Chapter 8: Meet Conquerer of Demons, Old Man
Last time on Boboiboy x Genshin impact, Boboiboy, Lumine, and Paimon have made to Liyue Harbor. When they arrived, they asked local people to get some info. Eventually, the gang continued getting some info. The three of you came to a guy named Guanhai. He didn't say anything interesting, merely musing about his lack of participation in the previous Rite of Decsensions.
Lastly was this man named Bolai. He mentioned something about a lady named Ningguang, and how Rex Lapis was the oldest of the Archons, but he mainly talked about his business. So they are on their way to Yujing Terrance. Until they reached it there, Paimon said to Lumine and Boboiboy that is the best time to make a wish is today, during the Rite of Descension. So, Lumine makes a wish that she could see her brother soon. Boboiboy, on the other hand, he is a religious person so he can't make a wish so Lumine decided to make a wish for him. Also, there is a woman named Ningguang. She used her Geo powers to summon to Rex Lapis, however, instead of descending gracefully or was supposed to appear
A brown dragon appeared from the sky as it crashes down on the table with a lot of stuff on it. Ningguang looked at Rex Lapix and was shocked that Rex Lapis was killed so she commanded her guards to seal the exits and find the imposter Among us. Well, Boboiboy, Lumine, and Paimon are not local, they can get sus easily. So they have to escape from them but then they meet a guy named Childe, one of the Harbingers. Childe told them he was not a bad guy like them so they won't attack him. Then he brought them to North Bank to gave them a sigil and told them about adepti
So they left and went to find them. They meet three Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer. Right now, they are on their way to find Conquerer of Demons
-Timeskip to Wangshu Inn-
"Oh, this seems to be Wangshu Inn." Paimon said after they teleport using Teleport Waypoint." Compared to Jueyun Karst, this place seems basic. Are we really gonna find an adeptus here?"
"Who knows? By the way, Paimon. Be nice okay," Boboiboy said to the flying fairy.
They walked to the top of the Inn which has a large balcony." Oh? He's not here?" Paimon said while Lumine rubbed her back hair. They stand at the balcony gates and observe the beautiful view. Boboiboy takes a few pictures to save it. Until someone said beside them
"To the blind, everything may not be as it appears..." His name is Xiao, the Conquerer of Demons and the Vigilant Yaksha
Xiao has dark medium-length hair with teal undertones, swept back and with two longer locks to frame his face. He has pale skin, golden irises with cat-slit pupils, and his eyes have red makeup similar to Cloud Retainer. Xiao also has a purple diamond marking on his forehead, and a green tattoo around his right arm.
Xiao wears a white sleeveless shirt with subtle cloud patterns. It has a high black collar with golden accents, with its left side extending further to cover his shoulder. He wears baggy dark purple pants, and wears dark purple boots overtop. Xiao has black and dark turquoise gloves with gold decals and a necklace. Around his left arm, Xiao wears a white and gold sleeve with a red lining. He notably carries an Anemo vision on his left glove and is usually seen carrying his Yaksha mask on the back of his right hip.
So they quickly show him a Sigil of Permission
"A Sigil of Permission? You came prepared. Thought this only prevents me from hurting you myself. Doesn't stop you from getting hurt in other ways." Xiao said with arm-crossed
"Uhh... Paimon doesn't get it..." Paimon asked in confusion
"Too much contact with our world is breaking the rules. Mortal souls are not as robust as those of adepti, nor can your blood carry this level of adeptal energy. It's for your own good. Leave. Now." Xiao told them and turned was ready to fleet
"Wait, just a second!" Xiao tries to speak to him, but Xiao ignores and walked away
"Argh! Paimon's...peeved! All he does is think about himself! Paimon wants to give him an ugly nickname...but if you tick off an adeptus, the only thing you'll probably ever find in treasure chests is cabbages! Bleurgh!" Paimon told them
"Calm down, Paimon. Maybe he's not in the mood for talking, but I think we should ask the lady of the inn about just how she manages to talk to him." Boboiboy suggested
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea." Lumine agreed with him
They went back inside and talked to the manager who was named Verr Goldet.
She then tells them to cook a bowl of Almond Tofu which makes Xiao turn back into his good mood.
In order to do that, they just have to ask the chef which he was outside. However, Lumine suggested that the food should be a Satisfying Salad for Xiao to eat. Also, Boboiboy got another idea that he should make makes his Tok Aba's Special Hot Chocolate for him. Like the one that he made for his friends and the chef girl with bear. So they agree
They went outside of the balcony to talk to the chef who was named Smiley Yanxiao.
However, he just tells them to back off. They then tell him what's his problem as the chef eventually tells you that he was haunted by a ghost inside the kitchen which made him uncomfortable not cooking in there.
So they investigated the kitchen. At first, there was no ghost until Paimon see a ghost little girl behind them which freaked them out a little. Especially Leaf and Wind, they screamed out a ghost in Boboiboy's mind
Boboiboy and Lumine reported back to him as Smiley Yanxiao started to freak out about it until they decided to confront the ghost little girl to stop haunting people in the Wangshu Inn.
