As Shao Yun left Scent of Spring and walked through the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor, he made his way to the herbal clinic, Bubu Pharmacy.
Here's hoping the little girl doesn't ask me to fetch any coconut milk—or I'll have to kidnap Ganyu…
Pushing open the door, a cold breeze rushed out, carrying a strangely chilling sensation—like a gust from Dragonspine in midwinter.
Why was it colder inside than outside? Perhaps due to the herb storage—or maybe because of that icy Vision the girl "Qiqi" possessed?
"Hello—anyone here?" Shao Yun's voice echoed through the empty clinic, but only silence replied.
He scanned the room—shelves lined with herbs, a faint scent filling the air—but no souls in sight.
His eyes eventually landed on a tiny shape behind the counter. Could this be Qiqi hiding under there? He took a deep breath and steadied himself before stepping forward.
"Hello—um, is there anyone from Bubu Pharmacy here?" His voice rose slightly, hoping to attract her attention.
Suddenly, a slender figure crawled out from under the counter. It was a girl, pale as paper with a charm pasted to her forehead, her eyes flickering with fear.
Shao Yun scratched his head—was he that spooky? Or maybe his aura unsettled her?
The girl whispered, trembling, "Hello, I'm Qiqi—I'm a zombie."
He stared at her, then softly asked, "Oh—hello. I want to buy Everlasting Incense. How much is it?"
At the word "Everlasting Incense," Qiqi's eyes flickered strangely. She forced herself upright, her body stiff as if bound by unseen forces.
Peering over the counter at him, she looked ready to speak—then froze, eyes wide with alarm.
"Go away. You're not welcome here!"
Shao Yun, puzzled, frowned. Why would she refuse his straightforward request?
Her firm, childish tone was laced with command, stirring surprise and confusion in him.
"What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Qiqi remained expressionless, staring past him.
"You weirdo. Qiqi doesn't like you. Go away!"
He tried to appear friendly, raising both hands in peace and offering a small, apologetic smile.
"Look, little miss, I've killed people—very cruelly—but I mean you no harm. I just came to buy some Everlasting Incense."
Qiqi wasn't moved. Her tone hardened, more threatening than before.
"Get out. Bubu Pharmacy doesn't want you!"
She then nimbly climbed onto the counter, facing away from him.
Shao Yun watched, exasperated. He tried again: "Then how about Doctor Bai's—"
"No touching the vase! That was a gift to Mr. Bai!"
Shao Yun blinked in confusion. He hadn't touched anything.
"I didn't touch anything…" he replied.
Qiqi didn't answer him. Instead, she stared past him again.
"Don't touch any herbs either. Go. Out!"
His heart skipped. He glided his finger to his hip and drew his revolver—ready. But the clinic was empty.
Maybe Qiqi saw something normal people don't—like that Man with a Top Hat?
The thought sent another chill through him. He looked at Qiqi, voice steady but tense, "Little one, don't look at the door. Look at me."
She blinked and turned to him. "Huh? Oh—a customer. Please leave. There's something strange in here."
Shao Yun holstered the gun and approached her gently. "Don't be afraid. Can you tell me what the stranger looked like?"
Qiqi gazed toward the door, eyes narrowing as she described what she saw.
"That… tall hat. And…"
Mid-sentence, she froze stiff again.
"Qiqi," Shao Yun interjected, gently shaking her shoulder. "Don't look at that devil. Look at me!"
After a few seconds, she shook her head, blinking. "Huh?"
He swiftly turned, scanning—but nothing. Then he faced her.
"Listen. That guy isn't mortal. Don't look at it. Don't provoke it. Act like it isn't here. Stay calm."
Qiqi frowned. "Qiqi doesn't understand what you're talking about."
She lowered her head in confusion—and suddenly, surprise filled her face.
"Ah! Why am I standing on the counter?"
She jumped down, bewildered. Did she forget? Did that "devil" do something?
If it stays hidden, he could stop worrying.
Climbing off, Qiqi seemed uneasy. She pursed her lips, calming herself, then asked softly, "Did I say anything weird?"
Shao Yun still watched the door, then stowed the revolver and tried to ease the mood.
"No. You just saw a demon… nothing to worry about."
Her brows furrowed. "What did you say? Qiqi didn't catch that."
He took a deep breath. "Nothing. I'm just here to buy incense."
Hearing that, Qiqi seemed to follow invisible instructions.
"If you want herbs, bring a prescription."
Shao Yun thought for a moment, then asked, "I want to… No—where's Dr. Bai?"
Qiqi replied, "Dr. Bai's out. If you need diagnosis, you'll have to wait."
Shao Yun nodded, accepting this.
"…Alright then. I'll wait here."
—
Shao Yun leaned back in a chair, eyes closing, letting sunlight through the window lull him toward sleep.
Qiqi busied herself, methodically caring for the clinic and organizing herbs.
Just as sleep nearly overtook him, footsteps broke the silence.
He rubbed sleepy eyes. Lumine, Paimon, and Zhongli entered—curious and concerned.
"What are you doing here?" Shao Yun asked, surprised.
Paimon, relieved to see him unhurt, replied, "You scared us! We brought the Noctilucous Jade and you weren't there."
Shao Yun stood, stretching.
"I'm here waiting for Doctor Bai—I came to get Everlasting Incense."
Paimon spotted Qiqi behind the counter. "Is someone else here? Can we buy from her?"
Shao Yun shook his head wryly. "Trust me—you'll regret asking her."
Paimon frowned. Curious, she and Lumine approached Qiqi.
Meanwhile, Shao Yun led Zhongli aside, producing the three incense salves.
"Mr. Zhongli, here are the salves you asked for."
Zhongli took them, opening a lid. A delicate, fresh scent drifted out.
"Remarkable quality," he remarked. "These will make preparations much easier."
Shao Yun smiled. "Just help Lumine with her questions, and these are nothing."
Zhongli nodded in thanks. "Indeed. Once everything is settled, I will answer what I can."
Shao Yun's eyes lit. He asked, "Mr. Zhongli, what is this 'important client' you mentioned at the Parlor?"
Zhongli shook his head. "Our director is eccentric—I can't predict her intentions. But she insists she can handle it herself, so I cannot interfere."
Understanding, Shao Yun probed, "Do you believe she'll manage this client okay?"
Zhongli raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"
Shao Yun shrugged. "Just curious. With Dr. Bai not here, we have time."
—
After a while, Lumine and Paimon returned. Afternoon light filtered through leaves, painting the courtyard with dappled warmth.
Lumine paused, turning to Zhongli and Shao Yun.
"Do you know what a 'Cocogoat' is?"
Zhongli frowned, thinking it over. "It's the first I've heard of such a creature."
Shao Yun patted his head, having expected nothing less. "No idea either. Maybe we should wait for Dr. Bai—or move on to the next task."
But Lumine's resolve was steady.
"Qiqi says if we bring her Cocogoat's milk, she'll help us find Everlasting Incense. It might be worth trying."
Surprised, Shao Yun looked between Zhongli and then smiled helplessly.
"How about we just bring cow's milk? It's still milk—should be fine."
Paimon shook her head firmly.
"Tricking a child is wrong. And Dr. Bai's going to be a while anyway. I say we try."
Sighing again, Shao Yun relented.
"But how are we going to find something even Zhongli hasn't heard of?"
Lumine pointed confidently outside.
"Qiqi said the Cocogoat might be near Tianheng Mountain, where the Guizhong Ballista is found. Let's try there."
Using a divine artifact to hunt a Goat?
Still, he conceded.
"Fine—we'll go to Tianheng Mountain."