Another tranquil day in Liyue, and Charlie had decided to visit Bubu Pharmacy with Vaggie to restock on herbs for tea for the Hotel staff, where she saw a peculiar scene.
« ...What's your name, buddy? Are you here to buy some medicine? Where are your mom and dad? » a man asked a little boy.
« Are you lost? » a little girl also asked.
She had pale skin, magenta-coloured eyes, and light purple hair that was chin-length except for a section at the back of her head that went down past her hips. The long part of her hair was braided into a long plait.
She had several fulu talismans stuck on her. Her attire consisted of a purple frock and a deep purple beret with a magenta tassel on top and her Cryo Vision embedded in the side. She wore a pair of simple earrings, one black and one white. She also wore black heels and white stockings wrapped in mummy-like bandages. Her fingernails were black.
« No, I'm not! Um, my name's Ayu, and I'm here because—» the boy, Ayu, shot back, before being interrupted by Charlie.
« Qiqi? Gui? What's going on? » Charlie asked.
« Hi, Charlie and Vaggie…» Qiqi greeted the couple.
« Ah, you've actually come at a perfect time! This little boy seems to have gotten himself lost. I think he must be new to the city. Probably wandered away from his parents, and—» Gui begun to explain, before being interrupted by the little boy.
« No, listen to me! I'm not the one who's lost. It's my dad! » Ayu shot back.
« What? How? » Vaggie asked confused.
« Well... My dad's always been kinda forgetful. In the past, he was just a little slow to react sometimes, but I'm worried that it's getting more serious. » Ayu replied.
« So... What about your mom? » Qiqi asked.
« She went out a few days ago to gather some herbs for my dad, but she still hasn't come back... Meanwhile, my dad's been getting worse and worse. I remembered that the owner of Bubu Pharmacy always runs a clinic in Qingce Village during the Lantern Rite. So I thought, why don't I take Dad to Liyue Harbor to see him there... » Ayu explained. « When we got to the city gate, I took a moment to ask the Millelith guards for directions to the pharmacy... and then when I turned back around, my dad was gone! I asked the Millelith guys to go find him, but he said they won't be able to send that many people. So then I figured, maybe I could ask some other people in the city to help... »
« Don't worry kiddo. We'll find your dad in no time. » Charlie ruffled the boy's hair.
« Changsheng can help. She has a good sense of smell, like a dog. » Qiqi explained.
« Hey! Who's talking about me behind my back? » an angry white snake with purple eyes, Changsheng, asked annoyed.
« Changsheng, Qiqi meant that as a compliment. There's no need to be upset. » a man replied. « Hello, child. You mentioned that you were looking for the owner of Bubu Pharmacy. How might we be of service? »
He was a tall man with light skin and long green hair, half tied up in a bun and secured with a hairstick. He had golden, snake-like eyes and wore a pair of gold, ornate, oval-framed glasses.
He wore a high-collared, short-sleeved, cropped shirt that was teal and purple and fastened with buttons across the front. His lavender-and-blue pants had crossing white patterns resembling snake skin. Over his pants, he wore a teal sash from which his Dendro Vision hanged attached to a tassel, and a pale blue jacket patterned with a white snake and green flowers, similar to a lab coat, draped around his shoulders like a cape. From his sash, several colourful pieces of fabric hanged on his right, while a long green-and-white adornment hanged on his let. At the back of his waist was a cylindrical green-and-gold container, tied with a bow made of green cord. He wore asymmetrical arm gauntlets with gold details, a white one on his right and a black one on his left. The left arm also bore a white beaded bracelet and a loosely wound bandage. A golden coin on a purple cord sat around his right ankle, and his flats were dark blue, with gold details and purple soles. Changsheng draped around his neck like a scarf.
« You have a talking snake...? Oh! A—Are you Uncle Baizhu? » Ayu asked.
« Pfft! "Uncle" Baizhu...» Changsheng chuckled.
« ...Changsheng, now's not the time. » Baizhu replied. « My dear boy, could you tell me more about your father's condition? As much as you can recall. »
« Yes, Unc— ...Dr. Baizhu. » Ayu replied.
And so, he explained everything to Baizhu.
« I see... And your family lives near Qingce Village, you say? I visit patients there frequently, but I don't recall ever seeing you or your parents. » Baizhu noted.
« Uh-huh... My mom doesn't like meeting other people, especially during Lantern Rite. She always tells me to just stay at home and keep my dad company. » Ayu explained.
« ...Is that so. » Baizhu pondered. « Ayu, by any chance... is your mother's name Jiangli? »
« Whoa! Yeah, it is! Do you know my mom, Dr. Baizhu? » Ayu exclaimed.
« I certainly do... Gui, Qiqi, are there any pressing matters in the pharmacy at the moment? » Baizhu asked. « Ayu's parents are old acquaintances of mine, so I would very much like to assist with the search... Would the two of you have time to join me? »
« Actually, can we help you instead? Consider it a way to repay you for those herbs to brew that wonderful tea…» Charlie proposed. « It surely helped dealing with the stress of running an Hotel….that and keeping Alastor from murdering every living creature with a pulse for fun….»
« We do not talk about Alastor here…» a pale Baizhu replied.
« Qiqi and I need to clear up the shop front first, but once that's taken care of, we'll be right out to help you with the search! » Gui replied.
« Family is... very important. » Qiqi added.
« Thank you. Then I'll leave you to handle the pharmacy. » Baizhu thanked the two. « Charlie, Vaggie, why don't you come with me and Ayu? Let's start by talking to the Millelith guards at the city gates, see if they have an update. »
Xxxxxxx
And so, the four reached the Millelith guards at the Liyue Harbour entrance.
« ...They searched to the north, but couldn't find anyone who matched the description. » one of the guards commented.
« Ugh, well that complicates things. The city folks say there's no sign of him there, either. We need to start looking further afield... but where are we gonna get the people? » another guard groaned annoyed.
« Excuse me, Sirs! Have you found out anything about my dad yet? » Ayu asked the two.
« Ah, hey there, buddy... Dr. Baizhu? What brings you out this way? » one of the guards asked.
« The boy asked for our help, so we're here to join the search. Any new developments to update us on? » Baizhu asked.
« Thank goodness! We were just discussing how we're running out of manpower. » one of the guards replied. « As for updates... I'm sorry to say that we've searched the surrounding area thoroughly, but didn't find anything. »
« The guards at the crossing up ahead said they hadn't seen anyone, either, so we don't believe he was heading towards the Guili Plains... But it is possible that he was bound for Luhua Pool. » the other guard replied.
