Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Zhongli and his group returned to "Bubu Lodge" before nightfall. Judging from their expressions and empty hands, it seemed they had returned empty-handed.

"I apologize, but we were unable to complete the 'contract.' The demigod beast named 'Coconut Sheep'... we truly have no clue what to do with it." Zhong Li apologized to Qi Qi.

Qiqi: "Ah. I'm very disappointed. It's okay, but I'm still very disappointed."

Paimon: "Hmm—seeing Qiqi like this, why do I suddenly feel such a strong sense of guilt!"

Kong: "Qingyue, Jinxuan, do you have any other clues?"

Xuan Qing remained silent, while Xuan Yue said mysteriously, "Yes, you can ask this little kid yourselves. The clue lies on the 'coconut'—'sheep'."

"What? Let me ask." Paimon flew to Qiqi's side and asked, "Qiqi, are there any other clues?"

"Hmm... 'Coconut Sheep' milk is delicious. Much better than regular goat milk. So they must be semi-divine beasts." Qi Qi repeated her earlier words, then pulled out her little notebook: "Sorry. My memory isn't good. So I'll write down the name of that milk... I'll look for it..."

Everyone waited quietly. When Qiqi flipped to her number, she exclaimed, "Ah, right, this is it! Delicious milk... it's called 'coconut milk'!"

Zhongli, Kong, Paimon: "Huh?!"

"Hahahaha..." Xuan Yue couldn't help but burst into laughter again. Xuan Qing's face also lit up with a smile, and he glanced at Zhong Li with a hint of mockery. Zhong Li smiled helplessly, then looked away and said to Kong and Paimon, "I'm sorry, you two. In order to be fair to Qi Qi, I agreed too easily without thinking..."

Paimon: "Hmm, it's alright, Zhongli. To paraphrase Liyue, 'Life is unpredictable, joy and sorrow are hard to foresee.' Who knew the ending would be so absurd?"

"Huh... Qiqi, what did you say? Did you say something wrong?" Seeing them apologizing to each other, Qiqi thought she had said something wrong.

"Uh... Sora, I'm sorry, can I entrust you with shattering a child's fantasy?" Paimon said to Sora with some reluctance.

Sora: "You only think of me for things like this?!"

"Hehe..." Paimon tried to bluff his way out.

Kong Na Paimon had no choice but to correct Qi Qi: "Coconut milk isn't produced by coconut sheep, it's from 'coconut trees'."

Qiqi: "Ah..."

Paimon: "Seven Seven seems to be deep in thought."

Xuan Yue spoke up: "Alright, the owner of this pharmacy is back."

As soon as Xuan Yue finished speaking, a voice came from the doorway: "Haha, what a meaningful life lesson! Thank you for taking care of my Qi Qi."

The newcomer had long, emerald-green hair, styled into a ponytail tied at the back of her head, with a white snake coiled around her neck.

Zhongli: "And you are...?"

"My apologies. I am Bai Shu, the owner of this 'Bu Bu Lu' (卜庐)." The owner introduced himself.

Paimon: "So the boss isn't Qiqi after all—and he's a weirdo with medicinal herbs hanging around his neck?!"

The white snake said, "How pitiful. Qiqi is already naive enough, but there are even more naive victims than Qiqi."

Paimon: "Ah! That herb...that snake, it's talking, talking, talking!"

Seeing that Paimon was so frightened he could barely speak, Xuan Yue found it amusing. He reached into the fruit basket, only to find nothing, and realized he had finished eating all his fruit…

Xuan Yue: "A Qing..."

Xuanqing: "No, if you eat any more, you won't be able to eat dinner tonight."

Xuan Yue felt helpless; without melons to eat, she felt something was missing...

The scene then shifts to Zhongli's side—

The white snake said, "Hmph, I didn't want to speak. Regular customers are fine, but strangers might get a little frightened. But if I don't speak, you'll compare me to those dried snakes in the drawer."

Bai Shu: "Hahaha... This is 'Chang Sheng,' she means no harm. May I ask you gentlemen, setting aside your antics with Qi Qi... what brings you here?"

Zhongli: "Excuse me, does your store have 'Eternal Life Fragrance'?"

Bai Zhu: "Oh, 'Eternal Life Fragrance'? Of course, of course."

Paimon: "Phew, that's great. At least my half-day of work wasn't for nothing."

Atractylodes macrocephala: "Three million Mora, top quality."

Kong: "Three million?!"

Paimon: "Three million?!"

Zhongli: "Hmm... Three million... It's not a big deal on the surface, but from a general rational point of view, it is indeed a bit difficult to handle."

Paimon was going crazy: "So much Mora! We can't possibly afford it! — And Mr. Zhongli, needless to say, is out of the question!"

Zhongli: "Indeed."

Empty: "That's really straightforward."

"Ahem!" Xuan Yue coughed, attracting the attention of the people over there. A group of people turned around and saw Xuan Yue pointing at Xuan Qing and saying, "You're not calling me Grandpa anymore?!"

Paimon: "Oh right! Grandpa Qingyue...can you do me a favor?"

