Chapter 23 – Qiqi's Warm Tears

After the three of them had eaten and drunk their fill, Qiu Bai used his Mystic Arts to return to Liyue Harbor.

“My stomach is so full, it was really delicious.”

“Especially the Almond Tofu, so smooth and tender—no wonder the Adepti like it.”

Paimon rubbed her little belly, speaking with great delight.

“Qiu Bai, thank you.”

Beside her, Lumine also patted her stomach, smiling and nodding as she thanked Qiu Bai.

“No need to be so polite, we’re all friends.”

“By the way, what are you planning to do next?”

Qiu Bai looked at Lumine and Paimon, feigning confusion as he asked.

“Next, we’re going to find that Fatui Harbinger, Childe, who gave us the mission.”

“Because the task he assigned us is already complete.”

Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance. They already considered Qiu Bai a true friend, so there was no harm in telling him.

“Fatui Harbinger Childe, is it?”

“I’ll take my leave for now then. I wish you both a speedy resolution to your suspicions. I’ll be at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—if you need anything, you can find me there.”

“If I’m not at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, just tell the Funeral Parlor Assistant what’s going on.”

Qiu Bai smiled as he spoke to Lumine and Paimon.

“Then we’ll trouble you, Qiu Bai.”

Lumine softly expressed her thanks.

Qiu Bai then turned and walked into the distance.

“Goodbye, Qiu Bai!”

Paimon waved at Qiu Bai as he gradually disappeared into the distance.

Qiu Bai also raised a hand in response to Paimon.

At that moment, Paimon suddenly slapped her forehead as if she had just realized something, looking at Lumine beside her.

“Traveler, did we forget to ask Qiu Bai…”

“What exactly does Wangsheng Funeral Parlor… do?”

Lumine also covered her forehead. Right, they had forgotten to ask Qiu Bai what Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was for.

“It’s fine, Paimon, there will be plenty of chances later.”

“Let’s go find Childe first. The task he gave us is already done.”

Lumine smiled at Paimon beside her.

Afterward, Lumine and Paimon headed in the direction of the Northland Bank.

Meanwhile, Qiu Bai walked toward Bubu Pharmacy.

Just as he stood at the entrance of Bubu Pharmacy, Qiu Bai sensed a familiar presence.

“Is this presence… Qiqi?”

Qiu Bai thought in surprise. Five Hundred Years Ago, he and the other Adepti had sealed Qiqi inside amber.

Once the energy within Qiqi’s body had fully stabilized, the seal would break on its own.

Pushing open the door of Bubu Pharmacy, Qiu Bai saw Baizhu and Qiqi standing behind the counter.

Qiqi widened her eyes, her curious gaze fixed on Qiu Bai.

Qiu Bai swept his Divine Sense over Qiqi. In this state, Qiqi was already in much better condition than in the original story.

Now, Qiqi’s body was that of an Adeptus, while her soul’s age remained frozen at that moment, including her consciousness.

In many ways, the Qiqi before him was already an Adeptus.

“Consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Mr. Qiu Bai.”

“What an honor to have you here. Welcome to Bubu Pharmacy.”

Baizhu smiled as he looked at Qiu Bai.

“I didn’t expect Manager Baizhu to recognize me. I’m truly honored.”

“I’ve come here to sell a few particularly rare medicinal herbs.”

As he spoke, he conjured a large pile of herbs in front of the counter.

These herbs grew year-round on the steep cliffs of Jueyun Karst, making them exceptionally precious and difficult to gather.

Having absorbed the faint Adeptus energy of Jueyun Karst over the years, their medicinal effects were also excellent, earning them the name “Adeptus herbs” among the people of Liyue.

“Indeed, these are several rare medicinal herbs from the summit of Jueyun Karst.”

“Brother Qiu Bai, are you planning to sell these herbs to me?”

Baizhu was momentarily taken aback, surprised by Qiu Bai’s ability to conjure items out of thin air.

Then, as he looked at the pile of herbs on the counter, his astonishment grew even deeper.

The people of Liyue all knew that one should not venture too deeply into Jueyun Karst, for legends spoke of Adepti residing there.

Yet the vast majority of the herbs before him grew in the deepest parts of Jueyun Karst, perched on steep cliffs.

How had Mr. Qiu Bai, the Consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, managed to gather such a large quantity of these precious herbs?

“Merely a bit short on funds, so I came to sell them.”

Qiu Bai replied somewhat awkwardly, as he truly had no Mora left.

“Then please wait here, Brother Qiu Bai. I will offer you a very fair price for these!”

Baizhu quickly assured him, as these herbs were of great importance to him.

He promptly instructed the assistant behind him to take the herbs to the adjacent room.

“Thank you, Brother Baizhu.”

Qiu Bai softly expressed his gratitude.

He then took a seat on one of the chairs lining the room’s sides, patiently waiting.

From behind the counter, Qiqi cautiously approached Qiu Bai, placing a finger against her lips as if deep in thought.

Qiu Bai smiled gently at the little girl.

“What is it, Qiqi? What are you thinking about?”

Unable to resist, Qiu Bai asked softly as he looked at the adorable Qiqi.

“Big brother… knows Qiqi’s name?”

Qiqi tilted her head, gazing curiously at the young man.

“And… big brother’s aura smells nice. Qiqi… likes it.”

Qiqi spoke softly and clearly to Qiu Bai.

Qiu Bai felt a pang of sympathy as he looked at Qiqi. He then extended his left hand.

“Qiqi, give me your left hand. Let’s play a game.”

Qiqi met Qiu Bai’s gentle gaze and extended her small left hand, clasping it with his.

Qiu Bai channeled the Divine Power within him, infused with the purifying energy of Yang Qi, which flowed through Qiqi’s hand and spread throughout her entire body.

“Warm… Qiqi feels so warm, all cozy and hot.”

“Strange, Qiqi! Qiqi usually hates hot things!”

Qiqi’s tone gradually filled with emotion, and a spark of clarity seemed to flash in her eyes.

Qiu Bai’s Divine Power stirred something within Qiqi’s memory.

It was a scene from five hundred years ago, when the Adepti and demons, along with the Adeptus of Yin and Yang, had worked together to save Qiqi. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Qiqi raised her small left hand and touched the warm moisture on her face—tears. They flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

Memories flooded her mind.

“Mom, Dad, Jueyun Karst, the kind big brother, not wanting to die, hard Cor Lapis, Boss Baizhu, warm Hu Tao, coconut milk…”

Memories surged into Qiqi’s mind like an ocean.

At this moment, Qiu Bai released her left hand, for the Qiqi before him had regained her normal consciousness, and her soul had become as resilient as that of an Adeptus.

The Vision on Qiqi’s small hat glowed brightly! At this moment, Qiqi had become a Mighty and Illuminated Adeptus.

Qiqi gave Qiu Bai a sweet smile, tears still streaming down her face.

She remembered now—this familiar big brother was none other than Liyue’s deity, the Adeptus of Yin and Yang.

She still remembered her parents once saying that the deity was a kind and powerful god, full of wisdom.

“Big brother, Makoto is truly an extraordinary deity.”

Qiqi said to Qiu Bai with a sweet smile.