"Eh? You're not even laughing?" Tartaglia paused, clearly surprised. "I thought I came up with a pretty decent joke. No reaction at all?"
"Huh?" Now it was Gu Sanqiu's turn to be confused. He understood that a hearty laugh or a well-placed joke could ease tension and build rapport, but… where exactly was the punchline?
"In most cases, when someone compliments both themselves and the other person, isn't the normal reaction to play along? You know, something like, 'Yes, you are handsome' or 'Oh, I'm just average,' right?" Tartaglia, surprisingly earnest, explained his social tactic. "And besides, how many sisters really call their brother handsome? I mean, it's a rare thing. Most sisters just call their brothers jerks."
Tartaglia furrowed his brow in thought. "I still haven't fully mastered Liyue's way of exchanging compliments, but praising a guy for being handsome seems pretty standard, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess that's true," Gu Sanqiu replied calmly, still trying to piece this together. "But maybe you're just not what I expected from an Executive Officer of the Fatui."
"Also," Gu Sanqiu continued, "you said people usually respond when you compliment them, right? Well, I think I can give you a pretty reasonable explanation for why I didn't."
"Oh?" Tartaglia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Do tell."
"That's because," Gu Sanqiu said, a playful smirk forming on his lips, "I already know I'm a hundred percent handsome."
(￣△￣;)
This time, both Tartaglia and Amir were left momentarily speechless.
What kind of logic is that?!
This has got to be the pinnacle of shamelessness!
Tartaglia, however, quickly broke into laughter. "Hahaha! Gu Xiangjun, you're quite the character! I guess my sense of humor still needs some work, but I've definitely learned something today."
He raised his teacup. "Let me toast to you, then—tea in place of wine."
"I'll toast to that," Gu Sanqiu replied, clinking his cup against Tartaglia's. "But, Executive Officer, aren't you quite busy? Sitting here chatting with me—doesn't that seem a bit… unproductive?"
"I wouldn't say it's just idle chatter," Tartaglia smiled. "I've actually been wanting to meet you."
"But today's timing worked out perfectly. I have a dinner scheduled at Liuli Pavilion later on. Would you care to join me?"
"Let's finish up this business first," Gu Sanqiu responded. A dinner invite was a rare thing for him. As a Fengxiang Clan descendant, he wasn't often asked to social events. His family's secretive nature, not to mention their notorious reputation, tended to make people think twice before inviting him over. After all, no one wanted to risk hosting a Fengxiang member and have some ancient curse or bad fortune fall upon their household.
Amir whispered something to Tartaglia, and the Harbinger waved his hand dismissively.
"Ah, the pure water. Yes, I know about that. It's no big deal. If you need it, Gu Xiangjun, I can personally gift you a full crate."
"A full crate?" Gu Sanqiu was genuinely surprised. Tartaglia offering that much as a personal gift meant the Northland Bank must have plenty more in storage.
Why do I suddenly feel the urge to rob the Northland Bank?
"Alright, I'll definitely join you for the dinner. When does it start?" Gu Sanqiu asked.
"No rush on that," Tartaglia's eyes gleamed with an almost predatory sharpness. "I've always been fascinated by Liyue's ancient martial arts and Taoist techniques. Would you, Gu Xiangjun, honor me with a sparring match?"
"You are also blessed with a Vision, so it wouldn't be an unfair fight between us. Would you agree?" Tartaglia stood up, bowing slightly. "I ask for your guidance."
Gu Sanqiu narrowed his eyes. For most people, a sudden challenge like this from Tartaglia might be disorienting, leaving them unsure how to respond. But Gu Sanqiu's thought process was just as unconventional.
He could immediately tell what Tartaglia's true aim was.
First, there was the dinner invite, which wasn't really that important. There would always be more opportunities for a meal. What Tartaglia truly wanted was the second thing—the spar.
"Alright," Gu Sanqiu said, agreeing without hesitation. Ever since he received the acknowledgment of his Vision, he had been itching to test his own capabilities. Due to various circumstances, he hadn't yet had the chance. Now he had a perfect opportunity—a sparring match with an opponent where the outcome wouldn't matter too much.
"Great! You're straightforward—I like that!" Tartaglia's eyes lit up with excitement, clearly pleased by Gu Sanqiu's quick agreement.
"We have a newly built camp just outside the city, complete with all the facilities you could need for a proper duel. There are even top-notch first aid stations, so why not head there?" Tartaglia suggested.
Amir, standing off to the side, couldn't help but feel conflicted. It wasn't so much the mention of first aid facilities—which Tartaglia clearly included as a subtle hint to go all out in the fight—that bothered him. It was more the fact that mentioning the location of a new Fatui camp to a semi-official figure like Gu Sanqiu seemed, well, a bit too transparent.
"And those 'comprehensive facilities' you're talking about, they aren't just a training ground, right? You might as well admit you've set up a whole new military training camp out there," Amir thought, though he wisely kept that to himself. He did trust that Tartaglia wouldn't neglect his official duties.
Maybe Tartaglia just assumes that Gu Sanqiu has no intention of informing the Qixing about the camp, Amir speculated.
In the end, they didn't take long to arrive at the so-called camp. Thanks to a specialized carriage equipped with machinery from Snezhnaya, the trip was faster than expected. Upon arrival, Gu Sanqiu found a number of shirtless, muscle-bound Snezhnayan men training vigorously. Off to the side, a few Electro Cicin Mages were giggling as they pointed at the sparring soldiers.
"Uh… aren't those mages supposed to be training, too?" Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow.
Tartaglia gave a wry smile. "In theory, yes, but those Electro Cicin Mages aren't under my direct command. I don't have the authority to oversee them."
He shrugged. "Besides, I can assure you—those girls don't need training. Their power doesn't come from something you can simply improve through physical exercise."
"And you're just going to tell me this? Such important information?" Gu Sanqiu asked, glancing sideways at Tartaglia. "You're not planning to poison me after the spar, or maybe 'dispose' of me here, are you?"
"Hey, come on! Give me some credit here," Tartaglia protested, grinning. "I'm not that kind of person. I swear on my title as the Eleventh Harbinger, 'Childe.'"
He paused, his smile becoming more genuine. "Besides, there's no way you could replicate their power here in Liyue."
"Oh? So this is one of the results of your work in Mondstadt, then?" Gu Sanqiu's eyes narrowed.
Tartaglia's expression didn't change. "Trying to provoke me won't work, Gu Xiangjun. I'll just say this—Harbingers aren't a united front."
"Not all of us are on the same page. Take The Doctor, for example. I can't stand his methods or his way of doing things."
Tartaglia smirked. "If you ever manage to take him down, maybe I'll find an excuse to come over and have a drink to celebrate with you."
"And as for what kind of man I am…" Tartaglia's grin widened. "Let's fight! Let our clashing blows and blood tell us what we're truly made of!"
This guy... Gu Sanqiu thought as he eyed the gleam in Tartaglia's eyes.
Well, it's about time I figured out what I'm made of too.
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