"Wow? I didn't expect your comprehension skills to improve."
"With a friend like you, who loves to set traps, it's hard not to get better in this area…"
Childe smirked. "Still, I'll confirm something for you—we are indeed planning something big in Liyue. If you want to stop us, you'll have to put in some serious effort."
"And you're telling me this out of the goodness of your heart?"
Gu Sanqiu pulled out a lollipop, popping it into his mouth with a slightly disdainful look.
"I can guess exactly what you're up to. You're hoping I'll start doubting everything, launch some investigations, create chaos for myself, and give you an opportunity to fish in troubled waters."
Childe froze for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Ah, I didn't expect you to catch on so quickly."
"Still, even knowing that, aren't you going to investigate us? If you don't, you'll remain in the dark about our activities. But if you do, you risk walking right into our trap."
"So, what's it going to be?"
Gu Sanqiu rubbed his chin thoughtfully before his eyes lit up. With a crunch, he bit into the lollipop and swallowed it.
"I've got it. I know how to handle you all."
"Let's hear it."
Gu Sanqiu's smile grew mischievous. "Right now, Liyue is on the brink of significant change. Your presence, as visitors from Snezhnaya, is already muddying the waters."
"Fair enough. But if you insist, we're merely opportunists looking to capitalize on the chaos. You could even see us as a type of high-level merchant."
"Exactly. And merchants of your caliber, if you were to obstruct national policies or twist them to your advantage, could cause a massive headache."
"As a concerned member of the Fengxiang Clan, it's only natural that I devise a swift and effective way to deal with individuals like you."
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Having my sister as the Tianquan really comes in handy sometimes.
A sinister smirk spread across Gu Sanqiu's face.
"So, to ensure Liyue's reforms proceed smoothly and positively, the participation of opportunists like you must be eliminated as soon as possible. Isn't that right?"
"Indeed. So, what's your plan?"
Gu Sanqiu's smirk deepened. "Starting tomorrow, a small, targeted outbreak of disease will strike the Northland Bank and several areas with Fatui activity."
"Regardless of the type of opportunist, if everyone, from top to bottom, ends up dead, you won't have the chance to stir up trouble."
"And of course, you won't survive it either."
Childe's expression froze, his gaze sharp as he stared at Gu Sanqiu. "You're joking, right?"
"Are you seriously saying you can control the spread and target of a disease?"
"What do you think?"
Gu Sanqiu chuckled. "Didn't you claim my family harbors dangerous items? Why don't you take a guess if I might have something like that at my disposal?"
"By the way, should such a situation occur, any visible symptoms in the affected Fatui members will be incurable using conventional treatments. They'll be left with no option but to wait for death."
"As for the antidote… it's exclusive to me."
Childe's face grew grim. "I'm starting to think I should deal with you right here and now. Just as I suspected, your family is far too dangerous!"
"Oh, is that a challenge? Think you can take me down? Go ahead and try."
Gu Sanqiu remained unfazed. "We're pretty evenly matched as we are now. If we fought, it's anyone's guess how long it would take to decide a winner."
That last part, of course, was a lie. Based on Childe's current abilities, Gu Sanqiu could easily pin him to the ground single-handedly.
But if Childe went all out—fully utilizing his Delusion and unleashing his Foul Legacy transformation—it was anyone's guess who would emerge victorious. After all, Gu Sanqiu had never seen Childe fight at full power.
In such a battle, Childe would also have an advantage—the Delusion's life-draining properties.
Childe had honed his mastery of his Electro Delusion over a long time, whereas Gu Sanqiu had only recently obtained his and was still an inexperienced novice.
If Gu Sanqiu dared to rely on such an unrefined power during a fight with someone like Childe, a seasoned combatant would instantly exploit every weakness.
And if he were to take a direct hit from a Foul Legacy-enhanced attack like Endless Whale Song, well… that would be a bit too much fun, wouldn't it?
"Alright, you make a good point. Right now, there doesn't seem to be any reliable way to kill you."
"Exactly! So, just sit tight and wait for me to unleash a plague on your Fatui members. Hehehe."
"Could you stop laughing so creepily?"
Childe's smile turned equally sinister. "It's fine. My men are tough enough to keep moving, even if they're infected."
"When the time comes, I'll send them out to attack civilians, spreading the disease among your Liyue citizens. Or better yet, I'll have them coat their teeth with poison and start biting people!"
"And with every bite, I'll make them shout, 'This is an order from the Fengxiang Clan head!' Whether or not you can resolve the situation, your family's reputation will plummet."
"An eye for an eye, a life for a life. How does that sound?"
"Oh, come on, are you trying to start a zombie apocalypse? Or maybe a game of Plague Inc.?"
Gu Sanqiu sighed. "Still, that method is absolutely outrageous. It'd cause mass panic. You truly live up to your title as an opportunist."
"Hah, likewise. Sometimes I wonder, if Liyue didn't have someone like you stirring up trouble, would my life be more peaceful or just a lot less fun?"
Gu Sanqiu suddenly fell silent, leaving Childe somewhat puzzled. Did he say something wrong?
"By the way, a friendly reminder."
Gu Sanqiu glanced at Childe with a barely restrained grin. "Your Liyue language skills have improved quite a bit recently, haven't they?"
"Not bad."
"And chopsticks?"
"Uh, let's not talk about it. Ever since I accidentally sliced a table in half at Wangshu Inn, I've been sticking to forks for everything but soup."
"Alright, we'll let that slide for now."
Gu Sanqiu rested a hand on Childe's shoulder. "If I'm a troublemaker, then with your improved Liyue skills, what do you think that makes you?"
…
Childe froze, speechless. A flicker of Electro danced in the air as twin daggers materialized in his hands.
"Kindly erase that memory."
"Please, I'm human. That's impossible for me. I'll probably remember it forever."
"Don't worry! It'll be just as you imagine—I'll make sure to tell everyone about it!" Gu Sanqiu gave him a big thumbs-up.
"Looks like I'll have to erase it myself!"
Enraged, Childe lunged, his daggers flashing as he charged at Gu Sanqiu!
---
T/N: I'm eating so good right now (yapoi yujm...,.)
stellaris HSR got bonked again :((, off to the hub the scribble one (will be reuploaded there this week will put in end of chapter when it has been)
Greetings, esteemed reader.
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With sincere regards,
Zhongli
(who let this old man here?)