Genshin Impact: My villain system is a little different.

Hu Tao looked utterly confused. "What are you talking about? Who's committing a crime? Don't go throwing accusations around."

"Even if you're the next Geo Archon, you can't just falsely accuse people."

"Don't make me go complain to Zhongli about you!"

Facing Jiang Ning, Hu Tao wasn't the least bit nervous. Sure, you might be the next Geo Archon, but Zhongli is your master, right?

And me, Hu Tao, Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, am Zhongli's boss! Who cares if he's Morax? He's still just a consultant at my parlor!

So, Zhongli relies on me to keep him fed. If I tattle on you to him, he'll definitely give you a good spanking!

Hu Tao stood with her hands on her hips, looking quite pleased with herself.

Jiang Ning said, "You're saying you're not committing a crime? What's with the hole you're digging? And that sack you're carrying—it's moving! Don't tell me it's just some sacrificial chickens, ducks, or fish. I'm not buying it."

If it were just chickens or fish, why would you be sneaking around like this?

Jiang Ning crossed his arms. "Confess, and I'll go easy on you… but if I find out the truth myself, the punishment will be much worse."

Hu Tao said, "Fine, go ahead and open it yourself. I haven't done anything wrong, so I'm not afraid."

Seeing how confident Hu Tao was, Jiang Ning started to have doubts.

Could it be that Hu Tao really wasn't committing a crime? Still, to be safe, Jiang Ning walked over to the sack and untied the rope.

Inside was a little girl, but she was different from ordinary people.

Her body temperature was frighteningly low, and her body was stiff. Strangely, there seemed to be a violent energy dormant within her, held in a delicate balance for some reason.

The talisman on her forehead and her clothing suggested that this little girl was… a zombie?

"…Qiqi?"

Looking at the pale blue-haired girl in front of him, Jiang Ning hesitated before speaking.

He had heard about this girl from Yaoyao. She was Yaoyao's good friend.

Coincidentally, Master Xianyun was also present at the time and told him about Qiqi's background.

Qiqi was originally an ordinary herb-gathering girl during the Archon War. She was caught in a battle between adepti and nearly lost her life.

The adepti, pitying the little girl, infused a trace of their power into her body. Unfortunately, the girl became frenzied.

In the end, they had no choice but to seal her in amber.

Years later, she broke free and became a zombie capable of giving herself orders—a truly unique case.

Qiqi was a pitiful child.

Now working as an assistant at Bubu Pharmacy, it was because, in her past life, she had gone up the mountain to gather herbs. All Qiqi wanted was to go home.

But…

Jiang Ning looked at Hu Tao with a strange expression. "So, you're the 'weird adult' that Yaoyao mentioned, the one who's always following Qiqi around…"

Well, compared to Yaoyao, Hu Tao was indeed an adult.

"Hey, hey, what do you mean by 'weird adult'? I'm not some suspicious character. And as you can see, I'm not committing any crime. I'm just maintaining the balance between life and death."

"Qiqi is neither alive nor dead, and she's clearly suffering. I'm just helping her find peace. So, if you don't mind, please don't interfere with my work."

Hu Tao said.

Jiang Ning asked, "How do you know Qiqi is suffering?"

Hu Tao replied, "I've purified dozens, if not hundreds, of zombies. Every soul I've sent to the afterlife has thanked me for freeing them from their torment."

"Besides, zombies are just the result of rogue alchemists using corpses for their experiments. Qiqi must be the same."

Jiang Ning pointed at Qiqi. "Then why does Qiqi have a Vision?"

"Huh? That…" Hu Tao was momentarily speechless. She hadn't thought of that.

Jiang Ning sighed. "I don't blame you for not knowing Qiqi's story… Actually, it's like this…"

Jiang Ning explained Qiqi's story to Hu Tao and concluded, "So, Qiqi is a pitiful child, and one of her wishes is to keep living. Understand?"

Hu Tao suddenly felt very awkward. She had assumed Qiqi was a zombie created by some evil person who had accidentally broken free, with her soul still trapped and suffering.