After getting some information from Verr Goldet about it as they went outside to find the clue of the painting.
Boboiboy was the first to find it which was connected from the rocks as the symbol glows until the ghost little girl appeared again from their view.
"Th-There she is! So scary... Boboiboy Lumine, quick, you... you grab her. She's trying to get away!" Paimon trembling in fear
They chased after her into the Guili Plains. Once they get there then they saw her ghostly silhouette. She's jumping in joy, they are confused
"Eh? What is she doing?" Boboiboy scratched the back of his head
"I don't know" Lumine replied
She then enters the destroyed Ruin Hunter and started to control it back to life
"What the?..." Boboiboy looked in shock
"Argh! She doesn't know when to give up!" Paimon said in annoy "This old, decrepit Ruin Guard... Surely it's not... possessed!?"
"You think!?" Lumine said in shock while pulling out her sword. And Boboiboy started using his element. "Elemental Power! Boboiboy Blaze!" His clothes changed
"Alright! It's my turn now!" Blaze cracked his knuckles with his evil smirk and then summoned his fireballs
"I-Is it me or ... does Boboiboy's fire personality look scary than before?" Paimon said in fear and Lumine just shrugged
Ruin Hunter changed its left hand to the drill and quickly slashed but Blaze dodged it "Too slow!"
Lumine ran in and slashed its from the back. Then Blaze concentrated fire at his hand and release it at Ruin Hunter "Blazing Fire Punch!"
The fire fist landed on Ruin Hunter and caught some explosion on it. The Ruin Hunter is still moving
Blaze then brought out "Fire Chakrams!"
"Take this! Fire Chakrams Throw!" He uses his chakrams to throw them, slicing the Ruin Hunter. Now the Ruin Hunter is destroyed
"Ahhh! I thought you could give me more challenge!" Blaze said in disappointment then transformed back
The ghost girl jumped out and said in disappointment but she felt happy a little. The group told her not to do bad things to people, she understand and told them her name "Dusky Ming" and the final words before she disappeared "Next time Boboiboy, Lumine can come play with Dusky Ming. If you don't come and play. Dusky Ming will come find you~"
After that, they reported back to Smiley Yanxiao that the problem was dealt with and he was really happy that they got rid of her and he was now comfortable cooking in the kitchen
After making the Satisfying Salad, the Almond Tofu, and Tok Aba's Special Hot Chocolate. The three of them walked out and found Xiao again
"...You three again." Xiao looked at them and was about to leave
"Wait! Don't go disappearing again!" Paimon said
Lumine shows them the dishes while Boboiboy holding the drink out." What's this?"
"It's your favorite, Almond Tofu! As well as these distant travelers' best dish and drink — a Satisfying Salad and a chocolate drink." Paimon introduced it to him
Xiao eyed Boboiboy's Hot Chocolate Drink and asked. "...What kind of drink is this?"
"This is the Special Hot Chocolate. It's my Granddad's best kind of drink out there. You should try it" Boboiboy held out the drink towards him. Xiao looked and examed it
"Lumine! Boboiboy! Tell him everything before he finishes eating!" Paimon told them
Lumine and Boboiboy began to tell Xiao everything about what had happened in Liyue Harbor
"Rex Lapis... How could this be? I... can't imagine it. Though times have changed, I've never imagined a Liyue without him. The ruling Qixing... Just what role have they played in this?" Xiao questioned as he paused for a moment before speaking up
"I will seek Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Cloud Retainer. It is time they too made their decisions"
"Will the adepti interrogate the Qixing?" Lumine asked him
"Adepti does not turn on their responsibilities. I have my reasons to not want to be tainted by the moral realm, but... responsibilities are responsibilities. Our god is the God of Contracts after all." Xiao explained as he turned around and ready to leave
"Wait! Paimon still has one last question." Paimon stopped him "Hmm?"
"That...Dusky Ming. She's..."
"When conquering demons, on occasion, you can come across spirits who have never hurt anyone, yet are also not yet able to be moved on. So I asked the innkeeper and the boss if they could keep her here for a time."
"So really, Wangshu Inn was looking after her! Really keeping a wide range of business going, huh!"
"Since your business is done, I shall see myself out. "
"Oh, and You." Xiao referred to Boboiboy "Hmmm?"
"...If we meet again,... Can you... make me a drink like that... again?" Xiao looked away and did not look at Boboiboy "Sure!"
Xiao then disappears as they returned back to Liyue and reported everything to Childe in the Northland Bank.
-Timeskip back to Northland Bank-
"You've finally returned. How was your journey to Jueyun Karst?" Childe asked them
"A lot of things happened, but we'll tell you." Boboiboy said then they tell Childe everything
"...I see. Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer, Conqueror of Demons... Some of these names have never come up in the intel the Fatui gets hold of. As a returning gift, I too have information for you. Regarding the archon's passing... The Liyue Qixing's response really has given me food for thought... They've announced that, as the true killer has not been yet found, they are not allowing anyone to pay their respects to the Exuvia. They've even gone so far as to try and cut off information... But with the Rite of Descension and all, even the Qixing isn't able to keep a lid on things."
