Chapter 48: Hutao: Consultant, fifty-fifty split

Zhongli and Herta happily concluded their transaction, with Herta satisfyingly putting away Zhongli's fur and blood. In return, Zhongli received the byproduct of Herta's research into the blood of the Qilin—a potion capable of extending an ordinary human's lifespan by nearly a hundred years.

Once the trade was finalized, Herta dropped back onto her high stool and continued shopping. Zhongli stored away the ten vials of potions, took his leave from Ye Yun, Welt, and Himeko, and returned to Teyvat. Before he left, Ye Yun gave him a portal device to take back with him. Over the past couple of days, Zhongli had been sneaking in and out through the portal in Jean's office, following Venti's lead. Continuing like that was not a long-term solution, and for a "VIP client," Ye Yun was more than willing to gift a portal. This would make it much easier for the client to come shopping, and Liyue certainly had plenty of Stellar Jades to spare.

...

Passing through the portal, Zhongli returned to Teyvat. The moment his feet touched the ground, he transformed into a streak of golden light and soared all the way toward Liyue Harbor.

Within Liyue Harbor, the winds and clouds suddenly shifted.

"What is going on here? Why has it suddenly gone dark?!"
"I have no idea. Come on, let's hurry home and take in the laundry; it looks like it's about to pour."
"Does this scene feel a bit familiar to anyone else? Do you guys get that feeling?"
"Now that you mention it, doesn't this look exactly like the Geo Archon's grand entrance during the annual Rite of Descension?"
"Gasp!!!"

The next second, Zhongli manifested in his true dragon form, using his divine power to encircle the ten vials of diluted Qilin blood potion.

"This is an elixir of longevity, bestowed upon those who have made great contributions to Liyue."

With that, Zhongli released the ten vials, and ten streaks of golden light shot out toward the streets and alleys of Liyue Harbor. They landed in ten distinct locations, including the Jade Chamber, Yujing Terrace, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Bubu Pharmacy, and the Millelith garrison.

Up in the Jade Chamber, Ningguang held the potion in her hands with overflowing joy. She never expected that the Archon would bestow such a precious elixir upon her.

Standing nearby, Baishi looked at Ningguang with envy in her eyes.

"Congratulations, Lady Ningguang, on receiving the immortal medicine."

Baishi felt no jealousy toward Ningguang receiving the Archon's gift; in her eyes, Lady Ningguang thoroughly deserved it. Lady Ningguang managed the affairs of Liyue with utmost diligence and always had the nation's best interests at heart.

...

Over at Bubu Pharmacy, Baizhu sat slumped in his chair, his arms hanging limply by his sides, one hand still clutching the empty potion vial. Tears of emotion streamed down his face; after drinking the potion, his chronic illness had been completely cured. Finally, he would no longer have to suffer and worry about the flare-ups of his sickness.

Qiqi looked at Baizhu in this state, utterly confused. She gently tugged at his sleeve.

"B-Baizhu... sir... please do not... cry... Qiqi will... stay... with you..."

Baizhu snapped out of his reverie and gently patted Qiqi's hat.

"It's alright, Qiqi, I'm fine. The Archon has just bestowed a divine medicine that cured my illness. Come, it's time for us to head out and treat patients. I must not let down the Archon's high expectations."

Qiqi nodded blankly, ran behind the counter to fetch Baizhu's medicine chest, and returned. Afterward, Baizhu shouldered the box, took Qiqi by the hand, and left Bubu Pharmacy to make his rounds.

...

Inside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao was sprawled out like a salted fish on Zhongli's favorite rocking chair, rocking it back and forth with frantic energy. There was simply no help for it—she was dying of boredom!

Right at that moment, she witnessed the Geo Archon's divine manifestation and the bestowing of the sacred medicine. To her utter shock, one of the luminous rays flew directly toward her courtyard. Hu Tao leaped off the rocking chair in an instant.

"No way! I never thought this director would get a share too!"

Hu Tao caught the potion vial and carefully tucked it away.

