A zombie

"So you want me to get the Cleansing Bell from an old lady named Madame Ping. First of all, is she an adepti?" Aether asked Zhongli.

" Yes she is. Her adeptus title is 'Street Rambler'. She, along with Guizhong and Marchosius were the ones who dwelt in the Guili Assembly. She later fled the place after the Guili Plains were ravaged and the Assembly destroyed. " Zhongli answered and explained a brief history about her.

" Ok. Where is she? " Aether asked him.

" She could be found at Yuehai Pavilion gazing at Glaze Lilies." Zhongli answered. Aether nodded and was about to walk away when Zhongli stopped him.

"She knows I'm not dead." Zhongli reminded him. Aether nodded. He disappeared and appeared in front of Madame Ping.

"Hello, Madame Ping." Aether greeted the old adeptus. Madame Ping slowly turned around and looked at him. She smiled.

"Hello, young man. How can this old lady help you?" She asked him.

"Do you have the Cleansing Bell? Zhongli has to use it for the Rite of Parting you see." Aether asked for the Cleansing Bell. Madame Ping scratched her neck.

"Of course I have it. You have to fetch it for me of course. These old bones can't walk around much anymore. Can you help me, young man? " Madame Ping asked him. Aether nodded.

" I'll help. Just tell me where it is and I'll get it for you." Aether smiled and asked her. Madame Ping pointed to a teapot on a table beside her.

" Open that lid and it will take you in my home. The Cleansing Bell is in there." Madame Ping said and Aether, without hesitation opened the lid and was sucked into the teapot.

In the teapot, Aether helped Madame Ping clear out some cobwebs. Eventually,he arrived in front of the Cleansing Bell. He took it and went out of the teapot abode.

"Hoho. You youngsters work fast. Sometimes i envy you young people. Before you go, tell him that he can visit me anytime to have some tea together." Madame Ping said and Aether nodded.

"I will granny. Bye for now." Aether waved goodbye and he disappeared.He appeared in front of Zhongli who was waiting patiently.

"Are you successful?" He asked. Aether gave him the Cleansing Bell.

"Thank you. Now let's buy some kites and some wooden ornaments." Zhongli and Aether went on a shopping spree.

Some time later, the both of them were standing on the middle of the road.

"Our next stop is Bubu Pharmacy. We need to purchase some Everlasting Incense. Let's go." They went to Bubu Pharmacy.

They went in the pharmacy. It looks deserted. Not a single soul was in here.

"Hello?" Aether called out.

"Welcome to Bubu Pharmacy." Aether heard a girl's voice answer him. Aether smiled and went over to the counter.

He looked over to see a little girl that has a talisman on her forehead staring at him with a quiet look.

Zhongli smiled at the little girl.

"Welcome to Bubu Pharmacy. I am Qiqi. Once upon a time, Qiqi died. Then, Qiqi was saved by the adepti. Now, Qiqi is a zombie." Qiqi explained with an emotional tone.

"That explains why." Aether muttered and smiled at Qiqi.

"Hello... little girl. Do you sell Everlasting Incense here?" Zhongli asked Qiqi.

"Excuse me, sir. Did you bring your prescription?" Qiqi asked Zhongli with the same emotionless tone.

"... Surely no prescription is needed to purchase Everlasting Incense? It's not a controlled substance..." Zhongli said to Qiqi. Qiqi tilted her head.

"Qiqi can get your medicine. But only if you show Qiqi your prescription. These are Qiqi's orders, from Qiqi." Qiqi said not faltering.

" She's probably right — it's to do with her orders. Zombies are limited to acting within the confines of their orders. And somehow, in this case, the zombie issues her own orders to herself." Zhongli thought to himself.He looked at Qiqi again.

"My dear Qiqi, we didn't bring a prescription, I'm afraid. But we do hope that you can still help us find some Everlasting Incense." Zhongli persuaded her. Qiqi nodded.

"Okay then. But, Qiqi helps you, you help Qiqi. Only fair." Qiqi added. Aether chuckled.

"That's fine. We're not in a rush. Please tell us what you want Qiqi. We'll make sure to do our best to fulfill your requests." Aether said. Qiqi nodded.

"Go to Mt. Tianheng. Find the Guizhong Ballista. And hunt a Cocogoat. Please and thank you." Qiqi said her request with the same emotionless face and tone.

"Cocogoat. I have never heard of that before." Zhongli muttered a little confused himself.

"What's a Guizhong Ballista?" Aether asked Zhongli.

"It is a kind of crossbow turret, installed on Mt. Tianheng by an adeptus in the distant past. An early mechanical device. Located in Tianheng Pass, it was designed to automatically fire at large monsters, protecting Liyue from external threats." Zhongli answered his question.

"But the Cocogoat. I have never heard of it before. Qiqi,can you tell me what does a Cocogoat looks like?" Zhongli asked the little zombie girl.

"The Cocogoat is a legendary animal. An adeptibeast. What it looks like: don't know. Where to find it: don't know either. Where it came from: also don't know." Qiqi shrugged a lot of times. Aether chuckled. He knelt down a little.

"Qiqi. Even though we have no idea what a Cocogoat is. We will make sure to complete everything you requested. It's a contract." Aether promised. Qiqi nodded.

"Thank you,big brother. Qiqi will give you the Everlasting Incense when you complete everything Qiqi says." Qiqi promised as well. Aether smiled and looked at Zhongli.

"Let's go find the Guizhong Ballista and go from there. Perhaps we can think of what the Cocogoat is while there." Aether suggested.

"That is a sound idea.We shall go now, Qiqi." Zhongli said to the little zombie. Qiqi nodded.

"Goodbye. Come back again." Qiqi bowed with the same emotionless face.

After they were outside.

"Yeah, I'm adopting her." Aether said. Zhongli almost slipped off the stairs.

"Your words will be the death of me.....

To be continued.....