"Exuvia?" Paimon asked in curious
"It's common knowledge in Liyue that Rex Lapis is also an adeptus. The Geo Archon is also the God of Contracts, and is also known as the Exuvia, Prime of the Adepti. The mighty and illuminated adepti of today all signed contracts to protect Liyue way back then." Childe explained
"I guess that explains why they're all so focused on Liyue's well-being." Lumine said
"Naturally. They both have the responsibility and the aptitude for the job. If the ruling Qixing became unable to perform their duty properly, the adepti have the right to take corrective action. The Geo Archon's spirit has risen, so why would the Qixing hide his vessel? Truly suspicious." Childe continued
"I agree, something is definitely not right." Lumine said
"Oh! Right! He's the whole reason we came here! If the Liyue Qixing has locked up Exuvia and won't let anyone near... Then Lumine's quest to find the Seven is already over!" Paimon said as Childe took notice and turned to Lumine "Oh? You're trying to find The Seven? And just why might that be, pray to tell?"
"It has nothing to do with you." Lumine replied skeptically
"Heh..." Childe said and turned to Boboiboy "And what about you? Are you perhaps trying to find The Seven too?"
"No. I'm only accompanying Lumine in her travels to find her lost sibling and my friends are coming to find me." Boboiboy told him
"Oh, your friends. Why? Did something happen to you?" Childe asked in curious
"I won't talk about it" Boboiboy still doesn't trust Childe since he is Fatui. They may try to take his powers
"I see. Anyways, back to your question, Lumine, I can help you with that too you know." Childe told her
"Hmm? Really?" Paimon asked
"Give me some time. Time... to find someone. Someone who can help you break through this stalemate." Childe said nonchalantly
"Truly fascinating. The harder they try to silence the situation, the greater chaos that erupts... If you want to be around to see it all come crashing down, best you stay alive until we meet by tomorrow, yes?" Childe said as he went off on his own
"Well, that was quite strange..." Paimon said
"No kidding. Anyways, we should find ourselves an Inn to get some sleep, yeah?" Lumine suggested
"I agree. It's already night time though." Boboiboy agreed with her
So they went to find someplace to sleep
-The Next Day-
After a long good sleep, they headed out back to the Northland Bank to meet up with Childe.
However, he wasn't there so they entered the bank and walked up to the female receptionist who was behind the counter. Her name is Ekaterina
"Welcome, Lumine, Boboiboy, friends of Childe. And congratulations on the first day of your illustrious career with the Fatui." She greeted with a smile
"Sorry, but we have no intentions of joining the Fatui." Lumine told her
"You sound remarkably sure of yourselves... Remember, we are mere mortals - our ideas are fluid like water. Only the Tsaritsa truly has a will as solid as the permafrost." She stated nonchalantly "But back to the matter at hand. Childe tells me that he has upheld his end of your agreement."
"What agreement? Oh, the thing about him helping us find a guy?" Paimon asked
"Correct. Chile promised he would find someone to break the stalemate. And the Harbingers do not break their promises lightly."
"So, ma'am. Where is Childe, anyway? We're supposed to meet him here today." Boboiboy said
"Childe is currently at Liuli Pavilion." She answered
"Liuli Pavilion?" Lumine and Boboiboy asked
"Ooh, ooh Paimon knows this one! A-Ahem! There are two styles of cooking in Liyue, known as Li style and Yue style. They have been competing for centuries, but neither has emerged as the clear winner. The flagship restaurant of the Li style is the Liuli Pavilion. The owner especially chose to open the restaurant at Feiyun Slope, so they could compete for face-to-face with the Xinyue Kiosk, which is the flagship restaurant of the Yue style." Paimon explained
"You're like this every time we talk about food..." Lumine looked at her with a blank-look
"Don't talk to Paimon like that! Anyway, Paimon's hungry, let's get moving." Paimon suggested
And just like that, they exited the Northland Bank and headed to Liuli Pavilion. However, they spotted Childe who was down there as they walked up to him.
"Aha, you three made it. As promised, I have found someone who can help you. Someone who can solve the mystery of why the Liyue Qixing would hide the Geo Archon's vessel."
"Where is he then? Is he inside the Liuli Pavilion?" Lumine asked
"He certainly is. Come, I'll introduce you. I took the liberty of setting up a business dinner, as per the Liyue custom." Childe said as he led the way and they followed him. That's when they were greeted by a waiter of the restaurant as he did a signature bow and spoke up.
"Welcome back, sir. You honor us with your patronage. Mr. Zhongli is awaiting your arrival in the room you booked."
'Zhongli?' Boboiboy thought as they entered the restaurant.
