Qiu Bai sat in the chair before Zhongli, taking a sip of tea as he gazed at his old friend with a mysterious expression.
Zhongli, on the other hand, looked at him with some surprise.
In his understanding, the dead should not be able to return to life.
Yet, considering what his old friend had already accomplished. The ability to repair wear and tear alone was already beyond belief, he was no longer as shocked by the idea of reviving a god.
He fell into deep thought over Qiu Bai words.
If Guizhong were to be revived now, she would indeed be a cherished old friend, and he would love for her to see the Liyue of today.
But then, he reconsidered the era in which Guizhong had lived and slowly shook his head.
Time passed, and a gentle breeze swept across them.
Zhongli slowly stood up, walking over to the side of Jie Cui Hang.
He stepped forward, stopping at the railing, crossing his arms as he gazed at the distant mountains.
The sun was setting, and Zhongli eyes followed it toward the horizon.
Qiu Bai casually strolled over as well, coming to a stop beside him.
"I'm not so sure… Perhaps, to her, this era is far too beautiful."
Zhongli's voice was calm as he finally spoke again.
The steadiness he was known for had returned, and the breeze gently brushed against the hem of his robes.
After witnessing so many friends depart and watching Liyue change with the passage of time, Zhongli figure carried a faint air of loneliness.
Qiu Bai, observing him quietly, chose not to speak.
"Then think it over carefully and let me know your decision."
"After all, she was your old friend."
Perhaps influenced by the unknown emotions within him, Qiu Bai tone carried a slight weight.
He patted Zhongli shoulder and spoke in a soft voice.
Zhongli mouth twitched slightly at the remark.
"I think it would be better if you stayed in your female form. At least then, you'd be a little more quiet."
Looking at the ever-unserious Qiu Bai, Zhongli sighed with helplessness.
At that moment, Qiu Bai body trembled slightly again.
"What exactly is going on…?"
"Looks like I'll need to thoroughly examine my body once this matter is settled."
"Come on, I was just trying to lighten the mood."
"With how gloomy you look, anyone who doesn't know better would think you're in an emo phase."
Qiu Bai waved his hand lazily, speaking in a relaxed tone.
"E-mo? What does that mean?"
"Heh, you've been saying strange things since a thousand years ago, and even now, you still haven't changed."
Zhongli chuckled, shaking his head as he spoke to Qiu Bai.
At that moment, the sun finally set, and the moon slowly began to rise.
Qiu Bai, like Zhongli, turned his gaze to the sky, watching as the moon ascended into the night.
"Zhongli! Qiu Xue!"
Just then, a voice called out.
The moment Qiu Bai heard the name "Qiu Xue", his head throbbed painfully again.
"We're back!"
In the distance, Paimon voice rang out.
Behind her, Lumine was carrying a large bell.
Paimon flew over quickly, looking around as if searching for something.
"Huh? Where's Qiu Xue?"
Seeing Qiu Bai instead, Paimon pouted, crossing her arms in disappointment.
"Tch, why is it you?"
"Qiu Bai, we meet again."
Beside her, Lumine greeted Qiu Bai politely.
"Qiu Xue already went back ahead. I just happened to run into Qiu Bai," Zhongli said calmly to Lumine and Paimon.
"We had a brief chat."
Qiu Bai simply smiled and nodded slightly.
"Looks like little Paimon has quite the grudge against me, huh?"
Qiu Bai said, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Paimon expression of surprise.
"It's all because you keep patting my head!"
"Paimon head isn't something just anyone can touch!"
Paimon crossed her arms, turning her head away with a haughty expression.
Qiu Bai mouth twitched slightly.
"Tch, but earlier today, I must have patted your head a dozen times—yet you didn't complain then?"
"Serious double standards, huh?"
And then, there was Lumine, now acting all kind and proper.
"Did you forget how you were touching my leg earlier today?"
As Qiu Bai was mentally roasting Paimon and Lumine—
A sudden, unbearable pain surged through his entire body.