« Luhua Pool... The terrain there can be tricky to navigate. Let's hope he hasn't run into any trouble. » Baizhu pondered.
« All right, we'll take that area, but after that we need to discuss your abilities to get anything done right. » Vaggie scolded the two. « You certainly don't want to be over reliant on….the mini-nuclear options….»
« NOT THE NUCLEAR OPTIONS! » the two men exclaimed in despair whilst having default faces on.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group reached Luhua Pool, where they found a man near the edge of a cliff.
« OH SHOOT! » Charlie shouted, trying her best not to curse in front of a child as she rushed to save the man.
Thankfully, however, before the man could take a step further, a young girl charged forward, and pushed him back. « Watch where you're going! »
She had a fair complexion; bright scarlet eyes with white, blossom-shaped pupils; faded red makeup painted at the corners of her eyes; and long dark brown hair fading to crimson at the tips.
Her hair was styled into two high twintails parted with a zig-zag pattern. Her bangs were side-swept to her left, the layers framing her face curled inwards and the layers behind curled outwards, with two shoulder-length locks of hair in front of her ears left loose. She wore a black porkpie hat emblazoned with a wooden talisman, adorned with a red plum blossom branch in bloom, along with an indigo tassel tied in a looped knot.
She wore a traditional red shirt with a mandarin collar, a brown coat with a darker collar and sleeve cuffs, and black shorts with gold accents. Her Pyro Vision was embedded in the back of her coat, along with long rectangular coattails, and golden brooches attached underneath her coat's collar and waist. She wore a pair of mid-calf length white socks, red straps with plum blossoms wrapped around the cuffs, along with low-heeled black dress shoes. Her fingernails were painted black, and she wore multiple rings: one on her left ring finger, one on her right thumb, and one on each of her index and middle fingers.
« Dear customer, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor does appreciate your patronage, but you needn't hasten the inevitable! Are you alright? » the girl asked concerned.
In response, the man groaned in pain.
« Dad! » Ayu exclaimed, as he rushed towards the man.
« Hu Tao, thank you so much for saving that man's life! » Charlie thanked the girl.
« My, my, who do we have here? It's Charlie, and Vaggie, and…» Hu Tao greeted the two, before turning to Baizhou. « ...Ugh. My worst nightmare. »
« Hah. I see she still hasn't warmed to you. » Changsheng noted.
« Hehe, thank you, Director Hu, for saving this man. » Baizhu thanked the girl.
« Dad, are you okay? Do you recognize me? It's me, Ayu! » Ayu exclaimed.
« You're... Ayu? Uh... who am I...? » the man asked confused.
« Your name is Jialiang, and you live just west of Qingce Village. You were supposed to come to Liyue Harbor to see the doctor... Remember? Does that jog your memory? » Ayu explained.
« My name is Jialiang... Liyue Harbor, see the doctor... Yes, yes, I'm Jialiang, and I need to see the doctor... Wait, why do I need to see the doctor...? » Jialiang asked.
« Christ on a stick, you're not doing so good….» Charlie noted.
« Hold on a second. » Hu Tao replied. « You're not seriously thinking of taking him to Bubu Pharmacy in this state, are you? »
« He clearly needs it…» Vaggie pointed out.
« Come on, Baizhu, don't tell me you haven't noticed it? Didn't your master teach you how to spot the signs? » Hu Tao asked. « Why do I get the sense that you spotted them right away... but you're planning to use it for your own ends? »
In response, Baizhu remained silent.
« Ayu. Ears. » Vaggie commanded, and right on clue, Ayu covered his ears. « Why the fuck are you Liyueans always so fucking cryptic? »
« ...There are traces of god remains in Jialiang's system. » Baizhu replied.
« Yes, but more importantly, they're on the verge of an outburst. If that happens, the consequences will be unthinkable. » Hu Tao added.
« …Morax, what have you done now…» an annoyed Charlie asked.
« ...There's no need to worry, Director Hu. I have methods of keeping them at bay. It is the sworn duty of all who practice medicine to cure illnesses and save lives. » Baizhu replied. « What reason would I have to neglect a patient in need who is right there in front of me? Besides... it was my late master's dying wish to be able to save this patient in particular. Perhaps, out of respect for him, you could give me a day's grace so that I have time to treat him? »
« Now you're bringing my great-uncle into this? Baizhu... Just what are you planning this time? » Hu Tao demanded.
« Merely to cure this man, nothing more. But of course, if you have any doubt as to my intentions, you are more than welcome to accompany me to Bubu Pharmacy, and monitor my activities. » Baizhu replied.
« Oh really? I thought I was persona non grata at Bubu Pharmacy? You're being unusually generous today. » Hu Tao noted.
« Look, can we just…get on with it? » Charlie asked with a deadpan expression.
« ...Okay, deal. We're not gonna solve anything by keeping Jialiang here. » Hu Tao replied. « I'm happy to do it your way but... only for my great-uncle's sake. And Princess Charlie's, of course. »
« You must be pleased you brought Charlie and Vaggie along. Otherwise, this would've been a much more vexing ordeal. » Changsheng pointed out.
« ...Well, time is of the essence. Let's get ourselves back to Bubu Pharmacy at once. » Baizhu commanded.
« Don't worry. If she tries anything funny with Qiqi, you can have a test subject for spinal column recovery. » Vaggie threatened Hu Tao.
« And breaking the back of a respectful citizen of Liyue? » Hu Tao asked smugly.
« Oh, trust me. your spine is gonna be intact after I RIP IT OFF YOUR ASS! » Vaggie shot back.
« …Please don't hurt me…» Hu Tao whispered terrified.
« That's not how anatomy works! » Baizhu shot back.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group reached Bubu Pharmacy, and Baizhu begun his examination.
« ...Blockages within the cardiovascular system... reduced blood flow and energy circulation...» Baizhu listed all the symptoms afflicting Jialiang. « I see. I suppose this must have caused the cognitive abnormalities. »
« Dr. Baizhu... How bad is it? Can you cure him? » Ayu asked concerned.
« Easy there, kiddo. I'm sure Baizhu will find a cure from…whatever Morax has done this time…» Charlie reassured the kid.
