Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
A sprightly figure paced back and forth in the courtyard, wearing a rare look of contemplation.
"What gift should I bring Qiqi?"
Unlike Xiangling, who was lost in culinary bliss, Hu Tao returned to the parlor thinking she should go apologize and make amends with Qiqi—show some care for the girl with such a tragic past.
But aside from the coconut milk Ken had suggested, Hu Tao couldn't think of any other gift that would suit Qiqi.
A little zombie isn't the same as a human… lots of gifts don't really fit.
She couldn't very well give her a coffin as a present, right?
"How about… I give this Jumpy Dumpty to Qiqi?"
After thinking it over, Hu Tao finally fished out from her backpack a bomb Klee had given her—Jumpy Dumpty—and set it down, figuring it could help "keep order" at Bubu Pharmacy.
If there was ever a medical dispute, a little blast from this Jumpy Dumpty would settle it quick.
Granted, with the skills and style of Bubu Pharmacy's owner, Baizhu, it was unlikely to get that bad—but to Hu Tao, it was best to be prepared.
"Director Hu?"
Zhongli, returning from a meal with Tartaglia, had just stepped into the front courtyard when he saw what Hu Tao was holding, and his eyelid twitched.
If he wasn't mistaken, the thing in her hands looked very much like the handiwork of a certain witch he knew—though the size was different.
The outward design of the bomb was practically identical.
"Zhongli, how's the shop situation coming along?"
Cradling the Jumpy Dumpty, Hu Tao asked absentmindedly.
"The deed is in hand already. It's the shop right next door to us—available for use tomorrow." Zhongli placed the deed on the table and poured himself a cup of tea.
Hu Tao's eyes lit up. "Reliable work! Right next door? I pass that place every day—it's quite luxurious. Must've cost a lot, huh?"
"I didn't pay."
"Mm?"
"A gift from a newly made friend."
"???"
Hu Tao stared at Zhongli, doubting reality.
It was one thing to go out without money and spend lavishly—Wangsheng would reimburse him anyway.
But to buy a house and a shop without bringing money…
And even have someone give it for free?
The plum-blossom pupils in her eyes wavered, and only after a long moment did she recover from her shock. She sighed. "When will you ever carry Mora on you…"
Morax, the maker of Mora, never carried Mora when he went out.
Who would believe that?
Zhongli only smiled slightly and said nothing, sipping his tea.
Hu Tao sighed again, put the deed away, and plunked two cups of instant noodles on the table. "Haven't eaten yet, right? This is a grand specialty feast from Blue Star from yours truly. Enjoy!"
As soon as she finished, she hoisted the Jumpy Dumpty and headed out to Bubu Pharmacy.
"Director Hu, it would be best not to walk around with that thing in your hands," Zhongli reminded her. He didn't know where she'd gotten it, but still.
"Hm? You know what this is?" Hu Tao turned back, eyeing Zhongli suspiciously.
As expected of the Geo Archon—he could even recognize this?
Zhongli took a sip of tea and said slowly, "This bomb is more powerful than you think. Years ago, I accompanied a certain witch while she toured Liyue. She made bombs similar to the one in your hand, though hers were much smaller and more refined. If I'm not mistaken, this should be the work of that witch's descendant."
Thinking back on accompanying Alice around Liyue years ago, Zhongli felt a touch helpless.
That witch's temperament was even more mischievous than Hu Tao's.
Her mind brimmed with endless ideas about bombs and experiments.
This bomb might not match Alice's of old, but it shouldn't be underestimated.
"If this detonates in Liyue Harbor, it could trigger a large-scale explosion. If Director Hu wishes to pay damages, you could try it," Zhongli warned gravely.
Hu Tao jumped, heart pounding. "Huh? I didn't expect Jumpy Dumpty to be so powerful. Klee even wanted to set these up all over Mondstadt!"
Zhongli: "…"
It seemed the witch's descendant was just like the witch herself.
Mondstadt must be in for some headaches.
Only after watching Hu Tao carefully stow the bomb away did Zhongli relax and leave. He knew Hu Tao well—after learning the bomb's power, she wouldn't use it recklessly.
"Hm?"
