"We'll buy the kites first, and I'll explain everything to you later."
"Alright, we'll listen to you."
The group followed Zhongli to a toy stall in Liyue Harbor. The stall owner was an old woman with white hair.
"Customers, you're here? The seven kites you pre-ordered are ready. Shall we take them now?"
The old woman, busy weaving kites, got up to greet Mr. Zhongli as soon as she saw him.
"Yes, thank you for your hard work."
Zhongli nodded in response. He always held great respect for artisans like the old woman who lived by their craft.
"It's rare nowadays for customers to buy kites of this style. Back in the day, some friends from various walks of life used them..."
Fewer and fewer people had been coming to her to custom-order kites like these over the years, but thankfully, her skills hadn't dulled.
"Such exquisite creations always please children, but this 'exquisiteness' is the result of over a thousand years of refinement, and it all has meaning behind it. I've been making kites in Liyue for forty years and am intimately familiar with the ancestral designs. The seven kites this customer ordered have extraordinary significance..."
Liyue, being the oldest nation among the Seven, bore the weight of its history in its cultural heritage, a legacy of immense importance.
"Indeed, these are adornments for the 'Rite of Descension.' Seven kites... symbolizing the seven Archons."
Zhongli stated this directly and openly, without any concealment.
"Haha... For the kite dedicated to the Anemo Archon, I deliberately let the 'freedom' of color bleed beyond the lines. As for the one dedicated to the Geo Archon, I had to paint it according to the contract. These patterns are very ancient and can even be found in the 'Millelith Hall'..."
The old woman chuckled, having guessed as much herself, and had followed the characteristics of each Archon accordingly.
Venti: Meow meow meow?
"The thunder patterns on this kite... hmm, the sense of swirling is captured very well, just like the 'Eternity' the Raiden Shogun desires.
The grass-leaf patterns symbolizing 'Wisdom,' the silver wood rings... cleverly integrated into the kite's frame, truly admirable.
'Justice,' balanced like the surface of water; 'War,' burning like fire; and the Cryo Archon's former... hmm, the details are all impeccably done!"
Zhongli examined the craftsmanship of each kite, highly satisfied with the old woman's attention to detail.
"Ho ho ho, it's a pleasure to occasionally hear praise from a discerning customer."
A joyful smile bloomed on the old woman's face. Nothing was more gratifying than having one's hard work recognized.
"Then, Grandma, I'll take these pre-ordered items first. As for the remaining payment..."
Zhongli paused instinctively, considering whether to put it on 'Childe's' tab.
"I'll pay the rest."
Tartaglia smiled and walked over from not far away.
Paimon: Oh, it's the Fatui Harbinger, 'Childe'!
Zhongli: Hmm, the wallet has arrived!
"Childe, did you and Mr. Zhongli agree to meet here?" Paimon asked curiously.
"Haha, I was just passing by. Mr. Zhongli is as usual, never looking at prices or his purse when buying things. Though, he understands the value of money and the hardships of the world, he just doesn't seem to grasp that 'poverty' is a state that could befall him..."
If he hadn't happened to 'pass by,' Tartaglia thought, another bill would have been sent to the Northland Bank.
Paimon: This is unbelievable, how is this person not starving to death yet?
Zhongli: If the God of Wisdom has no 'wisdom,' then it's only reasonable for Morax to have no Mora, right?
"Mr. Childe is as fond of joking as ever. Well, the kite purchase went smoothly. Before we proceed to the next item on the agenda, there's no need to rest, is there? The 'Rite of Descension' requires provisions and people. We can hire some good helpers near the docks."
"Here, take this. You can ask me for more when you're done."
Tartaglia handed over another coin purse, acting as the commission for Zhongli and his companions to hire helpers.
"Hmm... I'm a step too late. It seems I've missed some interesting news... Next time, I'll find a more suitable moment to appear."
Watching Zhongli and the others leave, Tartaglia crossed his arms and murmured to himself with a hint of regret.
"Hey, Danya, what are you thinking about? So serious?" Feng Yi suddenly popped out from the side, waving her hand in front of Tartaglia's dazed eyes.
"Eh? Feng Yi, aren't you with Mr. Zhongli and them?" Tartaglia was startled at first, then said with a smile.
"Finding helpers isn't something I need to assist with. I might as well take this opportunity to chat with you about other matters."
"Alright, I've reserved a private room at 'The Last Wish Inn.' Shall we go there to talk?" Tartaglia, having a rough idea of what Feng Yi wanted to discuss, suggested a private place.
Feng Yi: Oh ho, I heard the abalone at The Last Wish Inn is quite expensive. I'll have a little taste then...
Inside The Last Wish Inn, fine wine and delicacies were served. Tartaglia dismissed all the maids to prevent eavesdropping.
"Feng Yi, are you perhaps looking for information about the other Fatui Harbingers?"
"No rush, there's so much food, it's not too late to chat after we've eaten..." Feng Yi, already unable to resist, couldn't let this feast go to waste.
She added an abalone to Tartaglia's plate to replenish his strength, then began to feast heartily. Tartaglia smiled and shook his head, joining her in eating.
After a satisfying meal, the two finally began their serious discussion.
"The actions of the Fatui Harbingers are quite secretive. Apart from the Tsaritsa and the Jester, even as a fellow Harbinger, I don't know much..." Tartaglia put down his chopsticks, his expression turning serious.
"Among them, the one you asked me to investigate, the Doctor, I don't know his true whereabouts. I only know that one of his fragments went to Sumeru, seemingly to carry out a mission assigned by Her Majesty. Before I came to Liyue, the Doctor gave me an 'all-seeing eye,' saying it could mobilize latent human potential without severe side effects, only causing slight fatigue after use..."
As he spoke, Tartaglia took out the 'all-seeing eye' and placed it on the table, asking Feng Yi to examine it. Feng Yi scanned it with her River God's Eye and shook her head at Tartaglia, advising him to use it sparingly. Although it was a tool to forcefully boost combat power and turn the tide in desperate situations, it came at the cost of sacrificing physical potential. Even if the loss was small each time, the cumulative effect over a long period could lead to an untimely death.
"Understood. I won't use it unless absolutely necessary..." Tartaglia felt that he wouldn't easily be pushed into a corner.