Rosalyne trembled at Tartaglia's words, stepping forward until she stood behind him.
"What do you mean by that?"
"The literal meaning."
Tartaglia, in high spirits, leaned back onto the sofa, looking past her with a grin.
"I'm no longer the same as you—or any of you. Soon I'll be a cultivator. For Her Majesty's dream, you won't even be needed.
I alone will be enough to change everything.
You'll just stay down here in the mortal dust, gazing up as I tread the immortal path."
Crossing his legs, he returned casually to his novel.
Rosalyne's face frosted over. She marched forward and slapped the book from his hands.
"Explain yourself clearly. What do you mean, you'll be cultivating in a month?"
Tartaglia wasn't the least bit annoyed. Resting his head in his hands, he chuckled at her.
"Now you're anxious? Aren't you the one most skilled at gathering intelligence?
Why is your information so outdated?
Correction—it's not a month. A little over twenty days. Rosalyne, do you know what it means for mortals and immortals to be separate?
Once I've stepped onto the path, I'll show you what that difference truly means."
Rosalyne drew in a deep breath, fighting the urge to punch him in the jaw. But his intelligence was too important—she had to know the situation in Liyue.
"Tell me. What have you learned here?"
"Are you begging me? That doesn't sound like begging."
Unhurried, Tartaglia picked his book back up and resumed reading.
"Lady Rosalyne's intelligence network is so mighty—why not send your own people? Give it a few more days and you'd know even more than me."
Her anger burned hotter and hotter. At last she sat opposite him, voice low and firm:
"Barbatos' Gnosis was brought to me by Lisa, who now calls herself a disciple of Mount Shu.
She left Mond for a week, and when she returned she was already a cultivator.
At Stormterror's Lair, she easily suppressed Dvalin, who had been possessed by the Lord of the Tower, and even destroyed the Archon's remnant soul.
Her power now surpasses many Archons.
According to her, Mount Shu's sect master is a mighty cultivator from beyond the heavens—the lightning storm a few days ago was his tribulation.
His strength is such that he alone could overturn all of Teyvat.
Lisa also said he captured dozens of Archons beyond the Dark Sea to use as laborers.
Now, Rex Lapis, the Anemo Archon, that woman, and many of Liyue's high officials and adepti have all joined Mount Shu.
That is everything I know. Now it's your turn."
Tartaglia sat up a little, his eyes thoughtful.
Her information was indeed valuable—especially about the transformation after cultivating and hints of the sect master's true power.
Perhaps she wasn't so ignorant after all.
He decided not to press her further.
After a pause, he said softly:
"Mount Shu is about to open its gates and recruit disciples."
"What?!"
Rosalyne had considered many possibilities, but never this.
Given Lisa's words and the tales in Liyue's "official" cultivation novel, her image of Mount Shu had risen ever higher.
Her very purpose here was to find a way to establish contact with that sect. If possible, perhaps the Tsaritsa wouldn't have to pursue her low-success plans any longer.
But never had she imagined Mount Shu would openly recruit.
"Just days ago, Liyue's General Affairs Bureau, backed by the Qixing, announced that the Rite of Descension would be postponed for a month—all effort will go toward the sect-opening ceremony of Mount Shu.
They'll take in a thousand disciples to step onto the immortal path.
It's common knowledge in the streets—you didn't even bother to ask? You really are arrogant, Rosalyne."
Tartaglia looked at her with schadenfreude.
She ignored his jab, demanding:
"Why haven't you reported this critical news?!"
"Don't throw false charges at me."
His eyes went cold.
"I sent word the moment it was announced. Her Majesty already knows.
Why else do you think she granted me such authority?
As of now, every Fatui operative in Liyue, every Northland Bank resource—they're all at my command. Including you.
All are to pave my way into Mount Shu.
Your intelligence is nothing compared to mine. I've seen with my own eyes how strong cultivation makes one."
He tugged at the bandages on his neck.
"See these wounds? When I first arrived, I crossed paths with a sword-flying expert. I stopped her to test myself…
It wasn't a battle—it was a one-sided crushing.
You've read Ten Thousand Swords Return to One in the novel? I took that—at my peak, no less.
Had it not been for Her Majesty's power and my teacher's aid, I would be dead. And she wasn't even using her full strength—just swatting a child aside.
