"So… instead of selling coffins, you're saying I should sell land?"
After hearing Idris's suggestion, Hu Tao's eyes lit up almost instantly, her mind already racing.
That actually made a lot of sense.
If she marketed graves and tombstones as real estate, it would still be somewhat taboo—but far more acceptable than constantly pushing discussions about life and death.
As for whether the words were harsh?
So what?
As long as the sales worked and Wangsheng Funeral Parlor made money, that was all that mattered.
And it wasn't betraying her roots either—selling land was still, at its core, promoting Wangsheng's services.
The more she thought about it, the happier Hu Tao became.
"Grand Sage Idris, you really are a genius!"
"To think you'd come up with something like this!"
"If I'm selling land instead, people might actually listen!"
"After all, the place you rest after death is still your piece of land!"
Idris nodded calmly.
"Exactly."
"And you can even throw in a bit of sharp sarcasm."
"Something like—'If you lived your whole life without a place to call home, are you planning to keep wandering even underground?'"
"Lines like that."
"Sure, maybe only ten percent will actually bite—but that's still a much better success rate than whatever random shouting you were doing just now."
"Mhm! Mhm!"
Hu Tao nodded repeatedly, listening like a well-behaved student.
If Zhongli were here, he'd probably be staring in disbelief.
After all, it was hard to imagine Hu Tao—fearless, overactive, and usually impossible to rein in—listening so obediently to anyone.
Truly, one thing restrained another.
After explaining for a while, Idris noticed Hu Tao was still pressed up against him.
He sighed helplessly.
"So… Miss Hu Tao, could you let go now?"
"You're holding onto me like this—I can't even walk."
And with Wangsheng's completely flat physique pressed against him, there was absolutely no unnecessary softness to be felt…
After finishing their tour of Liyue Harbor's liveliest streets, Idris prepared to leave the city.
Hu Tao finally flushed and released him, scratching her cheek awkwardly.
"Sorry! I got too excited and held on a bit too long…"
"You don't mind… right?"
"It's fine," Idris replied casually.
"But I'm heading to Bubu Pharmacy now."
"You don't have another excuse to stop me, do you?"
"Hehe—nope, none at all!"
"Have a pleasant journey, Grand Sage!"
Hu Tao waved enthusiastically.
She had new promotional ideas to test—there was work to do.
Idris and Nahida slipped away smoothly.
Once Hu Tao was out of sight, Nahida looked up at Idris with admiration shining in her eyes.
"Grand Sage Idris, your ideas really never run dry."
"Sometimes I honestly want to crawl into your head and see what's inside."
Idris rolled his eyes.
"You've already caused enough trouble in my dreams."
"Planning to mess with my thoughts next?"
Nahida stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Of course not! I'm just joking."
They continued walking and soon arrived at Bubu Pharmacy.
Inside, the owner himself happened to be present.
Baizhu smiled as he greeted Idris.
"What an honor—Grand Sage Idris."
"I've heard your name many times, but this is our first meeting."
"How's business?" Idris asked.
"Excellent," Baizhu replied.
"Thanks to the grafted medicinal plants and your superior pills, our sales have increased significantly."
"That said… I was wondering—could your alchemists perhaps develop a pill that extends lifespan?"
"I believe demand would be immense."
Idris shrugged.
"That depends on whether the Akademiya's alchemists want to bother."
"As for me, I have no interest in refining pills that only increase lifespan."
Knowing Baizhu's circumstances, Idris understood his motive—but such low-tier pills weren't worth his time.
Baizhu didn't mind.
For him, even hope was already a miracle.
After that, Baizhu introduced Idris to his staff—especially one small, forgetful zombie.
"Qiqi," he said gently, "this is the true behind-the-scenes major shareholder of Bubu Pharmacy—Grand Sage Idris."
"You must remember him."
"In case I'm ever away gathering herbs."
The little zombie blinked.
"Idris… Grand Sage…"
"Someone I don't know… and don't see often…"
"But… Qiqi will try not to forget."
Nahida immediately stepped forward.
"Qiqi, do you really want to remember him forever?"
Qiqi nodded slowly.
"Yes… I don't want to forget."
"But… Qiqi's memory is bad."
"Even notes don't always work…"
Nahida smiled and shook her head.
"It's okay. I'm the God of Wisdom."
"Let me handle it."
She placed her hand gently on Qiqi's forehead.
A soft glow of life and knowledge flowed into the little zombie.
Nahida couldn't restore Qiqi to life—that would require a creator god.
But she could do this much.
After withdrawing her hand, Nahida said:
"I've engraved this memory deep within you."
"Even if you don't see or hear about Grand Sage Idris often…"
"This memory will remain for at least a hundred years."
Qiqi touched her forehead, tilting her head.
"Then… thank you… sister…"
"…Sister?"
Nahida froze.
Idris also fell into brief contemplation.
Between these two little girls… who was actually older?
Probably Qiqi.
Still—
If they were happy, that was enough.
Baizhu could only smile awkwardly.
"The Little Lord's abilities are truly remarkable."
"Grand Sage Idris, I hope you enjoy your time in Liyue."
"This place isn't very festive, so I won't keep you."
Idris nodded and left with Nahida.
Qiqi watched his retreating figure quietly, thoughts unclear even to herself.
On the bridge outside Liyue Harbor, Idris gazed into the distance.
"Let's go."
"We've seen enough of the city."
"Now it's time to explore outside."
Nahida blinked.
"But it's getting late… are you sure?"
Idris smiled.
"If we need to stay overnight, we'll just sleep in the Serenitea Pot."
Hopefully, nothing strange would disturb them out in the wild.
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