Genshin Impact: I Am a Slime

Famas and his group followed Yelan into the backyard of Bubulu, which was rarely open to the public.

This place has practically become a medicinal herb garden.

From the cracks in the stone slabs beneath everyone's feet to the base of the wall, everywhere in sight, various processed medicinal herbs were neatly drying.

On the smooth stone slabs, large swaths of freshly picked Qingxin flower petals lay out to dry, their moisture still lingering and reflecting the sunlight; leaning against the wall were round bamboo winnowing baskets filled with dark purple, umbrella-shaped glass bags; on a wooden rack against the wall, bunches of Nissandra branches were hanging in the shade, their crimson petals losing their brilliance and releasing a warm, gentle fragrance.

The air was filled with a refreshing bitterness, the astringency of the glass bag, the rich fragrance of the rainbow flower, and the unique, cool mineral scent of crushed amber powder, as well as the faint fishy smell of many unknown medicinal herbs being exposed to the sun.

A rich and complex aroma of authentic Liyue herbs wafts through the air, carrying the weight of the earth and the vitality of plants.

Even the well-traveled Famas and travelers couldn't help but be drawn to the abundance of herbs, curiously looking around.

Ye Lan led the group with light steps and a clear goal, passing through the open-air workshop filled with the fragrance of herbs and heading straight to a separate room deep in the backyard.

Bai Shu silently followed at the back of the group, his usually smiling face now showing only a hint of helplessness that was hard to hide.

He had just clearly told Uncle Tian that he needed to rest quietly and should not be disturbed by outsiders, but he did not expect Ye Lan to bring everyone in so readily.

The door to the side room was gently pushed open, and a stronger herbal scent mixed with the oppressive atmosphere of the sickroom rushed in.

The group finally saw Tian Shu Xing Shu lying quietly on his sickbed, and Hui Xin waiting by his bedside with a worried expression.

However, Bu Yun, who had accompanied Hui Xin before, was nowhere to be seen, presumably because his identity prevented him from entering this place.

Upon hearing the noise, Huixin immediately looked up towards the door.

When she saw Yelan, a questioning look just appeared in her eyes, and then she saw the traveler, Paimon and Famas following behind.

Huixin's expression instantly turned flustered and helpless. She remembered Keqing's instructions to avoid travelers and Famas and was about to find an excuse to leave temporarily, but unexpectedly Yelan brought her directly to Uncle Tian's bedside.

"Miss Yelan, this...?"

Huixin looked at Yelan approaching, her voice filled with obvious confusion and a hint of unease.

Ye Lan stopped and faced Hui Xin. Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears. She remained calm and composed.

"Huixin, don't be nervous."

"This traveler and... Mr. Famas were frantically searching for people early this morning. First, they went to Yujing Terrace and Moonsea Pavilion, then they chased after them to the entrance of Yiyan Palace and Bubu Lodge. They practically turned Liyue Harbor upside down."

Night Orchid's tone carried a hint of barely perceptible helplessness as she turned to the Traveler and Paimon: "You two are quite persistent. It seems that Keqing's efforts to avoid suspicion have been in vain."

Yelan accurately predicted the Traveler and Paimon's movements after being stood up by Keqing, and even understood Keqing's intention to ask them to stay away.

The Traveler and Paimon didn't find anything wrong with it, after all, Yelan was the head of the secret agency in Liyue Harbor, so it wasn't surprising that she knew their whereabouts.

But Famas found it rather strange.

He didn't sense anyone following them, but Yelan knew his whereabouts.

This suggests that either Yelan has a tracking method that Yelan cannot detect, or those seemingly ordinary passersby in Liyue are all Yelan's informants.

That means Yelan's influence in Liyue is truly terrifying. After all, no one can avoid ordinary passersby. In order not to reveal their whereabouts, Famas can't possibly eliminate all the Liyue people who have seen them, can he?
As Huixin listened to Yelan's explanation, her tense expression gradually relaxed. Especially when she heard how persistently the travelers were concerned about her father's safety, the panic in her eyes was replaced by emotion and guilt, and she lowered her head slightly.

"So that's how it is... I'm truly ashamed to have caused you all so much trouble and worry."

Huixin spoke softly, her tense expression relaxing slightly.

She stepped aside to make way for the traveler, Paimon, and Famas, and explained:

"Thank you all for your concern. My father has been saved by Dr. Bai's skillful hands and his life is no longer in danger. However, he is still unconscious."

Huixin's voice still carried some fatigue and lingering fear, clearly indicating that she was still shaken.