They entered the Liuli Pavilion restaurant and walked inside to see a man, who is drinking tea. His name is Zhongli
His attire is elegant and form-fitting, consisting of a beige dress shirt, a brown and amber waistcoat, slim black trousers, black dress boots, and black gloves with twin silver archer rings on the thumbs. His neckpiece is a white tie pinned at the throat by an amber gemstone. His left ear is adorned with a jeweled tassel earring. Over everything, he wears a long dark brown tailcoat with dragon scale patterns, gold and silver accents, golden tassels, and Rex Lapis' diamond symbol on the back. Zhongli's clothes are decorated with diamond symbols found on his sleeves, belt, trousers, waistcoat buttons, and tailcoat buttons
Childe greeted him as they walked towards the table and sat on their chairs while Paimon floated beside them
"Allow me to introduce Mr. Zhongli, consultant to an organization known as Wangsheng... and a trusted associate of the Fatui." Childe introduced
"Wangsheng?"
"Associate of the Fatui?"
"Indeed. Wansheng's line of work can be... sensitive at times. Let's just say they understand when discretion is needed. And we, the Fatui, have always been glad to do business with friends who walk in the shadows." Childe said
"W-Walk in the shadows?" Paimon asked in curious
"It is an honor to meet you. I have heard tell of you three from Mondstadt." Zhongli greeted them
"We'll take that as a compliment, Mr. Zhongli." Lumine said with a smile
"It's nice to meet you, Sir" Boboiboy offered him a handshake which he accepted it
"Discretion... shadows... Ah! Is Wangsheng some kind of business involving... "dealing" with some people?" Paimon questioned with eyes widened "Indeed, it is as you have guessed."
"Ahh-!" Paimon screamed a little as Zhongli spoke up "The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor organizes burials. We ensure that those who pass on do so in peace."
"Eh?" Paimon confused
"Haha, did you think he was some sort of hired killer?" Childe asked jokingly before continuing "The Fatui calls many such people friends, but the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor does not dabble in such business... well, ostensibly."
"Ostensibly..." Lumine muttered
"Well, they are still - Ah, I shouldn't say too much. In any case, I brought you to meet Mr. Zhongli because..."
"Because I can bring you to see Rex Lapis' vessel." Zhongli said the last part which made them surprised
"What!? You can bring us to Rex Lapis' vessel!?" Boboiboy asked
"Allow me to explain. Rex Lapis may be the Prime of Adepti, but he is ultimately an adeptus. Many adepti have left us over the millennia - this is the inexorable trend. The times have changed - you two must have felt it too when you four were at the Jueyun Karst." Zhongli explained
"The Geo Archon is also an adeptus?" Lumine asked
"Archons go by many names. The God of Contracts, the God of Commerce, the Warrior God, Morax, Lex Lapis... is the idea that he also has the tile of Adepts so strange? As you have seen, the time of the adepti is ending, and the time of mankind is slowly dawning. In years past, Liyue's tradition was that a huge memorial service is held to mark the passing of every adeptus. But this time, the Qixing has made no attempt whatsoever to respect this tradition. it is sacrilege" Zhongli answered
"Well, they do have a deicide to deal with..." Boboiboy said
"Yeah, the killer hasn't been caught yet." Paimon added
"Deicide or not, the concern of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is this: When the ritual to receive this god is so kingly, it is all the more egregious for his final send-off to go unattended to. Lumine, Boboiboy, Childe has told me a lot about you both. Since you two had dealings with the Anemo Archon, could I ask you to help me prepare the Geo Archon's last rites?" Zhongli asked them
"We accept your invitation..." Lumine said and Boboiboy nodded in agreement
"A wise decision." Childe said with a smile
"The Tianquan, Nigguang, has forbidden anyone from Rex Lapis' vessel... Which of course you two would need to access if you are to achieve your goal of meeting all of The Seven" Childe told her
"Precisely. Only by participating in the Rite of Parting will you two be able to see the form of Rex Lapis again." Zhongli added
"Looks like there's no other choice." Lumine replied
"Count me in." Boboiboy said
"If we are agreed, come with me. We will speak of the details as we walk." Zhongli said then got up from his seat and left the restaurant
"Alright, my bridge-building work here is done. Turned out well, didn't it? You can go if you want to, don't worry about me. I might just have a few more drinks... and get aquatinted with these things they call "chopsticks" in the meantime."
"Ehh. We might need to eat some since we didn't have breakfast this morning." Boboiboy scratched the back of his head
"Yeah, we didn't have any in this morning." Lumine added
So they started eating some food on the table before going out to talk with Zhongli.
-Mini Time Skip-
After eating the delicious food on the table, they left the restaurant and found Zhongli waiting outside.
"Took you three long enough, did you enjoy your food?" Zhongli asked
"It was good, Mr. Zhongli." Paimon answered
" I see. Anyways, I shall discuss with you three now. After having experienced the land of the absentee archon, Lumine and Boboiboy, how does it feel to know that our archon and adepti are here all around you in Liyue?" Zhongli asked them
"Liyue is the better place." Lumine answered
"To me, I don't know which one is better so I think Liyue is the option." Boboiboy replied
"Indeed. The weight of three thousand and seven hundred years' worth of history runs deepset in the true divinity of Liyue. Organizing the Rite of Parting should prove to be an enlightening part of your travels. Liyue is the most prosperous of the seven nations, defended by deities and ruled by the Qixing. As such, the diplomatic maneuverings of the Fatui have gained no purchase here. Ningguang of the Qixing has always been on her guard against the Fatui. That is in all likelihood why Childe wants to make use of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's connections." Zhongli explained
"Huh... what would Childe get out of us doing the Rite of Parting anyway?" Paimon asked in curious
"I neither know nor do I wish to know. As far as I am concerned, the Fatui are merely financial sponsors. I only wish for Liyue's traditions to endure." Zhongli continued then gave them something "These are the advance funds that Childe has provided. If you use them up, you can go to him to apply for any subsequent funding."
