Inspecting the Goods (Continued)

After everyone left, Ying realized that something was wrong.

"This is...?"

"From today onwards, you will begin to learn from me how to handle relationships in all aspects."

"Wait, sister—"

Seeing her sister's sharp gaze, Ying, who was about to say something, instantly fell silent.

"...Understood."

"Hmm..." Zhen nodded as he watched his sister, his expression softening.

She doesn't have much time left, and it's wishful thinking to expect her to pass on all her experience to Zhen.

Then we can only teach the important ones.

As long as Yi can manage interpersonal relationships well, and Ling teaches Chanying not to meddle in other people's affairs, (Inazuma Qi) can operate smoothly.

Then she can leave in peace.

"Cough cough...!" Perhaps he had talked too much, because he started coughing violently. His cough was so hoarse and rough that it made people worry that he might cough up his lungs.

Even though he was intentionally covering his mouth, blood still coughed up from between his fingers.

"You just arrived and you've already dirtied someone else's bedding..."

"Sister, lie down first... get some rest."

Ying, looking flustered, gently lifted her older sister and laid her down.

"Hmm..."

Zhen clearly wanted to say something more, but he was powerless to do so.

"I'll go get you the bucket, sister." Ying hurriedly left the room.

On the corridor wall, Fox (Saigu/ Kujou Sara #Shogo) was chatting idly, but he didn't see Liu (the six figures of Bai).

Jiuju

"Kitsune Saiguu! Where is that... Liu Bai?"

Ying almost blurted out, "What about that guy named Liu Bai?"

"Going to prepare for treatment."

"...I see." Ying's expression, which had been one of dissatisfaction at the absence of the doctor, relaxed. "Where's the bucket? Did my sister cough up blood again?"

"This..."

"Is a basin okay?" Firefly peeked out from around the corner.

Although she didn't talk to Liu Bai, she roughly realized from what these people were saying that there was a seriously ill patient lying inside.

Firefly was naturally happy to lend a helping hand.

"Yes, of course, I'll go get it with you, Miss."

Kitsune Saiguu immediately nodded, without dwelling on Firefly's identity.

"I'll go find Liu Bai and see if there's anything I can do to help." Sara looked worried, but there was nothing she could do to help in this regard.

Since both Kitsune Saiguu and Kamisato Ayaka are capable of taking care of people, she can only go and see if there's anything she can do to help Liu Bai.

Please.

Kujou Sara also turned and left.

But speaking of which... where did Liu Bai and Acheron go?

Kujou Sara remembers those two people going downstairs, right?

Kujou Sara tiptoed downstairs, but as soon as she reached the first floor, she smelled a faint fishy and bloody odor.

"...?"

Cooking fish?

Having come from the Far East, Kujou Sara wasn't some pampered young lady who could be waited on hand and foot. So, after smelling the scent, her brain subconsciously categorized the aroma.

No... it must have been a misjudgment.

In this situation, fish should absolutely not be cooked.

"Sara?"

Raiden Ei also came downstairs and immediately saw Kujou Sara standing at the top of the stairs.

"Hmm... what's that smell? Fish? Blood?"

Okay, this person is a "rich heiress," someone who doesn't understand the ways of the world.

"Lord Kage." Sara bowed slightly to Kage. "You can smell this scent too."

"It must have come from over there."

Ying pointed into the hall.

"..."

In fact Kujou Sara can also determine the source of the smell.

It's just... a bit unbelievable.

If I'm not mistaken, this should be the living room, with a large table for dining. Further in... according to the normal layout, that's the kitchen.

Is someone in the kitchen?

Well, it can't be said that it's definitely Liu Bai.

It's quite reasonable to start preparing lunch at this time.

From preparing ingredients to cooking the meal, especially with so many of them suddenly arriving, it's normal for the kitchen to take an hour or two to prepare.

"... They're probably cooking, but it's not mealtime yet."

Kujou Sara withdrew her gaze. "Speaking of which, Lord Kage, what brings you here...?"

"I'm here to help too," Ying said earnestly.

Although she doesn't know anything, she has great strength and can control lightning.

If there's anything that needs grinding or processing, Ying feels she can still be of help.

"I see."

Kujou Sara was slightly worried about Raiden Ei's ability to help, but after all, he was her master, and he probably wouldn't do anything reckless for the sake of the shogun.

"Liu Bai might be outside. Let's go out and check."

Kujou Sara completely ruled out the possibility that Liu Bai was in the kitchen.

"Good."

Kujou Sara followed behind Raiden Ei as they went out together.

Then... these islands are quite large, but there's not much of an obstruction, so you can see everything at a glance—especially since Kujou Sara can fly.

Flying high into the sky, you can even see Liu Bai's unfinished Deathless Ranch.

After circling once in the sky, no one was there...

None of these islands were inhabited. To prevent Liu Bai from digging a cave in a blind spot, Kujou Sara searched even the corners.

They were just short of jumping into the sea.

Underwater laboratory?

... Kujou Sara felt that she wasn't so oblivious as to not see the underwater passage.

"What's wrong, Sara?"

Kage looked at Kujou Sara was silently descending from the sky, with a puzzled expression.

"... Let's go check the kitchen."

Perhaps because the general and his entourage arrived so suddenly, Liu Bai didn't have time to prepare the necessary equipment.

When you don't have professional equipment, isn't the kitchen a great alternative?

Doesn't decocting medicinal herbs also require working in the kitchen?

As for the fishy and bloody taste... islanders definitely eat fish, so it's normal for them to have some of that taste, right?

Kujou Sara kept reassuring herself.

As a regular friend, Kujou Sara still didn't want to see Liu Bai as the kind of "liar who makes empty promises".

"...?"

Kage looked confused, but still followed Kujou Sara.

Knock knock.

"Please come in."

Liu Bai's response came from inside.

"!?"

It's really inside...

Squeak...

Kujou Sara entered, she saw a pot of bubbling water and chunks of fish that were about to be thrown in.

There was even a small pile of chopped scallions and cilantro next to it.

"... Liu Bai?"

Kujou Sara subconsciously gripped her waist—well, she hadn't brought her sword with her.

You actually cooked in the kitchen?!

"Kujou?"

Kage, who was following behind, also realized that Kujou Sara's tone was off.

Kage reached out and tried to push her aside, but Kujou Sara didn't move.

"... I'll give you a chance to explain."

Kujou Sara took a deep breath, suppressing her anger.

She was genuinely furious that Liu Bai would be leisurely cooking fish soup at this time.

However, after spending these days with her, Kujou Sara felt that Liu Bai wasn't the kind of absurd person—although his thought process could be a bit peculiar at times.

"Sara, have a sip."

Liu Bai scooped up a pot of boiling water.

"I boiled it myself."

"... Is this your explanation?" Sara looked at the bowl that was handed to her, her expression turning even more unpleasant.

"You'll know once you try it. We've built up some trust between us, haven't we?"

Boiling water (for food/medicine/ingredients)

It's just a bowl of boiled water... it will spoil overnight—but you can leave it for ten hours during the day and it won't spoil.

Purification power: 0.5

"... I hope you're not joking."

Kujou Sara gave Liu Bai a deep look.

It was because of the trust built up over the past few days that Kujou Sara didn't turn on him directly.

Kujou Sara blew on it symbolically, then took a small sip.

Nothing seems particularly special...

"Lord Ying, please have a sip."

Kujou Sara vaguely sensed something was amiss and turned to hand the bowl to Kage.