Considering that Barbara might struggle with his view, Gu Sanqiu added an extra note of reassurance.
"Don't worry. Even if your opponent is injured, hitting those pressure points won't kill them right away. I trust you know the difference between a fatal blow and a non-lethal wound."
He glanced at Barbara. "This way, you're still able to help, but you're also keeping yourself—and Mondstadt's people—safe from any potential danger. Got any other questions?"
...
[○｀Д′○]
Barbara's expression said it all.
More questions? Of course she had questions! How could he even ask that?
"Teacher," she said, gathering her courage, "isn't this whole approach of 'hitting someone first, then healing them' a little… extreme? Is this kind of method common in Liyue?"
This had to be some kind of dark art!
"Oh, no, not particularly common."
Which meant… it still existed, didn't it?
He looked at her patiently. "For healers like you, the ideal of 'a healer's compassion' is something to be admired. Both Liyue's government and I support it wholeheartedly."
"But you should always remember that what's truly important to you is Mondstadt—your city, your people, the Knights of Favonius. For those with malicious intent, healing may be compassionate, but it has to come after the important people are safe."
"You can be kind and merciful, but don't lose sight of the bigger picture. Understand what I mean?"
Barbara pondered this for a moment. "Yes… when you put it that way, I can see the logic in it."
"Not just logic," he said with a small smile, "but common sense. Before showing mercy, remember that you are first a Mondstadt citizen. Thanks to your forebears and everyone around you today, you're in a position to offer that mercy."
Barbara straightened up with a nod. "I understand. Thank you, Teacher!"
"Good to hear." Gu Sanqiu's seriousness faded in an instant. "In that case, it's time for you to get some rest. And remember to keep reviewing what you've learned. You could also consult Kaeya for combat tips."
He waved her off. "See you later—whenever you've decided on my payment."
"Ah, Teacher, wait…" Barbara hesitated, fidgeting with her skirt. "What exactly do you like?"
"Huh?" He raised an eyebrow at her. "You're not planning on making me some strange homemade gift, are you?"
A vein popped on Barbara's forehead.
"Maybe you could just bring me some Mondstadt specialties," he said, laughing to himself as he imagined suggesting the Holy Lyre der Himmel just to see her reaction. The thought alone warned him it might be best not to push it.
"Mondstadt specialties? I'll be sure to pick something you'll like," Barbara said with a small bow before bouncing off toward the Church of Favonius.
"Hm… with that gleeful look, maybe she's plotting some prank gift that'll leave me speechless," Gu Sanqiu murmured.
"Well, it was worth it teaching her all this. Should help build some goodwill for me around Mondstadt." He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Might even bring her to Liyue to perform once I get my business trip arrangements settled…"
"Performance location... hmm, maybe the Jade Chamber?"
Gu Sanqiu shook his head, reconsidering. A concert at the Jade Chamber would require all kinds of advanced technology if they wanted everyone in Liyue to see and hear it properly—a logistical nightmare. Besides, he'd need his older sister's approval, which would mean drafting a full business proposal just to get started.
"Yeah… better to plan this out carefully." He yawned, popped a pill into his mouth, and returned to his hotel. With a simple motion, a light breeze swept in, lifting him slightly as his clothes were tidily loosened and set aside.
Lazy though it looked, this was actually his newest training method.
Decarabian's power was immense, and though the energy he'd passed on to him was docile and wouldn't cause harm, he still needed to train daily if he wanted to master it.
It wasn't like he could shoot arrows all day either—if a stray arrow accidentally hit a civilian instead of a Treasure Hoarder, he'd be in serious trouble. Nor could he simply draw his bow without releasing it, since there was no substitute for the experience of an arrow tearing through the wind.
So, despite how cheesy it seemed, this "using wind pressure to help dress and undress" method was practical enough.
The next morning, Gu Sanqiu grabbed a bunch of snacks from Good Hunter before heading over to sit under the Anemo Archon statue, listening to the early morning songs of bards and church choirs.
At first, some passersby mistook him for an unusually well-dressed vagrant but, upon closer inspection, dismissed the idea.
"Hey, you," came a voice.
Gu Sanqiu looked up to see Kaeya, who nodded toward him.
"Why, am I offending Mondstadt's sensibilities just by sitting here?" Gu Sanqiu teased.
"No, not at all. Just that someone reported an odd guy loitering near the statue, and I was sent to check on it," Kaeya replied, plucking a piece of candy from Gu Sanqiu's bag.
"Let's go—time to discuss your reward."
"Oh? Finally settled it, have you?" Gu Sanqiu laughed. "Or maybe you're waiting to reveal the real treasure after hiding all the good stuff away?"
"Hey, we're allies, aren't we?" Kaeya said with a chuckle. "Careful you don't start a diplomatic incident with that line of yours."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Kaeya's face twitched in annoyance. Gu Sanqiu was apologizing, but the tone and the mouthful of candy made it sound anything but sincere.
"Funny thing," Gu Sanqiu continued with a wicked grin. "If it were just me, I would've said to forget the reward altogether. Can you believe that?"
"Seriously?" Kaeya's eyes lit up with interest.
"Yeah—keep dreaming. It's in your dreams."
---
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