[Title]: the travels of shi po chen · part two: Lord Jueyun Chili and Ten Boxes Half Price
[Author]: Lovia
[Text]:
On that day, the Geo Archon of Liyue, who had adopted the alias 'Zhongli' Childe, strolled into the market. Feeling the bustle of the city and the gentle breeze on his face, a sudden thought arose in his heart: he wished to go to Storyteller's place to listen to stories and savor tea.
Halfway there, he saw a crowd gathered in front of a newly opened balm shop, bustling with activity. It turned out the store was celebrating its grand opening by offering a massive discount: their special "Silk Flower Balm" was half price when purchasing ten boxes.
Zhongli Childe stopped to watch, observing that the balm was packaged in small glass boxes. Its texture was smooth and lustrous, and the scent was clear, distant, and long-lasting—truly a high-quality product.
After a slight pause for thought, he said to the shopkeeper, "This balm is excellent. Please pack some for me."
The shopkeeper, seeing that this consultant possessed extraordinary bearing and elegant attire, knew he had encountered a major customer. He quickly smiled and asked, "How many boxes would the customer like?"
Zhongli Childe pondered briefly, then calmly replied, "Just pack them."
The shopkeeper complied and began packing the boxes: one box, five boxes, ten boxes... By the time he reached twenty boxes, the shopkeeper was beaming.
However, Zhongli Childe still showed no intention of stopping.
When they reached fifty boxes, the shopkeeper's movements slowed, and sweat appeared on his brow.
Upon reaching over ninety boxes, the shopkeeper finally couldn't hold back. Wiping his sweat, he asked, "C-Childe... is this enough? A normal family can use one box for over a year..."
Zhongli Childe raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly puzzled: "Does your store not have the 'Ten Boxes Half Price' contract? If so, why not pack a hundred boxes? By extension, wouldn't a thousand boxes be even more cost-effective? If accumulated indefinitely, there would eventually be a time when they are free."
Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper's face turned ashen. He frantically waved his hands and said, "The customer must be joking! This, this 'Ten Boxes Half Price' means that for every ten boxes purchased, those ten boxes receive a half-price discount, it doesn't accumulate until they become free!"
Zhongli Childe realized upon hearing this. He sighed lightly, seemingly regretful: "I see... The commercial laws of the mortal realm are quite meticulous."
He pondered for a moment, then said, "In that case, I shall take one hundred boxes."
The shopkeeper was dumbfounded and could only tremblingly pack the hundred boxes of balm into an exquisite wooden crate.
Zhongli Childe calmly recorded the purchase, just as before, charging the bill to the Seven Stars of Liyue without the slightest hesitation.
Afterward, he lifted the wooden crate, which weighed over a hundred catties, with a single hand and calmly walked away, leaving the shopkeeper and the onlookers staring at each other.
The hundred boxes of balm were stacked inside the side chamber where Zhongli Childe was temporarily residing. The fragrance permeated the rafters and beams, lingering for three days.
Wang Xiaomei, the secretary of the Seven Stars of Liyue, passed by, sneezing repeatedly. She asked with a smile, "Are you planning to sell balm?"
Only then, faced with the room full of balm, did Zhongli Childe suddenly realize he had purchased too much. Suddenly, a Khvarena of inspiration struck him, and he personally carried the balm toward Jueyun Karst.
First, he delivered some to Mt. Aocang. Cloud Retainer was watching the clouds in front of her dwelling. Seeing Zhongli arrive, she greeted him happily.
Zhongli took out several boxes of balm and said, "I happened upon a fine product and specifically came to share it with the True Lord."
Cloud Retainer was not usually fond of such mundane mortal objects, but seeing the exquisite packaging and the fact that Zhongli personally delivered it, she accepted it with reserved grace.
Zhongli Childe then went on to visit Water-Guiding, Mountain-Stacking Adeptus, Moon Carver, and other old friends, distributing the balm to each of them.
Although the The Adepti felt this item was rather unexpected, seeing Lord Rex Lapis personally deliver it, they all accepted it respectfully.
When Conqueror of Demons Xiao received the gift, he was stunned for a long time, and the hand holding the box trembled slightly.
Below is a detailed record of the The Adepti receiving the balm:
When Cloud Retainer received it, she couldn't help but cock her crane neck, letting out a soft, questioning cry: "Oh? When did you... learn such calculating promotional methods from mortals? And 'Ten Boxes Half Price'?"
When Moon Carver received it, he was currently in human form sipping tea. Hearing this, he nearly choked, shaking his head with a wry smile: "...*Cough*, this action by my old friend is certainly original."
Water-Guiding, Mountain-Stacking Adeptus, studied the balm for a long time, muttering, "What exactly is this item used to maintain?"
Meanwhile, a certain young Adeptus held the balm handed to him by Zhongli Childe, his face first showing astonishment, then silently accepting the box.
After Zhongli Childe left, the young Adeptus looked toward Liyue Harbor, remaining silent for a long time. Finally, he whispered, "Lord Rex Lapis... as long as you are happy."
Only Streetward Rambler, upon receiving the item, chuckled and said to his young apprentice beside him, "See? I told you this old fellow would gain insight from shopping, didn't I? He even managed to catch the 'Ten Boxes Half Price' deal. That's good; the money saved is enough for him to watch two more plays."
Since then, whenever the Adepti gathered in Jueyun Karst, a highly similar, soothing scent of Silk Flower would occasionally permeate the air.
The Adepti all understood tacitly, simply saying it was a "kind gesture" from a certain Lord. Although the usage was slightly extravagant, no one pointed it out... After Zhongli Childe distributed the balm to the The Adepti, twenty boxes still remained.
He carried these remaining balms alone and walked to a quiet, secluded mountainside outside Liyue Harbor.
There stood a blank stele, quietly positioned beneath an ancient pine tree, surrounded by flourishing wildflowers and gentle breezes.
He gently brushed the fallen leaves from the stone steps and carefully placed ten boxes of balm in front of the stele, arranging them neatly.
After a long silence, he spoke softly: "This new balm recently appeared in the market. They say it can preserve one's appearance and retain fragrance... I remember you always loved trying these things."
The breeze swept past, and the pine needles rustled lightly, as if responding.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. He continued, "The The Adepti all received a share... these were specially saved for you. Although I know you no longer need these mortal items, whenever I see something new, I always want you to see it too."
The setting sun cast his shadow long. He stood silently before the grave for a moment longer, his gaze gentle as water, and finally whispered, "When I have leisure, I will tell you more about the recent interesting events."
Having spoken, he bowed slightly, turned, and departed, his robes fluttering gently.
Behind him, the blank stele bathed in the evening light, quiet and peaceful. The fragrance lingered in front of the stele, seemingly present yet intangible.
Not until his figure vanished at the end of the mountain path did a gust of wind pass by, causing several golden maple leaves to drift down from the nearby tree, gently covering the balm boxes, glittering like Mora.
(End)