Bonus Chapter!
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"However, Zhongli—did you perhaps overlook one thing?""Oh? What might that be?"
"Well, if you need more bullets, why not simply eject the magazine and reload, like I did?"
...
Silence. A long, drawn-out silence.
"Ahem."
Zhongli replied, "That was naturally done to thoroughly understand the mechanism of this weapon, as doing so will allow me to better replicate it, which is the effect I'm aiming for."
"Such wisdom, Zhongli," Gu Sanqiu praised, cupping his hands in a polite salute. He wasn't about to argue—questioning the Archon himself could be a very risky business.
Bang!
Gu Sanqiu raised the gun, aimed at the sky, fired, then leaned in, listening intently and observing the trajectory. He felt the barrel, thoughtful.
"Overall, this is already a well-functioning sniper rifle. Yet it seems you still aren't satisfied with it?"
"That's correct," Zhongli replied. "Though I've yet to detect a notable elemental force within this weapon, it achieves an intense, highly controlled explosion—surpassing even the weapons of the Fatui Vanguard. This is the issue I'm currently working to solve."
"Ah, that."
Gu Sanqiu mulled it over for a moment. "Then perhaps, Zhongli, it would be worthwhile to start with the ammunition itself."
He gestured to the bullets in his hand. "Somewhat like the explosive barrels we see used by certain monsters. We could revise the formula and adapt it for smaller projectiles."
"Use electro-crystal powder and flame flower petals, bound with a slime concentrate to stabilize the mixture. If these serve as the core of each bullet, you'll find you can create a safer, controlled mini-explosion with each shot."
Gu Sanqiu pointed to the prototype rifle. "This rifle's current power is substantial enough as it is, wouldn't you say? It's certainly not something you'd want everyone carrying around."
With the structured legal systems and generally stable societies of Teyvat, implementing a weapon like a sniper rifle was already excessive—further enhancements could only make things worse.
"Indeed," Zhongli nodded, "sacrificing a bit of lethality in exchange for more widespread adoption is indeed a reasonable approach."
He then continued, "That does give me another idea for something I'd like your help with, Gu Sanqiu."
"Oh?"
Gu Sanqiu began to understand. Zhongli's experimentation was driven by a desire to find portable and potent weaponry—perhaps to arm his people in Liyue with tools of a more modern caliber.
Looking up, Gu Sanqiu found himself momentarily speechless as Zhongli presented a sleek, dark object.
You're the Geo Archon—Morax—who can forge bullets by hand and replicate sniper rifles in no time. But your ability to innovate is way too strong!
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻)
That thing is a handgun, right? It's totally a handgun!
Without a word, Gu Sanqiu took the pistol from Zhongli, formed a makeshift target out of Geo not too far away, and immediately began firing.
Each shot hit dead center. Precision was perfect.
With minimal recoil and a capacity of around nine bullets, plus an utterly familiar feel...
When a people unites, it can topple even the most unyielding of foes. But an ageless being with an insurmountable knowledge base and endless creativity?
I surrender.
orz
"This is what I've dubbed a 'handgun,'" Zhongli explained, "designed with reduced damage but increased bullet capacity, making it more practical and easier to carry, even for everyday use."
He continued, "This gave me further ideas: a compact weapon capable of rapid-fire bursts, or a heavy-duty model mounted on supports to mitigate recoil."
...
A submachine gun? A heavy machine gun? What was he supposed to do but sit there in stunned silence?
Gu Sanqiu could already picture the sight—any foreign visitors entering Liyue, whether by land or sea, would be greeted first by the business end of a mounted machine gun.
In fact, knowing Zhongli's proclivity toward amassing firepower, it wouldn't be surprising if he eventually produced something akin to a rotary cannon fit for an armed helicopter.
The former could certainly take down a person or vehicle. The latter? It would be no different from marking "massacre" in bold letters.
"Impressive as always, Zhongli, to think of all this so quickly," Gu Sanqiu said, clapping slowly, his face impassive. "However, have you considered the costs involved in all these projects?"
"Costs?"
Zhongli paused, as if contemplating this for the first time.
"Ah," he replied, "I was so deeply absorbed in the work that I overlooked something so simple. True, it has been a considerable expenditure."
"But, from the perspective of protecting Liyue's people, these costs are fully justified."
"To tidy one's home is to tidy the world," Gu Sanqiu countered quietly. "If you expend everything on some side project and fail to support your own livelihood, how then can you protect the common people?"
"First and foremost, Zhongli, you're the Consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Your priority lies with them—the citizens must come second."
"Again, one must clean their own house before aiming to clean the world."
Gu Sanqiu held Zhongli's gaze meaningfully. If you're trying to hide your identity, don't blame me for wielding some sage wisdom to make a point. This was Morax's lesson to learn.
"Ah, is Gu Sanqiu... upset?" Zhongli observed mildly. "Is this because of Master Hu?"
"Precisely."
Gu Sanqiu chuckled. "I've seen the lengths that girl goes to for the Funeral Parlor's continued success. I may not hand her a huge sum, but I respect the value of her hard work."
"I haven't heard her mention you much, nor do I know your usual interactions. I'm simply looking at this as 'Hu Tao's friend,' so I admit I may be biased."
"However," Gu Sanqiu's tone sharpened, "your actions don't quite align with the reputation I've heard of you."
"Courteous, knowledgeable, calm, wise—in this particular matter, I see none of that."
He narrowed his eyes. "Why is it that you seem uncharacteristically impatient here? What are you worried about?"
"Or, rather—what's making you so anxious?"
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