"I wonder where the consultant went? He hasn't been back for two days. I wanted to share such happy news with him."

Just as Hu Tao finished speaking, Zhongli walked in through the front doors.

"Director, I have returned."

The moment Hu Tao caught sight of Zhongli, she bounded over, spun around him a couple of times, and looked him up and down to check if he had suffered any injuries.

"Consultant, where have you been these past two days? I was actually looking to consult you about an ancient burial rite."

Zhongli walked over to the rocking chair and sat down.

"I went to visit a friend recently."

Hu Tao let out an "oh," then immediately remembered the divine medicine she had just received. She eagerly pulled out the vial and waved it back and forth right in front of Zhongli.

"Look, consultant! This is the divine medicine given to me by the Archon, hee-hee~"

Zhongli feigned surprise.

"I never expected the director to receive a share as well. Congratulations."

Hu Tao was thoroughly pleased by Zhongli's flattery and patted him on the shoulder.

"You certainly know how to say the right things."

Glancing down at the potion, Hu Tao suddenly had a thought.

"Consultant, let's split this medicine fifty-fifty. Didn't the Archon say drinking a full bottle extends one's life by over a hundred years? Half of it would be fifty years, so fifty years for each of us."

With that, Hu Tao handed the potion over to Zhongli. In her heart, Zhongli was like family, an elder she deeply respected. He had practically watched her grow up and was a close friend of her grandfather. Her idea was to let the consultant live a little longer so he could keep her company for many more years to come.

Seeing that Hu Tao was willing to share half of her precious elixir with him, Zhongli was both astonished and deeply gladdened. A profound sense of warmth filled his heart.

"Very well. Thank you, Director."

This was Hu Tao's sincere gesture, and he had to accept it. As for whether or not he would actually drink it, that was entirely within his control—at worst, he could just employ a few minor tricks.

Hearing his agreement, Hu Tao handed the vial to him.

"Hold onto that for a second, consultant, I'll go grab a couple of cups."

Without missing a beat, Hu Tao dashed hastily into the inner room. Within moments, she came sprinting back out, holding two cups, and planted herself right in front of Zhongli. Taking the vial back, she poured the liquid evenly into the two cups. She emptied the bottle down to the last drop, shaking it vigorously so not even a single stray droplet remained.

Hu Tao raised her cup in the air.

"Here's to us, consultant! Bottoms up! Hee-hee~"

Zhongli smiled gently and accepted the cup.

"Very well, bottoms up."

The two of them drank it down in a single gulp. Outwardly, it appeared as though Zhongli had consumed his portion, but secretly, he employed a wisp of his divine power to quietly transfer all the potion from his cup into Hu Tao's.

Hu Tao drank for quite a while before finally finishing off the contents of her cup. She lowered the vessel and let out a small hiccup.

"Hiccup~ How come I feel like I drank so much? This cup clearly isn't very big, is it?"

Murmuring to herself, Hu Tao brought the cup right up to her eyes and peered inside with profound curiosity.

Zhongli offered smoothly, "Since it is a divine medicine, perhaps it is simply meant to be this way."

Hu Tao pondered this for a moment.

"I suppose that's possible. Oh well, what's done is done. How are you feeling, consultant? Why do I not feel any different at all?"

Zhongli smiled and replied, "The Director is still young, so naturally you wouldn't feel much. As for myself, I do feel a pleasant warmth spreading through my body."

Hearing this, Hu Tao readily believed him.

"Alright then~ Oh right, consultant, accompany me to Wuwang Hill tonight, won't you? There's a ritual I'd like to ask your advice on."

Zhongli settled back into his rocking chair and unfolded his fan.

"Very well. When the time comes, the Director may call upon me."

Seeing that Zhongli had agreed, Hu Tao cheered happily and skipped off toward her room to prepare the ritual implements for the evening. Watching her retreating figure, Zhongli felt an inexplicable sense of sentimentality, much like an old grandfather watching his beloved granddaughter grow up.