"Wow..." Paimon said in awe
"Well then, let us be off. The first step in our preparations shall be to obtain some prize Noctilucous Jade worthy of a deity." Zhongli told them as they follow him to find something called Noctilucous Jade
Once they followed, they stopped at the stall named Jade Mystery and the guy named Shitou
"Welcome to the Jade Mystery, my good friends! Would you like to try your luck betting on jade? This could be your lucky day." Shitou said and showed them the materials on the tables " It's cheap and it's fun, and who knows, you might just strike it rich!"
"Betting? No, no, we're here for... um, what was it again?" Paimon tried to remember
"Noctilucous Jade, of radiant grade at the very least." Zhongli told him
"Radiant grade Noctilucous Jade? I see, you're not a tourist. My apologies. I have some here for your perusal..." Shitou said then looking inside the crate to find Noctilucous Jade and put them on the table
"What do you think? The Jade Mystery is an old name in the jade business. Just look at that wonderful quality! Rex Lapis doesn't often bless us with such finery. Go on, pick whichever one you like!"
"These three pieces really do look pretty, not like the ones you usually dig up..." Paimon said and turned to Boboiboy and Lumine "But how do we pick? Should we just grab one and go?"
"A man who makes his living off betting on stones can't be trusted so lightly." Lumine said
"Very good. It seems you have learned some tricks of the trade." Zhongli nodded in agreement
"Ehhh... I don't know which one we should pick. They all look the same." Boboiboy scratched his head underneath his hat then turned to Zhongli "What do you think, Mr. Zhongli? Which one we should pick?"
"Oh? You want me to decide? That is fine as well. If it were me, the answer would be simple." Zhongli said
"Oh? And that would be...?" Paimon said in curious
"I'll take them all, boss." Zhongli told Shitou, which makes them surprised
"Oh, you act with such panache, good sir! I always knew you were not a man of ordinary caliber!" Shitou said happily but got stopped by Paimon
"Wait! Wait! Boss, that one didn't count! We need to discuss it again!" Paimon said then they dragged Zhongli somewhere is private to discuss
"Hey! If we only need one for the ritual, aren't we wasting three times the Mora if we buy them all!?" Paimon asked angrily
"That's true." Lumine nodded in agreement
"Don't you have any Mora, ?" Boboiboy asked
"Oh, Mora. Hmm..." Zhongli held his chin to think "It is as you say. I suppose I overlooked this particular aspect of the transaction."
"Huh? How do you not think about Mora when buying things!?" Paimon said angrily with arms-crossed
"If one must always consider Mora before acting, then in all things one is bound by Mora." Zhongli told them
"What?" three of them confused
"All Mora is currency, but not all currency is Mora." Zhongli told them
"?"
'Does he even have Mora? How is he living without Mora?' Boboiboy thought with sweat-dropped
"He's talking about economics." Lumine said
"Is this how the rich live?" Paimon asked and Lumine just shrugged "Well, he knows a lot about big money, but not a lot about big savings."
"No need to waver. Even when I am constrained by Mora, I have ways of working around my limitations. Evaluating the quality of Noctilucous Jade is indeed very tricky. As crude ore, there is little difference in texture, lustrousness, and internal pattern between good and bad jade. Only after the item made using Noctilucous Jade has taken shape, will you be able to see whether it is up to par or not. If you return to those crafty merchants to quibble, they will counter by saying that your crafting bench is to blame, or that your heat control was poor." Zhongli explained
"Whoa! To think it's that easy to get cheated..." Paimon surprised
"But there is a way to truly evaluate this jade, and a true insider would know it. "A fool sees the pointer and misses the moon."" Zhongli told them
"What does that mean?" Lumine asked
"If you point at the moon with your finger, a wise man knows that you are pointing at the moon, while a fool will only see the finger. The patterns, the facade, these are all the "finger." Noctilucous Jade is a mystical stone used to light up the darkness, and so its brightness is the most important thing — it is the "moon.".Noctilucous Jade of excellent quality would have superior Pyro affinity. In other words, the bluer and brighter the luster of the ore under high temperature, the higher its quality." Zhongli continued
"I didn't realize you were such an expert..." Lumine said with a blank-look
"Is this normal life for a high-class gentleman?" Boboiboy asked in curious
"I have imparted the priceless secrets of the jade trade to you. Now all that's left is to put it into practice." Zhongli answered
"Priceless, huh... Paimon's just sad that we might never be able to use it again..." Paimon said
After the discussion, they went back to Shitou
"We're back to buy some rocks, boss. But can you let us burn them first?" Paimon asked him, which makes him surprised
"B–burn them? You can't do that, my friends! If you were to do so, what would I have to sell?" Shitou stuttered
"Then We're not buying any." Lumine said
"Not buying...? Ah, come, come now, my good friends... we can still discuss this. Negotiation is key to trade, wouldn't you say?" Shitou replied
"Then, can we get some small samples?" Boboiboy asked
"That... Well, fine. As you wish, then." Shitou sighed "How about this? I can take a small sample of all three. I'll take a bit of a loss — we'll count it as a friendly gesture."