« ...Ayu, do you know when your father first started displaying these symptoms? » Baizhu asked.
« Um... I'm not sure. He's been like this for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't as bad as this when I was still little... » Ayu explained.
« Hmm, so it's been a long time indeed... » Bauzhu pondered.
« Is it bad? » Charlie asked concerned.
« ...No, I have a treatment plan in mind. We can start tonight. » Baizhu replied. « Come and see me again tomorrow morning. I promise that by then, Ayu will find his father healthy and lucid again. »
« Thank you, Dr. Baizhu, thank you so much! » Ayu thanked the doctor.
« If you still have any misgivings, Director Hu, please feel free to hang around for as long as you wish. » Baizhu turned to Hu Tao.
« However, it would be best if you step outside this room. A doctor must be able to focus when treating a patient. Any distractions heighten the risk of complications. » Changsheng explained.
« Yes, of course, absolutely, I'll just go and look at the flowers, or something... But I will be back in an instant at the first sign that something's amiss. » Hu Tao replied.
« Good luck with that operation. » Charlie added, as she, Vaggie, Ayu and Hu Tao exited the building.
« Bye for now, everyone. » Baizhu saluted the group.
« ...Are you ready, Baizhu? » Changsheng asked.
« ...Ready as I'll ever be — I'm used to it by now. Come on, let's get started. » Baizhu replied.
Xxxxxxx
Outside of Bubu Pharmacy….
« Well, at least he's not going to die. Hopefully…» Vaggie sighed in relief.
« Still, kinda funny how by pure luck Baizhu seems to know this family well. » Charlie noted.
« While I'm idling time on admiring the scenery, the spectacled snake-bedecked doc's doing surgery... » Hu Tao cursed herself.
« You wouldn't know anything about Baizhou's Master, do you? » Charlie asked. « Also how did you find out that Jialiang had…let's call them "Morax bodily fluids" for convenience…. »
« Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was first founded to fight back against the vengeful wrath of gods defeated in war. » Hu Tao replied.
« Makes sense…» Vaggie shrugged.
« Well, it is a dusty old tale by this point. Long story short: In the ancient world, dead gods were acting up, so our ancestors started purifying the air and burning the bodies of the deceased to guard the border between life and death... » Hu Tao explained. « These days, we don't deal with the wrath of the gods anymore, but all the relevant know-how is still passed down to each generation. So we can identify gods' remains when we see them. »
« Huh. For once it's not Morax fucking something up… » Vaggie commented.
« Well that explains how YOU could tell the symptoms, but what about Baizhu? He's that good? » Charlie asked.
« He almost certainly learned from his master — who was also my great-uncle. Baizhu's master was my grandpa's younger brother, a former deputy director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. » Hu Tao explained.
« But last time I checked Bubu Pharmacy is not part of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. So what happened? » Charlie asked.
« According to my grandpa, he and my great-uncle once went traveling together when they were young. They ended up at Chenyu Vale, where they met a pharmacist. That pharmacist must've cast some sort of spell on my great-uncle, because after that encounter, he suddenly announced he wanted to leave the family business and go practice medicine instead. » Hu Tao explained. « My grandpa had a huge argument with him, but he couldn't convince him to stay. So my grandpa inherited the Funeral Parlor, while my great-uncle stayed in Chenyu Vale to practice medicine... They never spoke to each other again. »
« I mean, they're both respectable professions, so I can hardly see any reason for a split this severe…» Charlie noted.
« If he had just become a regular doctor, there would have been no issue. After all, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor wasn't unlike a regular doctor's clinic in the early days. » Hu Tao explained. « But according to my grandpa, the pharmacist they met had a very ominous aura about him... »
« The demonic kind? » Vaggie asked.
« Wouldn't be surprised, 'cause the kind of medicine practiced in the Chenyu Vale tradition goes against the natural order of things. » Hu Tao replied.
« Apart from saying "fuck the system", what was so bad about it? » Charlie asked.
« Don't know. My grandpa didn't know the specifics, and you've seen how wary Baizhu is around me. He'd never tell me anything... But even that says to me that he definitely has something to hide. » Hu Tao replied. « One thing I do know about Baizhu is that he's obsessed with the idea of immortality... But whether that has anything to do with what he's hiding is hard to say. Anyway, so I will be sticking around here for now to keep a close eye on the situation. Maybe tomorrow, I'll finally figure out what he's up to... »
« Aaaand he's a mad fucking scientist. Fucking great. » Vaggie groaned annoyed.
« Don't worry. We've dealt with worse. Worst case scenario, we sacrifice him to the machine or give him to Alastor. » Charlie reassured the girl.
« HA! No. » Hu Tao replied angrily. « Not even he deserves…whatever those psychopaths do…»
« Thought you and Angel were buddies at least…» Charlie noted.
« Yeah, but he's still a lunatic! » Hu Tao replied. « I mean, I'm a bit of a lunatic myself, but at least I'm a Liyuean lunatic! »
« That explains…everything…» Vaggie commented.
Xxxxxxx
The next day, at Bubu Pharmacy…
« Dad! » Ayu exclaimed happily.
« Huh… Ayu! » Jialiang replied.
« Dad! You remember me! » Ayu exclaimed.
« Yes, I remember now! Oh, Ayu, I'm so sorry, you must have been worried sick... Has your mom shown up yet? She's... been gone for a while, hasn't she? » Jialiang asked concerned.
« Don't worry, Dad! I got the Adventurers' Guild to help us look for her. And Dr. Baizhu's gonna help too! Right now, all you need to do is concentrate on getting better! » Ayu replied.
In response to that, everyone's face paled. « Kid…who was the guy that accepted the commission? » a concerned Charlie asked.
« Oh, it was a nice spider demon! » Ayu replied innocently.
« NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! »
Xxxxxxx
Meanwhile, in the Liyuean wilderness, Angel charged in a random location. « Sessa gnikcuf ruoy eraperp! »
Wheezing like a malevolent creature, he rushed towards a random Hilichurl, snapping his neck whilst laughing like a crackhead. He then continued to ran forward, until he was struck with the strength of 10 tanks, plus two, by a random Ruin Guard, and was sent flying.
Xxxxxxx
A few minutes later, Angel landed inside of Bubu Pharmacy, his face buried in the ground.
« …No explosions…oh thank Morax, my wife can still be alive…» Jialiang sighed in relief.
