Genshin Impact's Incense Burner of Liyue [490]

“How could I almost forget that?”

Baizhu chuckled. “If you ever decide to mess with Bubu Pharmacy, I’ll march straight to Yujing Terrace and burn incense at the Grand Pavilion to lodge a formal complaint.”

“The way you make complaining sound so elegant... you’re truly remarkable,” Gu Sanqiu replied nonchalantly. He knew full well that if he really did something like that, Zhongli would likely thrash him thoroughly before Baizhu even had the chance to file a complaint.

Baizhu finally set down his tools and turned to give Gu Sanqiu a once-over.

“Instead of finding a proper meal to replenish yourself, why are you here at my pharmacy?”

“What do you mean by a ‘proper meal’? I’m not dying or anything,” Gu Sanqiu retorted, his face darkening at the implication.

Still, he had to admit to himself that he’d come to understand just how relentless a Vision holder could be when they pushed their limits. Even though he kept saying he was exhausted, he was confident he could jump into battle immediately if necessary.

The most severe damage he’d suffered in The Chasm wasn’t to his body but his mental state. Compared to that, his physical injuries felt almost trivial.

The mental toll had already been “cured” by Lord Azhdaha’s fists of love, but his physical state? That was on him to handle.

Though, to be fair, those same fists might have contributed to his physical injuries in the first place.

“Your body’s been pushed way too far. Even with my medicines, a full recovery will take some time,” Baizhu said as he headed to a storage cabinet to retrieve supplies.

“Your family has such a close relationship with the Adepti of Jueyun Karst. Wouldn’t it be faster to ask them for help instead of coming to me?”

“Because we’re buddies!” Gu Sanqiu said with a grin. “I trust you more.”

The snake on Baizhu’s shoulder, Changsheng, shook its head in disbelief, clearly exasperated by Gu Sanqiu’s shameless flattery.

Gu Sanqiu simply grinned wider and chose to sit quietly nearby, patiently waiting for Baizhu to prepare his medicine. He genuinely trusted Baizhu’s expertise.

Sure, he could’ve gone to Yao Luweng for help, but after the cheeky way he’d fought the old adeptus before entering The Chasm, that didn’t seem like the best idea.

Even though Yao Luweng likely wouldn’t care about such trivialities, and Zhongli himself had likely orchestrated their “fight” to implant the Dragon Sigil in his body, Gu Sanqiu still didn’t feel like showing up.

Fighting someone and then asking them to heal you afterward?

No thanks.

High Emotional Intelligence Version:
“I can’t. I’m shy.”

Low Emotional Intelligence Version:
“I can’t swallow my pride.”

In any case, the injuries weren’t too serious, so Gu Sanqiu was fine with holding onto his pride. If things got truly dire, though, he wouldn’t hesitate to throw all shame to the wind.

If he were gravely injured, he’d absolutely go to Zhongli.

“Lord Zhongli! Help! Shield, please!” (Not happening.)

If he dared to say that, Zhongli would likely respond with a [Planet Befall] to crush him into silence.

“You don’t seriously spend all your free time here in the pharmacy, do you? Don’t you ever do anything fun at night?”

Gu Sanqiu glanced at the rows of bottles and jars on Baizhu’s workstation. Judging from how far along they were, Baizhu’s experiments had clearly been running for quite some time.

“Heh. Unlike you privileged folks, I’m just a humble doctor. I have to find hobbies that interest me and don’t cost much.”

Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes but quickly perked up with a mischievous grin.

“Need funding, Dr. Baizhu? If you tell me what you’re researching and share some results, I could sponsor you with enough Mora to open a second Bubu Pharmacy. Sounds like a great deal, doesn’t it?”

“Do you even hear yourself? Doesn’t that make you feel the least bit guilty?”

Baizhu held up the herbs he was preparing as if to emphasize that even Gu Sanqiu would have to follow proper procedures when buying medicine in the future. No shortcuts.

“If I ever decided to share my research, even a tiny piece of it would bring in enough funding from every faction in Teyvat to buy land for an entire nation of medicine.”

“Land, huh? Liyue Harbor and Qingce Village are too central, but how about Guili Plains?” Gu Sanqiu suggested with a straight face.

Baizhu froze for a moment, even Changsheng lifting its head in a humanlike display of surprise.

“Wait—you’re serious about offering us land?”

“I said Guili Plains, didn’t I? As long as you don’t mind the distance and the occasional dangers, it’s yours. Worst case, I’ll personally fund a smaller piece of land for you.”

Gu Sanqiu’s smile didn’t waver. “I’m genuinely curious about your research. And hey, I’m a civilized person. I’d never resort to stealing. So, I’m just asking if you’re open to striking a deal.”

What exactly is Baizhu researching?

Longevity? Immortality? Or perhaps even the impossible—eternal life itself?

Trying to defy a world governed by the principle of erosion, where nothing is immune to wear and tear?

Big respect, honestly.

No matter the direction, anything that touched upon the mysteries of life itself was a monumental endeavor. Even the smallest breakthrough would be extraordinary.

“Let’s just say you’ve earned my respect as Liyue’s version of Dottore,” Gu Sanqiu joked.

Baizhu narrowed his eyes. “So… has my research caught the attention of official channels now?”

Gu Sanqiu raised a brow. “Judging from your reaction, it seems you’re onto something big. But no, relax. I’m here purely out of personal curiosity.”

“Then forget it. I’m not particularly interested in creating a ‘nation of medicine,’” Baizhu replied after some hesitation. “My research touches on some very sensitive areas, so I can’t share it—not even with you.”

“However,” he added, “if I reach a critical juncture, I might come to you for help with some logistical details.”

Gu Sanqiu snapped his fingers. “Deal! If you’re ever short on legal research materials, let me know. I can handle the supplies.”

Baizhu chuckled and shook his head. “I can handle that myself. Come back tomorrow, and I’ll customize a more detailed treatment plan for you.”

“Sounds good.”

---

The Next Day

Gu Sanqiu lay shirtless on the treatment table as Baizhu applied medicine with a professional, serious expression.

Nearby, though, the soft sound of laughter could be heard—from Changsheng.

What in the world? Why does a snake sound so human when it laughs?

Face down on the table, Gu Sanqiu’s spirit felt utterly crushed. Before him sat a tiny girl with a talisman on her face, calmly kneeling on the table.

Qiqi.

“Old ancestor, can’t you take a break? You seem a little tired. How about some coconut milk?” Gu Sanqiu pleaded, forcing a smile.

Meanwhile, internally, he was plotting Baizhu’s demise a million times over.

This is pure payback!

All that talk about a customized treatment plan? Lies. This was just an excuse to lecture him!

Qiqi slowly shook her head and raised the hilt of her sword. With measured movements, she began tapping it on Gu Sanqiu’s forehead, as if knocking on wood.

“Sanqiu, naughty boy. Not obedient. Not good,” she mumbled with each tap.

“Bad boy, bad boy. Tap, tap—turn into a good boy.”

“Good boy, good boy. Pain, pain—fly away, and sleep soundly.”

---

T/N: qiqi is so cute!

This is a fan translation of 原神之璃月奉香人 by 淡白蛋清. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!