[Zhongli cosplay] Martial God of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Happy Birthday: Documenting His Elegant Moments

Today is the birthday of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant in this [Zhongli cosplay]. Taking advantage of this special day, I've finally organized this long-prepared photoset to share with everyone. I hope this costume and set design can convey the serene, far-reaching beauty imbued with time and experience that this "Martial God" possesses.

Let's first talk about the hair and makeup that took the most thought. To bring the character's temperament closer to the original work, the wig selected this time had a dark brown base with some reddish-brown inner layers, and that iconic stray lock of hair on top was intentionally picked out. The wig trimming wasn't done stiffly; instead, it preserved an everyday casualness, with the bangs just covering the brows and eyes to reveal the amber-gold contact lenses. The base makeup was kept very clean, with emphasis on the definition of the eyeliner and brow bone. This helped neutralize facial boyishness, making the overall facial features look more mature and fitting his calm, confident, and composed expression.

The layers of the outfit are quite rich. On the outside is a dark-colored cape-style coat adorned with bright silver metallic pauldrons on the shoulders, highlighted with gold trim along the edges. The chest area features an inner lining collar with a white base and gold piping, combined with a black-gray mock turtleneck to enhance visual layering. The waist and hem feature golden diamond geometric patterns and zircon-textured buttons, looking very luxurious. To match this attire, black leather gloves were specifically paired; the reflective leather texture neutralizes the softness of the fabric, adding a touch of martial hardness. Tassels were added to the trousers and coat hems because their drape catches the eye during movement, adding dynamic flare to the frame with just a gentle sway during photos.

Props were also a highlight of this shoot, including a polearm weapon, folding fan, and goblet. The polearm in Photos 2 and 4 is a 1:1 recreation, with a wooden shaft and golden geometric spearhead that feels quite heavy in hand. Although holding it for poses severely tests arm strength, having the weapon in hand instantly releases the commanding pressure of "I am the Martial God." The set with the black folding fan leans more into the aura of a refined scholar, full of atmosphere when paired with background calligraphy scrolls and Chinese lanterns. The amber liquid in the goblet happens to echo the color of my contact lenses, making the whole image feel rich with storytelling under warm lighting.

Regarding shooting scenes, we divided them into two distinct tones. The indoor scenes in Photos 1 and 5 feature large calligraphy scrolls, potted bamboo, thread-bound books, and retro solid wood lamps, creating a study room atmosphere reminiscent of "floating in the mundane world." The warm yellow light shining on the clothes displays superb texture, making one look as if stepping out of an old photograph. Meanwhile, the solid gray-white background in Photos 2 and 4 highlights the design of the outfit itself, with soft and even lighting that better displays the shining details on the pauldrons and garments for a cleaner, sharper look.

In fact, the biggest challenge in cosplaying this character lies in capturing the contrast of being both a "consultant" and a "Martial God." Although he usually appears relaxed in the lore, he is exceptionally reliable when he takes action. Therefore, during photos, I consciously controlled my facial expressions, maintaining a nonchalant yet dignified gaze. Avoiding unnecessary body movements, my hand placements leaned toward static gestures—such as leaning on the weapon, holding a wine glass, or playing with a folding fan. This "unmovable as a mountain" state best showcases his inner composure and confidence.

The shooting day was actually exhausting. Being fully geared up in heavy clothing along with weighty props required repeated adjustments of expressions and angles. Especially during the monochrome background shot holding the weapon, we tried for a long time to find the sharpest spear-holding posture. Thankfully, the photographer was extremely professional and guided patiently, so when the final shots came out, the exhaustion was instantly washed away by a sense of achievement. This process of deeply recreating a character is the most fascinating part of every cosplay, feeling as if for a few short hours, you truly became the character you love.

Since today is his birthday, let this set of photos wish this battle-tested Wangsheng Funeral Parlor consultant many more fine drinks in some quiet corner of Teyvat, enjoying an undisturbed time of leisure.