"So it's settled, then."
Taro accepted Zhongli's generosity without fuss.
"How much for the two houses?"
"Not too much," Zhongli replied calmly. "Any special needs or taboos?"
"None," Taro shook his head. "Just living and opening a shop."
"Simple enough." Zhongli thought briefly.
"By Feiyun Slope, next to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, there is a three-story house. Asking price is twenty-seven million mora. With my introduction, twenty-five million.
"At Chihu Rock, east of 'Three Bowls But Only One Bite,' there is a two-story house. Five million mora.
"Together, thirty million mora."
Thirty million mora.
That's what you call "not much"?
Liyue Harbor truly was worth every coin of its reputation.
But money was nothing to him.
"Here."
Taro flipped his hand, a gleaming gold coin appearing.
"See if this has value. If not, I'll trade something else."
If game currency worked, perfect. If not, he had other options.
"Oh…"
Zhongli raised a brow, taking the coin and examining it closely.
The craftsmanship was refined, but that was not the point.
Within, he felt a trace of power unfamiliar to this world.
Valuable, yes. But alien.
Teyvat had already been scarred by the Abyss. Another unknown force spreading unchecked? Dangerous.
"Indeed, not ordinary," Zhongli admitted. "By worth, higher than mora. One coin could trade for three, even five."
As the God of Contracts, he would not cheat.
Fairness above all.
One for five?
Taro was surprised.
But not too much.
Gold coins in YGGDRASIL were abundant, but powerful. Used to buy gear, learn skills, cleanse debuffs, provide spell material, even resurrect allies.
Their utility was enormous.
And YGGDRASIL's lore was vast—World Tree, each leaf a world, a multiverse.
How could such currency be weak?
"Brother Taro…" Zhongli frowned. "This item is precious. But foreign.
"Thus—sell them only to me. I will take all you wish to part with."
"All of them?"
Taro looked at him strangely.
"You're sure?"
"Why not?"
"I have at least three trillion."
"…!"
Zhongli coughed, momentarily flustered.
Three trillion coins.
At one to five, that was fifteen trillion mora.
How many Golden Houses would it take?
Not even emptying Wangsheng Funeral Parlor would cover one percent.
He had overreached.
"…I was careless."
He composed himself. "I will purchase only fifty million mora's worth.
"The houses will be transferred swiftly. But for twenty million, may I ask for more time?"
"And… one further request, if you will hear it."
Fifteen trillion was impossible. But fifty million was feasible.
Though Hu Tao would scold him endlessly for the expense.
He would need to justify it.
"A request?" Taro eyed the coin.
"Related?"
"Yes." Zhongli nodded. "This power differs from this world. Minor, but real.
"If it spreads unchecked, the result could be chaos."
To ordinary folk it would seem like normal money.
But in the hands of an alchemist? Who knew what disaster they could conjure.
"…True enough," Taro rubbed his chin. "If it would cause disorder, forget it. I'll use something else."
He wanted retirement. He did not want upheaval.
"Here, try this."
He produced a staff, faint light glimmering.
"A resurrection staff. Targets anyone, no matter how long dead, even without a body.
"But revival lowers their strength. Too weak, and they cannot be revived.
"If the death was caused by power too great, it will also fail. Assess its worth."
A sixth-tier item. Cheap, disposable.
Better to trade it off.
Zhongli's eyes sharpened, his composure slipping.
"Brother Taro…" he whispered. "This is too precious. Fifteen trillion mora cannot match it."
Resurrection.
A word both familiar and alien.
Even with six thousand years of life, he could not resist temptation.
This staff carried power that could revive all but gods.
How could he not desire it?
Taro smirked.
"This is only sixth-tier. I have higher. Seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth. Even World Items."
"To me, this is trash."
Zhongli fell silent.
His heart stirred violently.
But what price would such a treasure demand?
(End of Chapter)
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