« Up yours, commie! » Angel replied angrily. « Damn it, and now the high is gone! »
« Angel! I thought you stopped taking cocaine! » Vaggie protested.
« And I did! I'm taking Cocainum! It's totally different! » Angel protested.
« Oh, I LOVE Cocainum! It makes the best candies ever! » Ayu added.
« Sugar rush? » Charlie asked.
« Hell yeah! » Angel replied.
« Well, at least you won't cause any harm to…who were you causing harm to? » Jialiang asked confused.
« ...You're still in the early stages of recovery, so you'll need to take it easy for a while. Take it slowly, and try not to over-exert yourself. » Baizhu explained.
« I suggest you stay at Bubu Pharmacy and rest for at least the next few days. » Changsheng proposed.
« So what did I miss? » Angel asked.
« This guy had Alzheimer because he had got some dead god bodily fluid inside of him…» Charlie simplified everything to the demon.
« Man, fuck that! » Angel commented.
« Director Hu, do you have any further reservations about Jialiang's condition? » Baizhu turned to Hu Tao.
« ...Hmm, it seems like the evil presence is gone after all. You really did manage to suppress it, huh... » Hu Tao noted. « ...But how did you accomplish this in a single night? »
« Hahaha, that would be a trade secret, I'm afraid. If that gives you any cause for concern, you may continue to monitor Jialiang for as long as you wish. » Baizhu replied. « Though I regret to say that Bubu Pharmacy cannot offer to reimburse Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for any revenue lost in the meantime. »
« ...Oh, come on, Baizhu. I'm not THAT unreasonable. » Hu Tao replied.
In response, Baizhu remained silent.
« Doc? Ya good? » Angel asked concerned.
« Ahhhhh — I've been stuck indoors for too long. Baizhu, take me outside for some air, or I'm going to suffocate! » Changsheng protested.
« Ah yes, of course... Everyone, please excuse Changsheng and myself for a moment. » Baizhu replied, as he exited Bubu Pharmacy.
« …You stay here folks. I'm gonna check on the doc. » Angel replied.
Xxxxxxx
Outside of the Pharmacy, Baizhu was coughing hard.
« Suffering now, are we? Did you seriously expect to cover it up just by putting on a brave face and ignoring it? If it weren't for my quick thinking, they'd all have seen the sorry state you're in by now. » Changsheng scolded the man. « But in any case, why must you keep this a secret from everybody? You should at least share your secret with one person you trust... »
« I mean, ta be fair, I ain't the most trustworthy person in the shelf… » Angel commented, coming out of hiding and surprising Baizhu.
« ...Why did you follow us here? » Baizhu replied.
« Wasn't really buying yer act. So unless ya wanna fall down A LOT of stairs, how 'bout ya quit it with the bullshit and tell me what the hell is going on…» Angel threatened the man.
« Baizhu did not cure Jialiang's illness. » Changsheng explained. « Instead, he transferred some of his own life force to his patient to temporarily subdue the poison in his system. »
« Oh yeah, the God STD…still makes as much sense as Pentious getting a fucking Dendro Vision…» Angel commented.
« ...My predecessors in medicine forged a contract with Changsheng. Every successor to this contract is able to use Changsheng's secret art to treat patients. » Baizhu explained. « I believe the irregularities with Jialiang's heart meridian were likely caused by a poison concocted using god remains as a key ingredient. »
« Huh. Thought he had sex with Morax or some shit. » Angel commented.
« The poison has not been purged from Jialiang's system. Rather, I infused him with some of my own life force using Changsheng as the delivery medium. This will suppress the poison's effects for a limited time. » Baizhu continued.
« Huh. And I thought that snake of yours was just part of yer shitty fashion choices… » Angel noted.
« Hey! I'll have you know that I commanded the respect of even the adepti back in Chenyu Vale. If anything, he is my mannequin! » Changsheng shot back. « I was treating patients with Baizhu's master's master long before he ever set eyes on his first medical text! »
« Huh. A snake healing people. That's a new one…» Angel commented.
« Please, that's enough... » Baizhu replied, before coughing hard.
« …That's a mighty cough there…» Angel noted. « That a result of doing a deal with that scaly scarf? »
« Hardly. Changsheng helps to keep my qi in balance, so there is no great harm done...» Baizhu replied.
« ...Still, Baizhu's life force is not unlimited. We must find a way to neutralize the poison in Jialiang's body, and soon. » Changsheng replied. « Could you ask Charlie and Vaggie if they could lend this dummy a hand? He needs someone checking up on him, or he'll exhaust himself trying to accomplish everything on his own... »
« Sure thing. I'll help out too, if the need rises. » Angel shrugged.
« ...Baizhu, don't you think you should seize this opportunity? You cannot expect to hide this from everyone for your entire life. Time will see that all secrets surface eventually. » Changsheng said.
« ... "Entire life"... » Baizhu sighed. « Thank you, Angel. »
« So, what happens next? » Angel asked.
« The poison in Jialiang's system must have accumulated over a prolonged period. I think I should pay a visit to their family home, and look for clues as to how he might have been exposed to it. » Baizhu replied.
« Ya know where the fucker lives? » Angel asked.
« Yes. I asked Ayu this morning before Charlie and Vaggie arrived. He told me that his family lives in a secluded spot to the west of Qingce Village. » Baizhu replied. « Let's head there together once I've asked Gui and Qiqi to look after the pharmacy. »
« I'll call Charlie and Vaggie over. » Angel added.
« As well as investigating Jialiang's exposure to the poison, we should also keep an eye out for Ayu's missing mother... my fellow disciple, Jiangli. » Baizhu added.
Xxxxxxx
And so, Baizhu, Charlie, Vaggie and Angel headed towards Qingce village, and found the house they were looking for.
« Gotta admit, been here a couple of times, but never saw this house before…» Angel noted.
« Nor have I... and I've hosted clinics at Qingce Village many times in the past. If you ask me... Jiangli was trying to remain unnoticed. » Baizhu replied.
« Was she one of your companions? » Charlie asked.
« She was indeed. We studied medicine together under the same master near Chenyu Vale. » Baizhu explained. « She is several years older than I and also began her travels far earlier than me. As a result, the time I spent studying alongside her was rather short. »
« Supposedly, she met an herb gatherer sometime during her travels and decided to settle down with him. That must have been Jialiang. » Changsheng added.
« Wait, ya never met the two fuckers? » Angel asked.