But after only a few steps, he sensed a faint, familiar yet unfamiliar presence carried on Liyue's gentle breeze.
Zhongli froze.
On his usually placid face, a hint of surprise and joy surfaced.
A moment later, he instinctively turned, scooped up the two cups of instant noodles from the table, and his figure vanished from Wangsheng.
"This guy… Now that he doesn't need to mind me, he comes and goes like a ghost."
Muttering, Hu Tao grabbed the coconut milk and set off for Bubu Pharmacy.
She'd brought this coconut milk specially from Blue Star—long shelf life, and it tasted better too. Qiqi should like it.
…
Bubu Pharmacy.
Following the road near Yujing Terrace, crossing the lotus-laden emerald pool, one arrives at the famed Bubu Pharmacy.
Hu Tao remembered the last time she came—it was to post an advertisement on their door.
"Wangsheng Funeral Parlor Grand Promo: Buy one get two, buy two get three, buy three get four—the more you buy, the more you get."
That "heartwarming" ad had gone right on Bubu's door. Thinking about it now, she felt a bit embarrassed.
Climbing the long staircase, Hu Tao entered Bubu.
Before she could speak, Gui the assistant behind the counter stared at her with a rather "horrified" look. "Hu—Director Hu, why are you here?!"
You couldn't blame Gui for being spooked.
The grudge between Bubu Pharmacy and Wangsheng Funeral Parlor wasn't new.
First, Hu Tao and Mister Baizhu differed vastly in philosophy.
Baizhu's medical skill was profound and compassionate; he believed human life should be extended as much as possible and was always seeking to conquer death and escape the cycle of life and death.
Hu Tao, however, believed birth, old age, sickness, and death were the world's natural order and shouldn't be artificially interfered with, lest the balance of heaven and earth be broken.
Because of this clash, the two had long been "at odds."
Even the noticeboard at Feiyun Slope bore their written debates:
["To all citizens: should you see a childlike corpse walking at night, stretching limbs, or climbing mountains to gather herbs, do not panic. Our Qiqi is Bubu Pharmacy's herb gatherer and medical apprentice; she is harmless to everyone. —Bubu Pharmacy, Baizhu."]
["Life and death have their appointed time. Why force one who should have departed to remain in the world, unnaturally extending fate? Better to bring Qiqi to Wangsheng for a proper burial—at peace and without worry—to return to the cycle of the elements. Wouldn't that be best? —Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao."]
If they debated like that on the public board, it showed just how deep the conflict ran.
Later, because of Qiqi, Hu Tao's actions had given Baizhu headaches.
So, seeing Hu Tao walk in again, Gui's mouth twitched.
"Gui, what are you so surprised for? I came to apologize to Qiqi. Go call her out."
Hu Tao smiled, silently rehearsing.
When Qiqi came out, she had to be sincere.
Gui wanted to refuse, but he knew this famed Director Hu had a thousand tricks. If he didn't pass the message, who knew what she'd pull.
A few minutes later.
At Gui's report, someone did come out—but it wasn't Qiqi. It was Baizhu himself.
"What brings Director Hu here?" Baizhu regarded the quirky girl without much expression.
He wouldn't stoop to bickering with her, but given what she'd done before, he could hardly be overly warm.
"I'm looking for Qiqi to apologize for last time. I won't bury her again."
Hu Tao put her hands on her hips and spoke earnestly.
Baizhu blinked, then chuckled lightly. "Don't joke, Director Hu."
He didn't believe her.
Back when she tried to secretly abduct Qiqi, Hu Tao had used every excuse. Coming to apologize now, to Baizhu, was just another ploy.
"Eh? I'm serious! Why won't you believe me? I brought Qiqi coconut milk as a gift."
Hu Tao took out over a dozen bottles and set them on the pharmacy table, looking sincere.
Baizhu glanced at her and said nothing.
His expression made it clear he didn't believe her and didn't want to argue.
"Forget it. I'll tell Qiqi myself when I see her next time."
For once, Hu Tao felt at a loss. Seeing Baizhu like this, there was no way he'd let her meet Qiqi. She'd have to think of something else.
