Early the next morning, Zhongli had already disappeared again. However, it seemed he had informed Hu Tao beforehand, as she promptly took Bai Mo to the Feiyun Commerce Guild after breakfast.
On the way, the lively Hu Tao, skipping along, said to Bai Mo, "Xiao Bai, Zhongli told me about your situation. I heard you want to recreate the immortal delicacy, 'Immortal's Delight,' which was created by the adepti centuries ago, and that's why you're selling gems to raise funds, right?"
"Don't worry, Xingqiu and I are old friends. As a member of the 'Dark Poetry Society,' I've had plenty of interactions with him. Given my face, he won't deliberately lowball you!"
"Thank you, Director Hu Tao~"
"Hey, no need to be so polite! You're now a consultant of our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor too!"
"Next time, I'll take you on a few tomb expeditions so you can familiarize yourself with our procedures. Then you won't have to be so formal!"
"Cough cough... We really have to go into tombs?"
"Of course! With your combat skills, it'd be a waste not to. Unless... you'd prefer to be a funeral director? But you probably don't know the funeral rites, do you?"
"Cough cough... Then I'll give it a try?"
"Just try it!"
As they chatted, they soon arrived at the entrance of the Feiyun Commerce Guild's shop.
As the second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, Xingqiu was often away from Liyue Harbor, either chivalrously roaming the land or training with the Guhua Clan. So, running into him in the city was quite rare. If not for Hu Tao's message, he might have left Liyue Harbor again this morning with his friends!
After meeting Xingqiu, Hu Tao briefly introduced them.
"This is Xingqiu, a struggling novelist!"
"This is Bai Yujing, our new consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor~ Oh, right! He also wrote a novel called Slaying Demons. You'll probably see it in bookstores in a couple of days!"
Hearing the latter part of Hu Tao's introduction, Xingqiu's eyes lit up. "Brother Bai, what's Slaying Demons about? Wanwen Bookhouse actually agreed to publish it?"
"Ah, it's a story about immortal heroes and the human heart. After reading it, they agreed to print forty thousand copies right away~"
"Forty thousand copies?!"
Xingqiu's expression turned even more astonished. "Forty thousand copies—that's the initial print run reserved for Liyue's bestselling authors! For Brother Bai's first book to achieve such a print run is truly impressive!"
"When your masterpiece goes on sale, I'll definitely read it carefully!"
"Hey, flattery won't get you far. I only earned a hundred thousand Mora from it, which isn't even enough to buy ingredients. That's why I'm here to sell you something!"
With that, Bai Mo took out the box of gems.
Xingqiu didn't stand on ceremony and immediately inspected a few of them.
"Fine gems. Though they lack the charm of elemental gems, they're still high-quality. Our Feiyun Commerce Guild is willing to buy them at seven thousand Mora each. How does that sound?"
Seven thousand—more than double yesterday's price.
Though Zhongli had mentioned they could fetch ten to twenty thousand Mora, that would require waiting. So, Bai Mo agreed without hesitation.
"No problem, Brother Xingqiu. Here, there are fifty red gems, fifty green gems, fifty blue gems, fifty amethysts, fifty diamonds, fifty aquamarines, and fifty topazes. Which ones would you like?"
"In that case, I'll take all seven types. That comes to two million four hundred fifty thousand Mora. Does that work?"
"Of course!" Bai Mo nodded. "But there's no rush for the Mora. The reason I'm selling these gems is to gather ingredients to recreate the ancient adepti dish, Immortal's Delight. So, I was wondering if Feiyun Commerce Guild could help procure the ingredients on my behalf?"
"Immortal's Delight!" Xingqiu was equally intrigued. "The legendary dish that even the adepti couldn't resist traveling mountains and rivers to taste? I've read about it in ancient texts!"
"Exactly. I was fortunate enough to obtain the recipe and am now trying to recreate it. So, I'd like to ask Brother Xingqiu to help gather the ingredients."
"Hey, no need to say more—leave it to our Feiyun Commerce Guild!" Xingqiu thumped his chest in assurance. "Though, I wonder if I might have the honor of tasting this immortal delicacy as well?"
"Of course! You can even invite your friends. After all, food tastes better when shared!"
"Brother Bai is truly generous!"
After some more conversation, Xingqiu took on the task of procuring the ingredients. However, he still handed Bai Mo a bag containing two million four hundred fifty thousand Mora.
As Xingqiu put it, having the chance to taste a legendary adepti dish was a rare fortune. As the second young master of Feiyun Commerce Guild, he could certainly cover the cost of ingredients!
Bai Mo didn't refuse but still asked Xingqiu to help gather ingredients from other nations and high-quality Chenyu Vale tea.
Xingqiu readily agreed.
After settling the Mora issue, Hu Tao didn't let Bai Mo leave. Instead, she dragged him straight toward Mt. Tianheng outside Liyue Harbor.
"Alright, since we're already here and the ingredient issue is resolved, let me show you the ropes of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's work!"
"Coincidentally, there's been some unusual activity near Mt. Tianheng lately. Let's go clean it up!"
"Director, what if I said I'm afraid of ghosts? Would you believe me?"
"I'd believe you're full of it! We can walk slowly—if we go too fast, those things might not even show up before dark!"
"Director, do Liyue's ghosts drain yang energy? Am I in danger?"
"What nonsense! It's not like you're being set up for a ghost marriage. What's there to fear?"
"Now that you mention it, I'm even more scared. Does Wangsheng Funeral Parlor offer that kind of service too?"
"If you keep dawdling, we can arrange it!" Hu Tao raised her fist, as if she were about to deliver a cute but threatening punch to his chest.
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T/N:
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