"Ah! Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
Qiu Bai clutched his head tightly and collapsed to one knee with a loud thud!
"Qiu Bai! What's wrong?!"
"Are you okay?! Paimon promises never to badmouth you behind your back again!"
Paimon hurriedly flew over, completely flustered.
"Qiu Bai!"
Lumine, seeing him on the ground, rushed forward and helped support him.
"Don't worry… I'm fine."
Qiu Bai gritted his teeth, using his Yang energy to forcefully focus it into his brain, attempting to suppress the pain.
"Old friend, what's happening to you?!"
Even Zhongli could no longer maintain his usual calm demeanor. He hurried over, supporting Qiu Bai other shoulder.
With both Lumine and Zhongli holding him up, Qiu Bai managed to stand again.
Only then did he finally speak:
"Relax, I'm fine… Just a headache."
Qiu Bai rubbed his temples, speaking slowly to the three people in front of him.
"Then hurry and get some medicine at Bubu Pharmacy!"
Paimon stomped her feet anxiously, her voice filled with worry.
But Zhongli, who was still holding onto Qiu Bai, noticed something unusual.
"I fear… it's not that simple."
Zhongli said in a low, serious voice.
He understood his old friend all too well.
Forget the fact that Qiu Bai possessed the body of a god, immune to all poisons.
Even more importantly, Qiu Bai was unaffected by wear and tear.
His strength wasn't just equal to his peak, it had even surpassed it.
So why would someone like that suddenly suffer a headache?
"Yeah! Zhongli, you have to know what's happening to Qiu Bai!"
"Your knowledge is so vast, there's no way you don't have an answer!"
Lumine looked toward Zhongli urgently, waiting for his response.
Paimon, seeing how much Qiu Bai was suffering, flew up to his forehead and gently patted his head.
Not feeling any heat, she turned to Zhongli beside Qiu Bai, her voice filled with worry.
By this time, Qiu Bai had already temporarily suppressed the strange sensations in his body and head, standing up completely.
"I already said I'm fine."
"Didn't expect little Paimon to say all that but still be so worried about me."
Feeling a bit warm inside at Paimon concern, Qiu Bai smiled and patted her head.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he casually stepped forward, leaving Zhongli and Lumine support behind.
Paimon, for once, didn't even care about Qiu Bai touching her head.
Her big round eyes stared up at him as she asked:
"Are you really okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Really fine?"
"Yes, really!"
"You're not just messing with us, are you?!"
"I was actually really worried about you just now!"
Paimon crossed her arms, broke free from Qiu Bai hand, and stomped her foot in midair, looking frustrated.
Lumine, still concerned, gazed at Qiu Bai seriously.
"Qiu Bai, are you really okay?"
Lumine asked with concern.
The pained expression he had just moments ago didn't seem like an act at all.
"I'm fine, Lumine. My body is perfectly healthy."
Qiu Bai reassured her with a smile.
Lumine, however, still wasn't convinced and kept staring at him suspiciously.
Qiu Bai gaze shifted to a large boulder nearby.
"If you don't believe me, watch this."
As soon as he said that, Qiu Bai swung his fist at the massive rock beside Jie Cui Hang.
BAM!
A deep fist imprint appeared in the center of the boulder.
The shop owner of Jie Cui Hang, startled by the loud impact, almost jumped in fright.
For a second, he even thought Qiu Bai was here to cause trouble!
"See that?"
"My full-power punch is pretty strong, huh?"
Lumine eyes widened in shock.
Even Paimon stared at Qiu Bai in disbelief.
They never expected Qiu Bai to possess such strength.
To actually leave a dent in solid rock… with just his bare fist?!
But after witnessing this, they finally felt reassured that Qiu Bai really was fine.
Meanwhile, Zhongli stood beside them, lost in deep thought.
His gaze lingered on his old friend, uncertain what to make of this situation.
=========================
(Author's Note: I went back and revised the previous chapter because there were a lot of issues. If you already read it, I recommend checking it again!)
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