"If anyone ever tells me alchemy is easy to learn, I'm going to smash that signal relay device right in their face."
Walking through the streets of Liyue Harbor, Su Bai felt a headache coming on. Despite Albedo's remote guidance, after assembling the signal relay device, there were still a bunch of parts left over.
But when Albedo tested it in Mondstadt, he found that even with missing parts, the device still expanded the signal range. That left him baffled—according to his design, removing parts should have reduced its effectiveness.
After some long-distance research, Albedo still couldn't figure out why. Su Bai had no desire to reassemble the complex device from scratch, so after telling Verr Goldet to take care of it, he had headed back to Liyue Harbor.
Intrigued by the device's strange behavior, Albedo decided to bring Klee to Liyue for the upcoming Moonchase Festival. He'd take the opportunity to study the signal relay device Su Bai had put together.
"Brother Albedo Junior, the Whopperflowers you created are incredible! When it transformed into a knight, I could really feel the spirit of a true hero in it."
Back at Wangsheng, Xingqiu's eyes sparkled as he looked at the 'hero' standing before him, identical to the ones in his paintings. The gaze, the outfit, the aura—it matched the hero in his heart perfectly. Inspiration flooded through him. It looked like he wouldn't miss his deadline this month.
"Haha, you flatter me, Xingqiu. It was just something I threw together."
Albedo Junior, who had grown close with Xingqiu during their time at Yanfei's, looked proud. These creations were the result of his alchemical work—and his pride.
"Too bad the Yuheng won't let me use these Whopperflowers to earn Mora anymore. Sigh~"
Thinking of Keqing's stern demeanor, Albedo Junior sighed. He had hoped to make enough Mora to create a bigger Whopperflower. Now, that dream would have to be postponed indefinitely.
Zhongli, who had been looking at his phone, was also intrigued by the Whopperflowers. Since they were created by Albedo Junior, they didn't move without his command. This allowed Zhongli to pick one up effortlessly.
"I didn't expect alchemy to be so fascinating. Young friend Albedo Junior, I have an old friend who's also interested in alchemy. If you have any basic alchemical texts, would you be willing to..."
"An old friend of Mr. Zhongli? Of course. They're just some basic alchemical notes. Please, take them."
Albedo Junior generously gave Zhongli some basic alchemy notes compiled by Albedo. He wasn't worried about them falling into the wrong hands.
Su Bai had hinted that this seemingly idle Mr. Zhongli might be an adeptus who had lived for thousands of years. Albedo Junior had also confirmed with Albedo via phone that basic alchemy notes were of little concern.
By doing Mr. Zhongli a favor now, he could turn to him for advice on any difficult problems later. A few thousand years of wisdom was nothing to scoff at. And Mr. Zhongli seemed like the thoughtful type, unlike that short-tempered adeptus he'd met at Wangshu Inn.
Silently criticizing the intimidating adeptus from Wangshu Inn, Albedo Junior placed some notes on the table beside Zhongli.
Zhongli picked one up, flipped through it briefly, and put it away. Indeed, it was best to leave professional matters to professionals. He was sure Cloud Retainer would be interested in alchemy.
Of course, Zhongli had no intention of doing the delivering himself—that would be asking for trouble. He'd wait for Azhdaha to come back and send her instead. He was confident that even if Cloud Retainer didn't want to learn alchemy, out of respect for Azhdaha's "persuasive" methods, she would make an effort. After all, her feathers had just grown back—she wouldn't give Azhdaha another excuse to pluck them.
"Sigh, Cloud Retainer, I apologize. For Liyue's sake, you'll have to bear this small sacrifice."
As for Azhdaha, Zhongli felt no guilt. Brothers were meant to be used as scapegoats. Besides, Azhdaha had tricked him plenty of times. Just recently, he'd seen her trying to convince Keqing to use her position to make him, a several-thousand-year-old man, work at Yuehai Pavilion or the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
"I'm back!"
Just as Zhongli was pondering the future of alchemy in Liyue, Su Bai finally returned to Wangsheng. Breathing in the familiar scent of fine wood, he felt like he was home.
"Did something happen in Liyue Harbor? Why are new coffins being made, and with such expensive wood?"
A fox's nose was always sharp. Su Bai noticed a hint of other wood mixed with Wangsheng's usual scent, which piqued his curiosity.
Wangsheng's old coffins had been gathering dust for years—why make new ones? The last time they had made new coffins was during Osial's attack, for the fallen Millelith soldiers. There should still be plenty left.
"Oh, that. Apparently, Director Hu's Wangsheng branch in Mondstadt reached a partnership with the Favonius Cathedral. I don't know the details. Director Hu only said that much on the phone."
Over the past few days, Albedo Junior had learned quite a bit about Liyue's traditions—including what Wangsheng did. He wasn't put off by it; if anything, he found it fascinating. Maybe next time he could ask Hu Tao's little ghost for some research material. He wondered if he could create a ghost-type Whopperflower.
Just as everyone at Wangsheng assumed Hu Tao was busy at work, she was actually holding a staff meeting at her Mondstadt branch.
"Today, your director has two points to make. Listen carefully, and after we're done, I'll treat everyone to a drink."
"Yay!"
"Venti, don't get too excited yet. Let me finish first."
Seeing Venti about to bolt out the door, Hu Tao quickly shut it. To be safe, she used her Staff of Homa to wedge it into the latch.
"Phew. Guess having a sturdy latch isn't so bad after all. Venti, sit down and listen!"
"Ehe~"
With no way out, Venti reluctantly sat back down. Hu Tao scanned the room and, seeing everyone present, began.
"Alright. First, while I'm away from Mondstadt, Sister Glory will temporarily manage the Wangsheng Mondstadt branch."
"Since Sister Glory has some vision issues, the Favonius Cathedral will assign a nun to assist her for a year. Venti, you good-for-nothing—keep an eye on the branch. If anyone causes trouble or bullies Sister Glory, feel free to take action. I've already worked things out with the Knights of Favonius."