"Haha, excuse me, excuse me. Are you Huai'an Bai Zhu from Bubu Pharmacy? I am the Fatui Harbinger, 'Childe.' If you don't mind, perhaps we can cooperate more in the future... As for the expenses of my companions, I'll foot the bill!"
Before Bai Zhu could finish speaking, Tartaglia strode into the shop and placed a heavy bag of Mora on the counter.
"Hehehe... Thank you kindly, Mr. 'Childe.' May our future cooperation be pleasant. And for this 'Elixir of Immortality,' how about a discount? Two million nine hundred ninety thousand Mora."
Bai Zhu, a man of deep calculation, inwardly despised 'Childe' for disrupting his plans, but outwardly, he smiled cheerfully and even offered a discount.
Ever since obtaining the silver alchemical artifact from Feng Yi, Bai Zhu had spent considerable time researching, finally uncovering some of its secrets.
However, the artifact had reacted with various reagents and was now severely damaged, which was why he was so eager to acquire a new one from Feng Yi.
Alas, with 'Childe' appearing midway, he would have to find another opportunity.
"Three million and two million nine hundred ninety thousand, what's the difference?!"
Paimon felt they were being underestimated. They had already paid three million Mora; what was one million Mora more?
"Hmm... Two million nine hundred ninety thousand... At first glance, it doesn't seem like much, but speaking in terms of common sense, it is indeed one million less than three million."
Zhongli said, stroking his chin with utmost seriousness.
Feng Yi: Listening to your words, I hear your words. When it comes to pointless eloquence, it still has to be you!
However, as Paimon had said, this one million Mora discount was not a significant blow, but it was deeply insulting!
Childe also sensed that the proprietor, Bai Zhu, seemed to hold some reservations about the Fatui.
Bai Zhu: Don't misunderstand. It's not directed at the Fatui, it's just for you...
Tartaglia paid the money, and Zhongli left with the 'Elixir of Immortality' prepared by Bai Zhu. All the materials required for the 'Rite of Ascension' were now gathered; only a propitious date was needed.
Bai Zhu stood at the shop entrance, watching their receding figures. His gaze was inscrutable, yet his expression remained placid.
Perhaps only Changsheng, around his neck, could fathom Bai Zhu's current thoughts.
"You all have worked hard these past two days. To thank you for helping to organize the 'Rite of Ascension,' I have decided—to treat everyone!"
At the crossroads where they were about to part ways, Zhongli said with a smile to the group.
"Ah? Did I hear that correctly? Mr. Zhongli... is going to treat us?"
Paimon was astonished. It was as unbelievable as a sow climbing a tree.
"Hmm? Oh, don't worry. This time, I will remember to bring money."
Zhongli quickly added.
"My pleasure. I'm very much looking forward to what Mr. Zhongli will treat us to."
Tartaglia laughed heartily. He didn't care if Mr. Zhongli had money or not; he certainly wouldn't be richer than him, hence his anticipation of the meal.
"Well, this evening, I'll take you to a port tavern highly praised by the common folk..."
"Port tavern? Is it the kind for drinking?"
Upon hearing the name, Paimon assumed it was a place for imbibing.
"Precisely. We'll meet at 'Three Bowls to the Port,' near the docks. Be there or be square."
Zhongli: Give me some time, I need to scrounge up some funds.
Feng Yi: After drinking, will we have to go out to sea and fight a sea monster?
Hearing the name of the tavern, Feng Yi immediately thought of Wu Song from "Water Margin." Did 'Three Bowls to the Port' have some special meaning?
Or was it a notorious establishment where no one could afford a fourth bowl?
...
In the evening, Zhongli sat quietly at a table in 'Three Bowls to the Port,' listening to a storyteller while awaiting the others.
The heavy weight of a bag of Mora in his pocket brought him a sense of security.
"Ah, you're here. No need to order; I've already decided for everyone."
Zhongli waited for a while until everyone had arrived, then gestured for them to be seated.
"This 'Three Bowls to the Port' is unlike the taverns in Mondstadt. Here, the proprietor will refuse 'unconventional' drinks like juice..."
"Mr. Zhongli, am I supposed to drink too?"
Paimon scratched her head. Honestly, her alcohol tolerance wasn't terrible, but she could still get tipsy after one drink, and it would be embarrassing if she caused a scene.
"Of course. Considering you're a little one who doesn't handle alcohol well, I've ordered you a bowl of sweet rice balls with glutinous rice flour dumplings."
Zhongli nodded and smiled.
Since he was treating, he naturally had to consider everyone's needs.
"Haha, Mr. Zhongli is truly considerate."
Tartaglia chuckled. Drinking was a common affair for the people of Snezhnaya.
In their frigid environment, alcohol helped to invigorate blood circulation and maintain body temperature, so every Snezhnayan could hold their liquor.
Today, he was eager to sample the liquor of 'Three Bowls to the Port' and see just how potent it was to claim that no one could finish a fourth bowl.
"While we wait for the food, you can listen to the storyteller. There are many interesting tales and anecdotes from Liyue; it's a good way to pass the time..."
Zhongli smiled and nodded, glancing at the storyteller not far away, strongly recommending the performance to them.
"If you're interested, I'll continue talking about Lady Ningguang's 'Jade Chamber'..."
Hearing this, everyone turned their gaze towards the grey-robed man on the stage. His rhythmic storytelling, accompanied by sound effects from props, had thoroughly captivated the audience.
"Wow, there's a storyteller here too! The atmosphere is wonderful!"
Storytelling was a unique performance in Liyue, a cultural heritage spanning thousands of years, greatly beloved by the people of Liyue. Paimon rather enjoyed listening to the storytellers boast.
"When we say 'praised by the common folk,' it means not only good wine but also a good environment. However, the 'environment' here means something different from the 'environment' used to judge grand restaurants in the 'Teyvat Travel Guide.'"
Zhongli explained with a smile. Such places, deeply connected to the common people, were his favorites.
"As you all know, up on our port, there are the Celestial Mansions and Misty Palaces. What does it mean to have eyes and ears everywhere? You see, this is having eyes and ears everywhere; this is the vast enterprise established by Lady Ningguang."
"When the sky is clear, and you look down from the deck outside the palace gates—oh, how magnificent! It's the view of more than half of Liyue Harbor..."
The storyteller spoke as if he had personally visited the Jade Chamber.
"It is said that whenever there is a major event, Lady Ningguang must come to the Jade Chamber, dismissing others and bringing only three trusted confidantes."
"Why bring these three confidantes?"
"Ah, it turns out she needed them to organize intelligence and handle documents by her side..."
Except for Feng Yi, everyone else, though they had never been to the Jade Chamber, involuntarily conjured a mental image upon hearing the storyteller's description...