"Don't worry, I know the rules. As long as we can prove that it is good jade, you will not take a loss." Zhongli calmed him down
"Alright. Take these as samples. I've carved them off with a knife and tagged them to boot." Shitou gave them some
"These samples..." Lumine examed the small jade
"So thin..." Boboiboy added while Solar looked at the jade and held his chin to think
"...Aren't these too thin?" Paimon asked with a blank look "Even paper's thicker. No, even a bug's wings are thicker! These are almost see-through!"
"This is impressive handiwork." Lumine commented
"Hahaha. You flatter me, but I have to be gentle with these rocks. They are my pride and joy! If I'd taken off even a bit more, it would have killed me." Shitou told them
"But wouldn't something this thin go poof if we held it to the fire?" Paimon asked
"It can't be helped. Trying to deprive a merchant of his profits would be like forcing a ravenous wolf to vomit up the food in its stomach. Nonetheless, under the right conditions, these thin slices will serve." Zhongli explained
"What sort of conditions?" Lumine asked
"While we add the high temperatures using Pyro, we can use Hydro to reinforce it from within. This way, the samples will not disintegrate immediately."
"Oh? Oh, sir, to think you were this learned... Thank you for your understanding!" Shitou said with a smile
"Strictly speaking, asking for samples when we have not yet agreed to purchase the goods is unfair. Trade in Liyue must be based upon fairness." Zhongli continued
"Well, guess we just need to find a place to try this out..." Paimon said with arm-crossed
"How about the kitchen at Xiangling's place..." Lumine suggested
"You mean at Wanmin Restaurant? As long as we do it when she's not in..." Paimon said
"That would not do. It is a place where people come and go. They would be endangered if the elemental reaction were to get out of control... We cannot take such a risk." Zhongli told them
"Ooh! Paimon remembers! We once saw this biiiiig pot down at the Dadaupa Gorge, in the camp of the hilichurls from the Meaty Tribe! It's real sturdy, and should be able to take the elemental reactions!" Paimon said " Boboiboy, Lumine, now, let's pack those samples up and make a move!"
The gang packed those samples and teleport to Dadaqua Gorge to find the big pot
-Timeskip to Dadaupa Gorge-
The gang now are on their way to hilichurls' camp
"It has been a long time since I last set foot in the nation of wind. A friend of mine from Mondstadt would always bring a few bottles of locally brewed dandelion wine whenever he came to visit me in Liyue. It must be said that the famed liquor of the Land of Pastorals is far better than Sumeru's frigid snake wine." Zhongli told them a story
Upon reaching the pot in Dadaupa Gorge, the hilichurls are using it
"That's the pot! It looks like the hilichurls are still using it. It's a bit impolite, but we gotta cut the line." Paimon said as Lumine took out her Dull Blade and Zhongli took out his spear named Vortex Vanquisher. Everyone looked at his spear in awe
"Oooh. That's looking cool spear" Paimon said in awe
"Thanks for your compliment." Zhongli thanked them then turned to Boboiboy, who is the only one who doesn't have any weapons "Boboiboy."
"Hmm. What is it, Mr. Zhongli?" Boboiboy asked
"Where is your weapon? Don't you have any?" Zhongli asked in confusion
"Ehh... Well, Boboiboy is kinda special. He doesn't need a weapon to fight." Paimon answered
"Oh, is it true that you possessed seven elements?" Zhongli asked in curious, which makes them surprised
"Who told you that?" Boboiboy asked
"Childe told me a lot about you." Zhongli told them
"That man won't keep his mouth, huh." Lumine said with a blank-look
"May I see them when you fighting hilichurls?" Zhongli asked then Boboiboy responded "Sure."
"Elemental Power! Boboiboy Quake!" Boboiboy's clothes were changed and equipped with earth gloves. Zhongli started feeling the element energy from Quake. It felt familiar
'This energy. It felt familiar. Is this...? This element of energy is just like him... Why is his earth element so different from Crystal element. Is this a being that Hang Kasa warned me about?...' Zhongli looked at him suspectsion
"Zhongli?... Zhongli... ZHONGLI!" Lumine called him out
Zhongli snapped out of thought and turned to Lumine "Are you ok? You just spaced out."
"I'm fine. I'm just thinking. I never met someone like him can possesses seven elements without vision."
