Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

"Hmm? I didn't expect it to be this late?" Xuan Yue looked up at the sky. The sun was setting, and the evening glow had dyed the entire sky golden, making it exceptionally dazzling.

Then he remembered that Zhongli had told them to take the Cleansing Bell and then come back to get it, but what if they couldn't find them... then where should they give it to them?

Xuan Yue: "A Qing, what else do we need to prepare for the 'Invitation to the Immortals Ceremony'?"

Xuan Qing thought for a moment, then closed his eyes and recalled, reciting in order of memory: "Besides the Night-Stabilizing Stone, there was also a perfume made from three kinds of Rainbow Flowers, one of which was chosen by the Rock God. After that were the kite representing the seven kingdoms, the Dust-Cleansing Bell, the Wild Glass Lily, the Immortal Incense, and a series of other items..."

Xuan Yue: "The Cleansing Bell is in our hands, but... how do we give it to them?"

Xuan Qing (facepalm): "Look ahead, they've arrived..."

Xuan Yue immediately turned her head and saw Paimon waving at them: "Qing Yue—! Jin Xuan—!"

Xuan Yue playfully stuck out her tongue at Xuan Qing, then waved at Paimon to indicate that she had seen it.

Kong: "Zhongli told us to wait here, but I didn't expect it to be you guys."

As they approached, Xuanqing didn't speak, but instead took out the Cleansing Bell and handed it to Zhongli.

Xuan Yue picked up where Kong left off, saying, "We were just wondering where to look for you, and then... ha! We ran into you."

Paimon: "Yeah, what a coincidence... Hey, why does Xuan Yue seem especially happy today? Is something good happening?"

"Oh? So something happy happened?" Sora teased.

"Hehe, isn't it because Qingyue has recovered quite a bit? His safety is the most important thing to me." Xuanyue said without any hesitation.

Kong sighed repeatedly, "You two have such a good relationship... From the moment we met until now, you've always cared so much about Qingyue."

Xuan Yue laughed even harder upon hearing this: "Hehe, thank you... You and Paimon have a good relationship too. Whenever there's danger, you're the first person she worries about..."

Upon hearing this, Paimon immediately crossed his arms and said with great pride, "That's right! We're the best of friends!"

Sora nodded in agreement, "Yes, yes! He's the best partner."

Xuan Yue: "So, how did you get here?"

He and Xuanqing were eavesdropping, but the necessary procedures had to be followed.

Paimon: "Zhongli asked us for help. He's a guest elder of the 'Hall of Rebirth,' you know. He's in charge of the Rock God's 'Sending Off the Immortals Ceremony.' We first selected the Night-Stabbing Stone, then made three kinds of fragrant balm from the Rainbow Flower, and finally delivered it to the Jade Capital Terrace with kites representing the seven kingdoms."

Xuan Yue: "You guys are really busy..."

Sora: "It's alright, but what's wrong with you guys...?"

"Qingyue and Jinxuan are old acquaintances. I asked them to retrieve this Cleansing Bell, so it's just a coincidence that we met here," Zhongli explained in time, clarifying the reason for their arrival.

Xuan Qing: "According to what you've said, now we're left with 'Eternal Fragrance' and Wild Glass Lily."

Paimon: "Huh? Grandpa Qingyue also knows what's needed for the 'Sending Off the Immortals Ritual'?"

Xuan Yue put her hands on her hips and said proudly, "Qing Yue has a photographic memory. He can basically tell where the calculations are wrong or incorrect just by glancing at such a thick ledger."

Sora: "So amazing! No wonder you're Qingyue."

Xuan Qing: "I dare not accept such praise. I only have a good memory, but I cannot compare to Mr. Zhongli—who is knowledgeable in ancient and modern times, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and exceptionally quick-witted."

Zhongli: "Sir, you are too modest. I am far inferior to you."

Kong and Paimon were completely confused, but Xuan Yue, the only one who knew everything, understood the implication in Xuan Qing's words: Zhong Li was plotting against him...

Xuan Yue quickly changed the subject: "Um... we've brought you the Cleansing Bell, so what's the next item?"

Zhongli: "This place used to be called 'Bu Bu Lu,' and the 'Fragrance of Immortality' we need is right there."

Paimon rubbed his hands excitedly and said, "Then what are we waiting for! Let's go! Let's head towards 'Bu Bu Lu'!"

The group walked through the round gate, down the steps, and arrived at the entrance of "Bu Bu Lu".

"Hey, there's no one at the counter, and the atmosphere is a bit strange..." Paimon flew into the store first, but didn't seem to see anyone.

Empty: "Excuse me—is the boss in?"

Just then, a voice came from the front desk: "Welcome."

"Ah!" Paimon was startled and quickly hid behind Kong, saying, "Did you... hear where that sound came from just now...?"

Zhongli recalled the direction from which the sound came and said, "It seems to be from the counter area."

Xuan Yue looked at the timid Paimon and wanted to tease her: "Paimon, why don't you... come closer and take a look..."

Xuan Yue's tone was somewhat eerie, which startled Paimon, who retreated repeatedly, staring at him with a look of terror.

“Don’t tease her,” Xuan Qing said, having already reached the front desk. Hearing Xuan Yue’s words, he shook his head in fright and couldn’t help but scold him. Then, in a slightly gentler tone, he said to Paimeng, “Paimeng, come and see, it’s not scary, it’s not a ghost.”