Leaving the coconut milk behind, Hu Tao strode off, grumbling inwardly… That troublesome Baizhu, what a pain.
Only after her figure vanished down the steps did a small head peek out from behind the tall counter, eyes wary.
Once she was sure Hu Tao wasn't coming back, Qiqi stepped out, still shaken.
"Hu Tao… Qiqi… must escape…"
Qiqi murmured, lingering fear in her voice.
Baizhu patted Qiqi's head and looked at the coconut milk Hu Tao had brought, his expression turning complicated.
The packaging was unlike anything in Liyue, made of some strange material and adorned with the picture of a voluptuous woman.
In front of the woman were the words: ["Drink from childhood to adulthood."]
Paired with the image, the slogan felt… suggestive. Even the ever-composed Baizhu twitched at the corner of his mouth.
Who knew where Hu Tao had gotten such packaging—just as quirky as Wangsheng's ad copy.
"Gui, put these away," Baizhu said after calming himself.
Gui picked one up and shook it. "Mister Baizhu, it really sounds like coconut milk. Should we open one? Qiqi might really like it."
Seeing Qiqi's expectant eyes, Baizhu considered and nodded.
From many encounter with Hu Tao, Baizhu knew that while she was impish, she wasn't malicious. She likely wouldn't have tampered with the drink.
Gui opened a bottle, and his eyes lit up. "Smells great! Coconut milk!"
"Coco… nut… milk…" Qiqi's gaze brightened too.
Baizhu handed it to Qiqi. Seeing her happy expression, he subconsciously relaxed his brow.
Qiqi had no sense of taste—a painful thing for anyone. Liking cold, icy things was perhaps a small comfort in her bleak existence.
Hopefully Director Hu would keep her word and stop bothering Qiqi.
…
Atop Tianheng Mountain.
The towering range outside Liyue Harbor stood lofty and steep. It was mid-afternoon; warm sunlight poured down, and the sea of clouds rolled with the breeze.
After leaving Wangsheng, Zhongli followed that familiar aura to the summit.
There, amid the drifting clouds, a long-missed green figure stood with his back to Zhongli, gazing at the bustling Liyue Harbor.
"Barbatos…"
Zhongli's steady voice carried a trace of feeling at the sight of the familiar silhouette.
Memories smoothed by time surged back like a tide.
As the oldest among the Seven, the Geo Archon Morax had passed through an unimaginably long river of time.
He remembered when the fires of the Archon War had just gone out, the last seven gods took their thrones, ending the age of gods at war.
Though different in temperament and separated by distance, the Seven bore the sacred duty of guiding humanity.
Two thousand years ago, when Barbatos first came to Liyue, Zhongli thought his colleague had run into trouble in carrying out his duties. Before Barbatos had even properly alighted on the wind, Zhongli was ready to help.
But the free-spirited Anemo Archon merely handed him a bottle of wine.
He'd come all that way just to give a bottle of wine.
To this day, Zhongli remembered how the wind god looked that day.
That spirited figure in green held out the drink with a casual tone tinged with anticipation: "This is wine from Mondstadt. Want to try some?"
Abandoning duties for a bottle of wine seemed absurd to him.
Different as their ideals were, Barbatos would still drop by Liyue from time to time, asking all kinds of odd questions. His curiosity was as inexhaustible as the wine in his flask.
From that era on, the Seven would gather now and then.
Even now, Zhongli could recall the taste of those brews.
Rich and mellow, accompanied by the laughter of friends, echoing through that brilliant, long-gone age.
Sadly, with the tides of time, all things changed. What he knew faded bit by bit.
Of the seven at those banquets, five were gone.
Only two of the original Seven remained: himself and that carefree wind god of Mondstadt.
But the frost of the years is a merciless blade; even the firmest rock is worn down.
Since the Cataclysm in Khaenri'ah five hundred years ago, the wind god had not come to him again.
Until today.
That green figure, as if unchanged from two millennia past, stood atop Tianheng Mountain with a flask of fragrant wine, turned back to him with a smile. "This is wine from Mondstadt. Want to try some?"
Looking at the familiar face of an old friend, Venti smiled, warm as the breeze, and sighed.
Morax, long time no see.
…