Chapter 38 – Qiu Bai's Headache

Qiu Bai was sitting on a chair in front of the storyteller, taking a sip of tea before casting a mysterious glance at Zhongli before him.

Zhongli looked at his old friend with some surprise.

In his understanding, the dead should not be able to return to life.

However, this old friend of his had already astonished him merely by being able to repair Erosion.

Now, reviving a Demon God no longer seemed so shocking to him.

He then began to ponder Qiu Bai’s words.

If Guizhong were to be revived now, she would be a fine old friend indeed. He truly wished she could see Liyue as it was today.

But after considering the era Guizhong had lived in, he shook his head.

After a long while, a gentle breeze swept past the two of them. Zhongli slowly rose and walked over to The Jade Mystery.

He continued forward, stopping by the fence, crossing his arms, and gazing at the distant mountain scenery.

The sun was gradually setting, and Zhongli’s eyes turned toward the sunset.

Qiu Bai strolled over as well, coming to a stop beside Zhongli.

“I’m not entirely sure either. Perhaps, for her, this era is simply too beautiful.”

Zhongli spoke softly at this moment.

He had regained his usual composure, the breeze gently rustling the hem of his robe.

Having witnessed the departure of so many old friends and the passage of time in Liyue Harbor, Zhongli’s silhouette carried a hint of weariness.

Qiu Bai watched Zhongli as he observed the mountain scenery, choosing not to speak.

“Then let me know once you’ve made up your mind.”

“After all, she is your old friend.”

Influenced by an inexplicable emotion within him, his tone unconsciously grew slightly heavier.

Qiu Bai patted Zhongli on the shoulder and spoke to him softly.

Hearing this, Zhongli’s lips twitched.

“I think it would be better if you changed back into a woman. At least then you’d be a bit more refined.”

Zhongli looked at the irreverent Qiu Bai and spoke with some resignation.

At that moment, Qiu Bai’s body trembled once more.

“What exactly is going on? It seems that once this matter is resolved, I should thoroughly examine my body.”

“Wasn’t I just lightening the mood?”

“Seeing you so solemn, anyone would think you were feeling down.”

Qiu Bai waved his hand dismissively and spoke in a somewhat lazy tone.

“Feeling down, what does that mean?”

“Haha, you’ve been saying strange things since a thousand years ago, and you still haven’t changed.”

Zhongli chuckled softly and spoke to Qiu Bai beside him.

By now, the sun had finally set, and the moon was slowly rising.

Qiu Bai then joined Zhongli in gazing at the moon gradually ascending on the horizon.

“Zhongli, Qiu Xue!”

Upon hearing someone call the name Qiu Xue, Qiu Bai’s head throbbed with pain once more.

“We’re back!”

Paimon’s voice came from the distance, with Lumine following behind, carrying a large bell.

Paimon flew over quickly, as if searching for something.

“Huh, where’s Qiu Xue?”

“Why is it you again?”

Paimon looked around in confusion before spotting Qiu Bai. Crossing her arms, she spoke with disappointment.

“Qiu Bai, it’s good to see you again.”

Lumine, standing nearby, politely greeted Qiu Bai.

“Qiu Xue has already returned ahead of time. I happened to run into Qiu Bai.”

“We chatted for a while.”

Zhongli explained calmly to Lumine and Paimon.

Qiu Bai also nodded slowly with a smile.

“It seems little Paimon has quite the opinion of me.”

Qiu Bai remarked with surprise as he looked at Paimon.

“It’s all because of you, always patting my head.”

“Paimon’s head isn’t for just anyone to pat.”

Paimon crossed her arms, turned her head, and spoke with a hint of tsundere pride.

Hearing this, Qiu Bai’s mouth twitched. Then what about all the times I patted your head during the day? Why did you let me do it then?

Talk about blatant favoritism.

And this Lumine, acting all innocent now. Have you forgotten about the thigh-patting incident earlier today?

Just as Qiu Bai was internally complaining about Paimon and Lumine, an intense, sharp pain surged through his entire body.

“Ah, it hurts, it hurts!”

