The familiar scent of herbs lingered in Bubu Pharmacy, its gentle fragrance seeping deep into the air.
"What? This ginseng fake?"
Adrian's eyes widened as he pointed at the ginseng in his hand, his voice rising in disbelief—as if Baizhu had just told him the sun was square.
Baizhu nodded calmly, adjusting his glasses with practiced patience.
"It's true. At first glance it does look nearly identical to real ginseng—the color, shape, even the texture are almost the same. But in reality, this is Fontaine ginseng."
Adrian felt as if lightning had struck him on the spot. He froze for several long seconds before finally squeezing out a trembling question.
"So… does it still have any value?"
Baizhu shook his head lightly.
"About… one percent the price of real ginseng."
Adrian's breathing nearly stopped.
He was a disciple of an adeptus, and yet he had mistaken this cheap scam product—something swindlers used on clueless elderly back in his previous life.
He silently pocketed the fake Fontaine ginseng, already planning which "temporarily absent toy merchant" he would sell it to later.
"By the way, Boss Baizhu," Adrian coughed politely, "if you ever feel like recommending customers—I mean, in case someone unfortunately needs funeral services—maybe you could…"
"Get. Out."
Baizhu didn't even let him finish.
Adrian sighed and drifted lazily out of Bubu Pharmacy.
The moment he stepped outside, he spotted Qiqi on the open stone plaza, earnestly doing her stretching exercises.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven… Qiqi…"
Her soft voice chimed like crystal bells as she struggled to coordinate her tiny limbs, moving with stiff precision. Every motion was adorably serious.
Adrian couldn't help smiling as he crouched slightly, his tone playful.
"Qiqi, want me to arrange a funeral for you?"
Qiqi paused, tilting her head. Her clear violet eyes blinked slowly as she rested one finger against her lips in deep, tragic contemplation.
After a long moment, she looked up at him.
"Funeral… what is it?"
"Well, a funeral is singing, dancing, noise, chaos—uh—and event planning," Adrian replied seriously, completely making things up.
Qiqi shook her head softly.
"Qiqi does not like funerals."
Before Adrian could tease her further, a cold, threatening gaze shot from behind him—no doubt Baizhu's.
Adrian raised both hands in surrender and slipped away fast.
Meanwhile…
Keqing wandered aimlessly through Liyue Harbor's bustling streets, her heart heavy with frustration.
The truth behind Lily's death had finally come to light.
Yet as a Liyue Qixing, she still had no way to give the poor girl justice.
Just as Adrian said—even if she proved everything, the real culprit would never face punishment.
Flora and Jace could be imprisoned, yes—but what of it?
Would that change anything?
Did Liyue's laws only strike harshly at their own people?
She didn't know how long she had walked before a small tea pavilion appeared ahead, quiet and elegant among the noisy streets.
Inside sat a familiar, composed figure—refined posture, calm aura, a steady presence that brought inexplicable peace.
Remembering Adrian's earlier suggestion, Keqing approached him with hesitation.
"Consultant Zhongli… may I ask you something?"
Zhongli set down his teacup with gentle grace.
"Of course, Miss Keqing. Sit. Speak slowly—I will answer what I can."
Keqing sat and recounted the entire case from beginning to end.
Zhongli sighed, his voice soft with genuine lament.
"From a rational standpoint, Lily's fate is indeed pitiful. She should have lived a far better life."
Keqing exhaled helplessly.
"As one of the Liyue Qixing, I failed to bring justice. And worse—I can't stop such tragedies from happening again."
Zhongli hesitated, guilt flickering in his eyes.
"I'm afraid I can provide little practical help. I am merely a guest consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
Keqing shook her head.
"When Adrian told me to seek you out, I didn't expect anything. I just needed someone who would understand."
The moment Adrian's name was mentioned, Zhongli's amber eyes brightened faintly.
Then he spoke with sudden, unwavering certainty.
"Miss Keqing… rest assured. Lily's justice will be delivered."
For reasons she couldn't explain, Keqing felt the weight on her heart dissolve instantly.
She rose with renewed strength.
"I believe it too."
She bowed slightly, then hurried away—once more stepping onto the path to fight for Lily's justice.
Zhongli finished the last sip of his tea, stood, and called to the busy tea server:
"Please place this on the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's tab."
The server's expression twisted with misery.
One hundred Mora—a price equal to two or three eggs—and yet the great guest consultant still wanted it written down.
But Liyue was a land of contracts.
If Zhongli said so, it must be honored.
"Right away, Consultant Zhongli. I'll note it down."
Zhongli walked leisurely through the golden-lit streets as twilight settled over Liyue Harbor. Sunlight draped everything in warm amber.
He soon arrived at the door of Adrian's immortals-certified funeral shop.
Just as he stepped forward—
A deep, familiar voice boomed behind him.
"My Lord… why are you here?"
Zhongli paused, turned, and found Cloud-Shaper, the adeptus who had followed him for countless years of war.
Surprise flickered in Zhongli's gaze.
Cloud-Shaper rarely descended among mortals. He disdained the mortal world, avoided human contact, and practically never set foot here.
Why would he appear now?
Zhongli inclined his head.
"Cloud-Shaper… call me Zhongli while here among mortals. I came to meet Adrian."
Cloud-Shaper looked utterly shocked.
"You came for that brat? His cultivation talent is the worst I've ever seen! And he's always ogling women, staring at his—"
Before he could finish, a cool, lazy voice drifted from behind him.
"Cloud-Shaper, you're a respected immortal. Is speaking ill of your own junior behind his back really appropriate?"
Adrian had arrived.
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