Sora: "Qingyue..."

Even Zhongli looked over. There was nothing he could do; if this debt were sent to the Hall of Rebirth, the head of the hall would scold him again.

Xuan Qing stood up and stepped forward, handing over a check and saying, "This is a check for three million. You can cash it at the Northern Bank."

"Hey, hey, hey, isn't this kind of paying the bill my job?" At this moment, "Young Master" appeared, and Bai Shu spoke up before taking the check.

"Hmm? 'Young Master'? What are you doing here?" Paimon asked, puzzled.

"Young Master": "Haha, I guessed you guys might be short of money, so here I am, bringing you some."

Kong: "You're actually a pretty nice person."

"Young Master": "I've always been this way. So, Mr. Qingyue, I'll pay for the Eternal Incense for Mr. Zhongli and the others."

Xuan Qing nodded. Since someone was eager to pay, he was naturally willing to do so. Moreover, it would consume a significant portion of Zhi Dong's savings, so why wouldn't he agree?

[Young Master]: "This... Mr. Bai Shu, right? I am the executor of the 'Foolish Clan,' 'Young Master.' If you don't mind, we can cooperate more in the future. If [Bu Bu Lu] needs anything, the Foolish Clan can help establish a fast supply channel for coconut milk."

Chang Sheng said somewhat discontentedly, "Hmm? I've long heard that the Fools' Clan tries to win over 'friends in the underworld,' but can 'Bu Bu Lu' really be bought off with just coconut milk...?" Unfortunately, his teammates weren't up to par...

Qiqi: "Coconut milk, coconut milk. Mr. Bai, coconut milk."

Bai Shu affectionately ruffled Qi Qi's hair and said, "Alright, alright... then thank you very much, 'Young Master.' I wish us a pleasant cooperation in the future. I'll also give you a discount on this 'Eternal Fragrance,' it'll be two million nine hundred and ninety thousand."

Paimon: "What's the difference between three million and two million nine hundred and ninety thousand?!"

Zhongli: "Hmm... 2.99 million... It doesn't sound like much at first glance, but from a generally rational point of view, it is indeed 10,000 less than 3 million."

The young master paid the money readily, and Bai Shu handed the incense of immortality to Zhong Li.

"Young Master": "Now that the matter is resolved, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now." After saying this, the young master waved to everyone and left "Bu Bu Lu".

Zhongli: "Alright, now that everything is resolved, we should head back to Yujingtai. Boss Baishu, little Qiqi, until we meet again."

The young master may have gone ahead, but in reality, he hasn't gone far...

"Young Master": "What an interesting bunch. I haven't laughed like this in a long time. So, before I came here...did you 'hear' anything, since you were already lurking there?"

Ekaterina: "Yes, 'Young Master.' They mentioned that the 'Golden House' was taken by the Seven Stars..."

[Young Master]: "I see, I see. Ah, Ningguang, and Qixing. What else could you possibly be hiding in the Golden House besides the 'Immortal Ancestor's Manifestation'?"

"Young Master": "I'm sorry, traveler. But didn't I warn you long ago? Remember the old Liyue proverb: 'Walls have ears.'"

However, unbeknownst to "Young Master," Xuan Yue withdrew her senses. The Golden Crow Clan's hearing and eyesight were among the best in ancient times.

“Haha, there’s an old saying in Liyue: ‘The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.’” Xuan Yue murmured. Xuan Qing turned to look at him, puzzled. “It’s nothing, Qing. Oh, by the way, what are we having for dinner?”

Xuanqing: "What would you like to eat?"

Xuan Yue: "I'm not sure. I didn't feel anything when I was eating the melon, but now I feel a bit full."

Zhongli then set out the "Incense of Immortality" and said, "Then things can be considered concluded. As payment for our efforts in organizing the 'Sending Off the Immortals Ceremony,' I've decided to treat everyone."

Xuan Yue, Xuan Qing: !!!

Xuan Yue (whispering): "The sun rose in the west?"

Xuan Qing: "It's like it's about to rain right now..."

Xuan Yue immediately looked up at the sky. Good, there was no rain.

Kong: "Zhongli is treating?!"

Paimon: "Huh?!"

Seeing their reactions, Zhongli said somewhat awkwardly, "There's no need to be so surprised..."

Xuan Yue: "Ahem, where shall we eat?"

Paimon chimed in, "Jin Xuan... you should be worried that Zhong Li might forget to bring Mora again."

Xuan Yue scratched her head: "That makes sense..."

Zhongli: "Hmm? Oh, don't worry. This time, I'll remember to bring money. Tonight, I'll take you to visit the renowned old winery in the port."

Paimon: "A regular at the port? The kind who drinks?"

Zhong Li: "That's right. We'll meet at 'Three Bowls Before Crossing the Harbour' near the pier. See you there!"

Xuan Qing: "Remember to order a few more bowls of 'Sweet Rice Balls in Fermented Rice Wine.' With Paimon and Xuan Yue's appetites, they might eat all your Mora."

Zhongli:……