"The poisoner used an extremely potent, fatal poison. If it weren't for Doctor Bai's extraordinary medical skills and Lady Keqing's timely discovery of my father's abnormality, I'm afraid..."

Huixin didn't say anything more, but just shook her head slightly, her eyes welling up with tears again.

As Huixin recounted the story, the traveler and Paimon cautiously approached the sickbed to observe, and the sight before them shocked them both. Just one day later, Uncle Tian, ​​who had only been slightly thin and in relatively good spirits yesterday, was now emaciated and skeletal.

On the bed, Uncle Tian's skin clung tightly to his bones, displaying a grayish-brown hue. Even more shocking were the large patches of dark spots covering his body, like rotten blood branded beneath his flesh. His entire being exuded a terrifying aura, as if his life force had been drained by evil spirits.

"My God!"

Paimon suddenly covered his mouth, his small body floated back half a step, and his big eyes were filled with disbelief and horror.

"Uncle Tian, ​​how could he... He wasn't like this yesterday!"

The contrast between Tian Shu's gentle laughter yesterday and the frail body before him was incredibly cruel, leaving Paimon so shocked that he could barely utter a complete sentence.

Just as everyone was shocked by Uncle Tian's tragic state, Bai Shu, who had been standing silently at the back of the crowd, let out a very soft yet extremely heavy sigh.

He stepped forward slowly, his gaze falling on Uncle Tian, ​​his tone steady but tinged with a barely perceptible weariness:

"The poison that Tian Shu Xing was afflicted with originated from the Kingdom of Zhi Dong, and is extremely rare. When Miss Ke Qing brought him here, the poison had already invaded his lungs and penetrated deep into his bone marrow... and his heartbeat had even stopped."

Bai Zhu's words made the air in the room suddenly become even more heavy.

"In order to pull him back from the other side, I... had to resort to some extraordinary means to forcibly reverse his life."

"The price he paid for this is reflected in his current appearance; his skin, flesh, and vital energy have been completely depleted, and his bones are now exposed."

"Fortunately, his life is no longer in danger. Once he wakes up, with proper care, he may be able to recover his health in time."

Bai Shu's gaze swept over Uncle Tian's withered body, his tone carrying a hint of the unique resilience of a healer.

Regardless of what happened in the past, at least Uncle Tian's life has been saved for now.

"That's great... I hope Uncle Tian gets better soon."

Upon hearing Bai Shu's words, Paimon gripped the traveler's clothes tightly with his small hands, as if he had found a foothold. His voice was filled with sincere prayers, and the traveler nodded silently, his clear eyes also filled with hope for Uncle Tian's recovery.

When Huixin heard Paimon's blessing, a look of gratitude appeared on her face. She was about to express her thanks again when Baishu, who had been standing quietly to the side and behind, took a half step forward at the right moment.

“Miss Huixin, there are still some details we need to discuss with you regarding the medicine your father will need to strengthen his body and the specific methods for his health conditioning.”

Bai Zhu's voice remained gentle, yet carried a hint of guidance.

He turned slightly to the side, made a gesture of invitation, and gestured with his eyes toward the herb garden outside the room.

"Regarding the use of medication... it is inconvenient to discuss in detail here, please go elsewhere."

Huixin didn't think much of it upon hearing this and immediately nodded.

She was already concerned about her father's recovery and attached great importance to Bai Zhu's professional advice.

Before leaving, Huixin couldn't help but turn back and bow slightly to the traveler, Paimon, and Yelan beside her with gratitude. Then she followed Baishu's footsteps and quietly left the room.

When she left, Huixin still had worry about Uncle Tian on her face, but she was obviously much calmer than before.

With so many people who care about their father present, what could possibly happen?

But no one noticed that just before Bai Shu invited Hui Xin, Ye Lan turned to the side very naturally and tapped the edge of the medicine cabinet next to her lightly twice with her fingertips, seemingly casually.

This barely perceptible rhythm precisely fell into Bai Zhu's peripheral vision.

The quick-witted doctor immediately understood.

Yelan needs to speak privately with the traveler and Famas.

So Bai Shu thoughtfully found the perfect excuse to temporarily divert Hui Xin's concern for her father's safety.

The wooden door closed gently behind Bai Zhu and Hui Xin, shutting out the rustling sounds of herbs drying in the backyard.

The room fell silent instantly, save for Uncle Tian's faint breathing and the increasingly strong scent of herbs in the air. (End of Chapter)