Tartaglia was well aware that as a Fatui Harbinger, the Qixing wouldn't dare do anything truly drastic to him. At worst, they would throw him in prison. As a Harbinger, he naturally possessed a degree of diplomatic immunity.
Most importantly, he hadn't even seen the Exuvia, as the Qixing had relocated it long ago. He could simply refuse to admit to anything, and the Qixing wouldn't be able to produce any real evidence. The only crimes they could actually pin on him were trespassing in the Golden House and injuring the Millelith guards.
Yes, he had only injured them.
Tartaglia was still cautious of Su Ming. He knew that as long as he only injured or dazed the guards, he would have room for maneuver even if he were discovered or if his plan failed. Ultimately, he had only broken into the Golden House; he hadn't committed robbery or caused any real damage to the structure itself. He had left himself a way out so he wouldn't be backed into a corner.
Of course, it was better to leave now if he could. He scanned the opposing lineup.
Ningguang was no threat. The Traveler had beaten Stormterror but was one-shotted by Signorabasically a fraud in his eyes. But the one next to the Traveler...
Tartaglia looked at Shenhe. He felt a distinct threat from this white-haired woman.
"She's not simple. This woman won't be easy to deal with!"
"Forget it... I'll just try to force a breakthrough."
With his current speed, Tartaglia knew his chances of successfully running away were much higher than trying to win a three-on-one fight. He cursed his luck inwardly. Had he known it would end like this,
he never would have looked for trouble. He'd fought Su Ming, and the man had nearly killed him in just a few moves. To make matters worse, his injuries hadn't fully healed, leaving his current strength far below its peak.
Seeing Tartaglia take a combat stance, Lumine and Shenhe didn't hesitate.
"Divine Maiden's Deliverance!"
"Show yourself!"
Shenhe instantly summoned three Talisman Spirits, flanking Tartaglia and cutting off every possible escape route. Lumine leapt high into the air, bringing her sword down in a heavy slash. Tartaglia cut through the air with several water blades to force Lumine back, then swung his lightning spear to block Shenhe's strike.
But after just a few exchanges with Shenhe's Calamity Queller, he realized he was in for a rough time. The sheer,沛然 force behind her strikes felt no weaker than Su Ming's.
"Damn it! Since when did Liyue have so many monsters with freakish strength!?"
Tartaglia groaned, but with his Foul Legacy transformation active, he could at least hold his own against Shenhe for now. However, he could already see his defeat coming. It was clear that Shenhe alone was enough to keep him pinned down.
He'd considered running, but the Talisman Spirits Shenhe had deployed had already sealed every exit. Trying to force a breakthrough against her would likely end in another severe injury.
And even if he wanted to run, could he actually escape? Shenhe's swift attacks, combined with the spirits stabbing at his back, meant he was too busy parrying to move.
On top of that, Lumine was constantly interfering with Geo Constructs and Palm Vortexes. Unless he were uninjured and at his peak, he might have used Lumine as a weak point to break through,
but Tartaglia didn't dare. He wasn't stupid; he could see the relationship between Lumine and Su Ming. Su Ming's sword strike that day had left a psychological scar just as deep as the one from his master, Skirk.
Touch Su Ming's woman? Don't be ridiculous. He wanted to live a few more years.
Soon, the five-minute limit was up. Tartaglia decisively deactivated his Foul Legacy and dropped to one knee, panting heavily.
"Stop, stop, stop! I give up, I surrender..."
Tartaglia collapsed onto his back, completely spent. Lumine and Shenhe stopped and turned to Ningguang.
"Thank you both for your help," Ningguang began. "Liyue is in a state of flux today. Once the harbor is safe, I will personally deliver your reward."
She then turned to Tartaglia. "As for you, Childe, the Liyue Qixing and the Ministry of Civil Affairs will judge your actions and your attempt to desecrate the Exuvia. Until then, you will be staying in the Millelith's prison."
Tartaglia waved a hand dismissively. "Whatever. I'm just going to rest."
Ningguang didn't say much more, merely signaling the Millelith guards who had been standing by to handcuff him and lead him away.
"Is the Exuvia really hidden in that bracelet?" Lumine asked once Childe was gone. She had been curious about that since she first heard Ningguang mention it.
Ningguang smiled. "Of course not. This is just an ordinary jade bracelet. As for the Exuvia... the Qixing have entrusted it to the Adepti. It will not be brought out until the Rite of Parting."
Lumine was stunned. "So you were just bluffing?"
"Not entirely," Ningguang laughed. "As a member of the Qixing, one must always be careful. After all, you couldn't tell if I was telling the truth either."
Paimon, who had also been watching from the sidelines, complained, "Wow... it's really hard to get on the Qixing's good side."
Lumine nodded in agreement. Shenhe added, "Managing a nation is a heavy burden. It would be troublesome if their thoughts were easily read by others."
Ningguang smiled at Shenhe. "Thank you for your understanding, Miss Shenhe."
Shenhe shook her head. "That's just what Su Ming told me. I'm only repeating it."
"Ah, Su Ming? He is indeed... a difficult man to read." Ningguang recalled her meeting with him. "It sounds like something he would say."
Shenhe then asked, "Speaking of which, what is happening at the docks of Liyue Harbor? Before you arrived, I felt the auras of my master and several other Adepti. Are there enemies invading the harbor?"
Ningguang sighed. "I don't know the specifics yet. I can only tell you that there was an outbreak of Abyssal energy at Guyun Stone Forest. The Adepti flew there to investigate, but shortly after,
Mountain Shaper was sent flying back. What followed... well, when the Adepti fight, it's hard for us to see clearly. However, the intruder... judging by his appearance, might be the Conqueror of Demons."
"What!?" Lumine cried out. Paimon and Shenhe were equally shocked.
Lumine wasn't close with the Conqueror of Demons, but she had met him once at Wangshu Inn. She had also heard Su Ming talk about the Yaksha's contributions to Liyue. Why would such a hero suddenly attack the harbor? What had happened?
"Now that this is settled, why don't you two return to the Jade Chamber with me?" Ningguang suggested. "Perhaps the matter has already reached a conclusion."
Lumine and Shenhe looked at each other and nodded.
"Since you have no objections, let us move quickly."
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