« ...Jiangli did occasionally come back to Chenyu Vale to see our master, but for whatever reason, she hardly ever talked about her family. » Baizhu replied. « The last time she visited us, she and master had some sort of a quarrel... We never heard from her after that. It almost seemed as if she'd gone into hiding. »
« Quarrel? What happened? » Vaggie asked.
« I don't know. I did not witness the argument myself. » Changsheng replied.
« Nor did Master ever explain it to me. All he would say is that, should I ever encounter Jiangli or her family in the future... I should do everything in my power to help them. » Baizhu replied.
« Doin' yer friend a favour, huh? » Angel asked.
« No. Even if my master had never said anything, it would still be my duty as a doctor to help him. My decision would have remained the same. » Baizhu replied.
« Well ain't ya a hot piece of Saint's ass…» Angel commented.
« Heh, so a few words from me is enough to dispel all your suspicions, hmm? You ought not be quite so quick to relax your guard, Angel... Sometimes, even the "good guys" have their own private agenda. » Baizhu replied.
« Now we're talkin'. » Angel smirked.
« Hahaha... Let's leave the idle chatter there for now. Jiangli has lived in this house for many years — there must be something here that can shed a little light on this whole situation. » Baizhu replied. « Let's split up, but if anyone finds anything, we'll examine it together. »
And so, the four begun their investigation, until Baizhu found something.
« Guys! Come quick! » Changsheng exclaimed, and the three demons reached Baizhu holding a strange bottle with a potion inside.
« Dat doesn't look like pot…» Angel noted.
« Changsheng and I found a hidden compartment... This is what was hidden inside. » Baizhu replied.
« So what the hell is it? » Vaggie asked.
« This is a poison concocted using god remains. » Changsheng explained.
« Is it me or it was squeezed out recently? » Angel asked.
« No, your eyes do not deceive you. I do believe the poison in this bottle is... alive. » Baizhu explained.
« How? » Charlie asked.
« Some toxins act a lot like living organisms... I read about this once in "The Origins and Symptoms of Diseases." This ancient class of poisons consists of "mother" and "minor" lodes, capable of sustaining a connection over vast distances. » Baizhu explained. « If it's a concoction of this kind that we're dealing with, then both the poison in Jialiang's system and this one here are likely minor lodes... offshoots, essentially. »
« So that shit is not the main system, right? » Angel asked.
« Correct. Whoever is administering the poison can manipulate the source to indirectly control the poisoned individual's behaviour and even cognition. Similarly, the poisoned individual will hear, to a varying extent, the call of the source. » Baizhu explained.
« Explains why Jialiang ran off like that…» Vaggie noted.
« Only one thing could've been drawing him there. The source of the god remains used as the poison's key ingredient... the mother lode. » Baizhu continued.
« Gotta say, that whore sure knows how to deal with a husband. Doesn't make much sense why she would even do it, guy didn't look like a wife beater…» Angel noted.
« ...I agree, it makes little sense. On top of that, Jiangli does not strike me as the kind of person who would do such a thing. » Baizhu added.
« Look at the facts, though. How many people in the entirety of Liyue have the ability to concoct a poison from god remains? » Changsheng pointed out.
« ...It's too early to draw any conclusions. We should question Jialiang about it once he has made more progress in his recovery. » Baizhu replied.
« Do you know how to deal with the poison? » Charlie asked concerned.
« Yes. According to "The Origins and Symptoms of Diseases," the minor lodes will disappear if the mother lode is purged... » Baizhu explained. « So, if we can find and destroy the source of these god remains, the poison will leave Jialiang's system without the need for any further treatment. »
« Where do we start looking? » Angel asked.
« Do you know anything about god remains in Qingce Village? » Baizhu asked.
« Best I can think off is probably Morax sperm donation…» Angel shrugged.
« That's disgusting. » Baizhu shot back.
« You collect sperm all the time! » Angel protested.
« Yes. And I'm a doctor. » Baizhu replied.
« Yeah, who more often than not needs me to not pass out…» Changsheng joked.
« I DIDN'T ASK TO BE MORTAL, MUM! » Baizhu shot back.
« Moving on, even the history books have no record of this. The only ones who'll know anything are those old fogeys who've been hanging around here since the beginning of time. » Changsheng sighed.
« I mean, I guess we can ask Shenhe or Cloud Retainer…» Charlie shrugged.
« But where's the fun in that? » Angel smirked, as he pulled out a horn, and begun to play it.
A while later, a dark energy emerged out of nowhere.
« FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS I LAID DORMANT. WHO HAS DISTURBED MY SLUMBER-Oh Morax, it's you. » an annoyed Xiao emerged from said dark energy.
« 'Sup, Edge-Femboy! » Angel replied.
« Edge-Femboy? » Baizhu asked.
« A genetic combination between an Edgelord and a Femboy. » Angel replied.
« Great. What do you want? » Xiao asked annoyed.
« We need your medicinal skills, and since ya own me 20 bucks, ya gotta help. » Angel replied.
« Why would an Adepti borrow money from you? » Charlie asked.
« …I wanted to buy an Almond Tofu and well….I'm what humans would call "broke."» Xiao explained.
« You DO realize that you can get free Tofu back at Wangshu Inn, right? » Charlie noted.
« They were out of stock. » Xiao replied.
« Meh. Makes sense. » Vaggie shrugged.
« Moving on, I sense the presence of evil spirits. Is this why you called me? » Xiao asked.
« Oh, boy. Where do I even begin…» Charlie laughed nervously.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, Charlie told Xiao everything that happened.
« So someone has been concocting demonic poison... » Xiao pondered.
« That would be the unfolding of the events, yes. » Vaggie replied.
« Too often, fervent desires drive mortals to abandon all regard for their own safety... It is lamentable. I now know what you seek. It is true that a god's remains are buried beneath the foundations of Qingce Village. A vile monster known as the Chi once wrought havoc over this land, before it was subdued by Rex Lapis... » Xiao explained. « The land was finally cleansed of poison when Rex Lapis used statues in his likeness to seal the serpent's remains. Qingce Village was founded sometime after that. The seal is still mostly intact. If the Chi is the source, then it must be some of its blood leaking from deep underground. However... its aura is faint and barely detectable. You will need to investigate further to identify the location of the leak. »
« Got it. » Charlie replied.
