Tartaglia, unable to restrain the restless excitement surging in his chest, finally voiced a proposal he had been holding back.
"How about a spar?"
Hu Tao blinked. "Fighting the moment we meet?"
Her expression twisted into subtle bewilderment. No matter how she looked at it, picking a fight as a greeting felt wrong. Though carefree by nature, Hu Tao genuinely disliked conflict. Martial arts, exorcism, Taoist arts handed down through generations—she had them all. But her disposition was one of peace.
She reasoned first, spoke first.
Only when reason failed would she take up her polearm, knock someone flat, and make them lie down quietly to listen properly.
Behind her, Kuki Shinobu and Aila stared sharply at Tartaglia, their guarded eyes practically saying: So the Fatui Harbinger finally shows his true colors, huh?
Only Futsu Mitama truly understood. Tartaglia likely meant no deception—he really did just want a fight. This was a man who grew up in the Abyss, forged in battle since childhood. For him, combat wasn't hostility—it was breath.
"Oh dear, seems I've been misunderstood." Feeling the weight of their stares, Tartaglia let out an awkward chuckle. "I'm a warrior. And you all are warriors too, aren't you?"
"I'm merely a maid," Aila replied, ice-cold.
"I'm second-in-command of the Arataki Gang," Shinobu said evenly. "Not a warrior."
"I'm simply an Inazuman noble," added Futsu Mitama with a shrug.
"And I'm the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor~" Hu Tao chimed in, joining just because it was fun.
Four consecutive refusals. Tartaglia opened his mouth, closed it, then sighed in defeat.
"I truly have no other intentions. As a warrior, I express goodwill through battle."
He scratched his head, struggling to recall a saying. "There's a proverb in Liyue…uh… something about not fighting…not knowing…"
"A bond born of conflict."
A steady voice answered from the side.
"Ah! That's it!" Tartaglia turned toward the speaker. "Thank you!"
A slender young man, refined in posture and calm in bearing, approached at an unhurried pace.
Tartaglia's pupils narrowed.
Unfathomable.
Not in martial strength—but in depth. Culture, knowledge, experience—this youth was someone he could not measure. A strange intuition rose in Tartaglia's heart:
I absolutely must befriend him.
This man's assistance in Liyue would be invaluable. Not just here—perhaps in the future as well.
"Zhongli!" Hu Tao immediately bounded over, patting his shoulder with a playful grin. "Where'd you disappear to? Haven't seen you in days."
Zhongli's golden eyes flickered with helplessness.
"I merely took a walk. Sampled Wanmin Restaurant's dishes, and enjoyed music and storytelling over tea."
His gaze drifted toward the group.
"It seems the funeral parlor has guests. I heard your discussion from afar."
Hu Tao summarised the situation cheerfully: Futsu Mitama's group had just moved in next door, came to exchange greetings and gifts, sought Zhongli afterward—and then Tartaglia appeared, claiming he wished to make friends… but immediately tried to fight them.
Zhongli listened quietly. With him here, the strained air gradually settled.
Aila and Shinobu, oddly enough, felt safer just from his presence. As if danger itself would not dare to draw near while he stood there.
"So you are Mr. Zhongli. An honor," Tartaglia said sincerely.
He could now understand why his subordinates praised Zhongli so highly—Saying that if Zhongli couldn't fulfill their needs—
Then only Morax could.
Zhongli acknowledged him with a gentle nod, then looked at Futsu Mitama. Meeting the young consultant's gaze, Futsu Mitama remained composed.
"It is an honor to meet you, Mr. Zhongli. I hope to request your assistance during my stay in Liyue."
Zhongli's ancient insight had already seen through him. He must have sensed the fragment of Electro Archon Authority residing within his body. As the oldest deity of Teyvat, Zhongli possessed unparalleled discernment. Surely, he had already deduced his connection with the Raiden Shogun.
Thus, goodwill was expected. And with goodwill…his entrusted request should be possible.
He planned to exchange a few courtesies, then discreetly invite Zhongli into the group chat.
A walking Teyvat encyclopedia would make traveling the Seven Nations far easier.
"Oh? And what is it that you require?" Zhongli asked with light curiosity.
He had indeed sensed the Electro Authority. And he was curious—why would Beelzebub allow someone to travel freely, despite the Sakoku Decree?
"It's about—"
Futsu Mitama paused and glanced at Tartaglia, who was blatantly eavesdropping. He smiled politely. "We can speak when there are no outsiders."
"Hey!" Tartaglia protested. "How am I an outsider? Based on your logic—we've already become acquainted through conflict!"
Aila and Shinobu exchanged a look of pure exasperation.
'Nobody becomes friends with the Fatui through fighting except you.'
"If you wish to spar, do it outside the city," Zhongli said calmly. "No combat is permitted within Liyue Harbor. Minor violations incur fines. Severe ones result in imprisonment."
A soft warning—Do not fight here.
Both Tartaglia and Futsu Mitama carried Archon power. Should they clash, it would escalate beyond control, and could even provoke international tensions. If outside the city, Zhongli wouldn't interfere. But within Liyue Harbor's borders, such force was forbidden.
"I see—" Tartaglia drooped a little. The battle would not happen today.
He had been itching for a fight the moment he saw them. The maid was clearly formidable. Futsu Mitama even carried an Archon's power. But neither wished to fight. And Zhongli disapproved.
To avoid ruining impressions with his potential new connections, Tartaglia swallowed his urge. He quickly composed himself.
"Then, I shall visit another day. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Zhongli."
With that, he departed.
Only after he disappeared did Aila and Shinobu release relieved sighs.
Compared to the Lady or Scaramouche—Tartaglia was indeed—more civilized. His concept of "friendship through conflict", however, remained incomprehensible.
"He's gone," Zhongli murmured. He then turned to Futsu Mitama. "This is not a suitable place to talk. Let us continue inside the funeral parlor."
He headed indoors. Hu Tao hopped along cheerfully.
Futsu Mitama, Aila, and Shinobu followed.
Inside, Zhongli had already begun preparing tea. Shinobu watched his movements with admiration—his refined motions were those of someone thoroughly practiced in the art.
"The tea is ready." He poured it into cups and gestured for them to sit.
They tasted it.
"So fragrant~" Futsu Mitama was genuinely impressed.
Hu Tao was surprised too. She knew their tea leaves were excellent, yet she could never brew it like this. Zhongli smiled softly, then returned to the topic.
"You wished to entrust me with something?"
Futsu Mitama nodded.
"Indeed. I came to Liyue to forge a companion weapon."
Shinobu and Aila already knew. Hu Tao, however, tilted her head.
"Companion weapon? Like a weapon that grows up with you?"
"Not quite" Zhongli said, steady and warm. "But it also refers to a weapon that grows alongside its wielder's strength."
"Such weapons are exceedingly rare. Even during the Archon War, they were seldom forged. They require exceptional materials, a masterful blacksmith, and the proper environment to temper them."
Aila and Shinobu immediately understood why Futsu Mitama came to Zhongli.
Professional. In every sense.
"Yes," Futsu Mitama said. "I came to collect specific materials, but I do not know Liyue well. So I hoped Mr. Zhongli could assist me."
He placed a pouch of mora and a list of materials on the table.
But Zhongli did not reach for the money. He picked up the paper, skimmed it with focus, then—
Shook his head.
"I cannot help with this matter."
"???" Several question marks almost materialized above Futsu Mitama's head.
Zhongli's tone was solemn—But the meaning was clear.
He could help. He simply didn't want to. Classic Zhongli.