Hu Tao

Hu Tao’s antics and eccentricity belies her role as the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and her talent as a poet. Nevertheless, she treats the parlor’s operations with utmost importance, and holds funeral ceremonies with the highest dignity and solemnity.

Personality

The 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. She took over the business at a rather young age.

—In-game character attributes and profile page text

At first glance, Hu Tao appears to be a quirky and cheerful girl. She enjoys pranking people and despises sitting around and doing nothing, as she wishes to live her life to the fullest. Her eccentric and off-the-wall personality often leaves people with a negative impression of her, especially Qiqi, who states that she has a “punchable face” and should be stored in the fridge.[2] In contrast, Xiao enjoys her sense of humor, finding it irritating but interesting.[3]

On the other hand, when handling funerals and last rites, she becomes more solemn and constantly reminds her employees to never deviate from the client’s requests. Due to the importance and traditions of the parlor’s duties, she expresses a distaste towards people treating her or her employees with suspicion whenever they go to work at night.[4]

Despite her negative impressions, Hu Tao is knowedgeable about the adepti and Liyue’s past. She also suspects that Zhongli is an adeptus based on his demeanour.[5] However, she usually keeps this a secret from those who are unaware for their own safety. Hu Tao accepts death as a natural part of life and tells others to enjoy their short lives. She also loathes those who try to prolong their natural lifespan, such as Baizhu.[6] She also appears to show a lack of interest in her Pyro Vision.

Official Introduction (contains spoiler)

It would be best not underestimate someone as whimsical as her. However, should you enjoy surprises, then I believe a visit is in order.

-Zhongli

At first glance, she appears to be a quirky and cheerful girl. No one would think that she is actually the renowned and illustrious Hu Tao.

Whether she is acting as the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor or as Liyue Harbor’s “famous” poet, Hu Tao’s nature is exceedingly eccentric. Like lightning or sparks of flame, she always comes and goes in the blink of an eye, igniting everything around her.

She pens poems by the oil of midnight and flits across mountains and seas by daylight. She appears at any time and at any place. From bustling streets to barren alleys, to derelict mountains and desolate peaks, in radiant and refulgent skies, or shadowed and starless night… Anything is possible — anything can become full of wonder.

Hu Tao is an undecipherable riddle, but people don’t lament their lack of an answer. If asked, they would say, “This is the natural order of things, right? After all, no one can outrun the wind or take hold of a flame!”

She walks the line between life and death, shouldering responsibilities unknown to most mortals.

Be careful around Hu Tao, lest she leads you by the nose!