« I do not like to intervene against mortals unless absolutely necessary. » Xiao replied. « But when demonic forces are involved, things can spiral out of control... If that happens, be sure to call my name again. »
« And just like that, yer out of debt. Wanna borrow 40 bucks? » Angel proposed.
« Fuck off. » Xiao replied. « By the way, just so you know, Doctor Baizhu, immortality may not be the blessing that you imagine it to be. »
« ...I shall treasure your words of instruction, Master Adeptus. » Baizhu replied.
« Farewell. » was Xiao response, as he headed off.
« What a strange adeptus... Rather different from the way I remember them. » Changsheng commented.
« What can I say…he's one of a kind…» Angel shrugged-
« If the god remains are leaking from underground, Jiangli must be paying a visit to a subterranean cave on her "herb gathering" trips. If we can find the cave...» Baizhu pondered, before he noticed someone running towards the group.
« Mas... Master! Master — there's a problem!» it was Gui, panting from all the running.
« Gui? Please tell me you didn't leave Qiqi alone at Bubu Pharmacy…» Vaggie asked.
« What happened? Don't panic, just catch your breath, and tell me everything. » Baizhu said.
« It's... It's Jialiang... » Gui replied. « He was... he was fine one minute, and then... he suddenly took a turn for the worse! »
« Already? How? » Changsheng asked surprised. « Based on past experience, he should have been fine for the next three days at least... »
« ...It seems that my worst fears have been confirmed. » Baizhu said.
« Welp. He's dead. » Angel shrugged.
« Not if I have to say something about it. » Baizhu declared. « Everyone, back to Bubu Pharmacy, now! »
Xxxxxxx
Meanwhile, at Bubu Pharmacy, Jialiang laid in a medical bed, in a rather bad shape.
« Dad! What's wrong? Dad...» Ayu asked concerned.
« Don't be scared, Dr. Baizhu will be back soon... » Qiqi tried to reassure the man, before the door of the pharmacy busted open, as Angel Dust held two defibrators.
« DON'T YOU DIE ON ME, YA MAGNIFICENT FORGETFUL BASTARD! » Angel yelled out, lunging at the men, only to be grabbed by Charlie on her demonic form, looking at him with a calm face but shaking her head to tell him he was not to do that.
« How is he doing? » Baizhu asked.
« Dr. Baizhu, you're back! My dad was doing fine earlier, but then he suddenly started coughing up blood! Now, he can't even get a full word out anymore... » Ayu replied.
« When Gui left, he was still conscious. But now...» Qiqi added.
« ...Gui, please take Jialiang to the back room and prepare for treatment. » Baizhu commanded.
« Yes, of course! » Gui replied.
« Don't worry, Ayu. I will cure your father. » Baizhu reassured the young boy.
Xxxxxxx
The next day, it would seem like Jialiang had recovered.
« How are you feeling, Dad? Are you still hurting anywhere? You're not gonna suddenly collapse again, are you...? » Ayu asked concerned.
« Much better, Ayu, I'm feeling much better. In fact... I can't explain it, but somehow I feel even better than usual. » Jialiang replied. « Hmm? Wait... Where's Dr. Baizhu? I still haven't had a chance to thank him... Seems he moved me here before I came to. »
« Master said he needed to take a quick rest, and asked me to bring you out of the treatment room... He hasn't emerged yet, so he must still be resting. » Gui replied.
« Oh, really? ...Well, he must be tired from treating me for two nights in a row. I don't know how I can begin to repay him for saving my life. » Jialiang sighed. « I'll have to discuss it properly with Jiangli once we find her... Speaking of which, has there been any word of her whereabouts yet? »
« No, the Adventurers' Guild hasn't gotten back to me yet. I'll go check with them again in a bit. » Ayu replied.
« I'll come with— Ugh! » Jualiang nearly collapsed.
« Don't forget what Master said — you're still not out of the woods yet, Jialiang. I strongly suggest that you stay and rest at Bubu Pharmacy for now. I can accompany Ayu to the Adventurers' Guild. » Gui explained.
« I suppose you're right... I'll have to rely on you this time. » Jialiang sighed. « Though, on the bright side, this means I can thank Dr. Baizhu in person once he's finished resting... »
« You…you mind if we gave the doc a visit? » Angel asked.
« I think it's for the best… » was Charlie response, as they entered the back room.
Inside, Baizhu was resting on a bed, completely exhausted.
« ...You're finally awake? Phew. That was far too risky, even with me here to help you balance your qi. » Changsheng noted.
« ...There was no time, I had no other choice. In any case, it was not completely without benefit to myself — I managed to learn something. » Baizhu replied. « Jiangli's design is quite brilliant. She makes numerous innovations that I can learn from... Alas, if only there wasn't a catch. »
« Ya need a moment? » Angel asked.
« They've been outside waiting for you the whole time while you were asleep. Shall we at least go and show our faces? » Changsheng asked.
« …Alright. » was Baizhu response, as he got out of bed.
« Are you all right? » Carlie asked.
« Of course, there's no need to be concerned. I merely had to transfer a rather large amount of life force on this occasion. But with Changsheng's help, I will recover in time. » Baizhu replied.
« Ya know ya can't keep this shit up. Yesterday he seemed fine, but then his organs just collapsed! How do we know this won't happen again? » Angel asked.
« I made an error in my initial diagnosis. Jialiang is in fact suffering from more than one ailment. » Baizhu replied. « ...And as a result, his life force depleted at a greater rate than I had anticipated. »
« …He has a tumour, hasn't he? » Angel asked.
« Worse. Jialiang has a rare congenital heart condition, and ongoing treatment is essential to maintaining healthy functioning of his heart meridian. Left untreated, it puts the patient at risk of coughing up blood and fainting, and in the longer term, causes irreversible damage to the internal organs. » Baizhu explained. « Though it was created from god remains, this formula is not a poison in Jialiang's case. Rather, it's his medication. »
« Had he not taken it all these years, he likely would have died a long time ago. » Changsheng added.
« Never mind, she's not a whore…» Angel said.
« Still, using poison to treat a disease is hardly a viable long-term solution. As time passed, and the poison accumulated in his system, it began to impact his cognition. » Baizhu continued. « Moreover, the longer he relied upon this medicine, the more resistant his body became to it. Jiangli had to concoct ever greater quantities to ensure its continued efficacy, or he could have still perished at any moment. »
« Just like yer first sniff of coke…Once ya start, ya need more. » Angel commented.
