Bonus chapters are like surprise blossoms—unexpected, yet full of joy! 🌱
---
"Don't leave me hanging like this! It's rare for me to still be awake at this hour. If you leave, you're expecting me to just go back and sleep?"Tartaglia glanced at Gu Sanqiu, his expression flat.
"And what? You usually have someone to keep you company when you sleep? Want me to call a professional or two to help out?"
"Not necessary. Most people wouldn't even make it past my front door this late at night."
Gu Sanqiu smirked. "Besides, aren't you curious about what your colleague wrote in his reply?"
Tartaglia shrugged. "I'll admit, I've been curious. I've been trying to figure out what kind of cryptic message you might've hidden in those little stories of yours."
He paused and added bluntly, "Though, knowing the Doctor's train of thought, maybe it's just the kind of deranged communication that only lunatics like you two can understand."
"Hey, who're you calling a lunatic? I'm a normal guy, alright?"
"Sure, sure. Let me know when you've ever been 'normal,'" Tartaglia replied, clapping Gu Sanqiu on the shoulder. "Let's go already. If we hurry, maybe I can squeeze in a nap after this."
"Heh, I promise you'll be too hyped up to sleep after we're done."
"You didn't, by any chance, organize some weird dance troupe to surprise me in the wilderness, did you? Just so you know, today isn't my birthday."
"...Wait, are you into that sort of thing?"
"No. I'm not."
"Noted. If you'd prefer a male dance troupe, I can probably pull some strings."
"Hard pass."
The two bickered as they walked, their playful banter uninterrupted by the brisk pace they kept.
---
When they reached a point far from Yueheng Mountain and safely out of sight of the Millelith, Tartaglia stopped and crossed his arms.
"This far enough for you? Now spill—what did you drag me out here to see?"
"Read this first."
Gu Sanqiu handed him the letter from the Doctor.
"My friend?" Tartaglia scoffed, skimming the opening. "That's quite the term of endearment, coming from him."
As he read further, however, his expression grew serious. By the time he finished, he turned to Gu Sanqiu, who was lazily chewing on a mint leaf.
"He gave you a Delusion?"
"Correction." Gu Sanqiu waved a finger. "As a Fatui Harbinger, you should refer to it as a 'Sublime Eye.'"
He pulled the black-and-red gemstone from his pocket, its surface glinting ominously in the moonlight.
"Yep. Fire elemental, too. Seems he was worried my damage output wasn't explosive enough. Honestly? That was kinda thoughtful of him."
"Thoughtful, my ass!" Tartaglia swore, something he rarely did. "Hand it over!"
Gu Sanqiu sidestepped neatly, avoiding Tartaglia's outstretched hand.
"Whoa there, this was a gift, okay? What, you gonna rob me?"
"You haven't used it yet, right?"
"Not yet. That's why I asked you to spar with me—help me test how powerful this thing really is."
Tartaglia was the perfect choice. He wouldn't spread word of the Delusion, not even among the Fatui.
And the reason was simple: if this ever got out—if someone in Liyue Harbor caught wind of Gu Sanqiu wielding a Delusion—it wouldn't take long before the Qixing were notified.
The incident would be classified as "The Fatui distributing Delusions in Liyue," and no amount of diplomatic sweet talk or apologies from Snezhnaya could stop the resulting fallout.
The Fatui would be driven out of Liyue entirely, their operations permanently crippled.
This was the kind of open-and-shut scandal that Tartaglia couldn't afford to let happen—not if he wanted the Tsaritsa's plans to proceed smoothly.
"All the more reason you should give me that thing before you hurt yourself!" Tartaglia's tone was firm, but there was genuine concern in his eyes.
"Relax," Gu Sanqiu said, sidestepping again with ease. "Do I look like a kid sticking his hand into a campfire? You're acting more like my dad than a Harbinger."
"Hand it over, Sanqiu."
"Calm down. You really think you can outmaneuver me with just footwork?"
"So you're saying I can't take it from you?"
"That's the gist of it, yes."
"Fine. At least tell me how this thing works."
"Simple," Gu Sanqiu replied. "Infuse it with elemental energy. Or, if you want to get old-school Liyue about it, prick your finger and feed it some blood."
Tartaglia's brow furrowed. "I should warn you—the first time you use it, it'll drain a lot of your life force. Be careful."
"No worries. Knowing how this thing operates, I came prepared with plenty of supplies."
As Gu Sanqiu channeled energy into the gemstone, it began to glow faintly, its black and crimson hues pulsing like a heartbeat.
"By the way," Gu Sanqiu said, glancing at Tartaglia, "it's supposed to enhance my power. Why were you so freaked out when I took it out?"
"Freaked out?" Tartaglia snorted, gesturing at the gem.
"It's the gem that freaked out."
Sure enough, the Delusion's glow intensified, drawing energy from Gu Sanqiu.
"Huh, it really does drain your life force." Gu Sanqiu studied it calmly, as if observing a curious artifact in a museum. "It's like charging a battery with bio-energy. Makes sense why you said the first use could be risky."
"You're... fine?" Tartaglia's voice betrayed his surprise. "When I first used one, I was pale as a ghost for hours. You look... completely normal."
"Let's just say I've been taking care of myself." Gu Sanqiu smiled smugly. "I have a robust life force, you know?"
"This isn't just about 'taking care of yourself.'"
Tartaglia scrutinized him. "If I didn't know for sure that the Doctor left no spies in Liyue, I'd swear he gave you that thing because he's obsessed with your body."
"You mean the kind of obsession where they tie me to an operating table and dissect me alive without anesthesia?" Gu Sanqiu quipped, completely unfazed.
Compared to some of the more esoteric relics he'd handled, this Delusion was practically harmless. At least it wasn't trying to invade his mind or sap his sanity.
"Still, using this thing in public isn't an option. If Mondstadt's grape knight caught wind of it, I'd have to outrun him from Dawn Winery to the city gates. That's not a sprint I'm eager to make."
He grinned, his grip tightening on the gemstone.
"Now, are we sparring, or what?"
---
T/N: OMG HE SAID SANQIU HE'S SOOOO INTO HIMMMM
Thank you so much for being here. This bonus chapter is like a little sprout—brought to life by all the warmth and encouragement you've given! WiseTL is so grateful to have such wonderful Readers who help these stories grow into something even more beautiful.
If you'd like to sprinkle even more sunshine and rain onto this garden of dreams, you can visit [patreon.com/WiseTL]. Every little bit helps the flowers bloom brighter!
-With love, Nahida 🌱