Qiu Bai clutched his head tightly and fell to one knee with a thud!

“What’s wrong, Qiu Bai?”

“Are you okay? Paimon won’t say bad things about you behind your back anymore!”

Paimon quickly flew over, looking at Qiu Bai with flustered concern.

“Qiu Bai!”

Seeing him kneeling on the ground, Lumine rushed over and helped support him as he tried to rise.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Qiu Bai frantically concentrated his Power of Yang into his brain, alleviating the agony.

“Old friend, what happened?!”

Zhongli could no longer maintain his usual composure and hurried over, supporting Qiu Bai’s other shoulder.

With Lumine and Zhongli’s help, Qiu Bai slowly stood up.

Only then did he speak calmly, “Rest assured, I’m alright.”

“It’s just a bit of a headache.”

Qiu Bai rubbed his head and addressed the three.

“Then you should go to Bubu Pharmacy and get some medicine right away!”

Paimon stomped her feet anxiously, her eyes fixed on Qiu Bai.

But Zhongli, who was supporting him, sensed something amiss.

“I’m afraid it’s not that simple.”

Zhongli spoke softly.

He knew his old friend well. Not only did he possess a Divine Body impervious to all poisons, but this old friend of his was also immune to Erosion.

Moreover, his current strength even surpassed his peak. How could he possibly suffer from a mere headache?

“That’s right, Zhongli, tell us what’s wrong with Qiu Bai!”

“You’re so knowledgeable; you must have some idea, right?”

Seeing Qiu Bai in distress, Paimon flew up to his forehead and patted his head.

Not feeling any fever, she turned to Zhongli beside him and spoke urgently.

By now, Qiu Bai had temporarily suppressed the abnormalities in his body and mind and stood up fully.

“I already said I’m fine.”

“Little Paimon, despite what you say, you still care about me, don’t you?”

Feeling a warmth in his heart at Paimon’s concern, Qiu Bai patted her head.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he stepped away from Lumine and Zhongli’s support.

Paimon didn’t even mind him patting her head this time.

Her big eyes fixed on Qiu Bai as she asked, “Are you really okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Really fine?”

“Fine!”

“You… you’re not messing with us, are you?”

“And here I was so worried about you just now!”

Paimon puffed out her chest, broke free from Qiu Bai’s hand, and stomped her feet angrily in mid-air.

Lumine also watched Qiu Bai with concern.

“Qiu Bai, are you really alright?”

Lumine asked worriedly, as his pained expression earlier hadn’t seemed feigned at all.

“I’m fine, Lumine. I’m perfectly healthy.”

Qiu Bai smiled at her, touched by her concern.

Lumine still eyed him with a hint of disbelief.

Qiu Bai’s gaze fell upon the large stone nearby.

“See for yourself.”

After saying this, Qiu Bai threw a punch at the large stone beside The Jade Mystery.

Thump!

A fist imprint was left in the center of the large stone.

This move startled The Jade Mystery’s owner, Stone, who initially thought Qiu Bai was trying to scam him.

“See that?”

“My full-strength punch is quite powerful!”

Seeing Qiu Bai like this, Lumine widened her eyes in surprise.

Even Paimon looked at Qiu Bai in astonishment.

They hadn’t expected Qiu Bai to possess such great strength.

He could actually leave a dent in the stone with just his fist!

However, after seeing Qiu Bai like this, they finally confirmed that he was unharmed.

Meanwhile, Zhongli beside them wore a thoughtful expression.

He looked at his old friend, lost in thought about something.

(Many parts of the previous chapter were unsatisfactory, so I’ve revised them. Readers who have already read the previous chapter can go back and take another look!)

(The author realized they may have overestimated their capabilities—just four chapters’ worth of work.)

(It kept the author thinking from morning until now, and their head is still spinning. They’ll never boast again—please understand, dear readers!!! o(╥﹏╥)o)

(But the author will still persist with three chapters a day! That’s one more than before! This is the author’s first time writing a novel, and they wanted to try writing twelve thousand words a day—challenge failed! Really sorry, dear readers!)