Zhongli watched as the five Yakshas playfully bickered, a rare smile appearing on his lips.
"Thank you, old friend."
"How about I treat you to a meal?"
He turned to Qiu Bai, who was momentarily lost in thought, and spoke with a smile.
Qiu Bai had still been immersed in the realization that his divine power had doubled. Zhongli's words snapped him out of it, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
"This happens to be Wangshu Inn."
"I've heard that Chef Yanxiao's cooking is exceptional, but I've never had the chance to try it."
Before Qiu Bai could respond, Zhongli added,
"By universal rationality…"
"You don't have any money, do you?"
Qiu Bai glanced at Zhongli, who had the expression of someone generously offering to pay, and waved his hand.
"This… might be a bit tricky."
"I seem to have forgotten to bring any money again."
Zhongli patted his pockets with a somewhat embarrassed look before turning back to Qiu Bai.
"Forget it. I'll lend you 500,000 Mora."
"Morax, you now owe me 700,000 Mora—keep track of that."
Qiu Bai chuckled as he reminded him. The last time they had dined at Xinyue Kiosk, Zhongli had already racked up a debt of nearly 200,000 Mora.
Not that Qiu Bai expected him to pay it back—at this point, it was just something he willingly covered as a friend.
"Haha, if I ever come into some Mora,"
"I would certainly repay you, old friend."
Zhongli gave a light laugh as he responded.
Qiu Bai shook his head with a smile before glancing at the Yakshas, who were still messing around.
"Come on, let's go eat. The Geo Archon is treating."
"Change your appearances a bit."
At Qiu Bai's call, the Yakshas paused their roughhousing.
"That's true."
"I wonder if I'd scare people looking like this."
Bosacius glanced at the extra pair of arms on his back before using his adeptal arts to alter his form. The additional limbs disappeared.
Bonanus concealed her horns and tail, and the blue markings on her forehead vanished, making her look like an ordinary young woman.
Xiao changed his facial features and attire, now appearing as a boy barely in his teens.
Indarias let his fiery red hair cascade down his back, giving off an air of sharp confidence.
Menogias hardly needed to change—he simply made slight adjustments to his face.
"The Emperor is paying, so we won't hold back."
"Come on, brothers! Drinks are on him!"
Indarias clutched his chest dramatically and turned toward Zhongli with a grin.
"Haha, of course."
"There's no need to be polite."
Zhongli chuckled, waving a hand.
It was clear he was in a good mood.
"Haha! Let's go, Alatus! Time to drink!"
"Your drinking tolerance isn't still as bad as before, is it?"
Bosacius clapped Xiao's back with a laugh.
"Hmph…"
"I'll drink with you to the end."
For once, Xiao's cold tone carried warmth.
"How could you all drink without me?"
"With the Emperor and Immortal Lord here, we might as well have a proper feast."
Menogias stepped forward with a smirk.
"I won't be drinking. I'll just have juice."
"If you two get drunk, I'll toss you into the wilderness."
Bonanus pouted as she crossed her arms, glaring at Bosacius and Menogias.
"Ah, Bonanus, you wouldn't do that to me, would you?"
"…If you meant Menogias, then never mind."
Bosacius looked slightly dejected, then turned to Menogias with a teasing grin.
"Oh, shut up, Bosacius."
"I'd never get drunk before you do. If anything, Bonanus and I will throw you out."
Menogias elbowed him with a smirk.
"Alright, let's go. This calls for a proper celebration."
"To commemorate your long-awaited reunion, let's have a feast."
Qiu Bai looked at the scene of the reunited Yakshas, warmth flickering in his eyes.
With that, he led them toward Wangshu Inn's counter.
...
"Well, if it isn't Mr. Qiu Bai."
"Bringing friends for a meal?"
Gudao greeted them with a smile.
"Boss Gudao, these are all my friends."
"Have Chef Yanxiao prepare a dozen of his best dishes, along with a few barrels of the finest wine and some large glasses of juice."
"Oh, and bring out two extra plates of almond tofu."
Qiu Bai smiled as he made his order.
"Of course, Mr. Qiu Bai. Please head to the private guest room over there."
"I'll inform Yanxiao to start cooking right away—you won't be kept waiting."
With that, Gudao instructed the staff to escort Qiu Bai, Zhongli, and the others to the adjacent guest room.
"Hmm… the decor is quite elegant."
"This place is quite comfortable, a fine establishment," Zhongli remarked, stroking his chin. "The only drawback is that it's too far from Liyue Harbor."
The room's interior was well-decorated—the chandelier on the ceiling was exquisitely crafted, the space bright and tidy.
Elegant ancient paintings adorned the walls, while delicately arranged bowls and chopsticks rested on the table.
A pot of freshly brewed tea sat in the center, its steam curling upward. The chairs, made of finely carved birch wood, were sturdy yet elegant.
"You're right, Emperor."
"I think this place is wonderful too."
Bosacius stepped forward, glancing around the room with a smile.
"Bosacius."
"Try not to pass out from drinking later."
Menogias smirked at him.
"You two are grown men."
"Don't tell me you're going to lose to a 'frail woman.'"
Indarias scoffed, glancing at them with playful disdain.
"Frail woman?"
"Do you have a misunderstanding about what that means?"
Bosacius' mouth twitched at the remark. He turned to Indarias with a look of disbelief.
If they were talking about Bonanus, he might have understood. He cast a glance at her, seated quietly nearby.
Bonanus, for her part, sat obediently in her chair, sipping juice—looking every bit like the gentle girl next door.
...
Soon, everyone took their seats.
Zhongli and Qiu Bai sat together, while the Yakshas gathered across from them.
Before long, the dishes and drinks were served.
The table was laden with steaming plates, each dish emitting a tantalizing aroma that teased their appetites.
"Immortal Lord, after the meal, can I ask you for a favor?"
Bonanus' crisp voice rang out as she looked at Qiu Bai across the table.
"Of course."
"As long as it's within my power."
Qiu Bai smiled at the adorably polite Bonanus. Who could say no to such an earnest request?
"But calling me 'Immortal Lord' feels too formal. Just call me Qiu Bai from now on."
"I'm not used to such titles."
Qiu Bai glanced at the Yakshas with a chuckle before raising his glass.
"Really?"
"Thank you, Lord Qiu Bai!"
Bonanus' soft voice carried a hint of excitement.
Qiu Bai's expression twitched slightly. So instead of calling him Immortal Lord, they opted for Lord Qiu Bai instead?
"Well then, let's eat!"
"To a great meal!"
Qiu Bai raised his cup in a toast, and the Yakshas all followed suit.
Zhongli smiled lightly and lifted his glass, while Bonanus raised a cup of juice instead.
In the warm, lively atmosphere, Xiao couldn't help but smile.
Laughter filled the room as everyone recounted the day's events and shared stories of Xiao's centuries of solitude.
...
One drink turned into another.
By the end of the feast, Zhongli, Qiu Bai, and Bonanus—the only one not drinking—remained completely composed.
Bosacius, Indarias, and Menogias, on the other hand, were red-faced and still stubbornly competing with each other.
Eventually, the staff of Wangshu Inn had to step in, dragging the drunken Yakshas into a private room, where they promptly collapsed onto the beds and fell into a deep sleep.