"Well, it's complicated." Quake said nervously
"I see. Then I won't ask any about your personal life." Zhongli said
"Come on, we got more things to do." Paimon told them as they walked towards the big pot with some hilichurls and one mitachurl with the axe guarding it
One of them noticed then alert the others to attack them. All of them charged up to the gang. The gang is ready to fight. The hilichurl with the bat tried to hit one of them but Lumine blocked it with her Dull Blade then pushed it. Next Zhongli, he strikes two hilichurls with his spear, he slams his spear down then kicks it to them
The Mitachurl slammed its axe to Quake but "Earth Barrier!" the earth comes from the ground and protects him from the hit
Mitachurl destroys the barrier then charged towards him but Quake dodges aside. Mitachurl stops itself then turns to Quake but "Earth Grab!" the earth from the ground caught its two feet then Quake starts punching Mitachurl "Earth Punch!"
The fist just caught in the face then sent Mitachurl away to the tree and Mitachurl is unconscious. Quake reversed back to original and the others already finished with hilichurls. After they defeat the hilichurls and they approach the pot
"There's still soup in here. These hilichurls sure have big appetites!" Paimon said while her mouth drooling
"Shame to let it go to waste..." Zhongli said
"Well, it's our lab now." Lumine said
"This soup looks like it could be used as our Hydro elemental protection. Let's fire it up and begin our experiment!" Paimon told Lumine then she puts three samples in the pot "We're ready to go! Paimon will help remember which one of the three is which!"
"Remember to use Pyro to keep making the pot hotter, until we get the results we need." Zhongli told them
"Elemental Power! Boboiboy Blaze!" Boboiboy's clothes were changed again. Zhongli felt another familiar energy
'This energy... It from Panglima Pyrapi. So he has six elements from them... Is this really the evil being? But he doesn't look like the evil one.' Zhongli felt more suspicion
"Fire Power!" Blaze summons some fire on his palms then moves them closer to the pot "Heat it up, fire. Heat it up!". Everyone sweat-dropped at this. Then Blaze blows it to make it bigger
"Can you do something else than holding your fire closer to it!?" Paimon said angrily
"Hehehe. Sorry." Blaze laughed nervously then "Fire Breath!" Blaze breathes out fire towards the pot to make it faster. Until one sample is glowing
"Whoa! That light came from the first Noctilucous Jade!" Paimon said in awe. After heating up the first sample, more hilichurls spawn
"Hilichurls are surrounding us again!" Paimon said in fear
"It seems they are attracting to light." Zhongli said then pulls out his spear
"Such nosy neighbors! Let's take care of them and continue again after!" Paimon said. They were about to fight but "Blazing Fire Punch!" the fire fist flew past them and caused some explosion
Everyone turned towards Blaze, who just released his attack "Opps. Sorry. I should save some of them for you." Some of them doesn't any anything about it
Zhongli decides to break the silence "Let's continue what we doing now."
So they continue heating the pot until two samples are glowing. One of them is glowing bright
"Ow! That's bright! Too bright! That was the third Noctilucous Jade, wasn't it?" Paimon covered her eyes
"Hmm. It was so much shinier than the rest." Zhongli held his chin to think "We should take that one."
"Let's head back to The Jade Mystery to buy some jade, shall we?" Boboiboy told them as they nodded and teleport back to Liyue Harbor
-Timeskip return to Shitou-
"You're back, my friends! I've kept the goods for you. Which of them would you like?" Shitou asked
"We would like the third Noctilucous Jade." Lumine pointed at the third jade
"Exactly, that's the one Paimon remembers too!" Paimon agreed with her
"No problem. If you have your eye on this one, you can have it." Shitou said with a smile
"Then we'll take a box of the third type of jade." Zhongli accepted. Shitou puts the third jade on the box then gives it to them
"Done! All the same... Pardon me for asking, but I'm curious. Whatever do you need this much top-quality Noctilucous Jade for?" Shitou asked in curious
"Hmm. I suppose it would not hurt to tell you. We need them to make implements for the Rite of Parting." Zhongli answered, which makes him surprised
"Parting...!? Oh dear... I'd heard the rumors but hadn't given much thought to them. This... this means that Rex Lapis really is... ...It's hard to believe. Even though the Jade Mystery has been in decline, we have always been under his protection. It is said that when our Lord lost his way while going incognito in the city two hundred years ago, it was a spoon from The Jade Mystery that he had used to sample the local delights. Alas, alas, all things must pass... Well, if this is to be used to say farewell to Rex Lapis, then I shall sell this to you at half the price." Shitou explained
"Are you sure? You didn't wanna even give us an inch before..." Paimon asked
"If not for our Lord's protection, this city wouldn't exist as it does now. No proprietor could earn money off such a thing." Shitou told them
"Aww... I'm sure Rex Lapis will feel your sentiment, boss."
"In the safe hands of the Liyue Qixing and good, honest merchants such as yourself, I, for one, believe that Liyue will continue to prosper as it always has done." Zhongli said to calm him down
"So let's not get ourselves down just yet." Lumine added
"Alright... thank you, my friends. Hah, what's with me, getting all sentimental like this? I'll practically be giving away all my fortune at this rate." Shitou said
"Now that we've made our choice, let's take this Noctilucous Jade back." Zhongli said and ready to leave but
"Hey, wait a minute! He said it was half price, not that we could leave without paying!" Paimon mentioned
"Oh, right, I'm sorry. I must have forgotten to do that too. Let me see..." Zhongli took out his wallet then opened it and there is nothing inside "...As I thought, I didn't bring any."