« God remains are extremely dangerous to be around, because humans have no natural defence against them. I shudder to think how many times Jiangli has exposed herself to them... » Baizhu explained. « I fear that the situation is just as that adeptus described... In an effort to save Jialiang's life, Jiangli has abandoned all regard for her own safety. »
« I never suspected that even Jiangli would turn to the same path as so many others over the years... Perhaps this is the inevitable course of fate... » Changsheng added. « To sacrifice one's own life to save others... To go beyond human means in order to do the impossible, whatever the cost may be... »
« ...Well, I think that it's too early to say with any certainty what fate has in mind. In any case, I have stabilized Jialiang's condition for now, so our immediate priority should be to get ourselves back to Qingce Village and find out where Jiangli is. » Baizhu replied. « Her regular exposure to god remains over such a long period will have been catastrophic for her health. And given that she's already been missing for several days... I am fearing the worst. »
To that, Angel just sighed. « How much have ya heard of that? »
« Enough. » was Jialiang response.
« …Sorry I called your wife a whore…» Angel apologized.
« Dr. Baizhu... Please let me come with you! You have already done so much for my family. I can no longer just sit here and watch while you put yourself at risk for Jiangli's sake. » Jialiang pleaded. « After all, if it wasn't for me, she wouldn't have had to put herself in harm's way in the first place... I know I won't be of much help in battle, but at the very least, I can show you the way... I'm sure I'll be able to remember, I know there's a spot where she says goodbye to me every time she goes to "gather her herbs." I'm sure I'll remember... I—I have to remember! Ugh... »
« Be careful! If you get too agitated, your blood pressure and stress levels will rise, putting further pressure on your heart... For your own safety, you should stay here and rest. » Changsheng warned the man.
« No! We're out of time! We have to go now... right now... » Jialiang protested. « Before I forget everything again...! »
« Look buddy, ya almost fucking died, ya have a heat condition, the place where ya wife is at is probably crawling with all sorts of nasties, ya can't fight, we can't just escort ya there-» Angel begun to explain, only for pulling out a cell phone and making a call. « Pentious. A guy is dying and so is his wife. We're borrowing the Penetrator. »
« ….What? » a confused Baizhu asked.
Xxxxxxx
Inside a massive cave, the Penetrator appeared out of nowhere, with the group coming out of the vehicle, with Baizhu and Jialiang puking after the whole ordeal, followed by Chiangsheng, who vomited out her whole stomach to vomit out an entire rat.
« By Rex Lapis! The rest of the day is gonna be fucking miserable! » Chiangsheng complained.
« Is that a fucking rat? So you DO eat rats, you overgrown scaly scarf! » Baizhu complained.
« I mean, humans can eat grass. Just because they CAN doesn't mean they WANT! » Angel shrugged.
« GENTLEMEN! » Jialiang exclaimed angrily and impatient. « WIFE! NOW! »
« Atoncesir. » the three replied terrified.
« Where are we going? » Charlie asked.
« This way! » Jialiang raced off, followed by Baizhu and the demons.
Xxxxxxx
Continuing on the path, and killing countless monsters along the way, they finally reached Jiangli, collapsed on the ground.
« Ah! Jiangli! » Jialiang exclaimed, as he rushed towards her. « Dr. Baizhu, how serious is it? Is she...? »
« I can still feel a pulse, but her condition is quite grave. » Baizhu replied.
« I still got the defibrillator, ya need a shock, ya give the call. » Angel replied.
« The god remains here are encroaching on her cognition, much as the poison in your system did to Jialiang. » Baizhu replied. « If we don't eliminate it soon, then even if we save her life... I fear that she may never wake up again. »
« But there's a catch, isn't there? » Vaggie cursed.
« The poison within Jialiang's body is inextricably linked to the god remains here. » Changhseng explained. « ...If the source is purged, the poison in his system will stop having any effect. »
« In short, we cure her, he fucking dies, right? » Angel understood what he meant.
« Indeed. If the god remains here are purged... then your life will come to an end. » Baizhu replied.
« I wondered when this day might come...» Jialiang sighed.
« We're not digging out of this shithole, ain't we? » Angel cursed.
« ...Jialiang could continue to take the poison, which would buy him some time. As for Jiangli... Maybe if we put our heads together, we can think of something. » Baizhu replied.
« It appears to me that she was striving to concoct your medicine for you, right up until the moment when she lost consciousness... Maybe it's her greatest wish that you will continue to take it, and live... » Changsheng noted.
« Dr. Baizhu, give it to me straight. ...How long does Jiangli have? » Jialiang asked.
« The god remains have reached her internal organs. Under ordinary circumstances, I would give her less than three days. But if I were to treat her using a secret art... » Baizhu proposed.
« ...But what would be the point of that? » Jialiang asked.
« I don't like where this is going…» Vaggie sighed sadly.
« Dr. Baizhu... I'm all too aware of the dangers of god remains. You are not the first to mention it to me. If I continue to sustain my own life using this wretched substance, not only would Jiangli have to keep risking her life to make my medicine for me, but I would have to live with the looming threat of these remains breaking out and wreaking havoc not just upon me, but my entire family... » Jialiang said. « ...I know for a fact that I should have died over a decade ago. The fact that I've been around to see Ayu grow up is already a great blessing from Rex Lapis. If my choice can bring Jiangli back... then even if I... even if I... die... »
« …Yer really going for it, ain't ya? » Angel asked sadly.
« ...Hah, after cheating death for so long, it seems I've grown somewhat addicted to life. » Jialiang laughed. « Could I have another minute with my wife? I just want to have... one final moment together. Just a moment, that's all. »
« …Of course. » was Baizhu response.
« Thank you, everyone. And I'm sorry that... I won't be able to repay your kindness in this life. » Jialiang thanked the doctor.
« Godspeed, you magnificent bastard… » Angel complimented the man with a sad tone.
« I've seen many final farewells in my time... but I can never get used to it. » Baizhu commented.
« In the human realm, all things must come to an end... Is it not a fitting end to die for a worthy cause? » Changsheng noted. « ...At least, that's what generations of masters before you have always believed. »
« The path they chose was indeed a heroic one. But when I think of those who would willingly sacrifice themselves for others... » Baizhu noted. « ...I cannot help but think that theirs are the lives least deserving of death. »
« ...When all this began, we agreed that once Ayu was old enough to help you gather herbs, it would be time for me to go... » Jialiang said to his unconscious wife. « If you could only see him now... He took me all the way to Liyue Harbor to see the doctor, and he even got the Adventurers' Guild to search for you... »
« If it's any consolation…he got this. » Charlie commented sadly.
