Beyond the Stars

Chapter I: Act II - Farewell, Archaic Lord (Guizhong)

We made our way back to Yujing Terrace only for us to go to a place called Bubu Pharmacy the problem was that it was completely deserted. I wondered if we got the wrong place or maybe got our directions mixed up.

"Huh, the reception is deserted. And it seems kinda spooky in here... Hello? Is anybody there?"

"Welcome to Bubu Pharmacy."

A strange voice called out to us. It almost sounds like a child but there was none to be seen around here or so I thought.

"D-did you hear that? Wh-where did it come from?"

"The reception, it seems..." said Zhongli.

"Lumine, how about... you go check it out, and... Paimon will bring up the rear."

When I got to the counter desk I saw a little blue and purple hat pop up. I jumped back a little but on closer inspection I saw that there really was a child back there. There was a little girl with light purple hair and red eyes. She also had a paper talisman dangling off of her hat too.

"Oh, there you are! But you can't even reach the counter!"

"Paimon, if we're going to talk about height, you ahh..."

"Joke's on you - Paimon floats, so height is no restriction. Anyway, there's something weird about this one over here. What's that talisman doing on her forehead? It can't be... she's... a zombie!?"

Huh, zombie... You know I didn't know Liyue had zombies or rather I didn't know Teyvat had zombies. Something new learned today.

"Welcome to Bubu Pharmacy. I am Qiqi. Once upon a time, Qiqi died. Then, Qiqi was saved by the adepti. Now, Qiqi is a zombie."

"Such nonchalant delivery for a bombshell revelation..." I said.

"Hello... little girl. Do you sell Everlasting Incense here?" asked Zhongli. Things got awkward real quick.

"Excuse me, sir. Did you bring your prescription?" she asked.

"I... Surely no prescription is needed to purchase Everlasting Incense? It's not a controlled substance..."

"Qiqi can get your medicine. But only if you show Qiqi your prescription. These are Qiqi's orders, from Qiqi."

"Orders?" I asked.

"Zombies are limited to acting within the confines of their orders. And somehow, in this case, the zombie issues her own orders to herself. My dear Qiqi, we didn't bring a prescription, I'm afraid. But we do hope that you can still help us find some Everlasting Incense."

"Okay then."

"How did you manage that?" asked Paimon.

"But, Qiqi helps you, you help Qiqi. Only fair."

"Since when do customers need to do favors for customer service staff?" asked Paimon.

"Never mind, just think of it as peer-to-peer transaction. That way everybody wins. Sometimes, in Liyue, the art of the deal is simply about victory via mental gymnastics."

"Go to Mt. Tianheng. Find the Guizhong Ballista. And hunt a Cocogoat. Please and thank you."

Now this is definitely something I've never heard of. "Hunt the what with the which at where?" I asked.

"Guizhong Ballista... I have heard of this device before. It is a kind of crossbow turret, installed on Mt. Tianheng by an adeptus in the distant past. An early mechanical device. Located in Tianheng Pass, it was designed to automatically fire at large monsters, protecting Liyue from external threats."