"Any what?" Lumine asked in confusion
"Mora. My apologies, another oversight on my part." Zhongli told them. Three of them fall down on the ground
"That's awesome." Boboiboy gave him a thumb-up with a blank look and back on the ground "Why? Why didn't you bring any Mora?"
"Hmph. What a strange take on the value of money..." Lumine commented
"That won't do, this isn't some small sum... Oh wait, didn't Childe give us some advance funds earlier?" Paimon asked
"I have them on me." Lumine took something out and gave it to Shitou
"Phew! Have a look, boss, is it enough?" Paimon asked Shitou
"It's fine, just enough for half price... though to be honest, it'd be alright even if the sum wasn't quite enough." Shitou told them
"Well, it's settled, then. Let's take this jade to Yujing Terrace. That's where we plan to hold the Rite..." Zhongli got interrupted
"Look at you, bossing everyone around! You didn't cough up a single Mora!" Paimon pointed out
"Please remember to bring money next time, Mr. Zhongli." Boboiboy told him
"I will do my best. You have my thanks." Zhongli thanked them
"Guess we need to find Childe for more funding." Lumine said with a blank look
"Mm, it seems that we must. I will keep that in mind. Thanks, three of you." Zhongli replied
So the gang walk back to the place where the Rex Lapis was killed and place the jade at the table
"We can leave the jade here. I have already called for a jewelsmith to shape them into the implements that we will need. Ah, yes. I have yet to go and see Childe. So as for the jewelsmith's remuneration..." Zhongli told them
"We'll pay the jewelsmith when he arrives." Lumine said
"Guess we can't do anything else. Also, is this where we're doing the Rite of Parting?" Paimon asked
"Yes. I have already rented this location, and have begun making preparations for the rite." Zhongli answered
"The Rite of Descension took place here, too." Boboiboy mentioned
"That's right. The Liyue Qixing have acquiesced to using the same location." Zhongli said
"But when something this big happened here... should suspects like us really be at the crime scene? We might get caught by the Millelith. Although with that said, since we got back from Jueyun Karst, none of those pesky Millelith soldiers have come chasing after us. Wonder what that's about... Also, the, uh, Rex Lapis' vessel..." Paimon
"Traditionally, we call it the Exuvia." Zhongli told them
"Ah, right. That's what it was called! You seem to know everything, Mr. Zhongli. Um, so, was this Exuvia hidden away by the Qixing? I mean, we haven't even figured out who the murderer is..." Paimon told him "One must think that they already have someone in mind. Or perhaps they already know. Surely they must have found all the evidence that there is to find here."
"It still feels very odd." Lumine commented
"These things are for the authorities in Yujing Terrace to consider. Trying to help would probably only add to their troubles. Before the Rite is conducted, the Exuvia will be kept temporarily in the Golden House." Zhongli explained
"Golden House?" three of them asked
"The only mint in Liyue... which is to say the only mint in Teyvat. All the Mora that flows throughout the world is minted there." Zhongli answered
"Wow— No, Paimon wasn't thinking about anything bad. Paimon thinks it suits Morax." Paimon waved her hands "But why do you know this, Mr. Zhongli?"
"Since the Rite of Parting has the approval of the Qixing, it is a semi-official event. As such, there is already some limited information available." Zhongli added
"The Qixing provide the location, and Childe the funds..."
"They must have some ulterior motive..."
"Perhaps each has their motives... but this is the capital of commerce. A little exploitation once in a while is not unacceptable. In Liyue, where the God of Contracts reigns, only contracts may not be betrayed. I for one have no issue with little maneuvers outside their remit. Well then, we should go and prepare the perfumes used in the Rite." Zhongli said
"Perfumes? Where'll we get those? Do we buy them?" Paimon asked
"No, perfumes used to honor the gods must be freshly decocted. The quality of the Silk Flowers we require is also special. Silk Flower petals contain a fibrous material of good quality, often used in brocade-making. Its scent, however, is most elegant, and is especially suited for solemn events like giving offerings to gods and adepti." Zhongli explained
"It's time for Zhongli's lectures on high society again..." Paimon said with a blank look
"We shall not speak of the details right now. Follow me, we shall go to the merchants to purchase our ingredients." Zhongli told them as they follow him to buy some Silk Flowers.
So their journey is continued to help Zhongli in the Rite of Parting. So find out next on Boboiboy x Genshin impact
Martinthegamer: Hey guys, sorry for uploading the next chapter. Also, Boboiboy just got a new power. It's Boboiboy Tempest, the third tier of wind element. Boboiboy Tempest looks so cool.
Also, there is something else. I have an idea to create another story. It is Ejen Ali in Remnant, a crossover between Ejen Ali x RWBY. Should I make it? Then you guys vote yes or no.
If yes then I'm telling you something. I'm not ready to make it yet. I already knew much about Ejen Ali. But RWBY, is not ready. I only watch RWBY Volume2. I need to study about them more so I can make it
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