"Sorry, Qiqi… we couldn't find the half-adeptus beast, the Cocogoat…"
Paimon and the others returned to report their results.
"We searched for quite some time, but there was no sign of a Cocogoat," Zhongli added calmly.
Hearing this, Qiqi visibly wilted.
"…Very disappointed… it's okay… but still very disappointed…"
She waved her hand weakly, her tone filled with genuine dejection.
Even Paimon felt a twinge of guilt at the sight.
At that moment, Guizhong stepped forward and asked gently,
"May I ask—what exactly is this Cocogoat milk you're talking about?"
Qiqi nodded and pulled out a carton from the cabinet.
"Good milk… Coconut Milk."
Paimon: "..."
Zhongli and the others froze in shock.
Only Cael was desperately holding back laughter.
Guizhong wiped imaginary sweat from her forehead and smiled awkwardly.
"Sorry, Qiqi… but Coconut Milk isn't milk squeezed from a Cocogoat. It's made from coconuts—fruit from coconut trees. So there really isn't such a thing as Cocogoat milk."
The words landed like a hammer.
Paimon stared wide-eyed.
"Guizhong actually said it straight out… no mercy at all!"
Qiqi stood there stunned, as if her entire worldview had collapsed.
"Uh…" She scratched her head slowly.
"Never mind… anyway, Brother Cael… will still prepare… Coconut Milk for me… in the future…"
With that, she calmly lifted the carton and started drinking.
The moment she said that—
Everyone turned to look at Cael.
"Cael! Don't tell me you already knew Qiqi was talking about Coconut Milk all along!!"
Paimon pointed at him angrily.
Zhongli nodded as well.
"By common logic, old friend, this was indeed somewhat… inhumane."
"Huh? Was it?" Cael chuckled sheepishly.
"I honestly wasn't sure whether a Cocogoat existed or not. I was curious too, you know."
"Humph! I'm ignoring you!"
Paimon stomped her foot in frustration.
They'd run around all over the place for nothing—and it was all Cael's fault!
...
...
"Oh? Why are there so many people here today? Ah, Mr. Cael and Mr. Zhongli as well."
At that moment, Baizhu returned to Bubu Pharmacy.
He'd forgotten something earlier and had come back to retrieve it—only to find the place packed.
With the owner finally present, Zhongli quietly breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward.
"Shopkeeper, do you carry Everlasting Incense?"
"Everlasting Incense? Ah—yes, yes, I do."
Baizhu immediately smiled and headed to the counter.
Zhongli carefully selected the finest one.
As Baizhu brought it over, Zhongli asked politely,
"How much is it in total?"
Baizhu replied with a gentle smile,
"Two million Mora."
Everyone froze.
Only Cael and Seele remained completely unfazed.
Back in the mountains, Guizhong hadn't used Mora much—but she still knew its value.
In the old days, even ten thousand Mora was a considerable sum.
Paimon exploded on the spot.
"W-What?! Boss, this is straight-up robbery!!"
Baizhu shrugged calmly.
"Everlasting Incense is an extremely rare and premium medicinal item. It's worth that price."
Zhongli nodded in agreement.
"At first glance, it sounds exorbitant. But by common standards, it is actually quite reasonable."
Hearing that, Guizhong, Paimon, and the others all turned to Zhongli expectantly.
"Zhongli… you have money?!"
Zhongli reached into his pocket, paused, then replied evenly,
"I do. But I didn't bring any with me."
"..."
Everyone collectively fell silent.
Simply—
speechless.