So that's how it was… No wonder Qiqi seemed so normal, aside from her poor memory and stiff body.

"Uh, I'm really sorry. I had no idea…"

Hu Tao, though dedicated to maintaining the balance of life and death, realized that Qiqi wasn't a disruptor but a victim who wanted to live. She was practically half an adeptus.

Even with Zhongli around, Hu Tao wouldn't point at an adeptus and say, "You've lived too long. It's against the natural order. I'm sending you off."

Jiang Ning said, "Don't apologize to me. You should apologize to Qiqi. And this isn't the first time you've tried to bury her, is it?"

Otherwise, Yaoyao wouldn't have remembered.

Hu Tao looked around guiltily. "Just… a few times."

Jiang Ning began untying Qiqi. As soon as the ropes were loosened, Qiqi "whooshed" behind Jiang Ning, peeking out cautiously at Hu Tao.

Her speed and agility made it hard to believe she was a zombie.

Although Qiqi didn't know Jiang Ning, she instinctively felt safe around him.

"Red… hot… fake smile… annoying…"

Qiqi paused after each word.

Jiang Ning looked at Hu Tao suspiciously, his eyes saying:

You call this 'a few times'? You've traumatized a zombie with such poor memory that she's developed muscle memory of you. What the…

Hu Tao shrunk her neck. "Alright, fine. I've tried to bury her over a hundred times, but something always interrupted me."

Either Baizhu or that girl Yaoyao would show up and stop her.

Thankfully, they did, or else she would've made a huge mistake—one she'd regret for the rest of her life!

Now that she knew Qiqi's story, Hu Tao imagined herself waking up in the middle of the night, slapping herself, and saying:

"Hu Tao, you really are the worst."

"Uh, Qiqi, I'm really sorry. I won't try to bury you anymore. From now on, we're friends. If you need anything, just ask!"

Hu Tao thumped her chest confidently, making her promise.

But Qiqi just repeated, "Red… hot… fake smile… annoying."

Jiang Ning said, "Forget it. It's clear Qiqi won't forgive you anytime soon. You'll have to work on this over the long term… I'll take Qiqi back. Isn't she an assistant at Bubu Pharmacy?"

Hu Tao had no choice but to nod. "But Jiang Ning, be careful. I've always felt that Baizhu, the owner of Bubu Pharmacy, has some ulterior motive for keeping Qiqi around. Be cautious."

Jiang Ning was taken aback but nodded. "I'll keep that in mind…"

It seemed this Baizhu guy had some secrets too… Jiang Ning decided to investigate a bit.

Looking at Qiqi, who was cautiously watching him, Jiang Ning bent down and patted her head.

"Qiqi, come with me, okay?"

Qiqi took out a notebook and flipped through it, saying,

"Qiqi… doesn't know… you…"

Jiang Ning said, "Do you know Yaoyao? Yaoyao says you're her good friend."

Qiqi didn't need to check her notes. She nodded. "Yaoyao… knows… Qiqi's… friend."

Jiang Ning said, "Then remember, I'm Yaoyao's senior brother. We're family."

Qiqi nodded seriously and began writing in her notebook: "Silver hair… Yaoyao's… senior brother… Qiqi's… friend."

After waiting patiently for Qiqi to finish writing, Jiang Ning said, "Can you come with me now?"

Qiqi shook her head. "Qiqi… gather herbs… orders…"

Jiang Ning understood. Qiqi must have given herself an order, and now she was stuck in a loop.

But how do zombie orders work again…

Jiang Ning searched his memory and found the relevant knowledge.

He then issued an order.

Qiqi nodded blankly. "Orders… changed… Qiqi… go home…"

Jiang Ning nodded in satisfaction.

Good, problem solved.

He took Qiqi's small, ice-cold hand and said to Hu Tao, "I'll be going now… You'd better prepare yourself."

Hu Tao said, "Ahaha… Got it."

"And fill in the hole you dug."

......

Jiang Ning and Qiqi returned to Liyue Harbor and headed straight for Bubu Pharmacy.