Paimon: "Really...really?"

Seeing Xuanqing nod, Paimon cautiously flew over and saw a very cute little girl behind the front desk, wearing purple clothes and a hat with a talisman on it.

Paimon finally breathed a sigh of relief: "So that's how it is. She's not even as tall as the counter!"

Kong also walked over with a smile and ruffled Paimon's hair. Xuan Yue also walked to Xuan Qing's side and smiled at him. Xuan Qing was helpless, so he just asked him to hold out his hand, gave him a basket of fruit, and told him to go and eat some melon.

When the girl came out, Kong glanced at her briefly and said uncertainly, "Is she... a 'zombie'!?"

Paimon looked at it and said, "Ah...it seems real! There's even a talisman on his forehead..."

"Welcome to 'Bu Bu Lu' (a place for fortune tellers), I'm Qi Qi." The little zombie Qi Qi calmly explained her origins: "Qi Qi has died once. Later, she was saved by an immortal. So, she's a zombie."

Paimon shook his head: "In Mondstadt, such a thing is completely unimaginable..."

"Young man, may I ask if you sell 'Eternal Life Incense' in this shop?" Zhong Li stepped forward and asked.

Qiqi: "Excuse me... do you have the prescription? Please bring me the prescription."

"This... buying 'Eternal Life Incense' doesn't require a prescription, right? It has nothing to do with curing illnesses..." Zhongli didn't quite understand Qiqi's meaning.

Qi Qi: "If you have a prescription, Qi Qi can help me get the medicine. This is a 'decree' that Qi Qi gave herself."

Empty: "Imperial Edict?"

Zhongli explained, "The zombie operation requires a rescue order. But for some reason, this child is issuing a rescue order to himself."

Zhongli: "Little Qiqi, we don't have a prescription, but we hope you can help us find the 'Fragrance of Immortality'."

I don't know which of Zhongli's words made Qiqi change her mind: "Okay."

Paimon: "Huh? How come it's working all of a sudden?"

Qiqi: "But you all have to help Qiqi too, that's fair."

Paimon: "Is it really unfair for shop assistants to help customers?!"

Xuan Yue was enjoying the gossip on the sidelines, while Xuan Qing remained silent beside him, his eyes closed, indicating that he would not interfere.

Zhongli: "Heh... It's alright, this kind of equal relationship is not bad either. In Liyue, the art of trading is putting yourself in someone else's shoes."

Qi Qi: "Then please go to Tianheng Mountain. Use the 'Return to the End' to help me hunt 'Coconut Sheep'."

Paimon: "Mr. Zhongli... what kind of creature is this [Coconut Sheep]?"

Empty: "I didn't quite understand either..."

Zhongli: "Gui Zhongji... I've heard of what she just mentioned. 'Gui Zhongji' is a type of crossbow set up by ancient immortals on Mount Tianheng, a product of mechanical art. Located within the ancient city walls of Tianheng, it can automatically engage enormous demons and defend against external threats."

Paimon: "Mr. Zhongli really knows Liyue inside and out."

Xuan Yue (inner voice): (Little Paimon, he's not the only one who knows Liyue inside and out...)

Xuanqing (inner voice): (Is it the end...?)

Zhongli: "That's not entirely true... For example, I've never heard of this 'Coconut Sheep' before."

Qi Qi: "The 'Coconut Sheep' is a legendary, semi-divine beast."

Paimon: "Huh? Is that all?"

Xuan Yue then nudged Xuan Qing and transmitted her voice: (What kind of creature is this? Do you remember it?)

Xuan Qing: (No, there's a chance she misspoke, but does the half-immortal beast... Gan Yu... count?)

Xuan Yue was about to retort when she realized that the horns on Gan Yu's head did indeed resemble those of a sheep...

Xuan Yue quickly banished her thoughts: (No, no, no… Little Gan Yu is a Qilin! She and a sheep aren’t the same species!)

Xuanqing: (Hmm, that's true, let's continue listening.)

Qi Qi: "Hmm. The 'Coconut Sheep' is a legendary, semi-divine beast. I don't know what it looks like. I don't know where it's most common. I don't know its origin."

Kong was speechless: "This is what they mean by 'I know nothing'..."

Paimon: "Qingyue, Jinxuan, do you know?"

Xuan Yue shook her head and said, "I've never heard of this species. I just asked Qing Yue, and he didn't know either..."

Zhongli: "Never mind... Let's go check around the vicinity of 'Return to the End' first. Perhaps we'll find some clues there."

Paimon: "'Coconut Sheep'... what kind of creature is that...?"

Xuan Yue: "Qing Yue isn't ready to travel that far right now. He and I will wait for you here and ask if there's any other news."

Kong: "Okay, we'll be right back."

After everyone left, Xuan Qing walked up to Qi Qi and asked, "Little friend, what do you want the 'Coconut Sheep' for?"

Qiqi shook her head, thought for a moment, and said, "...The milk of the 'Coconut Sheep' is delicious. Much better than regular goat milk. Therefore, they must be semi-divine beasts."

Xuanqing: ...

Xuan Yue: "Hahahaha."

After Xuan Yue finished laughing, she said to Xuan Qing, "So, should we tell them to come back?"

Xuan Qing smiled slightly and said, "Why should I tell you? Is there anything wrong with young people running around more to exercise their muscles and bones?"

Xuan Yue: (As expected, Xuan Qing is not to be trifled with when he gets cunning...)