« He truly does…» Jialiang replied, before grabbing a bottle of medicine by Jiangli's side, and breaking it. « I've said my goodbyes. My time has come... Do what you must. »
« As you wish. » Baizhu replied, as he destroyed the mother lode, the purple aura from the broken bottle disappearing.
Seconds later, Jialiang collapsed.
Xxxxxxx
« ...Jialiang... Jialiang! » the voices of Ayu and Jiangli were the ones that awoke a passed out Jialiang, who awoke shocked.
« Dad! Are you awake? » a concerned Ayu asked.
« Uh... Jiangli... Ayu? » Jialiang asked confused, awakening in the back room of Bubu Pharmacy, his body covered in sigils. « ...Didn't I... Hm? What are... these? »
« Hello, my dear death survivor! How does it feel to meet death and having a chance to slap it right in the face! » it was the voice of Alastor, holding a microphone right in front of Jialiang's face.
« Slap death in the face-what the hell are you talking about!? » Jialiang asked confused.
« As things stand now, you're more akin to a zombie than a human. » Baizhu explained.
« ...I'm a zombie? » Jialiang asked confused.
« That's right. Before we set off, I asked Qiqi to prepare an... Elixir of Immortality. With its help, you have been suspended in the space between life and death. Of course, this is but a crude imitation of an adeptus art. I don't expect it to extend your life indefinitely. » Baizhu explained. « Whether it will keep you alive for a few days, a few months, or a few years... I am as interested as you to find out. But however long you have left, I believe it should be more than sufficient time for you to say your final goodbyes before departing the world in peace. »
« I would had loved to have caused NEVERENDING SUFFERING to Cloud Retainer in order to give you the real deal, but unfortunately the complains of a certain juvenile has prevented that arrangement! As a punishment for her imprudence, I'm going to MASS PRODUCE HER ! » Alastor pointed at a grumpy Hu Tao just sitting on a nearby table.
« What does that even mean!?» a desperate Hu Tao asked.
« That's the thing about life, my dear juvenile! Sometimes you get MASS PRODUCED ! » Alastor replied.
« Also, an "Elixir of Immortality"? How'd you cook that up? Ugh, leave it to you to work on something like that behind my back... » Hu Tao turned towards Baizhu.
« It's a work in progress that hardly lives up to its name. And it would have had no effect were it not for Jialiang's iron will. In the end, I am merely a doctor. I understand very little of the great principles governing life and death, and the perpetual cycle of yin and yang. » Baizhu replied. « All I know is that if I'm presented with a life that deserves to be saved, I will do everything in my power to save them. And even this would have counted for nothing without Director Hu's assistance... After all, did you not tell Jialiang to show us the way before we set off for Qingce Village? »
« Oops, aaaand I'm busted. » Hu Tao shrugged.
« Without Director Hu nudging things in the right direction, we may not have found Jiangli in time. » Baizhu explained.
« Better luck next time, my dear NOT-16 years old! » Angel joked.
« No wonder he didn't mention the elixir back then. Hmph, I thought he was being frank and transparent with me for once, but apparently not... » Hu Tao complained.
« Ahem... Hehe, Director Hu told me to keep her suggestion a secret. But it seems nothing escapes Dr. Baizhu's attention. » Jialiang explained.
« Hehehe, never underestimate a serpent's sense of smell! » Changsheng joked.
« ...All I wanted was to help Jialiang find his missing wife as soon as possible, so that he could be on his way to the afterlife without any unfulfilled wishes making the journey more difficult than it needs to be... » Hu Tao explained. « Leave it to Bubu Pharmacy to snatch the perfect opportunity right outta my hands at the last hurdle! Never mind, I'll just have to put it down in the books as a deferred consideration. »
« Cope and seethe, my dear juvenile! » Alastor poked her cheek.
« One Qiqi was enough of a conundrum, the last thing I need's another one... If I'd known this was coming, I'd have whisked him off to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor the moment I found him... » Hu Tao sighed.
« Y—You stay away from my dad! When I grow up, I'm gonna become an even better doctor than Mom and Baizhu, and cure Dad for good! » Ayu protested.
« Ooh, is that right? Well, you wouldn't be the first person who's tried to put Wangsheng Funeral Parlor out of business. If you're serious about it, you'll have your work cut out for you. » Hu Tao ruffled the boy's hair.
« Well, it has been entertaining to join the likes of you for this occasion, but I have to hurry, for not only I have to MASS PRODUCE our dear juvenile Hu Tao here, but I also need to escape from the wrath of a particularly old and pissed Archon! » Alastor explained.
« …Alastor what did you do? » Charlie asked terrified.
« Notimetoexplainthatsallfolks! » Alastor said, before disappearing out of sight.
Suddenly, the roof of Bubu Pharmacy was shattered, only to reveal a very angry Morax in dragon form.
« ALASTOR! I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU FIVE ACROSS THE A-Oh, hello, people of Liyue. You wouldn't happen to have seen an asshole around here? » Morax asked.
« He was here…but he disappeared out of nowhere…» a terrified Charlie replied.
« Well he can't have gone too far. Have a good day, people of Liyue. » Morax replied, as he resumed the search.
A short silence followed that.
« Is it me, or does he sound like Mr. Zhongli? » Hu Tao asked confused.
« Hey, does this herb give memory loss? » Angel asked Baizhou nervously, as he grabbed a jar of herbs.
« Yes. Why? » Baizhou asked confused, only for Angel to break the jar and tossing the herbs on everyone's face, safe for Charlie and Vaggie.
« …Wait, what happened? » a confused Baizhu asked, having forgotten what just happened. « HOLY SHIT THERE'S A CRATER ON THE ROOF! »
« …The Futa did it…» Angel replied.
« Great, not even Bubu Pharmacy is safe from those damn Fatui… » Jialiang cursed.
« You take commissions? » Baizhu asked.
« Bitchin'. » Angel replied.
Xxxxxxx
Many thanks to Inanna for many of the suggestions for this chapter.
I hope you enjoy this new chapter! Please review so I can know your opinion. I'm willing to accept suggestions for what is going to happen, so stay tuned! Also, remember to like and follow, if you want!
See you to the next update!