still had lingering smoke, so Xinhui used his ice elemental power to frost it up—arson is a crime.

This journey was a little different. Xinhui and his companions gradually encountered some wandering souls, suspended in the air. Some of these human souls even revealed the appearance of the deceased in life, which looked extremely frightening.

Since it's a real ghost, it's not as easy as some children chatting and laughing after hearing ghost stories.

According to Hu Tao, all human souls linger at the "boundary".

Many people cannot let go of their attachments after death and linger here, unwilling to leave. However, due to the power of life and death, these souls will dissipate if they do not return to the "boundary" and will never be able to return to the place where their souls belong.

Xin Hui could see the life force constantly draining from those drifting souls. This resulted in the area around the "boundary" being filled with the power of life and death. Once eroded by this, one might be influenced by the will of these souls and unable to break free from their obsessions.

Thinking of this, Xinhui tightened his grip on Hu Tao's hand, afraid that she might accidentally walk ahead and break free.

Hu Tao took the initiative to chat with Xin Hui, otherwise it would be too boring.

“When I came here when I was thirteen, I didn’t know where to go. I wandered around for a while, and finally a few ghostly little devils told me that the road to the ‘border’ was to keep going straight ahead.” Hu Tao said with a self-deprecating laugh, “Back then, I was really reckless.”

“That’s not the case.” Xin Hui disagreed, raising his voice even higher. “I think that’s just Hu Tangzhu’s characteristic. He’s lively and fearless. Only with such courage can he obtain the fire-attribute God’s Eye.”

That's just Hu Tao's personality. Whether she's reckless or not refers to whether she messes things up, but it can't be used to judge Hu Tao's behavior.

Hu Tao just scoffed at Xin Hui's reaction, then belatedly realized that it made some sense.

"By the way, is the story about the goddess of life that you told me earlier true?" Hu Tao suddenly seemed to remember something.

“It’s true. However, there might be some secrets about the fall of the Goddess of Life that are unknown to outsiders.” Xinhui nodded affirmatively.

"Is that so..."

Hu Tao paused for a moment, because she remembered the enormous crystal statue placed in the 'border'...

Chapter Forty-Four: The Imprint of the Statue

On the point that [Yimeng]'s demise came suddenly, probably no one would disagree.

Indeed, as the goddess of life who controls the power of the laws of life and death, [Yi Meng]'s abilities are by no means inferior to the current Seven Rulers of the Mortal World.

In terms of the depth of her divine power, she had almost reached the pinnacle of the world at that time. As long as she activated her divine power, the other demons would naturally be frightened away by this scene.

Her control over the power of the rules of life and death has reached a terrifying level, enabling her to "resurrect" the dead!

Because [Emu]'s existence was indispensable, her sudden fall even led to the collapse of some of the life rules on the Teyvat continent, causing a great deal of chaos.

Who could have posed a threat to her at that time?