"Oh? Mondstadt intel? It seems Mr. Gu has an interest in the land ruled by the Anemo Archon?"
Gu Sanqiu froze.
Oops, he'd let that slip.
"Yes, I'm quite interested. Mondstadt has many unique goods, and they're always sold at exorbitant prices here in Liyue. If we could import directly from the source, it would significantly cut down costs."
"Ah, approaching it from a merchant's perspective. A sentiment that aligns well with us Liyueans."
Gu Sanqiu forced a smile. This old man really didn't miss a beat, always adding the inclusive "us Liyueans" to his phrasing.
"Mondstadt does have many intriguing things, but given the limited diplomatic exchanges between our nations, a sudden visit might not reveal its true local customs."
Gu Sanqiu poured another cup of tea for Zhongli. "I've shared my thoughts, Mr. Zhongli. Now, can you tell me what you've discovered about that Jiao Dragon Green Brick?"
"Certainly."
Zhongli's tone remained calm. "The stone used to make that green brick is extraordinary—clearly not something an ordinary person could acquire. It holds traces of a dragon from another world."
"Among Liyue's collection of rare materials, it's not exactly a peerless treasure, but it's certainly rare enough."
Gu Sanqiu stifled a laugh. Not every female dragon has such bad foot odor that she'd step on a brick just for fun.
"The dragon's aura, along with the refined energy the brick contains, might not provide significant benefits to a certain being under Mt. Hulao, but it could be of some help."
Zhongli looked directly at Gu Sanqiu. "I assume your family's records contain information on this matter, correct?"
"During the times when the Geo Lord swept the land, shaking mountains and subduing dragons from all corners—Azhdaha, the Dragon King."
Faced with Zhongli's impromptu "pop quiz," Gu Sanqiu remained unfazed. Even without the Gu family's records, he knew Azhdaha's story well enough.
But the idea that a mere Jiao Dragon Green Brick could aid Azhdaha? That seemed like a drop in the ocean.
It was just a single brick from some so-called Jiao Dragon City, while Azhdaha was a major powerhouse under Zhongli's command. It didn't seem like they were even in the same league.
"I can imagine what you're thinking," Zhongli said. "But since it's the Geo Lord's will, there must be a deeper meaning beyond our understanding."
Gu Sanqiu's lips twitched. Every time Zhongli earnestly mentioned "the Geo Lord's will," it made him feel strangely off-balance, almost enough to break his composed expression.
As night fell, the carriage stopped by the roadside. The driver, who was a dedicated member of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, sensibly set up a tent and started a campfire, giving Zhongli and Gu Sanqiu ample space to talk.
"So, you're saying it's best not to test-fire this weapon on any living creatures, or even any structures that look flimsy?"
Kneeling down beside him, Zhongli held the sniper rifle, eyeing a wild boar through the scope.
"Yes. If you're hunting, this isn't the ideal weapon. Your target might end up... in pieces."
Gu Sanqiu lounged nearby. "But we're in the wilderness now. Anyone else out here at this hour likely isn't up to any good. It's as good a place as any to test it."
He was just as curious about the rifle's destructive power. But if he tried it himself and something went wrong, he'd be the one getting a visit at his doorstep.
If things went south, Keqing might come to reprimand him, or worse, his older sister would hang him from the Jade Chamber like dried meat.
So, for the sake of his own safety, it was better to have Lord Zhongli handle the test. After all, the whole of Liyue was practically his domain. A little damage to the flora shouldn't be an issue... right?
I'm a genius, Gu Sanqiu thought smugly.
"Mr. Zhongli, this weapon operates similarly to the Fatui firearms. You just need to..."
BOOM!
BOOM!
The sniper rifle fired, the muzzle flashing brightly. The shot didn't produce a sharp whizzing noise, but a loud, explosive sound.
Wait a minute—Gu Sanqiu shook his head. He understood the first shot, but where had the second explosion come from?
"Hmm, this weapon's power is indeed formidable. It was wise of you not to test-fire it near Liyue Harbor," Zhongli said as he stood, casually stamping out the flames that had ignited the grass beneath the rifle.
"Let me see."
Gu Sanqiu grabbed the rifle and peered through the scope in the direction of the second blast—
A large, smoking crater.
...
Gu Sanqiu wordlessly flipped the sniper rifle over, inspecting it twice.
He distinctly remembered it being a sniper rifle, not a grenade launcher.
And since when could a grenade launcher hit targets at such a distance?!
"Mr. Zhongli, where exactly were you aiming just now...?"
"I noticed a few members of the Treasure Hoarders through the scope. I thought I'd use this to give them a little scare, but the weapon's power exceeded my expectations."
Zhongli's face remained impassive. "But rest assured, apart from those Treasure Hoarders, there were no other living beings in the vicinity."
A silent moment of respect for the unwitting Treasure Hoarders who'd gotten caught in the crossfire.
Gu Sanqiu was speechless. Still, he now had a rough idea of the rifle's capabilities—against ordinary people, it was a guaranteed kill, and most monsters wouldn't survive a single shot either.
In the hands of a master marksman like Ganyu, even those wielding Visions might not stand a chance against such a lethal weapon from afar.
"Mr. Zhongli, Mr. Gu, should I prepare dinner?"
"No need. Go ahead and rest; I'll handle the cooking."
The perceptive and professional driver didn't ask any unnecessary questions, though the recent gunshot had undoubtedly been startling.
"Mr. Zhongli, this weapon has another mode. You can infuse the bullets with elemental energy. Why not give it a try?"
"Oh? A weapon that can be used by those with Visions as well?"
Zhongli stood up. "When I fired earlier, I didn't really feel the 'recoil' you mentioned. Does that mean...?"
!
Gu Sanqiu's eyes widened. "Yes, that's correct, but...!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Three more explosive roars echoed. Fire elemental crystals fell near the muzzle, glowing faintly. In the distance, three more echoes resounded, leaving Gu Sanqiu dumbstruck in the breeze.
My dear friend, that's not how you're supposed to use a sniper rifle!
"So... what did you hit this time?"
"There was a Treasure Hoarder camp. One shot wasn't enough, so I fired a few more to make sure."
Gu Sanqiu looked through the scope again, a bit speechless. Forget the power for a moment—Zhongli's aim was scarily precise. The large, amber-like craters left in the ground were hard to ignore.
Still, it did seem the infused shots packed a greater punch. If Zhongli kept this up, he could practically play the role of a certain mythical sharpshooter known for turning her foes to stone.
"An interesting weapon," Zhongli said, brushing a finger along the rifle's warm barrel. He used his elemental power to draw the residual heat out, transforming it into tiny, orange-red crystals that floated away like sparks.
"I wonder..."
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