Later I confirmed—she was Keqing, the Yuheng of Liyue.
And that was before she'd cultivated for long.
From that moment, I knew Liyue harbored cultivation secrets. I've known exactly how powerful cultivators can become.
And now, this chance has fallen to me. Listen well, Rosalyne—"
His voice dropped, icy.
"I've already passed Liyue's preliminary selection. Next, I only need to reach Mount Shu and pass their assessment.
This is the greatest fortune of my life, the most important moment I will ever face.
I withheld this news from you precisely so none of you would come and make trouble.
I've staked everything on this path. If you interfere—if I lose my chance at cultivation—even if Her Majesty herself begged for you, I would kill you.
No one is allowed to sabotage me. No one."
Rosalyne fell silent. At length, her gaze softened slightly.
"This… is the chance you spoke of?"
"No! It's a certainty."
His confidence was absolute.
"I believe in my own talent."
She frowned, puzzling.
"Mount Shu is supposed to be transcendent. Why would Liyue have authority over their preliminary selection? And what are the standards?"
Tartaglia smirked.
"Thinking of applying yourself?"
"Anyone who knows cultivation is real would want to," she replied evenly.
He curled his lip.
"You? No chance."
Her face darkened.
"And who are you to decide for me?"
"No decision needed—it's just a fact."
He said calmly:
"Mount Shu delegated the first screening to Liyue. And Liyue can't abuse it—if even a Fatui passes, they'll have to accept it.
But Mount Shu's sect laws alone eliminate ninety-nine percent of the Fatui.
Their creed is to slay demons and uphold the righteous path. Rosalyne, must I remind you who you are?
Besides Mondstadt's events, have you done a single good deed in five centuries?
Need I mention how many died in your Delusion Factory in Inazuma?
To Mount Shu, you're not a candidate—you're a target. Their path is to eliminate beings like you."
Her face grew darker still. For the first time, she regretted some of her past excesses.
Now she understood why the Tsaritsa had entrusted Tartaglia with such authority.
Look at the other Harbingers.
The Jester, mastermind of the soldier modification and Delusion plans.
The Doctor, with his human experiments, even on children.
The Rich Man, still wanted in Liyue for wrecking the Mora system.
The Balladeer, a mad killer beyond count.
To Mount Shu, such people would never be redeemable. Sin must be purged.
By comparison, Tartaglia was a simple warrior—fierce in battle, but not given to wanton slaughter. He cared for his family, sometimes helping merchant caravans fend off monsters.
He lacked guile. He could pass.
Perhaps only the naïve girl and Arlecchino might also stand a chance.
As for her… she knew she wouldn't clear the first hurdle.
Agitated, she glanced at the pass token hanging at his waist.
Her eyes flickered. "What if I used… certain means—"
"Heh."
Tartaglia's laugh was cold. He leveled a freezing stare at her, then strode to the window and yanked open the curtains.
Outside, hundreds of Millelith soldiers stood guard.
"These troops were specifically dispatched by the General Affairs Bureau to monitor the Fatui.
Each one is an innate-stage martial expert, trained in Rex Lapis' newly devised arts under spiritual energy.
There are a thousand like them in Liyue now, with tens of thousands more behind them.
If you dare draw a weapon here, you won't walk a single street alive.
And even if you succeeded—do you think Mount Shu wouldn't see through it?
You'd face the suppression of countless cultivators. You'd even drag down Her Majesty with you."
His eyes narrowed, cold and sharp.
"And do you know why they're stationed here? Liyue is hoping I'll slip, so they can openly cancel my qualification.
I told you, Rosalyne—I won't let anyone jeopardize my path to cultivation.
If you still harbor such thoughts, I'll personally hand you over to the General Affairs Bureau before they even move."
"Hmph."
Rosalyne turned sharply, striding for the door.
"No need to worry. Since Her Majesty has ordered it, I'll cooperate.
But I hope—for your sake—you truly succeed. Otherwise—"
Tartaglia didn't answer. He stood at the window, watching her leave the Northland Bank toward the General Affairs Bureau.
Curling his lip, he muttered:
"Still clinging to hope? If you pass that assessment, I'll eat my own boots."
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