In a luxurious private room within the Xinyue Kiosk in Liyue, Tartaglia and Zhongli sat together.
"Mr. Zhongli, I'll get straight to the point."
"You are the most knowledgeable Liyue person I know. Do you happen to know Qiu Cheng, the author of this 'teyvat travelogue'?"
Tartaglia chose to ask Zhongli because Lin Qiu's pen name sounded like something a Liyue person would use.
In Tartaglia's view, when it came to Liyue matters, asking Zhongli was the right move; he surely knew.
Zhongli paused his hand, which was picking up food, and looked at Tartaglia with a puzzled expression.
Haven't you met Lin Qiu several times?
Didn't Lin Qiu send letters and books to all his friends? How do you not know his identity?
Could it be that he doesn't consider you a friend?
After meeting so many times, did you really just eat?
Don't even mention it, seriously, when Lin Qiu came to freeload, he really just ate.
Tartaglia wasn't interested in Lin Qiu anyway, so most of the conversation was between Zhongli and Tartaglia.
Lin Qiu just quietly picked up dishes and turned the table.
Seeing Tartaglia's curious expression, which didn't seem feigned, it appeared he truly didn't know Lin Qiu's identity.
Zhongli thought for a moment and still chose not to reveal Lin Qiu's identity directly, but instead said tactfully:
"I do indeed know that author."
One wonders if Zhongli will regret helping Lin Qiu conceal his identity when Lin Qiu 'returns kindness with enmity' and exposes him in the future.
I'm covering for you here, and then you stab me in the kidney from behind?
"Mr. Zhongli is indeed very knowledgeable."
When interacting with cultured individuals, Tartaglia also racked his brain to say something learned.
"Then, what is this author's identity?"
Tartaglia asked curiously. Zhongli only said he knew him, not even where the person was from.
"Someone with many ideas, and perhaps the ability to realize them," Zhongli said, which was as good as saying nothing.
"..."
Tartaglia realized that Zhongli simply didn't intend to reveal the person's identity.
"Alright, alright~, let's eat first."
Tartaglia didn't press further. He also didn't think his eloquence could coax information out of Zhongli.
Rather than relying on his own eloquence, it would be more effective to simply capture the person and beat them for information.
Of course, Tartaglia wouldn't lay a hand on Zhongli.
Zhongli was a capable Liyue individual he had only just managed to get to know; now was not the time to offend him.
The two ate a few more bites when Tartaglia suddenly remembered something else.
Since the author's identity couldn't be revealed, could anything else be disclosed?
"Mr. Zhongli, in your opinion, since the author has already prophesied Mondstadt, will Liyue also be prophesied in the future?"
Zhongli thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Since the book is called 'teyvat travelogue,' I don't think it will only cover Mondstadt."
"I just wonder what Liyue's story will be, and from when the prophecy will begin. It certainly makes one anticipate."
Zhongli smiled. He was like a retired old man now.
When idle, he would walk his bird, drink tea, and listen to stories. The appearance of this prophecy book was a new kind of enjoyment.
It also allowed him to see if the human-governed Liyue after his 'death' would be peaceful.
He never expected that Liyue's story would begin with his fake death...
Speaking of being like a retired old man, Zhongli remembered stories Lin Qiu used to tell him.
He said they were stories of the Eight Immortals.
When talking about a person named 'Zhongli Quan,' Lin Qiu complained, saying, "Are all people with Zhongli in their names like this?"
That Zhongli Quan called himself 'the most carefree man in the world.'
His image was of a bare-chested man, constantly wandering around with a fan, helping people along the way, much like a loafer.
At that time, Lin Qiu even asked if Zhongli might also be an adeptus, pretending to be a loafer like that Zhongli Quan.
This made Zhongli pay more attention to his attire, determined not to be seen as a bare-chested loafer.
"Is that so? Sigh, I hope the prophecy starts from a distant future," Childe sighed.
He wanted to create a big stir in Liyue—stealing Rex Lapis's Gnosis!
If the Liyue people found out about this, forget about him, Tartaglia, being just the last of the Harbingers; even if he had the strength of a Tsaritsa's aide, he'd have trouble escaping.
Zhongli also nodded. He also wanted to see the distant future, so he could see if Liyue would be stable then.
Just then, the door to the private room opened.
A black hat poked out slightly, with a striking red plum blossom hanging from it.
Following that were a pair of reddish-brown twin Horsetails and a pretty face adorned with a smile.
The beauty of the newcomer, especially the appearance of her pupils, was even more striking than the red plum blossom on her hat.
This person was none other than Teyvat's top Pyro DPS, Hu Tao.
"Oh my, I found the right place," Hu Tao said with a playful smile, pushing open the door. "Did I disturb you two?"
She had initially only pushed the door open a crack and peeked her head in because she was afraid the people inside were discussing something private.
Seeing that they weren't discussing anything, she fully opened the door.
"Good day, Director," Zhongli was the first to greet his superior.
"This must be the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, then? Please, have a seat."
Childe wasn't bothered by Hu Tao's sudden arrival.
The topic was already finished anyway, and it was good to make another friend with status.
Moreover, he could sense that although the young girl in front of him looked delicate and cute,
Her footwork and some of her movements indicated that she was quite powerful.
What he, Tartaglia, liked most was making friends with strong people, and then fighting them.
"Mhm, hello there, Lord of the Northland Bank."
"Oh my, what a convenient name. I'm Hu Tao, as in 'Hu' from 'reckless'."
Hu Tao also greeted them, then gracefully walked to Zhongli's side.
"consultant, you certainly made me search for you."
"Director, please."
Zhongli, ever sensible, stood up and pulled out the chair beside him for Hu Tao.
Hu Tao nodded her small head in satisfaction, swept her clothes, and sat down.
"Oh, by the way, Lord, would you like to purchase our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services? For the consultant's sake, I can give you a discount, you know."
The Northland Bank is so rich; maybe he'd buy a hundred or so at once?
To be fair, her Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had virtually monopolized Liyue's funeral industry, so it was undoubtedly wealthy.
Although the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had declined somewhat now, it was still a top-tier power in Liyue.
However, her consultant spent too much money, forcing her, the Director, to personally promote sales.
Thinking of this, Hu Tao missed Lin Qiu a bit.
When Lin Qiu was around, not only did he spend less money, but he also played with her and even captivated Zhongli with stories, preventing him from going out and spending money.
Perhaps it was because he had been restricted so much by Lin Qiu before.
After Lin Qiu left, Zhongli's spending became almost retaliatory; he sent bills to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor every day.
Lin Qiu, home in danger, return quickly!
If Childe knew Hu Tao's thoughts, he would surely empathize deeply.
Because some of Zhongli's bills were also sent to the Northland Bank; although the amounts were not large currently, the sheer quantity was immense.
Fortunately, it wasn't his, Tartaglia's, money being spent. Once the bills were cleared, they were cleared. What's wrong with spending a little money for a mission?
----------
Character Voice Line · Tartaglia: About Hu Tao
"She's such a lively girl, and her strength seems quite good. I wonder if buying her services would allow me to spar with her?"