Jiang Ning rarely visited this place, mainly because he didn't get sick, and no one in his household needed medical attention.

So, looking around the pharmacy, he couldn't help but feel impressed.

The place was filled with the scent of herbs and had an elegant atmosphere. If it weren't for the sign, you wouldn't think it was a pharmacy.

"Ah, Mr. Baizhu…"

Qiqi spotted a green-haired man by the medicine cabinet and spoke up.

"Qiqi? You're back? And this is… Ah, greetings, Lord Jiang Ning."

Baizhu looked at Jiang Ning, a flash of understanding in his eyes, and then bowed.

"So, this is Baizhu…"

Jiang Ning observed the man before him. He could sense that Baizhu wasn't a bad person.

With a Dendro Vision, green hair, and a pale complexion, he looked more like a sickly scholar than a doctor.

And the small snake around his neck… for some reason, it gave off an adeptal aura, though not a pure one.

"Hello… You're Mr. Baizhu?"

Jiang Ning asked.

Baizhu smiled. "If you're referring to the Mr. Baizhu Qiqi mentioned, then yes, that's me. Thank you for bringing Qiqi back, Lord Jiang Ning."

Jiang Ning patted Qiqi's head. "Hu Tao took Qiqi out to the wilderness, and I happened to run into them. Also, you don't have to worry about Hu Tao trying to bury Qiqi anymore."

"I've told Hu Tao about Qiqi's background, and she's realized her mistake."

Baizhu was surprised but then smiled. "That's a relief. Director Hu can be quite… troublesome."

Jiang Ning glanced at the white snake around Baizhu's neck. "You… can talk, right?"

The snake said, "Hmm, you've got a good eye. I'm Changsheng. Most humans scream when they see me talk."

"Changsheng, don't be rude…" Baizhu said helplessly.

Changsheng replied, "What's the big deal? This guy seems pretty easygoing."

Jiang Ning said, "I don't mind small things like that… But your relationship is quite unusual."

Jiang Ning narrowed his eyes, studying Changsheng and Baizhu.

The more he looked, the more intrigued he became.

The two seemed to share some kind of life contract.

It was as if Baizhu was drawing something from Changsheng, while Changsheng needed Baizhu's lifespan.

As the heir to the God of Contracts, Jiang Ning could see it clearly. Moreover, this contract seemed to have the shadow of his master, Zhongli, behind it—either witnessed or tacitly approved by him.

Logically, this should be a rather sinister contract. Why would Zhongli allow it?

Baizhu said, "You've noticed? This is a symbiotic contract between Changsheng and me… But I can't say more."

Jiang Ning didn't press further. If he really wanted to know, he could just ask Zhongli later.

Besides, from the aura he sensed, there was no evil intent—just compassion, kindness, and determination…

As for Baizhu taking care of Qiqi, Jiang Ning decided not to interfere.

Yaoyao had no issues with it, and none of the adepti in Liyue Harbor had raised any objections.

It should be fine.

Since Qiqi was a girl saved by the adepti back then, they wouldn't have entrusted her to someone with ill intentions.

"Alright, Qiqi, I'll be going now. Come visit me sometime."

Jiang Ning bent down and patted Qiqi's head.

"Mm… You are…" Qiqi looked at Jiang Ning, trying to recall his name but failing.

She looked troubled and pulled out her notebook, then said, "Jiang… Ning… Qiqi… remembers."

"Jiang Ning… is Qiqi's friend… is good."

Seeing how adorable Qiqi was, Jiang Ning couldn't help but ask, "Qiqi, what do you like? I'll bring you something next time."

Qiqi's eyes lit up. "Qiqi… likes… coconut milk… cold… tasty."

"Coconut milk?" Jiang Ning was stumped. He had no idea what that was. Maybe he could ask Xiangling about it later?

Qiqi slowly explained, "Coconut milk… is from… cocogoats… coconut goats… are… half-adeptus beasts…"

Wait, coconut goats?

Jiang Ning's expression turned strange. For some reason, he thought of a certain senior of his…

No… it couldn't be, right?

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